The word “Pollution” means the destruction of the purity of atmosphere. The pollution of atmosphere is not a new problem. In recent years, the problem of pollution has become very acute. It is the industrialized West, which takes it seriously, because it is suffering from its injurious effects. In Pakistan, sufficient attention has not been paid to this issue so far. If we do not tackle this problem now, future generation will suffer from harmful effects of pollution.
This problem assumes different forms such as air pollution, water pollution, food pollution, noise pollution, and land pollution. All this pollution results from the greed of man for getting more and more money. Trees are cut down on an unprecedented scale and large scales production by industrialization has assumed gigantic proportions. So, the main cause of air and water pollution is imbalanced industrial growth and urbanization and deforestation. The owners of industries dump waste material on the surface of the earth or in rivers. So, water is polluted and the waste on the earth produces different poisonous gases, which pollute the air. On the other hand, forests, which purify air, have been cut down and new cities and industries have been established in their place.
Besides these, there is the problem of noise pollution. The thunder and roar of vehicles, particularly in large cities, deafening and unbearable. It leads to neurosis and other physique disorders. This problem must also be tackled on a war footing. The uses of ‘mufflers’ mechanicalcontrivance which prevent sound from coming out a machine should go a long way towards solving this problem. Such devices have been developed recently.
Trees and plants turn carbon dioxide into oxygen but when they are cut down, the air is not purified. Deforestation also causes soil erosion. The rich soil is either washed away by water or blown away by the wind. So artificial fertilizers are used to maintain its productivity. Polluted water is used for watering plants and vegetables. In this way, vegetables and crops are polluted. The wholesalers also pollute the food by adulteration. Pesticides are also a source of pollution to our crops,vegetables and fruits.
Besides these, there is the problem of air pollution. Smog is air pollution that reduces visibility. The term “Smog” was first used in the early 1900s to describe a mix of smoke and fog. The smoke usually came from burning coal. Smog was common in industrial areas, and remains a familiar sight in cities today.
Today, most of the smog we see is photochemical smog. Photochemical smog is produced when sunlight reacts with nitrogen oxides and at least one volatile organic compound (VOC) in the atmosphere. Nitrogen oxides come from car exhaust, coal power plants, and factory emissions. VOCs are released from gasoline, paints, and many cleaning solvents. When sunlight hits these chemicals, they form airborne particles and ground-level ozone-or smog.
Smog is unhealthy to humans and animals, and it can kill plants. Smog is also ugly. It makes the sky brown or gray. Smog is common in big cities with a lot of industry and traffic. Cities located in basins surrounded by mountains may have smog problems because the smog is trapped in the valley and cannot be carried away by wind.
If the air and water continue to be polluted in this way, man will face greater and greater health hazards. Air will not remain breathable and health will suffer. Man will suffer from various diseases. When water is polluted, food will also be polluted. This widespread and increasing pollution must be checked. If it is not checked, man will not be able to live healthy. The very existence of life on earth will be in danger.
To check this pollution, there should be balanced and planned industrialization. Urbanisation should be well planned and diversified. Industrial waste should be dumped on the earth’s surface or in the rivers. It should be destroyed by the use of suitable chemicals to remove their harmful effects. A comprehensive programme of tree plantation should be taken in hand. Deforestation should be prohibited. Polluted water should not be used for irrigation. People should not dump domestic wastes on the streets. There should be some scientific way for its disposal.
Water pollution resulted in the outbreak of cholera and gastroenteritis recently in a number of colonies caused suffering and death on a large scale. Water pollution has assumed alarming proportions and urgent steps are needed to control it. This is the only way out for the generation to come.