MODULE NO – 5

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Mixing of unwanted and harmful substance into the environment is called pollution, Contamination of these
harmful substance into the environment cause the negative effects on the nature,
Contamination means being impure. When there is an undesirable change in the surrounding that as harmful
effects on plants and animals, it leads to environmental pollution. We can have pollutants in liquid, solid, or
gaseous forms.

POLLUTANTS; The agents that are pollute are called pollutants;

1, Deposited matters; soot, smoke, tar or dust and domestic wastes.
2, Gases- CO, nitrogen oxides, Sulphur oxides,
3, Metals; lead, zinc, iron, and chromium,
4, Agricultural pollutants; pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers.

Definition: The US Environment Protection Agency (EPA) defines “pollution as any substance in water,
soil, or air that degrades the natural quality of the environment: offends (the senses); causes a health hazard;
or (impairs) the usefulness of nature resources”

Types of pollution
1. Air pollution
2. Water pollution
3. Soil pollution
4. Sound pollution

1, 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.
Primary and Secondary Air pollutants: The primary pollutants are “directly” emitted from the processes such
as fossil fuel consumption, volcanic eruption and factories, the major primary pollutant are Oxides of
Sulphur, Oxides of Nitrogen, oxides of carbon, particulate matters, methane, ammonia, chlorofluorocarbon,
toxic metal etc,
Examples of primary pollutions
1, car exhaust, smokestacks (CO, SO2, NO)
2, Toxic metal, (lead, mercury)
The Secondary pollution are not emitted directly, the secondary pollutants from when they primary
pollutants reacts with themselves or other components of the atmosphere, most important secondary level air
pollution are ground levels ozone, smog,

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. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.

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.
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.

AIR POLLUTION CONTROL

1. Use of Public Transport: The burning of fossil fuels is one of the most important causes of air pollution.
If most people use public transport, then the number of vehicles on the road decreases and thereby
decreases the burning of fossil fuels. The less burning of fuels leads to less amount of greenhouse gases
being emitted which in turn reduces global warming.
2. Recycling and Reuse of Products: Some of the products which are thrown away after use can be recycled
and reused for a cleaner environment. It takes less energy to recycle than manufacturing the same products
and thereby reducing the chemical emissions.
3. Avoid Plastic Bags: Plastic bags are becoming a curse to the environment. Most of the plastic bags are
not recyclable and reused. It takes a long time to decompose into the soil. Also the burning of plastic
releases poisonous gases into the air. The plastic gas can be replaced by paper bags which can be
decomposed easily.
4. Avoid Burning of Plastics: Burning of plastics and other similar materials release poisonous gases in the
atmosphere which worsens the condition of the air. Make use of the waste management plans by the
government to dispose of plastic materials.
5. Avoid Air Conditioners and Use Fans: The heat released by the air conditioner into the atmosphere is
greater than the heat it absorbs from the room. This greater heat released into the air causes global
warming.
6. Use Filters in Chimneys: The smoke released from chimneys contains air pollutants that worsen the
quality of air. However, using filters in chimneys can prevent air pollutants from reaching the earth's
atmosphere to a greater extent.
7. Avoid Crackers and Fireworks: The burning of crackers and fireworks causes air pollution. During
festivals, the use of large amounts of fireworks and crackers worsen the quality of air and can cause poor
visibility.
8. Reduce the Use of Chemicals: The chemicals released into the atmosphere can act as air pollutants. The
toxic pollutants are released from body sprays, paints which pollute the air at a greater rate.
9. Planting more Trees: The plants can purify the air by taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen
during the time of photosynthesis. This reduces the greenhouse effect and thereby decreases air pollution
again. Planting more trees also helps to avoid global warming.

2. water pollution
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies, usually as a result of human activities,
‘water pollution happens when toxic substance enter water bodies such as lakes, rivers, oceans, and so on,
getting dissolved in them,

Causes of water pollution:

