Unit 3: Environmental Pollution and Health

“Pollution is the introduction of substances (or energy) that cause adverse changes in the
environment and living entities .”
Pollution need not always be caused by chemical substances such as particulates (like smoke
and dust). Forms of energy such as sound, heat or light can also cause pollution. These
substances that cause pollution are called pollutants.
Pollution, even in minuscule amounts, impacts the ecological balance. Pollutants can make
their way up the food chain and eventually find their way inside the human body. Read on to
explore the types of pollution and their implications.
Types of Pollution
As stated before, there are different types of pollution, which are either caused by natural
events (like forest fires) or by man-made activities (like cars, factories, nuclear wastes, etc.)
These are further classified into the following types of pollution:
 Air Pollution
 Water Pollution
 Soil Pollution
 Noise Pollution
Besides these 4 types of pollution, other types exist such as light pollution, thermal pollution
and radioactive pollution. The latter is much rarer than other types, but it is the deadliest.

Point Source vs. Nonpoint Source Pollution

Point Source Pollution

Point sources release pollutants from discrete conveyances, such as a discharge pipe, and are
regulated by federal and state agencies. The main point source dischargers are factories and
sewage treatment plants, which release treated wastewater.
Nonpoint Source Pollution
Nonpoint source pollution is a combination of pollutants from a large area rather than from
specific identifiable sources such as discharge pipes. Runoff is generally associated with
nonpoint source pollution, as water is emptied into streams or rivers after accumulating
contaminants from sources like gardens, parking lots or construction sites.
Air Pollution
Air pollution refers to any physical, chemical or biological change in the air. It is the
contamination of air by harmful gases, dust and smoke which affects plants, animals and
humans drastically.
There is a certain percentage of gases present in the atmosphere. An increase or decrease in
the composition of these gases is harmful to survival. This imbalance in the gaseous
composition has resulted in an increase in earth’s temperature, which is known as global
warming.
Types of Air Pollutants
There are two types of air pollutants:
Primary Pollutants
The pollutants that directly cause air pollution are known as primary pollutants. Sulphur-
dioxide emitted from factories is a primary pollutant.
Secondary Pollutants
The pollutants formed by the intermingling and reaction of primary pollutants are known as
secondary pollutants. Smog, formed by the intermingling of smoke and fog, is a secondary
pollutant.
Causes of Air Pollution
Following are the important causes of air pollution:
Burning of Fossil Fuels
The combustion of fossil fuels emits a large amount of sulphur dioxide. Carbon monoxide
released by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels also results in air pollution.
Automobiles
The gases emitted from vehicles such as jeeps, trucks, cars, buses, etc. pollute the
environment. These are the major sources of greenhouse gases and also result in diseases
among individuals.
Agricultural Activities
Ammonia is one of the most hazardous gases emitted during agricultural activities. The
insecticides, pesticides and fertilisers emit harmful chemicals in the atmosphere and
contaminate it.
Factories and Industries
Factories and industries are the main source of carbon monoxide, organic compounds,
hydrocarbons and chemicals. These are released into the air, degrading its quality.
Mining Activities
In the mining process, the minerals below the earth are extracted using large pieces of
equipment. The dust and chemicals released during the process not only pollute the air, but
also deteriorate the health of the workers and people living in the nearby areas.
Domestic Sources
The household cleaning products and paints contain toxic chemicals that are released in the
air. The smell from the newly painted walls is the smell of the chemicals present in the paints.
It not only pollutes the air but also affects breathing.
Effects of Air Pollution
The hazardous effects of air pollution on the environment include:
Diseases
Air pollution has resulted in several respiratory disorders and heart diseases among humans.
The cases of lung cancer have increased in the last few decades. Children living near polluted
areas are more prone to pneumonia and asthma. Many people die every year due to the direct
or indirect effects of air pollution.
Global Warming
Due to the emission of greenhouse gases, there is an imbalance in the gaseous composition of
the air. This has led to an increase in the temperature of the earth. This increase in earth’s
temperature is known as global warming. This has resulted in the melting of glaciers and an
increase in sea levels. Many areas are submerged underwater.
Acid Rain
The burning of fossil fuels releases harmful gases such as nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides
in the air. The water droplets combine with these pollutants, become acidic and fall as acid
rain which damages human, animal and plant life.
Ozone Layer Depletion
The release of chlorofluorocarbons, halons, and hydrochlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere
is the major cause of depletion of the ozone layer. The depleting ozone layer does not prevent
the harmful ultraviolet rays coming from the sun and causes skin diseases and eye problems
among individuals.

