Environmental pollution has become a serious problem for mankind. It is threatening the existence of mankind. The composition of air is being altered by undesirable chemical, physical and biological elements. It is known as air-pollution.

Pollutants: The common pollutants found in air are as follows :

• Deposited matter like soot, smoke, sand-dust.
• Gases like sulphur, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, Ammonia, Flourine, etc.
• Chemical Compounds like arines, phosgenes, detergents.
• Metals like lead, iron, zinc, mercury.
• Sewage.
• Radio-active substances.
• Noise and heat.

A. Atmospheric Pollution:

Atmosphere is of fundamental importance for our existence. Due to industrial revolution, the atmospheric pollution is increasing gradually. It has harmed the ultra-violet shielding ozone layer. The addition of heat-trapping greenhouse gases will cause a disaster.

The volcanic eruptions, forest fires, natural decay of organic and inorganic matter is causing visibility. Smoke is injurious to health. Acid rain has changed the composition of air and water.

Fossil Fules: The buring of fuels and chemicals is increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in atmosphere. It has increased by 25%. With the result, the average temperature of the earth is increasing. It has increased 0.3°C to 0.7°C during the last century. Deforestation has also led to increase in carbon-dioxide. The increasing use of fuels in vehicles has increased the amount of sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and has created many respiratory diseases.

The following factors affect water pollution

B. Water Pollution: Water is another indispensable source of our life. Pollution of water has caused far-reaching implications. It is a serious problem in metropolitans like Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai. It not only affects the water of rivers, tanks and lakes; but also ocean water.

• Domestic sewage .

• Industrial wastes

• Agricultural activities

• Thermal pollution

• Marine pollution.

C. Land Pollution: Land is one of the most important components of life support system.

Land is degrading due to overuse from centuries depletion of land is caused by :

1. Soil erosion

2. Pollutant.