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Pollution and Its Control

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Pollution and it’s Control

1. CONCEPT OF POLLUTION
• Pollution is any undesirable change in physical, chemical or biological characteristics of air,
land, water or soil. Agents that bring about such an undesirable change are called as
pollutants.

• A pollutant may be defined as a physical, chemical or biological substance unintentionally


released into the environment which is directly or indirectly harmful to humans and other living
organisms.

2. KINDS OF POLLUTION
• On the basis of place of occurrence

On the basis of part of environment where it occurs, it can be classified into three types –

➢ Air pollution

➢ Water pollution and

➢ Soil pollution

• On the basis of physical nature

On the basis of physical nature of pollutants i.e. gases, particulate matters, temperature, noise,
radioactivity etc., it can be classified as –

➢ Gaseous pollution

➢ Dust pollution

➢ Thermal pollution

➢ Noise pollution

➢ Radioactive pollution etc.

• On the basis of origin

On the basis of origin pollution can be –

➢ Natural (e.g., volcanic eruptions which add tons of toxic gases and particulate matters.)

➢ Anthropogenic (e.g., Man-made, such as industrial pollution and agricultural pollution.)

• On the basis of bio-degradation


From the ecosystem point of view pollutants can be categorized into –

➢ Biodegradable

Those pollutants which can be broken down into simpler, harmless, substances in nature in due
course of time (by the action of micro-organisms like certain bacteria) are called biodegradable
pollutants. Domestic wastes (garbage), urine, faecal matter, sewage, agriculture residues, paper,
wood, cloth, cattle dung, animal bones, leather, wool, vegetable stuff or plants are biodegradable
pollutants.

➢ Non-biodegradable

Those pollutants which cannot be broken down into simpler, harmless substances in nature are
called non-biodegradable pollutants. DDT, plastics, polythene, bags, insecticides, pesticides,
mercury, lead, arsenic, metal articles like aluminium cans, synthetic fibers, glass objects, iron
products and silver foils are non-biodegradable pollutants.

Air pollution

Air pollution may be defined as the presence of any solid, liquid or gaseous substance including noise
and radioactive radiation in the atmosphere in such concentration that may be directly and indirectly
injurious to humans or other living organisms, plants, property or interferes with the normal
environmental processes.

Sources of air pollution

There are four main types of air pollution sources:

• Mobile sources – such as cars, buses, planes, trucks, and trains etc.

• Stationary sources – such as power plants, oil refineries, industrial facilities, and factories etc.

• Area sources – such as agricultural areas, cities, and wood burning fireplaces etc.

• Natural sources – such as wind-blown dust, wildfires, and volcanoes etc.

Types of air pollutant

Air pollutants are of two types-

1. Suspended particulate matter (suspended aerosols of solid and liquid), and

2. Gaseous pollutants like carbon dioxide (CO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) etc.

Primary and secondary pollutants

Primary Pollutants are injected into the atmosphere directly. Examples include:

• Carbon monoxide (CO): An odourless, colourless, poisonous gas created by incomplete


combustion (especially bad with older cars) generates headaches, drowsiness, fatigue, can result in
death.

NOTE: Carbon Monoxide poisoning is a toxic condition that results from inhaling and absorbing
carbon monoxide gas. Carbon monoxide gas can cause a frightening variation of the normal
haemoglobin-oxygen equilibrium. Carboxy-haemoglobin is produced opposed to haemoglobin which
appears redder thus one symptom of carbon monoxide poisoning is a red face. Haemoglobin and
oxygen have weaker bonds compared to carbon monoxide and haemoglobin where the bonds are
approximately 300 times stronger.

• Oxides of nitrogen (NOx): NO - nitric oxide emitted directly by automobiles and industry.
• Sulphur oxides (Sox): SO2 sulphur dioxide produced largely through coal burning and responsible
for acid rain problem.

• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): Highly reactive organic compounds release through
incomplete combustion and industrial sources.

• Particulate matter: (dust, ash, salt particles) -bad for lungs.

Secondary Pollutants form in the atmosphere through chemical and photochemical reactions from
the primary pollutants. Examples are: Sulphur trioxide, nitrogen dioxide, aldehydes, ketones, ozone etc.

• Nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons are two primary pollutants released from automobiles but in
the presence of sunlight, they react to form peroxyacyl nitrate (PAN) and ozone, two secondary
pollutants which are far more toxic than the primary pollutants from which they are derived. This
phenomenon of increased toxicity by chemical interaction among the pollutants is known as
Synergism.

• Examples include:

• Sulphuric acid H2SO4 - can cause respiratory problems

• Nitrogen dioxide NO2 -gives air a brownish coloration

• Ozone O3 -a colourless gas, has a sweet smell, is an oxidizing agent - lung tissue to rubber products,
and irritates the eyes and damages plant leaf.

• PAN (peroxyacyl nitrate) damages chloroplast in plant and irritates eyes.

