Name: Dwyn Dexter L.

Enalpe
Course & Year: BSEE 3

1. Bhopal Gas Tragedy

In the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, there was a chemical leak in 1984 in the city
of Bhopal. It became known as the greatest industrial disaster in history at the time. A
pesticide plant controlled by the Indian division of the American company Union Carbide
Corporation leaked around 45 tons of the hazardous chemical methyl isocyanate. As the gas
spread over the heavily populated neighborhoods surrounding the plant, it instantly killed
thousands of people and sent tens of thousands more into panic as they tried to escape
Bhopal. Between 15,000 and 20,000 people were said to have died in all. Due to exposure
to the hazardous gas, some 500,000 survivors experienced respiratory issues, eye irritation
or blindness, and other illnesses.

It may have been possible to stop the factory from running with insufficient safety
precautions by strengthening government control and regulation of hazardous industries,
including tougher enforcement of environmental and safety requirements. Furthermore, the
possibility of an incident similar to the Bhopal Gas tragedy may have been decreased by
making investments in safer technologies and facility designs that lower the danger of
catastrophic disasters.

As an environmental engineering student, studying this case can provide insightful

understanding of the significance of industrial and environmental safety protocols such as
conducting a thorough analysis and therefore understanding the root causes of the disaster
can help inform future decision-making and prevent similar incidents. Analyzing the
regulatory system's advantages and disadvantages and making suggestions for
enhancements, emphasize the significance of taking preventative action to avoid industrial
disasters, like putting in place strict safety procedures, carrying out routine inspections, and
making investments on technology that reduce hazards. This could also encourage
corporate responsibility, which calls for a discussion of how businesses can ensure the
security of their operations and what accountability measures are necessary to make them
accountable for their impacts on the environment and public health.

2. Chernobyl Reactor Incident

The greatest nuclear power plant disaster in history occurred in 1986 when an
accident occurred at the Soviet Union's Chernobyl nuclear power plant. The Chernobyl
power plant was located near the Ukrainian hamlet of Pryp'yat. The station, which went
online between 1977 and 1983, has four reactors with a combined capacity of 1,000
megawatts to produce electricity. On April 25–26, 1986, reactor Unit 4 workers conducted a
mistaken experiment that led to calamity. While enabling the reactor to run at 7% power,
workers removed the majority of the control rods from its core and turned off the emergency
safety and power-regulating systems. Others' errors amplified these ones, and on April 26 at
1:23 AM the core's chain reaction blew up. A massive firestorm was set off by many
explosions, which also destroyed the reactor's broad concrete and steel cover. Large
amounts of radioactive material were discharged into the atmosphere as a result of this and
the following fire in the graphite reactor core, where they were transported over enormous
distances by air currents.

The probability of a catastrophic catastrophe may have been reduced by creating

and utilizing fundamentally safer reactor designs with passive safety mechanisms. This is
the first thing that could have been done to avert the disaster. Reactor operators might have
been better prepared to handle unusual circumstances if they had participated in more
advanced training courses that included emergency scenario simulations. Preventing human
mistake requires strict adherence to safety procedures and well-defined and recorded
operational procedures.

As an environmental engineering student, studying this case will help us gain

important understanding of the intricate relationships that exist between technology, human
factors, and the environment when it comes to nuclear mishaps so here I can suggest that
we need to examine the series of incidents that preceded the Chernobyl disaster and
determine the primary causes, which should include both technological malfunctions and
human mistake. Examine the ways in which a culture of complacency, faulty operating
procedures, and poor training all had a role in the catastrophe. Analyze the emergency
response actions implemented in aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster, particularly the steps
taken to prevent radioactive material leakage and protect public health. More importantly,
consider how nuclear safety practices and policy are affected by the lessons acquired from
the Chernobyl disaster. Think about how the accident's investigators' conclusions have
impacted global nuclear energy standards, laws, and best practices.

3. Environmental Impact of Iceland Volcanic Eruption

Large amounts of ash are frequently released during eruptions, and this ash may
cover nearby areas and harm water bodies, vegetation, and agriculture. Local ecosystems
can be impacted by lava flows, which can also change and even block rivers and damage
habitats. Underneath glaciers are several of Iceland's volcanoes. Huge amounts of ice can
melt during eruptions, causing devastating floods known as jökulhlaups. These floods have
the power to alter ecosystems by sculpting new landscapes and depositing vast volumes of
silt downstream. Sulfuric acid aerosols, which reflect sunlight and chill the Earth's surface,
can occur when major eruptions release large amounts of sulfur dioxide and other gases into
the atmosphere. Short-term cooling effects on global climate patterns may result from this.
Thus, over millennia, volcanic eruptions have shaped Iceland's landscapes and
contributed to the country's geological evolution. The deposition of volcanic debris can
enhance soils with critical nutrients, making them fertile for agriculture once they have
weathered. They can also change coastlines and produce new landforms.

