About Pollution
The term pollution is often used to describe human-made contaminants that disrupt natural ecosystems, including land, water and air. It can be categorized as point source (a specific source like an industrial plant, sewage disposal site or mine) or nonpoint source pollution (widespread distributed sources, such as microplastics or agricultural runoff).
Air pollution is the single biggest human-made risk to health, killing around 7 million people each year, and increasing rapidly. It is caused by a mix of hazardous substances, such as fine particulate matter from burning fossil fuels in vehicles and power plants, and gases, like carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Air pollution also damages the planet, contributing to climate change and harming vital ecosystems through crop yield losses.
Breathing pollution passes through the lungs and into the bloodstream, where it can damage organs such as the heart, brain and kidneys. It can also pass through the placenta and impact a developing fetus. Exposure to air pollution causes a range of diseases, and many people develop respiratory conditions like asthma from long-term exposure.
Depending on their age and location, some people are more susceptible to the adverse effects of pollutants than others. These include children and elderly people, those with underlying health conditions and disadvantaged communities living near polluting industries or toxic waste sites. Moreover, poor communities often have lower levels of education and access to high-quality medical care, further increasing their vulnerability. Long-term exposure to pollution also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and other illnesses.
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