Air and air pollution: its causes and impact on human

settlements.
Control measures of: (a) Air pollution (b) Water
pollution (c) Soil pollution (d) Marine pollution (e) Noise
pollution (f) Thermal pollution (g) Nuclear hazards –
soil waste management: disaster management: floods,
earthquake, cyclone and landslides. Environment
protection act – Air (Prevention and Control of
Pollution) act – Water (Prevention and control of
Pollution) act –
Wildlife protection act – Forest conservation act.
• The change in the environment caused by natural or artificial
input of harmful contaminants into the environment, and may
cause instability, disruption or harmful effects to the ecosystem.
• Thus, Pollution is essentially the introduction of toxins into the
natural setting that causes negative changes. Pollution can take
the form of biochemical substances or energy, such as noise,
heat or light. Contaminants, the constituents of pollution, can be
one or the other, foreign substances/energies or naturally found
pollutants.
• “Pollution is the introduction of substances (or energy)
that cause adverse changes in the environment and living
entities .”
• Pollution need not always be caused by chemical substances
such as particulates (like smoke and dust). Forms of energy
such as sound, heat or light can also cause pollution. These
substances that cause pollution are called pollutants.
• Pollution, even in minuscule amounts, impacts the ecological
balance. Pollutants can make their way up the food chain and
eventually find their way inside the human body. Read on to
explore the types of pollution and their implications.
• As stated before, there are different types of pollution, which
are either caused by natural events (like forest fires) or by man-
made activities (like cars, factories, nuclear wastes, etc.) These are
further classified into the following types of pollution:
• Air Pollution
• Water Pollution
• Soil Pollution
• Noise Pollution
• Besides these 4 types of pollution, other types exist such as light
pollution, thermal pollution and radioactive pollution. The latter is
much rarer than other types, but it is the deadliest.
• There are various types of pollution chiefly arising as a result of
anthropogenic causes. Also contributing to pollution is
globalisation, where humanity’s constant need for natural
resources has slowly started to change the face of the earth.
• Though the quality of living has drastically improved, other new
issues have risen that gradually impact human health and the
environment. In this article, we shall explore the meaning,
causes and types of pollution. Also, we shall analyse the
repercussions of pollution on human health and the
environment.
• Air pollution refers to the release of harmful contaminants
(chemicals, toxic gases, particulates, biological molecules, etc.)
into the earth’s atmosphere. These contaminants are quite
detrimental and in some cases, pose serious health issues.
Some causes that contribute to air pollution are:
• Burning fossil fuels
• Mining operations
• Exhaust gases from
industries and factories
Detrimental- tending to cause harm
 • The effects of air pollution vary based on the kind of pollutant. But
generally, the impact of air pollution ranges from:
• Increased risk of respiratory illness and cardiovascular problems
• Increased risk of skin diseases
• May increase the risk of cancer
• Global warming
• Acid rain
• Ozone depletion
• Hazards to wildlife
Cardiovascular: Relating to the circulatory system, which comprises the heart and blood vessels and carries nutrients and oxygen to the tissues of the
body and removes carbon dioxide and other wastes from them.
Particulate matter is the sum of all solid and liquid particles suspended in air many of which are hazardous.
Eutrophication is the process by which a body of water becomes overly enriched with minerals and nutrients which induce
excessive growth of algae.

Surface runoff is the flow of water occurring on the ground surface when excess rainwater, stormwater, meltwater, or other sources, can no longer
sufficiently rapidly infiltrate in the soil.

