What pollution issues has Europe had?
What pollution issues has Europe had?
The data showed that the main environmental problems in Western Europe were: energy production/acid rain, nuclear power/waste, air pollution/climate, heavy metals, pesticides, water pollution, solid waste, and unforeseen accidents. Many environmental problems are common to most European countries.
What is Europe’s biggest pollution problem?
Air pollution remains one of Europe’s greatest environmental hazards, and its links to lung diseases and other health conditions can no longer be ignored, writes Jutta Paulus.
What are the 2 major causes of chemical pollution?
Metals and their salts – usually from mining and smelting activities, as well as disposal of mining wastes; Inorganic fertilizers (e.g., nitrates, phosphates) used largely in agriculture and gardening.
Why is pollution a problem in Europe?
Air pollution harms human health and the environment. In Europe, emissions of many air pollutants have decreased substantially over the past decades, resulting in improved air quality across the region. However, air pollutant concentrations are still too high, and air quality problems persist.
What causes water pollution in Europe?
Water quality is influenced by both direct point source and diffuse pollution which come from urban and rural populations, industrial emissions and farming. Diffuse pollution from farming and point source pollution from sewage treatment and industrial discharge are principal sources.
What are the environmental risk in Europe?
Air pollution is now “the biggest environmental risk” to public health in Europe but governments are failing to adequately deal with the crisis, the EU Court of Auditors has found.
What are the examples of chemical pollution?
Examples are most pesticides, herbicides, insecticides used in agriculture and gardening, as well as chlorinated solvents used in many industrial processes and dry-cleaning activities. Based on their chemical structure, chemical contaminants can be classified into naturally-occurring and man-made categories.
What is toxic chemical pollution?
Richard Fuller (RF): Toxic pollution is contaminated water, soil, and air that is harmful or poisonous. It includes industrial wastes like toxic heavy metals from mining or chemicals from factories, and also sewage and particulates from power plants. In fact, toxic pollution is the largest cause of death in the world.
What are the worst environmental pollutants?
Arsenic in Ground Water.
Is pollution also a problem of countries in Europe?
Around 90 % of city dwellers in Europe are exposed to pollutants at concentrations higher than the air quality levels deemed harmful to health. Air pollution is causing damage to human health and ecosystems. Large parts of the population do not live in a healthy environment, according to current standards.
