2424 EVS Assignment

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Q1. What is air pollution?

Differentiate between
primary and secondary pollutants. How does air
pollution impacts humans and plants?

Air pollution occurs due to the presence of undesirable


solid or gaseous particles in the air in quantities that are
harmful to human health and the environment. Air may get
polluted by natural causes such as volcanoes, which
release ash, dust, sulphur and other gases, or by forest
fires that are occasionally naturally caused by lightning.
However, unlike pollutants from human activity, naturally
occurring pollutants tend to remain in the atmosphere for a
short time and do not lead to permanent atmospheric
change.

Pollutants that are emitted directly from identifiable


sources are produced both by natural events (for example,
dust storms and volcanic eruptions) and human activities
(emission from vehicles, industries, etc.). These are called
primary pollutants. There are five primary pollutants that
together contribute about 90 percent of the global air
pollution. These are carbon oxides (CO and CO2),
nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, volatile organic compounds
(mostly hydrocarbons) and suspended particulate matter.

Pollutants that are produced in the atmosphere when


certain chemical reactions take place among the primary
pollutants are called secondary pollutants. Eg: sulfuric
acid, nitric acid, carbonic acid, etc.

Effect of air pollution on humans :

Prolonged smoking or exposure to air pollutants can


I.

overload or breakdown these natural defenses causing or

contributing to diseases such as lung cancer, asthma,


chronic
bronchitis and emphysema.

II.

Elderly people, infants, pregnant women and people


with

heart disease, asthma or other respiratory diseases


are

especially vulnerable to air pollution.

III.

Exposure to air containing even 0.001 percent of


carbon

monoxide for several hours can cause collapse, coma


and

even death.

IV.

Carbon monoxide remains attached to hemoglobin in


blood

for a long time, it accumulates and reduces the


oxygen carrying capacity of blood. This impairs
perception and thinking, slows reflexes and causes
headaches, drowsiness, dizziness and nausea.
Carbon monoxide in heavy traffic causes headaches,
drowsiness and blurred vision.

V.

Sulfur dioxide irritates respiratory tissues.

VI.

Chronic exposure causes a condition similar to


bronchitis. It

also reacts with water, oxygen and other material in


the air to form sulfur-containing acids. The acids can
become attached to particles which when inhaled are
very corrosive to the lung.

VII.

Nitrogen oxides especially NO2 can irritate the lungs,


aggravate asthma or chronic bronchitis and also
increase susceptibility to respiratory infections such
as influenza or common colds.

VIII.

Suspended particles aggravate bronchitis and


asthma. Exposure to these particles over a long
period of time damages lung tissue and contributes to
the development of chronic respiratory disease and
cancer.

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IX.

Many volatile organic compounds such as (benzene


and formaldehyde) and toxic particulates (such as
lead, cadmium) can cause mutations, reproductive
problems or cancer.

X.

Inhaling ozone, a component of photochemical smog


causes coughing, chest pain, breathlessness and
irritation of the eye, nose and the throat.
Effects of air pollution on plants :
1.

When some gaseous pollutants enter leaf pores


they damage the leaves of crop plants.

2.

Chronic exposure of the leaves to air pollutants


can break down the waxy coating that helps
prevent excessive water loss and leads to
damage from diseases, pests, drought and frost.

3.

Pollution exposure interferes with photosynthesis


and plant growth, reduces nutrient uptake and
causes leaves to turn yellow, brown or drop off
altogether.

4.

At a higher concentration of sulphur dioxide


majority of the flower buds become stiff and hard.
They eventually fall from the plants, as they are
unable to flower.
5.

Prolonged exposure to high levels of several air


pollutants from smelters, coal burning power
plants and industrial units as well as from cars
and trucks can damage trees and other plants.

XI.

Q2. Discuss the reason for depletion of water


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table in Delhi.

What measures should be taken to remedy this


problem?

