Chemical pollution of nature and its consequences

Under the pollution of the environment is understood as the introduction of foreign substances that are not typical under normal conditions, as well as the excess of the normal concentration of a chemical agent. At present, pollution of nature is a global problem that has been solved for many years and even decades by all developed countries. Unfortunately, the constant increase in the rates of technical progress, the processing of minerals, the continued popularity of ferrous metallurgy, the expansion of cities and other anthropogenic factors only exacerbate the negative impact of human civilization on living nature.

Definition

Types of pollution are often divided into several groups according to the type of impact: it is physical, biogenic, informational and many others. But chemical pollution is considered one of the most dangerous and destructive consequences. Such a definition means any appearance of chemicals in areas that are not intended for them. It is now clear that the results of a person's direct influence on his environment throughout his entire history are negative. And on the first lines in this list should be the chemical pollution of nature.

Sources of environmental pollution

The consequences of anthropogenic influence are reflected not only in the state of the natural environment, but also in ourselves. Often, chemicals enter the body and accumulate in it, causing serious poisoning, exacerbate and exacerbate existing chronic diseases. It has also been proven that prolonged chemical exposure (even in a small concentration) has a dangerous mutagenic and carcinogenic effect on living things.

Heavy metals can exert an intense toxic effect : a special danger is that they are practically not eliminated from the body. Such substances can accumulate in the tissues of plants, which then feed on animals. Well, at the top of this chain, it may well be a person. The latter, therefore, risks to undergo the maximum negative consequences of the toxins' influence on the body.

Another dangerous substance that causes pollution of nature is dioxins, which are formed in large quantities in the process of production of pulp and metallurgical products. This should also be added to the exhaust gases of machines operating on internal combustion engines. Dioxins are dangerous for humans and animals. Even in small amounts, they can cause damage to the immune system, kidneys and liver.

At the present time, all new synthetic compounds and substances do not cease to appear. And to predict the destructiveness of the consequences of their influence on nature is almost impossible. Also it is necessary not to mention the agricultural activity of man: in many countries it reaches such grandiose volumes that it provokes pollution of nature faster than all heavy industry enterprises put together.

How to protect the environment from negative influences?

The main measures to combat these processes include the following: strict control over the generation of waste and subsequent disposal, improvement of technologies before approaching a wasteless model, an increase in the overall economy of production and its reliability. A huge role is played by preventive measures, since in this case it is much easier not to let the problem arise, than to deal with its consequences.

Conclusion

Obviously, the time is still far off when our influence on nature will at least cease to be constantly aggravated, not to mention a significant reduction in the harm caused. This problem must be solved at the highest level, by the efforts of all the inhabitants of the Earth, and not of individual countries. Moreover, the first steps to that were already made several decades ago. So, in the seventies, scientists first disclosed information about the destruction of the ozone layer. It turned out that aerosol cans and air conditioners are the source of the release of atomic chlorine into the environment. The latter, getting into the atmosphere, reacts with ozone and destroys it. This information has prompted many countries to agree on a mutual reduction in the volume of hazardous production.