Environmental Pollution

Pollution is a undesirable change

than the normal which adversely
affects the environment or living
beings or damage the property.
 Pollutants

Substances which cause

pollution are called
Pollutants.
• Pollutants may be biodegradable or non
biodegradable non biodegradable are more
harmful in future because they are not
degraded in reasonable time.
• On the basis of nature pollutants may be
1. Physical pollutants
(UV rays, X-rays)
2. Chemical pollutants (Some Chemicals)
3. Biological pollutants
(Bacteria, Virus, Fungi)
• On the basis of source of origin pollutants may be
1. Point source pollutants ex- emission from wood.
2. Line source pollutants ex-emission from transport.
3. Area source pollutants ex-emission from industry.
 Pollution is of many kinds

Such as air, water, land, noise,

thermal, marine and nuclear
pollution etc.
 AIR
POLLUTION
 When pollutants pollute the air.
Causes-
 Air pollution is caused by combustion of
fuels, automobiles emissions, power plants,
industrialization, deforestation, Nuclear
programmes, increase use of electronics,
overpopulation etc.
 Kinds of Air Pollutants
Gases, Aerosols, Natural contaminants,
Electromagnetic waves, nuclear waste and noise
are some air pollutants.
 Gases may be produced as Primary
pollutants or after combining with water
forms secondary pollutants
• Primary Pollutant gases are So2, So3, H2S, Co, Co2,
Nox, NH3  Causes Green house effect.

• Secondary pollutant – Formed by Pri pollutant by

combing with water in the presence of UV light.

So3 + H2O  H2So4

N2o5 + H2O  2HNo3 Secondary pollutant causes -
Co2 + H2O  H2Co3 Acid rain
 Aerosols
(Suspended particulate matter,
SPM) these are particles
suspended in air these may be
solid or liquid. Example- Dust,
Smoke, Fog, Smog etc.
 Peroxyacetyl Nitrate (PAN)
It is also a secondary pollutant aerosol
known as photochemical smog
(smog=smoke + fog)
formed by vehicular emissions in cities.

Effects of PAN Reduced Vision,

dangerous for transport burning sensation
in eyes, irritates nose, throat, chest
construction.
 Effects of Air Pollutants
• More SPM (aerosols) are dangerous for both
ground and air transport due to reduced visibility.
• Acidic & toxic gases causes corrosion of metals
building, sculptures, electric item etc.
• More fluorine in air causes Fluorosis, asthma
and respiratory diseases.
• More Silica dust causes allergy called Silicosis.
• More oxides of Nitrogen causes cancer and
ulcer disease is called carcinoma.
• Carbon mono oxide is deadly poisonous gas,
reduce oxygen level in blood may cause death
due to suffocation.
• Carbon dioxide increase is a main cause of
global warming.
• Oxides of sulphur form secondary pollutant
(H2So4) after combing with water- Main cause of
Acid rain.
• Green house effect is mainly by pollutant gases
in air.
• Air pollution also causes Ozone layer depletion.
 CONTROL OF
AIR POLLUTION
1. Air pollution can be controlled by plantation programmes.
2. It can also prevented by using desulphurised fuel and
unleaded petrol & green fuel (Natural gas, H2 gas).
3. Using mass transport system or bicycle.
4. By laws-like the air prevention and control of pollution Act-
1981.
5. Industries must use higher smoke stack and effluent
treatment plant (ETP)
6. Nitrogen oxides (NOX) can be control by using biological
filters and bio-scrubbers.
7. Particulate matter can be removed by gravitational setting
chamber, cyclone separator, fabric fitter, electrostatic
precipitator, wet scrubbers etc.
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL INSTRUMENTS
 Water
Pollution
Ninety seven (97%) percent of earth water
is salty only remaining 3% is fresh water.
Out of this 3% fresh water 70% is polluted.

