Pollution - GCSE Chemistry Definition

Reviewed by: Richard Boole

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Pollution is the release of harmful substances, called pollutants, into the environment. It can damage the air, water, or land. In chemistry, pollution often comes from burning fossil fuels like coal and oil, which releases gases such as carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide. These gases can cause problems like global warming and acid rain. Pollution can also occur when waste products from factories or homes enter rivers and oceans, harming water quality and aquatic life. Understanding pollution helps us develop ways to reduce its impact and protect the environment.

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Richard Boole

Reviewer: Richard Boole

Expertise: Chemistry Content Creator

Richard has taught Chemistry for over 15 years as well as working as a science tutor, examiner, content creator and author. He wasn’t the greatest at exams and only discovered how to revise in his final year at university. That knowledge made him want to help students learn how to revise, challenge them to think about what they actually know and hopefully succeed; so here he is, happily, at SME.

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