Acid rain:

• Acid rain refers to a mixture of deposited material, both wet and dry, coming from the atmosphere
containing more than normal amounts of nitric and sulfuric acids. It is easily defined as rain, fog,
sleet or snow that has been made acidic by pollutants in the air as a result of fossil fuel and
industrial combustions that mostly emits Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and Sulphur Dioxide (SO2).
• Acidity is determined on the basis of the pH level of the water droplets. Normal rain water is slightly
acidic with a pH range of 5.3-6.0, because carbon dioxide and water present in the air react together
to form carbonic acid, which is a weak acid. When the pH level of rain water falls below this range,
it becomes acid rain.

• Acid rain generally leads to weathering of buildings, corrosion of metals, and peeling of paints on
surfaces.

• Erupting volcanoes contains some chemicals that can cause acid rain. Apart from this, burning of
fossil fuels, running of factories and automobiles due to human activities are few other reasons
behind this activity.

Smog and photochemical smog: Smog is a kind of air pollution, originally named for the mixture of
smoke and fog in the air. Classic smog results from large amounts of coal burning in an area and is
caused by a mixture of smoke and sulfur dioxide. In the 1950s a new type of smog, known as
Photochemical Smog, was first described.

So now at least two distinct types of smog are recognized:

• Sulfurous smog and

• Photochemical smog.

Sulfurous smog, which is also called “London smog,” results from a high concentration of sulfur oxides
in the air and is caused by the use of sulphur-bearing fossil fuels, particularly coal. This type of smog is
aggravated by dampness and a high concentration of suspended particulate matter in the air.

Photochemical smog, which is also known as “Los Angeles smog,” occurs most prominently in urban
areas that have large numbers of automobiles and requires neither smoke nor fog. This type of smog
has its origin in the nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbon vapours emitted by automobiles and other
sources, which then undergo photochemical reactions in the lower atmosphere.

The main components of photochemical smog are nitrogen oxides, Volatile Organic
Compounds (VOCs), tropospheric ozone, and PAN (peroxyacetyl nitrate). All of these substances are
very chemically reactive and are irritating to humans and other living things. They tend to smell bad,
degrade materials, cause respiratory problems and illnesses, and irritate the eyes and other mucous
membranes.

CLASSICAL SMOG PHOTOCHEMICAL SMOG


Occurrence It occurs in a cool, humid climate. It occurs in a dry, sunny climate.
Components Smoke, fog, and Sulphur dioxide. PAN, acrolein, ozone, formaldehyde, nitric oxide.
Nature It is reducing in nature It is oxidizing in nature.

NAME OF POLLUTANT SOURCES HEALTH EFFECTS


SuIphur Oxides Thermal power plants and Eye and throat irritation, cough, allergies, impairs
industries enzyme function in respiratory system. Reduces
exchange of gases from lung surface.
Nitrogen Oxides Thermal power plant, industries Irritation and Inflammation of lungs, breathlessness,
and vehicles impairs enzyme function in respiratory system and
causes bronchitis and asthma.
Suspended Particulate Vehicular emissions and burning Lung irritation induces development of RBC and
Matter (SOM) of fossil fuels cause pulmonary malfunctioning.
Carbon Monoxide Vehicular emissions arid Difficulty in breathing, severe headaches, irritation
burning of fossil fuels to mucous membrane, unconsciousness and death
Carbon Dioxide Burning of fossil fuels Impairs reflexes, judgment and vision, severe
headaches and heart strain.
Smog Industries and vehicular Respiratory problems and intense irritation to the
pollution eyes.
Automobile emissions Breathlessness, asthma, wheeling, chest pain,
emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Chlorofluorocarbons Refrigerators, sprays, emissions Depletion of stratospheric ozone layer, global
from jets warming.
Hydrocarbons Burning of fossil fuels Carcinogenic effect on lungs, kidney damage,
hypertension, respiratory distress, irritation of eyes,
nose and throat, asthma, bronchitis and impairs
enzyme function in respiratory system.
Tobacco Smoke Cigarettes, cigars etc. Chronic bronchitis, asthma and lung cancer,
irritation of eyes, nose and throat.
Mercury Industries Nervous disorders, insomnia, memory loss,
excitability, irritation, tremor, gingivitis and
Minamata disease.
Lead leaded petrol emissions Damage to brain and central nervous system,
kidneys and brains, impaired intelligence and
interference with development of RBCs.
Cadmium Industries Affects the heart
Silica dust Silicon quarries Silicosis affects the lungs
Cotton dust Cotton textile facrorieii byssinosis involves destruction ot lung tissues,
chronic cough, bronchitis and emphysema.
Asbestos dust Asbestos mining, asbestos sheet Asbestosis which involves severe respiratory
manufacturing problems and may lead to cancer.
Radioactive pollutants Cosmic rays, x-rays, beta rays, Destroy living tissues and blood cells; affect cell
radon and radium membrane and cell enzyme functions, leukaemia,
and permanent genetic changes.
Coal dust and particles Coal mines Black lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis which lead to
respiratory failure.

Issue of Fly ash: Fly ash is one of the residues generated in the combustion of coal. Fly ash is generally
captured from the chimneys of coal-fired power plants, and is one of two types of ash that jointly are
known as coal ash; the other, bottom ash, is removed from the bottom of coal furnaces.

