Pollution
Pollution means contamination of the Earth's environment with materials that interfere with human health, quality of life, or the natural functioning of ecosystems (living organisms and their physical surroundings). There are different forms of pollution, caused by different substances:
Air
From vehicle exhausts, heat and power generation, manufacturing and forest fires.
Water
From petroleum products, agricultural chemicals, heavy metals, hazardous waste, and sewage.
Soil
From agriculture, mining and quarrying, sewage sludge, household waste and demolitions.
Noise
From road, air and rail transport, industrial machinery and neighbourhoods.
Radioactive
From nuclear power plants, nuclear weapons, disposal of nuclear waste and uranium mining.
Regulations and legislation have led to considerable progress in cleaning up air and water pollution in many richer countries. For example vehicles now emit fewer nitrogen oxides, lead can be removed from petrol and industrial stacks have scrubbers to reduce emissions. However many developing countries are continuing to struggle with pollution control. They are trying to enhance their economic development, but this is often at the cost of environmental considerations because of the expense or the unavailability of cleaner technologies. The problem is compounded by developing countries attracting foreign investment and industry by offering cheaper labour, cheaper raw materials, and fewer environmental restrictions. Economic growth and protecting the environment should not be viewed as competing objectives. Richer countries and corporations need to take a more responsible attitude to investment, rather than taking advantage of the vulnerability of poorer countries.