There are two types of air pollutants: primary and secondary. Primary pollutants are emitted directly from their source, while secondary pollutants are formed when primary pollutants react in the atmosphere.

The burning of fossil fuels for transportation and electricity produces both primary and secondary pollutants and is one of the largest sources of air pollution.

Vehicle exhaust contains hazardous gases and particulate matter, including hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide. These gases rise into the atmosphere and react with other atmospheric gases, creating even more toxic gases.

Heavy use of fertilizers in agriculture is a major source of fine particle air pollution, according to the Earth Institute, affecting much of Europe, Russia, China and the United States. The level of pollution caused by agricultural activities is believed to exceed all other sources of fine particle air pollution in these countries.

Ammonia is a major air pollutant from agricultural activities. Ammonia enters the air as a gas from concentrated animal waste and overfertilized fields.

This ammonia gas then combines with other pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and sulfates from vehicles and industrial processes to form aerosols. Aerosols are tiny particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause heart and lung disease.

Other agricultural air pollutants include pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. All this also contributes to water pollution.

2. Water pollution

Nutrient pollution is caused by sewage, sewage and fertilizers. The high levels of nutrients in these springs enter water bodies and encourage the growth of algae and weeds, which can make the water undrinkable and deplete oxygen, leading to the death of aquatic life.

Pesticides and herbicides applied to crops and residential areas are concentrated in the soil and carried to the groundwater with rainwater and runoff. For these reasons, every time someone drills a well for water, it must be checked for contaminants.

Industrial waste is one of the main causes of water pollution as it creates primary and secondary pollutants including sulphur, lead and mercury, nitrates and phosphates, and oil spills.

In developing countries, about 70% of solid waste is dumped directly into the ocean or sea. This causes serious problems, including harming and killing sea creatures, which eventually affects people.

3. Pollution of land and soil

Land pollution is the destruction of land as a result of human activities and misuse of land resources. It occurs when people apply chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides to the soil, improperly dispose of waste, and recklessly exploit minerals in mining.

The soil is also polluted by leaking underground septic tanks, sewer systems, leaching of harmful substances from landfills, and direct discharge of sewage from industrial plants into rivers and oceans.

Rain and flooding can carry pollutants from other already polluted lands to soil elsewhere.

Over farming and overgrazing as a result of agricultural activities causes the soil to lose its nutritional value and structure, causing soil degradation, another type of soil pollution.

Landfills can leach harmful substances into soil and waterways and create very unpleasant odors and are breeding grounds for rodents that carry disease.

4. Noise and light pollution

Noise is considered an environmental pollutant caused by domestic sources, public events, commercial and industrial activities, and transportation.

Light pollution is caused by prolonged and excessive use of artificial lighting at night, which can cause health problems for humans and disrupt natural cycles, including wildlife activities. Sources of light pollution include electronic billboards, night sports venues, street and car lights, city parks, public places, airports, and residential areas.

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