What is pollution?

Pollution is an undesirable change in the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of the air , water or land that can harmfully affect the health, survival, or activities of humans or other living organisms.

Pollution photos

Pollution statistics and examples

In 2006, air pollution in Pakistan's major cities were among the highest in the world, causing serious health issues in the process. Dust and smoke particles are generally twice the world average and five times higher than the developed world. This was found out in the Pakistan Economic Survey. The survey also found out that the number of vehicles on the roads in Pakistan have increased five times in the past 20 years. One of the biggest increases is seen in the automobile sector in diesel- powered goods lorries. These vehicles are among the most polluting in the world.

Many towns and factories are build near rivers so that they can use water from the river. However, sometimes the water is not cleaned before it is put back into the river. Pollution can make rivers smell. Pollution kills water plants and animals. Polluted water also carries diseases. When animals drink the water, they may get diseases which can kill them. People can also get these diseases if they eat the infected animal. This happens a lot in Africa where people get untreated water directly from the river.

Water supplies to about 200,000 people in Central China have been contaminated by pollution. The Xinglong, Tianguan and Dongjing rivers were affected by the pollution. About 60,000 people in Xinguo have been left without running water because of this. They are relying on bottled water and limited underground supplies. China has faced problems in the past with careless or dangerous use of chemicals for industry or agriculture.

In December 1984, a Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal, India, leaked over forty tons of a poisonous gas into the community surrounding the plant. Indian officials estimate that the gas leak left nearly 3000 people dead and 50,000 people permanently disabled and that 15,000 people died from subsequently from exposure to the poisonous gas. Hundreds of tonnes of waste still lays inside a tin-roofed warehouse in the corner of the old grounds of the Union Carbide pesticide factory in Bhopal, India.

When the Asian tsunami of Christmas 2005 washed ashore on the east coast of Africa, it discovered that tonnes of radioactive waste and toxic chemicals drifted onto the beaches after the giant wave dislodged them from the sea bed off Somalia. Tens of thousands of Somalis fell ill after it came into contact with a cocktail. They complained to the United Nations (UN), which began an investigation. They stated that "There were reports from villagers from a wide range of medical problems such as mouth bleeds, unusual skin disorders and breathing difficulties." Three hundred people are believed to have died from the poisonous chemicals.