Water pollution is the accumulation of substances in water bodies, which harms humans and animals. While some natural processes can disperse and cleanse pollution in rivers, lakes, oceans, and other waters, ongoing pollution has had a significant impact on our water sources. Human activities have progressively deteriorated the quality of our rivers, oceans, and inland waters, resulting in more than two thirds of Earth's surface covered by water being affected.
Water pollution, characterized by a decline in water quality, endangers life on our planet due to the existence of harmful chemicals in our environment (Agarwal 11). This study aims to investigate the various causes and effects of water pollution. Dealing with this problem becomes intricate considering the numerous factors at play. Among these factors, sewage stands out as a major source of water pollution and has become increasingly troublesome with the expanding global
...population.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are around 780 million people who don't have access to safe drinking water, and approximately 2.5 billion individuals lack proper sanitation facilities (Calhoun & Seideman, 01). The improper disposal of sewage not only affects the immediate surroundings but also causes waterborne diseases like diarrhea, which annually results in the death of 760,000 children under five years old (Calhoun & Seideman, 01). In developed nations, flush toilets are commonly used to remove sewage waste from households and sometimes release it into water bodies. Occasionally, untreated sewage water is discharged into the sea. Furthermore, chemical waste significantly contributes to water pollution.
Polychlorinated biphenyls chemicals have been released into the environment through water bodies in certain cases, and these chemicals have been detected in fish and birds in ocean
that are thousands of miles away from their original entry point. In addition, other companies also release their waste into the oceans. For example, in 1938, a factory in Japan discharged mercury metal into Minamata Bay, resulting in the contamination of fish stocks (Goel, 57). Some individuals argue that pollution is inevitable as a result of human activities. They believe that if we desire coastal resorts, oils, cars, ships, cities, and factories, it is certain that pollution will occur.
Fortunately, there are others who share my disagreement with this perspective. According to Harrison (66), people have become conscious of the pollution issue because it incurs costs that ultimately undermine the economic advantages associated with polluting. A concrete example is when sewage is discharged into coastal waters and subsequently washes up on beaches, creating a health risk. Those who engage in activities like surfing or swimming in these waters may fall ill if they unintentionally consume this contaminated water.
The pollution caused by chemical waste or sewage discharged from the surrounding area has led to the non-existence of shellfish harvesting along the shores. This contamination poses a danger to individuals who consume shellfish, as they are at risk of severe and potentially fatal illnesses known as paralytic shellfish poisoning. This pollution not only affects humans but also has a detrimental impact on the environment, which is crucial for our existence (McKeown ; Bugyi, 29). It is important to recognize that our environment is interconnected with our daily lives and should not be neglected.
According to Thomas & Copeland (90), the environment is essential for sustaining and promoting life and health. This includes both our immediate surroundings and the natural
landscapes we see through media channels. Protecting the environment is of utmost importance because its destruction would have a negative impact on our quality of life. Pollution affects all individuals, making it crucial to take preventative measures.
Work Cited
- Agarwal, S K. Water Pollution. New Delhi: A.P.H. Pub. Corp, 2008. Print.
- Calhoun, Yael, and David Seideman. Water Pollution.
Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers, 2005. Internet resource. Print.
Goel, P K. Water Pollution: Causes, Effects and Control. New Delhi: New Age International, 2006.
Print.
Print.
New York: Nova Science Publishers, 2008. Print.
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