• Water pollution is said to occur when toxic pollutants and particulate matter are
introduced into water bodies such as lakes, rivers and seas. These
contaminants are generally introduced by human activities like
improper sewage treatment and oil spills. However, even natural processes
such as eutrophication can cause water pollution.
• Other significant causes of water pollution include:
• Dumping solid wastes in water bodies
• Disposing untreated industrial sewage into water bodies
• Human and animal wastes
• Agricultural runoff containing pesticides and fertilisers
• The effects of water pollution are very pronounced in our
environment. Furthermore, toxic chemicals can bioaccumulate in living beings,
and these chemicals can travel their way up the food chain, ultimately reaching
humans.
Bioaccumulate- (of a substance) become concentrated inside the bodies of living things.
• Among the other types of pollution, water pollution has a more
disastrous consequences on humans. For instance, in 1932, a grave
case of water pollution incapacitated the inhabitants of an entire city in
Japan with neurological diseases and mental illness for many
decades. However, the immediate cause was not apparent but was
eventually attributed to acute mercury poisoning. Methylmercury was
dumped into the surrounding bay and had ultimately bioaccumulated
inside the fish. The local population then consumed these fish, and this
resulted in the manifestation of ill-effects and neurological diseases.

Incapcitated- deprived of strength or power; debilitated.

• Other consequences of water pollution include:
• Disruption of the ecosystem
• Threats to marine life
• Increased risk of water-borne diseases
• Increases toxic chemicals (such as mercury) in water bodies
• Eutrophication
 • Soil pollution, also called soil contamination, refers to the
degradation of land due to the presence of chemicals or other man-
made substances in the soil.
• The xenobiotic substances alter the natural composition of soil and
affect it negatively.
• These can drastically impact life directly or indirectly.
• For instance, any toxic chemicals present in the soil will get
absorbed by the plants.
• Since plants are producers in an environment, it gets passed up
through the food chain.
• Compared to the other types of pollution, the effects of soil pollution
are a little more obscured, but their implications are very noticeable.

