CyberDodo and Urban pollution (1-19)

Other forms of urban pollution 2/2

The ground

By grouping millions of individuals on small surfaces, cities in fact multiply problems related to waste management, this waste yet another source of ground pollution.

As such, we find great amounts of numerous pollutants in the ground including : lead, arsenic, chromium, mercury, hydrocarbons, dioxins, acids, solvants, etc. It is probably superfluous to mention the great dangers that these toxic substances present to humans, animals and to Nature, more generally.

Unfortunately, there are other sources of pollution created by cities, notably noise and light pollution.

Noise pollution

Automobile traffic, in addition to creating considerable gaseous emissions, is also a source of considerable noise. In cities, millions of people live in an environment which is never quiet as cars, motorcycles, buses, lorries add to the noise created by trains, tubes, planes, etc.

A lack of privacy and inhabitant density exposes citizens to additional bothersome noise - from their neighbors as they engage in professional or recreational activity, as the case may be.

The result is an increased level of stress for persons that are exposed to this, and a considerable decrease in their quality of life.

Light pollution

Permanent illumination in cities (public lighting, automobile traffic, signs, etc.) is another source of pollution to which many people are exposed. The absence of nighttime makes it impossible for some to even sleep. As for the stars, they long ago disappeared from city skies.

Electromagnetic pollution

The inhabitants of most cities in the 21st century live in an electromagnetic « fog » due to waves emitted from more and more electronic devices.

Mobile telephone networks, with their antennas and their devices (mobile telephones), wireless internet networks (Wifi, etc.) with their computers, radios, televisions in addition to personal appliances, such as microwave ovens, etc .create this fog.

In short, a long time ago cities could offer a quality of life better than that of the countryside. However, nonstop growth in the number of urban inhabitants, resultant decreases in living space and the related exacerbation of pollution problems forces human society to reconsider the urban lifestyle.

Rearranging the equation to put humankind at the centre, to offer humans decent living conditions and to imagine cities that respect both the environment and future generations, etc. a major challenge for the megalopolises of today and tomorrow.

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