Disposing of nuclear waste and managing natural and manufactured radiation sources in our environment is difficult. If inadequately contained, radioactive waste and pollution can cause serious health problems and long-term environmental contamination.

To help you understand the serious implications of nuclear radiation and radioactive pollution, this article closely examines the causes, effects, and solutions to nuclear radiation.

What is radioactive pollution?

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) defines radioactive pollution as the unintended or undesirable presence or deposition of radioactive substances on surfaces or within solids, liquids, and gasses. For this article, radioactive pollution and radiological contamination will be used interchangeably. 

The contamination of land, air, seas, and freshwater with radioactive contaminants introduces these environments and the living things within them to ionizing radiation generated by the decay of radioactive material.

The unstable nuclear state of radioactive elements leads to their degradation releasing hazardous energy in the form of alpha, beta, and gamma rays along with free neutrons.

Radioactive waste and pollutants vary in their level of radioactivity and capacity to harm. But sustained contact with the bodily organs of humans and animals can lead to tissue damage, disease, genetic mutations, cancers, and death.

One of the big problems with radioactive pollution is that it is persistent, with radioactive substances releasing damaging radiation for decades or even centuries after the contaminating incident depending on the half-life of the contaminant.

Radioactive waste is a major source of nuclear radiation pollution

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are five types of radioactive waste:

1. High-level waste

High-level nuclear waste is the most dangerous and toxic form of nuclear waste. Only 1% of all radioactive waste is high-level waste. Its hazardous nature means that it is usually stored at the facility where it is generated. High-level nuclear waste primarily comes from two sources:

1. Solid spent nuclear fuels: the majority of high-level waste.
2. Liquid high-level waste from defense activities.

2. Transuranic waste

Transuranic waste is a special category of radioactive waste derived from manufacturing nuclear fuels and weapons. This type of waste is generated by man-made radioactive elements with an atomic number of 92 or higher. This waste is so dangerous that disposable items associated with its development must be stored at a remote Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP).

3. Mill tailings 

As mentioned below, mill tailings are solid wastes left over from uranium and thorium processing. These highly radioactive discarded materials require sealed storage at a dedicated facility.

4. Technologically enhanced naturally-occurring radioactive material (TENORM)

TENORM materials are naturally occurring radiological materials (NORM) that man has enhanced through processes like enrichment, with various uses in industry. TENORM materials are less potent than high-level waste but require careful disposal in-line with state regulations.

5. Low-level waste

Low-level radioactive waste is generated by industry, healthcare, and defense. Low-level and very low-level waste account for over 95% of the total amount of radioactive waste generated.

It usually consists of disposable items in contact with radioactive materials or sources. Though they are not as dangerous as the other classes of radioactive waste, they still require disposal by specialist companies at a designated disposal facility.

Key sources of radioactive waste and pollution

Nuclear radiation has wide-ranging positive and negative applications in the modern world. Radioactive waste is a byproduct of its use. As 10% of the world’s energy consumption is nuclear generated, radioactive elements, materials, and waste are found in every continent, along with the potential for significant pollution.

 Here are the most important sources of radioactive waste today:

1. The nuclear energy sector

Nuclear energy generation generates radioactive waste, which can be low-level or high-level. Nuclear waste is a pernicious and environmental pollutant that comes from the following sources in the production of nuclear energy:

A. Uranium mill tailings

Uranium-235 is the primary driver of the nuclear reaction that is used to generate electricity. Uranium ore is milled to purify it for use in the energy sector. However, this process generates mill tailings, a waste product with more than 85% of the radioactivity of the original ore.

Tailings have only recently been recognized as high-risk radioactive waste. This means that disposal plans for mill tailings were inadequate for many decades, leading to pollution of the surrounding environment.

B. Spent nuclear reactor fuel

Once nuclear fuel has been exhausted through use in a reactor, it is known as spent fuel. The uranium oxide used to generate nuclear energy is packaged in tiny ceramic pellets stacked with metallic rods known as fuel rods.

Spent rods are solid when removed from a nuclear reactor and require particular disposal in a spent fuel tank at the nuclear power plant. In the US, over 2,000 tons of spent fuel is generated each year, a volume that could fill half of an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

C. Tools and equipment

Any equipment that comes into contact with radioactive dust or particulate matter at nuclear processing facilities and power plants also requires careful disposal.

2. Nuclear accidents

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) defines nuclear accidents as events where large amounts of radioactive material are dispersed, leading to significant consequences to nuclear facilities, the environment, and people.

Nuclear accidents vary in severity and impact on the environment. In major nuclear accidents like the 1986 Chornobyl disaster and the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident, the core of a nuclear reactor has been damaged, leading to the massive release of radioisotopes into the surrounding environment.

Since Chornobyl, there have been more than 57 nuclear accidents and severe incidents worldwide. 60% of these have taken place in the United States. Though many risk mitigation procedures are in place at nuclear power plants, facilities, and nuclear submarines, human error remains a major cause of nuclear accidents.

Nuclear accidents have a massive ecological impact that can have immediate and long-term effects. The radioactive pollution of land, water, and air can take decades to clean up and bring to safe levels.

3. The defense sector

In countries that have a military with nuclear capabilities, defense activities will generate nuclear waste which is usually uranium or plutonium-based but not the products of nuclear fission.

Nuclear weapons, submarines, and other military equipment become significant nuclear waste sources when decommissioned.

Radioactive pollution from nuclear testing

Nuclear testing has been an infamous cause of radioactive pollution. Though the last ‘known’ nuclear tests were carried out by America, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union in the 1990s, the pollution of land, water, and airspace can be persistent.

This is because 15% of the total energy of a nuclear explosion is radiation, with the dispersal of radionuclides that emit radiation as they degrade. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was signed in 1996.

3. Radon gas emissions

Radon gas is a naturally occurring source of radiation. It is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Radon is one of the largest contributors to background radiation and is leached from uranium present in granite, shale, and other rocks. In regions that have high concentrations of radon, the gas can build up in properties, increasing the risk of cancer.

There is a strong association between radon gas and lung cancer. Alaska, South Dakota, and Pennsylvania have some of the highest radon gas concentrations in the U.S.

4. Radioactive sources used in industry

One of the most vulnerable areas to radioactive pollution and significant human harm is the use of radioactive sources in industry. Radioactive sources used in industry have caused numerous fatal incidents because of improper storage, handling, and loss, like the Mexico City radiation accident (1962) and the Rio Tinto Western Australian radioactive capsule incident in 2023.

Radioactive sources and capsules are used in industry in the following ways:

A. Inspection

Radioactive sources are used in various manufacturing industries to inspect the integrity of fabrication, such as welding. Like an X-ray, the radioactive source is placed on one side and a detector on the other to look at how materials are penetrated. This provides a convenient and portable method for inspecting items without risking internal damage.

B. Tracers

Industrial tracers use radiation to monitor the flow of fluids and the efficiency of industrial processes such as refining. The short-lived radioisotopes that are used present minimal risk to the environment. The tracer radioisotopes are mixed in with flowing or filtered materials to track their movement and identify leaks or blockages.

C. Gauges 

Gamma sources are used as gauges to monitor levels of a variety of solids, liquids, and gasses used in industry. They are advantageous in extremely hazardous environments where extremes of temperature or corrosive substances make the use of direct contact gauges impossible.

5. Medical radioisotopes from nuclear medicine

Radioactive waste is also generated by tertiary hospitals that have a nuclear medicine department. The following radioisotopes are used in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures:

• Technetium-99m (Tc-99m)
• Iodine-131(I-131)
• Carbon-14(C-14)
• Iodine-125 (I-125)
• Tritium (H-3) 
• Fluorine-18(F-18)

This medical application of radiation generates not only used isotopes, but also contaminated syringes, vials, needles, swabs, vials, and dressings. Clothing and items handled by patients that have received high doses of radioisotopes may also have to be disposed of as radioactive waste.

6. Milling and mining 

The mining and milling of uranium are important causes of radioactive pollution. Radioactive waste is generated in this industry via the following extraction methods:

• Open and closed-pit mining with the digging of soil and rocks out of open pits to extract uranium ore, known as carnotite.

• Leaching: a common and extremely polluting method that uses pumped chemicals to dissolve and extract uranium from rocks. The generated uranium-rich leachate is then processed to purify and extract uranium.

The waste generated from uranium mining is called tailings if it is solid and raffinates if it is liquid. This waste requires careful storage as it is some of the most hazardous waste.

In addition, the mining of any rock generates raised concentrations of radon gas that can cause lung cancer. To mitigate this radiation hazard, radon gas must be pumped out of mines, with some miners requiring breathing equipment to protect their lungs.

7. Improper radioactive waste disposal

Radioactive waste that has been improperly disposed of is an immediate environmental hazard. The disposal of radioactive waste is undertaken at secure specialist facilities that are regulated by the EPA, The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and  The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

Standards regarding the disposal and long-term storage of radioactive waste are so stringent that incidents of improper disposal have been rare recently. In the early 20th century, significant radioactive pollution was caused by the inadvertent spread of radioisotopes by radium watch dial painters, miners, and scientists like Marie Curie.

A major concern remains the longevity of storage arrangements for radioactive materials due to materials such as plutonium and uranium remaining radioactive potential for thousands of years. Earthquakes, explosions, and improper documentation have been cited as causes of radioactive waste leakages.

What are the effects of nuclear waste and radioactive pollution?

Radiation pollution is harmful because of its pervasive effects on living things. Even physically small quantities of highly radioactive materials can deliver a dose of radiation that can kill. Solid, liquid, and gaseous radioactive substances contaminate the areas where they are present and, if uncontained, will disperse through the environment.

Here are the main effects of radiation:

Effects of ionizing radiation on human health

Ionizing radiation releases radiation that penetrates human tissues and can damage the genetic material within a cell’s nucleus. The severity of these effects depends on the radiation dose and exposure duration.

Acute effects of radioactive contamination

Exposure to large doses of radiation causes Acute Radiation Syndrome, also known as radiation sickness. The energy delivered can be large enough to cause visible reddening and burns, followed by nausea, vomiting, inflammation, bleeding of the mucous membranes, hair loss, and death. The dose of radiation delivered would have to exceed 18,000 chest X-rays.

Chronic and long-term effects of radiation pollution

Sustained or chronic exposure to raised radiation levels is a significant health risk. Even if the dose is low, the proximity to a source of ionizing radiation leads to cellular and DNA damage that raises the risk of developing cancer or infertility.

Chronic effects can be experienced through occupational exposure, living in an environment, or ingesting food contaminated with radioactive materials.

Effects of radiation pollution on wildlife

Wildlife that comes into contact with nuclear fallout or the radioactive discharges from nuclear disasters can be affected similarly to humans. Genetic damage to animals can lead to mutations, especially in rodents and other small, fast-multiplying creatures.

Dispersal of radioactive particulates on grass and other vegetation can lead to radioactive materials entering the food chain and becoming concentrated in humans and apex predators.

Effects of radioactive pollution on marine life

Radioactive pollution can also harm marine environments and be dispersed through water systems over wide distances. A serious consequence is that radioactive isotopes like iodine are absorbed by seaweeds and phytoplankton, entering the marine food chain and becoming concentrated in fish and seafood.

Currently, this is one of the major concerns of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant incident. Thousands of tons of radioactive water have been released into the Pacific Ocean, with a temporary fishing ban in waters off the northeastern coast of Japan.

Despite being diluted by massive volumes of ocean water, tuna caught off the U.S. West Coast were found to have raised levels of ¹³⁴Cs in their tissues.

Contaminated land

Nuclear incidents in a specific geographical area can render land unusable for decades. The soils, water, and vegetation become contaminated, leading to raised background levels of traditions that are unsafe for human habitation. Even where cleanup efforts have been successful, a geographical region may be associated with pollution and avoided by people.

Solutions for managing nuclear waste and radioactive pollution

There is no way in which radioactive pollution or waste can be physically cleaned or destroyed. Where there is contamination or a spill, ‘clean up’ efforts focus on stripping and containing contaminated materials, including buildings, vegetation, and soils. This makes careful management of radioactive waste essential. Here are the main principles:

• Careful planning: sites that handle radioactive materials use careful planning to minimize the amount of waste produced.

• Prompt processing of radioactive waste: waste is treated as soon as possible after it is generated to minimize the risk of dispersal of radioactive material. Processes are often automated, including decontamination, compacting, and solidifying radioactive waste.

• Containment of radioactive material: Nuclear waste requires specialist packaging in containers that will not allow the radiation to escape. Secure sealed containment must also be robust enough to withstand handling and transport to a storage facility.

• Reliable long-term storage: Certain radioisotopes have half-lives that can be hundreds of years. Without a safe means of disposal, most high-level radioactive waste has to be stored long-term or permanently in facilities that can be adequately sealed and secured.  Storage facilities may be located underground, taking advantage of natural rock as a barrier.

The management of radioactive waste depends on its type

The approach to managing radioactive waste varies according to whether it is high-level, intermediate-level, or low-level:

High-level nuclear waste

The most hazardous forms of nuclear waste are often liquids generated while processing spent fuel rods from nuclear reactors.

This toxic liquid undergoes vitrification, where it is mixed with crushed glass and heated to become a molten liquid. The high-level waste is then poured into 150-liter stainless steel canisters and moved for long-term storage.

Waste is usually stored on-site for several decades until it is deemed safe enough for longer-term storage, usually within several other containers in a dedicated deep geological facility called a repository.

Low-level nuclear waste

Low-level nuclear waste may be incinerated and compacted for storage in many repositories. After being encased in metal containers, low-level waste is stored in concrete-lined vaults and repositories that are carefully monitored.

Most low-level radioactive waste facilities have limits on radiation levels that can safely be accepted. Regulators and regional authorities set limits on the amount of low-level waste that can be stored in a specific area. Some very low-level radioactive waste may even be landfilled.

Recovery and reprocessing of nuclear materials

Nuclear materials can also be recovered from apparent waste for future use. Uranium and plutonium are valuable and so waste that is rich in these radioactive elements is routinely stored for future use.

Spent nuclear fuel is also reprocessed using dangerous chemical processes that separate the plutonium and uranium from used fuel rods. Though this potentially reduces demand for newly mined radioisotopes, it is a potentially hazardous and polluting procedure.

Rounding up

Nuclear radiation and radioactive pollution are serious environmental issues. The continued adoption of nuclear energy (with more than 400 power stations globally) means that the amount of waste generated and the potential for pollution will also continue to increase. 

Manufactured containment measures for radioactive material appear to be working well. Still, the potential for human error, natural disasters, or activity by malicious agents mean that everyone is at risk of the effects and environmental damage from this extremely dangerous type of pollution.

However, the stakes couldn’t be higher. In 2021, over 2.5 million acres of ponds, reservoirs, and lakes were deemed unsafe in the U.S. alone.

Water pollution can potentially damage aquatic ecosystems and human life for generations to come. More than 50 diseases are linked to poor drinking water quality, and 80% of diseases worldwide are related to poor drinking water quality.

Water pollution can lead to harmful medical conditions such as diarrhea, skin diseases, malnutrition, cancer, and even death for those, especially at risk – like children and the elderly.

Animals and plants that reside in either saltwater or freshwater environments are also increasingly affected by polluted waters. Chemicals and pollutants can impact water temperature and potentially disrupt or kill marine life unused to higher temperatures.

In this article, we’ll dive into everything you need to know on this issue, and what the most common causes of water pollution are.

What is water pollution – and why is it a problem?

Caring for our environment not only has to do with making greener shopping choices, but also preserving the natural resources that are essential to all life on Earth. In its three phases – solid, liquid, and gas – water ties together the major parts of the Earth’s climate system: air, clouds, the ocean, lakes, vegetation, and glaciers.