Xenobiotic- relating to or denoting a substance, typically a synthetic chemical, that is foreign to the body or to an ecological system.
• Some of the common causes of soil pollution are:
• Improper industrial waste disposal
• Oil Spills
• Acid rain which is caused by air pollution
• Mining activities
• Intensive farming and agrochemicals (like fertilisers and
pesticides)
• Industrial accidents
• The effects of soil pollution are numerous. Specific wastes,
such as radioactive waste become particularly hazardous when
they are not well-contained. A well-documented example is a
nuclear accident in Chernobyl, which has left an area of 2,600
km2 uninhabitable for several thousand years.
• Other effects of soil pollution include:
• Loss of soil nutrients, which renders the soil unfit for agriculture
• Impacts the natural flora and fauna residing in the soil
• Degrades vegetation due to the increase of salinity of the soil
• Toxic dust (such as silica dust) can cause respiratory problems or even
lung cancer
• Noise pollution refers to the excessive amount of noise in the
surrounding that disrupts the natural balance. Usually, it is man-
made, though certain natural calamities like volcanoes can
contribute to noise pollution.
• In general, any sound which is over 85 decibels is considered to
be detrimental. Also, the duration an individual is exposed plays
an impact on their health. For perspective, a normal
conversation is around 60 decibels, and a jet taking off is
around 15o decibels. Consequently, noise pollution is more
obvious than the other types of pollution.
• Noise pollution has several contributors, which include:
• Industry-oriented noises such as heavy machines, mills,
factories, etc.
• Transportation noises from vehicles, aeroplanes, etc.
• Construction noises
• Noise from social events (loudspeakers, firecrackers, etc.)
• Household noises (such
as mixers, TV, washing
machines, etc.)
 • Noise pollution has now become very common due to dense
urbanisation and industrialisation. Noise pollution can bring
about adverse effects such as :
• Hearing loss
• Tinnitus
• Sleeping disorders
• Hypertension (high BP)
• Communication problems
Urbanisation is the increase in the proportion of people living in towns and cities. Urbanisation occurs because people move from rural areas
(countryside) to urban areas (towns and cities). This usually occurs when a country is still developing.
Industrialisation (or industrialization) is the period of social and economic change that transforms a human group from an agrarian society into an
industrial society. This involves an extensive re-organisation of an economy for the purpose of manufacturing.
• “Air Pollution is the release of pollutants such as gases,
particles, biological molecules, etc. into the air that is harmful to
human health and the environment.”
• 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.
• Air pollution is any gas or particle matter built up in the atmosphere that can
cause harm to your health and the environment. Pollutants come from several
sources, many are man-made from domestic fuel burning, industrial processes
and transport. But they can also occur naturally.
• Long-term exposure to air pollution has serious impacts on health, leading to a
range of health conditions.
• There are two types of air pollutants:
• Primary Pollutants
• The pollutants that directly cause air pollution are known as
primary pollutants. Sulphur-dioxide emitted from factories is a
primary pollutant.
• Secondary Pollutants
• The pollutants formed by the intermingling and reaction of
primary pollutants are known as secondary pollutants. Smog,
formed by the intermingling of smoke and fog, is a secondary
pollutant.
• Following are the important causes of air
pollution:
• 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.
• 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.
• Agricultural Activities
• Ammonia is one of the most hazardous
gases emitted during agricultural activities.
The insecticides, pesticides and fertilizers
emit harmful chemicals in the atmosphere
and contaminate it.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• The hazardous effects of air pollution on the environment
include:
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Ozone Layer Depletion
• The release of chlorofluorocarbons, halons, and hydro
chlorofluorocarbons 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.
• Effect on Animals
• The air pollutants suspend on the water bodies and affect the
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.
• 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.
• 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 CFLs also controls
pollution to a greater level.
• 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.
• Other air pollution control measures include:
1.By minimizing and reducing the use of fire and fire products.
2.Since industrial emissions are one of the major causes of air pollution, the
pollutants can be controlled or treated at the source itself to reduce its
effects. For example, if the reactions of a certain raw material yield a
pollutant, then the raw materials can be substituted with other less
polluting materials.
3.Fuel substitution is another way of controlling air pollution. In many parts
of India, petrol and diesel are being replaced by CNG – Compressed
Natural Gas fuelled vehicles. These are mostly adopted by vehicles that
aren’t fully operating with ideal emission engines.
4. Although there are many practices in India, which focus on repairing the
quality of air, most of them are either forgotten or not being enforced
properly. There are still a lot of vehicles on roads which haven’t been
tested for vehicle emissions.
5. An other way of controlling air pollution caused by industries is to modify
and maintain existing pieces of equipment so that the emission of
pollutants is minimized.
6. Sometimes controlling pollutants at the source is not possible. In that
case, we can have process control equipment to control the pollution.
7. A very effective way of controlling air pollution is by diluting the air
pollutants.
8. The last and the best way of reducing the ill effects of air pollution is tree
plantation. Plants and trees reduce a large number of pollutants in the air.
Ideally, planting trees in areas of high pollution levels will be extremely
effective
• Outdoor air pollution can be split into two sources: natural and
man-made. Natural sources of air pollution include sea salt
spray, dust, and volcano ash. Man-made sources of pollution
include waste management, farming, agriculture, and
industrial processes.
• We spend around 90% of our time indoors. This means that many
