Air, water, and noise pollution all affect health and the environment. Explore their causes and why they matter.
Air pollution is caused by vehicle emissions, industrial smoke, and burning fossil fuels. Water pollution comes from industrial waste, sewage, and agricultural runoff. Noise pollution comes from traffic, machinery, and other loud sources.
Name one major cause of air pollution.
Answers vary — e.g. vehicle emissions, industrial smoke, or burning fossil fuels
Name one major cause of water pollution.
Answers vary — e.g. industrial waste, sewage, or agricultural runoff
Pollution can seriously affect human health — for example, air pollution can cause respiratory problems, and prolonged exposure to noise pollution can damage hearing and cause stress.
What health effect can prolonged exposure to noise pollution cause?
Hearing damage and increased stress
1. Name one major cause of air pollution.
2. Name one major cause of water pollution.
3. Name one major cause of noise pollution.
4. What health effect can air pollution cause?
5. What health effect can prolonged noise pollution cause?
6. Why does burning fossil fuels contribute to air pollution?
7. Why can agricultural runoff pollute nearby water sources?
8. Why is pollution often described as an environmental problem that also affects human health?
9. Name one way cities try to reduce air pollution from vehicles.
10. Why might untreated sewage released into a river be especially harmful to a community downstream?