Groundwater in Delhi is suffering from multiple


catastrophes :

1. 2. 3.
The main cause for the decline is related to the

1. 2. 3. 4.

asymptotic increases in groundwater withdrawal,

reduced recharge due to erratic rainfall,

variable soil type.

The spatial patterns of the trends in groundwater levels


revealed
increasing depths of groundwater levels, except the
Yamuna

River floodplains.

rapid growth in population accompanied with

high-density impervious urban land uses,

Over pumping.
Concretization

These leads to lower levels of recharge vs unlimited


withdrawal

of groundwater for daily needs. In addition, the local


geology in

the form of clayey soils in northwest DMR also contributed


to the
lower levels of recharge. Furthermore, the level of
contaminants

at the district level for fluorides and nitrates. The presence


of

fluoride contamination is mostly concentrated in the


northwestern

district, while the nitrate exceedance is more widespread.

MEASURES which should be taken to tackle this problem


:
1. 2.

Reduction in water supply for luxury purposes.

Reduction in the use of chemicals and disposing them off

properly.

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More comprehensive research and additional funding can

help with groundwater depletion.

One of the most effective ways to address the issue of


water.

The pumping of groundwater should be regulated.

3.

4.
5.

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Q3. “Social and electronic media are playing a


significant role

in generating environmental awareness and

education.” Comment.
Media is the most reliable tool to passing information to as many
people as possible in the shortest time. Since media is of different
types i.e. newspapers, radio, TV and other forms, it is able to reach as
many people from different background and of different language
groups. Since community is a group of people with a common goals or
objectives, media brings people from different backgrounds together
by making them understand that they have the same common
problem, therefore creating a community whose main aim is to curb
environmental degradation through mitigation and enhancing
environmental conservation. Participation involves bringing each
member of the community to play a role in community development
and environmental conservation. Convincing all members of the
community to come together to achieve a common goal is not always
an easy task. It needs someone who has a great power of influence,
to pull as many people as possible into the light of understanding the
need of environmental conservation and mobilizing them towards
actions that will resolve the problem of environmental degradation.
Media is the best means of creating this kind of influence. Media also
presents the best methods that the community can use to conserve
and mitigate the effects of environmental degradation.

Media provides environmental awareness and participation by making


information widely available through creating people’s awareness
about environmental protection and conservation of natural resources.
It can serve this purpose through the means of multi-channel regional
and network service comprising programming such as tasks,
interviews, plays and documentaries. The electronic media can
identify and bring to a halt forces affecting natural and manmade
resources. This is to reduce pollution and promote environmental
quality e.g. Prevention of wastage of oil, production of poisonous
gases emitted through the burning of coal and other sources of energy
is not a solitary goal. The public also get to know ways to prevent
environmental pollution, and learn how to curb environmental
degradation. Media can pass various educative information to the
public through various means such as newspapers, magazine,
journals, and various aspects of electronic mass communication.

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Media creates environmental initiatives such as KOMEZA micro


forestry program in Kenya which recommends protection of
indigenous forests in Kenya and the reforestation.

Media plays a role of linking the community and the government on


environmental issues. This is achieved through direct consultation with
members of the government on environmental issues. Mass media
communicate in terms of vernacular radio stations has proved to be
one of the most effective way to get community involved in
environmental management and conservation.
Social media also promotes environmental health. Media can help
inform the public on dangers in destroying the environment, since all
of us require to live in good environment. Also media influences health
through heath promotion campaigns and social marketing and this
helps to create a conducive environment for ones living. Media makes
community activities much more visible, whereby matters involving
environmental concerns are simply being able to observe, means a
wider group of people are informed. Social media helps the activists to
network and communicate better with one another and are no longer
dependent on meeting or chance encounters .Media influences an
environmental campaign which seeks to involve and promote
individual behavior rather than focus solely upon education and
awareness. Example; Going Green Campaign aims to turn the
Nations good intention concerning the environment into actions by
encouraging, supporting and enhancing green campaigns and
initiatives involving the public countrywide and providing evidence of
the environmental benefits.