In the past, fly ash was generally released into the atmosphere, but pollution control equipment
mandated in recent decades now requires that it be captured prior to release.

Now it is utilized in manufacturing of Portland cement, bricks/blocks/tiles manufacturing, road


embankment construction and low-lying area development, etc. At present, 63 per cent of the fly ash is
being utilised and target is for 100 per cent utilisation of the fly ash.

• ASH TRACK a Web based monitoring System and mobile app for fly ash.
• Maharashtra Fly Ash Utilisation Policy, 2016-policy to convert fly ash for use in green building. The
fly ash will be used in laying roads and making construction material, bricks and wall panels.

Indoor air pollution: ‘Indoor air’ is air within a building such as your home, classroom, office, shopping
center, hospital or gym. We say ‘Indoor Air Pollution’ if indoor air is contaminated by smoke,
chemicals, smells or particles. Poor ventilation due to faulty design of buildings leads to pollution of the
confined space.

Paints, carpets, furniture, etc. in rooms may give out volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Use of
disinfectants, fumigants, etc. may release hazardous gases. In hospitals, pathogens present in waste
remain in the air in the form of spores. This can result in hospital acquired infections and is an
occupational health hazard.

In congested areas, slums and rural areas burning of firewood and biomass results in lot of smoke.
Children and ladies exposed to smoke may suffer from acute respiratory problems which include
running nose, cough, sore throat, lung infection, asthma, difficulty in breathing, noisy respiration and
wheezing.

Urban heat island: An urban heat island, or UHI, is a metropolitan area that's a lot warmer than the
rural areas surrounding it. Heat is created by energy from all the people, cars, buses, and trains in big
cities like New York, Paris, and London.

When houses, shops, and industrial buildings are constructed close together, it can create a UHI.

Building materials are usually very good at insulating, or holding in heat. This insulation makes the areas
around buildings warmer.

"Waste heat" also contributes to a UHI. People and their tools, such as cars and factories, are always
burning off energy, whether
they’re jogging, driving, or just
living their day-to-day lives. The
energy people burn off usually
escapes in the form of heat. And if
there are a lot of people in one
area, that's a lot of heat.
All this construction means waste
heat — and heat that escapes
insulation has nowhere to go. It
lingers in and between buildings in
the UHI.
Night-time temperatures in UHIs
remain high. This is because
buildings, sidewalks, and parking
lots block heat coming from the
ground from rising into the cold
night sky. Because the heat is
trapped on lower levels, the temperature is warmer.

Water quality also suffers. When warm water from the UHI ends up flowing into local streams, it stresses
the native species that have adapted to life in a cooler aquatic environment.

Categorization of Industries based on pollution: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change (MoEFCC) has developed the criteria of categorization of industrial sectors based on the
Pollution Index which is a function of the emissions (air pollutants), effluents (water pollutants),
hazardous wastes generated and consumption of resources.
The Pollution Index PI of any industrial sector is a number from 0 to 100 and the increasing value of PI
denotes the increasing degree of pollution load from the industrial sector.

Based on the series of brain storming sessions among CPCB, SPCBs and MoEFCC, the following criteria
on ‘Range of Pollution Index ‘for the purpose of categorization of industrial sectors is finalized.

• Industrial Sectors having Pollution Index score of 60 and above – Red category

• Industrial Sectors having Pollution Index score of 41 to 59 – Orange category

• Industrial Sectors having Pollution Index score of 21 to 40 – Green category

• Industrial Sectors having Pollution Index score include & up to 20 – White category

EFFORTS TAKEN TO REDUCE AIR POLLUTION


NAMP (National Air Quality Monitoring Programme): Central Pollution Control Board is executing a
nation-wide programme of ambient air quality monitoring known as National Air Quality Monitoring
Programme (NAMP).

The objectives of the N.A.M.P. are to determine status and trends of ambient air quality; to ascertain
whether the prescribed ambient air quality standards are violated; to Identify Non-attainment Cities; to
obtain the knowledge and understanding necessary for developing preventive and corrective measures
and to understand the natural cleansing process undergoing in the environment through pollution

dilution, dispersion, wind based movement, dry deposition, precipitation and chemical transformation
of pollutants generated.

Under N.A.M.P., four air pollutants viz. Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Oxides of Nitrogen as NO2, Respirable
Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM / PM10) and Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) have been
identified for regular monitoring at all the locations. The monitoring of meteorological parameters such
as wind speed and wind direction, relative humidity (RH) and temperature were also integrated with
the monitoring of air quality.

SAFAR: System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR)

SAFAR system for the air quality is developed by the Indian institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM),
Pune and weather information and forecasting is done by India Meteorological Department (IMD)
during commonwealth games in New Delhi 2010.
NAQI (National air quality index): ‘One Number- One Colour-One Description’: The proposed AQI
will consider eight pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3, and Pb) for which short-term (up to
24-hourly averaging period) National Ambient Air Quality Standards are prescribed.

