2 POLLUTION WHAT IS POLLUTION? In Italy there are some areas with serious pollution problems. Do you know where they are? Pollution occurs when the environment is contaminated by waste, chemicals, and other harmful substances, at a rate faster than they can be dispersed, diluted, decomposed, recycled, or stored in some harmless form. Main forms of pollution Large industrial manufacturing facilities are the main sources of stationary pollution, while motor vehicles are the main contributors to mobile pollution. What fuel is used for your family s car? Carry out a survey in your class and prepare a graphic indicating the type of fuel (petrol, diesel fuel, liquid propane gas, methane). Then discuss the topic in class. What is the ozone layer? Use the net to find information. ONLINE RESOURCES Health diseases due to pollution Electromagnetic pollution Water pollution Air pollution. It comes from burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, petrol, and natural gas, which are usually used in large industrial manufacturing facilities, such as chemical plants, metal production factories, petroleum refineries, power plants and incinerators. Fossil fuels are also used for cars , aircraft and domestic heating. This process releases tiny solid particles into the air (PM, i.e. particulate matter) and harmful gases. Air pollution can lead to acid rain, persistent smog over big cities, global warming, damages to the ozone layer . Water pollution. It occurs when harmful substances contaminate a stream, river, lake, ocean or aquifer, degrading water quality and making it toxic to humans or the environment. Agriculture is one of the major sources of water pollution because of fertilizers and pesticides. Factories may release oils, poisonous chemicals and heavy metals into water. They can enter the food chain and cause diseases in the human body. Air pollution 26 THE ENVIROMENT Land pollution. It refers to the accumulation of solid or liquid waste materials on land or underground that can contaminate the soil and groundwater, threaten public health, destroy the habitats of plants and animals and create ugly landscapes. Other forms of pollution Radioactive contamination. It is the dispersion of radioactive materials, such as radioactive gases, liquids or particles in a place where they may harm people, animals, buildings and land. Noise pollution. It takes place when there is excessive noise or unpleasant sounds that cause temporary disturbance to people and animals, either because of their volume or their production. Light pollution. It indicates the alteration of natural light levels in the outdoor environment due to artificial light sources. Too much artificial light may reduce starlight in the night sky, interfere with astronomical research, have adverse health effects and waste energy. aircraft: aeromobile, velivolo coal: carbone harmful: dannoso, pericoloso to occur: verificarsi to release: rilasciare to threaten: minacciare tiny: minuscolo