Environmental Pollution: Causes, Effects and Control

Environmental pollution is caused when contaminants enter the natural environment and cause adverse changes. Pollution can be of different types, such as air pollution, soil pollution and water pollution, among others. Combustion, mining, warfare, construction and agriculture are the anthropogenic contributors of air pollution. Other sources and activities that prove hazardous to the environment include nuclear waste disposal, coal-powered petrochemical plants, heavy industries, burning of natural vegetation, use of pesticides and herbicides, etc. Pollution affects human health significantly and can lead to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, neurological problems, birth defects and cancers, besides others. The environmental effects of pollution include ocean acidification, biomagnification, occurrence of acid rain, global warming, biodiversity reduction, etc. The practices of recycling and reusing, use of compost, employing industrial wastewater treatment and sewage treatment are some of the effective techniques of controlling environmental pollution. This book unravels the recent studies in this field. Also included herein is a detailed explanation of the various causes, effects and control measures of environmental pollution. This book will serve as a reference to a broad spectrum of readers.