of us will at some point be affected by indoor air pollution, either in
your home or workplace.
• Many things can affect your home’s air quality, such as:
• How you cook
• Heating
• Poor ventilation
• Damp, mould and asbestos
• Chemicals from cleaning products
• Building materials
• Some people will be more sensitive to changes in the air quality, these
include:
• Children and babies
• They are more at risk of developing long-term conditions during early
development.
• People with heart or lung conditions
• Such as asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or
respiratory diseases.
• Pregnant women
• Long-term exposure to pollutants can impact a developing foetus.
• Older people (65+)
• They are more likely to suffer from lung and heart conditions.
• Outdoor workers
• Urban communities
• This applies to people situated near main roads or industrial factories etc.
• Daily Air Quality Index (DAQI) to measure outdoor pollution levels. It
covers five main pollutants that are most likely to affect your daily health:
• Particulate matter (PM10)
• Fine particulate matter (PM2.5)
• Ozone (O₃)
• Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)
• Sulphur dioxide (SO₂)
The DAQI is numbered from one to ten, with one being ‘low’ and ten ‘very high’.
It’s then broken up into four bands: low, moderate, high, very high. Each band has
its accompanying health advice and information about which individuals should
be vary.
• PM is made up of solid or liquid particles suspended in the air.
But it isn’t formed by a single pollutant. PM can be made from
a huge range of chemical compounds and materials, from
natural or man-made sources.
Health Impacts
Everyone is continuously exposed to PM to
some extent. But exposure is often higher in
urban and industrial areas. High levels can also
occur in natural environments.
PM10 often gets trapped in the nose, mouth or
throat and is then ingested. PM2.5 is small
enough to go deep into our lungs and be
absorbed into the bloodstream. Resulting in
inflammatory responses and long-term
conditions.
People most likely to be affected are those
suffering from lung or heart conditions, elderly
people, pregnant women, and children.
• Nitrogen oxide is a gas that is mainly formed by the combustion of fossil
fuels. When nitrogen oxide reacts with other gases in the air, it forms
nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), photochemical smog and sometimes acid rain.
• NOx is also key to the formation of PM and ground-level ozone, which is
particularly damaging to health.
Health Impacts
It’s difficult to identify the direct health effects of NOx, as it’s
emitted from the same sources of other pollutants. People
who live near power plants and areas with high vehicle
usage, such as in the city, are more likely to be exposed.
NOx can either be inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
Short-term exposure can cause:
•Nausea, abdominal pain
•Coughing, chocking
•Irritation to eyes, skin, throat
•Decreased resistance to infections
It can aggravate symptoms for people suffering from lung
and heart conditions. It can also affect children and older
people who are more susceptible to lung infections and
allergies.
• Sulphur dioxide is an acidic, erosive gas that joins with water
vapour to create acid rain. About 99% of SO₂ is man-made and
is often found in high concentrations in industrial locations and
dense urban areas.
Health Impacts
SO₂ is a common pollutant that we’re exposed to every
day at low levels. It can enter the body through
breathing, eating food or drink which has SO₂ as a
preservative or through skin contact.
Children and adults with asthma and people with
impaired heart and lung functions are more likely to be
affected as it’s a respiratory irritant. Symptoms can
appear quickly; short-term exposure to extremely high
concentrations can be life-threatening.
Short-term effects include:
•Irritation and burning to nose, throat and lungs
•Headaches
•Difficulty breathing
•Damage to the respiratory system
• VOCs are a large group of organic compounds that easily evaporate at
room temperature, creating vapours or gas. All VOCs are made from
carbon and a mixture of other elements. So, while they differ in their
chemical structure, they all have similar effects in the atmosphere. VOCs
can also make airborne PM and are indirectly a greenhouse gas.
• VOCs mostly come from man-made products, many of which can be found
in our homes. Some research shows that indoor levels of VOCs are two to
five times higher than outdoors.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may
have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors
• Health Impacts
• Not all VOCs are toxic, but due to the
different chemicals, some can be
carcinogens (poisonous). VOCs can enter
the body through breathing or touching
products that hold or release VOCs.
• Short-term effects may include:
• Irritation to eyes and visual disorders
• Irritation to upper airways
• Headaches, fatigue
• Skin irritation
• Liver and/kidney damage
• Long-term exposure to VOCs can cause
damage to the liver, kidneys, and central
nervous system, as well as certain types of
cancer.
• There are two types of ozone: there’s good ozone, found in the
upper atmosphere which helps protect the earth from harmful
UV rays. Then there’s bad ozone, which is ground-level ozone.
• Ground-level ozone is a secondary pollutant as it’s created by a
mix of chemicals reacting in sunlight. Ozone is more likely to
reach unhealthy levels in urban areas during the warmer
months. But as ozone can travel long distances from the
source, it also affects rural areas.
• Health Impacts
• Most people will be exposed to ozone
sometime during the summer.
Especially during warm weather in the
afternoon and early evening. When O₃
levels are high, people with lung
conditions and asthma are most at risk,
along with children, outdoor workers
and people who exercise outdoors.
• Short-term exposure can cause
irritation to eyes, chest pain, coughing
and wheezing. While long-term
exposure can trigger asthma, reduce
lung function and cause chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD).
• Air pollution is defined as the introduction of pollutants, organic
molecules, or other unsafe materials into Earth’s
atmosphere. This can be in the form of excessive gases like
carbon dioxide and other vapours that cannot be effectively
removed through natural cycles, such as the carbon cycle or
the nitrogen cycle.
Incineration is a waste treatment process that involves the combustion of organic substances contained in waste materials.
An incinerator is a furnace for burning waste.

