Industrial Pollution

[By Mrutyunjaya Sahoo]

The pollution spread by industries in the form of solid, liquid, and/or harmful gases into the
environment is called Industrial Pollution.
It can be defined as a source of air, water, soil, and noise pollution.

CAUSES OF INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION

1. Lack of Policies to Control Pollution

The lack of effective policies has allowed many industries to bypass laws made by the
pollution control board, resulting in mass-scale pollution that has immensely affected many
individuals’ lives.

2. Unplanned Industrial Growth

Unplanned industrial growth is the hasty expansion of industrial activities that neglects
environmental sustainability. This results in severe pollution caused by improper waste
management, emissions control, and resource consumption.

3. Use of out dated Technologies

In most industries, old technologies are still used in the production of goods as a way to avoid
the high initial capital costs associated with new developments. Unfortunately, the old
production technologies and techniques produce a great deal of pollution.

4. Presence of a Large Number of Small Scale Industries

Many small-scale industries and factories that don’t have enough capital and rely on
government grants to run their day-to-day businesses often escape environmental regulations
and release many toxic gases into the atmosphere.

5. Inefficient Waste Disposal

The mismanagement of waste within industrial settings is a major contributor to

6. Other activities causing industrial pollution:

 Burning coal

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  Burning fossil fuels like oil, natural gas, and petroleum
 Chemical solvents used in dyeing and tanning industries
 Untreated gas and the liquid waste being released into the environment
 Improper disposal of radioactive material

EFFECTS OF INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION

1. Water Pollution

The effects of industrial pollution are far-reaching and liable to affect the ecosystem for many
years to come. Most industries require large amounts of water for their work. When involved
in a series of processes, the water comes into contact with heavy metals, harmful
chemicals, radioactive waste, and even organic sludge.

These are either dumped into open oceans or rivers. As a result, many of our water sources
have a high amount of industrial waste, which seriously impacts the health of our ecosystem.
The same water is then used by farmers for irrigation purposes, affecting the quality of food
produced.

Actually, many groundwater supplies are currently unusable for both people and wildlife due
to water pollution. At best, it can be recycled and used again in other sectors.

2. Soil Pollution

Soil pollution is creating problems in agriculture and destroying local vegetation. It also
causes chronic health issues for the people that come into contact with such soil on a daily
basis.

3. Air Pollution

Air pollution has led to a steep increase in various illnesses, and it continues to affect us
every day. With so many small, mid-sized, and large-scale industries coming up, air
pollution has taken a toll on our health and that of the environment.

4. Wildlife Extinction

In general, the problem of industrial pollution results in the failure of natural cycles and
patterns, which has a serious impact on wildlife. It is becoming more difficult for the
environment to recover from each natural disaster as habitats are destroyed, species are going
extinct, and these trends are continuing.

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 Industrial disasters – such as oil spills, fires, and radioactive material leaks – have a
devastating impact that can be difficult to mitigate due to the short timeframe in which their
effects occur.

5. Global Warming

With the rise in industrial pollution, global warming has been increasing at a steady pace.
Emissions of smoke and greenhouse gases from industrial practices have greatly contributed
to this issue.

The devastating impacts of global warming are seen in the form of melting glaciers,
the endangerment of polar bears, and natural disasters such as floods, tsunamis, and
hurricanes.

6. Biodiversity Loss

Industrial pollution continues to cause significant damage to the earth and its inhabitants due
to chemical wastes, pesticides, radioactive materials, etc. It affects wildlife and ecosystems
and disrupts natural habitats. Animals are becoming extinct, and habitats are being destroyed.

The growing amount of liquid, solid, and hazardous wastes endangers ecosystem’s
health and jeopardizes food, water, and health security. Industrial pollution disasters,
including oil spills and radioactive leakage, take years to decades to clean up.

CONTROL MEASURES

1. Source Control

Adopting new technology, effectively training staff for safe use, developing better waste
disposal technologies, and being more mindful about the use of raw materials can all assist to
limit industrial pollution at its source.

2. Recycling

Recycling as much polluted water in the industries as possible by increased recycling efforts
to reduce industrial pollution

3. Cleaning of Resources

Organic methods should be adopted to clean the water and soil, such as using microbes that
use heavy metals and waste as feed naturally. Cooling rooms or bins need to also be
developed to allow industries recycle the water they use instead of pushing it back into the
natural water source it came from.

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4. Industry Site Selection

It’s also imperative to consider the location of sites before establishment and the potential
impact on the surrounding environment as a way to help reduce harmful consequences.

5. Proper Treatment of Industrial Waste

This can be attained by developing and implementing adequate treatment facilities for
handling industrial waste and adopting proper habits that can help reduce pollution.

6. Rebuilding Habitats and Afforestation

Rebuilding habitats by planting more trees and plants can help give wildlife back their
homes, and the trees can help purify the air with enough oxygen and act as a buffer against
the environment.

7. Stricter Laws and Enforcement

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should come up with even more stringent
regulations on environmental conservation and impose harsher penalties on individuals and
companies that violate these measures while at the same time recognizing those that operate
ethically.

8. Regular Environmental Impact Assessments

To foster environmental consciousness in industries, it is imperative to conduct periodic