There are six AQI categories, namely Good, Satisfactory, moderately polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and
Severe.

Based on the measured ambient concentrations, corresponding standards and likely health impact, a
sub-index is calculated for each of these pollutants.

WATER POLLUTION

Addition or presence of undesirable substances in water is called water pollution.

• Water pollution is caused by a variety of human activities such as industrial, agricultural and
domestic.

• Agricultural runoff laden with excess fertilizers and pesticides, industrial effluents with toxic
substances and sewage water with human and animal wastes pollute our water thoroughly.

• Natural sources of pollution of water are soil erosion, leaching of minerals from rocks and decaying
of organic matter. Rivers, lakes, seas, oceans, estuaries and ground water sources may be polluted
by point or non-point sources.

• When pollutants are discharged from a specific location such as a drain pipe carrying industrial
effluents discharged directly into water body it represents point source pollution.

• In contrast non-point sources include discharge of pollutants from diffused sources or from a larger
area such as run off from agricultural fields, grazing lands, construction sites, abandoned mines
and pits, roads and streets.

DEPLETION OF OXYGEN CONTENTS


• The aerobic bacteria present in water are responsible for the decomposition of organic matter.

• The amount of oxygen required for such biochemical decomposition is called the biological oxygen
demand.

• The quantity of oxygen utilized by the bacteria for the degradation of organic substance is called
BOD. Thus, BOD value can be used as an indicator of water pollution.

• Along with BOD, the quantity of dissolved oxygen in a water body (DO), indicates the quality of
aquatic life in a water system. Micro-organisms involved in biodegradation of organic matter in the
receiving water body consume a lot of oxygen, and as a result there is a sharp decline in dissolved
oxygen downstream from the point of sewage discharge

PROMOTION OF ALGAL GROWTH


• Presence of large amounts of nutrients in waters also causes excessive growth of planktonic (free-
floating) algae, called an algal bloom which imparts a distinct colour to the water bodies.
Stimulation of heavy algal growth and shift in the algal flora to the blue green algae, leading to the
formation of obnoxious blooms, floating scums or blankets of algae results into eutrophication.

• Most of the algal blooms do not seem to be utilized as food by the invertebrates or zooplankton,
thereby, minimizing the predatory control. Biological decomposition of such algal masses in turn
leads to oxygen depletion. In a poorly oxygenated condition, fish and other animal die and clean
river is turned into a stinking drain.

SPREAD OF INFECTIONS/DISEASES
• Micro-organisms, usually viruses, bacteria, some protozoans and helminths occur in water bodies
as a result of sewage disposal. Consumption of contaminated water causes water borne infectious
diseases.

• Water borne infectious diseases in human are:

➢ Viruses - Viral hepatitis, poliomyelitis etc.

➢ Bacteria - Cholera, typhoid, paratyphoid, dysentery, diarrhoea

➢ Protozoa - Amoebiasis, giardiasis

➢ Helminths - Roundworm, hookworm, threadworm.

INDUSTRIAL WATER POLLUTION

Industry is a huge source of water pollution; it produces pollutants that are extremely harmful to people
and the environment. Many industrial facilities use freshwater to carry away waste from the plant and
into rivers, lakes and oceans. Pollutants from industrial sources include:

• Asbestos: This pollutant is a serious health hazard and carcinogenic. Asbestos fibres can be
inhaled and cause illnesses such as asbestosis, lung cancer, intestinal cancer and liver cancer.

• Lead: This is a metallic element and can cause health and environmental problems. It is a non-
biodegradable substance so is hard to clean up once the environment is contaminated. Lead is
harmful to the health of many animals, including humans, as it can inhibit the action of bodily
enzymes.

• Mercury: This is a metallic element and can cause health and environmental problems. It is a non-
biodegradable substance so is hard to clean up once the environment is contaminated. Mercury is
also harmful to animal health as it can cause illness through mercury poisoning.

• Nitrates: The increased use of fertilisers means that nitrates are more often being washed from
the soil and into rivers and lakes. This can cause eutrophication, which can be very problematic to
marine environments.

• Phosphates: The increased use of fertilisers means that phosphates are more often being washed
from the soil and into rivers and lakes. This can cause eutrophication, which can be very
problematic to marine environments.

• Sulphur: This is a non-metallic substance that is harmful for marine life.

• Oils: Oil does not dissolve in water; instead, it forms a thick layer on the water surface. This can
stop marine plants receiving enough light for photosynthesis. It is also harmful for fish and marine
birds.

• Petrochemicals – This is formed from gas or petrol and can be toxic to marine life.

Agricultural water pollution:


• Agricultural sources

➢ Agricultural runoff contains dissolved salts such as nitrates, phosphates, ammonia and other
nutrients, and toxic metal ions and organic compounds.

➢ Fertilizers contain major plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

➢ Excess fertilizers may reach the ground water by leaching or may be mixed with surface water
of rivers, lakes and ponds by runoff and drainage.