“Pollution in water bodies increasing

tremendously it causes degradation of
useful of water quality or cause hazard to
human life.”
 Causes of Water pollution:- Water may pollute by:-
1. Inorganic pollutants ( acids, alkalis, carbonate, bicarbonate,
Nitrate, chloride salts & ion detergents, coal, mine, fertilizer waste
etc.
2. Organic pollutants:- Domestic waste, slaughter house waste farm
waste, meat packaging waste etc.
3. Sewage:- about 75% of water pollution is by Sewage, other
causes are toxic metals, Radioactive waste industrial wastes,
sediments etc.
4. Plant nutrients (mainly No3) comes from fertilizer and cases death
of water animals by ‘Eutrophication’ of algal blooms.
5. Thermal pollution (Heated water from industries) have reduced
amount of water oxygen also which result in killing of aquatic life.
6. Disease causing agents:- Presence of pathogenic microbes like
bacteria, virus and fungi in polluted water.
7. Polythene :- Now a days different types of polythene are big
source of water pollution as they are non-biodegradable also.
 Effects of Water pollutants
1. Objectionable odour, increase in turbidity turned it
unsafe for drinking.
2. Thermal pollution- increases the temperature and
decreases the dissolve oxygen (DO) of water causes
respiratory problems & death of aquatic animals.
3. Eutrophication – Due to run off water, nutrients
specially nitrates from agriculture lands reach the
water bodies cause increase growth of water plants
like Blue-green algae this is called Eutrophication Due
to eutrophication light cannot enter water bodies so
decreases amount of dissolve oxygen thus decreases
animal life in water Toxin produced by B-G-algae also
causes death of fish & water animals.
5. Bio accumulation and Biomagnifications : are noticed in
aquatic food chain which causes death of fish by
magnification of nonbiodegradable heavy metals DDT etc.
Mazor Water pollutants and their effects are:
a) Arsenic & Cyanide  Toxic, carcinogenic
(cancer causing)
a) Mercury or methyl Hg CH3 Hg causes Mina-mata
disease  fish Man (brain disorder)
c) Lead  Plumbism
d) Cadmium  Itai-itai disease
e) Fluoride  Fluorosis
f) Bacteria, Virus  Typhoid, Cholera, Polio, Hepatitis
etc.
CONTROL OF
WATER
POLLUTION
1. There must be separate drainage of sewage & drinking water.
2. Planting tree would reduce pollution by wind.
3. Reduced the used of chemical fertilizers and Pesticides etc.
4. Use nutrient rich water or nitrogen fixing plants to supplement
nitrogen in field.
5. Water pollution can also minimized by stabilization of the
ecosystem and by the water prevention and control of pollution
Act 1974 (by laws)
6. Bioremediation - Introduction of Water hyacinth in water bodies
can 1000 times more purifying capacity than any other method.
Hyacinth (tydqEHkh) absorb phenolic compounols present in
water of industrial waste Phenol so absorb can be utilized
anywhere else.
7. By chemicals – Using chemicals water can be purified by
precipitation, Ultra filtration, absorption methods. Ex.- KMnO4, O3,
chlorine, C etc.
8. Cooling towers – for controlling thermal pollution cooling ponds &
towers are used.
9. Removal of Phosphorus is done by Electrolysis.
10. Removal of salts is done by reverse osmosis (R.O) through semi
permeable membrane.
11. For industry “treatment of waste water must be essential with
effluent treatment plant (ETP).
 LAND
POLLUTION
 “Addition of unwanted substances
to the soil which adversely affect
the physical, chemical and
biological properties of soil and
reduces its productivity is called
soil or Land Pollution.”
Due to pollution 175 million hectors of Land
becoming less productive every year.
 Sources or Causes of Land Pollution
Land pollution is 3rd big pollution made by man (after air & water)

1. Industrial Waste 5. Radioactive pollutants

2. Urban Waste 6. Fertilizers & pesticides

7. Biological Agents
3. Mining Waste
8. Other causes like soil-
4. Agriculture Waste
erosion, water logging,
salinity, acid rain, etc.
 Effects of Land Pollution
1. It affects human health when infected plants and fruits,
food are eaten by them.
2. Reduce soil productivity by presence of acids, alkali,
heavy metals, fungicides, pesticides etc.
3. Sewage sludge contain many pathogenic microbes
may cause many diseases. These may contaminate
drinking ground water also.
4. Decomposition of organic matter on lands releases
unpleasant odour and toxic vapours.
5. Nitrate & phosphate fertilizers causes eutrophication in
water bodies.
6. Insecticides, pesticides and other non biodegradable
substances causes biomagnifications in terrestrial food
chain causing death of eggs and infants of many birds.
When flow away to water bodes death of fish also.
7. Radio-isotopes replace the essential elements of body
& causes abnormalities ex Sr90 When deposited in
bones instead of calcium, bones becomes brittle &
prone to fracture Sr90  Ca
8. Polythne causes choking of neck & digestive system of
animals causing death.
CONTROL OF
LAND
POLLUTION
1. Industry efficient should be properly treated before
discharging them into the soil.
2. All types of solid waste should be properly collected &
disposed off by appropriate method in disposal sites or
in solid waste management plant.
3. Recovery of useful products should be done from
waste.
4. Biodegradable organic waste should be used for
generation of bio gas.
5. Fertilizers & pesticides should be used in limited
required amount only.
6. Bioremediation- Bioremediation is a process that uses
micro organisms or other plants to breakdown or
degrade hazardous substances into less toxic or non
toxic substances in soil.
7. By laws- by strict laws to prevent throwing of waste
here & there.
 NOISE
POLLUTION
 Noise word is derived from Latin
word “Nausea” means feeling of
sickness to vomit.
Noise is defined as “unpleasant and
unwanted sound

