Environmental

Pollution
Pratham Singh,
Soumyadeep Pal
Political Science(Hons), 1st year
Delhi University, Kirori Mal College

Submitted to Dr Leena Singh

Table of contents

01 02 03
Air Soil Water
Air Pollution: Causes, Soil Pollution: Causes, Water Pollution: Sources,
Types, Effects, Prevention. Prevention Control. Effects, Control

04
Noise
Noise Pollution: Sources,
Effects, Prevention.
 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
What causes Air Pollution
Following are the important causes of air pollution:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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
5. 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.
6. 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.
Effects of Air Pollution
The hazardous effects of air pollution on the environment include:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
 Types of Pollutants
Primary Pollutants
Secondary The pollutants that
directly cause air
Pollutants pollution are known as
primary pollutants.
The pollutants formed by the Sulphur-dioxide emitted
intermingling and reaction of from factories is a
primary pollutants are known primary pollutant.
as secondary pollutants.
Smog, formed by the
intermingling of smoke and
fog, is a secondary pollutant.
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.

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.

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.
Soil
Pollution
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.
What causes Soil Pollution
The different types of pollutants that are found in contaminated soil are listed in this subsection:
1. 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. These metals can originate from several sources such as
mining activities, agricultural activities, and electronic waste (e-waste), and medical waste
2. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (often abbreviated to PAHs) are organic compounds that Contain only carbon
and hydrogen atoms or
A. Contain more than one aromatic ring in their chemical structures.
B. 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.
3. 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.
A. Chlorinated industrial solvents
B. Dioxins are produced from the manufacture of pesticides and the incineration of waste.
C. Plasticizers/dispersants
D. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
4. Pesticides
Pesticides are substances (or mixtures of substances) that are used to kill or inhibit the growth of pests.
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
How can soil pollution be controlled
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
 Water
Pollution
Water pollution can be defined as the contamination of
water bodies. Water pollution is caused when water bodies
such as rivers, lakes, oceans, groundwater and aquifers
get contaminated with industrial and agricultural
effluents.
When water gets polluted, it adversely affects all lifeforms
that directly or indirectly depend on this source. The
effects of water contamination can be felt for years to
come.
Sources of Water
Pollution
The key causative of water pollution in India are:

A. Urbanization.
B. Deforestation.
C. Industrial effluents.
D. Social and Religious Practices.
E. Use of Detergents and Fertilizers.
F. Agricultural run-offs- Use of insecticides
and pesticides.
 Effects of Water Pollution
The effect of water pollution depends upon the type of pollutants and their concentration.
Also, the location of water bodies is an important factor to determine the levels of pollution.

A. Water bodies in the vicinity of urban areas are extremely polluted. This is the result of
dumping garbage and toxic chemicals by industrial and commercial establishments.
B. Water pollution drastically affects aquatic life. It affects their metabolism, and behaviour,
and causes illness and eventual death. Dioxin is a chemical that causes a lot of problems
from reproduction to uncontrolled cell growth or cancer. This chemical is bioaccumulated
in fish, chicken and meat. Chemicals such as this travel up the food chain before entering
the human body.
C. The effect of water pollution can have a huge impact on the food chain. It disrupts the food
chain. Cadmium and lead are some toxic substances, these pollutants upon entering the
food chain through animals (fish when consumed by animals, humans) can continue to
disrupt at higher levels.
D. Humans are affected by pollution and can contract diseases such as hepatitis through
faecal matter in water sources. Poor drinking water treatment and unfit water can always
cause an outbreak of infectious diseases such as cholera, etc.
The ecosystem can be critically affected, modified and destructured because of water
pollution.
Control measures of water
Prevention
1. Water pollution, to a larger extent, can be controlled by a variety of methods. Rather than releasing
sewage waste into water bodies, it is better to treat them before discharge. Practising this can
reduce the initial toxicity and the remaining substances can be degraded and rendered harmless
by the water body itself. If the secondary treatment of water has been carried out, then this can be
reused in sanitary systems and agricultural fields.

2. A very special plant, the Water Hyacinth can absorb dissolved toxic chemicals such as cadmium
and other such elements. Establishing these in regions prone to such kinds of pollutants will
reduce the adverse effects to a large extent.

3. Some chemical methods that help in the control of water pollution are precipitation, the ion
exchange process, reverse osmosis, and coagulation. As an individual, reusing, reducing, and
recycling wherever possible will advance a long way in overcoming the effects of water pollution.
Noise Pollution
Noise is the unpleasant and undesirable sound
which leads to discomfort in human beings. The
intensity of sound is measured in decibels (dB).
The faintest sound that the human ear can hear is 1
Db. Due to increasing noise around the civilizations,
noise pollution has become a matter of concern.
Some of its major causes are vehicles, aircraft,
industrial machines, loudspeakers, crackers, etc.
When used at high volume, some other appliances
also contribute to noise pollution, like television,
transistor, radio, etc.
Sources of Noise pollution
Following are the causes and sources of noise pollution:

● Industrialisation: Industrialisation has led to an increase in noise pollution as the use of

heavy machinery such as generators, mills, huge exhaust fans are used, resulting in the
production of unwanted noise.

● Vehicles: Increased number of vehicles on the roads are the second reason for noise pollution.

● Events: Weddings, public gatherings involve loudspeakers to play music resulting in the
production of unwanted noise in the neighbourhood.

Construction sites: Mining, construction of buildings, etc add to the noise pollution.
Effects of Noise Pollution
Noise pollution can be hazardous to human health in the following ways::
1. Hypertension
It is a direct result of noise pollution which is caused due to elevated blood levels for a longer duration.

2. Hearing loss
Constant exposure of human ears to loud noise that are beyond the range of sound that human ears can
withstand damages the eardrums, resulting in loss of hearing.

3. Sleeping disorders
Lack of sleep might result in fatigue and low energy level throughout the day affecting everyday activities.
Noise pollution hampers the sleep cycles leading to irritation and an uncomfortable state of mind.

4. Cardiovascular issues
Heart-related problems such as blood pressure level, stress and cardiovascular diseases might come up in a
normal person and a person suffering from any of these diseases might feel a sudden shoot up in the level.
Prevention of noise
Pollution
Some noise pollution preventive measures are provided in the points below:

Honking in public places like teaching institutes, hospitals, etc. should be

banned.

In commercial, hospital, and industrial buildings, adequate soundproof systems

should be installed.

Musical instruments’ sound should be controlled to desirable limits.

Dense tree cover is useful in noise pollution prevention.

Explosives should not be used in forest, mountainous and mining areas.

Conclusion Environmental pollution is causing a lot of distress not only to
humans but also animals, driving many animal species to
endangerment and even extinction.

The transboundary nature of environmental pollution makes it

even more difficult to manage it - you cannot build brick walls
along the borders of your country or put customs cabins at every
point of entry to regulate its flows into your country.

Everything on our planet is interconnected, and while the nature

supplies us with valuable environmental services without which
we cannot exist, we all depend on each other's actions and the
way we treat natural resources.

It's widely recognized that we are hugely overspending our current

budget of natural resources - at the existing rates of its
exploitation, there is no way for the environment to recover in
good time and continue "performing" well in the future.

Perhaps we should adopt a holistic view of nature - it is not an

entity that exists separately from us; the nature is us, we are an
inalienable part of it, and we should care for it in the most
appropriate manner. Only then can we possibly solve the problem
of environmental pollution.
Resources
Here are all the Resources used to make this project:

● nrdc.org
● climatekids.nasa.gov
● byjus.com
● google.com
● youtube.com
● sciencedirect.com
● eea.europa.eu

Thank you!