ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION-E-NOTE

🌍 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

Subject: Basic Science
Class: JSS 1 (Grade 7)

📘 Meaning of Environmental Pollution

Environmental pollution is the dirtying or contamination of our surroundings (air, water, and land) with harmful substances that can cause damage to plants, animals, and humans.

👉 When our environment is polluted, it becomes unsafe for living things.

📘 Types of Environmental Pollution

There are three main types of environmental pollution:

1️⃣ Air Pollution

Air pollution occurs when harmful gases, smoke, or dust mix with the air.

Examples:

• Smoke from vehicles

• Smoke from factories

• Burning of refuse

Effects:

• Breathing problems

• Cough and asthma

• Poor visibility

2️⃣ Water Pollution

Water pollution happens when rivers, streams, lakes, or wells are contaminated with harmful substances.

Examples:

• Oil spill in rivers

• Dumping refuse in water

• Sewage flowing into streams

Effects:

• Death of fish and aquatic animals

• Waterborne diseases (cholera, typhoid)

• Shortage of clean drinking water

3️⃣ Soil (Land) Pollution

Soil pollution is the contamination of land with waste and chemicals.

Examples:

• Refuse dumps

• Excessive use of chemicals on farms

• Oil spills on land

Effects:

• Poor crop growth

• Reduced soil fertility

• Unhealthy food production

📘 Causes of Environmental Pollution (Pollutants)

Substances that cause pollution are called pollutants.

Common pollutants include:

• Smoke

• Chemicals

• Refuse and waste materials

• Oil

• Sewage

📘 Effects of Environmental Pollution

Environmental pollution can cause many problems such as:

• Diseases in humans

• Death of plants and animals

• Pollution of drinking water

• Reduction in farm produce

• Destruction of natural beauty

📘 Methods of Controlling Environmental Pollution

We can control pollution by:

• Proper disposal of refuse

• Recycling waste materials

• Avoiding burning of refuse

• Planting trees

• Treating waste before disposal

• Avoiding dumping refuse in rivers and gutters

✍️ Quick Revision Questions

1. What is environmental pollution?

2. Mention two types of pollution.

3. List two causes of pollution.

4. State two effects of pollution.

5. Mention one way to control pollution.