Pollution is the addition of substances that have adverse effects on human health or the environment, into a natural medium at a rate faster than it can be dispersed, diluted, decomposed, recycled or stored. The most common types of pollution are air, water and land. Air pollutants include fine particulate matter, ozone and toxic gases such as mercury and lead. They come from both natural and human activities, such as burning fossil fuels for electricity, transport and cooking; chemicals from manufacturing and extractive industries; and agricultural runoff.
Breathing polluted air causes damage to the lungs, heart and brain. It increases people’s risk of respiratory disease, including asthma and COPD/emphysema; and can even pass through the placenta to affect a developing fetus. Long-term exposure to air pollution is linked with increased risk of cancer, heart disease and lung infection.
Similarly, drinking water contaminated with toxic chemicals can damage the kidneys, liver and bladder. Contaminated soil can harm plants, animals and cause diseases in people who eat their food. Water pollution also contributes to climate change.
All types of pollution cause serious and lasting harm to humanity and the planet. They undermine sustainable development and are one of the triple planetary crises along with climate change and biodiversity loss. The poorest people are the most vulnerable to pollution. They are exposed to harmful chemicals and wastes through their skin, lungs, water and food and live closer to landfills and dumpsites. They are less able to afford the equipment and technology to protect themselves against pollution and have little influence over how their countries, cities and communities are managed.