Human activities have led to the introduction of countless harmful contaminants into the environment. Air, water, and soil pollution damage human and ecosystem health and are amplified by population growth and rising per capita consumption, as well as unethical corporate behavior.

As with other environmental issues, disadvantaged and marginalized communities are disproportionately exposed to harmful pollutants, both here in the United States and around the world.

Types of pollution

Air pollution

Human activities that burn fossil fuels and biomass, including transportation, cooking and heating, power generation, waste incineration, and industry, lead to the release of dangerous air pollutants, including particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulphur dioxide (SO2).

99%

Almost everyone on Earth, 99 percent of the global population, breathes air that exceeds the World Health Organization (WHO) safety limits, with low- and middle-income countries suffering from the highest exposures.

7 million

According to WHO, the combined effects of ambient and household air pollution cause an estimated 7 million premature deaths every year.

Agriculture and sewage

Human waste, as well as runoff from farms containing fertilizer, pesticides, and animal waste, are the main causes of water pollution. These can cause toxic algal blooms and introduce dangerous pathogens and chemicals into the environment. According to the UN, 90% of sewage in developing countries is discharged untreated directly into water bodies, leading to a very high incidence of waterborne disease—diarrhea remains a leading cause of death for children under five globally.