Water is polluted when harmful substances like chemicals contaminate a waterway. These toxic substances render the water unusable for drinking, cooking, swimming, and cleaning.

Pollutants can include anything from trash to bacteria to parasites, but there are many more causes of water pollution to be aware of.

And because our atmosphere and waters are connected through the water cycle, pollution of all kinds has the power to damage waters further.

All forms of pollution, in fact, eventually make their way into the water. 

Air pollution settles onto lakes and oceans, and land pollution can seep into soil, underground waters, and eventually the ocean. Because water is considered a universal solvent, it is the most vulnerable to pollution and is able to dissolve more substances than any other liquid on earth.

Let’s dive into the bodies of water most susceptible to water pollution: groundwater, ocean water, and surface waters.

Groundwater

Groundwater exists underground in saturated zones beneath the land surface. Underground, groundwater fills in the spaces between sand, gravel, and other rick forms. Gravity pulls water down towards the center of the earth, and it gradually fills in the fractures in rock and sediment.

Groundwater flows naturally out of these rock materials or can be drawn up to the surface, and these rock materials are called aquifers. Water flows slowly and horizontally through aquifers towards bodies of water like rivers and lakes.

Groundwater gets polluted when contaminants like pesticides, fertilizers, and waste make their way into aquifers. A large number of the world’s population uses groundwater as drinking water, so the pollution of this resource can leave thousands of people without clean drinking water.

Surface water

Surface water is any body of water found on the Earth’s surface, including saltwater and freshwater found in our oceans, rivers, streams, and lakes.

Because it is more accessible than groundwater, surface water is heavily relied on by humans around the world for drinking water and farming, in addition to the wildlife that rely on these bodies of water. In 2015, almost 80% of all water used in the U.S. came from surface water.

Spills of harmful substances can cause surface water pollution. Typically, improperly treated wastewater or an industrial operation, erosion, or runoff resulting from a rain storm is the culprit of surface water pollution. Runoff can be contaminated because it picks up pollutants from the land it flows across and deposits elsewhere.

Ocean water

The preservation of our oceans is crucial to the survival of millions of marine animals, fish, and plant species. And yet, ocean waters are some of the most extensive grounds for water pollution, most of which is caused by human activity.

80% of ocean water pollution originates on land, where it can be transported from storm drains and sewers. Pollution on the sand from single-use plastics and other waste can hurt marine life, break down over time, and dissolve in the ocean.

Ocean waters can also be polluted by ocean dumping, on-land machinery like cars and trucks, in addition to airplanes and boats in the ocean. Like groundwater, ocean water can also absorb chemical pollutants and agricultural runoff that damage marine life substantially.

How pollutants enter our waters 

Pollutants can enter bodies of water in a few ways: point, nonpoint, and transboundary sources.

• Point source pollution is a single, identifiable source of pollution, like a pipe or a drain that deposits industrial waste into rivers and oceans. Another example of point source water pollution is a factory smokestack that emits carbon monoxide into the air, which eventually makes its way into waters.

• Nonpoint sources of pollution are harder to define. They are often described as diffuse pollution, because they refer to pollution impacts that occur over a large area and cannot be easily attributed to a single source. Nonpoint sources are often associated with the use of certain lands that contribute pollutants to air and water. Nonpoint source pollution is the leading cause of water pollution in U.S. waters, but it’s difficult to regulate, since there’s no single, identifiable culprit.

• Transboundary pollution is the result of contaminated water from one country spilling into the waters of another. Transboundary contamination can result from a disaster like a major oil spill that travels through waters.

So, what are the main causes of water pollution?

There are a large number of causes of water pollution that originate and travel to waters via a variety of different origins. Let’s understand the main causes of water pollution, and how they occur.

Sewage and wastewater

Wastewater is used water that comes from bathrooms, factories, and various commercial and agricultural activities. This wastewater usually contains harmful biological contaminants such as bacteria and pathogens. Even when the used water is treated, these contaminants can remain and still cause harm when released into other water sources.

Sewage and wastewater are released into the sea with fresh water, where the pathogens and bacteria found in that wastewater can breed disease and cause health issues in humans and animals alike.

Despite the many wastewater treatment plants that operate around the U.S. and the world, these systems are often aging and cannot handle increased capacity: each year, sewage treatment systems release more than 850 billion gallons of untreated wastewater. Each year, the impact of sewage and wastewater grows even direr.

Global warming

Rising global temperatures caused by greenhouse gasses – such as carbon dioxide emissions – heat water and reduce its oxygen content.

Just how much can greenhouse gasses raise the water temperature? Besides the water vapor naturally present in the air through evaporation, the anthropogenic greenhouse gasses retain 7% more moisture for each 1℃ (1.8℉) rise in temperature.

In addition, when temperatures rise, certain species cannot survive. Their deaths further pollute the waters. One example of this is the bleaching of coral reefs that is occurring around the world.

The rise in temperatures causes coral to reject the microorganisms that depend on it, resulting in great damage to the entire coral reefs and all the marine life that depends on it.

Agricultural operations and livestock

Often, agricultural water pollution is considered to originate from nonpoint sources. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), agricultural activities that cause pollution can include:

• Poorly located or managed animal feeding operations
• Overgrazing
• Plowing too often or at the wrong time
• Improper, excessive, or poorly timed application of pesticides, irrigation water, and fertilizer

As a result of these activities at the many farms and ranches around the U.S. and world, several pollutants are released such as sediment, nutrients, pathogens, pesticides, metals, and salts.

The United States Geological Survey reports that about a half million tons of pesticides, 12 million tons of nitrogen, and 4 million tons of phosphorus fertilizer are applied annually to crops in the continental U.S.

This massive amount of chemicals will enter into and pass through every water system component, including our air, soil, streams, wetlands, and of course, groundwater.

There are several techniques that farms can utilize to mitigate these effects, such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM) which encourages natural barriers and limits pesticide use.

Fuel spillages

Fuel spillages and dumping is another of the primary causes of water pollution globally. Though disastrous accidental oil spills come to mind, like the 1991 Gulf War Oil Spill that resulted in 240 million gallons of oil spilled, damaging materials can contaminate the ocean in several different ways.

Every year, it is estimated that more than 1 million gallons of oil contaminate our oceans. Oil leaks and spills can happen in many ways, whether it be by accident while mining oil from the Earth or from oil rig malfunctions. When oil spills occur, they often kill thousands of marine life species at once.

The damage inflicted by oil spills is usually impossible to truly resolve.

Aside from oil leaks and spills, the dumping of contaminated, toxic waste material into the ocean is another large cause of water pollution. These toxic materials include dredged material, industrial waste, sewage sludge, and radioactive waste.

In addition to marine dumping, land-based sources of fuel and toxic chemicals also play a huge part in water pollution. Runoff carries fuels from factories, farms, and cities into the ocean.

Industrial operations

Industrial operations at sites around the world are major causes of water pollution. Because many industrial sites produce toxic chemical waste and pollutants, these materials can easily sink into soil, and waters that lead directly to oceans or lakes.

The toxic chemicals in the waste produced by industrial operations not only have the potential to make water unsafe for human consumption, they can also cause the temperature in freshwater systems to change, making them dangerous for many water-dwelling organisms.

A prominent example of industrial wastewater pollution comes from mining: mining has impacted thousands of miles of streams and rivers throughout the eastern and western U.S. due to active and historic mining of iron, copper, lead, gold, platinum, silver, and other materials.

Deforestation

You may be thinking – what does deforestation have to do with water pollution? Deforestation is actually one of the main causes of water pollution, and if our forests continue to be cut down, our waters will suffer.

When rainfall, runoff, or wind detaches soil particles, erosion occurs. However, healthy forests can act as a sort of filter to keep pollution out of water, anchoring soil against erosion and helping the forest absorb nutrients, according to the World Resources Institute.

Thus, when forests are disturbed, sediment can flow more easily into streams and bodies of water. Toxic materials are picked up and carried with these sediments into water, polluting it further.

In addition, forests provide drinking water to more than 33% of the largest cities in the world. The quality and existence of clean drinking water is essentially linked to forests.

Radioactive substances

Radioactive waste is a byproduct emitted from nuclear reactors, fuel processing plants, as well as hospitals and research facilities that use radioactive materials for research and treatments. Radioactive waste is also generated while decommissioning and dismantling nuclear reactors and other nuclear facilities.

Unfortunately, radioactive waste can remain present in the environment for thousands of years. When radioactive wastes are dumped in bodies of water, they contaminate the waters and can damage water supplies and human health.

Radioactive contamination is more prevalent in groundwater as compared to surface water because it is more exposed to the radioactive elements that naturally occur in rocks and magma.

Maritime traffic

According to ocean conservation non-profit Oceana, over 90% of world trade is carried across the world’s oceans by some 90,000 marine vessels. Whether for consumer or commercial purposes, these ships emit greenhouse gasses that significantly contribute to climate change.

In fact, the total international carbon emissions from ocean-going shipping in 2018 was estimated to be a massive 1,056 million tonnes. In addition, much of the plastic pollution in the ocean comes from fishing boats, tankers, and cargo shipping.

Organizations like Oceana have made recommendations to curb the global carbon emissions from maritime traffic, one of the main causes of water pollution. Some of their suggestions for shipping fleets is to take technical and operational measures like speed reductions, weather routing, and fuel switching.

Final thoughts on the causes of water pollution

Reducing water pollution is essential to mitigating climate change for generations to come.

The causes of water pollution, from industrial operations to radioactive waste and wastewater dumping, are causing serious damage to aquatic and human life around the world.

If global organizations, governments, and industries do not take certain measures to curb their release of toxic pollutants into the atmosphere, soil, and water, the effects of water pollution will continue to damage our planet.

Keen to learn more? Here are 20 facts about water pollution that may surprise you.

17 actionable ways to prevent soil pollution (and keep it clean)

Human activities are causing various kinds of soil contamination, with major culprits including fertilizers and pesticides used in agriculture, the mining industry, waste disposal, and the improper handling of hazardous chemicals.

This has a range of implications for people and the planet, from risks to human and animal health to threatening our food supply, destroying forests and other habitats, and contributing to climate change.

If you want to learn more about soil pollution, its causes, and its impacts, take a look at our comprehensive guide here.

Thankfully, there are plenty of things we can do to prevent soil pollution on an individual, community, and political level. Let’s start with the big-picture policies and approaches, then look at actionable and easy steps you can take to make a difference.

1. Involve local communities in land and soil management

As with virtually all kinds of conservation, soil management is most effective when it involves governments, companies, and the local community. Protecting our precious land resources demands dedicated efforts and buy-in from all levels of society.

Therefore, it is essential to educate individuals and groups about the importance of soil conservation and what they should do to prevent land pollution. Equally, governments must listen to the voices of the local community and take the time to hear their concerns and ideas about land management.

People often have unique on-the-ground insights that can be invaluable for legislators and help them to create better laws and guidelines. Additionally, communities will be more likely to comply with the rules if they are created with their needs in mind.

2. Improve legislation on soil pollution control and prevention

Unfortunately, there need to be stronger laws in the US and elsewhere to prevent soil pollution. While companies, organizations, and communities are responsible for protecting the natural environment, the best way to ensure that they do this is through strict legislation.

Given the diverse causes of soil pollution, preventing it requires a range of laws and guidelines across various areas and at the state, federal, and international level.

These areas could include:

• Tighter controls on the transport, storage, and use of hazardous substances
• Permanent solutions for safe, long-term storage of nuclear waste
• Restrictions on the use of chemical pesticides and agriculture
• Incentives for organic farmers
• Bans on mining practices that release toxic dust or liquids into the environment
• Encouraging vertical cities to limit urban sprawl
• Laws to avoid food wastage, such as incentivizing companies to donate unneeded food through tax breaks
• A price on carbon to encourage industry to move away from fossil fuels and towards renewables

3. Adopt waste-to-energy practices

Waste-to-energy (WtE) is, in essence, turning trash into power. More specifically, it involves using waste treatment processes to generate energy, whether in the form of electricity, steam, heat, or fuels like diesel.

Industry can adopt WtE to power their facilities and municipalities can use it to run power stations that feed the grid 24 hours a day, just like a normal power plant, but completely clean, with no greenhouse gas emissions.

Many different types of waste can be used as fuel, including municipal solid waste (MSW), semi-solid effluents from industry, liquids such as domestic sewage, and gasses like refinery exhaust fumes.

The most common type of waste used in WtE is MSW, which represents an abundant and continual supply of fuel. Furthermore, it helps to prevent soil pollution by diverting solid waste from landfills, where it could disperse contaminants into the environment.

4. Conduct research on the soil environment quality baseline

In order to protect the health of the soil environment, it’s important to know where we stand. Therefore, one of the key steps in preventing soil pollution is to conduct research to get a clear picture of the current condition and quality of the soil.

Ground quality surveys give us a baseline that we can use to identify changes as early as possible and take the necessary action. This also means conducting regular surveys to monitor the situation and address any issues.

This work could be commissioned by local authorities, non-government organizations, or by establishing community-based monitoring networks of the quality of the soil environment. Strong networks with a suitable data-sharing process will make it easier to develop quick and effective solutions when problems emerge.

5. Implement soil remediation

Prevention is always better than cure, but when soil has been polluted, the responsible party should address this through remediation. If the company or person responsible isn’t willing or able to do so, local authorities should step in to repair the damage.

6. Control mining and industrial pollution

Another essential part of preventing soil pollution is keeping a close eye on major polluters, such as mining, agriculture, and industry. Rather than introducing laws and leaving companies to get on with things, governments need to ensure that they’re following the rules.

This should involve formal monitoring, with detailed plans for supervision built into legislation to ensure key actors are complying with all rules and guidelines.

It could also be a good idea to conduct regular checks of the soil environment to make sure it is not contaminated – this could be done by the company and reported to the government or, better yet, by an independent expert.

Furthermore, as the carrot to this stick approach, governments can offer incentives to companies that implement eco- and soil-friendly practices. There are a wide range of ways to do this: examples include subsidies for organic producers and tax breaks for companies that install solar panels and other renewable energy systems.

7. Be strict when approving new uses of land

Soil pollution prevention is closely linked to how land is approved for new uses. It’s essential that governments carefully consider each application for land use, whether for construction, agriculture, mining, and industry, and weigh it up against possible environmental impacts, including implications for soil health.

Even residential construction can have a range of negative impacts on the soil, so it’s important for authorities to critically assess this use and whether it could lead to soil pollution. Furthermore, before giving approval, authorities should conduct detailed surveys on the current soil condition, and use this to set appropriate guidelines for management and control if the new land use does go ahead.

These surveys will also show if the soil is already contaminated, so that authorities can order a stop to any planned construction or use of the land until the situation is addressed and any risks eliminated.

8. Make companies pay for polluting

It’s not enough to simply have laws and guidelines in place that aim to avoid soil pollution. For these to be effective, there need to be consequences for anyone who breaks the rules.

Furthermore, these consequences should be harsh enough to be a true deterrent to wealthy companies. This could include steep financial penalties and even jail time for activities like illegal dumping, dispersing pollutants into the environment, use of prohibited chemicals, or unauthorized land use.

Another effective approach is having polluters pay the costs of treating and remediating contaminated land. This is a great way to directly hold companies responsible for the damage they cause and discourage repeat offenders, though is most effective if governments retain responsibility for creating plans for remediation and monitoring the results.

9. Promote research and development

Although we know a fair amount about the causes of soil pollution and how we can prevent it, more research is needed. Further research and development will allow us to develop better processes and more effective solutions to not only remediate contaminated soil but also stop it from being damaged in the first place.

This could include research into detecting soil contamination, new soil remediation techniques, and alternatives to pollutants like chemical fertilizers and pesticides, as well as the soil environment more generally and the impacts of soil pollution.