The causes of water pollution vary and may be both natural and anthropogenic. However, the most common
causes of water pollution are the anthropogenic ones, including:
1. Agrochemicals: Agrochemicals like fertilizers (containing nitrates and phosphates) and pesticides
(insecticides, fungicides, herbicides etc.) washed by rain-water and surface runoff pollute water.
2. Storm water runoff: Carrying various oils, petroleum products, and other contaminants from urban
and rural areas (ditches). These usually forms sheens on the water surface.
3. Sewage: Emptying the drains and sewers in fresh water bodies causes water pollution. The problem
is severe in cities.
4. Mining activities: Mining activities involve crushing rocks that usually contain many trace metals
and sulphides. The leftover material from mining activities may easily generate sulfuric acid in the
presence of precipitation water.
5. Industrial Effluents: Industrial wastes containing toxic chemicals, acids, alkalis, metallic salts,
phenols, cyanides, ammonia, radioactive substances, etc., are sources of water pollution. They also
cause thermal (heat) pollution of water.
6. Burning of fossil fuels: the emitted ash particles usually contain toxic metals (such as As or Pb).
Burning will also add a series of oxides including carbon dioxide to air and, respectively, water
bodies.
7. Animal waste: Contribute to the biological pollution of water streams. Think of it this way:
anything that can cause air pollution or soil pollution may also affect water bodies and cause
innumerable ecological and human health issues.

Effects of water pollution:

The effects of water pollution are varied. They include poisonous drinking water, poisonous food animals
(due to these organisms having bioaccumulated toxins from the environment over their life spans),
unbalanced river and lake ecosystems that can no longer support full biological diversity, deforestation from
acid rain, and many other effects. These effects are, of course, specific to the various contaminants.

1. Lack of potable water: the UN says that billions of people around the world have no access to clean
water to drink or sanitation. Particularly in rural areas.
2. Disease: the WHO estimates that about 2 billion people have no option but to drink water contaminated
by excrement, exposing them to diseases such as cholera, hepatitis A and dysentery.
3. Infant mortality: according to the UN, diarrheal diseases linked to lack of hygiene cause the death of
about 1000 children a day worldwide.
4. 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.
5. Water pollution drastically affects aquatic life. It affects their metabolism, behaviour, causes illness
and eventual death. Dioxin is a chemical that causes a lot of problems from reproduction to
uncontrolled cell growth or cancer.
6. 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.
7. Humans are affected by pollution and can contract diseases such as hepatitis through faucal matter in
water sources. Poor drinking water treatment and unfit water can always cause an outbreak of
infectious diseases such as cholera etc.
8. The ecosystem can be critically affected, modified and destructured because of water pollution.

Control of water pollution

1. It is important to dispose-off waste carefully and not to dump it directly into water bodies, without proper
waste treatment.
2. Industries should treat their wastes carefully before disposing of chemicals and other materials into water
bodies directly. Sewage treatment plants and wastewater treatment plants in industries are established to
treat the water used so it can be safely mixed into the river streams. It also enables water recycling.
3. Using natural fertilizers and pesticides as substitutes for chemical ones is good for plants and water.
4. Dispose of toxic chemicals properly and Dispose of medical waste properly
5. Try to avoid plastic usage: restrict the use of single use plastics that end up floating in rivers, lakes, and
oceans.
6. Plants more trees. The attract more rainfall. So that is reduce scarcity of water.
7. Help clean up beaches and rivers
8. Using natural fertilizers and pesticides. Reduce the use of chemical pesticides
9. Lastly, it is better to reduce the consumption of water in our daily activities and reuse water whenever
possible to reduce the overall level of pollution.

3. Soil pollution
Soil pollution refers to anything that causes contamination of soil and degrades the soil quality. It occurs
when the pollutants causing the pollution reduce the quality of the soil and convert the soil inhabitable for
microorganisms and macro organisms living in the soil. Soil pollution is defined as the presence of toxic
chemical In the soil.

Causes of soil pollution

1. Inorganic Fertilizers: Excessive use of inorganic nitrogen fertilizers leads to acidification of soil
and contaminate the agricultural soil.
2. Industrial Pollution: The incorrect way of chemical waste disposal from different types of
industries can cause contamination of soil. Human activities like this have led to acidification of soil
and contamination due to the disposal of industrial waste, heavy metals, toxic chemicals, dumping
oil and fuel, etc.
3. 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.
4. Industrial Pollution: The discharge of industrial waste into soils can result in soil
pollution. In India, as mining and manufacturing activities are increasing rapidly, soil
degradation is also increasing. The extraction of minerals from the earth is responsible for
affecting soil fertility. As a result, the industrial waste stays on the soil surface for a long
duration and makes it unsuitable for further use.
5. Agricultural Activities: The use of insecticides and pesticides for a long period can cause
soil pollution. Repetitive use can cause insects and pests to become resistant to it. Instead
of killing pests and insects, it degrades the soil quality. They are full of chemicals that are
not produced in nature and cannot be broken down by them. As a result, they seep into the
ground after they mix with water and slowly reduce the fertility of the soil. Plants absorb
many of these pesticides, and after decomposition cause soil pollution.
 6. Waste Disposal: Disposal of plastics and other solid waste is a serious issue that causes soil
pollution, disposal of electrical items such as batteries causes an adverse effect on the soil
due to the presence of harmful chemicals. Eg: lithium present in batteries can cause the
leaching of soil.
7. Acid Rain: It is caused when pollutants present in the air mix with the rain and fall back on
the ground. The polluted water could dissolve away some of the essential nutrients found
in soil and change the structure of the soil thus making it unsuitable for agriculture.

