What was one adverse short term effect of the Industrial Revolution?

The introduction or increase of air and water pollution is indeed a significant adverse short-term effect of the Industrial Revolution. As industries sprang up and production processes became more mechanized, the reliance on coal and other fossil fuels led to a dramatic surge in pollution levels. Factories emitted large amounts of smoke and soot into the atmosphere, while industrial waste was often discharged into rivers and streams without treatment. This not only deteriorated air quality but also contaminated water sources, resulting in harmful effects on human health and local ecosystems. These environmental consequences were felt immediately and contributed to a range of health problems among urban populations, highlighting a key downside to the rapid industrialization occurring during this period.

The other options reflect positive developments rather than adverse short-term effects. Public health standards would improve in the long term as cities began to implement health reforms, while agricultural productivity and global trade networks saw increases driven by the advancements of the Industrial Revolution, further emphasizing the negative aspects of pollution as an immediate concern during this transformative era.