In conclusion mass media plays a crucial role in community


participation on environmental management. Many people take
aggressive action and efforts to increase the adoption and
implementation of proven activity promotion. The marketing effort
should target all of the sectors of the society that touch people’s lives
e.g. school, workplace, neighborhood business, health care provision
and community-based organizations. Through awareness of the
public, provision of information which has been done through research
by various media houses, and communication e.g. through radio,
television, journal, newspapers has encourage community
participation thus enhances resource management and conservation.
Therefore media is an important and
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crucial tool in mobilizing the community to come out and participate in


environmental conservation. In order to achieve environmental
sustainability it is of great importance to integrate media as the means
of bringing the community together and passing the information about
the importance of environmental conservation.

Q4. Write a short paragraph on :


1. Noise pollution and human health.

Noise may not seem as harmful as the contamination of


air or water but it is a pollution problem that affects human
health and can contribute to a general deterioration of
environmental quality. Noise is undesirable and unwanted
sound. Not all sound is noise. What may be considered as
music to one person may be noise to another . It is not a
substance that can accumulate in the environment like
most other pollutants. Sound is measured in a unit called
the ‘Decibel’. There are several adverse effects of noise
pollution on both physical and mental health. The most
direct harmful effect of excessive noise is physical damage
to the ear and the temporary or permanent hearing loss
often called a temporary threshold shift (TTS). Noise
cause emotional or psychological effects such as
irritability, anxiety and stress. Lack of concentration and
mental fatigue are significant health effects of noise.

2. Multi-disciplinary nature of Environmental science.

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Environmental Science is an area of study that combines


physical, biological, and information sciences.
Information sciences encompass zoology, biology,
mineralogy,

oceanology, physics, chemistry, plant science, limnology,


soil science, geology, physical geography, and
atmospheric science. Environmental Science is referred
to be an interdisciplinary science since it encompasses
information from a variety of disciplines. Environmental
Studies is concerned with a variety of issues, including
the protection of

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natural resources, pollution management, and the
influence of a growing human population on the
environment. To solve these complex environmental
issues, a multidisciplinary approach is necessary. These
issues are linked to several sectors such as agriculture,
land degradation, economic loss, pollution of natural
resources, forestry, and habitat fragmentation. As a result,
the Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies is
required to obtain information about

these challenges.

3. Sustainable Development.

Sustainable development (SD) refers to a model of human


development in which resource use aims to meet human
needs while preserving the environment so that these
needs can be met not only in the present, but also for
generations to come. The term ‘sustainable development’
was used by the Brundtland Commission (1987) which
coined what has become the most often-quoted definition
of sustainable development “development that meets the
needs of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs.” Sustainable
development does not focus solely on environmental
issues. The United Nations 2005 World Summit Outcome
Document refers to the four ‘interdependent and mutually
reinforcing pillars’ of sustainable development as
including: economic development, social development and
environmental protection. The fourth pillar is indigenous
people and culture. Proponents of Sustainable
Development argue that it provides a context in which
overall sustainability is improved where cutting edge
Green development is unattainable. For example, a cutting
edge

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treatment plant with extremely high maintenance costs
may not be sustainable in regions of the world with fewer
financial resources. An environmentally ideal plant that is
shut down due to bankruptcy is obviously less sustainable
than one that is maintainable by the community, even if it
is somewhat less effective from an environmental
standpoint.

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Q5. What is the major cause of ozone depletion? How


does it affects humans? Suggest a few remedial
measures to combat this problem?

CFC’s are the major cause of ozone depletion. These


CFCs (chloro-flurocarbons) are extremely stable,
non-flammable, non-toxic and harmless to handle. This
makes them ideal for many industrial applications like
aerosols, air conditioners, refrigerators and fire
extinguishers. Many cans, which give out foams and
sprays, use CFCs. (eg: perfumes, room fresheners, etc.)
CFCs are also used in making foams for mattresses and
cushions, disposable Styrofoam cups, glasses, packaging
material for insulation, cold storage etc. However their
stability also gives them a long life span in the
atmosphere.