Effect on Animals
The air pollutants suspend in the water bodies and affect aquatic life. Pollution also compels
the animals to leave their habitat and shift to a new place. This renders them stray and has
also led to the extinction of a large number of animal species.
Air Pollution Control
Following are the measures one should adopt, to control air pollution:
Avoid Using Vehicles
People should avoid using vehicles for shorter distances. Rather, they should prefer public
modes of transport to travel from one place to another. This not only prevents pollution, but
also conserves energy.
Energy Conservation
A large number of fossil fuels are burnt to generate electricity. Therefore, do not forget to
switch off the electrical appliances when not in use. Thus, you can save the environment at
the individual level. Use of energy-efficient devices such as CFLs also controls pollution to a
greater level.
Use of Clean Energy Resources
The use of solar, wind and geothermal energies reduce air pollution at a larger level. Various
countries, including India, have implemented the use of these resources as a step towards a
cleaner environment.
Other air pollution control measures include:
1. By minimising and reducing the use of fire and fire products.
2. Since industrial emissions are one of the major causes of air pollution, the pollutants
can be controlled or treated at the source itself to reduce its effects. For example, if
the reactions of a certain raw material yield a pollutant, then the raw materials can be
substituted with other less polluting materials.
3. Fuel substitution is another way of controlling air pollution. In many parts of India,
petrol and diesel are being replaced by CNG – Compressed Natural Gas fueled
vehicles. These are mostly adopted by vehicles that aren’t fully operating with ideal
emission engines.
4. Although there are many practices in India, which focus on repairing the quality of
air, most of them are either forgotten or not being enforced properly. There are still a
lot of vehicles on roads which haven’t been tested for vehicle emissions.
5. Another way of controlling air pollution caused by industries is to modify and
maintain existing pieces of equipment so that the emission of pollutants is minimised.
6. Sometimes controlling pollutants at the source is not possible. In that case, we can
have process control equipment to control the pollution.
7. A very effective way of controlling air pollution is by diluting the air pollutants.
8. The last and the best way of reducing the ill effects of air pollution is tree plantation.
Plants and trees reduce a large number of pollutants in the air. Ideally, planting trees in
areas of high pollution levels will be extremely effective.

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)

The NAAQS set by the CPCB are applicable to the whole country. The CPCB draws this
power from the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
 These standards are essential for the development of effective management of ambient
air quality.
 The first ambient air quality standards were developed in 1982 pursuant to the Air
Act.
  Later, in 1994 and 1998, these standards were revised. The latest revision to the
NAAQS was done in 2009 and this is the latest version being followed.
 The 2009 standards further lowered the maximum permissible limits for pollutants
and made the standards uniform across the nation. Previously, industrial zones had
less stringent standards as compared to residential areas.
 The compliance of the NAAQS is monitored under the National Air Quality
Monitoring Programme (NAMP). NAMP is implemented by the CPCB.
 The current standards (2009) comprise 12 pollutants as follows:
 Particulate Matter 10 (PM10)
 Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5)
 Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
 Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
 Carbon Monoxide (CO)
 Ozone (O3)
 Ammonia (NH3)
 Lead (Pb)
 Benzene
 Benzopyrene
 Arsenic
 Nickel
Water pollution: The contamination of water bodies such as rivers, lakes, etc. due to several
contaminants being discharged in them, directly or indirectly, is known as water pollution.
Water pollution has severe and hazardous impacts on our environment. In this article, we will
discuss the causes of water pollution.
Causes of Water Pollution
Contaminated water from households, industries, power plants, etc., results in the pollution of
water. Usually, they are polluted to the extent that they cause problems for humans and
animals.
Major causes of water pollution
Pathogens
One of the most severe pollutants is the disease-causing microorganisms called pathogens.
Pathogens are mostly bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. Although bacteria are considered
harmless if not beneficial, there are a few pathogenic bacteria as well, which enter the water
bodies through sewers and sanitation systems. The water-borne pathogens cause several
diseases such as diarrhoea, gastrointestinal illness, etc.
Organic Wastes
Organic water pollutants include food waste, detergents, leaves, grass, etc. They originate
from domestic sewage, discharge from food processing factories and farm wastes that reach
the water sources through runoff and pollute them. It is a fact that bacteria decompose
complex organic matter into the simple organic matter.
They consume oxygen which is dissolved in water. As the organic waste content in the water
increases, so does the count of decomposers. They use up a lot of oxygen which results in the
depletion of oxygen content in water. This adversely affects aquatic life.
Chemical Pollutants
Chemical pollutants include heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, etc., solvents
from industries, pesticide run-offs, oil spills from ships, etc. They are poisonous to aquatic
life forms and cause infertility and death. The metal wastes are dangerous to humans as well
when they get absorbed in our body. They can damage the nervous system, kidneys, etc.
International Standards for Drinking Water
The international standards for drinking water which must be followed are:
 Fluoride: Deficiency of fluoride causes tooth decay in humans. Water fluoridation is
a method which ensures controlled addition of soluble fluoride to the drinking water
supply to bring its concentration up to 1 ppm. However, excess fluoride causes
mottling of teeth and bone defects; so it is added only up to the safety limits.
 Lead: The water supply pipes, plumbing fittings, etc. either contain lead or are made
up of it. Excess lead has certain neurological effects. Long-term exposure can create
health risks for pregnant women and infants. It can also damage the liver, kidney, etc.
Thus, the permissible limit for lead concentration is 50 ppb only.
 Sulphate: Sulphate is often used for the control of algae in public water supply pipes.
They are also discharged from mines into the water. Some sulphates are highly
soluble in water. So even after water treatment, they may still be present in the water.
Although it is harmless at a moderate level, if its concentration exceeds 500 ppm in
 water, it can cause dehydration, diarrhoea, certain laxative effects and gastrointestinal
problems.
 Nitrate: Nitrates are used in fertilizers. They can reach surface and groundwater from
agricultural fields. If the concentration of nitrates exceeds 50 ppm in water,
the digestive system is affected. It also causes methemoglobinemia, commonly called
the blue baby syndrome.
 Other metals: There are some other metals such as iron, copper, aluminium, zinc,
etc., which have the permissible concentration of 0.2 ppm, 3 ppm, 0.2 ppm and 5 ppm
respectively.
The following table contains the drinking water standards issued by the World Health
Organization (WHO).
Effects of Water Pollution
Water pollution is defined as the introduction of foreign pollutants into a body of water.
These pollutants can cause illness or even death in the organisms that rely on the waterbody.
The effects of water pollution are typically severe. This is because water is able to dissolve
many substances. These substances easily enter the human body if the tainted water is
consumed.

