Types of inorganic pollutants: metals/metalloids, acids, and organic forms

With increased industrialization and subsequent imbalance in natural activities, undesirable chemical elements have paved their ways into soil, water, and air. The majority of these elements, that is, pollutants, have been categorized as organic and inorganic pollutants. The contamination of water resources with these pollutants has been attributed to the release of inorganic chemicals from chemical industry and wastes from automobile exhaust. Besides, petrochemical companies and man-made activities also release inorganic contaminants into the air, which then settle down, leading to contamination of water resources. Inorganic pollutants found in water bodies are caused by human activities like mining, industry, or through agriculture. The inorganic pollutants and their organic forms have a devastating negative health effects on the flora and fauna of the earth system (atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere) causing several, human health problems (abnormal growth, high risk of cancer, diabetes, obesity, etc.). Here, the chapter focuses on the brief introduction and problem status of the diverse types of the inorganic pollutants as metal, acids, and their organic forms.