pollution

Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause harm. Pollution can take the form of any substance (solid, liquid, or gas) or energy (such as radioactivity, heat, sound, or light). Pollutants, the components of pollution, can be either foreign substances/energies or naturally occurring contaminants.

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Pollution is the release of harmful substances or energy—like chemicals, waste, radiation, or excessive heat and noise—into the environment where they don't belong. It matters because these contaminants can damage natural ecosystems and affect the health of living things, including humans.

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Commons category: Pollution
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Article

24 sections

Contents

Definitions and types
Natural causes
Human generation
Effects
Human health
Socio economic impacts
Environment
Regulation and monitoring
{{anchor|Pollution control}}Control
Practices
Devices
Cost
Dirtiest industries
Textile industry
Fossil fuel related industries
Socially optimal level
History
Prior to 19th century
19th century
20th and 21st century
See also
References
Further reading
External links

Although environmental pollution can be caused by natural events, the word pollution generally implies that the contaminants have a human source, such as manufacturing, extractive industries, poor waste management, transportation or agriculture. Pollution is often classed as point source (coming from a highly concentrated specific site, such as a factory, mine, construction site), or nonpoint source pollution (coming from widespread distributed sources, such as microplastics or agricultural runoff).