Control Environmental Pollution

Definition of key terms

• Waste management: Waste management is the collection, transportation,
processing or disposal of solid or liquid waste.
Waste management helps to reduce the effect of waste on human health
and natural ecosystems such as lakes, forests and oceans.

• Control measures: These are activities taken to prevent, reduce or

eliminate an environmental hazard that has been identified.

• Standard Protocol: This is a mandated, statutory or fixed procedure for

completing a task or complying with regulations.

The procedure may be expressed through a flow chart, or spelled out as

text. Standard protocol may be nationally recognized or be part of an
organization structure.

• Environmental Pollution. Environment Pollution is the addition of

contaminants into the natural environment that causes detrimental effects
to nature, natural resources and mankind.

• Pollutant. It is any substance which causes harmful effects or uneasiness in

the organisms.
Types of pollutants:
1. Persistent pollutants (Non-biodegradable Pollutants): Those pollutants
which remain consistent in the environment for a long period of time
without any change in its original form are called persistent pollutants. For
example pesticides, nuclear wastes, and plastics etc.

2. Non-persistent pollutants (Biodegradable Pollutants): These pollutants are

the opposite of persistent pollutant and break down in the simple form. If
 this process of breaking down is done by living organisms, then such
pollutants are referred to as biodegradable pollutants.

3. Primary Pollutants: Primary pollutants are those which remain in the form
in which they were added to the environment for ex. DDT, Plastic

4. Secondary Pollutants: Secondary pollutants are formed due to interaction

of primary pollutants amongst themselves viz. PAN by the interaction of
NOx & Hydrocarbons.

5. Quantitative Pollutants (Natural Pollutants): These substances are already

present in the atmosphere but they become pollutant when their
concentration level reaches to a particular level which is above a threshold
limit.

6. Qualitative Pollutants: These are man-made pollutants eg. Fungicides,

herbicides etc.
Air Pollution:
Air pollution is the presence of one or more disadvantageous content in such
quantity and for such duration, as it is catastrophic, or tend to be catastrophic, to
human health and welfare, animal or plant life.
Some of the air pollutants, their sources, and effects:
Name of pollutant Sources Health effects
Nitrogen oxides Industries, vehicles and Problems in the lungs,
power plants respiratory systems and
causes asthma and
bronchitis.
Carbon monoxide Emission and burning of Severe headache,
fossil fuels irritation to mucous
membrane,
unconsciousness and
death.
Carbon dioxide Burning of fossil fuels Vision problem, severe
headache and heart
 strain.
Suspended particulate Vehicular emission and Lung irritation reduces
matter burning of fossil fuels. development of RBC and
pulmonary
malfunctioning.
Sulphur oxide Industries and power Irritation in eyes and
plant Smog, Industries throat, allergies, cough
and vehicular pollution

Hydrocarbons Burning of fossil fuels Respiratory and eye

problems
Kidney problems,
irritation in eyes, nose
and throat, asthma,
hypertension and
carcinogenic effects on
lungs.
Chlorofluorocarbons Refrigerators Depletion of ozone layer,
global warming

Other pollutants are cadmium, lead, mercury, silica, coal, dust particles and
radioactive pollutants.
Control Measures for air pollution:
➢ Passig government Policies
➢ Modification of industrial process and selection of suitable fuels and its
utilization.
➢ Collection of pollutants and convert it into less toxic forms by different
methods

Water Pollution
Water Pollution is the addition of certain substances such as organic, inorganic,
biological and radiological substances to the water, which degrades the water
quality and makes it unhealthy for use.
Water pollution is not only confined to surface water but also spread to
groundwater, sea, and ocean.
Sources of Water Pollution
➢ Point sources: These are directly pointed towards the water bodies from
the source of origin of pollution and are thus easy to regulate.

➢ Non-point sources: These sources are related to many diffuse sources and
are thus difficult to regulate.
Some of the sources are:
➢ Industrial and community wastewater: Industries like mining, iron and
steel, pharmaceuticals, food processing, soap and detergent and paper and
pulp.
➢ Agricultural sources,
➢ Thermal pollution (discharge of hot water by thermal power plants cause
deficiency of dissolved oxygen in water) and underground water pollution.
➢ Marine pollution: river discharge, manmade pollution and oil spills etc.
Effects of Water Pollution
➢ An excessive amount of mercury in water can cause Minamata disease in
humans and dropsy in fishes; Lead in large amount can cause dyslexia,
Cadmium poisoning causes Itai – Itai disease, etc.
➢ Polluted water has less amount of Dissolved oxygen (DO) content which is
important for sensitive organisms, thereby eliminates sensitive organisms.
➢ Excess of nitrate in drinking water is dangerous for infants and human
health, excess fluoride cause neuromuscular disorder and teeth deformity,
hardening of bones and painful joints.
➢ Biological magnification and eutrophication.

Note: ‘Eu’ means healthy and ‘trophy’ means nutrition. The improvement of
nutrients in water bodies causes eutrophication. Domestic waste discharge,
agricultural waste, land drainage and industrial waste in a water body leads to a
rapid increase in nutrients in a water body which initiates early ageing of water
bodies.
Explain causes of eutrophication

Control measures for Water Pollution

➢ Recycling and treatment of water should be used to the maximum extent
possible.
➢ The quantity of discharge of wastewater can be minimized.
➢ Excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers should be avoided.
➢ Promote organic farming and efficient use of animal residues as fertilizers.
Soil Pollution

Soil Pollution is the addition of unwanted substances to the soil which negatively
affects physical, chemical and biological properties of soil and reduces its
productivity.
Sources of Soil Pollution
➢ Industrial waste: lead, cadmium, mercury, alkalies, organic substances, and
chemicals.
➢ Agricultural waste: fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, and manures.
➢ Discarded materials and radioactive elements and plastic bags.
Effects of Soil Pollution
• Soil Pollution reduces soil fertility and thus crop yields;
• Increase soil erosion and salinity.
• Leads to ecological imbalance and imbalance in flora and fauna (plants and
animals).
• Problems in urban areas like clogging in drains, the release of gases, foul
smells, and problems in wastewater management.
• Release of radioactive rays, biomagnification and pollutant gases cause
health problems.
Control measures
• Afforestation, reforestation
• use of organic farming.
• Solid waste management and reduction of waste from the construction
area.
• Stop the use of plastic bags and use bags of degradable materials like paper
and cloth.
• Biomedical waste should be collected and incinerated in incinerators.