➢ Pesticides include insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, nematicides, rodenticides and soil


fumigants. They contain a wide range of chemicals such as chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHCs.
E.g., DDT, Endosulfan etc.), organophosphates, metallic salts, carbonates, thiocarbonates,
derivatives of acetic acid etc. Many of the pesticides are non-degradable and their residues
have long life.

➢ The animal excreta such as dung, wastes from poultry farms, piggeries and slaughter houses
etc. reach the water though run off and surface leaching during rainy season.

Main sources: Runoff from barnyards, feedlots and cropland carries away manure, fertilizers,
ammonia, pesticides, livestock waste, oil, toxins from farm equipment, soil and sediment.

Agricultural nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is the leading source of water quality impacts to rivers and
lakes. Nitrogen from fertilizers, manure, waste and ammonia turns into nitrite and nitrate.

High levels of these toxins deplete waters of oxygen, killing all of the animals and fish.

Nitrates also soak into the ground and end up in drinking water. Health problems can occur as a result
of this and they contribute to methemoglobinemia or blue baby syndrome which causes death in
infants.

Oil Spills:

• Oil spills are most glaring of all oceanic pollution.

• The most common cause of oil spill is leakage during marine transport and leakage form
underground storage tanks. Oil spill could occur during off shore oil production as well.

Impact of oil spill on marine life:

• Oil being lighter than water covers the water surface as a thin film cutting off oxygen to floating
plants and other producers.

• Within hours of oil spill, the fishes, shellfish, plankton die due to suffocation and metabolic
disorders.

• Birds and sea mammals that consume dead fishes and plankton die due to poisoning. Death of
these organisms severely damages marine ecosystems.

Impact of oil spills on terrestrial life:

• Bays, estuaries, shores, reefs, beaches particularly near large coastal cities or at the mouth of rivers
are relatively more susceptible to the hazards of oil spills.
• A number of coastal activities, especially recreational such as bathing, boating, angling, diving,
rafting is affected. As a result, tourism and hotel business in the coastal areas suffers seriously.

Clean up and recovery:

• Clean up and recovery from an oil spill is difficult and depends upon many factors, including the
type of oil spilled, the temperature of the water (affecting evaporation and biodegradation), and
the types of shorelines and beaches involved.

• Methods for cleaning up include:

• Bioremediation: use of micro-organisms or biological agents to break down or remove oil

In situ bioremediation:

• In situ: It involves treatment of the contaminated material at the site.

• Bioventing: supply of air and nutrients through wells to contaminated soil to stimulate the growth
of indigenous bacteria. It is used for simple hydrocarbons and can be used where the
contamination is deep under the surface.

• Biosparging: Injection of air under pressure below the water table to increase groundwater oxygen
concentrations and enhance the rate of biological degradation of contaminants by naturally
occurring bacteria

• Bioaugmentation: Microorganisms are imported to a contaminated site to enhance degradation


process.

• Using bioremediation techniques, TERI has developed a mixture of bacteria called ‘Oil zapper and
Oilivorous-S’ which degrades the pollutants of oil contaminated sites, leaving behind no harmful
residues. This technique is not only environment friendly, but also highly cost-effective.

Ex situ bioremediation:

• Ex situ: It involves the removal of the contaminated material to be treated elsewhere.

• Land farming: contaminated soil is excavated and spread over a prepared bed and periodically
tilled until pollutants are degraded. The goal is to stimulate indigenous biodegrading
microorganisms and facilitate their aerobic degradation of contaminants.

• Biopiles: it is a hybrid of land farming and composting. Essentially, engineered cells are constructed
as aerated composted piles. Typically used for treatment of surface contamination with petroleum
hydrocarbons.

• Bioreactors: it involves the processing of contaminated solid material (soil, sediment, sludge) or
water through an engineered containment system.

• Composting: Composting is nature's process of recycling decomposed organic materials into a rich
soil known as compost.

• Controlled burning can effectively reduce the amount of oil in water, if done properly. But it can
only be done in low wind, and can cause air pollution.
Ground Water Pollution: Groundwater contamination occurs when man-made products such as
gasoline, oil, road salts and chemicals get into the groundwater and cause it to become unsafe and unfit
for human use. Materials from the land's surface can move through the soil and end up in the
groundwater.

For example, pesticides and fertilizers can find their way into groundwater supplies over time. Road
salt, toxic substances from mining sites, and used motor oil also may seep into groundwater. In
addition, it is possible for untreated waste from septic tanks and toxic chemicals from underground
storage tanks and leaky landfills to contaminate groundwater.

EFFECT OF WATER POLLUTION

1. On Aquatic Eco systems

Drinking contaminated groundwater can have serious health effects. Diseases such as hepatitis and
dysentery may be caused by contamination from septic tank waste. Poisoning may be caused by toxins
that have leached into well water supplies. Wildlife can also be harmed by contaminated groundwater.
Other long-term effects such as certain types of cancer may also result from exposure to polluted water.

