Pollution is the introduction of harmful substances, toxin, which produces some kind of harmful impact on the environment or living organisms.

Air pollution

Air pollution consists of substances present in the atmosphere in high enough levels to harm humans, other animals, plants, or materials. Air pollution can result from human activities such as driving cars. It can also come from natural sources, such as smoke from forest fires caused by lightning or from volcano eruptions

However, as the population increases, pollution problems also increase. A combination of a rapidly multiplying population, and the growth of industries and car use are the main causes of air pollution today.

Water pollution

Discharging untreated sewage and chemical wastes directly into rivers, lakes and drains has become a traditional habit. Water bodies can no longer cope with the increasing pollution load. In Pakistan, water is mainly used for industrial, agricultural and domestic purposes.

Water pollution is the contamination ofwater bodies (e.g.lakes, rivers, oceans,aquifers andgroundwater). Water pollution occurs whenpollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into water bodies without adequate treatmentto remove harmful compounds.

ndustrial wastewater contains toxic chemicals. It is alarming that most industries have been started without proper planning and waste treatment plants. They just dispose of untreated toxic waste into nearby drains, canals or rivers. Lahore, Faisalabad, Karachi, Sialkot contribute major pollution loads into their water bodies

What can be done?

• Identify industrial units that are the biggest polluters of river water. If National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) regarding wastewater were strictly enforced, these industries would have to reduce and treat their waste prior to disposal.• A regular qualitative and quantitative monitoring of fresh water resources • Construct proper sanitary landfill sites• Investigate ground water quality• Provide Government help for waste management by industries• Throw refuse into garbage cans. Visitors who throw garbage into pools, lakes, ponds, and even along the beaches pollute recreational sites on a daily basis. This not only pollutes the water but also mars the beauty of the site• Dispose of unwanted paints or oils carefully. They should not be thrown into drains or sewers• Participate in awareness raising activities. Students can be a great help in this regard• Conserve water at home and at work, rather than wasting it• Boil or filter drinking water to eliminate disease-causing bacteria• Conducting epidemiological study in the areas close to contaminated water bodies will help to assess the affect of polluted water on health of the consumers.

Air pollution is primarily happening because of our industry and our vehicles. These sources release

harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, sulfur and nitrogen oxides, and

particulate matter into air.

Increased industrial activity and the growing number of cars in our roads means that air pollution is

constantly growing, even despite the efforts from many countries and different legislation that aim to

reduce the global level of air pollution.

When thinking about air pollution most people will automatically turn to China. Chinese cities are

indeed the most negative examples of excessive air pollution but this doesn't mean they are the only

ones. There are several U.S. cities experiencing excessive levels of air pollution such as Los Angels

and Pittsburgh.

The best solution to tackle air pollution issue is to make our industry and vehicles cleaner. This means

shifting focus to renewable energy sources and using more hybrid/electric cars instead of

conventional gasoline powered cars.

The problem with these solutions is the fact that these technologies are yet to become cost-

competitive with traditional technologies, and will certainly need plenty of time before reaching

maturity level needed to challenge currently dominant technologies.

The first step towards cleaner technologies is the adequate legislation. The companies need to be

legally forced to look for cleaner solutions by paying astronomical fines for continuous pollution of our

air, and environment in general.

The big polluters must be severely punished for the damage they are doing to our environment and

our health. Economic growth mustn't be used as a universal excuse to justify continuous deterioration

of our environment.

The air pollution (as well as other forms of pollution) will continue to grow as long we remain ignorant

about it. We must realize that air pollution is major issue that is also jeopardizing our own health and

not just the health of our environment.

Clean and healthy air does not only mean clean and healthy environment but also a healthy life for

our children, grandchildren and our future generations