1.        Air pollution

§             the release of chemicals and particulates, such as carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), particulate matter, hydrocarbons and diesel particles, into the atmosphere.

2.        Water pollution

by the release of waste products and contaminants into surface runoff into river drainage systems, leaching into groundwater, liquid spills, wastewater discharges, eutrophication and littering.

3.        Soil contamination

occurs when chemicals are released by spill or underground leakage. Among the most significant soil contaminants are hydrocarbons, heavy metals, MTBE, herbicides, pesticides and chlorinated hydrocarbons.

4.        Radioactive contamination

resulting from 20th century activities in atomic physics, such as nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons research, manufacture and deployment. (See alpha emitters and actinides in the environment.)

5.        Noise pollution

which encompasses roadway noise, aircraft noise, industrial noise as well as high-intensity sonar.

6.        Light pollution

§             includes light trespass, over-illumination and astronomical interference.

7.        Visual pollution

the presence of overhead power lines, motorway billboards, scarred landforms (as from strip mining), open storage of trash or municipal solid waste.

8.        Thermal pollution

§             is a temperature change in natural water bodies caused by human influence, such as use of water as coolant in a power plant.