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Pollution changes the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of air, land

and water. Pollution harms human life and the life of other species. It also

degrades living conditions while wasting or depleting raw material resources.

Causes of Pollution

It must be recognized that all sectors of our society viz., industry, government,

agriculture, mining, energy, transportation, construction, and consumers

generate waste. Wastes contain pollutants which are the materials of chemicals

that have been discarded during the process of production or consumption.

Business activities such as production, distribution, transport, storage,

consumption of goods and services are known to be the most critical sources of

environmental pollution problems. Many business enterprises have been

responsible for causing (i) air, (ii) water (iii) land, and (iv) noise pollution.

These types of pollution are discussed as follows:

(i) Air pollution: Air pollution is the result of a combination of factors which

lowers the air quality. It is mainly due to carbon monoxide emitted by

automobiles which contributes to air pollution. Similarly, smoke and other

chemicals from manufacturing plants pollute the air. Resultant air pollution

has created a hole in the ozone layer leading to dangerous warming of the

earth.

(ii) Water pollution: Water becomes polluted primarily from chemical and

waste dumping. For years, business enterprises have been dumping waste

into rivers, streams and lakes with little regard for the consequences.

Water pollution has led to the death of several animals and posed a serious

threat to human life.