ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND WASTE MANAGEMENT

Environmental Pollution and Control

With the progress of industrial revolution, many developed as well as developing countries where
environmental problem is gradually growing day by day.

Due to population explosion and urbanization there has been an excess use of natural resources and natural
wealth which resulted to the depletion of natural resources.

Man started cutting down trees for construction of buildings. With this all the waste accumulated during the
course of construction of these buildings has caused serious damages in pollution and in depletion of natural
resources.

WHAT IS POLLUTION?

Environmental pollution is defined as any undesirable change in physical, chemical and biological
characteristics of air, land and water. Pollution can be natural as well as man-made.

Pollution occurs when the natural environment cannot destroy an element without creating harm or damage to
itself. Pollution affects the entire ecosystems where it disrupted marine life, cause a lot of harm to human and
animal health, plants and trees and has a major effect on the depletion of the natural flora and fauna.
Furthermore, it has a negative effect on natural elements that are very important to life, such as water and air.

Pollution takes place when nature does not know how to decompose an element that has been brought to it an
unnatural way.

History of pollution

Although environmental pollution can be caused by natural events such as forest fires and active volcanoes,
use of the word pollution generally implies that the contaminants have an anthropogenic source—that is, a
source created by human activities.

Pollution has accompanied humankind ever since groups of people first congregated and remained for a long
time in any one place.

Indeed, ancient human settlements are frequently recognized by their wastes—shell mounds and rubble
heaps, for instance.

Pollution was not a serious problem as long as there was enough space available for each individual or group.

However, with the establishment of permanent settlements by great numbers of people, pollution became a
problem, and it has remained one ever since

 Cities of ancient times were often noxious places, fouled by human wastes and debris.

 Beginning about 1000 CE, the use of coal for fuel caused considerable air pollution, and the conversion
of coal to coke for iron smelting beginning in the 17th century exacerbated the problem.

 In Europe, from the Middle Ages well into the early modern era, unsanitary urban conditions favoured
the outbreak of population-decimating epidemics of disease, from plague to cholera and typhoid fever.

 Through the 19th century, water and air pollution and the accumulation of solid wastes were largely
problems of congested urban areas.
  But, with the rapid spread of industrialization and the growth of the human population to unprecedented
levels, pollution became a universal problem.

 By the middle of the 20th century, an awareness of the need to protect air, water, and land
environments from pollution had developed among the general public.

 In particular, the publication in 1962 of Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring focused attention on
environmental damage caused by improper use of pesticides such as DDT and other persistent
chemicals that accumulate in the food chain and disrupt the natural balance of ecosystems on a wide
scale.

 In response, major pieces of environmental legislation, such as the Clean Air Act (1970) and the Clean
Water Act (1972; United States), were passed in many countries to control and mitigate environmental
pollution.

What is a pollutant?

 A pollutant is any particle, molecule, compound, or energy that disturbs the natural composition of the
environment.

 Pollutants have a negative impact on the quality of water and air and land. Pollution is a worldwide
issue.

 Pollutants are the elements, molecules and particles involved in pollution - life can be harmed when
exposed to these materials, and the effects of them on humans and plants are well known. Pollutants
can be introduced into the environment in many ways, both naturally and by humans.

 There are two types of pollutants:

 Primary pollutants are emitted directly into the environment, while;

 secondary pollutants are formed from primary pollutants and external factors.
Air Pollution

Air pollution is the contamination of natural air with the mixture of different pollutants. Some of the most
excessive sources of air pollution includes gases emitted by vehicles or manufacture exhaust, forest fires, dry
soil erosion, and even building constructions and demolition. Some of the effects include higher rain acidity,
increase in smog, crop depletion from in adequate oxygen, as well as higher rates of asthma.

Water Pollution

Water pollution is the contamination of the water on Earth. The contamination is caused by pollutants such as
chemicals and bacteria. Some of the cause also include increased sediment from soil erosion, improper waste
disposal and littering, leaching of soil pollution and organic material decay in water supplies. This type of
pollution is one of the most dangerous as it decreases the amount of drinkable water is available.

Soil Pollution

Soil pollution or land pollution is the contamination of soil or the land that prevents the growth of natural life.
Soil or land pollution takes place when there is an improper disposal of waste and garbage which introduces
toxins and chemical on the land. Aside from this other sources of soil or land pollution include hazardous waste
and sewage spills, strip mining and deforestation and heavy use of organic pesticides. One of the majors
effects of this type of pollution result in reduced growth of agriculture. Furthermore, increased soil
contamination will primarily lead to poisoning of the land and nearby water.

