- Air pollution: The steam engine was a major source of air pollution during the Industrial Revolution. It burned fossil fuels like coal, releasing large amounts of smoke, soot, and other pollutants into the atmosphere.
- Water pollution: Steam engines also contributed to water pollution, as they required a significant amount of water to operate and often discharged industrial waste into waterways.
- Land degradation: The extraction of coal and other fossil fuels used in steam engines led to land degradation and environmental degradation.
Social impact:
- Safety concerns: Steam engines were often dangerous to operate, and accidents were common. Workers could get burned, injured by moving parts, or even killed.
- Labor exploitation: The Industrial Revolution, driven in part by the use of steam power, led to the concentration of wealth in the hands of industrialists and the exploitation of workers. The introduction of steam engines meant working longer hours in poor conditions, and child labor was often used.
- Urbanization: The growth of factories powered by steam engines led to rapid urbanization and overcrowding of cities, which caused social problems such as inadequate housing, poor sanitation, and disease spread.
Overall, while steam engines played a significant role in the development of the modern industrial world, they also had negative consequences for the environment and society.