Unfortunately, research dollars are all too often spent on areas of commercial or military priority, rather than concepts and technologies that could benefit the environment.

Governments and companies alike should take a farsighted approach instead, and support research that promotes sustainability. After all, the long-term health of the planet is essential for the economy, human health, and all aspects of life as we know it.

10. Go organic

Conventional agriculture is one of the biggest causes of soil pollution through the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides which contaminate the soil with a range of toxic components. Modern farming also typically involves the use of heavy machinery that can damage the earth.

Finally, overgrazing is all too common: in seeking higher and higher profits, producers pack farm too many animals on each piece of grazing land. The large concentration of animals strips the plants and nutrients from the soil, causing permanent damage over the long term.

Organic farming is all about returning to more traditional and eco-friendly practices that are kinder to the soil and the environment in general, as well as being safer for human health.

Organic producers do not use any of the following:

• synthetic fertilizers and pesticides
• genetically modified organisms (GMOs) 
• artificial preservatives
• artificial flavors or coloring. 

Instead, they rely on natural fertilizers like manure and compost, natural methods to control pests, and keep weeds under control through crop rotation, mulching, tilling, and hand weeding.

Organic farmers also only feed animals only organic food, don’t give them antibiotics or hormones, and keep them in an environment that is suitable to their natural behaviors, instead of being confined in small areas. You can be confident that a product is truly organic if it carries a recognized, independent certification such as USDA, NSF, and GOTS.

Buying sustainable food is one of the best things you can do as a consumer to prevent soil pollution. Not only to you avoid products that directly contribute to ground contamination, but by supporting organic brands you’re sending a message to other producers.

If enough people shop organic, the industry will shift towards organic methods to meet consumer demand. You could even grow your own organic herbs and veggies at home with an Aerogarden or vertical farm.

Buying organic products isn’t just limited to food: there are a range of textiles, personal care products, and cosmetics that contain materials or ingredients that can damage the soil, depending on how they’re produced.

Equally, if you choose to buy wooden furniture or anything else made from wood or tree products, check that it’s sustainably sourced. This ensures you’re not supporting deforestation and that the plantations the wood comes from are handled responsibly to avoid polluting the soil.

11. Dispose of solid waste properly

Solid waste is a major cause of soil pollution. When virtually any type of waste isn’t disposed of correctly, it can disperse pollutants into the environment: as it breaks down, the material may give off harmful gasses, leach toxins into the soil, or particles can wash into waterways.

Even if these contaminants aren’t directly released into the soil, they may make their way there eventually, whether carried by rivers, absorbed through the atmosphere, or traveling through groundwater.

For this reason, it’s important to responsibly dispose of all of your waste, especially potentially-hazardous materials, such as batteries, light bulbs, metal items, propane tanks, and pharmaceuticals.

At a government level, authorities can encourage practices to treat both solid waste and wastewater to avoid it leading to pollution. This includes practices such as neutralizing acidic and alkaline waste, and separating biodegradable trash to break it down in a controlled environment.

12. Slash the waste you produce

Responsibly disposing of your waste is important, but an even better solution is to reduce the amount of waste you produce in the first place. Even when you send it to landfill, regular household waste can produce a range of pollutants that can contaminate the soil and groundwater.

Recycling is a good place to start. In 2018, US households collectively produced nearly 300 million tons of solid waste, of which only 70 million tons were recycled.

Make sure you recycle everything you possibly can and prep it properly first, such as rinsing out bottles and food containers. Failing to do this can mean the entire load of recyclable items are sent to landfill – so check the rules with your local sanitation department.

Many materials are recyclable, including plenty that you probably didn’t realize you could recycle. Check out our guides to recycling things like broken glass, food containers, and aluminum foil to learn how.

Another great approach is to buy zero-waste products, from toilet paper and shampoo to deodorants and toothpaste. These items are free from plastic, from the materials they’re made from to their packaging, instead using materials that can be recycled, composted, or reused.

Additionally, try to repair items as much as possible rather than replacing them: darn that small hole in your socks, sew in a new zipper, or put a patch on your jeans. Take your electronics and home appliances to a licensed repair shop, or have a cobbler resole your shoes or repair your damaged purse.

Finally, you can reduce your waste by taking action at the beginning of the cycle. Buying fewer things will ultimately mean you produce less waste. Carefully consider whether you really need something before you purchase it and develop a capsule wardrobe of eight to 10 pieces per season – we really don’t need so much stuff in our lives!

13. Get composting

Even organic waste can produce contaminants when it decomposes in landfill. On the other hand, when you compost your food scraps and other organic waste, it breaks down with minimal impact, turning into excellent organic fertilizer perfect for nourishing your garden plants.

Organic matter can’t decompose normally in landfill because it doesn’t have enough oxygen, so it rots anaerobically, releasing large amounts of methane. In compost, it breaks down aerobically, as nature intended, releasing smaller amounts of carbon dioxide – although this is also a greenhouse gas, methane’s global warming potential (GWP) is significantly higher.

In this way, composting at home can help avoid pollutants being released from landfills and potentially contaminating the soil. You can compost even if you don’t have a big yard: learn about composting in an apartment here.

While composting is an excellent way to deal with your organic trash, it’s critical to limit the amount of waste you produce in the first place, especially when it comes to food. Wastage represents a staggering 30 to 40% of the US’ food supply.

This means acres and acres of land used to grow unneeded food, potentially polluting the soil in the process. Be careful to only buy as much food as you need, check your fridge and pantry daily and use items that are about to expire, and freeze things that you won’t eat immediately.

14. Minimize chemical use

The modern American household is full of chemicals, from cleaning products and air fresheners to motor oil and laundry detergent.

Simply using these products can pollute the environment: when you spray aerosols, fine particles dissipate into the atmosphere. Similarly, washing cleaning products, body wash, or shampoo down the drain can send a host of toxins and even microplastics into the sewage system.

These particles can eventually make their way into the soil, whether absorbed from the air, groundwater, or through waterways.

In the US, waste-water treatment only removes some chemicals from sewage: around half of all pharmaceuticals and “newly emerging contaminants” remain after treatment to be released into waterways, according to Scientific American.

Instead of using chemical-based cleaners and other household products, opt for alternatives made from natural, non-toxic ingredients. For example, take a look at these chemical-free laundry detergents.

If you can’t avoid using certain chemicals, be sure to handle them carefully and dispose of them responsibly. Never throw hazardous materials or pharmaceuticals in the trash our pour liquids down the drain, instead, contact your local sanitation department and ask how to dispose of them responsibly.

15. Spread the word

Taking a few steps yourself and changing your habits can go a long way to help prevent soil contamination. However, you can multiply your impact exponentially by educating others about the causes and impacts of this type of pollution, as well as what they can do about.

Start by learning all you can about the issue: check out websites like World Soil Information, Science Direct, and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, or read books such as Earth Detox, The World We Need, and The Monsanto Papers. There are also some great documentaries and movies that educate and inspire, such as The 11^th Hour, Home, Michael Clayton, and Erin Brockovich.

From there, spread the word among your networks. Talk to your friends and family, share posts on social media (you can start with this one!), and teach your children eco-friendly behaviors.

You could even volunteer with local organizations that educate the community about soil pollution or related issues.

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16. Lobby your representatives

Even if you aren’t in a position to implement new legislation or policies, you can use the democratic system to drive change. Get in touch with your elected representatives at all levels – local, state, and federal – and tell them how important soil pollution prevention is to you.

Pressure them to introduce laws that protect the soil environment, as well as mechanisms to ensure that everyone complies with these rules. You can also encourage them to be tougher on companies and groups who cause soil pollution, and to fund research and development that will promote better soil environments.

17. Join campaigns

If you really care about soil pollution, why not get involved? Many groups and organizations are working on protecting the soil environment and associated issues, from groundwater safety to protecting forests and other wilderness areas.

The organizations working on these issues include:

• World Wildlife Fund
• Groundwater Foundation
• The Nature Conservancy
• The Land Institute
• Asia Soil Conservation Network
• African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative
• Kiss the Ground

There are loads of ways you can get involved in these campaigns, depending on the amount of time and energy you’re able to give. It could be something as simple as signing a petition or sharing a campaign on social media, or you may want to become a volunteer and advocate for the cause.

How to do your part to prevent soil pollution

The prevention of soil pollution is everyone’s responsibility. This is a critical issue that can have a wide range of negative impacts on people, animals, and the environment, from posing a risk to human health to threatening natural habitats and even the global food supply.

Therefore, it’s essential that we take action to remediate already contaminated areas and prevent further pollution, as individuals, companies, and responsible authorities. At a political level, essential actions include introducing legislation to prevent soil pollution and hold polluters accountable, funding research, involving local communities, and improving waste management systems, including incorporating waste-to-energy approaches.

As individuals, living more sustainable lifestyles, from better managing our waste to avoiding chemicals and buying organic products, will go a long way to prevent all kinds of further damage to the environment, including soil pollution. We can also educate others and advocate for change, whether lobbying our politicians, joining campaigns, or both!

For more pointers on how to live an eco-friendly lifestyle, check out our introduction to zero-waste or our post on solar panels to power your home with renewable energy.

When waters are polluted millions of people lose access to safe drinking water, leading to disease and even death: 80% of diseases around the world are related to poor-quality drinking water.

In addition, ecosystems aren’t able to support the complex ecosystems that depend on clean, unpolluted water. Knowing all of the disastrous effects of water pollution, many people are looking to make a change in their personal lives, and find ways to reduce water pollution.

In this article, we’ll explore several different ways to reduce water pollution in your home, work, and personal life, and why these changes matter.

16 ways to reduce water pollution and help look after our planet

While a large percentage of the world’s water pollution is caused by large-scale industrial, agricultural, and maritime transit operations, each individual still plays a role in reducing water pollution.

While some of these ways to reduce water pollution may not surprise you, some you may not know. In fact, some of these suggestions shine a light on how certain acts can actually lead to increased pollution levels!

Let’s take a closer look at the different ways to reduce water pollution.

1. Pick up litter and dispose of it properly

One of the best ways to reduce water pollution is to prevent it at the source: by disposing of waste properly. In fact, 60% of water pollution today can be attributed to litter.

Waste that litters our roads, fields, and sidewalks often flows into nearby drains and streams when it rains. When the litter degrades, chemicals and microparticles are released. 

Chemicals and other pollutants from this litter can negatively impact the environment and wildlife in waterways. Cigarette butts are a common example of litter that can seriously damage the natural environment. They can contain chemicals like arsenic and formaldehyde that will seep into soil, and in turn, freshwater sources.

2. Dispose of chemicals and fuel properly

It’s important to know that you should never pour used motor oil or antifreeze down a storm drain, onto the soil, into a waterway, or into the sanitary sewer. All of these drains flow into rivers, meaning this harmful substance will certainly make its way to wreak havoc on the natural life of your waterway.

So how can you dispose of it?

Put used oil or antifreeze in a sturdy container and take it to a local service station or other approved center.

Your community may have a recycling center that will accept the used motor oil and recycle it. Community collection centers and drop-off sites also exist in some areas.

It’s even a good idea to label the container, so others will know that allowing liquids other than storm water to get into the drain leads to the pollution of lakes and streams.

3. Mulch or compost grass or yard waste

In many places around the world, leaves and grass are important parts of the natural environment. Left on land, leaves decompose, feeding your plants and enriching your soil. 

However, these same leaves and yard waste can lead to problematic water pollution. When large amounts of leaves are washed off our lawns, down our driveways, and into storm drains, they make their way into our water bodies; they release phosphorus and nitrogen into our water, contributing to water pollution.

There are a few potential solutions to this issue, however:

• Your city may be able to dispose of your leaves and yard waste – you can bag your leaves for curbside pick-up.
• You can also mix your leaves into your compost pile, creating a nutrient-rich fertilizer for your plants.
• Using a mulching mower, you can create mulch from your leaves to use in flower beds.
• Leave leaves and yard waste in your front yard if you can’t compost them – avoid blowing leaves into the street and clogging and damaging storm drains.

4. Don’t pour fat and grease down the drain

Most of the dishes we cook leave some sort of fat, oil, or grease residue behind. These substances should never be disposed of down the drain in your kitchen.

When poured down the drain, fat and grease can build up over time and clog your pipes. This will lead to sewer pipes clogging and even backing up into your yard and basement. It can also lead to water pollution by carrying contaminants to local bodies of water.

Instead, grease, fat, and used cooking oil should be disposed of in the trash or kept in a glass jar for disposal with other solid waste.

5. Minimize your use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers

In the continental U.S., about half a million tons of pesticides, 12 million tons of nitrogen, and 4 million tons of phosphorus fertilizer are applied annually to crops. These chemicals can cause critical damage to our waters through the soil, runoff, and air.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends several techniques for large-scale farm operations to mitigate these effects, such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM) which encourages natural barriers and limits pesticide use.

At home, however, you can do your part by minimizing your use of fertilizers and pesticides on your lawn and gardens. You can also select plants that are native to the area and can thrive in your landscape’s natural conditions. In turn, you will have to fertilize them less and use less water in the long run.

If you must use fertilizers, make sure to blow or sweep it back onto your grass if it gets onto paved areas, and avoid applying fertilizer on the grass right before it rains, so it doesn’t wash into storm drains and waterways.

6. Use the minimum amount of laundry detergent

Laundry detergent and other cleaning products contain chemicals like phosphates that are harmful to our waters and marine life.

Phosphates lead to algae blooms and kill fish and other aquatic animals by reducing the oxygen in the water. Soaps and detergents can also break up oil and send it lower into the water column, causing damage to more marine organisms.

When spilled in our waterways, soaps and detergents in and of themselves are actually a pollutant that may be harmful.

By cutting down on detergent, or using phosphate-free detergent, you can further cut down on water pollution from your own home. There are plenty of effective natural laundry detergents that you can substitute for chemically-intensive detergents in your home.

7. Dispose of medical waste properly

Never flush pills, powders, or liquid medicines down the toilet or dump them outside, whether on land or water. These drugs can accumulate in the water and be consumed by fish and other wildlife.

Hormones and other compounds end up causing a variety of health problems in fish and birds and contaminate drinking water that people and livestock use.

Studies have found that medicines flushed down the drain can contaminate our lakes and streams and eventually end up in our drinking water. This can lead to adverse reactions for some people and even cases of accidental poisoning.  

University of Minnesota researchers have also detected antibiotics used for human and animal treatment at low levels in lakes, rivers, and streams throughout Minnesota. The U.S. Geological Survey has also found antibiotics in groundwater in both non-agricultural and urban areas.

8. Avoid using a garbage disposal

Depending on where you live, the garbage disposal in your kitchen can also lead to harmful environmental effects like water pollution.

Near large bodies of water, garbage disposals will wash food scraps down the drain and into bodies of water that can be contaminated by the high levels of nitrogen in food waste. Nitrogen can harm local marine and plant life significantly.

It’s best to keep your solid waste solid, experts say, and opt for a compost pile from food scraps when possible.

9. Check your sump pump or cellar drain

If your home has a sump pump or cellar drain, you can check to make sure that it does not drain into the local sanitary sewer system. This connection often dumps harmful biological waste, cleaning chemicals, heavy metals, and more into the system.

As we know, local sewer systems drain straight into rivers, streams, and other bodies of water.

At home, you can do your part when it comes to going green and preventing water pollution by checking your sump pump or cellar drain connection. If you’re not sure, you can contact your city’s local pollution control department.

10. Eat more organic food

Organic foods are not only better for you, but opting for organic is also a big way to reduce water pollution.

Organic foods tend to be cultivated with few synthetic chemicals, and in turn, they result in less chemical pollution in waterways.

The process of organic farming also can be used to reduce water pollution in the U.S., as studies have found. The leaching of nitrate from farming soil into water drainage systems is a major source of water pollution in the upper Midwestern state of the U.S.