Radioactive Pollution

Radioactive pollution is considered as one of the most dangerous and extremely harmful forms of pollution.
In the 20th century, this type of pollution has risen since this has been used as a nuclear weapons. Some of the
sources of radioactive contamination includes nuclear power plant accidents or leakage, improper nuclear
waste disposal, and Uranium mining operations. Harmful effects results to pollution of air and land, birth
defects, cancer and even death.
Thermal Pollution

Thermal Pollution refers to the excessive temperature increase. This excess heat creates undesirable effects
over long periods of time. Thermal pollution maybe caused by power plants, urban sprawl, air pollution
particulates that trap the earth, deforestation and loss of temperature moderating water supplies.

Industrial Pollution

Industrial pollution is the release of wastes and pollutants generated by industrial activities. This pollutants
generated by industries may cause contamination on air, water and land. Some of the leading industries that
contributes to this type of pollution are the power plants, steel mill, sewage treatment plants, heating plants,
and processing and manufacturing companies which releases smoke, material wastes, contaminated residues,
and toxic by –products. Industrial pollution can cause ecosystem imbalance, adversely damage plants, and
even kill animals.

Causes of Environmental Pollution

Effects on Humans

 Respiratory infections such as allergies, asthma, irritation of the eye, and nasal passages;

 Major factor in the development of cancers;

 Diseases like hepatitis, typhoid affections, diarrhea, and hormonal disruptions

Effects on Animals

 It causes harm to the living environment thus, making I toxic for them to live in.

 Acid rains can change the composition of rivers and seas, making them toxic for fishes;

 An essential quantity of ozone in the lower parts of the atmosphere can cause lung problems to all
animals;

 Nitrogen and phosphates in water will cause the overgrowth of toxic algae, preventing other forms of
life to follow their normal course;

 Soil pollution will cause harm and, sometimes, even the destruction of microorganisms, which can have
the dramatic effect of killing the first layers of the primary food chain.

Effects on Plants

 Acid rains modifies the natural environment of the plants;

 -Ozone in the lower atmosphere block the plant respiration, and harmful pollutants can be absorbed
from the water or soil.

Effects on the Ecosystem

 Destroys crucial layers of it and causing an even more negative effect on the upper layers.

layers.
Environmental Pollution Control

Our environment is deteriorating day by day due to industrial pollution, toxic chemicals, automobile emission
and natural resource depletion.

Pollution in its various forms is increasing tremendously which has caused severe damaged to the ecosystems
as well as enhances human diseases and death rates of various plants and animals.

Pollution prevention is a major global concern because of its harmful effects on person’s health and on the
environment. People should understand the importance of the environment for our own survival and of other
life forms.

In order to do so, we need to identify main steps that can be followed to prevent the different types of pollution.

Here are some essential ways that will help prevent pollution:

1. Using smokeless sources of energy;

2. Plant trees;

3. Industries should be far from residential areas;

4. Strict monitoring of automobiles’ exhaust emission;

5. Adequate sewage and industrial waste treatment;

6. Re-use, Reduce and Recycle

7. Proper solid waste disposal;

8. Avoid using of fertilizers and pesticides;

9. Avoiding polythene bags;

10. Proper noise and smoke precipitators should be used to bring down the amount of lethal smoke and noise
produced to help protect the environment
 SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Solid Waste Management

Solid waste refers to the range of garbage materials—arising from animal and human activities—that are
discarded as unwanted and useless. Solid waste is generated from industrial, residential, and commercial
activities in a given area, and may be handled in a variety of ways. As such, landfills are typically classified as
sanitary, municipal, construction and demolition, or industrial waste sites. We should ensure best
environmental practices regardless of the origin, hazard potential of theses solid waste.

Waste can be categorized based on material, such as plastic, paper, glass, metal, and organic waste.
Categorization may also be based on hazard potential, including radioactive, flammable, infectious, toxic, or
non-toxic wastes. Categories may also pertain to the origin of the waste, whether industrial, domestic,
commercial, institutional, or construction and demolition.

Sources of Solid Wastes

• Solid domestic garbage.

• Solid waste material from various industries.

• Solid agricultural waste.

• Plastics, glass, metals, e-waste, etc.

• Medical waste.

• Construction waste, sewage sludge

• Medical centers

• Food stores

• Feeding centers

• Food distribution points

• Slaughter areas

• Warehouses

• Agency premises

• Markets

• Domestic areas
Key components of solid waste management

Solid waste management can be divided into five key components:

• Generation

• Storage

• Collection

• Transportation

• Disposal

• Generation of solid waste is the stage at which materials become valueless to the owner and since they
have no use for them and require them no longer, they wish to get rid of them.