Effects of Water Pollution are tremendous – Everything from human health to the
environment gets affected by water pollution
Besides affecting human health, the effects of water pollution can also impact biodiversity.
For instance, when large quantities of nutrients are introduced into a waterbody, a
phenomenon called eutrophication happens. This can result in the depletion of dissolved
oxygen in the affected water body, essentially killing fish and other aquatic organisms.
Effects of Water Pollution – Short term & Long term
Water pollution can bring about disastrous consequences – for instance, a factory that
pumped out a very toxic waste product into the sea directly contributed to causing
neurological illness to an entire town for many decades (The Minimata Incident). The
following are the effects of water pollution:
  Water pollution drastically affects human health; in fact, it can kill. In 2015 alone, a
study revealed that waterborne illnesses caused 1.8 million deaths worldwide.
 It can cause contamination of drinking water – thereby contributing to waterborne
illnesses.
 Water pollution also affects the ecosystem – it can cause a phenomenon called
eutrophication. This can cause fish and other aquatic organisms to die.
 Toxic elements dissolved in water can make their way to humans through fish or other
aquatic organisms.
 Water pollution also leaches chemicals into the soil that may impact the growth of
plants or other food crops.

What is Soil Pollution

Soil pollution refers to the contamination of soil with anomalous concentrations of toxic
substances.
It is a serious environmental concern since it harbours many health hazards. For example,
exposure to soil containing high concentrations of benzene increases the risk of contracting
leukaemia. An image detailing the discolouration of soil due to soil pollution is provided
below.
It is important to understand that all soils contain compounds that are harmful/toxic to human
beings and other living organisms. However, the concentration of such substances in
unpolluted soil is low enough that they do not pose any threat to the surrounding ecosystem.
When the concentration of one or more such toxic substances is high enough to cause damage
to living organisms, the soil is said to be contaminated.

The root cause of soil pollution is often one of the following:

  Agriculture (excessive/improper use of pesticides)
 Excessive industrial activity
 Poor management or inefficient disposal of waste
The challenges faced in soil remediation (decontamination of soil) are closely related to the
extent of soil pollution. The greater the contamination, the greater the requirement for
resources for remediation.
What are the Pollutants that Contaminate Soil?
Some of the most hazardous soil pollutants are xenobiotics – substances that are not naturally
found in nature and are synthesized by human beings. The term ‘xenobiotic’ has Greek roots
– ‘Xenos’ (foreigner), and ‘Bios’ (life). Several xenobiotics are known to be carcinogens. An
illustration detailing major soil pollutants is provided below.

The different types of pollutants that are found in contaminated soil are listed in this
subsection.
Heavy Metals
The presence of heavy metals (such as lead and mercury, in abnormally high concentrations)
in soils can cause it to become highly toxic to human beings. Some metals that can be
classified as soil pollutants are tabulated below.