Ozone layer depletion increases the amount of UVB that


reaches the Earth’s surface. Laboratory and
epidemiological studies demonstrate that UVB causes
non-melanoma skin cancer and plays a major role in
malignant melanoma development. In addition, UVB has
been linked to the

development of cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s lens.


Remedial measures :

1. Avoid the consumption of gases dangerous to the


ozone layer,

due to their content or manufacturing process. Some of


the most dangerous gases are CFCs
(chlorofluorocarbons), halogenated hydrocarbon, methyl
bromide and nitrous oxide.

2. Minimize the use of cars. The best transport option is


urban, bicycle, or walking. If you use a car to a
destination, try to
carpool with others to decrease the use of cars in order
to

pollute less and save.


3.Do not use cleaning products that are harmful to the

environment and to us.Many cleaning products contain


solvents and substances corrosive, but you can replace
these dangerous substances with non-toxic products
such as vinegar or bicarbonate.

4. Buy local products. In this way, you not only get fresh
products
but you avoid consuming food that has traveled long
distances. As the more distance traveled, the more
nitrous oxide is produced due to the medium used to
transport that product.

5. Maintain air conditioners, as their malfunctions cause


CFC to escape into the atmosphere.

Q6. Elaborate the occupational hazards of


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handling

biomedical wastes.
One of the causes for the increase in infectious diseases
is improper waste management. Blood, body fluids and
body secretions which are constituents of bio-medical
waste harbour most of the viruses, bacteria and
parasites that cause infection. This passes via a number
of human contacts, all of whom are

potential ‘recipients’ of the infection. Human


Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and hepatitis viruses
spearhead an extensive list of infections and diseases
documented to have spread through bio- medical waste.
Tuberculosis, pneumonia, diarrhoea, tetanus, whooping
cough etc. are other common diseases spread due to
improper waste management.

The occupants in institutions and spread in the


vicinity of the institutions

People happened to be in contact with the institution


like laundry workers, nurses, emergency medical
personnel, and refuse workers.

Risks of infections outside hospital for waste


handlers, scavengers and (eventually) the general
public

Risks associated with hazardous chemicals, drugs,


being handled by persons handling wastes at all
levels

Injuries from sharps and exposure to harmful


chemical waste
and radioactive waste also cause health hazards to
employees.

sharps-inflicted injuries;

toxic exposure to pharmaceutical products, in


particular,

antibiotics and cytotoxic drugs released into the


surrounding
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environment, and to substances such as mercury or


dioxins,

during the handling or incineration of health care wastes;

chemical burns arising in the context of disinfection,

sterilization or waste treatment activities;

air pollution arising as a result of the release of


particulate

matter during medical waste incineration;

thermal injuries occurring in conjunction with open


burning
and the operation of medical waste incinerators; and

radiation burns. •

Q7. List the major sources of pollutants in


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aquatic

ecosystem.

Major sources of pollution in aquatic ecosystem are:

1.

Water pollution occurs from sewage and poorly


managed solid waste in urban areas when it enters
the aquatic ecosystem of lakes and rivers.
2.

Sewage leads to a process called eutrophication,


which destroys life in the water as the oxygen content
is severely reduced. Fish and crustacea cannot
breathe and are killed. A foul odour is produced.
Gradually the natural flora and fauna of the aquatic
ecosystem is destroyed.

3.

In rural areas the excessive use of fertilisers causes


an increase in nutrients, which leads to
eutrophication. Pesticides used in adjacent fields
pollute water and kills off its aquatic animals.

4.

Chemical pollution from industry kills a large number


of life forms in adjacent aquatic ecosystems.
Contamination by heavy metals and other toxic
chemicals affects the health of people who live near
these areas as they depend on this water.

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