In an attempt to reduce the environmental impacts associated with heavy fertilizer use in conventional agriculture, some producers have begun to investigate organic methods.

All in all, agriculture is one of the largest culprits of water pollution around the world. From fertilizer and pesticide use, to the synthetic chemicals used to preserve foods and the fuel used to power equipment, all of these factors play a part in increasing water pollution.

By opting for less chemically-intensive foods, individuals can make a difference in the quality of our waters.

11. Try to avoid buying plastic items

Plastics, like most waste, can end up in a landfill. When improperly managed, waste from landfills make its way into our ocean and bodies of water. From plastic shopping bags to bottles to tupperware, all of these products can cause water pollution at a large scale.

Plastics break down slowly in some waters, but usually, end up degrading the water quality with toxic compounds and harming human and animal health.

Microplastics have been detected in water worldwide, including in our streams, rivers, lakes and oceans. In these waterways, the microplastics end up in the water we drink and the fish we eat, including shellfish.

Thus, one of the best ways to reduce water pollution is to avoid buying and using new plastic items, especially those that are not accepted at your local recycling facility. There are some great alternatives on the market to replace commonly-used plastic products like plastic wrap, sippy cups, and trash bags. 

12. Plant some trees

It may surprise you to find out that deforestation is one of the main causes of water pollution. Healthy forests can act as a filter to keep pollution out of water, anchoring soil against erosion and helping the forest absorb nutrients.

Trees also help protect water quality by capturing, storing, and using rainfall. In doing so, they reduce the amount of runoff that carries pollution off of the landscape and into nearby rivers and lakes. This process also decreases the rate and volume of stormwater flowing through local storm sewers.

In this way, one of the best ways to reduce water pollution is to plant some trees! If you live in an urban area, a healthy tree canopy is especially important. Trees provide other health benefits like helping heat and cool buildings, filtering air pollution, and more.

Select some species that are native to your area, and in no time your trees will begin improving air quality and doing their part in reducing water pollution. If you lack the space, try to find a local communal garden or space to plant some trees elsewhere in your community.

13. Keep your vehicles from leaking

It’s important to maintain your vehicle’s maintenance, not only to save money, but also to prevent oil and other fuels from leaking onto the road. Leaky seals, hoses, and gaskets often leak fluid from cars and end up in the local water table, or runoff into nearby streams, rivers, and other bodies of water.

Oil and other fuels do not dissolve in water, and are toxic to people, wildlife, and plants and can disturb natural aquatic environments.

These toxic substances can last a long time and stick to everything in and near an aquatic environment, from sand to bird feathers. To prevent leaks from our cars getting onto roads and washed into storm drains, regular vehicle maintenance is important.

14. Shop with water pollution in mind

Like your food choices, your shopping tendencies can make a difference when it comes to finding ways to reduce water pollution. The textile industry is one of the largest culprits for releasing pollutants into our waters.

This is because textile processing involves applying vast amounts of chemicals to fabrics – over 8,000 synthetic chemicals, in fact. It’s estimated that around 20% of all water pollution worldwide comes from the dyeing of textiles.

But how does making clothes lead to water pollution? Water is used during the process of applying chemicals and dye to fabrics and this contaminated water is often dumped back into rivers and other waterways.

To reduce the water pollution that results from textile production, try to only buy brand new clothes when you need them, and opt for second-hand clothing wherever you can. This reduces the amount of new clothing that must be produced and thus the water required to create them.

You can also recycle your clothes for a more sustainable wardrobe, or shop locally to limit the pollution that comes from transporting goods long distances.

15. Support environmental charities

To directly make a difference in reducing water pollution, there are several nonprofits that are making clean, unpolluted waters available throughout the world. Supporting these organizations, whether by monetary donations or volunteering can help them maximize their influence.

Some examples of these non-profits include Water.org, U.S. Water Alliance, Water for People, and the Water Project.  

16. Cut down on meat consumption

You may not have known that changing up your diet, even once a week, can make a huge difference when it comes to reducing water pollution.

Raising and housing animals requires large amounts of water – in the U.S. especially, slaughterhouses raise millions of animals per year for consumption – more than 8 billion chickens, 100 million hogs, and 30 million beef cattle.

All of the resources that these animals require are often contaminated and disposed of improperly. Most meat and poultry plants in the U.S. release contaminants into drinking water systems and soil, which in turn contaminates groundwater. These contaminants can include nitrate, nitrite, and fecal coliform, as well as byproducts like chlorine.

These chemicals can not only harm drinking water, they’re also toxic to plants and animals in local ecosystems.

Final thoughts on the ways to reduce water pollution

If you’re looking to live a greener life and care about bettering your area, these are sure ways to reduce water pollution, improve drinking water, and create cleaner aquatic ecosystems in your area.

From making easy switches from plastic, cleaning products, and laundry detergent in your home, to properly disposing of chemicals and cooking oil, it’s often not hard to play your part in reducing pollutants in our waters.

If you observe a possible violation of environmental laws and regulations in the U.S. like illegal dumping of pollutants, you can also report it to the EPA via this form.

Comprehending what land pollution is, and its causes and effects is the first step in tackling this pervasive issue. In this article, we explore the causes and effects of land pollution and consider what can be done to prevent it.

What is land pollution?

Land pollution is the contamination of land by substances that can cause immediate and ongoing damage to human health and the environment. When contaminating substances are present at concentrations above acceptable background levels, this may affect the surface and groundwater of the affected land.

Pollutants are often man-made or at least by-products of human activity. They include hazardous waste, chemicals, or harmful naturally-occurring substances that have been mishandled, displaced from their usual containment, or improperly disposed of.

Land pollution has significant social, financial, health, and environmental costs. Contamination of land can be persistent leading to pervasive effects on plants and wildlife. Human exposure to hazardous substances is a notable cause of disease including cancer, subfertility, and birth defects.

In most societies, wilful and negligent land pollution carries heavy financial penalties, including the costs of cleaning up the contamination. 

What are the causes of land pollution?

The causes of land pollution are diverse. Though natural disasters can cause land pollution, the main cause of land contamination is human activity. Here are seven key causes of land pollution:

1. Agriculture

Intensive farming is one of the biggest causes of land pollution which over time degrades land and reduces its fertility. Excessive use of fertilizers can lead to them being washed out of the ground into waterways, where the excess nitrogen causes an overgrowth of algae that kills aquatic life (eutrophication).

Pesticides that are used to treat crops can be extremely persistent with residues that taint the food that is produced. If used indiscriminately, useful pollinating insects like bees can suffer harm, and insects and microorganisms in the soil that decompose are lost, leading to a deterioration in soil quality.

The improper disposal of agricultural waste is also a key cause of land pollution. Because factory-farmed animals produce more than one million tons of waste daily, manure and slurry may be sprayed onto the fields where it can end up contaminating surface water and introducing harmful antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

2. Industry

Industrial activity is responsible for the release of polluting substances used or generated as part of the manufacturing process or leftover as hazardous waste. The inappropriate use of landfills by industry can cause long-term pollution that is hard to remedy, plus – chemicals that are improperly landfilled can leach into the soil and groundwater, with eventual human consumption.

Industrial accidents like oil spills are well-known causes of devastating land pollution. Land-based spills can take place and oil slicks from off-shore spills can wash up on beaches contaminating large areas. Clean-up is costly and time-consuming, taking decades for affected land to recover as this documentary on the recovery of the Exxon Valdez oil spill shows:

3. Construction

Construction is a polluting activity that often irreparably alters environments and introduces contaminants into the soil and water. In brownfield developments, where the land may already be contaminated, construction work may increase the movement of pollutants or drive them deeper into the soil.

The building process also generates large amounts of waste, especially if demolition is involved. In India, up to 12 million tons of waste is generated daily by the construction sector alone! This mixed waste has to be carefully disposed of or it can become a source of pollution in other areas.

4. Mining

The increased demand for a variety of raw materials, including rare earth metals, precious metals, and coal means that global mining is increasing. But mining is one of the most polluting activities associated with land damage that spans deforestation, erosion, contamination of soils, and long-term alteration of soil composition.

5. War

War is a devastating cause of ongoing land pollution and environmental degradation around the world. Military activity is an industrial polluter with munitions, chemicals, and radiation polluting affected territories.

In conflicts, key infrastructure, such as energy or manufacturing facilities are deliberately attacked which also creates extensive land pollution. An example of this was the 1991 Gulf War oil spill, one of the largest ever. The 240 million gallons of oil that were spilled caused massive coastline damage and the loss of tens of thousands of seabirds and other wildlife.

6. Waste management

The global population generates over 2 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW) each year, with the majority being burnt or sent to landfill. Waste incineration and landfill use can cause land pollution, but a solution for dealing with the vast volumes of waste that need to be handled is limited.

Landfills are particularly polluting as waste decomposes and leeches a range of toxic substances (known as leachate) into the surrounding earth and groundwater. Ashes from waste burning are also landfilled and may release heavy metals and dioxins into the surrounding earth.

7. Nuclear waste

Radioactive pollutants that contaminate soil are a serious hazard and may take decades to clear. Other than the natural discharge of radon gas, this type of land pollution is always man-made. 

There is potential for land contamination by radiation at every stage of the production of nuclear energy. Notable sources of land contamination by radioactive pollutants include:

• the excavation of uranium ore
• the processing of uranium
• the disposal of short and long-lived radioactive waste
• the corrosion products
• the nuclear weapons testing
• nuclear accidents (e.g Chornobyl or Fukushima)

Key land pollution sites

There are several categories of contaminated land. The type of site is key to determining the environmental and health hazards present, the impact of the contamination, and the best strategy for cleanup.

Here are the sites that are associated with the most concerning forms of land pollution:

Sites with underground storage tanks

Industrial facilities and gas stations often store hazardous substances underground in tanks. Failure of this subterranean storage leads to leakage of the contained substance into the surrounding soil and groundwater.

The underground storage tanks used by gas stations are at the most risk of leakage when

• tanks are being filled with fluid
• fuel is being dispensed
• during maintenance and repairs
• during the drainage of wastes

Authorities provide detailed advice on the management of underground storage and how these sites can be safely decommissioned. There are heavy fines for businesses that do not comply with guidelines and have inadequate safety standards.

Spill sites

Operational incidents can lead to spillages of a wide range of chemicals and oils. Examples of spillages that cause land pollution include:

• domestic heating oil
• motor oils and fuel spillages at a mechanics workshop
• pesticides and other agricultural chemicals
• land-based oil rigs

Oil is particularly hard to clean up as it seeps into the ground. In industrial facilities, staff should be trained to minimize the risk of spills when they handle substances and use emergency protocols to ensure a safe and thorough cleanup.

Natural disaster locations

Natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic activity can also cause acute and long-lasting land pollution. These events can lead to the release of naturally occurring contaminants or disrupt facilities, infrastructure, and storage that handle hazardous materials.

Floods and storms can wash pollutants like agricultural waste, fertilizers, or industrial chemicals out of storage facilities and onto the land.

Radioactive sites

Sites may become contaminated with radioactive material due to uranium mining and enrichment, weapons production, or the nuclear energy sector.

Substances like Strontium-90, Plutonium-238, and Uranium-235 are introduced to environments due to man’s activity. Other radioactive substances, like radon pollution, are naturally occurring.

The severity and persistence of radioactive pollution depend on the elements involved and the rate at which they degrade and lose their radioactivity (half-life). Improper disposal of radioactive waste may also lead to ongoing land pollution.

Brownfields

Brownfield sites are ex-industrial locations that have fallen into disuse. Their redevelopment is often affected by land contamination related to their former industrial use, so, before construction can take place, the pollution needs to be cleaned up. This adds to the cost of developing these sites.

Defense sites

Locations that have been involved in military activity may be contaminated with ordnance and munitions substances. Across the world, military bases and war zones may be contaminated with hazardous chemical weapons, landmines, and radiation. 

If countries lack the resources to clean up these areas, they can cause long-term damage to the environment and human health in their vicinity.

Sites of PCB contamination

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are organic chlorine compounds that were widely used in industries that included electronics, building materials, and inks until their harmful effects became known. They have known carcinogens and endocrine disruptors; even small amounts can cause acute poisoning.

The Toxic Substances Control Act of 1979 banned them, but because their use involved so many commercial industries, there are areas of significant PCB contamination.

Disused mining sites

Mining activity leads to the dumping of huge amounts of contaminated waste known as black mountains. This abandoned material often contains metals like lead or copper that can be leached into the soil and groundwater.

Hazardous chemicals like sulfide minerals or cyanide that are used to process gold may also seep into the surrounding environment. Open-pit mining often produces tailings or slurry, which is a source of land pollution that requires careful clean-up once mines go out of use.

How does land pollution affect the environment?

Land pollution is hazardous to human health and the environment. Contaminated sites vary in the type and degree of contamination and the risk they pose to living things.

It’s important to remember that pollutants may not stay at their source but disperse through the environment, potentially affecting areas distant from the originally contaminated site.

However, the unique ecology of a site will determine how much pollution can be tolerated and the type of immediate and long-term effects that will be encountered.

Soil contamination

Land pollution has a devastating impact on soil. Soil relies on diverse living organisms to maintain its composition and health. Toxins and other pollutants can poison and kill this living element of soil, leading to long-lasting ecological damage that may be difficult to recover.

Soil contamination may also include slicks and other substances that cover and penetrate the soil, preventing the vital oxygenation needed by soil organisms. The vital work of decomposition, essential to maintain soil hummus, and the cycling of nitrogen and carbon may also be wiped out.

Land pollution can cause marked alteration of soil chemistry, even when the levels of polluting substances are low. Though organisms attempt to adapt, this eventually impacts the metabolism of the resident soil microorganisms and arthropods, which may form part of the food chain of larger species

In the long term, contaminated soils that lack microorganisms and organic matter are vulnerable to soil erosion. Impaired soil cannot support plant life, so lacks the vegetation that holds the soil in place while it is living and then dies and decomposes to replenish the soil. It can then be easily blown or washed away.

Contamination of surface and groundwater

A secondary effect of land contamination is the pollution of ground or surface waters, either by direct contact with polluting substances or the leaching of substances from contaminated soil. 

Surface water contamination affects lakes, rivers, ponds, and reservoirs, with pollutants directly entering the water. Groundwater pollutants tend to be absorbed from the ground.

This means that land contamination can affect the potable water supplies that are used for individual or mass consumption. This is particularly hazardous where water is drawn up from private wells that are affected by polluted surface runoff from agriculture with raised levels of harmful bacteria.

Damage to vegetation

Land pollution may have lasting effects on plant life in a contaminated area. Contaminated soil that is humus poor and poorly oxygenated cannot support plants or trees. Chemicals that have leached into the soil may also be taken up by plants by the roots, poisoning them. The loss of plant life on polluted land increases the risk of soil erosion and barrenness.

Even where plants survive land contamination, the radiation or chemical substances they are exposed to accumulate in their tissues, meaning they could potentially harm the humans and animals that eat them.

Harm to animals

The effects of land pollution on animals are wide-ranging and persistent because of bioaccumulation. This is the gradual build-up of pollutants in the tissues of an exposed organism as it attempts to tolerate the new substance in its environment. If small organisms with pollutants in their tissues are consumed by larger animals, the toxins can travel up the food chain, harming a greater number of species.

Many polluting substances are also potent endocrine disruptors, impacting animal reproduction. The added challenge of habitat loss means the population numbers and biodiversity of species are reduced and may not recover even if the pollution is removed.

Impact on human health

Land pollution puts human health at risk as they can be not only directly exposed to hazardous materials in contaminated sites but also ingest toxic substances by eating contaminated crops and meat from animals that have been exposed.

