What is pollution? Definition and examples
Pollution refers to the presence of a substance or substances in the environment that is harmful or toxic. Substances or contaminants that can be harmful to human health, other animals and plants. When something harmful enters the environment at a rate faster than its ability to disperse, there is pollution.
Contaminants can be natural or man-made. If something is man-made, it comes from human activity. For example, volcanic ash is a natural pollutant, while smoke from vehicles is the result of human activity.
Pollutants damage soil, water, and air. In other words, they damage ...