4. Cashew in Kasargod, Kerala Poisonous Nuts

Endosulfan was a pesticide used on cashew orchards in Kerala's Kasargod district

for more than 20 years. In other parts of Kerala, this insecticide had been used in fruit
orchards, tea plantations, and paddy fields. It was sprayed aerially or with hand pumps.
Endosulfan, which is prone to long-distance atmospheric movement, has been connected to
major health issues in local residents. Tests conducted in Padre village, Kasargod by the
Centre for Science and Environment in 2001 verified the pesticide's lethal effects. In order to
manage pests and illnesses, cashew plantations made considerable use of these pesticides.
Long-term exposure to these harmful substances has been connected to a number of health
issues in people who live close to industries and cashew plantations.

The issue might have been avoided by enforcing strict regulations restricting the use
of pesticides and other agricultural chemicals on cashew plants in order to reduce
contamination. Establishing routine testing and monitoring programs for pesticide residues in
cashew nuts to guarantee adherence to safety regulations and imposing fines for breaking
rules in order to discourage the use of illegal pesticides.

As an environmental engineering student I suggest that we need to promote and

assist farmers in implementing organic agricultural methods in order to reduce the usage of
artificial fertilizers and pesticides. This is to help cashew farmers switch from conventional to
organic farming, offer incentives, technical support, and training.

5. Marine Pollution in Tamil Nadu: Oceans not Spared

Industrial trash and effluents have historically been discharged into coastal seas due
to Tamil Nadu's rapid economic growth and industrialization, especially near the coast.
Manufacturing, textiles, and petrochemicals are a few of the industries that have significantly
impacted marine pollution. The population density and urban activity have grown as a result
of the expansion of urban centers like Chennai and other coastal cities. Oil spills, ballast
water discharges, and unintentional releases of contaminants into marine environments
have all historically resulted from maritime trade, port operations, and shipping operations.
Tamil Nadu, like many other coastal areas across the world, is severely affected by plastic
pollution. By accumulating in coastal waters, beaches, and marine environments, plastic
debris which includes single-use plastics, packaging materials, and fishing gear endangers
marine life by causing ingestion, entanglement, and habitat degradation.

Tamil Nadu needs to take a multifaceted approach to prevent marine pollution,

including stringent enforcement of environmental regulations like implementing strict
environmental standards into effect and upholding them in order to regulate industrial
emissions, discharges, and waste management techniques. Additionally, creating a
monitoring system can help them in order to make sure that pollution control regulations are
followed, and penalize noncompliance.

As a student of environmental engineering, I can recommend that in order to control

land use, coastal development, and activities along the coast, comprehensive coastal zone
management plans need to be created and put into action. Additionally, this is done to
protect and revitalize coastal ecosystems that support biodiversity and act as natural
pollution filters, such as mangroves, wetlands, and coral reefs.

6. Noise Hits Whales in HongKong

The cumulative effects of shipping traffic, construction activities, and recreational

noise can have a significant negative impact on whale populations in Hong Kong waters.
Noise pollution can disrupt essential behaviors like communication, foraging, mating, and
migration, ultimately affecting the health and survival of whale species. Hawaii has
experienced extensive coastal development and infrastructure projects, including land
reclamation, bridge construction, and harbor dredging. These activities can generate loud,
persistent noise from pile driving, drilling, and construction machinery.

Establish ship traffic regulations, especially in areas where whales are known to
reside or migrate. These regulations could include speed limits to minimize the noise
generated by ships or designated routes that avoid important whale habitats. Additionally,
programs to monitor underwater noise should be established in order to identify sources of
ship-generated noise and evaluate the impact these sources and patterns of noise pollution
have on marine life.

As an environmental engineering student I can recommend that we encourage the

reduction of noise in technologies on ships, such as quieter propulsion systems and hull
designs. Retrofitting existing vessels with noise-reducing equipment or incentivizing the use
of quieter vessels can help minimize the impact of ship noise on whales. Additionally, we
must raise awareness among the public, ship operators, and stakeholders about the
importance of reducing underwater noise pollution and its impact on marine ecosystems.
Educational campaigns can promote responsible boating practices, such as reducing speed
in whale habitats and avoiding unnecessary noise-generating activities.