1. Man-made (Artificial) sources

• These are mostly linked to the combustion of several kinds of
fuel.
• Immobile sources entail clouds of smoke from power plants,
industrial facilities (manufacturing works) and waste furnaces,
as well as incinerators and other sorts of fuel-burning heating
devices. In poor and developing countries, archaic biomass
burning is the chief cause of air pollution; traditional biomass
embraces wood, crop leftovers and excrement.
• Movable sources comprise automobiles, aquatic vessels, and
planes.
Archaic- very old or old-fashioned.
Biomass is organic, meaning it is made of material that comes from living organisms, such as plants and animals. The most common biomass materials
used for energy are plants, wood, and waste.
1. Man-made (Artificial) sources
• Controlled burning is a procedure sometimes used in forest
management, agriculture, prairie re-establishment. Fire is an
accepted facet of both forest and grassland ecosystem and an
organized fire can be an instrument for foresters. Precise
burning kindles the sprouting of some desirable trees, thus
renewing the forest.
• Fumes from hair spray, paint, aerosol sprays, varnish and other
solvents.
 1. Man-made (Artificial) sources
• Waste deposits in landfills create methane. Methane is
extremely combustible and may form an explosive and volatile
concoction with air. Methane is furthermore an asphyxiant and
may displace oxygen in a sealed-off space. Suffocation may
result if the oxygen concentration goes below 19.5% by
displacement.
• Military resources, such as nuclear weapons, toxic gasses,
germ warfare and rocketry
An asphyxiant is a substance that can cause unconsciousness or death by suffocation (asphyxiation).
Biological warfare (BW)—also known as germ warfare—is the use of biological toxins or infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, insects,
and fungi with the intent to kill or incapacitate humans, animals or plants as an act of war.
Rocketry- the branch of science that deals with rockets and rocket propulsion.
2. Natural sources
• Dirt from natural sources, typically big areas of land with little or no
plant life.
• Methane, discharged by the breakdown of food (digestion) by
animals, for example, cattle
• Smoke and CO from jungle fires.
• Volcanic activity, which emits sulphur, chlorine, and ash particulates
• Causes of Major Effects of Air Pollution
• Air pollution has a very negative effect on humans and the
ecosystem. The constituents can be dense particles, fluid, or gasses.
A contaminant can be of natural or artificial. Contaminants are
categorized as primary or secondary.
2. Natural sources
Primary contaminants are typically created by the emission of
carbon dioxide from vehicles and factories. Secondary
pollutants are the contaminants which are not emitted directly
into the atmosphere. They are formed in the atmosphere when
prime pollutants react or intermingle. Ground-level ozone is an
important example of a secondary pollutant.
2. Natural sources
• Some contaminants may be both primary and secondary: they
are both emitted directly and formed from other primary
pollutants.
• Respirational and cardio complications: The adverse
impacts of Air pollution are distressing. They are the root of
numerous respirational and cardiac conditions accompanied by
Cancer, midst other threats to our body. More than a few million
are known to have expired due to direct or unforeseen effects of
Air contamination. Kids in areas open to air contaminants are
said to suffer frequently from pneumonia and asthma.
2. Natural sources
• Global warming: One more direct consequence is the speedy
changes that the world is observing due to Global warming. With the
increase in temperatures worldwide, an increase in sea levels and
melting of ice from cold areas and icebergs, displacement and loss
of habitat have already beckoned an imminent disaster if actions for
protection and regulation aren’t undertaken soon.
• Acid Rain: Dangerous gasses like NO2 and SO2 are released into the
atmosphere during the incineration of fuels. When it rains, the
droplets combine with these pollutants, become acidic and then fall
on the ground in the form of acid rain. Acid rain is a source of great
harm to human beings, wildlife and crops.
2. Natural sources
• Eutrophication: It is a process where a high amount of nitrogen
present in some contaminants gets morphs on the sea’s surface and
develops itself into algae and harmfully affect fish, plant life and
animal species. The green-coloured algae that are present in lakes
and ponds are due to the presence of this substance only.
• Diminution of Ozone layer: Ozone is present in the Earth’s
atmosphere (Stratosphere) and is responsible for shielding humans
from injurious ultraviolet (UV) rays. Earth’s ozone layer is diminishing
because of the presence of chlorofluorocarbons and
hydrochlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere.
Diminution- a reduction in the size, extent, or importance of something.
• Any material that is present in the environment and can have harmful
effects on human beings and the ecosystem can be categorized as
an air pollutant.
• Air pollutants can assume the form of particulate matter, gaseous
substances, and droplets that exist in the liquid state.
• Such pollutants can be of natural or man-made origin.
• Air pollutants are generally categorized as secondary or primary
pollutants.
• Natural processes (such as the ash produced from a volcanic
eruption) typically create primary contaminants.
• The sulphur dioxide emitted from factories or the carbon monoxide
gas produced from motor vehicle exhausts are other examples of
primary contaminants.
• Secondary contaminants do not enter the atmosphere from
direct emissions.
• Instead, as primary contaminants react or communicate, they
form secondary contaminants in the atmosphere.
• An important example of a secondary pollutant is ground level
ozone.
• Some contaminants can be both primary and secondary: both
directly emitted from natural or anthropogenic activity or
produced from other primary pollutants.
• Some important measures that can be adopted by individuals to
contribute towards the prevention of air pollution have been listed below.

