Regarding consciousness as a kind of mental pollution is tantamount to disregarding the fact that due to this phenomenon the human species has been able to radically alter itself and it’s surroundings as it sees fit for better or worse.
The ancient Egyptians would notice how when the Nile would recede scum would be left festering and a plethora of organic activity would commence.
Mental pollution? So what? We rose up from the muck.