The health effects of land pollution are acute and chronic. Immediate dermal exposure to substances like dioxins may cause skin eruptions and other changes. Sustained exposure to radiation and other forms of land pollution can raise the risk of developing cancer or chronic disease.

The environmental damage from land pollution also has indirect negative effects on communities. Polluted land cannot be cultivated, denying communities in poor countries land for grazing or subsistence farming and leading to population displacement.

What can we do to help prevent land pollution?

Land pollution has diverse causes and its prevention requires a coordinated and cooperative approach that involves: 

• Government, regional and local authorities
• Stakeholders in industry, agriculture, and the corporate sector
• Academic and social institutions
• Local communities
• Households

As the causes and effects of land pollution have begun to be more widely recognized and understood, efforts have been made to limit or ban the use of polluting substances. Authorities recognize the seriousness of negligent and wilful pollution by industry and enforce punitive fines where land pollution has been identified.

Guidance on the handling of hazardous materials has been produced to educate businesses and workers on how their waste can be safely disposed of. Regulation and compliance monitoring ensure the levels of key pollutants do not become excessive.

Intensive farming is a key source of land pollution. Many producers and growers are implementing sustainable or organic farming methods that avoid antibiotics, pesticides, or fertilizers. For example, using eco-friendly pest control methods, such as natural bee repellent can reduce the use of harmful pesticides. Consumers can support these efforts by buying foods that have been produced using methods that do not harm the land.

Using eco-friendly pest control methods, such as natural bee repellents can reduce the use of harmful pesticides.

The communities that are affected or displaced by land pollution also require support and assistance in recovering their land and maintaining healthy soils with compensation if the pollution has been deliberate.

In conclusion

Land pollution has varied causes, but they all have the same detrimental effects; poisoning and degrading the land and decreasing its productivity and biodiversity. Thankfully, the ongoing contamination of land is organized as a significant threat to the environment and human health which needs to be tackled with a concerted effort.

However, the accumulation of waste and hazardous materials in the ocean can damage entire habitats and ecosystems. Through widespread water pollution and large amounts of ocean dumping, we are jeopardizing the health of one of our Earth’s most precious resources.

While ocean dumping is not a new concern, awareness is absolutely critical if we can hope to preserve our oceans.

This guide will help you understand this complex issue, and dive into the main causes of ocean dumping around the world. You’ll also learn the many far-reaching effects of ocean dumping, and how you can help curb them.

What is ocean dumping?

It’s important to know what ocean dumping really entails to understand its leading causes and how they impact our planet.

So, what counts as ocean dumping?

Ocean dumping is defined as the deliberate disposal of hazardous wastes at sea from vessels, aircraft, platforms, or other human-made structures.

In fact, in the U.S., dredged material is the primary substance dumped into the ocean, at about 80% with several million tons being dumped into the seas each year. So, where does this hazardous substance come from?

Dredged material is sediment excavated or otherwise removed from the bottoms of ocean waters to maintain navigation channels and docks. This sediment is removed from our waterways to support a network of coastal ports and harbors for commercial, transportation, national defense, and recreational purposes.

About 20 to 22% of dredged material is dumped into the ocean, and about 10% of all dredged material is polluted with heavy metals such as cadmium, mercury, and chromium, as well as hydrocarbons like heavy oils, nutrients (including phosphorus and nitrogen), and organochlorines from pesticides.

In addition, radioactive wastes from worldwide nuclear power plants also find their way into our oceans. There is growing evidence that both short and long-lived radioactive elements can be absorbed by phytoplankton, zooplankton, kelp, and other marine life and then be transmitted up the food chain to fish, marine mammals, and humans.

Other materials disposed of in the ocean include human remains for burial at sea, vessels, man-made ice piers in Antarctica, and fish wastes.

What are the main causes of ocean dumping?

The hazardous waste dumped into the ocean comes from several different sources, but they all relate to human activity. Whether accidental oil spills or mining activities, manmade vessels are undoubtedly causing the most damage to the ocean.

Direct dumping of wastes in the ocean

While a large number of individuals are responsible for directly dumping garbage into the ocean – on average, a half of a kilogram – the majority of direct ocean dumping is done by commercial vessels and large-scale operations.

Earthworks found that each year, mining companies dump more than 220 million tons of waste rock and tailing, the materials left over after the process of separating the valuable fraction from the uneconomic fraction of an ore, into our oceans and rivers.

Oil spillages from offshore rigs

Oil spills are some of the primary causes of hazardous materials being dumped in the ocean around the world. While often not intentional, these fuel spillages cause untold damage to marine and human life.

Oil leaks and spills happen in many ways, whether it be by accident while mining oil from the Earth or from oil rig malfunctions. When oil spills occur, they often kill thousands of marine life species at once.

Many newsworthy disastrous accidental oil spills come to mind, like the 1991 Gulf War oil spill that resulted in 240 million gallons of oil being intentionally spilled along the Gulf Coast. The effects of this incident lasted over a year after the original spill: oil continued to spill out of contaminated coastal sediments for over a year after the war.

However, this was not an isolated incident – there have been at least 44 major oil spills since 1969 in the U.S., and every year, it is estimated that more than 1 million gallons of oil contaminate our oceans.

Oil spills harm animals, humans, and plants in two primary ways:

• Fouling or oiling. This occurs when oil physically harms a plant or animal and impacts their chance of survival. For example, oil can coat a bird’s wings and leave it unable to fly or strip away the insulating properties of a sea otter’s fur, putting it at risk of hypothermia.

• Oil toxicity. Oil consists of many different toxic compounds that can cause severe health problems like heart damage, stunted growth, immune system damage, and even death.

The clean-up efforts that attempt to rectify these oil spillages are typically costly and unable to truly resolve the disastrous effects of fuel spilling into ocean water. In fact, clean-ups can never remove 100% of the oil released into the ocean.

Pollutant runoff from land

All of the Earth’s waters, including our oceans, are connected through the water cycle. This means that all pollutants from land-based activities that result in soil or air pollution eventually end up contaminating our oceans.

Primarily, contaminants are transported through land runoff.

When it rains, runoff or stormwater travels off of roofs and driveways onto our streets, where it picks up fertilizer, oil, pesticides, dirt, bacteria, and other pollutants as it makes its way through storm drains and ditches to our streams, rivers, lakes, and the ocean.

There are several key contributors to these pollutants that are released into our oceans: agricultural and industrial operations and improperly managed sewage.

Agriculture

As a result of improperly managed large-scale agricultural operations, pollutants like sediment, nutrients, pathogens, pesticides, metals, and salts are released into the Earth’s soil and water through runoff.

According to the United States Geological Survey, about half a million tons of pesticides, 12 million tons of nitrogen, and 4 million tons of phosphorus fertilizer are applied annually to crops in the continental U.S.

These chemicals, in turn, pass through every component of the water system, including our air, soil, streams, and wetlands, and can often end up being dumped in our oceans. 

Industrial operations at sites around the world are major causes of water pollution. Because many industrial sites produce toxic chemical waste and pollutants, these materials can easily sink into soil and waters that lead directly to oceans or lakes.

Improperly managed sewage

Wastewater from bathrooms, factories, and commercial activities usually contains biological contaminants like bacteria and pathogens.

Despite the many wastewater treatment plants that operate around the U.S. and the world, these systems are often aging. They cannot handle increased capacity: sewage treatment systems release more than 850 billion gallons of untreated wastewater and runoff yearly.

Even when used water is treated, damaging contaminants can remain and still cause harm when released into larger causes of water like our oceans.

Lack of regulation and education

Countries around the world, including the U.S., have a long history of dumping toxic waste into our oceans with the false belief that if these toxic materials were released far enough away, they would not affect us or marine life at all.

Trash, radioactive wastes, munitions, chemical and industrial wastes and more were simply disposed of in the ocean, with little to no concern for the negative impacts. This trend was based on the false assumption that marine waters had an unlimited capacity to mix and disperse wastes, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

The 1960s and 1970s saw millions of tons of waste dumped into the ocean, and the numbers from 1970 are shocking:

• 38 million tons of dredged material (34 percent of which was polluted)
• 4.5 million tons of industrial waste
• 4.5 million tons of sewage sludge (significantly contaminated with heavy metals)
• 0.5 million tons of construction and demolition debris

In addition, EPA records indicate that more than 55,000 containers of radioactive waste were dumped at three ocean sites in the Pacific Ocean between 1946 and 1970.

You may be thinking: why was all of this harmful ocean dumping allowed to continue?

In the U.S, in particular, there was no federal regulation that regulated ocean dumping at all. One such policy, however, was only enacted in 1972.

The Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) says that the U.S. is responsible for regulating the dumping of all materials which would adversely affect human health, welfare or amenities, the marine environment, ecological systems, or economic potentialities.

Regulations like MPRSA and others set forth by governing bodies worldwide have, unfortunately, been unable to do enough to eliminate all ocean dumping on a global scale.

Regulating ocean dumping is a challenging task for governments – reporting, compliance, and enforcement challenges persist, and some countries are not able to succeed because of economic or developmental constraints.

Mining activities

Mining activities have impacted thousands of miles of streams and rivers throughout the eastern and western U.S. (and the world) due to active and historic mining of iron, copper, lead, gold, platinum, silver, and other materials.

In the ocean, waste from these mining activities can contain up to three dozen dangerous chemicals that eventually make their way into marine life and people that eat fish. It’s not hard to imagine what disastrous effects these polluted fish could have – both on land and in the sea.

But how do these chemicals make their way into oceans?

When drill mining occurs on land, especially near rivers and streams, metal ores are often deposited in these waterways, eventually leading to the ocean. This trend has led to large concentrations of contamination in certain bodies of water, so much so that they are no longer fit for swimming, eating, or drinking.

In addition, as more and more raw materials are needed for technologies such as electric vehicle batteries, many corporations are considering deep-sea mining for resources like lithium, manganese, nickel, and cobalt.

However, experts warn that this mining activity is sure to destroy marine habitats with noise pollution and contribute to ocean dumping with sediment plumes and chemicals.

How does ocean dumping affect our health and our environment?

Ocean dumping from any source is a critical danger to human and marine health and makes it difficult to preserve and protect our environment.

Because the ocean is a complex, connected system of plants, crustaceans, mammals, fish, and more, there is no element of the seas that a not impacted by ocean dumping, water pollution, and air pollution.

Each element of the ocean’s ecosystem feeds the others: from the plants that feed fish, to the fish that feed mammals. Not to mention the humans around the world that rely on the ocean’s marine life to eat and sustain a living.

So, how exactly does ocean dumping impact the environment? Let’s dive in.

Ocean dumping has a detrimental effect on the world’s marine life

The Safe Water Drinking Foundation notes that the ocean is an interwoven ecosystem in which every biotic and abiotic factor influences the other. When one habitat is rendered toxic from chemicals and pollution, all other marine systems that rely on it are unable to survive.

For example, many marine species such as sea turtles, fish, shrimp, crabs, and others rely on seagrass for survival. However, today, seagrass is being lost at a fast rate: one study estimated that a football field-sized area of seagrass is lost every half hour, whether it is torn out by dredging and choked by polluted runoff.

The loss of such an important food source is incredibly alarming and is already having impacts on marine life today: fish and mammals are forced to migrate and seek out other food sources.

The disposal of trash such as plastic and metal are also negatively impacting marine life. Waste can trap, harm, and kill animals and fish when they become entangled.

In addition to waste, chemicals like household cleaners are harming the world’s marine life as well. Roughly two thirds of the world’s marine life have been threatened with chemicals humans throw down the drain every day.

When ocean dumping harms marine life and damages their habitats, food sources, and waters, several other effects occur:

• Coral reefs are destroyed
• Ecological imbalance
• Loss of biodiversity in the ocean
• Human livelihoods are lost or hindered

It’s clear that continuously depositing hazardous wastes into our oceans is already causing irreparable damage to marine ecosystems around the world.

Ocean dumping depletes oxygen levels in seawater

Another direct impact of ocean dumping is the deoxygenation of our oceans: according to the IUCN, the oxygen content of the ocean has declined by around 2% since the middle of the 20th century overall, while the volume of ocean waters wholly depleted of oxygen has quadrupled since the 1960s.

Hazardous wastes from ocean dumping and water pollution leads to lower oxygen levels in the sea. Less oxygen affects the health of marine life and plants that they depend on.

Aside from potentially eradicating marine species, there are several other dire consequences that result from the decline of oxygen in the ocean:

• Decreased biodiversity
• Displacement or reduction in fishing resources
• Shifts in species distributions
• Expansion of harmful algae blooms

Adverse effects on human health

The ocean is home to a vastly complex interconnected ecosystem, but humans also play a role in this system. Our activities, whether on land, in the air, or in the sea, affect the oceans’ health and, in turn, our lives.

Our oceans provide for families and communities worldwide: today, 10-12% of the world’s population – 870 million people – depend on fisheries and aquaculture careers.

In addition, over three billion people worldwide rely on wild-caught or farmed fish from the ocean as a significant source of protein. Both of these critical elements of human life are impacted by pollutants spread by ocean dumping.

Hazardous wastes move up the marine food chain until the fish that end up in our farmers’ markets and grocery stores are eventually contaminated. Fish can no longer be caught and sold when marine habitats are no longer safe for consumption. Billions of lives are in danger of being negatively affected.

In addition, research has found that the decrease in oxygen in the oceans from pollution has a direct impact on photosynthetic marine bacteria that produce the oxygen we breathe in. The bacteria, Prochlorococcus, is not only critical to the marine food web but also is responsible for up to 10% of total global oxygen production.

What can we do to prevent ocean dumping?

Ocean dumping is clearly a danger to human and marine life around the world. Though some regulations are in place, ocean dumping is still taking place on a large scale, and more must be done to prevent it from happening.

Luckily, there are a few tactics that the world’s leaders and individuals can adopt to prevent ocean dumping from further damaging our environment.

Raise awareness and educate

Education about ocean dumping is crucial for everyone to understand the urgency of its effects. Whether it be through educational books, online resources, or community events, the importance of preserving our oceans cannot be understated.

As an individual, you can work to amplify anti-ocean dumping campaigns such as ‘Ditch Ocean Dumping’ on social media and support the work of environmental advocates through donations or volunteering.

Dispelling misinformation about marine life and the environment can also help more people understand the direct impact of depositing harmful wastes into our seas.

Regulation

Around the world, there is a lot of room for improvement when it comes to fully curbing illegal and harmful ocean dumping and ensuring that the effects of ocean dumping are widely known. Some regulations are enacted that aim to stop ocean dumping, but not all countries have such rules, and enforcement is uneven worldwide.

In the U.S., The Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA), also known as the Ocean Dumping Act, regulates the disposition of any material in the ocean, unless expressly excluded under the MPRSA.

The London Convention, and later The London Protocol, is one example of legislation enacted on a global scale. In 1996 the protocol was updated to prohibit all dumping of wastes, including those from land-based mining operations.

However, as sensible as this protocol sounds, some countries have still not ratified the London Protocol or simply do not have any regulations regarding ocean dumping.

Globally, the more countries that participate in and implement these agreements will ensure that less ocean dumping occurs. You can help curb ocean dumping by advocating for your local area and country to comply with these regulations.

Divestment

Divestment has proven to be a successful method for change in movements throughout history, and many are calling for investors to withdraw their investments from companies that utilize fossil fuels or operate in unethical ways.

Financial institutions are already using their influence to help protect our oceans by divesting their money in those who dump hazardous wastes. For example, major Norwegian asset manager Storebrand divested from Chinese firm China Metallurgical Group Corporation over ocean dumping at one of their mines in Papua New Guinea.

Earthworks has also highlighted other financial institutions that have issued new policies that prohibit or severely restrict the financing of submarine mine waste disposal. Some of these companies include Standard Chartered, Citigroup, and Credit Suisse.