• Usage of public transport and carpooling – by reducing the amount of fuel

combusted for an individual’s transportation needs, he/she can lower the
amount of pollutants being released into the atmosphere and cause less
air pollution. Furthermore, these options are also economically efficient
and can help save money as well.
• Switching off the lights when they’re not in use – the majority of our electricity
is produced from the combustion of fossil fuels, which are a huge contributor
towards air pollution. Therefore, conserving electricity is an effective way of
preventing air pollution.

• Reusing and recycling products – By reusing products (that can be reused), the
amount of energy that goes into manufacturing another one of those products is
conserved. Furthermore, recycling of products is also more energy-efficient than
the manufacture of new ones.
• Avoiding the burning of garbage and smoking – burning of garbage is a huge
contributor to air pollution. Another contributor to air pollution is cigarette
smoking. Avoiding these activities and spreading awareness of their negative
consequences can be of great help in the prevention of air pollution.
• Avoiding the use of firecrackers – firecrackers are generally used to celebrate
certain occasions. However, they are known to cause severe air pollution and
are, therefore, extremely harmful to the environment. Personally avoiding the
use of firecrackers and spreading awareness about their negative
consequences is a great way to help prevent air pollution.
An inversion layer is a region or layer of the atmosphere in which the
temperature stops decreasing with elevation and instead becomes warmer.

Emission- the production and discharge of something, especially gas or radiation.