Toxic Metals that Cause Soil Pollution

Arsenic Mercury Lead

Antimony Zinc Nickel

 Cadmium Selenium Beryllium

Thallium Chromium Copper

These metals can originate from several sources such as mining activities, agricultural
activities, and electronic waste (e-waste), and medical waste.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (often abbreviated to PAHs) are organic compounds that
1. Contain only carbon and hydrogen atoms.
2. Contain more than one aromatic ring in their chemical structures.
Common examples of PAHs include naphthalene, anthracene, and phenalene. Exposure to
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons has been linked to several forms of cancer. These organic
compounds can also cause cardiovascular diseases in humans.
Soil pollution due to PAHs can be sourced to coke (coal) processing, vehicle emissions,
cigarette smoke, and the extraction of shale oil.
Industrial Waste
The discharge of industrial waste into soils can result in soil pollution. Some common soil
pollutants that can be sourced from industrial waste are listed below.
 Chlorinated industrial solvents
 Dioxins are produced from the manufacture of pesticides and the incineration of
waste.
 Plasticizers/dispersants
 Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
The petroleum industry creates many petroleum hydrocarbon waste products. Some of these
wastes, such as benzene and methylbenzene, are known to be carcinogenic in nature.
Pesticides
Pesticides are substances (or mixtures of substances) that are used to kill or inhibit the growth
of pests. Common types of pesticides used in agriculture include
 Herbicides – used to kill/control weeds and other unwanted plants.
 Insecticides – used to kill insects.
 Fungicides – used to kill parasitic fungi or inhibit their growth.
However, the unintentional diffusion of pesticides into the environment (commonly known as
‘pesticide drift’) poses a variety of environmental concerns such as water pollution and soil
pollution. Some important soil contaminants found in pesticides are listed below.
Herbicides
 Triazines
 Carbamates
 Amides
 Phenoxyalkyl acids
 Aliphatic acids
Insecticides
 Organophosphates
 Chlorinated hydrocarbons
 Arsenic-containing compounds
 Pyrethrum
Fungicides
 Mercury-containing compounds
 Thiocarbamates
 Copper sulfate
These chemicals pose several health risks to humans. Examples of health hazards related to
pesticides include diseases of the central nervous system, immune system diseases, cancer,
and birth defects.
Cause of Soil Pollution
Soil pollution can be broadly classified into two categories –
 Naturally caused soil pollution
 Anthropogenic soil pollution (caused by human activity)
Natural Pollution of Soil
In some extremely rare processes, some pollutants are naturally accumulated in soils. This
can occur due to the differential deposition of soil by the atmosphere. Another manner in
which this type of soil pollution can occur is via the transportation of soil pollutants with
precipitation water.
An example of natural soil pollution is the accumulation of compounds containing the
perchlorate anion (ClO4–) in some dry, arid ecosystems. It is important to note that some
contaminants can be naturally produced in the soil under the effect of certain environmental
conditions. For example, perchlorates can be formed in soils containing chlorine and certain
metals during a thunderstorm.
Anthropogenic Soil Pollution
Almost all cases of soil pollution are anthropogenic in nature. A variety of human activities
can lead to the contamination of soil. Some such processes are listed below.
 The demolition of old buildings can involve the contamination of nearby soil with
asbestos.
 Usage of lead-based paint during construction activities can also pollute the soil with
hazardous concentrations of lead.
 Spillage of petrol and diesel during transportation can contaminate soils with the
hydrocarbons found in petroleum.
 Activities associated with metal casting factories (foundries) often cause the
dispersion of metallic contaminants into the nearby soils.
 Underground mining activities can cause the contamination of land with heavy
metals.
 Improper disposal of highly toxic industrial/chemical waste can severely pollute the
soil. For example, the storage of toxic wastes in landfills can result in the seepage of
the waste into the soil. This waste can go on to pollute groundwater as well.
 Chemical pesticides contain several hazardous substances. Excessive and inefficient
use of chemical pesticides can result in severe soil pollution.
 Sewage produced in urbanized areas can also contaminate soil (if not disposed of
correctly). These wastes may also contain several carcinogenic substances.
Other forms of waste that can pollute soil include nuclear waste, e-waste, and coal ash.
Negative Consequences of Soil Pollution
Soil pollution harbours a broad spectrum of negative consequences that affect plants, animals,
humans, and the ecosystem as a whole. Since children are more susceptible to diseases,
polluted soil poses a greater threat to them. Some important effects of soil pollution are
detailed in this subsection.
Effects on Human Beings
Soil contaminants can exist in all three phases (solid, liquid, and gaseous). Therefore, these
contaminants can find their way into the human body via several channels such as direct
contact with the skin or through the inhalation of contaminated soil dust.
The short term effects of human exposure to polluted soil include
 Headaches, nausea, and vomiting.
 Coughing, pain in the chest, and wheezing.
 Irritation of the skin and the eyes.
 Fatigue and weakness.
A variety of long-term ailments have been linked to soil pollution. Some such diseases are
listed below.
 Exposure to high levels of lead can result in permanent damage to the nervous system.
Children are particularly vulnerable to lead.
 Depression of the CNS (Central Nervous System).
 Damage to vital organs such as the kidney and the liver.
 Higher risk of developing cancer.
It can be noted that many soil pollutants such as petroleum hydrocarbons and industrial
solvents have been linked to congenital disorders in humans. Thus, soil pollution can have
several negative effects on human health.
Effects on Plants and Animals
Since soil pollution is often accompanied by a decrease in the availability of nutrients, plant
life ceases to thrive in such soils. Soils contaminated with inorganic aluminium can prove
toxic to plants. Also, this type of pollution often increases the salinity of the soil, making it
inhospitable for the growth of plant life.
Plants that are grown in polluted soil may accumulate high concentrations of soil pollutants
through a process known as bioaccumulation. When these plants are consumed by herbivores,
all the accumulated pollutants are passed up the food chain. This can result in the
loss/extinction of many desirable animal species. Also, these pollutants can eventually make
their way to the top of the food chain and manifest as diseases in human beings.
Effects on the Ecosystem
 Since the volatile contaminants in the soil can be carried away into the atmosphere by
winds or can seep into underground water reserves, soil pollution can be a direct
contributor to air and water pollution.
  It can also contribute to acid rain (by releasing huge quantities of ammonia into the
atmosphere).
 Acidic soils are inhospitable to several microorganisms that improve soil texture and
help in the decomposition of organic matter. Thus, the negative effects of soil
pollution also impact soil quality and texture.
 Crop yield is greatly affected by this form of pollution. In China, over 12 million tons
of grain (worth approximately 2.6 billion USD) is found to be unfit for human
consumption due to contamination with heavy metals (as per studies conducted by the
China Dialogue).
Control of Soil Pollution
Several technologies have been developed to tackle soil remediation. Some important
strategies followed for the decontamination of polluted soil are listed below.
 Excavation and subsequent transportation of polluted soils to remote, uninhabited
locations.
 Extraction of pollutants via thermal remediation – the temperature is raised in order to
force the contaminants into the vapour phase, after which they can be collected
through vapour extraction.
 Bioremediation or phytoremediation involves the use of microorganisms and plants
for the decontamination of soil.
 Mycoremediation involves the use of fungi for the accumulation of heavy metal
contaminants.