Measurement – Noise is measured in decibel

(dB) units. (named after Alexander Graham
Bell)

Instrument used is decibel meter with

microphone amplifier.
 Central pollution control Board (CPCB)
Committee has recommended permissible
noise level for different locations:

Category of Area Noise Level in dB

1. Industry 75 70

2. Commercial 65 55

3. Residential 55 45

4. Sensitive 50 40
(School, Hospital etc.)
(By CPCB)
 Average Noise Level of different
Location:
• Classroom teaching - 55-60 dB
• Road traffic - 70-80 dB
• Home appliances - 65-75 dB
• Cinema Hall - 80-90 dB
• Horn of vehicles - 90-105 dB
• Rail Engine - 90-105 dB
• Bomb Explosion - 100-150 dB
• Loudspeaker - 100-120 dB
• Jet Engine - 140 dB (pain 130 dB)
• Diwali crackers - 125-160 dB
 Sources of Noise pollution
1. Industrial operations
2. Transport of vehicles
3. Construction machines
4. House hold appliances
5. Agriculture Machines (tractor, tube well, thrasher, harvester)
6. Defense equipments (artillery tanks, rocket launching
explosions, shooting, jet engine.)
7. Celebrations- Social, Religious demonstrations,
advertisement etc.
8. Other sources like welding, Stone crushing, blasting
automobile repair shops etc.
 Effects of Noise Pollution
Noise is harmful to human beings, animals and non living
things also.
Normal Noise level is 55 dB for human ear.
1. Noise level of 80 dB for more than 8 hours increases tension &
breathing pattern.
2. It causes fatigue, hearing problem, construction of blood vessels
and makes skin pale ( heart & blood pressure problem)
3. Noise affects the efficiency and quality of life by lack of
concentration.
4. Noise have great effect on communication.
5. Sound of 145 dB can cause pain in man and animals.
6. It also causes muscular strain & nervous break down in man &
animals.
7. A sound of 155 dB can burn skin.
8. 180 dB can even cause death (experiment showed the death of
mice at 175 dB.)
9. Due to heavy sudden Noise nonliving things like building undergo
cracks, broken windows, doors and glasses by sudden explosive
sounds.
 Control of Noise Pollution
It can be controlled by three ways

1. By reducing the noise at the source.

2. By preventing its transmission in the path.

3. By protecting the receiver (ears) end.

At Source At receiver end
In path
 At the source
• Reduced the use of horns sirens, stereos etc.
• Shielding the source of noise by sound
absorbing substances, better insulation and
better design.
• Proper oiling and tightening the loose nuts will
reduce noise from machinery.
• Noise making machines should be kept in
containers.
• Use the sound absorbing silencers.
• Decibel meters must be used in noisy places to
keep check of noise
 In the path
• A “green belt” effectively reduce the noise.

• Plantation of 20 ft. around the house

protect from vehicular noise / on road / by
machine.

• By closing windows & doors.

 At the receiver end
• If by the above methods noise level will not bring
down the only alternative is to use ear plugs
while working or moving in noisy area.

• Noise pollution comes under “Air prevention and

control act” in 1987.

• Noise pollution can also be controlled by laws

from government or by Central pollution control
board (CPCB) to ban high decibel sounds
specially in nights an in sensitives area like
school college and hospitals etc.
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

All solid and semisolid waste arising

from human activities which are
useless or unwanted are included in
solid waste it should be managed
properly.
Sources and classification of solid wastes
1. Municipal solid waste (3%) – Waste from
construction, shops.

2. Hospital or Bio-medical waste (2%)- Sharps,

medicines, anatomical & pathological waste.

3. Industrial waste (8%)- Paints, chemicals,

flyash, toxic or radio active.

4. Agricultural Waste (49%) – animal & crop

residue.

