smog .
Soil pollution is also a major concern, both in industrial and developing countries. Pollutants
such as metals and
pesticides seep into the earth's soil and contaminate the food supply. Soil
pollution causes major health risks to entire ecosystems. This type of pollution reduces the
amount of land suitable for agricultural production and contributes to global food
shortages.
Dumping of industrial and
domestic waste products produces much of the world's
soil pollution, though natural disasters can also add to the problem. In wealthy countries such as
the US, protection agencies monitor the food supply. The public is generally warned before
major disease outbreaks occur. Developing countries do not have this luxury. Farmers in poor
nations grow food in contaminated soil both to earn a living and to avoid starvation.
As more people move to urban centres,
premature deaths caused by pollution are expected to
increase worldwide. Today, the developed nations who achieved their wealth at the expense of
the environment will be held accountable for protecting the earth's resources for future
generations.
Activity 2. 1. A university study suggests that up to 40% of the world's premature deaths are caused by a) developing countries
b) disease outbreaks
c) pollutants
2. In many developing countries people use _______ contaminated by hazardous waste and sewage. a) water
b) air
c) facilities
3. _______ regions are often contaminated with air pollution.
a) Chemical
b) Carcinogenic
c) Industrial
4. What do open windows and fans that extract smoke provide? a) contamination
b) ventilation
c) indoor pollution