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key causes of soil pollution

Some common causes of soil pollution are listed below,
  Improper disposal of industrial waste: industries are believed to be one of the leading
causes of soil pollution due to improper management and disposal of the toxic wastes
generated during industrial activities.
 Excessive and inefficient usage of pesticides and fertilizers: the agriculture industry
makes extensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides for the growth and
maintenance of crops. However, excessive and inefficient use of these toxic chemicals
can seriously contaminate the soil.
 Petroleum or diesel spills: leaks in fuel transportation pipes can cause fuel spills.
These fuels are known to contain toxic hydrocarbons which can cause soil
contamination.
 limited use of chemical pesticides must also be advocated.

Noise Pollution:

Noise can be defined as unwanted sound or sound in the wrong place at wrong time.
Noise can also be defined as any sound that is undesirable because it interfere, with speech
and hearing, is intense enough to damage hearing, or is otherwise annoying. Noise pollution
has an adverse effect on human being and their environment. It can also disturb natural wild
life and ecological systems. So noise pollution can be defined as:

“The unpleasant, high intensity and annoying nature sound is known as noise
pollution.”

Fig-2.2: Noise Pollution

Measurement of intensity of noise:

 The unit of measurement of sound is called as ‘decibel’ (db). The range of this
scale extends between 1 and 140 db. When it is less than 1 db we can’t hear it and when it is
more than 140 db we can’t stand to it.