Pollutant Sources of Pollutants Effects and Significance

1. Pathogens Sewage, human and animal wastes, Depletion of dissolved oxygen in


natural and urban runoff from land, water (foul odour) health effects
industrial waste (outbreaks of water borne diseases)

2. Organic pollutants Automobile and machine waste, Disruption of marine life, aesthetic
• Oil and grease tanker spills, offshore oil leakage damage Toxic effects (harmful for

• Pesticides and Chemicals used for better yield from aquatic life), possible genetic defects

weedicides agriculture and cancer, kills fish Eutrophication,

• Plastics Industrial and household waste aesthetics


Industrial and household waste
• Detergents

3. Inorganic pollutants Agricultural runoff AIgal bloom and eutrophication,


Fertilizers nitrates cause methemoglobinemia
(phosphates and
nitrates)

Acids and alkalies Mine drainage, industrial wastes, Kill fresh water organisms, unfit for
natural and urban runoff drinking, irrigation and industrial
use.

4. Radioactive materials Natural sources, uranium mining and Cancer and genetic defects
processing, hospitals and research
laboratories using radioisotopes

5. Heat Cooling water for industrial, nuclear Decreases solubility of oxygen in


and thermal plants water, disrupts aquatic ecosystems
6 Sediments Natural erosion, runoff from Affects water quality, reduces fish
agricultural land and construction population
sites

Eutrophication is a process by which a water body slowly becomes rich in plant nutrients such as
nitrates and phosphates due to soil erosion and run off from the surrounding land. Nutrients are
released from organic waste by aerobic (oxygen requiring) bacteria which start decomposing it.

Dissolved oxygen is consumed in this process. As more and more organic matter enters a water body,
more is the deoxygenation of the water body and larger is the production of nutrients. These nutrients
fertilize an abnormal growth of algae and other large water plants such as duckweed.

As more plants grow, some of them die also due to larger oxygen demand and therefore oxygen
deficiency in the water body (i.e., deoxygenation of the water body). Such a water body is said to be
eutrophic and the process is called eutrophication.

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD): The quality of oxygen used up by microorganisms at 27ºC and in
darkness during 3 days in breaking down organic wastes in a water body is called its biological oxygen
demand (BOD).

The BOD value of an aquatic system depends upon: the type and amount of organic waste, the
organisms acting on it, temperature and pH.

The greater the amount of organic waste in the water body, the greater is the amount of oxygen
required to break it down biologically and therefore higher is the BOD value of water. This value is a
good measure in evaluating the degree of pollution in a water body.
Bio-magnification:

• Increase in concentration of accumulated toxic chemicals as one goes higher in the food chain is
termed bio-magnification.

• Bio-magnification has at times threatened the reproduction and survival of carnivores (secondary
consumers) who occupy the highest level of the food chain.

• For example, DDT was sprayed in the U.S. to control mosquitoes at a concentration expected to be
harmless to non-target organisms like fish and birds. DDT accumulated in the marshes and
planktons. Planktons were eaten by fish and the fish had a higher concentration of DDT in its body.
Further, when birds ate the fish, they accumulated still higher concentration.
Some major disturbances in the ecosystem due to water pollution are –

Pollutant Sources Cause Effect

Nitrates, phosphates, Agricultural fertilizers, Plant nutrients Eutrophication


ammonium salts sewage, manure

Animal manure and plant Sewage, paper mills, food Oxygen deficiency Death of aquatic
residues processing wastes animals

Heat Power plants and industrial Thermal discharge Death of fish


cooling

Oil slick Leakage from oil ships Petroleum Death of marine life due to
non-availability of oxygen
dissolved in water

2. On Human Health

Lead pollution: Lead poisoning is a type of metal poisoning caused by lead in the body. The brain is
the most sensitive. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, constipation, headaches, irritability,
memory problems, inability to have children, and tingling in the hands and feet. It causes almost 10%
of intellectual disability of otherwise unknown cause and can result in behavioural problems. Some of
the effects are permanent.] In severe cases anaemia, seizures, coma, or death may occur.

Minamata disease: Minamata disease, sometimes referred to as Chisso-Minamata disease, is


a neurological syndrome caused by severe mercury poisoning. In extreme
cases, insanity, paralysis, coma and death follow within weeks of the onset of symptoms.
A congenital form of the disease can also affect foetuses.

Minamata disease was first discovered in Minamata City in Kumamoto prefecture, Japan in 1956.

In India Kodaikanal mercury poisoning is a proven case of mercury contamination by (Hindustan


Unilever) in the process of making mercury thermometers for export around the world.

Blue baby syndrome: "Blue baby syndrome" can be caused by methemoglobinemia. It is widely
believed to be caused by nitrate contamination in groundwater resulting in decreased oxygen carrying
capacity of haemoglobin in babies leading to death. The groundwater can be contaminated by leaching
of nitrate generated from fertilizers used in agricultural lands, waste dumps or pit latrines.

Itai-Itai (ouch-ouch): Itai-itai disease ("it hurts-it hurts disease") was the name given to the
mass cadmium poisoning of Toyama Prefecture, Japan, starting around 1912.

