Main Idea:
The
introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that causes adverse
change is called Pollution. Pollution can take place in the form of chemical
substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light. The components that cause
the pollution are called Pollutants. Pollutants are either foreign
substances/energies or naturally occurring contaminants. Pollution can be
classified as, point source pollution and nonpoint source pollution. A point
source of pollution is a single identifiable source of air, water, thermal, and
noise or light pollution.
A point source has a simple extent,
distinguishing it from other pollution source geometries. Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution refers to
both water and air pollution from the diffuse sources. Nonpoint source air
pollution affects the quality of air by reducing the goodness from sources such
as smokestacks or car tailpipes. Although these pollutants have originated from
a point source, the long-range transport ability and multiple sources of the
pollutant make it a nonpoint source of pollution. Nonpoint source pollution can
be contrasted with point source pollution, where discharges occur to a body of
water or into the atmosphere at a single location.
The
atmosphere is one of the few resources shared among all Earth’s inhabitants. As
a consequence, the pollution that spews from a factory in Asia, a fire in
Australia, a dust storm in Africa, or car emissions in North America can have a
detrimental impact on people and the environment locally or an ocean away.
Scientists have researched and documented many of the local hazards from ozone
to atmospheric chemicals that cause acid rain.
Generally
we need to keep an agreement that we must control pollution of our air, water,
and land, but there is considerable clash over how controls should be designed
and how much control is enough. The pollution control mechanisms give the
detailed explanation of techniques and leaving polluters little choice in how
to achieve the environmental goals. This “command-and-control” strategy
needlessly increases the cost of pollution controls and may even slow our
progress toward a cleaner environment.