Noise level of various sources of sound

S.No. Sources of sound Sound level(db)

1 Normal Breathing 10
2 Rustling of leaves 20
3 Whispering sound 30
4 Library 35
5 Living Room 45
6 Normal Conversation 55-60
7 Telephone 60-70
8 Alarm Clock 80
9 Normal Traffic 50-90
10 Train whistle 110
11 Rock Band 110-115
12 Running motor cycle 115-120
13 Commercial jet aircrafts 120-140
14 Sirens And Loudspeakers 150
15 Space Rocket at Launching 170-180

Source of Noise Pollution:-

The harmful noise is produced at various sources. Following are some
major sources of noise pollution:-

Transport activities : Automobiles, Railways and aeroplanes

etc.
Industrial activities : Textile industries, Steel Rolling industries,
woodcutting mills and pneumatic industries etc.
Cultural activities : Religious programmes, marriage functions,
festivals and public speeches etc.
Agricultural activities : Threshers and Tractors etc.
Mining activities : Blasting
Defense activities : Bombs, aeroplanes, tanks, Gunfire’s and army
exercises etc.
Domestic activities : Television, Radio, Tape recorders and mixer
grinders etc.
Other Sources : Stone crushing, constructions of dams, tunnels,
roads. Landslides and earthquakes are the
natural sources of noise pollution.

Effects of Noise Pollution:-

The noise pollution creates temporary as well as permanent problems in the
human beings. The noise pollution can have physical, physiological and psychological
effects:-

1) Physical Effects:

 Temporary hearing problems

 Permanent deafness
 Damage to tympanic membrane
1) Physiological Effects

 Loss of memory
 Headache
 Rise in blood pressure
 Pains in the heart
 Reduction in the vision
 Nervous break down
 Muscular strain
 Increase in the rate of heart beat
1) Psychological Effects
 Irritation
 Disturbed sleep
 Reduced efficiency
 Depression
 Fatigue
 Frustration
 Emotional disturbance

Fig-2.2.2: Effects of Noise Pollution

Control of Noise Pollution:

Noise pollution could be controlled by either reducing the noise at the
sources or by preventing its transmission or by protecting the receivers:
At the Source:
 Reduction in sources of noise
 Proper oiling will reduce the noise from machinery
 Tightening the loose nuts
 Decibel meters should be installed along highways and in factories to check and
control the intensity of noise pollution.

In the path:
 A green belts effectively reduces the noise.
 A 20 foot wide plantation inside the compound protects the house from the noise of
vehicular traffic.
 Use of noise absorbing silencers
 Through Laws
 For people working in noisy installations ear protection aids such as ear plugs, ear
muffs noise helmets and headphones should be used.

Noise exposure level standards:

Generally acceptable noise level for different outdoor and indoor locations are
illustrated
in the table
Location Acceptable noise level range (db)
Out door
Rural 25-35
Residential 35-45
Business 45-50
City 45-55
Industrial Area 50-60

In door
Radio, T.V., Studio, Hospital and classroom 25-30
Apartments, Hotel and conference rooms 35-40
Private offices 40-45
Public rooms, stores and banks 45-50

Permissible exposure limits to various sound levels

Noise level (db) Permissible duration exposure

(Hours per day)
90 8
95 4
100 2
105 1
110 ½
115 ¼

Thermal Pollution:
Thermal pollution is basically the form of water pollution that refers to
degradation of water quality by any process that changes ambient water temperature.

Thermal pollution may be defined as:

1- The warming up of an aquatic ecosystem to point where desirable organisms are

adversely affected.
1- Addition of excess of undesirable heat to water that makes it harmful to man, animal
or aquatic life, or otherwise causes significant departures from the normal activities of aquatic
communities in water.
2- Heated effluent, either from natural or man made sources, contaminated with water
supplies, may harmful to life because of their toxicity, reduction in normal oxygen level of
water, aesthetically unsuitable and spread diseases.

Fig-2.3: Thermal Pollution

Causes Of Thermal Pollution:
(i) A common cause of thermal pollution is the use of water as a coolant by power plants
and industrial manufacturers. When water used as a coolant is returned to the natural
environment at a higher temperature the change in temperature impacts organisms by :

(a) Decreasing supply,

(b) Affecting ecosystem composition

(i) Urban runoff-storm water discharged to surface waters from roads and parking lots--
can also be a source of elevated water temperatures.
Effects of Thermal Pollution:
 The change in water temperature decreases the amount of oxygen in the water which
can lead to many negative ecological effects.
 Less oxygen in the water can harm fish population, for instance it can increase the
metabolic rate of fish and other aquatic animals so they eat lot more food in a shorter time
than if their environment were not changed. This can lead to imbalance in food chain
resulting in significant damage to many aquatic ecosystems.
 Warmer water temperatures can also lead to reproduction problems for many aquatic
animals, and can cause huge bacteria and plant growth. It can even lead to algal bloom
resulting in even less oxygen in the water.
 Industry doesn't always return water at higher temperatures, sometimes the water can
return to its natural environment at lower temperatures. Colder water can have even more
serious consequences to fish population than warmer water, as it can completely disrupt their
reproduction ability.
Control Measures of Thermal Pollution:

Thermal pollution from industrial sources is generated mostly by power plants,

petroleum refineries, pulp and paper mills, chemical plants, steel mills and smelters. Heated
water from these sources may be controlled with:

