Describing the 3 Main Types of Pollution

While environmental pollution isn’t always caused by manmade activities, such as wildfires or volcanic eruptions, we do produce a significant majority of the pollution on planet earth. In the simplest definition possible, pollution is the process of making the water, land, or air of our planet dirty or unsafe for the maintenance of life. While, in reality, there are various forms of pollutants on our planet, such as noise and light pollution, the three main types of pollution we’ll be focusing on is air, land, and water pollution. Keep reading below to learn what causes the significant portion of harmful pollutants, how it affects both our bodies and our planet, and what we can do to reduce our harmful environmental footprint.

Air Pollution

It’s estimated that roughly 2.4-billion people worldwide are currently exposed to extreme levels of harmful air pollution and, unfortunately, and estimated 7-million premature deaths every year are attributed to pollutants in the air. While air pollution is occasionally visible, such as dark smoke emitting from trucks or factories, most forms of this pollution are present in tiny air particles which are invisible to the naked eye. Most air pollution comes from burning fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, oil, and more. From these burnt fossil fuels, pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, hydrocarbons, and more convert our atmosphere into a thick smog of haze that’s present in so many of the world’s large cities.

In addition to deteriorating the health of plant life across our planet, air pollution has fatal impacts on human health. Over time, inhaling outdoor air pollution has been linked to numerous health issues such as heart disease, various respiratory diseases, strokes, certain types of cancers, and much more. Fortunately, modern products such as O2 Nose Filters, face-masks, indoor air conditions, and more are available to lessen your exposure to harmful air pollutants and particulate matter.

Land Pollution

Describing a form of pollution that declines the quality of our earth’s surface, land pollution is largely a result of human activity. Common industrial activities such as agricultural chemicals, deforestation, garbage accumulation, and improper disposal of waste all severely pollutes soil on a widespread scale which adds to the degradation of our planet’s quality of land.

Mass production and the garbage it leaves behind is also another form of land pollution. Trash such as paper, cans, glass, plastic, and junked metal is littered all across our planet which can make it difficult for plants to grow as well as it can harm animals if they mistakenly eat it. Unfortunately, it’s never easy to remedy land pollution and the negative effects it causes can contaminate the surrounding land for decades.

Water Pollution

Water pollution is observed when dangerous foreign substances, such as toxic chemicals, metals, pesticides, sewage, and much more, are introduced to bodies of water. As many disadvantaged communities rely on consistent access to fresh water, we’re seeing more and more occasions where local water supplies are becoming contaminated and unsuitable for essential purposes such as cleaning, drinking, and swimming. Studies show that the agricultural industry produces a majority of the world’s water pollution as corporations commonly pour pesticides, animal waste, plastics, and other harmful chemicals into rivers. Additionally, old corroded pipes that haven’t been properly maintained can contaminate water supplies and endanger human health. 

Plastics in our oceans has become a monumental problem for humans through the years that we haven’t really been able to fix. Additionally, pollutants in our water negatively effects the health of underwater wildlife such as fish, plants, birds, and countless other animals. When humans eat fish and other underwater species that have ingested pollutants, these toxins enter our bloodstream which negatively affects the health of humans in the long run.

Protect Yourself from Harmful Pollutants

While we may never be able to fully protect ourselves from all the different types of pollutants in our ever-changing world, we can at least find solace in the fact that O2 Nose Filters are available to protect us from air pollution. O2 Nose Filters helps prevent harmful particulate matter from entering and potentially affecting your nasal cavities. O2 Nose Filters has been proven in controlled studies to help protect wearers from inhaling airborne particles such as bacteria, viruses, dust, exhaust fumes, smoke, and other pollutants. Independent laboratory tests demonstrate that 3M’s Advanced Electret Media in O2 Nose Filters block 90% of particulates at PM10 and 65% of particulates at PM2.5. Additionally, O2 Nose Filters are comfortable to wear due to their latex-free design and medical-grade Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) materials.

3M’s patented AEM™ (Advanced Electret Media) filter technology relies on the principles of electrostatic attraction. The high capture ratios and extended breathability attributed to 3M’s AEM™ material allows airborne particles from air pollution to be captured within the filter. Rather than using a ‘screen’ approach to block the passage of particles, the charged fibers act as ‘magnets’ to retain particles while still allowing air to pass through, making O2 Nose Filters both breathable and effective.

O2 Nose Filters provides inexpensive and effective security to protect people from harmful air pollution. While our nasal passageways try their best when it comes to filtering harmful particulate matter, they aren’t perfect. That’s why O2 Nose Filters are such an effective solution when it comes to improving our mental and physical health. Nose filters are a discreet, effective option to protect against air pollutants. The O2 Nose Filter uses 3M’s patented AEM™ electrostatic technology to capture allergens, viruses, and other particulates, making them a valuable tool for anyone who wants to drastically limit the pollutants they breathe in daily.