Final thoughts on ocean dumping

Large-scale human activities like mining, dredging, and accidental oil spills primarily cause ocean dumping. These operations directly deposit hazardous materials into the ocean or waterways that make their way into the ocean.

Ocean currents carry toxic materials far from the original dumping location, spreading negative effects like deoxygenation throughout the entire marine ecosystem.

Through education, awareness, and increased action on a global scale, we can make a difference in preserving our oceans. The majority of our planet is made up of water – so why shouldn’t we protect it like we try to preserve our species and environment on land?

But the situation is not hopeless; we can do something about air pollution and safeguard clean air for all. In this article, we share 35 ways to reduce air pollution, which covers all its major sources.

35 ways to reduce air pollution

There is no single way to eliminate pollution in the air we breathe, but a combination of technologies and initiatives can drive down emissions of air pollution for sustained improvements in air quality. Here are 35 of the most effective ways to reduce air pollution:

1. Active monitoring of air quality

One of the first steps for tackling the problem of air pollution is monitoring the level of pollution in the air. Authorities can measure air quality using a range of advanced photochemical and optical sensor systems and multi-pollutant monitoring devices. Data collected can then analyze absolute levels and trends in air pollution in a specific area.

Monitoring air pollution has the following benefits:

• Monitoring pollution levels helps authorities and the public understand the scale of the problem.
• Data from air pollution can alert the public about poor air quality that may affect health.
• Air quality monitoring can establish compliance with emissions standards.
• Tracking air pollution levels can help authorities see if air pollution reduction strategies have made a difference.

2. Increase indoor ventilation

Ventilation is one of the simplest solutions for improving the quality of indoor air. In lesser economically developed countries, burning solid fuel and paraffin for heating, lighting, and cooking contributes to indoor air that is laden with harmful particulates and chemicals. Breathing polluted indoor air damages the lungs and long-term health.

Building controls are critical to ensuring that buildings have an adequate level of ventilation. Solutions like windows, vents, and extraction fans mean that damaging particulate pollution cannot saturate room air. Homeowners should retrofit spot and dilution ventilation in properties that lack ventilation to reduce health risks.

3. Use VOC-free building materials and furnishings

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are harmful substances that are off-gassed from a range of domestic building materials, paints, varnishes, and furnishings. Their prevalence means that they can build up in indoor environments and cause health problems.

Governments have sought to limit the VOC levels of indoor air by setting limits on the levels of VOCs in a wide range of products. The use of low-emitting building materials like insulation makes a significant difference in the impact of VOC emissions with long-term improvements in air quality.

4. Plant trees

Many environmentalists believe trees should be on the frontline of the battle against air pollution. Trees, shrubs, and other vegetation can capture pollutants and improve air quality, particularly in urban and industrial areas.

Trees form a useful barrier against localized pollution sources, removing tiny particles and chemical pollutants from the air via the stomata on their leaf surfaces. Health professionals have found that trees and vegetation in residential areas may contribute to lowering asthma rates in young children.

However, the right kinds of trees must be planted. London planes, poplars, and other tree species emit high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Beneficial trees include conifers, silver birch, yew, and elder trees.

5. House plants

Plants could contribute to controlling indoor air pollution. The 1989 NASA Clean Air Study investigated the air-purifying properties of a wide range of house plants. Not only did many plant species reduce carbon dioxide and increase room oxygenation, but they also can remove chemicals that include formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from room air.

Helpful plant species tested by NASA include:

• Variegated snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata laurentii)
• Florist’s chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)
• Peace lily (Spathiphyllum ‘Mauna Loa’)
• English ivy (Hedera helix)
• Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
• Red-edged dracaena (Dracaena marginata)
• Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)
• Barberton daisy, gerbera daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)

The study found that these plants cannot control indoor air pollution by themselves but supported a beneficial reduction in the level of harmful chemicals when tested in conjunction with a carbon air filter.

6. Prevent wildfires

Wildfires are a key source of air pollution and long-lasting environmental damage in the areas affected by them. Prevention of wildfires is the most effective way to eliminate this source of air pollution.

Authorities and the public can use several strategies to prevent wildfires that include:

• Proactive forestry management. Careful management of trees, brush, and other vegetation can minimize the risk of a wildfire taking hold or spreading. This may even involve the use of targeted prescribed fires to rid forest areas of dead wood and potential kindling.

• Installing areas with basic fire-fighting equipment throughout wildfire zones.

• Prohibiting open fires, campfires, and barbecues in areas that are vulnerable to wildfires. Gas grills may be permitted rather than wood or charcoal.

• Avoid leaving vehicles running on dry grass in hot weather.

7. Air scrubbing technology

Air scrubbers are air purification systems that are used in HVAC systems and industrial settings. These powerful devices are engineered to remove particulates from the air, reducing pollution and making the air breathable. An installed air scrubber uses moisture and condensation (wet air scrubber) or powered filtration (dry air scrubber) to filter the air that enters the scrubber.

How effective are air scrubbers?

Air scrubbers can remove odor and particles as small as 0.3 microns in diameter from the air. Wet air scrubbers and scrubbers that contain special media like activated carbon are effective at reducing the levels of air pollution in exhaust air from industrial processes.

8. Residential air cleaners

Indoor air pollution is one of the largest contributors to morbidity and mortality from air pollution. One of the best ways to reduce air pollution indoors is to use an air cleaner. Residential air cleaners use a range of technologies to reduce or remove pollutants from room air, reducing exposure to respiratory allergens and irritants. Many solutions are filter technologies and can be installed with home furnaces or HVAC systems.

Domestic air cleaners vary significantly in their efficiency of air cleaning and effectiveness. Certified and rated devices can remove particulates and other pollutants from the air measured in a lab. The clean air delivery rate (CADR), measures the rate of delivery of acceptable cleaned air.

9. Electrostatic precipitators

Electrostatic precipitators also offer ways to reduce air pollution. These are filter-free devices that are used in industries that use fossil fuels to remove particle pollution from the air in smokestacks. They are extremely efficient at removing carbon particulates like soot, ashes, and other combustion by-products, removing up to 99% of particulates that are less than 1 micrometer in size.

These precipitators use an electrical current to generate static electricity that ionizes and attracts charged particles to electrodes, removing them from the air. The particles then pass between charged and uncharged components, finally ending up in a hopper where they can be cleaned out.

10. Baghouses

Baghouses are devices that are used to control air pollution in industrial settings, and are another of the more effective ways to reduce air pollution. They comprise a range of tubes, envelopes, and fabric filter cartridges that capture dust, dirt, and particulates from the exhaust air of a factory or industrial facility.

As waste air moves through the baghouse, removed solid material builds up as a dust cake on the insides of the baghouse.

Once the baghouse is filled with pollution, personnel can clean using reverse air, the shaker method, or a pulse jet. This short video explains the basics of baghouses:

11. Catalytic converters

Catalytic converters are modular components that attach to the exhaust system of a vehicle. Without going into the nitty-gritty, explained very basically – catalytic converters filter out pollutants and harmful byproducts from the exhaust fumes, and burn them up.

These converters can convert over 90% of the carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons emitted by vehicles. In the petrochemical industry, platinum-based catalysts reduce the energy requirements and pollution generated by the production of gasoline.

12. Particulate filters for diesel vehicles

Burning diesel can be particularly dirty. The soot and particulates in the exhaust from diesel engines are notable contributors to air pollution. In the UK, manufacturers must fit diesel vehicles with diesel particulate filters (DPFs), but unfortunately – they are not a requirement in the USA.

These devices trap and store the particulates in diesel exhaust so they can’t pollute the air. Once installed, it is illegal to remove a DPF.

DPFs eventually become filled and can cause engine problems if obstructed. To prevent this, the filters regenerate by burning off the excess soot. This regeneration can be passive, when the engine is running at high temperatures, or active, with the injection of fuel to drive the burning process.

13. Vehicle particle suction

Many people underestimate tires and vehicle breaking as a source of air pollution. The particles generated by tires rubbing against tarmac may be as much as 1,000 times more polluting than those from exhaust emissions.

This is a particular problem for electric vehicles as their large batteries make them heavier than internal combustion engine vehicles.

Novel devices are being designed and fitted to vehicles like cars, lorries, and trains to address this specific type of fine particle pollution. An example is AMIC ceramic filter technology. It uses an electronic suction and filtration system to retain the fine particles and prevent their dispersal into the air. This universal technology works in all conditions and can be retrofitted to any vehicle.

14. City diesel

Using city diesel is one of the lesser-utilized ways to reduce air pollution, but is very effective. City diesel is a special diesel formulation that has extremely low sulfur levels and reduced particle emissions. City diesel was developed in Sweden, but versions of this fuel are now available in urban areas across the world.

This low-emission diesel reduces particle emissions by up to 84% depending on the vehicle type, engine specs, and particulate type. Low-sulfur diesel also reduces exhaust levels of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and hydrocarbons by supporting catalytic converter performance.

15. Emissions testing for vehicles

Direct monitoring of the emissions of individual vehicles can also help to curb air pollution. As vehicles age, their mechanical parts wear and engine performance becomes less efficient leading to an increase in the air pollution they emit.

As emissions tests are undertaken when vehicles are stationary, they may not reflect the emissions produced when the vehicles are on the road. However, the tests help to identify the most polluting vehicles and keep drivers mindful of the importance of air pollution.

16. LPG and CNG for vehicles

In congested urban environments, many public transport and transport and logistics providers are turning to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to reduce emissions. These fuels have a favorable emissions profile for carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC) compared to gasoline and some diesel vehicles.

The methane emissions of LPG and CNG are higher than other fuels but they deliver an immediate reduction in particulate matter and nitrogen oxide to negligible levels. LPG is a preferred fuel for the Clean Air Zones implemented in cities like London and Birmingham, UK.

17. Burning cleaner fuels

Burning fuels that burn more efficiently and thoroughly is one of the most effective ways to reduce air pollution, as these leave fewer soot particles or other pollutants in the air. For example, in 2021, the UK government implemented restrictions on burning bituminous coal and green wood, with approved fuels carrying a ‘Ready to burn’ logo.

By burning kiln-dried wood, approved coal, and manufactured solid fuel like wood pellets in domestic stoves homeowners can reduce their levels of sulfur and smoke emissions. An added benefit is a reduction in the production of the tar-like combustion by-product creosote, which can build up on chimneys and cause fires.

18. Electric vehicles

Electric vehicles (EVs) are being embraced as a solution not only for air pollution but also reductions in greenhouse gasses. The assertion that EVs improve air quality makes sense, especially in urban areas, as they run on electricity and do not produce exhaust.

A transition to a greater proportion of these vehicles on the roads would lead to lower air pollution, in particular:

• PM 2.5
• PM 10
• Hydrocarbons 
• Benzene 
• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)
• Ammonia 
• Nitrogen oxide

Many cities are embracing EV technology as it can significantly reduce air pollution. Delhi, one of the world’s most polluted cities, intends to only sell EVs from 2030 onwards.

19. Hire cars

Car sharing strategies like hiring cars, reduced the number of cars people own and have on the road. By using car-sharing services, individuals can reduce the amount of petroleum that is burned, leading to air that is less polluted by exhaust fumes.

Hire cars also make it less likely that people will use a car for short trips, whereas walking or cycling can be just as quick. These short journeys are the most polluting as the car gets moving from a cold start, and the catalytic converter is not immediately functional.

A reduction in the number of cars would also reduce the heavy pollution generated by car manufacturers. Hire companies can invest in better quality, more efficient vehicles, while users can save on the expense of running a car.

20. Low-emission zones

In many places, municipal authorities have been establishing low emission zones (LEZs) or environment zones, which only allow the cleanest vehicles to travel through them. Authorities monitor vehicles in the zones using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR). Vehicles that are prohibited receive a fixed penalty notice if they travel through these zones.

London, UK has led the way in implementing LEZs, and now ULEZ. They have been controversial as the fines are high and motorists and businesses have complained about the accessibility of certain parts of the city. Authorities have continued with the zones, advising vehicle owners to replace or modify their vehicles to more compliant models. This video explains how it works:

21. Dust collectors

Dust collectors are used in industrial settings to capture the dust in exhaust air. These are essential for protecting human health and complying with government health and safety legislation. Only dust collectors that meet stringent safety standards may be used.

Dust collectors suck contaminated air from locations where manufacturing processes take place. The air passes through a system of separators and filters which extract the dust and release clean air. Manufacturers must regularly check the concentration of particles in the cleaned air.

22. Treat biofuels with caution

Biofuels receive heavy subsidies and are touted as sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to petroleum-based fuels. However, biodiesel and other biofuels can generate noxious forms of air pollution. Biofuels can pollute the air at every stage of their production and use. For example:

• The fast-growing poplar and willow trees used as a biofuel source emit significant amounts of isoprene which can combine with other air pollutants to create ozone.

• Studies have shown that this ozone could cause up to 1,400 air pollution-related deaths per year in Europe.

• The surplus ozone generated by biofuel production could also impact agricultural yields, reducing them by up to $1.5 billion.

23. Low-emitting heaters and stoves

Inefficient cooking practices create indoor air pollution that contributes to up to 4 million deaths per year globally. Many poor people have no choice but to use dung, waste, or unseasoned firewood with inefficient heaters and stoves.

Engineers and designers have developed innovative low-cost stove designs that increase the efficiency of fuels and reduce particulate levels. Novel biomass stoves are engineered to burn the fuel more efficiently using insulated combustion chambers and fans. A great example of an improved stove design is the rocket stove which is in use across the world:

24. Cycling

Cycling as an alternative to driving reduces air pollution because it takes cars off the road, with an immediate reduction in the amount of air pollution generated. As muscle-powered or electric personal transport, there is no burning or fuel to generate the 1.3 billion cubic yards of air pollution each car generates across its lifespan.

Manufacturing bicycles and e-bikes are also less polluting than cars. Just painting cars adds more than 40 million pounds of pollution to the air each year. And despite not being enclosed in a vehicle, cyclists are less exposed to air pollution than drivers when they travel on the roads.

25. Walking

Short car journeys are the most polluting. They are simply not long enough to warm up the engine so it can burn fuel efficiently and the catalytic converter can operate optimally. Car journeys that are under five miles can emit more than double the pollution produced by a long drive.

Any transport method that reduces shorter journeys will positively impact air pollution levels. The availability and convenience of cars make it easy to jump in one to make even the quickest journey. By opting to walk rather than drive, you can cut these polluting journeys out, leading to lower levels of air pollution in local communities and an improvement in your health.

26. Public transport

Public transport is also a sustainable and less polluting alternative to driving, taking cars off the road and reducing the overall level of air pollution generated by traffic. Transportation is one of the biggest causes of air pollution globally and the main cause of air pollution in cities.

Switching to public transportation in urban areas can produce significant improvements in air quality, especially if buses use LPG or CNG, or biodiesel fuel. Better public transport could also save up to 30 million metric tons of CO2, a 45% reduction in emissions.

In the world’s poorest nations, better public transportation and transport infrastructure could also deliver improvements in air pollution. By improving roads, making them safer, and providing buses and trains that use low-cost, clean fuel, these countries can ease the burden of polluted air in their densely populated urban areas.

27. Reduce aviation sector emissions

The jet engines of aircraft use the most volatile petroleum fuels (kerosene) that burn efficiently, but the aviation sector is still a notable polluter. Not only do airplanes release nitrogen oxide and PM 2.5 particulates in their exhaust, but surface traffic and airport operations also have high air pollution emissions. Nitrogen oxide emissions in flight can also damage the ozone layer.

Emissions standards set by aviation industry bodies like the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) can help to curb rising emissions from this sector. Implementing technologies like selective catalytic reduction and exhaust gas recirculation also reduce the amount of pollution emitted by planes.