Permissible- permitted, allowed

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a
process of evaluating the likely environmental
impacts of a proposed project or development, taking
into account inter-related socio-economic, cultural and
human-health impacts, both beneficial and adverse.
Site- fix or build (something) in a particular place.
Nitrogen Oxide (Nox)
Introduction
• Water is vital to life. We use it for drinking,
washing, cooking and a number of other
human activities. Two-thirds of the earth’s
surface is water, and the irony is that we
are facing water scarcity problems today.
With the ever-increasing population and
pollution, the demand for water has
increased and the quantity of usable water
has decreased.
• Water Pollution: The contamination of
water bodies such as rivers, lakes, etc. due
to several contaminants being discharged
in them, directly or indirectly, is known as
water pollution. Water pollution has severe
and hazardous impacts on our
environment.
 • 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.

An aquifer is an underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock, rock fractures or unconsolidated materials (gravel, sand, or silt). Groundwater can
be extracted using a water well. The study of water flow in aquifers and the characterization of aquifers is called hydrogeology.
Effluent- Liquid waste or sewage discharged into a river or the sea.
 • The key causatives of water pollution in India are:
• Urbanization.
• Deforestation.
• Industrial effluents.
• Social and Religious Practices.
• Use of Detergents and Fertilizers.
• Agricultural run-offs- Use of insecticides and pesticides.

Surface runoff is the flow of water occurring on the ground surface when excess rainwater, stormwater, meltwater, or other sources, can no longer
sufficiently rapidly infiltrate in the soil.
• One of the primary causes of water pollution is the contamination of water bodies by
toxic chemicals.
• As seen in the example mentioned above, the dumped plastic bottles, tins, water cans
and other wastes pollute the water bodies.
• These result in water pollution, which harms not just humans, but the whole
ecosystem.
• Toxins drained from these pollutants, travel up to the food chain and eventually affect
humans.
• In most cases, the outcome is destructive to only local population and species, but it
can have an impact on a global scale too.
• Nearly 6 billion kilograms of garbage is dumped every year in the oceans.
• Apart from industrial effluents and untreated sewage, other forms of unwanted
materials are dumped into various water bodies.
• These can range from nuclear waste to oil spills – the latter of which can render vast
areas uninhabitable.
Uninhabitable- (of a place) unsuitable for living in.
• The effect of water pollution depends upon the type of pollutants and
its concentration. Also, the location of water bodies is an important
factor to determine the levels of pollution.
• 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.
• 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. This chemical is bioaccumulated
in fish, chicken and meat. Chemicals such as this travel up the food
chain before entering the human body.
Bioaccumulate- (of a substance) become concentrated inside the bodies of living things.
• 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.
• 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.
The Minamata disease, sometimes referred to as Chisso-Minamata disease, is a neurological syndrome caused by severe mercury poisoning. Incident
marked one of the worst cases of water pollution. Symptoms include ataxia, numbness in the hands and feet, general muscle weakness, narrowing of
the field of vision and damage to hearing and speech.
• In 1932, a factory in Minamata City, Japan began dumping its industrial effluent –
Methylmercury, into the surrounding bay and the sea. Methylmercury is incredibly toxic to
humans and animals alike, causing a wide range of neurological disorders.
• Its ill-effects were not immediately noticeable. However, this all changed as methylmercury had
started to bioaccumulate inside shellfishes and fish in the Minamata Bay. These affected
organisms were then caught and consumed by the local population. Soon, the ill-effects of
methylmercury was becoming apparent.
• Initially, animals such as cats and dogs were affected by this. The city’s cats would often
convulse and make strange noises before dying – hence, the term “dancing cat disease” was
coined. Soon, the same symptoms were observed in people, though the cause was not
apparent at the time.
• Other affected people showed symptoms of acute mercury poisoning such as ataxia, muscle
weakness, loss of motor coordination, damage to speech and hearing etc. In severe cases,
paralysis occurred, which was followed by coma and death. These diseases and deaths
continued for almost 36 years before it could be officially acknowledged by the government
and the organisation.
• Since then, various control measures of water pollution have been adopted by the government
of Japan to curb such environmental disasters in the future.
• Some rivers, lakes, and groundwater are rendered unfit for usage. In India,
the River Ganges is the sixth most polluted river in the world. This is
unsurprising as hundreds of industries nearby release their effluents into
the river. Furthermore, religious activities such as burials and cremations
near the shore contribute towards pollution. Apart from the ecological
implications, this river poses serious health risk as it can cause diseases
like typhoid and cholera.
Carcharhiniformes, the ground sharks, with over 270 species, are the largest order of sharks

