Authors: Riya Sharma, Prof. Abha Dubey
Abstract: Industrialization has significantly contributed to economic growth and modernization, but it has also emerged as a major source of environmental degradation. Industrial activities release a wide range of pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, heavy metals, toxic chemicals, industrial effluents, and greenhouse gases, which adversely affect air, water, and soil quality. These pollutants disrupt natural ecosystems, alter biogeochemical cycles, and pose serious threats to human health and biodiversity. Air pollution from industries leads to problems such as acid rain, global warming, and respiratory diseases, while untreated industrial wastewater contaminates rivers and groundwater, causing toxicity to aquatic life and scarcity of safe drinking water. Soil pollution due to industrial waste disposal reduces soil fertility, agricultural productivity, and food safety. Environmental degradation resulting from industrial pollution directly challenges the goals of sustainable development, which aims to balance economic growth with environmental protection and social well-being. This study emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable industrial practices, including the adoption of cleaner production technologies, effective waste treatment, recycling, and strict implementation of environmental regulations. Promoting environmental awareness and corporate responsibility is equally important. Addressing industrial pollution is therefore essential to minimize environmental degradation and to ensure a sustainable and healthy future for present and coming generations.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20488155
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