Other strategies can contribute to lowering the levels of pollution produced by the aviation sector:

• A reduction in air travel. In 2019, there were over 4 billion passenger journeys by airplane.
• Reducing air freight by moving from a global supply chain to local food production and manufacturing.
• Curbs on the number and size of airports to reduce ground-level emissions.

28. Tackling air pollution from ships

Shipping is a big polluter because of the dirty fuel used by many vessels. ‘Bunker fuel’, the fuel used by the maritime sector, is a thick black sulfur-rich oil that releases large amounts of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide when it is burnt.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) now requires all shipping fuel to limit sulfur levels to a maximum of 0.5 percent sulfur, from existing limits of 3.5 percent or more. Health authorities have modeled that this capping of sulfur levels could prevent as many as 150,000 premature deaths and over 7 million childhood asthma cases across the world each year.

29. Limit open burning

Many people use open burning for recreation or to burn garden waste. However, indiscriminate open burning releases high levels of gaseous and particulate air pollution, which can be very harmful to health in densely populated areas.

Burning trash is illegal in most places, and many municipalities have taken steps to limit the timing or frequency of open burning in their communities. Many households switch to using a gas-fuelled fire pit for recreational fires or composting garden waste rather than burning it.

30. Reduce landfill use

Dumped waste in landfills releases copious volumes of harmful gasses and obnoxious odors as it decomposes. Reducing dependence on landfills for waste management can help to limit the emissions levels from these sites and prevent landfill from rapidly increasing in number and size.

Recycling and other strategies that divert municipal waste from landfill will reduce the gaseous and particulate emissions from them. Some countries have also sought to clean up existing landfill sites using techniques like capping, air sparging, and the installation of pump and treat systems to reduce their emissions.

31. Implement a layering strategy for landfills

The indiscriminate pouring of waste into landfills leads to uncontrolled decomposition and the development of pockets of methane and other harmful gasses which gradually dissipate into the atmosphere. But even if landfill use cannot be immediately curbed, landfills can be made more sanitary and structured, minimizing emissions and other environmental harms.

Sanitary landfill engineering uses layering to develop landfill sites that prevent the escape of harmful gasses and chemicals. Layered landfills include lining layers of clay and plastic along with controlled drainage and gas collection. Site personnel actively monitor the landfill to ensure that polluting gasses do not escape.

32. Buy locally produced products

People could reduce the air pollution generated by ground, air, and sea by choosing to purchase products and products that have been grown, prepared, and manufactured locally. A reduction in demand for imported goods means that airplanes, trains, trucks, and shipping make fewer polluting journeys.

Opting for local seasonal produce and goods that are made domestically reduces freight mileage, and pressure on supply chains and strengthens the local economy too.

33. Repair, recycle and reuse

Manufacturing is a big polluter, so anything individuals can do to repair, recycle, and reuse items will reduce the need for these polluting industrial processes. This is known as the circular economy. By prolonging the useful life of individual items and recycling or repurposing their components at the end of their usable life, fewer raw materials need to be procured and processed.

34. Reduce household energy consumption

Most countries rely on burning coal, natural gas, or oil to maintain a sustained electricity supply. Power plants that burn fuel, waste, or wood pellets release exhaust gasses into the atmosphere which include sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOX), and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions.

Over the last 25 years power plants have decreased emissions of these harmful gasses, but, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, levels have risen since 2020. One way to reduce air pollution from power plants is to minimize household energy consumption. Simple ways to cut down on domestic electricity use include:

• Not leaving appliances and devices on standby.
• Turning down thermostats.
• Switching off lights in unoccupied areas of your home.

35. Use renewable energy sources where possible

Fossil fuels provide 80% of the world’s energy, but efforts to include more renewable energy sources could reduce their use and the levels of air pollution that are generated by them. Energy sources like solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal energy, do not require combustion and do not directly emit air pollutants.

In conclusion

As you can see, there are so many ways to reduce air pollution, ranging from industrial components to simple behavioral changes. Polluted, poisoned air does not have to be the future of our planet. However, it will require innovation, investment, and personal effort to ensure that there is clean air for all.

If you found this article interesting, check out these 30 facts about air pollution that outline the real scale of the problem.

In countries where clean water is rare or not available, individuals are exposed to many health risks. But what contaminates water supplies?

Pollution is the main culprit of many of the water-borne diseases that cause health problems and death in many individuals around the world. These diseases caused by water pollution are commonly due to a few different contaminants.

In this article, we’ll define the most common diseases caused by water pollution, where they come from, and who is most impacted by these issues.

What are the common diseases caused by water pollution?

Water pollution involves the contamination of surface waters and/or groundwater, which can cause a series of diseases referred to as water pollution diseases.

Between 2009 and 2010, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) counted 81 disease outbreaks in the United States and Puerto Rico tied to recreational waters. Many of these outbreaks occurred in treated water sources, such as pools and waterparks, but some occurred in natural settings like rivers and beaches.

In addition to these recreational waters, the pollution of our water streams may have long-term effects by reducing the drinkable water reserves of our planet, such as groundwater.

Water is most commonly polluted by two main categories of pollutants that are either dissolved or suspended in water: living organisms like pathogens and algae and chemicals.

What causes water pollution?

While it’s true that most waters are polluted by either chemicals or living organisms, there are some important details to understand about these two groups.

Chemicals 

Natural or man-made chemicals often make their way into a body of water by being either dissolved or dispersed in the water. These can reach dangerous concentrations that raise serious health concerns.

It’s important to note that, like air pollution, the presence of chemical pollutants in water is not always obvious and often cannot be detected by our senses.

Common problematic chemicals that make their way into water supplies include pesticides, chlorinated solvents, petroleum chemicals, mercury, PCBs, dioxins, and other persistent organic pollutants.

Living organisms 

Living organisms can also pollute waters. However, when these living organisms are naturally occurring, they do not typically cause diseases. Only when diseases are induced by human activity are they related to pollution.

Pathogens include a variety of living organisms, usually from animal waste, such as various species of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and intestinal worms.

Some types of algae are toxic and may overgrow due to the presence of nitrates and phosphates in runoff water, especially agricultural runoff. Their toxins may affect the food chain, including fish and birds, and ultimately humans.

How are waters polluted?

Now that we know that water pollution is primarily caused by chemicals and living organisms, it’s important to know the most common ways that water is typically polluted with these substances: 

Water pollution is, like most forms of pollution, almost always caused by human activity. It’s important to understand your role in going green, disposing of waste properly, and reducing your carbon footprint in order to help curb the effects of diseases caused by water pollution.

While the most common diseases affect the digestive system or cause human infectious diseases, water pollution may cause a large variety of health issues. Let’s dive into the most common diseases caused by pollutants like chemicals and living organisms.

Diseases caused by water-borne pathogens

Water-borne pathogens, usually microorganisms from animal fecal origins, cause infectious diseases that can be incredibly damaging. While these diseases most often occur in developing countries, they still pose a risk to most people. 

The following diseases are some of the most common infections that can be caused by ingesting water that is contaminated with water-born pathogens: 

Where do these microorganisms come from? Some studies conclude that they are transmitted from human sewage contamination from nearby treatment plants, but this pollution can be transported by heavy rainfall, storm surges, and melting snow as well. Wild animal droppings in a given area can also be transported as well.

In the case of parasitic worms like hookworm, the CDC notes that individuals can contract worms through walking barefoot on the ground, where infected worms have usually been deposited in water or nearby soil.

Diseases caused by polluted beach water

Most of us know that the pollution in the ocean has reached increasingly high levels. However, this pollution does not only consist of plastic straws and soda cans – beachgoers can’t see most of it while enjoying a day of swimming.

There are several common diseases caused by water pollution at the beach. These are typically due to polluted runoff from urban areas, and heavy precipitation that increases this runoff and transports polluted water to the shores.

Though these most common diseases can range in severity, don’t worry: most of these pathogens are treatable, especially if they are caught early! Rinsing off and washing your hands after leaving the beach with clean water can reduce your chances of infection from contaminated beach water. 

Diseases caused by chemical water pollution

Chemicals can enter into drinking water from lakes, rivers, groundwater, or while traveling through the water distribution system to an individual’s home. The most common chemicals that can make their way into drinking water and cause illnesses are:

While most of these chemicals can be tested for and can be removed with treatments, it is not ideal to consume them in large quantities.

Aside from these more common chemicals that pollute drinking water, the World Health Organization (WHO) notes that emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and microplastics are attracting growing concern as well.

How common are diseases caused by water pollution?

Microbiologically contaminated drinking water is estimated to cause 485,000 diarrheal deaths each year.

However, residents of developing countries are most impacted by water shortages, flooding, and poor water quality that can lead to these life-threatening diseases.

In fact, up to 80% of illnesses in the developing world are linked to inadequate water and sanitation.

Climate change will only exacerbate these effects in certain areas of the world: increased pollution and rising sea levels are contaminating trusted water sources.

In places where unsanitary conditions are prevalent and there is a lack of clean water, patients at healthcare facilities are also more likely to develop an infection.

While the U.S. has one of the safest drinking water supplies in the world, about 7.2 million Americans get sick every year from diseases spread through water. In a 2014 CDC study, 17 water-borne pathogens caused an estimated 7.15 million illnesses, 118,000 hospitalizations, and 6,300 deaths.

Thus, diseases caused by water pollution are common in the U.S. but occur at much higher rates in developing nations, where it can be difficult to maintain uncontaminated water supplies, hygiene, and healthcare facilities.

In general, children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk for long-term effects of diseases caused by water pollution.

Final thoughts on diseases caused by water pollution

All in all, diseases caused by water pollution impact millions of people worldwide. With the potential for long-term illness and even death, this pollution must be taken seriously.

The CDC asserts that if you think you or someone you know got sick from water, please report it to your local health department, even if you don’t know what made you sick. Reporting an illness can help public health officials identify a water-borne disease outbreak and keep others from getting sick.

When pollutants dissolve in our waters, whether groundwater or surface water, they harm aquatic life, cause diseases in humans, and can contaminate drinking water supplies. Over time, marine ecosystems are damaged and can even be unable to support plant and animal life.

These are only some of the effects of our polluted waters – these 20 facts about water pollution are shocking and may teach you something about the global impacts of water pollution.

20 shocking facts about water pollution

Water pollution is primarily caused by human activity, whether industrial and agricultural operations, or global warming. Around the world, however, the water crisis is reaching dire levels, and the negative effects of water pollution are being measured by government agencies, research organizations, and climate coalitions.

These shocking facts about water pollution may surprise you, teach you something new, and inspire you to take action to find ways to prevent water pollution.

1. Experts estimate that 1.2 trillion gallons of untreated sewage, stormwater, and industrial waste are dumped into US waters each year

On land, human activity produces a large amount of contaminated substances, from untreated sewage, to waste that results from agricultural or industrial processes. Often, chemical byproducts of processes like textile manufacturing seep into soil and make their way into our waters.

Untreated sewage contains biological pollutants like bacteria and pathogens. Stormwater drains also carry waters that contain contaminants like fertilizers into nearby rivers, lakes, and waterways, where they are dumped.

2. Each year, sewage treatment systems release more than 850 billion gallons of untreated wastewater

Our sanitary sewer systems collect wastewater and are owned by a state or municipality. They are specifically designed to collect and convey sanitary wastewater, but often, they are old and overflow easily.

The EPA estimates that between 23,000 and 75,000 sanitary sewer overflows occur each year in the U.S., releasing between 3 billion and 10 billion gallons of untreated wastewater into larger bodies of water. These overflow events can contribute dangerous contaminants to local drinking water supplies.

3. About half of U.S. water is too polluted for swimming, fishing, or drinking

The Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) conducted research that found that more than 700,000 miles of U.S. waterways and about 51% of assessed river and stream miles are impaired by pollution.

In addition, another 55% of lake acres and 26% of estuary miles are also polluted. These bodies of water contain pollutants that pose a danger to swimmers, and consuming their water or fish could put individuals at risk of certain diseases caused by water pollution.

4. Unsafe water kills more people each year than war and all other forms of violence combined

This shocking fact about water pollution illustrates how important access to safe, uncontaminated drinking water is. Around the world, water pollution is mainly responsible for causing diseases that affect the digestive system or cause human infectious diseases.

However, these diseases can often be deadly, especially for the vulnerable. Polluted water can cause a large variety of health issues, from typhoid and cholera to hepatitis and hookworm. Unfortunately, people around the world fall victim to these conditions because they lack access to clean drinking or bathing water.

6. In the U.S., the state of Indiana has the dirtiest waterways

In Indiana, 24,395 total miles of rivers and streams are considered impaired for swimming and recreation. Additionally, almost all Indiana’s lakes and reservoirs were sampled and deemed unfit for drinking water.

The main reason? Manure runoff from large animal farms (concentrated animal feeding operations). This type of pollution is not addressed by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Water Act, making it a large problem for residents of the state and their water treatment facilities.

7. There are approximately 542,000 underground storage tanks in the United States that store petroleum or hazardous substances

Storage tanks are used across the U.S. to store gasoline, oil, chemicals, or other liquids and can be buried underground or above ground. It’s estimated that more than 10 million storage tanks are buried nationwide.

Over time, however, these tanks can corrode, crack, and develop leaks. Until the mid-1980s, most tanks were made of bare steel, which is highly likely to corrode over time and allow the potentially harmful contents of these tanks to leak into groundwater and drinking water supplies.

8. Studies predict that up to 1 in 3 people will be exposed to high risk of water pollution by the year 2050

By 2050, up to 1 in 3 people will be exposed to a high risk of water pollution from increased amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus. Additionally, up to 1 in 5 people will be exposed to a high risk of water pollution reflected by increased levels of biochemical oxygen demand, according to global study by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and Veolia.

Water quality is expected to continue declining over the next several decades due to increased global population, increased effects of climate change, and many more factors that cause water pollution. These high levels of contaminants in our waters will cause increasingly negative health, economic, and environmental impacts.

9. About 7.2 million Americans get sick every year from diseases spread through water

A 2014 study conducted by the CDC found that 17 waterborne pathogens spread through water caused an estimated 7.15 million illnesses, 118,000 hospitalizations, and 6,300 deaths in the United States.

The study included illnesses from drinking water, swimming or recreational activities, and environmental water exposures. Germs that cause some deadly respiratory diseases can grow in drinking water distribution systems, pipes inside homes and buildings, recreational water venues, and industrial water systems.

10. In 2000, the EPA estimated that nearly 36 million Americans drank water containing arsenic at or above 3 parts per billion.

Arsenic is commonly found in natural deposits in the earth or as a result of industrial and agricultural pollution. Too much arsenic, however, can cause health issues for those that drink water contaminated with it. 

Arsenic can cause nausea and vomiting, decreased production of red and white blood cells, abnormal heart rhythm, and damage to blood vessels. 

11. Bathing in contaminated water can cause several health problems

Polluted waters are not just unsafe for drinking and aquatic life – bathing in contaminated water in your home can cause several health problems. These include swimmer’s itch, gastroenteritis, eye, ear, and throat infections, and legionellosis.

Blue-green algae blooms can also cause health problems – swimming or bathing in these waters can result in symptoms like stomach aches, diarrhea, vomiting, headaches, and fevers.

12. In 2015, nearly 77 million Americans got drinking water from systems that violated federal protections

Further, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) found that more than a third of these 77 million people relied on systems that did not comply with standards put in place to protect health.

Around the country, water suppliers failed to test water safety or didn’t report these contamination test results to the authorities or customers. Thus, millions of Americans’ were drinking water that could pose serious health risks to them and their families.

13. Florida has the most polluted lakes in the United States

As a state that experiences many tropical storms and hurricanes, this fact about water pollution may not surprise you. Florida’s waters are polluted by contaminated stormwater and also algae blooms caused by nitrogen and phosphorus in fertilizer runoff from farms and yards.