5. Mining waste (38%) - contain vast

homogenous waste
Sources of solid waste
 Sources of solid waste
Municipal Solid Waste - It is heterogeneous waste
containing many types of construction, demolition,
sanitation street, shops and domestic wastes these are
classified into two types.

1. Garbage- it is Putrescible (rotting) solid waste of natural

substances like fruits vegetables, meat, leaves etc. its
heating value is 6 x 106 J/kg & moisture-70%

2. Rubbish- Nonputrescible solid waste – Combustible &

Non Combustible.
1. Combustible Rubbish- Paper, wood, rubber, plastics.
2. Non Combustible - Metals, glass, Caramics.
These waste contain 25% moisture contents and heating value is
15x106 J/kg (combustible Rubbish)
 Causes of solid waste generation
are:
1. Over population - More people produce more
waste.

2. Urbanization – Cities growing fast beyond limit &

producing different types of waste.

3. Affluence – Tendency to declare item out of

fashion create solid waste pollution.

4. Technology – Advancement of technology create

more artificial things instead of natural. These
artificial things are mostly non-biodegradable.
 Effects of solid wastes
1. Solid waste disposal increases many types of
pathogenic microbes and disease vectors causing
various diseases.
2. Leaching water from solid wastes chemicals causes
surface & ground water pollution. Even crops can be
damaged.
3. Hazardous solid waste are injurious to human health
some have acute affects while other create ‘chronic
effects’ after long period of exposure.
4. Burning of open dumps causes objectionable odour
and air pollution.
5. Dumping waste destroys the beauty of countryside.
Management of solid wastes
For solid waste management solid
wastes must be collected, transported
and disposed off efficiently.

Some undergo recycling also these

activities are together known as “Solid
waste management”
 For solid waste management four
R’s must be followed
1. Refuse – To buy new items.

2. Reuse – Bottles, bags of cloth or items.

3. Reduce – Use of metals (mining overburden

reduces) Reduce unnecessary waste.

4. Recycle – Biodegradable waste keep

separately to recycle.
After four R’s following methods are
practised for solid waste management:-
1. Collection of solid waste - Collection and transportation
must be very carefully and daily. (organic matter
decompose rapidly, bad smell & microbes)
2. Disposal or Discarding of wastes – This can be done
by one of the following ways.
a) In open dumps – In low lying area in outskirts of town.
b) In land fills – Every day dumped garbage is covered with soil
also which is compressed also. This covering prevent breeding
of flies, mosquitoes, rate, microbes etc.
c) Sanitary land fills – Made of plastics or clay over impermeable
soil to reduce water and air pollution. But it is very costly &
minor crack produce pollution & bad smell
d) Incineration plants – Burning in large furnaces, it is
not clean process produces “flyash”, bottom ash
and many poisonous gases. These ash may be
toxic containing dioxins which pollute environment.
Ex.-
• It is mainly used for treatment of infectious hospital waste.
• But process require high maintenance cost.
• General incineration produce, Dioxins, turans, Pb,
caslmium (Ply burning of plastics & battery etc.)
e) Composting – Decomposition of organic waste by
“Microbial decomposition” is called composting.
It has many advantages –
1. Become soil nutrient rich.
2. Reduce alkalinity & acidity of soil.
3. Prevent soil erosion and temperature.
 f) Pyrolysis –
• Waste heated under anaerobic conditions.
• It is highly endothermic and produces many liquids and
gases like Co, Co2 CH4 etc.
• As endothermic it is also called “destructive distillation.
g) Land farming or Bioremediation – By the method
Dare or uncultivated land is converted into fertile
land by applying organic waste on top or below the
soil surface Bacterial decamp of organic subs
increases the fertility of soil.
3. Waste Utilisation –
• Fly ash or bottom ash can be utilised as cement substitute,
bricks making, land cover, dewater industrial water sludge etc.
• Give new shape to old item is also waste utilization. There by
making the environment cleaner & air fresher to breath.
 Environment Laws

After United Nations conference on

human and development (UNCHD)
on 5th June, 1972 at stockholm. Great
efforts are done by our Late
primeminister, Smt. Indira Gandhiji for
improvement of Environmental
conditions in India.
 Constitution and Judiciary on
Environmental Pollution.
Constitution and Judiciary on Environmental Pollution
Constitutional efforts. - Due to Mrs. Indira Gandhiji’s
sincere efforts India became the first country in the world
who have made provision for protection and conservation
of Environment in its constitution (in 1976) in article 42 A
and article 51A(g)

Article 51A states that : It shall be the duty of every

citizen of India protect and improve the natural environment
including, forests, lakes, rivers, wild life……..etc.
 Judiciary – Judge driven implementation
of environment for Environment Protection
administration in India by Environment
Laws.
• Directions have been passed by High
courts in various Public Interest Litigations
(PILS) for clearing water conflicts as well
as for Industry pollution court may direct to
close industries creating air pollution in
residential area.
Green Judge of India – Justice Kuldeep Singh
Green Advocate – Mr. M.C.Mehta

1st PIL is taken by Mr. M.C.Mehta in 1988.

