Page 88 - SST Class 05

Air Pollution
The atmosphere is made up of different types of gases, as oxygen,
carbon dioxide, nitrogen and others. We inhale oxygen and exhale

carbon dioxide. Trees use carbon dioxide and release oxygen. In
this way, the balance of gases is maintained in the atmosphere.
This also means that trees are very important for us, without
them, the balance of the atmosphere cannot be maintained.

We need wood for different domestic and industrial purposes, so Smoke from chimney
we cut down trees. The problem is that we have been greedy, so
we have cut down trees in a larger number than we need. We also cut down trees to
clear land to build houses, factories, roads and bridges. This simply means that carbon
dioxide cannot be changed into oxygen at a rate that environmental balance can be
maintained. This balance is further disturbed when we burn fuels in machines and
vehicles which also release harmful gases.

Thus, we can see that human activities are responsible for air pollution. Air pollution
causes a number of diseases to our lungs and eyes.

Water Pollution

Water is an important ingredient of the environment. Life cannot
be possible without it. We need it for different purposes in our
homes, fields and industries. When we use water, we pollute it too.
When we take a bath, we mix soap with water, and thus pollute it.
A farmer uses water for irrigation, but he mixes chemical fertilizers
and pesticides in it, thus water is polluted. In the same way,
industries pollute water during different applications. Garbage in river

The nature has a water cycle, by which it cleans water. However, we are polluting water
more than the nature can recycle. Our rivers and other water bodies have become
polluted. If this were not enough, we dispose our waste into the water bodies. We can
find domestic and industrial waste flowing into our rivers and other water bodies. This

polluted water is the chief cause behind a number of diseases, such as jaundice, typhoid,
gastroenteritis etc. These diseases kill a large number of people every year.

Noise Pollution
Many of our machines and activities cause noise, such as sound
systems, televisions, vehicles, trains, aeroplanes, machines and
industries etc. A high level of noise is called noise pollution. It
disturbs our peace of mind and causes different types of diseases,

such as stress, irritation, loss of hearing and loss of digestion etc.
It is a major cause of illness in cities and industrial towns. A loudspeaker

88 Contemporary Social Science-5