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15 Alarming Facts About Pollution 

In 2022, pollution killed nine million people worldwide which is one in every six deaths. These people died from all types of pollution and this has been the case since 2019. This is according to a study of global mortality and pollution levels published in The Lancet Planetary Health journal.

Pollution is a growing problem in our world today. The sad fact is it affects every living creature on this planet. Whether it’s air pollution from factories and cars, water pollution from oil spills and plastic waste, or soil pollution from chemical fertilizers and pesticides, the impact of pollution is devastating.

There is an urgent need to address the catastrophic impact of all forms of pollution on our day-to-day lives. This article will paint a stark picture of the challenges we face because of pollution and how we can all do our part to reduce this problem. Here are 15 alarming facts about pollution.

1. Air Pollution Kills More People Than Malaria, Tuberculosis, and AIDS Every Year

Air pollution kills 800 people every hour which is 13 people every minute. That accounts for more than three times the number of people who die from malaria, tuberculosis, and AIDS each year when all three diseases are combined.

Air pollution can take various forms, such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, and volatile organic compounds. These pollutants can cause a range of health problems including asthma and lung cancer.

We should purpose to reduce emissions and improve air quality by reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Use more efficient and clean energy, embrace carpooling, public transportation, or walking/biking instead of driving, etc.

2. Plastic Waste In Water Bodies Is Harmful To Marine Life 

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Every year, over 8 million tons of plastic waste end up in the oceans, harming marine life and ecosystems. Apart from being mistaken for food by marine animals, leading to ingestion and potential toxicity, plastic waste entangles and suffocates marine animals, such as sea turtles and seals. 

Plastic damages marine ecosystems by altering the balance of nutrients and introducing harmful chemicals that kill marine organisms, leading to a loss of biodiversity and reduced productivity.

We should do regular cleanups to save animals’ lives and discourage people from littering in the future.

3. Plastic Takes Between 450 And 1000 Years To Decompose

Plastic is a synthetic material made from petroleum-based polymers that do not biodegrade easily. PET, the plastic used in bottles and containers, can take up to 450 years to decompose. PVC, used in pipes and flooring, can take up to 1000 years or more. 

Plastic waste can also pollute waterways, contaminate soil, and release toxic chemicals into the environment. We should reduce plastic waste by recycling, reducing single-use plastics, and promoting the use of sustainable and biodegradable alternatives to plastic.

4. Noise Pollution Is The Most Neglected Type Of Pollution

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Noise pollution is the presence of excessive, unwanted, or harmful sounds in the environment caused by traffic, construction, loud honking, thunderous music, screeches, and sirens that emit harmful levels of noise-causing illnesses in human beings.

Noise pollution occurs when we cross the 55-70 decibels level for 24 hours which is permissible for human hearing. Beyond that, noise has a negative impact on human health, well-being, and quality of life plus it can cause hearing loss, hypertension, and heart disease.

Even though noise pollution is the most neglected type of pollution, it is harmful in that it also reduces productivity, interferes with communication, and decreases the enjoyment of outdoor spaces. Individuals and organizations should reduce noise levels at the source.

Read facts about Antarctica here.

5. The Air In Your House Could Be More Polluted Than Outdoor Air

Many people spend approximately 90% of their time indoors. In most cases, people assume that the air inside their homes and offices is safe and clean. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says otherwise, in fact, the air inside homes can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air.

Examples of indoor air pollutants are cigarette smoke, mold, pet dander, household chemicals, cooking fumes, and others. These pollutants can cause coughing and sneezing, asthma, lung cancer, and heart disease.

Regular cleaning, proper ventilation, and the use of air purifiers and other air-cleaning devices can help improve indoor air quality. 

6. Children Are More Vulnerable To Pollution 

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Children are more vulnerable to pollution than adults because their immune system is still developing. Their bodies are smaller and they have a higher breathing rate meaning they inhale more pollutants relative to their body weight than adults do.

Babies get respiratory problems such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath as a result, and conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia become more common.

