Hello! Welcome to our blog. 🙂 Here’s your first question: “List some examples of environmental pollution in 10 seconds.” Ready, Set, Go! 

Time’s Up! So what do you have on your list? (share it with us in the comments below.) Did you have land, air, or water pollution on your list? Was it the first few types of pollution that come to your mind? These are, after all, the first few types of environmental pollution that we learn about. 

The impacts of these forms of pollution also tend to be featured more on news with increased concerns on global issues such as climate change. This is also because these pollutions can have severe impacts on our lives. 

Source: https://www.everythingconnects.org/pollution.html

Interesting Fact #1: Did you know that air pollution accounts for ¼(around 7 million) of disease and premature death? Of which 3 million is related to indoor air pollution? (UN, 2014)

The place that is supposed to be your safe haven can also be a threat to your health if not managed properly. But don’t just start cleaning now, know what you are using too. Did you know that some cleaning agents release chemicals that can be harmful to the human body (ALA, 2020)? With that being said, this is not an excuse for you to not clean anymore. Just choose your cleaning agents and tools properly. 

Another tip to reduce your exposure to indoor air pollution is to maintain good ventilation in your home (ALA, 2020). This way, any pollutant in your homes does not remain in the same spot and accumulate. Check out some tips in the sources. 

How about other forms of environmental pollution such as light and noise pollution? What do you know about them? Share your interesting facts in the comments below.

Interesting Fact #2:Did you know that light pollution is “one of the fastest-growing and most pervasive environmental pollutions” today (Chepesiuk,2009)? 

That’s right, light pollution is increasing rapidly. With an increasingly urban population, projected to reach 68% by 2050, and rapid urbanization in many places it really isn’t that surprising (UN, 2018). 

With more studies on these lesser-known pollutions, the impacts of these pollutions are increasingly known. Not only do they have a substantial impact on the environment and biodiversity, but it also affects human health. As such it is important for us to be aware of these forms of environmental pollution in addition to the common water, air, and land pollution. 

We hoped this post managed to introduce you to more forms of environmental pollution. Thanks for visiting our blog. We hope to see you again. 🙂

To find out more about the different types of environmental pollution, check out the sources below. 

Sources: 

Introduction to types of environmental pollution:

• Boudreau, D et al. (2011). Pollution. National Geographic Resource Library https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/pollution/ 

For more info. on cleaning products and agents:

• American Lung Association. (2020). Cleaning Supplies and Household Chemicals. https://www.lung.org/clean-air/at-home/indoor-air-pollutants/cleaning-supplies-household-chem

Tips for air ventilation:

• American Lung Association. (2020). Ventilation: How Buildings Breathe. https://www.lung.org/clean-air/at-home/ventilation-buildings-breathe

References: 

• Taylor, D. GE3246 Lecture slides for Week 1
• Kurohi, R. (2019). Air pollution causes as many as 7 million premature deaths each year: UN report https://www.straitstimes.com/world/air-pollution-kills-6-to-7-million-prematurely-every-year-un-report
• UN WHO. (2014). 7 million premature deaths annually linked to air pollution https://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2014/air-pollution/en/
• UN WHO. (2018). Household air pollution and health https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/household-air-pollution-and-health
• UN DESA. (2018). 68% of the world population projected to live in urban areas by 2050, says UN. https://www.un.org/development/desa/en/news/population/2018-revision-of-world-urbanization-prospects.html