Effects of Soil Pollution

Soil pollution affects the health of humans, plants, and animals. Crops or plants grown on such contaminated
soil absorb toxic material from the soil and will decrease the agricultural output of the land. When animals
or human beings consume these crops or plants the toxic material can pass into their body.
Long-term consumption of these crops may cause chronic diseases that are untreatable. children are usually
more susceptible to exposure to contaminants because they come in close contact with the soil by playing in
the ground, So, it is always important to test the quality of the soil before allowing kids to play there,
especially in an industrialized area.

• Effects of Soil Pollution on Human Health: The contamination of soil has a major consequence on
human health. Crops and plants that are grown on polluted soil absorb most of the pollution and then
pass them to humans. Living, working, or playing in contaminated soil can lead to respiratory diseases,
skin diseases, and other health problems. Diseases caused by soil pollution include Irritation of the skin
and the eyes, Headaches, nausea, vomiting, Coughing, pain in the chest, and wheezing.
• Effects on Plants: In such a short period of time, plants are unable to adapt to the soil change chemistry.
Fungi and bacteria found in the soil that bind them together start to decline, which creates an additional
problem in soil erosion. Regular use of chemical fertilizers, inorganic fertilizers, pesticides will decrease
the fertility of the soil and alter the structure of soil. This will lead to a decrease in soil quality and poor
quality of crops. The fertility of the soil diminishes slowly, making land unsuitable for agriculture and
any local vegetation to survive.
• Effects on the Ecosystem: The soil is an important habitat for different types of microorganisms, birds,
and insects. Thus, change in the chemistry of soil can negatively impact the lives of living organisms and
can result in the gradual death of many organisms.

Possible Solutions to Soil Pollution:

Soil pollution is a complex issue that must be addressed. It is important that we all understand the
importance of soil to our survival. The earlier we recognize the problem, the simpler it will be to solve the
problem of soil pollution. It's a complicated problem that requires everyone's participation, from individuals
to the government. A few methods for reducing soil pollution are listed below.

• Reduced Use of Chemical Fertilizers: Chemical fertilizers are more damaging than helpful. While the
right quantity can help the soil become more fertile, too much might potentially poison it. Chemical
fertilizers in excess could harm the soil in a variety of ways. It has the ability to affect the soil's pH
values.
• Reforestation and Afforestation Should be Promoted: Soil erosion, which is produced by
deforestation, is one of the major sources of soil pollution. With an ever-increasing population, it is only
logical that mankind requires more and more room to expand their civilization. It is frequently
accomplished at the expense of soil health. Reforestation of a deforested area should be encouraged to
prevent this from happening.
• Recycle and Reuse Products: These measures not only reduce waste output, but they also reduce soil
pollution. Plastic now makes up a significant portion of the waste flow. The great majority of these
wastes are buried in landfills.
• Promote Use of Natural Manure; One of the best sources of nutrients for the soil is natural manure. It's
100% natural and safe. It restores the soil's critical nutrients and improves its overall health. It doesn't
produce any toxic by-products that could harm the soil or the environment.
 4.Noise pollution
Noise pollution is considered to be any unwanted or disturbing sound that affects the health and well-being
of humans and other organisms.
Sound that is unwanted or disrupts one’s quality of life is called as noise, when there is lot of noise In the
environment it is termed as noise pollution. Sound become undesirable when it disturbs the normal activities
such as working, sleeping, and during conversation,
A given sound can appear music to some and noise to other, it depends upon loudness, duration and mood of
a person, audible range depends upon frequency and loudness of sound, for a person with normal hearing,
frequency ranges from 20 to 20000hz and loudness ranges from 0 to 120db, sound is measures in decibels
(db).