Out of all the U.S. states, Florida has the highest total acres of lakes too polluted for swimming or healthy aquatic life. These waters contain high levels of bacteria, fecal matter, or other contaminants that damage the health of animals, plants, and people.

14. Today, over 2 billion people live in water-stressed countries

A full 25% of the world’s population is facing water stress and scarcity. Water stress is a broad term that means there is not enough potable water in a country to meet demand.

This accounts for the amount of water that is available, the quality of the water, environmental factors that determine a country’s future water availability, and public management of water infrastructure.

Today, countries like Nepal, Lebanon, Pakistan, and Syria are living with water stress and scarcity, among many others worldwide.

15. Between 2009 and 2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) counted 81 disease outbreaks in the U.S. tied to recreational waters

The CDC measured the number of outbreaks that began in treated recreational waters like pools and hot tubs, and or untreated recreational waters like lakes and oceans.

Among the 24 outbreaks associated with untreated recreational water, 46% were confirmed or suspected to have been caused by cyanobacterial toxins, otherwise known as blue-green algae blooms, ​​which are caused by excess nitrogen and phosphorus in waters. These pollutants can clearly cause real damage in recreational waters.

16. In some developing countries, 70% of industrial wastes are dumped untreated into waters

According to the United Nations’ World Water Development report, each year, tons of contaminated accumulated wastes from industrial production are dumped into freshwater supplies. These wastes can be toxic and include heavy metals, solvents, and toxic sludge.

Chemical byproducts from industrial processing are also frequently dumped into bodies of water. Once a drinking water supply is contaminated with one or some of these substances, it is no longer usable. This puts already vulnerable populations at risk for increased disease.

17. It’s estimated that more than 10 million tons of plastic is dumped into our oceans every year

When landfills worldwide aren’t managed adequately, single-use plastics like straws, bottles, and wrappers often end up in our oceans. This poses a significant threat: studies estimate there are now 15 to 51 trillion pieces of plastic in our oceans worldwide, and plastic pollution is present in every square mile of the ocean surface.

Plastic pollution in our oceans typically groups up into garbage patches, or areas where waste accumulates and floats. The Great Pacific garbage patch is the most significant accumulation between Hawaii and California.

18. The Mississippi River carries an estimated 1.5 million metric tons of nitrogen pollution into the Gulf of Mexico each year

Each summer, this pollution creates a dead zone in the Gulf that spans the size of New Jersey. This is the largest dead zone located in the United States, about 6,500 square miles. Dead zones are areas of water bodies where aquatic life cannot survive because of low oxygen levels.

These dead zones are caused by excess nitrogen and phosphorus, which cause an overgrowth of algae in the area. The algae consume oxygen and block sunlight from underwater plants; when the algae eventually dies, the oxygen in the water is consumed.

19. In 2020, 74% of the global population, 5.8 billion people, used a safely managed drinking water service

The United Nations measured this number of the global population whose drinking water was located on the premises, available when needed, and free from contamination. 

The remaining 2 billion around the world without safely managed services in 2020 included:

• 1.2 billion people whose water source was located within a round trip of 30 minutes, 
• 282 million people whose water source required more than 30 minutes to collect water, 
• 368 million people that sourced water from unprotected wells and springs, and 
• 122 million people collecting untreated surface water from lakes, ponds, rivers and streams.

20. Nearly 50% of the estimated 1 million tons of oil that makes its way into marine environments each year comes from land-based sources such as factories, farms, and cities

This fact about water pollution may surprise you: most of the oil that pollutes our waters does not come from tanker spills. Tanker spills only account for about 10% of the oil that is in waters around the world.

Regular operations of the shipping industry contribute about one-third of the oil. Interestingly, oil is also naturally released from under the ocean floor through fractures known as seeps.

Wrap up on facts about water pollution

These facts about water pollution illuminate how systems around the world release contaminants into our oceans, how pollution affects human and aquatic health, and more.

If you’re inspired to take action by these shocking facts, there are several steps you can take to reduce water pollution in your personal life and home. Making greener choices over time can help improve the environments you live in, whether it be bodies of water in your community, reducing waste, or lessening air pollution.

What is soil pollution?

Soil pollution occurs when the ground is contaminated with toxic pollutants such as chemicals and heavy metals. It is officially classified as pollution when these contaminants are found in high enough concentrations, posing a risk to plants, animals, or human health.

This term can also be applied to contaminants that occur naturally in the soil if they exceed normal levels, even if this is not enough to pose a risk to humans or the ecosystem.

The soil environment is incredibly complex, being made up of a diverse range of compounds and subject to a range of natural processes. Soils may be home to all kinds of microbes and impacted by rain, wind, and groundwater, which can seep up from below.

All soil contains a range of compounds, including a range of organic material, such as proteins, hydrocarbons, lipids, fatty acids, and DNA. Soils also naturally contain various inorganic particles, including metals, ions and salts (such as phosphates, sulfates, and nitrates).

In scientific terms, all of the above compounds are called contaminants, even if they occur naturally in the soil. Therefore, just because soil contains contaminants, this isn’t naturally an issue, nor does it mean that this has occurred due to human intervention or environmental problems.

However, soil pollution occurs when:

• The contaminants could harm humans and/or the ecosystem
• The number of pollutants present is above the level that naturally occurs in the soil

What causes soil pollution?

In nature, contaminants mostly make their way into the soil through the microbiological processes of soil microorganisms, plus plant and animal material breaking down and getting mixed into the soil. The soil can also absorb particles from the atmosphere, whether from rainfall, wind, or through absorption of shallow groundwater.

Natural processes can alter the levels of organic and inorganic materials in the ground, causing pollution. However, human activities have greatly increased the types and amounts of contaminants that get into the soil, both directly and indirectly.

Natural causes

It’s common for natural processes to change the types of materials found in the soil or their quantities. It’s much less common for natural processes to lead to toxic chemicals accumulating in the soil, but this has happened in a few recorded cases.

However, typically, natural causes will impact the soil in ways that do not pose a risk to people or the environment, such as:

• The soil absorbs elements from the air through a process called atmospheric deposition, but they are not washed away because there’s not enough rain, causing compounds to accumulate naturally.
• Compounds are naturally produced in the soil through specific environmental conditions.

For example, if there is a source of chlorine plus a metal present in the soil, this could be converted into perchlorate, a compound used in fireworks, via a natural chemical reaction. For this to happen, there would also need to be an energy source, such as a lightning strike.

Furthermore, once the soil is polluted through human causes, natural conditions and contaminants present may interact with these particles, resulting in further changes. These processes may reduce the toxicity or contamination level, or it may make things worse.

An example of this could be a leak from sewer lines, causing chlorine to enter the subsurface. The chlorine could interact with elements in the ground, generating chloroform or other trihalomethanes.

Human causes

Anthropogenic (human) causes are overwhelmingly to blame for ground and soil pollution issues. In some cases, this can happen accidentally, or it may be a more deliberate action when industry or agriculture dumps harmful substances into the soil.

Agriculture

Agricultural activities are one of the primary causes of soil pollution. Conventional agriculture involves the heavy use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, which diffuse into the soil.

Over-grazing of livestock also causes soil erosion, changing the soil composition and making it less fertile. Using heavy machinery can have a similar effect by compacting the soil.

Mining

The mining industry is another big culprit. When mines crush or process materials, especially heavy metals, this can emit toxic particles that contaminate the soil.

Additionally, various mining processes pollute surface and groundwater with a range of toxic chemicals, which then leech into the soil. Furthermore, mining activities can disturb the soil in a range of other ways, causing damage, erosion, and releasing contaminants into the earth.

Manufacture and industry

Various manufacturing and industrial activities can lead to soil pollution. Factories and foundries with furnaces disperse contaminants into the air, which are then absorbed into the soil directly or through rainfall.

Equally, all vehicles powered by fossil fuels release pollutants into the air, many of which end up in the soil.

Construction and housing

Construction is another major cause of soil pollution, especially in urban areas. Construction sites contain a range of chemicals that can pollute the soil, the most problematic being those that travel in the air as fine particles, such as PAHs, high levels of which can cause irritation to the eyes and respiratory system, or blood and liver issues, according to the CDC.

Another material of great concern is asbestos, a toxic and highly hazardous material found in many buildings built before 1989. If not handled correctly, fine particles of asbestos may be released into the atmosphere during the demolition or renovation of older buildings, where it is easily dispersed by wind.

Even when completed, buildings can still cause soil pollution. For example, as the paint on the outside of our homes and other structures weathers over time, it flakes off and ends up in the soil.

Lead-based paint can be particularly damaging to the soil, but almost all paints contain chemicals that result in soil pollution.

Septic systems for houses and other buildings can also be an issue. If septic tanks are not well-constructed or not maintained properly, they can leak various harmful and potentially dangerous materials into the ground, including chemicals, bacteria, and viruses.

Chemical waste and landfills

Chemical waste dumping is another big problem. This may be accidental or deliberate, such as in the case of illegal dumping, but either way, it introduces toxic chemicals to the soil environment.

It’s not just chemical dumping that is an issue: the regular household waste that we send to landfill releases pollutants as it breaks down, and these contaminants then leak into groundwater or disperse into the air, eventually contaminating the soil. If the waste contains chemicals, metals, and other toxins, these will also be released into the environment as it decomposes.

Not to mention the other types of pollution released as trash breaks down in landfill, such as the potent greenhouse gas methane.

This is just one of the reasons why it’s so critical to responsibly dispose of items such as LED light bulbs, propane tanks, and cooking oil, as well as limit the amount of waste we use through recycling and buying zero-waste products.

Accidents and spills

Accidental spills and leaks are another major cause of soil pollution. Whenever chemicals and other materials are transported or stored, there is a risk that small or large quantities may leak out. These chemicals may spill directly onto or into the soil, or they may be washed there by rain, carried by a river, or otherwise be absorbed into the soil later on.

Dramatic examples include a truck carrying chemicals overturning on the highway, or an oil tanker leaking petroleum into the ocean, such as the massive BP spill in 2010, when 4 million barrels of oil leaked from a damaged oil tanker into the Gulf of Mexico.

The immediate impacts of an oil spill in the sea are devastating to local marine ecosystems. However, the oil contamination can then spread to waterways such as rivers, eventually polluting the soil over a wide area.

However, there are more simple spills as part of our daily use of chemicals that ultimately contaminate the soil. For example, if you spill a bit of gas when filling your car at the gas station, this will eventually be washed into the soil.

Even storing chemicals, oil, and other hazardous materials carries a risk of contamination. There are literally millions of storage tanks in the US alone that are buried underground for long-term storage.

Over the years, these tanks may crack or degrade, and their contents can leak out into the soil. Given there are an estimated 20,000 abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste sites in the US, there is a real risk of improperly-maintained storage units leaking toxic materials into the soil.

This could yet include radioactive materials, as currently, there is no permanent solution for nuclear waste storage in the USA.

Why is soil pollution a problem?

Soil pollution takes many forms and can have a range of causes. Equally, it can have a large number of impacts, big and small, short and long term, on people, wildlife, and the broader natural environment.

Impacts on ecosystems

Soil is literally the foundation of land-based ecosystems, so its pollution can have severe implications for all forms of life. When soil is contaminated, it may not be able to support plants as well as previously, causing poor plant health and damaging vegetation growth.

Severely contaminated soil may be unsuitable plant life at all. This transfers further up the food chain, as animals, birds, and insects lose not only their food source, but also the habitat where they live, causing species displacement and threatening extinction.

Furthermore, when wildlife consumes vegetation grown in polluted soil, it can cause a range of health issues and may even be fatal.

Soil contamination also severely impacts creatures we can’t see: the microorganisms that call this environment home. Toxins can inhibit the growth of microbes, make it harder for them to perform their functions which are an essential part of the ecosystem, or kill them entirely.

Groundwater contamination

Groundwater contamination is another major issue that is closely related to soil pollution. This relationship flows both ways: just as groundwater pollution can contaminate the soil, contaminated soil can pollute groundwater reserves.

Maintaining clean groundwater is essential for a number of reasons. Not only do 50% of all people in the US depend on it for drinking water, but it’s also a vital source of water for irrigation, as well as feeding lakes and rivers, thus supporting a range of natural ecosystems.

Contaminants in the soil, whether fertilizers, chemical or oil spills, toxins released through mining, or leachate from decomposing landfill, can filter down through the ground and make their way to the groundwater.

Contaminated groundwater can lead to a range of negative effects, including:

• Human health implications: Drinking contaminated water can have serious health effects, including dysentery, hepatitis, toxic poisoning, and cancer.

• Impacts on wildlife: Plants and animals at all levels of the ecosystem depend on groundwater directly or indirectly. Polluted groundwater can be harmful, and even fatal, to all forms of life.

Deforestation and soil erosion

Over-grazing, plus using chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and heavy machinery in conventional agriculture, can cause soil pollution and degradation. Over time, these impacts decrease crop yields and quality, meaning farmers need to clear more land to plant new crops.

This not only expands the range of the soil pollution over the long term, but it can also lead to deforestation, as woodlands and other natural environments are cleared to plant more crops.

In turn, this can lead to habitat destruction, species extinction, and water scarcity, as well as contribute to climate change.

Additionally, as contaminated soil becomes less able to support plant life, it’s no longer held in place by plant roots, and can easily blow or wash away, a process that’s known as erosion. Soil erosion is a major issue, with impacts ranging from desertification to economic losses in the agricultural sector.

Soil erosion can even contribute to deadly “natural” disasters. For example, in 2020, Indonesia experienced deadly floods when eroded sediments clogged Jakarta’s rivers and canals.

Health, economic and societal impacts

When people are exposed to contaminated soil it can cause a range of health impacts. Toxic particles in the soil can also become airborne, leading to respiratory issues such as bronchitis and asthma when people inhale them.

Additionally, fruit and vegetables grown in polluted soil or with contaminated groundwater can take up these toxins, which we then ingest when we eat these foods.

The exact impacts depend on the type of contaminant, but short-term symptoms can include skin irritation, headaches, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Long-term exposure to toxins through contaminated food can lead to severe, even fatal, health problems such as cancer, nervous system issues, and kidney and liver damage.

Ultimately, if we pollute the ground so much that we can’t use it for farming anymore, this will limit our ability to grow food. This also extends to the other crops we rely on for various uses, such as cotton for textiles and biofuels like corn and sugarbeet.

This has obvious implications for global hunger, which is already a significant concern. According to the WHO, up to 828 million people were affected by hunger in 2021, 150 million more than in 2019.

Soil pollution could also have devastating impacts to the US and global economies over the long term, as the agricultural and forestry industries become less productive, make less revenue, and offer fewer jobs.

What can we do to help prevent soil pollution?

Thankfully, there are plenty of things we can do to avoid soil pollution and mitigate the impacts of ground that is already contaminated. Effective action on soil contamination and land management needs to involve individuals, communities, companies, and governments, with all of these groups working together to protect the environment.

At a government level, authorities need to introduce tougher legislation to prevent soil pollution, closely monitor agriculture, mining, and industry to ensure compliance, and apply harsh penalties for those who fail to do so. Other measures could include funding research and development, adopting waste-to-energy practices, and implementing soil remediation projects.

Final thoughts on soil pollution

Soil pollution can be devastating to people and the environment in various ways, from causing health issues in people and animals and threatening food production to long-term eco disasters such as habitat destruction, deforestation, groundwater contamination, and climate change.

Soil contamination is caused by a range of factors, some natural, but the causes of the most severe forms of pollution are almost entirely linked to human activity. As the causes of this problem are diverse, it demands a range of solutions at the individual, company, and political level.

By now, you’ve hopefully got the full answer to the question ‘what is soil pollution’, and if we’ve done our job right – you’ll now be interested to know more about how to prevent it; so check out this post, to see what you can do to help.