7. Breathing The Air In Delhi Is Like Smoking 25 Cigarettes In A Day

India is the third-most polluted country in the world after Bangladesh and Pakistan. India’s capital, Delhi, has some of the worst air in India, forcing flight cancellations, causing traffic accidents, schools closure, and even turning the white marble walls of the Taj Mahal yellow and green.

Breathing the air in Delhi is equivalent to smoking 25 cigarettes in a day. People who live in high-density air pollution areas have a higher risk of dying from lung cancer than those living in less polluted areas.

Read facts about smoking here.

8. All Forms Of Pollution End Up In The Water

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Water pollution is the contamination of water sources by substances that make the water unusable for drinking, cooking, cleaning, swimming, and other activities. Water pollutants include chemicals, trash, bacteria, and parasites.

All forms of pollution eventually make their way to the water. Air pollution usually settles onto lakes and oceans. Land pollution can seep into an underground water stream, then into a river, and finally into the ocean. Thus, waste dumped in a vacant lot can eventually pollute a water supply.

Poorly treated sewage may find its way into the drinking water sources and cause serious diseases.

9. 2 Billion People In The World Today Do Not Have Safe Drinking Water

Water pollution does not only affect fish and other aquatic life, but also destroys ecosystems, and contaminates drinking water sources. According to the World Health Organization, over 2 billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water.

With this comes serious health consequences for humans who come into contact with polluted water, ending in waterborne diseases that are responsible for more than 3 million deaths each year.

10. The World Generates Over 2 Billion Metric Tons Of Solid Waste Every Year

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The world generates about 2.01 billion metric tons of municipal solid waste annually, which is equivalent to about 1.2 kilograms of waste per person per day. Solid waste includes garbage, construction debris, commercial refuse, sludge from the water supply or waste treatment plants, air pollution control facilities, and other discarded materials.

It is important to have proper waste management policies and practices to reduce the negative impacts of solid waste pollution on our planet. Let’s all reduce, reuse, and recycle our solid waste.

11. E-Waste Is The Fastest-Growing Waste In The World

Electronic waste, or e-waste, refers to electronic devices such as computers, mobile phones, televisions, and more, that are at the end of their life cycle and hence are no longer useful.

They contain hazardous substances such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, which can pose serious health and environmental risks if not managed properly. To reduce pollution, consider repairing and reusing electronic devices.

12. The World’s Oceans Take In 6.5 million Tons Of Litter Annually

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Oceans account for 70 percent of the earth’s surface. World oceans are increasingly being polluted by a range of human activities, including industrial activity, plastic waste, oil spills, and agricultural runoff. 

Oceans take in 6.5 million tons of litter every year. One of the simplest ways to reduce ocean pollution is to properly dispose of plastics and other recyclable materials, so they don’t end up in the ocean. 

13. Light Pollution Interferes With The Natural Behavior Of Animals

Light pollution refers to the excessive or misdirected use of artificial light, which results in the degradation of the natural darkness of the night sky.

It is caused by artificial sources of light such as streetlights, car headlights, buildings, and billboards that illuminate the night sky and can be seen from great distances.

Light pollution interferes with the natural behavior of animals, disrupts ecosystems, affects human health by bringing about sleep disorders, and wastes energy.

14. Humans Are Polluting Space Too

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Space pollution, also known as space debris or orbital debris, refers to man-made objects in Earth’s orbit that no longer serve any useful purpose and pose a threat to operational spacecraft and human life in space. It includes anything from discarded rocket stages and broken satellites to fragments of spacecraft and lost tools.

Humanity should take responsibility for space pollution and work together to reduce the amount of space debris generated by new launches, track and monitor debris in orbit, and develop technologies to remove debris from orbit. 

15. Pollution Is The Main Cause Of Climate Change

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts may be natural, such as through variations in the solar cycle. Lately, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas which cause pollution too.

We can slow the rate and limit the amount of global warming and climate change by reducing pollution.

Everyone has a role to play in reducing, slowing down, or stopping the effects of pollution. Riding a bike to work, carpooling with friends, reusing and recycling bottles and packaging, choosing solar, hydro, or wind energy in our homes and industries, whatever you as an individual need to do, please do it to reduce the damage pollution is doing to our environment.

Read on facts about owls here and also check out facts about rabbits.