environmental pollution

Environmental pollution is the contamination of air, water, soil, or other natural systems by harmful substances or energy, typically resulting from human activity.

Sources include industrial waste, vehicle emissions, agricultural runoff, and improper disposal of chemicals or plastics.

The term encompasses distinct categories—air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution—but often appears as a general reference to human degradation of the natural environment.

Environmental pollution remains the leading cause of premature death in developing nations.