Causes of noise pollution

1. Industrialization: Most of the industries use big machines which are capable of producing
noise. Apart from that, various equipment‘s like compressors, generators, exhaust fans, grinding mills
also participate in producing noise.
2. Social Events: Noise is at its peak in most of the social events. Whether it is marriage, parties,
pub, disc or place of worship, people normally defy rules set by the local administration and create
nuisance in the area. People play songs on full volume and dance till midnight which makes the
condition of people living nearby pretty worse.
3. Transportation: Large number of vehicles on roads, aero planes, trains produce heavy noise.
The high noise leads to a situation wherein a normal person lose the ability to hear properly.
4. Construction Activities: Construction activities like mining, construction of bridges, dams,
buildings, stations, roads, flyovers take place in almost every part of the world. These construction
activities have to be continued to meet the demand of ever increasing Population. It also creates noise
pollution.
5. Household Chores: We people are surrounded by gadgets and use them extensively in our daily
life. Gadgets like TV, mobile, mixer grinder, pressure cooker, vacuum cleaners, washing machine and
dryer, cooler, air conditioners are also contributors to the amount of noise that is produced and but many
times it affects the quality of life of our neighbourhood.
6. Agricultural Machines: Tractors, thrashers, harvesters, tube wells, powered tillers etc. have all
made agriculture highly mechanical but at the same time highly noisy.
7. Defense Equipment and launching of satellites: A lot of noise pollution is added to the
atmosphere by artillery, tanks, launching of rockets, explosions, exercising of military airplanes and
shooting practices. Screams of jet engines and launching of satellite, sonic booms have a deafening
impact on the ears.
8. Miscellaneous Sources: The automobile repair shops, market places, schools, colleges, bus
stands, and railway stations etc. are other sources of noise pollution.

Effects of noise pollution

• Effects on humans; (like; hearing loss, nervous disorder, headache, high blood pressure and short
memory, depression and fatigo, frustration and difficulty in concentration, ) High decibel noise can
put trouble and may not allow people to communicate freely. Constant sharp noise can give you
severe headache and disturb your emotional balance
Hypertension: which is caused due to elevated blood levels for a longer duration.
Sleeping disorders: lack of sleep might result in fatigue and low energy level throughout the dat.
Hearing loss: constant exposure of human ears to loud noise that are beyond the range of sound that that
human ears can withstand damages the eardrums, resulting in loss of hearing.
• Effect on Animals: Animals rely heavily on sounds to communicate, to find food, avoid predators etc.
Pets react more aggressively due to exposure to constant noise. They become disoriented more easily
and face many behavioural problems. Overexposure to high intensity of noise affects the hearing ability
of many animals.

Control measures of noise pollution

• Shut the door when using noisy machines
• Lower the volume
• Stay away from noisy area
• Do not use car horns unnecessarily
• Follow the limits of noise level
• Create healthy noise to eliminate unwanted noise,
• Use proper lubrication and better maintenance
• Regularly check noise levels
• Notify authorities about disobedience of noise rules,

Solid waste management

What is Solid waste?
Solid waste is the unwanted or useless solid materials generated from human activities in residential,
industrial or commercial areas. It may be categorised in three ways. According to its: origin (domestic,
industrial, commercial, construction or institutional) contents (organic material, glass, metal, plastic
paper etc) hazard potential (toxic, non-toxin, flammable, radioactive, infectious etc).
What is solid waste management?
The term solid waste management mainly refers to the complete process of collecting, treating and disposing
of solid wastes,

Types of solid waste;

1. Biodegradable; Biodegradable materials are substances that decompose easily through the actions of
bacteria, fungi, and other living organisms. Biodegradable substances usually include the substances
found in day-to-day usage, for instance, food refuse, tree leaves, and grass clippings. Plant materials are
usually biodegradable materials (easily decompose through the action of bacteria, example; paper and
food waste,)
2. Non-biodegradable; Non-biodegradable substances cannot be broken down by natural organisms,
therefore may act as a source of pollution. These types of wastes cannot be easily handled. It cannot be
broken down by the naturally occurring agents, and continue existing on the surface of the earth for a
large number of years. Most of the inorganic substances are non-biodegradable. (cannot be broken down
by natural organisms, example; glass, plastic, metals, etc)