Black foot: Arsenic contamination of groundwater can occur by natural leaching of minerals and by
human activities. Inorganic arsenite is more toxic than arsenate which in turn is more toxic than
monomethylarsonic acid and dimethylarsinic acid.

Measures taken to Minimise Water Pollution


Legislative effort: It is important to utilise a good quality and unpolluted water. The quality criteria
may vary depending on the use. Individual efforts do pay in this regard, however, a common policy in
the form of legislation is always more effective. The enactment of ‘Prevention and Control of Water
Pollution Act’ in 1974 has helped in the prevention of water pollution.

National Water Quality Monitoring Programme:

• Presently the inland water quality-monitoring network is operated under a three-tier programme
i.e.

• Global Environment Monitoring System (GEMS),

• Monitoring of Indian National Aquatic Resources System (MINARS) and

• Yamuna Action Plan (YAP).

• Biomonitoring is also carried out on specific locations. In view of limited resources, limited numbers
of organic pollution related parameters are monitored i.e., micro pollutants (Toxic Metals & POPs)
are analysed once in a year to assess the water quality. The water quality data are reported in Water
Quality Status Year Book.

Land and soil pollution:

• Soil pollution is defined as the 'addition of substances to the soil, which adversely affect physical,
chemical and biological properties of soil and reduces its productivity.
• It is build-up of persistent toxic compounds, chemicals, salts, radioactive materials, or disease-
causing agents in soil which have adverse effects on plant growth, human and animal health.

SOURCES OF SOIL POLLUTION

Plastic bags:

• They accumulate in soil and prevent germination of seeds. They stay in soil for centuries without
decomposing (non-biodegradable).

• Burning of plastic in garbage dumps release highly toxic and poisonous gases like carbon
monoxide, carbon dioxide, phosgene, dioxins and other poisonous chlorinated compounds.

• Toxic solid residue left after burning remains in soil. The harmful gases enter soils through chemical
cycles.

Industrial sources:

• They include fly ash, metallic residues, mercury, lead, copper, zinc, cadmium, cyanides,
thiocyanates, chromates, acids, alkalies, organic substances, nuclear wastes etc.

• Large number of industrial chemicals soil and are known to create many health hazards including
cancer.

Pesticides:

• Pesticides are chemicals that include insecticides, fungicides, algicides, and rodenticides,
weedicides sprayed in order to improve productivity of agriculture, forestry and horticulture.

• Chlorohydrocarbons (CHCs) like DDT, endosulfan, heptachlor accumulate in soil and cause
biomagnification. Some of these pesticides like DDT and endosulfan are banned by most of the
countries.

Fertilizers and manures:

• Excessive use of chemical fertilizers reduces the population of soil borne organisms and the
crumb structure of the soil, productivity of the soil and increases salt content of the soil.

Discarded materials:

• It includes concrete, asphalt, rungs, leather, cans, plastics, glass, discarded food, paper and
carcasses.

Radioactive wastes:

• Radioactive elements from mining and nuclear power plants, find their way into water and then
into the soil.

Other pollutants:

• Many air pollutants (acid rain) and water pollutants ultimately become part of the soil and the soil
also receives some toxic chemicals during weathering of certain rocks.

Effects of Soil Pollution

Agriculture:
• Reduced soil fertility due to increase in alkalinity, salinity or pH.

• Reduced crop yield due to reduced fertility.

• Reduced nitrogen fixation due to the reduced number of nitrogen fixers.

• Increased erosion due to loss of forests and other vegetation.

• Run off due to deforestation cause loss of soil and nutrients.

• Deposition of silt in tanks and reservoirs due to soil erosion.

Health:

• Health effects are similar to effects of water pollution.

Environment:

• Ecological imbalance.

• Foul smell and release of gases.

• Waste management problems.

Control measures:

• More or less same as for water pollution

• Indiscriminate disposal of solid waste should be avoided.

• To control soil pollution, it is essential to stop the use of plastic bags and instead use bags of
degradable materials like paper and cloth.

• Sewage should be treated properly before using as fertilizer and as landfills.

• The organic matter from domestic, agricultural and other waste should be segregated and
subjected to vermicomposting which generates useful manure as a byproduct.

• The industrial wastes prior to disposal should be properly treated for removing hazardous
materials.

• Biomedical waste should be separately collected and incinerated in proper incinerators.

• Use of bio pesticides, bio fertilizers. Organic farming.

• Four R's: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

• Afforestation and Reforestation.

• Solid waste treatment.

• Reduction of waste from construction areas.

3. E – WASTE

• The discarded and end-of-life electronic products ranging from computers, equipment, home
appliances, audio and video products and all of their peripherals are popularly known as electronic
waste (E-waste).
• E-waste is not hazardous if it is stocked in safe storage or recycled by scientific methods or
transported from one place to the other in parts or in totality in the formal sector. The e-waste can,
however, be considered hazardous if recycled by primitive methods.

Source and health effects:

Particulars Source Health Effects

Lead causes damage to the central and peripheral


nervous systems, blood systems, kidney and
Used in glass panels and gaskets in reproductive system in humans. It also affects the
computer monitors endocrine system, and impedes brain
Lead
Solder in printed circuit boards and other development among children.
Components Lead tends to accumulate in the environment and
has high acute and chronic effects on plants,
animals and microorganisms.