In 1991 Supreme Court issue directives to
make all curriculum environment oriented
it is the result of PIL filed by M.C.Mehta Vs
Union of India (in 1988) based on the
Judgment Environment studies is being
taught as a compulsory course to all
students.
 Environmental Policies in India
National Council for Environmental Policy and Planning
(NCEPP) was set up in 1972.

Ministry of Environment and forest (MOEF) and Control

Boards CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) SPCB
(State Pollution Central Boards) are formed in 1992.

EAP (Environment Action Programme) was formulated in

1993

NEP (National Environment Policy) for Environment

Protection in 2006.
 Environment Protection Act
Since 1972, approximately two hundred rules and acts
has been passed by government for environment
protection important ones are

1. First Act passed is wild life protection Act 1972.

2. Second Act passed is the water (prevention and control

of Pollution Act – 1974

3. Third Act passed is the forest conservation Act.1980

4. Fourth Act passed is the Air (Prevention and control of

Pollution Act -1981
 Act. Air Pollution Contd.

• In 1982 – Air (Prevention and control of

Pollution) Rules & Atomic energy Act.

• In 1987 - Noise Pollution is added in Air

pollution.

• In 1988 - Motor vehicle act is added in Air

pollution.
 Solid Waste Act-1981
Another very important Act passed which
covers all types of pollutions is The
Environment Protection Act- 1986 (EPA-
1986):

– Regulations and control rules for noise

pollution-2000
 The Air (Prevention and Control of pollution)
Act – 1981
amended in 1982, 1987, 1988
Salient features of Acts are 
1. The Act is applicable to whole India.
2. In the Act the air pollution is defined as – any solid,
liquid or gaseous substances in air which is or may be
harmful to living creatures, building, property or
Environment.
3. It provide powers and functions to control pollution
through Control boards of central and state level.
1. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
2. State Pollution Control Board (SPCB)
4. SPCB can declare an area as “Air Pollution Central
Area”. Ex.- Near hospitals, colleges & courts where no
industry can establish.
5. Set Air/Water quality parameters.
6. Set emission standards for Automobiles (efficient
stand. For water)
7. “Appelate Authority” is for appeal by aggrieved party
(As Bas of jurisdiction for Environment cases)
8. Regular Inspection and audits for Environment
protection & Management.
9. Imprisonment upto five years and penalty five of upto 1
lakh rupees is there for defaulters (Environment
polluters.)
The Water (Prevention and control of
Pollution) Act-1974
This Act. Include:-

1. The Indian Fisheries Act.

2. The river boards Act.

3. The merchant shipping Act.

4. The “Coastal Regulation Zone”

notification.
1. It is applicable to whole India.
2. As defined in Act Water pollution means
contamination of water by changing physical,
chemical or biological properties of water by
any discharge…… which is injurious to public,
animals, plant or aquatic organisms.
3. It provide for maintenance and restoration of
quality of all types of surface and ground
water.
Salient features - Same as in Air Pollution Act
except use word ‘water’ in place of Air.
 Environment Protection Act – 1986 (EPA – 1986)
It is an “Umbrella act” covering all types of
environmental pollution.

-- Act gives powers to central and state government

through Central and State pollution Control Boards for 

1. Protection and improvement of whole environment (air,

water, land, wildlife, forests etc.)

2. Control and reduce pollution from all sources including

hazardous wastes also.

3. Restrict or strictly prohibit the operation of any industry

on environmental grounds.
Objectives of CPCB and SPCB under EPA-1986
a) Set standards for quality of air, water and land.
b) Set maximum permissible limits of pollutants. Use of
ecofriendly or green technology.
c) Location of Industry.
d) Handling of Hazardous wastes.
e) Safe guard and remedial measures for accidents
f) Environment Impact assessment (EIA) report and
Effluent treatment plant (ETP) is necessary for industry.
g) Environmental audits (with penalty) for complying rules
& laws for Environmental protection