 Cooling ponds, man-made bodies of water designed for cooling by evaporation,

convection, and radiation.
 Cooling towers, which transfer waste heat to the atmosphere through evaporation
and/or heat transfer.
 Some facilities use once-through cooling (OTC) systems which do not reduce
temperature as effectively as the above systems. For example, the Potrero Generating Station
in San Francisco, which uses OTC, discharges water to San Francisco Bay approximately 10°
C (20° F) above the ambient bay temperature.
Urban runoff: During warm weather, urban runoff can have significant thermal impacts on
small streams, as storm water passes over hot parking lots, roads and sidewalks. Storm water
management facilities that absorb runoff or direct it into groundwater, such as bio-retention
systems and infiltration basins, can reduce these thermal effects. Retention basins tend to be
less effective at reducing temperature, as the water may be heated by the sun before being
discharged to a receiving stream.
Introduction to nuclear Hazards: “The physical pollution of air, water and soil caused by
radioactive materials”. Nuclear Pollution happens when Radioactive element come into
contact with other elements in environment & emits “Alpha & Gamma rays”(Short Wave
Electromagnetic Rays) Which is serious threat to living organisms. The Phenomenon of
“Nuclear Fission” creates a nuclear pollution.
Some radioactive elements occur as natural minerals in earth’s crust. Uranium,
which is mined for use in atomic weapons and in nuclear power plants, is one such element.
A radioisotope is form of chemical element that spontaneously undergoes radioactive decay.
It changes from one isotope to another and during this process; emits one or more forms of
radiation. Some radioisotopes undergo a series of decay finally reaching a stable non-
radioactive isotope.

Fig-3.1 Nuclear Hazards:

CAUSES OF NUCLEAR POLLUTION:

 Use of nuclear weapon against civil population during war or conflict.

 Use of radioactive material by terrorists who seems to be adopting newer methods to
further their cause b adopting violence as a tool to cause disturbance in societies.
 Accident at nuclear power plants resulting in release of nuclear radiation.
 Transportation accidents, which involve nuclear material.
 Improper or deficient disposal of radioactive material.
 Nuclear Power Plants.
 Nuclear Experiments.
 Nuclear Accidents.
 Disposal of nuclear waste in the environment.
 Varying concentrations of radiations enter the human body during different medical
treatments. For e.g. X-rays are common for detecting skeleton disorders, therapy for cancer
patients often includes radium and other isotope radiations.

Effect of Nuclear Pollution:

Effects on Living Organisms:
 Skin Diseases.
 Damages of reproductive organs.
 Causes Abnormality in Bone Marrow.
 Destroys Retina Of Eyes.
 Shortening of Life Span.
 In high doses, radiation can cause instant death.
 Tumors, cancers and developmental changes are other long term effects of radiation
pollution.
 Some cells are more vulnerable to injury by radiations, for example
 Activity of growing cells
 Bone marrow cells which produce blood corpuscles.
 Cells lining the intestine
 Foetus or embryo
 The pollutants which happen to fall in the fields find their way into cattle grazing on
the plants growing in these fields. Children who drink the milk of such cattle get Leukemia
because the radioactive pollutants like strontium 90 gets deposited in the bones in the same
manner as calcium does and causes bone cancer.

Control & Measures:

 Proper maintenance of nuclear plants.
 Preventive nuclear experiments.
 Safe transportation.
 Ban on usage of nuclear weapons.
 Proper storage: High activity solid wastes are placed in shielded containers.
 Minimize use of nuclear elements.
 Extraction of radioactive elements from nuclear waste.
 Adequate protection should be given to limit the exposure to desired part of the body.
 Avoid routine use of X-rays such as
 Chest radiography
 Tuberculosis screening by chest radiography
 Chest and lower back X-ray examinations

Solid Waste Management It can be defined as:- “A method of collection processing,

resource recovery and disposal of the solid waste is called as solid waste management”.
Contents of solid waste:
In general the following unwanted objects are fall in the category of solid waste:-
 Waste arises from Industrial and the thermal power generating plants.
 Waste arising from the construction work and also from demolishing the old
constructions.
 Domestic waste consist the garbage like food and vegetable residues.
 The hospital waste covers both the organic waste like organs, tissues etc. and also
inorganic material like bottles, rubber tubes bandages ,syringes and tins etc.
 The urban waste has plastic, broken glass, rubber, metals, wood and ceramic products
etc.
 The atomic waste is generated in the atomic power generating plants, which is very
toxic as it is radioactive.

Causes of Solid Waste Generation:-

 Overpopulation: Growth in the population having consumption based economy, it
generates more waste material i.e. use and throw policy.
 Advance Technology: Leading to large scale production of consumable food.
 Urbanization: Expansion of urban areas need more buildings, more roads, railways,
airways, more shopping centers and malls, bridges and dams etc. Their construction and
demolishing the old buildings create a lot of waste material.
 Affluence: With the affluence, there is a tendency to declare items as being in or out
of fashion and the items those are out of fashion results solid waste pollution.
 Advent of packaging technology: Due to which almost every item is packed before
sale.
 The municipal and private hospitals also create a huge amount of solid waste.
 The private as well as the public transport system also responsible for generating
material like used tires, broken seats and the hood of the vehicles etc.

Effects Of Solid Wastes:

 Solid waste disposal increases the rate of breeding disease vectors, primarily flies and
rats.
 There is danger of water pollution when the leachate from a solid waste dump enters
surface water and underground water resource.
 In addition, uncontrolled burning of open dumps can cause objectionable odor and air
pollution.
 The solid waste material chokes the surface streams and also the drainage pipes which
creates water logging conditions.
 The aesthetic beauty of the urban settlement is lost due to the heaps of the solid waste
which get spread over a large area by the pigs and other animals.
 The various diseases which get spread through contaminated solid waste are as
follows:
 Bacterial infections create Typhoid fever and cholera etc.
 Viral infections create Polio and jaundice etc.
 Protozoal infections create the amoebic dysentery.

Control Measures:
The solid waste generation cannot be totally stopped but can be put under
control. The following are some of the measures and method to control the solid waste:
 By reducing the generation of domestic garbage.
 By making the laws and by following them the waste material generation on the
public places like streets, gardens play grounds, picnic spots and sea beaches etc. can be put
under control.
 By using dustbins for the collection of the domestic wastes, office wastes and shop
wastes etc.
 Solid wastes need technical methods for getting disposed off. The methods are being
applied in various countries each one of them has some advantages and few limitations. The
methods are as follows:
Open dumping:
Open dumping of solid waste is very common, cheap and it requires on technical detailing.
Generally low lying areas of the outskirts of towns and cities are used for this purpose. The
open dumps cause public health problems by encouraging the breeding of flies, rats,
mosquitoes and other pests.
They also become a source of irritable smell and cause air pollution when the paste burnt in
order to reduce their volume and conserve space.
Pulverization: Amongst all the disposable methods of solid waste, pulverization method,
being costly and least preferred. In this method, the solid waste is covered to powder form by
grinding. It thus becomes almost odourless and of reduced volume. After this treatment, the
waste may be used as manure or for landfilling.

Sanitary Land filling: Sanitary land filling is an engineered operation design and operated
according to the acceptable standards. In this method, waste is sprayed and compacted in thin
layers within small areas. This layer structure is usually called as cell. To allow for a proper
compaction, the cell depth should not exceed more than 2 m. The ‘cells’ is than covered with
a layer of soil which is spread uniformly and then compacted. To provide an adequate seal,
the seal, the cover should normally at least 20 cm thick. If the waste includes large irregular
objects it may be necessary to increase the thickness of the cover. When a number of ‘cell’
reach the final desired height, a final cover of about one matter is placed and is again
compacted.

Incineration: Incineration involves the burning of solid waste at high temperature, left over
ashes plus metals and un burnt combustible amount reduced to nearly 25% of the original
waste. This residue must still be disposed of in the same manner the incineration leads to air
pollution unless the plant is designed, equipped and operated to comply with air pollution
standards. The non- combustible material are removed from waste by gravity or magnetic
separation. Many of the separated materials, fine glass or metals can be recycled. Air
pollution can be controlled by installation of proper controlling equipment.

Composting: In contrast to sanitary land filling, composting of waste materials is an aerobic

method. Many types of micro organisms are present in the waste; stabilize the organic matter
in the waste to produce soil conditioner. The organisms include bacteria, fungi and
actinomycetes.
Initially the process starts with mesophillic bacteria which oxidizes the organic matter
in the waste CO2 and liberate heat. The temperature raises to about 450C and at this point the
thermophillic bacteria takes over and continues the decomposition. During this phase, the
temperature rises to about 600C. The wastes are periodically turned over to allow sufficient
oxygen to penetrate to all parts of the waste to support aerobic life. After about three weeks,
the compost is stabilized. The end point of a composting operation can be measured by
nothing a drop in temperature. The composting materials should have typical smell and dark
brown colour.
Pyrolysis: Transformation of a compound into smaller and simpler compounds, or
compounds of higher molecular weight, under elevated temperatures usually in the range of
400°C to 800°C to as high as 1400°C. It differs from combustion in that it occurs in the
absence of air and therefore no oxidation takes place.