Water, Air and Soil Contamination
Pollution is an environmental concern for people throughout the world. One university
study suggests that pollutants in the water, air, and soil cause up to 40% of the prema-
ture deaths in the world's population. The majority of these deaths occur in developing
countries.
Water in many developing countries is contaminated with toxic chemicals, also known
as toxins. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1.1 billion people
have little or no access to clean water. In many of these regions the water that is used
for drinking, cooking, and washing is the same water that is used for dumping sewage
and hazardous waste. Most developing countries cannot afford water treatment facili-
ties. Approximately 80% of infectious diseases in the world are caused contami-
nated water.
Air pollution is a growing problem throughout the world. Indoor air pollution is one of
the leading causes of lung cancer. Families in developing countries use open stoves
for cooking and heating their homes. These homes do not have proper ventilation. The
smoke, which is full of chemicals and carcinogens, gets trapped inside where families
eat and sleep. Outdoor pollution also causes disease and illness, especially in indus-
trial cities such as Beijing, China, where cancer is the leading cause of death. China re-
lies heavily on coal, which is considered the dirtiest source of energy. According to
the European Union, only 1% of urban dwellers in China breathe clean air on an aver-
age day. Neighbouring countries including Japan and Korea receive much of China's
pollution in the form of acid rain. This pollution results mainly from the coal powered
factories, which produce inexpensive goods for North American and European con-
sumers. Outdoor air pollution is also a concern in many wealthy countries. Those who
live and work in urban centres such as Los Angeles or Toronto experience many
warm days beneath a layer of smog.
Soil pollution is also a major concern, both in industrial and developing countries. Pol-
lutants such as metals and pesticides seep into the earth's soil and contaminate the
food supply. Soil pollution causes major health risks to entire ecosystems. This type
of pollution reduces the amount of land suitable for agricultural production and con-
tributes to global food shortages. Dumping of industrial and domestic waste products
produces much of the world's soil pollution, though natural disasters can also add to
the problem. In wealthy countries such as the US, protection agencies monitor the
food supply. The public is generally warned before major disease outbreaks occur.
Developing countries do not have this luxury. Farmers in poor nations grow food in
contaminated soil both to earn a living and to avoid starvation.
As more people move to urban centres, premature deaths caused by pollution are ex-
pected to increase worldwide. Today, the developed nations who achieved their
wealth at the expense of the environment will be held accountAs more people move
to urban centres, premature deaths caused by pollution are expected to increase world-
wide. Today, the developed nations who achieved their wealth at the expense of the
environment will be held accountable for protecting the earth's resources for future
generations.
1. A university study suggests that up to 40% of the world's premature deaths are
caused by
developing countries
disease outbreaks
pollutants
2. In many developing countries people use
waste and sewage.
water
air
facilities.
3.
contaminated by hazardous
regions are often contaminated with air pollution.
Chemical
Carcinogenic
Industrial
4. What do open windows and fans that extract smoke provide?
contamination
ventilation
indoor pollution
5. The article implies that most of China's air pollution is caused by
Japan and Korea
burning coal
acid rain
6. According to the article, where is cancer the leading cause of death?
Beijing
Los Angeles
the European Union.
7. Which is NOT mentioned as a source of soil pollution?
hazardous wastes
use of pesticides
smoke from factories
8. Soil pollution is a major concern in
industrial
countries.
developing
industrial and developing
9. Industrial metals and pesticides seep into the earth's soil and contaminate our
food supply
food shortages
disease outbreaks
10. Premature deaths caused by pollution are expected to increase as more people
move to
developed nations
urban centres
country towns
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