Notes: Pollution | Science Olympiad for Class 5 PDF Download

Introduction

• Imagine if your favourite playground was covered with plastic bags, the river nearby smelled bad, and the air felt thick and hard to breathe.
• It would be tough to play and enjoy nature, right?
• That’s what pollution does – it makes our planet sad and unhealthy.
• But guess what? Every small action can help bring back the beauty of our world!
• In this lesson, we will explore the different kinds of pollution and learn how we can all become Earth’s helpers.
• Are you ready to discover how to keep our air, water, and land clean and green?
• Let’s jump in and see how we can make a difference!

What is Pollution?

• Pollution happens when harmful substances are added to the environment, making it unsafe or unhealthy. 
• It affects air, water, soil, and living things, causing damage to both nature and human health. 
• Pollution can come from factories, vehicles, waste, chemicals, and other sources.

Types of Pollution

1. Air Pollution 

• It is caused by industries and vehicles.
• Air pollution refers to any physical, chemical or biological change in the air. 
• It is the contamination of air by harmful gases, dust and smoke that affects plants, animals and humans drastically.
  Air Pollution

2. Water Pollution 

• It is caused by the release of household and industrial wastes into water bodies.
• Water pollution occurs when harmful substances—often chemicals or microorganisms—contaminate a stream, river, lake, ocean, aquifer, or other body of water, degrading water quality and rendering it toxic to humans or the environment.
  Water Pollution

3. Land Pollution 

• It is caused by the dumping of solid wastes like polythene bags and glass bottles in the soil.
• Land pollution, the deposition of solid or liquid waste materials on land or underground in a manner that can contaminate the soil and groundwater, threaten public health, and cause unsightly conditions and nuisances.
  Land Pollution

4. Noise Pollution 

• It is caused by the loud noise of machines and vehicles.
• Noise is an unpleasant and undesirable sound that leads to discomfort in human beings.
• Due to increasing noise around the civilizations, noise pollution has become a matter of concern.

Noise Pollution

How Can We Control Pollution?

Reduce Air Pollution

• Use public transport, bicycles, or carpools to reduce vehicle emissions.
• Plant more trees to clean the air.
• Avoid burning waste and switch to clean energy sources like solar and wind power.

Reduce Water Pollution

• Do not throw garbage into rivers or seas.
• Factories should treat their waste before releasing it into water bodies.
• Reduce plastic use to avoid polluting oceans.

Reduce Land Pollution

• Use organic fertilizers instead of chemical ones.
• Recycle and reuse materials like plastic and paper.
• Dispose of waste properly in dustbins.

Reduce Noise Pollution

• Avoid honking unnecessarily.
• Use silent zones near schools and hospitals.
• Celebrate festivals with less noise by using fewer firecrackers.

Interesting Facts About Pollution

• Air pollution is responsible for nearly 7 million deaths every year, according to the World Health Organization.
• A plastic bottle can take 450 years to decompose in the soil!
• Noise pollution can disturb animals so much that it can change their behaviour and communication patterns.
• The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a huge collection of floating plastic waste, is twice the size of Texas!

Conclusion

• Pollution is a serious problem that affects everyone on Earth.
• It impacts humans, animals, and plants.
• It is important for each of us to take steps to reduce pollution.
• We must protect the environment.
• Small actions can make a big difference.
• Actions include reducing waste.
• Using public transport is beneficial.
• Planting trees contributes positively.
• Together, we can help build a cleaner, healthier, and greener planet!