Occurs in SMD chip resistors, infra-red


detectors, and semiconductor chips Toxic cadmium compounds accumulate in the
Cadmium
Some older cathode ray tubes contain human body, especially the kidneys.
cadmium

It is estimated that 22 % of the yearly world


Mercury can cause damage to organs including the
consumption of mercury is used in
brain and kidneys, as well as the foetus. The
electrical and electronic equipment
developing foetus is highly vulnerable to mercury
Mercury is used in thermostats, sensors,
exposure. When inorganic mercury spreads out in
Mercury relays, switches, medical equipment,
the water, it is transformed to methylated mercury
lamps, mobile phones and in batteries
which bio-accumulates in living organisms and
Mercury, used in flat panel displays, will
concentrates through the food chain, particularly
likely increase as their use replaces
via fish.
cathode ray tubes

Chromium VI is used as corrosion


protector of untreated and galvanized
steel plates and as a decorative or
hardener for steel housings Plastics
(including PVC): Dioxin is released when
Hexavalent
PVC is burned.
Chromium/ Chromium VI can cause damage to DNA and is
The largest volume of plastics (26%) used
Chromium extremely toxic in the environment.
in electronics has been PVC. PVC elements
VI 29
are found in cabling and computer
housings.
Many computer mouldings are now made
with the somewhat more benign ABS
plastics
Brominate
BFRs are used in the plastic housings of
d flame
electronic equipment and in circuit boards
retardants
to prevent flammability
(BFRs):

Barium is a soft silvery-white metal that is Studies have shown that short-term exposure to
Barium used in computers in the front panel of a barium causes brain swelling, muscle weakness,
CRT, to protect users from radiation damage to the heart, liver, and spleen.

Exposure to beryllium can cause lung cancer.


Beryllium is commonly found on
Beryllium also causes a skin disease that is
motherboards and finger clips
characterized by poor wound healing and wart like
Beryllium It is used as a copper- beryllium alloy to
bumps. Studies have shown that people can
strengthen connectors and tiny plugs
develop beryllium disease many years following
while maintaining electrical conductivity
the last exposure.

Inhalation is the primary exposure pathway, and


acute exposure may lead to respiratory tract
Found in the plastic printer cartridge irritation. Carbon black has been classified as a
Toners
containing black and color toners. class 2B carcinogen, possibly carcinogenic to
humans. Reports indicate that colour toners (cyan,
magenta and yellow) contain heavy metals.

The phosphor coating on cathode ray tubes


contains heavy metals, such as cadmium, and
Phosphor Phosphor is an inorganic chemical
other rare earth metals, for example, zinc,
and compound that is applied as a coat on the
vanadium as additives. These metals and their
additives interior of the CRT faceplate.
compounds are very toxic. This is a serious hazard
posed for those who dismantle CRTs by hand.

NOISE POLLUTION

• Noise by definition is “sound without value” or “any noise that is unwanted by the recipient”.

• Noise level is measured in terms of decibels (dB). An increase of about 10 dB is approximately


double the increase in loudness.

• W.H.O. (World Health Organization) has prescribed optimum noise level as 45 dB by day and 35 dB
by night. Anything above 80 dB is hazardous.

Effects of noise pollution on Human Health: Noise pollution leads to irritation, increased blood
pressure, loss of temper, mental depression and annoyance, decrease in work efficiency, loss of hearing
which may be first temporary but can become permanent in the noise stress continues.

Efforts to minimise Noise Pollution: Road traffic noise can be reduced by better designing and proper
maintenance of vehicles.

• Noise abatement measures include creating noise mounds, noise attenuation walls and well-
maintained roads and smooth surfacing of roads.

• Retrofitting of locomotives, continuously welded rail track, use of electric locomotives or


deployment of quieter rolling stock will reduce noises emanating from trains.
• Air traffic noise can be reduced by appropriate insulation and introduction of noise regulations for
take-off and landing of aircrafts at the airport.

• Industrial noises can be reduced by sound proofing equipment like generators and areas producing
lot of noise.

• Power tools, very loud music and land movers, public functions using loudspeakers, etc. should not
be permitted at night. Use of horns, alarms, refrigeration units, etc. is to be restricted. Use of fire
crackers which are noisy and cause air pollution should be restricted.

• A green belt of trees/ Green Muffler is an efficient noise absorber.

Green Muffler: Green Muffler is a technique of reducing noise pollution by planting 4-6 rows around
the populated areas or noisy places like along roadsides, industrial areas, societies near highways, etc.
so that dense trees reduce noise pollution as they filter out the noise and obstruct it reaching the
citizens.

Under this technique Ashoka and Neem plants are planted near the house or resident localities to
reduce noise pollution. They control noise pollution. Even urban noises are muffled by trees just like
stone walls. An advantage of using plants as noise blockers is that they absorb sounds best in the high
frequencies that people find it annoying.

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