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Summaries · Grade 7 Life Orientation › Pollution and environmental health
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Pollution and environmental health

Air, water and soil pollution, their health effects, and a community action plan. Read one part at a time and tap “I know this”. Then test yourself in the quiz.

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Please note: this summary follows CAPS for schoolwork and is not medical advice. For questions about your own or your child’s health, speak to a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Kinds of pollution

KindSourcesEffects
AirExhaust fumes, factories, burning tyres, indoor firesAsthma and lung problems
WaterSewage, chemicals, oil, litter washed through storm drainsDead fish, illness; water smells bad or looks oily
SoilChemicals, dumped rubbish, old batteries, seepage from landfillsPolluted soil and underground water

Water near a factory can be risky even if it looks clear: invisible chemicals may be in it. Informal settlements often face more risks because basic services are missing; clean water and proper toilets are target areas.

A community cleans up the river.
A community cleans up the river.
Tap when you could tell someone without looking.

What we can do

1. Identifythe problem2. Plan whodoes what,when3. Carry outthe plan4. Evaluatethe results
Put names and dates in the plan, so everyone knows who does what.
  • Regular refuse removal keeps rats and flies away. Recycling saves resources and energy and reduces waste.
  • Take your own reusable shopping bag; grow your own vegetables (less transport and packaging); make compost from plant and food waste.
  • Switch off lights you are not using. A community clean-up and recycling project improves environmental health.
Tap when you could tell someone without looking.

Remember this and test yourself

Remember this: your summary
  • Smog: a harmful haze of smoke and fog; exhaust fumes are a major source in cities.
  • Burning wood or paraffin indoors damages lungs; air pollution is linked to asthma.
  • Sewage, factory chemicals and oil pollute rivers; oil stops oxygen reaching water life.
  • Pesticides kill crop pests; herbicides kill unwanted plants (weeds).
  • River water with no clean supply: boil it for at least one minute to kill germs. Boiling does not remove chemicals: never drink water from near a factory or mine.

Write these points in your book. Read them again the night before the test.

Memory trick

Action plan = I-P-C-E: Identify, Plan, Carry out, Evaluate.

Flash cards · Tap to turn over

Important words

First say what the word means, then turn the card over.

Test yourself · Part 2

True or false?

Read the question and the answer. Is the answer right? Tap True or False.

    Now the real quiz!

    The quiz has many more questions on this topic. Every question shows straight away whether you are right and explains why.

    Take the quiz: Pollution and environmental health
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    For parents
    • Read one part together and ask your child to tell it back in their own words.
    • The ticks (“I know this”) are saved on this device only. We never ask for names or emails.

    Follows CAPS for Grade 7 Life Orientation. Always check your teacher’s notes and textbook too.

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