US Green Living .com
Industries that use factories, electricity generating facilities, and other devices that rely on fossil fuels and chemicals are responsible for a significant portion of the pollution present in the environment today. The effects of industrial pollution can be seen in the form of air pollution, water pollution, and contaminants in the soil. A variety of environmental and health risks are associated with each form. While government and environmental groups
have pressured industries to cut down on their pollution, it continues to be a major issue throughout the world, being more prevalent in certain regions of the world.
Air pollution is the most obvious type of industrial pollution. Power plants, manufacturing facilities, and waste management centers billow out smoke from their premises emitting such harmful substances as carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide. Oil refineries burn fossil fuels which in turn cause more air pollution. A host of regulations as well as new filtering technology have been introduced to lessen the impact of industrial air pollution on the environment. Air pollution caused by industry affects humans causing numerous respiratory defects. This pollution also contains greenhouse gases which contribute to global warming, having a widespread impact on world climate. These gases are also known to be factors in the creation of acid rain in the atmosphere.
Industrial pollution also affects sources of water. Many factories release chemicals and manufacturing byproducts into water sources such as streams and rivers which in turn carry the contamination to other bodies of water. The acid rain caused by industrial air pollution also infects water sources. These bodies of water often serve as important water supplies for animals and people as well, especially in underdeveloped countries. The oil industry is responsible for numerous oil spills in oceans and lakes throughout the globe. These oil spills can be incredibly hazardous to marine animal and plant life.
Soil contamination results when manmade chemicals and byproducts enter into the natural soil environment. Industrial dumping of petroleum and solvents are the main contributors to this type of pollution. The presence of soil contamination presents numerous health risks. People who frequent parks, schools, and playgrounds may be in direct contact with soil contamination while being completely unaware of the situation they are in. If lead is present in the soil, it can be quite dangerous to children. High exposure can lead to permanent damage of the nervous system. Soil can be contaminated with a number of other hazardous elements that are known to cause leukemia and other types of cancer.
Several measures have been taken by governments to combat the effect of industrial pollution. In 1963 the United States Congress passed the Clean Air Act to reduce smog and other forms of air pollution caused by industry. This was followed by the Clean Water Act in 1977 that limited industry’s ability to dump its chemicals and byproducts into water sources. Similar actions have been taken in Europe. Rapid industrialization in developing countries with less strict regulations, especially China, continues to pose a problem as a source of industrial pollution.