Sources of solid waste

1. Municipal solid wastes:
These are solid wastes from home, offices, stores, schools, hospitals, hotels etc. These domestic solid
wastes one usually, thrown in municipal garbage collecting cans or on road side open waste lands.
They are collected by municipality vehicles to certain garbage disposal site. They are dumped over a
large area of land which becomes the breeding ground of flies and rats.
2. Industrial Solid Wastes:
Most of the toxic industrial wastes are dumped on waste lands for slow and gradual decomposition.
Some industries dump their effluents on barren land, road sides creating very unhygienic environment
for the local population.
 3. Mining solid wastes:
They include mine dust, rock tailing, slack and slag. Open cast mining completely spoil the
surrounding soil. Toxic chemicals and metals present in the mining wastes destroy vegetation and
produce many deformities in animals and human beings.
4. Fertilizers:
Chemical fertilizers increase soil fertility and gives better crop yield in lesser time. Shortly, the land
becomes saline, acidic or alkaline and looses fertility.
5. Pesticides and Biocides:
These toxic chemicals used in crop field which are not eco-friendly. They enter into crop and then
into primary and secondary consumers. Even human beings are affected due to bio-magnification. .
6. Electronic wastes:
The latest solid waste that has appeared in last twenty years commonly known as e-waste’s is no less
harmful. Irreparable computer and electronic goods. Frequently, more efficient and user friendly
electronic items appear in the market thus discarding the old generation equipment which simply
become garbage‘s or solid wastes.
Over half of the e-wastes generated in developed countries are exported to developing countries
where they ultimately increase the e-garbage proportions.
7. Hospital Wastes:
Hospitals generate hazardous wastes that contain disinfectants, other harmful chemicals and
pathogenic microorganism. Such wastes require careful treatment and disposal. The use of
incinerators is crucial for disposal of hospital wastes.
Solid waste management; Methods
1. Landfill: In this process, the waste that cannot be reused or recycled are separated out and spread as a thin
layer in low-lying areas across a city. A layer of soil is added after each layer of garbage. However, once
this process is complete, the area is declared unfit for construction of buildings for the next 20 years.
Instead, it can only be used as a playground or a park.
2. Biogas generation: biodegradable waste, such as food items, animal waste or organic industrial waste
from food packaging industries are sent to bio-degradation plants, they are converted to biogas by
degradation with the help of bacteria, fungi, or other microbes.
3. Vermicomposting: is the process of using worms for the degradation of organic matter into nutrient rich
manure. Worms consume and digest the organic matter. The product of digestion which are excreted out by
the worms make the soil nutrient.
4. Dumping into sea: This sea dumping process can be carried out only in coastal cities. This is very
costly procedure and not environment friendly.
5. Recycling: it involves separating, processing and reusing material from solid waste.
6. Incineration: combustible waste from households and waste wood that is not suitable for recycling
undergo thermal treatment in waste incineration plants or waste wood furnaces. The heat released in the
process is used to generate electricity.
NUCLEAR HAZARDS AND HUMAN HEALTH RISK or (Radioactive pollution or Nuclear
pollution)
Radiation are the waves of energy that spread all around in our environment, these radiations are useful as
well harmful for us, Examples include visible light, radio waves, microwaves, infrared and ultraviolet lights,
X-rays, and gamma – rays etc. The different between these various types of radiation consists in some
physical properties such as energy, frequency, and wavelength.
Meaning nuclear pollution: Nuclear pollution refer to the increase in the natural radiation levels in our
surrounding due to human activities,
The human activities that may release radiation
• Mining (uranium mines)
• Handling and processing of radioactive materials
• Nuclear explosions
• Use of radioactive reactions to generate energy (nuclear power plants)
Use of radiation in medicine (X-ray,) and research’
Microwave, cell phones, radio transmitters, wireless devices, computers, and other common commodities of
todays life are also the sources of various types of radiations,
Effects;
• Genetic damage is caused by radiation
• Somatic damage include burns, eye cataract and cancer of bone, thyroid, lungs and skin,
• Soil infertility
• Crop damage
Control of radiation / nuclear pollution
• Siting of nuclear power plants should be carefully done after studying long term and short term
effects.
• Proper disposal of waste from laboratory the use of radioisotopes should be done,
• Workers in nuclear plants should be provided with nuclear gadgets, and safety measures against
accident.