• Storage is a system for keeping materials after they have been discarded and prior to collection and
final disposal.

• Collection simply refers to how waste is collected for transportation to the final disposal site.

• Transportation is the stage when solid waste is transported to the final disposal site

• Disposal is the final stage of solid waste management is safe disposal where associated risks are
minimized.

On-site disposal options

 Communal pit disposal

 Family pit disposal

 Communal bins

 Family bins

Off-site disposal options

 Landfilling

 Incineration

 Composting

 Recycling
Categories of Waste

• Organic waste:

Kitchen waste, waste from food preparation, vegetables, flowers, leaves, fruits, and market places.

• Combustibles:

Paper, wood, dried leaves, packaging for relief items etc. that are highly organic and having low
moisture content.

• Non-combustibles:

Metal, Tins, Cans, bottles, stones, etc.

• Toxic waste:

Old medicines, paints, chemicals, bulbs, spray cans, fertilizer and pesticide containers, batteries, shoe
polish.

• Recyclables:

Paper, glass, metals, plastics.

• Ashes or Dust:

Residue from fires that are used for cooking.

• Construction waste:

Rubble, roofing, broken concrete etc.

• Hazardous waste:

Oil, battery acid, medical waste, industrial waste, hospital waste.

• Dead animals:

Carcasses of dead livestock or other animals.

• Bulky waste:

Tree branches, tires etc.

• Soiled waste:

Hospital waste such as cloth soiled with blood and other body fluids.
Disposal of Waste

The process of waste handling and disposal varies in different countries. In India, the processes differ
according to the source of solid waste. They can be classified as:

• Municipal Solid Waste.

• Hazardous Solid Waste.

Municipal solid waste can further be divided into:

• Biodegradable

- includes rotten food, vegetable peel and mostly wet kitchen waste.

• Recyclable

- includes plastic

• hazardous domestic wastes.

- include, bulb, batteries, etc.

• The industry generated waste from chemical factories, medical waste from hospitals are considered as
Hazardous Solid Waste and they need special settings to dispose of them.

• In any region, solid waste management is very important for the safe disposal of wastes and to reduce
environmental pollution and avoid any health hazards that it may cause.

• Landfills are the most common method of disposing of solid wastes. Modern-day landfills are designed
by taking care of various environmental factors and types of wastes, so as to minimize pollution and
health risks.

Effects of Poor Solid Waste Management

Due to improper disposal of solid waste particularly by waste management organizations, the collected wastes
gets heap up and become a problem for both the environment and also for the public.

By dumping of huge garbage, drives biodegradable materials to decay and decompose under abnormal,
uncontrolled and unhygienic conditions. After a few days of decomposition, it becomes a breeding ground for
different types of disease-causing insects as well as infectious organisms. A foul smell is produced and it also
spoils the aesthetic value of the area.
Effects of Poor Solid Waste Management

1. Litter Surroundings.

2. Impact on Human Health

3. Impact on the environment

4. Disease-causing Pests

5. Soil and groundwater Pollution

6. Emission of Toxic Gases

7. Impact on Land and Aquatic Animals

8. Disease transmission

9. Pollution

Solid Waste Management

The tasks of solid-waste management present complex technical challenges. They also pose a wide variety of
administrative, economic, and social problems that must be managed and solved. Furthermore, solid-waste
management reduces and eliminates impacts on human health and environment.

The sources of solid waste include residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial activities. Certain types
of wastes that cause immediate danger to exposed individuals or environments are classified as hazardous;
these are discussed in the article hazardous-waste management. Garbage is mostly decomposable food
waste; rubbish is mostly dry material such as glass, paper, cloth, or wood. Garbage is highly putrescible or
decomposable, whereas rubbish is not. Trash is rubbish that includes bulky items such as old refrigerators,
couches, or large tree stumps. Trash requires special collection and handling.

Methods of Solid Waste Management

Proper solid waste management is an integral part of environmental conservation that should be observed by
both individuals and companies globally.

In order to minimize the harmful effect of improper waste disposal, here are some of the following methods of
solid waste management:

1. Efficient management of sanitary landfills.

2. Incineration. A process which involves burning of solid waste at high temperatures until turned into ashes.

3. Don’t forget the 3R’s: Re-use, Reduce, and Recycle.

4. Composting. A biological process in which micro-organisms convert degradable organic waste into humus.

5. Pyrolysis. A method where solid wastes are chemically decomposed by heat without the presence of
oxygen.
In order to establish effective solid waste management in the affected area the following process
should be used: