Environmental Pollution

• Environmental pollution: types, causes, effects

and controls; Air, water, soil and noise
pollution

• Nuclear hazards and human health risks

• Solid waste management: Control measures of
urban and industrial waste.

• Pollution case studies.

 POLLUTION
Definition
Pollution is an undesirable change in
physical, chemical and biological
characteristics of our land, air or water
caused by excessive accumulation of
pollutants (i.e. Substances which cause
pollution).

KINDS OF POLLUTION
The pollution is of four major types namely
air pollution, water pollution, land
pollution and noise pollution.

In terms of origin it may be natural or

anthropogenic (man-made).
 AIR POLLUTION
Degradation of air quality and natural
atmospheric condition constitute air
pollution. The air pollutant may be a gas or
particulate matter.
Air pollutants and their effects
Particulate matter – it comprises of small
suspended particles such as soot, dust, pesticides,
etc., and biological agents such as spores, pollen
and dust mites. It causes respiratory ailments such
as asthma, chronic bronchitis, etc.,

Carbon monoxide – is a product of incomplete

combustion of fossil fuels in automobiles. It is
highly poisonous to most animals. When inhaled,
carbon monoxide reduces the oxygen carrying
capacity of blood.
 Air pollutants and their effects

Hydrocarbons – hydrocarbons such as methane,

are evolved from soil microbes (methanogens) in
flooded rice fields and swamps. They are also
generated during the burning of coal and petroleum
products.

Sulphur dioxide – is released from oil refineries

and ore smelters which use the sulphur containing
fuels. It causes harmful effects on plants and animals.
It causes chlorosis (loss of chlorophyll) and necrosis
(localised death of tissues). In human, it causes health
problems such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema.

Nitrogen oxides – It causes reddish brown haze

(brown air) in traffic congested city air which contributes to heart
and lung problems.
 Secondary effects of air pollution
Photochemical smog – Smog is a mixture of
smoke and fog. It is formed in the atmosphere
under the influence of sunlight by the
photochemical reactions of hydrocarbons, oxides
of nitrogen and oxygen, resulting in the formation
of PAN (Peroxy Acetyl Nitrate).

PAN damages the chlorophyll and thus reduces

photosynthesis and growth. It also causes acute
irritation of eyes and throat. Visibility of the
surrounding is reduced due to smog.

Acid rain – gases such as Sulphur di oxide and

Nitrogen oxides are oxidized to form sulphuric and
nitric acids along with water, and precipitate as
acid rain. It damages building materials, plants and
animals. It also makes the soil acidic
 Cont
rol
of
air
pollu
tion
1 The particulates
. emitted by industries
should be controlled
by devices such as
scrubbers,
precipitators and
 filters.
2 Use of unleaded or low
. sulphur fuel is to be
encouraged.
3 Shifting to non-
. conventional
sources of energy
(e.g solar energy, hydel
energy, tidal energy,
etc.,) in order
to reduce the
dependance of
conventional sources.
4 Smoking in public
. places should be
prohibited, because
the cigarette
smoke contains
carcinogens such as
benzopyrene. An
average smoker
runs the risk of
developing heart and
lung diseases.
5 Planting of trees along
. the road sides and
around industrial
areas.
 WATER POLLUTION
Water pollution is defined as the
adding of unwanted substances or
the change of physical and
chemical characteristics of water in
any way which makes it unfit for
human consumption.

It is caused by waste products of

industries (effluents), domestic
sewage, oil spillage, agricultural
and industrial run off etc.,
 Sources and effects of water pollution
Industrial wastes –The industrial
effluents containing heavy metals and
chemicals such as arsenic,
cadmium, copper, chromium,
mercury, zinc, nickel, etc,. are
directly released into the water
bodiessuch as lakes, ponds and rivers
without proper treatment.

These wastes contaminate the water

bodies and make them unsuitable for
human consumption.

Hot water is another noted pollutant

from industries.
 Sources and effects of water pollution..
1. Many industries use water as a coolant
for the machinery and release of hot
waste water into the water bodies
causing thermal pollution which affect
both the plant and animal life.
2. The surface run off - the surface run off
from agricultural land is contaminated
with pesticides and residues of
inorganic fertilizers.
3. The run off from urban and industrial
are rich in organic and
inorganic compounds. These
pollutants contaminate both surface
and ground water resources.

Sources and effects of water pollution...

4. Oil spills – An oil spill is an accidental
discharge of petroleum products in oceans
and estuaries from capsized oil tankers,
offshore drilling and exploration operations.
It can cause drastic damage to the marine
and coastal bio diversity.
5. Domestic Sewage – It is rich in organic
matter and detergents. Decomposition of
organic matter increases the nutrient
content of the water bodies.

6. Availability of excess nutrients results in algal

bloom on the surface of water resulting
in the deficiency of oxygen content (BOD –
Biological Oxygen Demand). This in turn
leads to the death of aquatic
organisms. This process is known as
Eutrophication.

Control of water pollution

1. Sewage treatment plants should be
installed to treat sewage
before releasing into water bodies.

2. Excessive use of pesticides, herbicides and

fertilizers should be avoided.
3. Biological control of insect pests and
organic farming is to be followed in
order to reduce the dependence on
pesticides and inorganic fertilizers.

4. By legislation and strict enforcement.

5. By creating social awareness among
people about the water pollution and
the need for pure water.
 SOIL POLLUTION
Soil pollution is the
unfavorable alteration of soil
by the addition or removal of
substances which decrease
soil productivity and ground
water quality.

It usually results from

different human activities like
dumping of waste, use of agro
chemicals, mining operations
and urbanization .
SOIL POLLUTION : Causes and effects
• The industrial solid waste and sludge
contain toxic organic and inorganic
compounds as well as heavy metals.
• The radio active waste from nuclear power
plants and nuclear explosions also
contaminate the soil.
• Fly ash contains fine particulates which
are released from thermal power plants. It
settle on the ground and cause pollution.
• The domestic waste is rich in organic
matter and undergo decomposition.
• The hospital waste contains a variety of
pathogens that can seriously affect human
health.
 SOIL POLLUTION : Causes and effects
Agriculturalchemicals such as
pesticides, insecticides and
inorganicfertilizersmay pollute
drinkingwaterand can change
the chemicalpropertiesof the
soil adverselyaffectingthe soil
organisms.
 CONTROL OF SOIL POLLUTION
• Management of soil wastes include
collection and categorization of wastes.
Recovery of resources like scrap metals,
plastics, etc., for recycling and reuse and safe
disposal with a minimum
environmental hazards is to be followed.
• Other notable methods of waste disposal
include incineration (burning in the
presence of oxygen) and pyrolysis
(burning in the absence of oxygen).
• Afforestation and reforestation should be
undertaken on a large scale to prevent soil
erosion and loss of soil nutrients.
 RADIOACTIVE POLLUTION
The emission of protons, electrons and
electromagnetic radiations released
by the disintegration of radioactive
substances such as radium,
thorium, uranium, etc,. cause air, water
and land pollution.

Effects :-
• The ionising radiations can cause
mutations.
• Strontium-90 accumulates in bones causing
bone cancer.
• Iodine-131 candamage bone marrow,
spleen, lymph nodes and can cause
leukemia (blood cancer).
RADIOACTIVE POLLUTION
: PREVENTIVE MEASURES
• Care shouldbe takento prevent
the leakage of radioactive
substances from nuclear
reactors.
• Radioactive wastes should be
disposedoff safely.
• Strict measures should be
followed in the construction
and maintenance of nuclear
powerplantsto preventnuclear
accidents.
• Controlor preventionof nuclear
tests.
 NOISE POLLUTION
• Noise may be defined as an
unwanted and unpleasant
sound that may have
adverse effects on animals
and humans.

• The unit of sound level is

decibels (db).

• Noise level above 120 db is

considered harmful to
human beings.
 NOISE POLLUTION..
Sources
• The different sources associated with noise pollution are
industrial machinery, road, rail and air transport,
loudspeakers, construction equipments, household appliances,
crackers, etc,.

Effects
• Noise seriously affects heartbeat, breathing, and can cause
constriction of blood vessels.
• It can cause headache, sleeplessness, irritability and may
seriously affect the productive performance of human.
 NOISE POLLUTION…
• Loud noises (above 130 db) can cause damage to the
ear drum, hair cells of cochlea (organ of hearing) and
thereby resulting in temperory or permanent loss of
hearing.
• It can also seriously affect the concentration of students
while learning.
NOISE POLLUTION: Control
measures
• The industries should be established
away from residential areas.
• Trees should be planted along roadside
or highways to reduce noise levels.
• The industrial machinery and motor
vehicles should be properly maintained
in order to minimize the noise.
• The use of loudspeakers and bursting
of crackers should be restricted.
• Effort must be made to create
awareness among people about the
harmful effects of noise and the need
to control it.
 Waste Generation in India
• India produces 55 million tons of municipal solid waste annually at
present.
• Per capita generation of waste varies from 200 gm to 600 gm per
capita / day.
• Average generation rate at 0.4 kg per capita per day in towns.
• Collection efficiency ranges between 50% to 90% of the solid waste
are generated.
WHAT IS SOLID WASTE?
• Solid or semi-solid material (including WASTE is a any material,
gases and liquids in containers) which Thrown away” regarded as
useless and unwanted
are non soluble in nature are solid (at a certain time and place)
waste.
• Solid waste includes agricultural
refuse, demolition waste, industrial
waste, mining residues, municipal
garbage, sewage sludge, etc.

Bio-degradable: can be degraded

paper, wood, fruits and others)

Non-biodegradable: cannot be
degraded plastics, bottles,
oldmachines, containers and others)
 TYPES OF SOLID WASTE
• Solid waste can be classified into
different types depending on their
source:
• Household waste or municipal waste:
includes food, paper, cardboard, plastic,
textiles, leather, glass, metal, ashes,
electronics waste etc.
• Industrial waste: includes toxic chemicals,
oil, debris from construction site,
packaging waste, ashes etc.
• Biomedicalwaste or hospital waste:
medicine bottles, expired
medicines, syringes, medical
instruments such as scissors,
blades etc.

TYPES OF SOLID WASTE

Agricultural waste: includes pesticides,
crops, water coming from the fields also
consists of small amount of toxic chemicals.
Nuclear waste: includes radioactive
substances comingfrom reactors, fuel
(uranium, thorium, plutonium etc). Its
highly dangerous and requires proper
disposal.
Hazardous waste: includes toxic chemical,
acids, corrosive, ignitable and reactive materials, gases etc.
SOLID WASTE COMPOSITION
MAGNITUDE OF PROBLEM
• Per capita waste generation increasing by 1.3% per
annum
• With urban population increasing between 3 – 3.5% per
annum
• Yearly increase in waste generation is around 5%
annually India produces 42.0 million tons of municipal
solid waste annually at present.
• Per capita generation of waste varies from 200 gm to 600
gm per capita / day.
• Collection efficiency ranges between 50% to 90% of the
solid waste generated.

Municipal Solid Waste in India

• 30% - 55% Compostable / Biodegradable Matter
 (can be converted into manure)

• 40% - 45% Inert material

(to go to landfill)

• 5% - 10% Recyclable materials

( Recycling )

• These percentages vary from

city to city depending on food
habits
New Delhi:
Capital of India
 HOSPITAL WASTES

Non Infectious Infectious

Biodegradable Non Biodegradable Non Sharps Sharps

Solids Liquids

Incinerable Non Incinerable

(Autoclave, Microwave )
COLOUR CODING
 COLOUR TYPE OF WASTE TREATMENT OPTIONS
CODING CONTAINER CATEGORY as per Schedule I
Yellow Plastic Bag Cat.. 1, 2, 3 and 6 Incineration / deep burial

Red Disinfected Cat. 3, 6, and 7 Autoclaving /

container / Plastic Microwaving / Chemical
Bag Treatment
Blue / White Plastic Bag / Cat. 4, Cat. 7 Autoclaving /
Translucent puncture proof Microwaving / Chemical
container treatment and
destruction shredding
Black Plastic Bag Cat. 5, 9 and 10 Disposal in secured
(Solid) landfill

E-waste
•

E-waste comprises of waste

electronics goods which
are not fit for their
originally intended use.
 • Such electronics goods
may be television,
telephones, radios,
computers, printers, fax
machines, DVDs and
CDs etc.

33

TOXIC CHEMICALS IN E-WASTE

• Lead – Affects Central and
 Peripheral Nervous system, Kidney
Damage, Inhibits oxygen carrying
capacity of blood
• Cadmium – Toxic, stores in Kidney, Neural damage
• Mercury – Chronic damage to brain, Respiratory and
skin disorders
• Chromium – DNA disorders, Asthma
• Barium – Muscle weakness, kidney damage
• Beryllium – Lung cancer, beryllicosis, skin diseases
• PVC – Hormonal problems, Reproductive issues
• Massive awareness to consumers
• Setting up of more collection centers and collection points
• Manufactures responsibility to provide good standard materials and
assurance for recycling
• Fair Trade principles
• More recycling units by providing subsidized financial supports
• Proper training to Workers dealing recycling units
• Ban on importing e-waste from other countries
• Proper monitoring and evaluation system by the regulators in all levels
• Sell or dump of e-waste only to government authorized recyclers
• Green and energy efficient devices by the manufactures
• Donate used electronics to charitable organizations
• Recovery of valuable metals like Cu, Al, Au, and Ag through recycling •
Use of available best strategies

Methods of Waste Disposal

• Landfills
• Incineration
• Source reduction
• Composting
• Recycling
 Land filling
• Most municipal solid
waste in
India is deposited in
landfills
• It is the most
traditional method of
waste disposal
• Source of groundwater
pollution
• Waste is directly
dumped into disused
quarries, mining voids
or borrow pits.
• It is generally used for
domestic waste
 Incineration
 Prior to 1940, incineration was common in North America
and western Europe.
 Many incinerators were eliminated because of foul odors
and gritty smoke
 Currently, about 15% of municipal solid waste is
incinerated.
Incineration
Pros: Cons:
– Reduce volume 90%, • Create air pollution weight 75% •
Concentrates toxins in ash
– Heat from burning • More costly than landfills,
converted to electricity as long as space available
 Composting
• Harnessingnaturaldecomposition to transform
organic material into compost
• Materials such as plants, food scraps, and
paper products can be decomposed into the
organic matter.

• The organic matter that is produced from recycling

can be agricultural uses.
• Usually this method of recycling is done by
putting the materials in a container and let
to stay there until it decomposes.

OCEAN DUMPING
• Ocean dumping is the dumping or placing of materials in
the ocean, often on the continental shelf.
• A wide range of materials is involved, including carbage
construction and demolition debris, sewage sludge,
dredge material, waste chemicals, and nuclear waste.
• Sometime hazardous and nuclear waste are also
disposed but these are highly dangerous for aquatic life
and human life also.
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• Convenient • There are three main direct public
• Inexpensive health risks from ocean dumping:
• Source of nutrients for • Occupational accidents, injuries
fishes and marine and exposures
mammals. • exposure of the public to
• Vast amount of space is hazardous or toxic materials
available. washed up on beach sand.
• All type of wastes are • human consumption of marine
disposed. organisms that have been
contaminated by ocean disposal.
• Highly dangerous for aquatic life.
 Recycling
• It is basically processing or
conversion of a waste item into
usable forms.
• Recyclable materials include
many kinds of glass, paper, metal,
plastic, textiles, and electronics.
• But recycling is not a solution to
managing every kind of waste
material.
• For many items like plastic bags,
plastic wrap, yogurt cups, margarine container etc. recycling
technologies are unavailable or unsafe.
 Recycling
Benefits
 Saves money, raw materials, and
land.

 Encourages individual responsibility.

 Reduces pressure on disposal

systems.

 Japan recycles about half of all

household and commercial wastes.

 Lowers demand for raw resources.

 Reduces energy consumption and

air pollution.
 Recycling Benefits, Incentives
• Recycling saves money,energy, raw materials, and land
space, while also reducing pollution.
• Recycling encourages individual awareness and
responsibility.
• Japan - probably the most successful recycling program in the
world
• Creating incentives for recycling public policies, consumer
demand
• Some make a living by gathering up recyclables!!
 Radioactive Organic Inorganic
contaminants contaminants metal contaminants
Poplar tree Brake fern
Sunflower Willow tree Indian mustard

Landfill
Polluted Oil
groundwater spill
in Polluted
Soil Decontaminated leachate Soil
water out Groundwater
Groundwater
Rhizofiltration Phytodegradation Phytoextraction
Plants such as poplars
Roots of plants such assunflowers with danglingroots on ponds or in green-houses can absorb pollutants
PhytostabilizationPlants such as willowtrees and poplars canabsorb chemicals and can absorb toxic
organicchemicals and breakthem down into less Roots of plants such as Indian mustard and brake ferns can
absorb toxic metals such as lead, arsenic, and others and

harmful compounds
such as radioactive strontium- keep them from store them in their leaves. 90 and
which they store or
cesium-137 and various reaching groundwater Plants can then be recycled organic chemicals.
or nearby surface release slowly into the air. or harvested and incinerated. water.

MAIN ISSUES

• ABSENCE OF SEGREGATION OF WASTE AT SOURCE

• LACK OF TECHNICAL EXPERTISE AND

APPROPRIATE INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT

• UNWILLINGNESS TO INTRODUCE PROPER

COLLECTION, SEGREGATION, TRANSPORTATION
AND TREATMENT / DISPOSAL SYSTEMS

• INDIFFERENT ATTITUDE OF CITIZENS TOWARDS

 WASTE MANAGEMENT DUE TO LACK OF AWARENESS

• LACK OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION TOWARDS

WASTE MANAGEMENT AND HYGIENIC CONDITIONS