Definition of Pollution: undesirable state of the natural environment being contaminated with harmful substances as a consequence of human activities. befoulment: the state of being polluted. contamination: the act of contaminating or polluting; including (either intentionally or accidentally) unwanted substances or factors.

The upperclass citizens of the Roman Empire used to drink water from lead pipes. They drank from lead mugs and women used lead in their makeup. This caused permanent heavy metal poisoning. As an outcome, their children began having birth defects. This went on and is speculated to be a key cause to the fall of the Roman Empire.

The Romans failed to recognize the dangers that all of their advancements and proliferation had gained them. We should learn from history and not make even grander mistakes, of a more far reaching scale.