Noise Pollution
When unpleasant noise is created by machines or people which is annoying,
distracting and physically painful then it is called noise pollution.
Sound is measured in decibels (dB), a person’s hearing can be damaged if exposed
to noise levels over 75 dB over a period of time.
WHO recommends 30 dB sound levels for indoor.
Note: Noise pollution (control and regulation) Rules, 2000 define ambient noise
levels for various areas.
Sources of noise pollution
Indoor sources:
includes noise produced by radio, television, generators, electric fans, air coolers
etc.
Outdoor sources
include loudspeakers, industrial activities, automobiles, rail traffic, aero-planes
and activities in social religious places etc.
Effects of noise pollution
• Noise pollution is annoying and irritating. Noise causes many problems like
disturbs sleep, causes hypertension (high blood pressure), emotional
complications such as aggression, mental depression and annoyance.
• Noise pollution adversely affects the efficiency of individuals.
• Noise pollution can cause damage to the material of building due to
exposure to ultrasonic/infrasonic waves.
Control measures
❖ Making noise mounds, walls for noise attenuation
❖ Well-maintained roads and smooth surfacing of it are some of the noise
abatement measures.
❖ Air traffic noise can be tackled by the appropriate introduction of noise
regulations for takeoff and landing of aircraft at the airport.
❖ Use of soundproofing equipment like in areas producing a lot of noise can
reduce industrial noise.
❖ Reducing noise level from domestic sectors,
❖ Maintenance of automobiles, and
❖ prohibition of uses of loudspeakers for certain time.

Types of solid wastes

1. Domestic/Residential Waste:
This category of waste comprises the solid wastes that originate from single and
multi-family household units. These wastes are generated as a consequence of
household activities such as cooking, cleaning, repairs, hobbies, redecoration,
empty containers, packaging, clothing, old books, writing/new paper, and old
furnishings. Households also discard bulky wastes such as furniture and large
appliances which cannot be repaired and used.
2. Municipal Waste:
Municipal waste includes wastes resulting from municipal activities and services
such as street waste, dead animals, market waste and abandoned vehicles.
However, the term is commonly applied in a wider sense to incorporate domestic
wastes, institutional wastes and commercial wastes.
3. Commercial Waste:
Included in this category are solid wastes that originate in offices, wholesale and
retail stores, restaurants, hotels, markets, warehouses and other commercial
establishments. Some of these wastes are further classified as garbage and others
as rubbish.
4. Ashes:
Ashes are the residues from the burning of wood, coal, charcoal, coke and other
combustible materials, for cooking and heating in houses, institutions and small
industrial establishments. When produced in large quantities at power generating
plants and factories these wastes are classified as industrial wastes. Ashes consist
of a fine powdery residue, cinders and clinker often mixed with small pieces of
metal and glass.
5. Dead Animals:
These are dead animals that die naturally or accidentally killed. This category does
not include carcass and animal parts from slaughterhouses which are regarded as
industrial wastes.
6. Construction and Demolition Wastes:
Construction and demolition wastes are the waste materials generated by the
construction, refurbishment, repair and demolition of houses, commercial
buildings and other structures. It mainly consists of earth, stones, concrete, bricks,
lumber, roofing materials, plumbing materials, heating systems and electrical
wires.
7. Industrial Wastes:
In the category are the discarded solid material of manufacturing processes and
industrial operations. They cover a vast range of substances which are unique to
each industry. For this reason, they are considered separately from municipal
wastes.
8. Biomedical waste
Is defined as any waste, which is generated during the diagnosis, treatment or
immunisation of human beings or animals, or in research activities pertaining
thereto, or in the production or testing of biologicals
9. E-waste
This is waste generated from electrical and electronic equipment (EEEs) becoming
obsolete e-waste comprises of heavy metal components and materials used in the
manufacture of electronic goods. They include; mercury, brominated flame
retardants and cadmium, which are considered hazardous.
Functional Elements of the Waste Management System
There are six functional components of the waste management system, as
outlined below:
1. Waste generation: This encompasses any activities involved in identifying
materials that are no longer usable and are either gathered for systematic
disposal or thrown away.
2. Onsite handling, storage, and processing: This relates to activities at the
point of waste generation, which facilitate easier collection. For example,
waste bins are placed at sites that generate sufficient waste.
3. Waste collection: this includes activities such as placing waste collection
bins, collecting waste from those bins, and accumulating trash in the
location where the collection vehicles are emptied. Although the collection
phase involves transportation, this is typically not the main stage of waste
transportation.
4. Waste transfer and transport: These are the activities involved in moving
waste from the local waste collection locations to the regional waste
disposal site in large waste transport vehicles.
5. Waste processing and recovery: This refers to the facilities, equipment, and
techniques employed to recover reusable or recyclable materials from the
waste stream and to improve the effectiveness of other functional
elements of waste management.
6. Disposal: The final stage of waste management. It involves the activities
aimed at the systematic disposal of waste materials in locations such as
landfills or waste-to-energy facilities.