Environmental Pollution

Environmental Pollution

1. Definition

   • Pollution
     • Addition of undesirable material into the environment as a result of human activities
       • Types of pollution
         • AIR
           • Presence of any solid, liquid or gaseous substance including noise and radioactive radiation in the atmosphere in such concentration that may be injurious to humans and plants.
             • Suspended particulate matter
               • Dust and soot from industrial chimneys, power plants, cars, construction activities, etc
             • Gaseous
               • Petrol and diesel as fuel from industries and cars release gaseous pollutants such as carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and sulfur dioxide cause respiratory problems, and disordes among others.
             • Prevention and control of Air Pollution
               • 1. Use cleaner fuels like LNG and biogas.
                 • 2. Installing devices like filters, scrubbers,inertial collectors, etc
                   • 3. Environmental friendly industrial processes to minimize hazardous waste.
         • NOISE
           • Any unwanted environmental sound that is generally considered likely to annoy, distract or even harm other people. Anything above 80 dB is hazardous
             • Indoors
               • Radio, television, electric fans and family conflict.
             • Outdoors
               • Loudspeakers, automobiles, traffic, machines and industrial activities.
             • Control and prevention of Noise Pollution
               • 1. Better design and maintenance of vehicles.
                 • 2. Sound proofing equipment like generators in industries.
                   • 3. Loudspeakers should be prohibited by night
                     • 4. Use green belt trees for noise absorption.
         • WATER
           • The addition of harmful chemicals to natural water caused by industrial, agricultural and domestic activities
             • Sewages with human and animal waste, pesticides like DDT, metals like lead, zinc, arsenic, copper and accidents of oil tankers.
               • Control Water Pollution
                 • 1. Waste water recycling for certain uses with or without treatment.
                   • 2. Do not dispose household chemicals or cleaning agents down the sink or toilet.
                     • 3. Run the dishwasher or clothes washer only when you have a full load to reduce electricity and water usage.
         • SOIL
           • The contamination of soil with harmful substances that can adversely affect the quality of the soil and the health of those living on it.
             • Plastic bags, sewages, fly ash, medical waste, organic matter, etc
               • Control of soil pollution
                 • 1. Stop use of plastic bags, instead use degradable bags.
                   • 2. Treat sewages before using them as fertilizers.
                     • 3. Biomedical waste separately collected and incinerated.
         • THERMAL
           • The rise in the temperature of rivers or lakes that is injurious to water-dwelling life
             • Waste heat generated from electric power plants and run-off stemming from hot paved surfaces. Use of water as a cooling agent in natural gas, nuclear and coal power plants.
               • Control Thermal Pollution
                 • 1. Store hot water in cooling ponds and allow it to cool before releasing it
                   • 2. Use cooling towers to transfer waste heat to the atmosphere through evaporation and heat transfer.
                     • 3. Recycle waste heat for domestic and industrial heating purposes. (cogeneration)
         • RADIATION
           • Increase in over the natural background radiation
             • Radioactive minerals, Cosmic rays, Radio nuclides, Nuclear power plants, Radio-active wastes, Nuclear explosions, Radio-isotopes, etc
               • Control Radiation Pollution
                 • 1. The disposal of radioactive material must be safe and secure. They must be stored in the safe places and must be changed into harmless form.
                   • 2. The nuclear power plants must follow all the safe instructions
                     • 3. Production of radio isotopes should be minimised.
   • Pollutants
     • Physical, chemical and biologica substance unintencionally released into the environment which is directly or indirectly harmful to humans and other living organisms