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7.3 Types of Pollution

There are various types of pollution. In this unit, we will discuss about following four
types of pollution:

A. Air pollution B. Water pollution
C. Land/Soil pollution D. Sound pollution

A. Air pollution
Air pollution can be defined as undesirable change
in physical, chemical and biological characteristics
of air due to addition of unwanted substances in
it. According to WHO, “Air pollution is limited to
situation in which the outer ambient atmosphere
contains materials in concentrations, which are
harmful to human beings and their environment.”
When there is addition of dust particles, ash and Fig: 15
smoke in air, air pollution is increased. The addition of
smoke produced from industries, factories, vehicles, Air pollution
forest fire, burning of tyres, etc. increase air pollution. It seriously affects environment
and other living beings by spreading many diseases, causing acid rainfall, global warming
and climate change.

Causes of air pollution
Air pollution is caused by the following ways:
a. Forest fire leads towards air pollution.
b. Burning of wood and coal for preparing food,
heating water, etc. causes air pollution.
c. The smoke and dust produced from industries
and factories pollute air.
d. The smoke produced from burning of petroleum Fig: 16
products in vehicles causes air pollution.
e. The smoke and dust produced during volcanic eruption increase air pollution.
f. Burning of tyres and other explosives cause air pollution.

Effects of air pollution
Air pollution adversely affects human beings, other living beings and environment.
According to WHO, millions of people die suffering from various air-borne diseases
every year in the world. Some of the effects of air pollution are listed below:
a. Air pollution causes lung cancer.
b. Smoke and dust produced from burning fuel, industries, etc. cause several respiratory
problems like asthma, bronchitis, ARTI (Acute Respiratory Tract Infection), etc.
GREEN Environment Population and Health Education Book-9 167