• Pollution of the Ganges is also driving some of the distinct fauna to

extinction. The Ganges River shark is a critically endangered species that
belong to the order Carcharhiniformes. The Ganges River dolphin is
another endangered species of dolphin that is found in the tributaries of
the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers.
• As per a survey, by the end of 2026, around 4 billion people will face a
shortage of water. Presently, around 1.2 billion people worldwide do not
have access to clean, potable water and proper sanitation. It is also
projected that nearly 1000 children die every year in India due to water-
related issues. Groundwater is an important source of water, but
unfortunately, even that is susceptible to pollution. Hence, water pollution
is quite an important social issue that needs to be addressed promptly.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Water hyacinth is a free-floating perennial aquatic plant (or hydrophyte) native to tropical and sub-tropical South America.
Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water purification process that uses a partially permeable membrane to separate ions, unwanted molecules and larger
particles from drinking water.
Coagulation- the action or process of a liquid, especially blood, changing to a solid or semi-solid state.
• Most Causes of water pollution can be mainly attributed to anthropogenic causes. This
means humans are responsible for causing water pollution. Water pollution can be
defined as the introduction of pollutants into a body of water. These can cause
detrimental effects on the organisms that live in the water body or interact with the
water. However, the causes of water pollution can occur from natural processes or
phenomenon too.

Toxins introduced into the water can travel up the food

chain. This means humans are susceptible to the effect of
toxins ingested by fish and other aquatic life.
• Causes of Water Pollution – Anthropological and Natural
• Water is able to dissolve many substances, hence it is called
the universal solvent. This is the same reason why water
pollution occurs easily. Following are the causes of water
pollution:
• Sewage and wastewater:
• Many households dump their waste directly into water bodies.
Moreover, households which are not served by municipal
treatment plant may use septic tanks, which eventually
infiltrates into the soil, causing pollution of groundwater.
 • Industrial effluents and Industrial Usage:
Some industries may directly pump their untreated wastes into water
bodies such as rivers. Moreover, various industries also use water as
a coolant, thereby causing thermal pollution. Increased water
temperatures can cause a reduction in the levels of oxygen; which can
cause the death of fish and other organisms.
• Eutrophication
Eutrophication is caused when large quantities of nutrients are
introduced into a body of water, causing the rapid growth of algae.
This can decrease the oxygen level in the water, rendering the fish
unable to breathe. Moreover, this phenomenon can also introduce
dangerous toxins into the water body, which can harm or kill most
organisms, including humans
RENDERING is the process that makes meat or fish waste into suitable substances for animal feed.
• Deforestation
Deforestation can cause soil erosion. When these loose soil
particles enter a water body, they can make the water murky.
This can make the water very murky, and it also has the potential
to cause mechanical damage to aquatic organisms, (such as
sand particles getting stuck in gills).
• Agricultural run-offs
Agricultural run-offs include fertilizers and other chemicals that
can make the water toxic. Moreover, some of these fertilizers can
induce eutrophication.
Murky- dark and gloomy, especially due to thick mist.
 • Accidents
Accidents can involve events such as leaks and oil spills. Oil
spills, in particular, are very damaging to the environment and
aquatic life. It occurs when large oil tankers, barges or drilling rigs
are involved in accidents. The most well-known oil spill was that
of the Deep Water Horizon, which occurred on 20th April 2010.

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill was an industrial disaster that began on April 20, 2010, in the Gulf of Mexico on the BP-operated Macondo Prospect,
considered to be the largest marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry
A barge is a shoal-draft flat-bottomed boat, built mainly for river and canal transport of bulk goods.
A drilling rig is an integrated system that drills wells, such as oil or water wells, in the earth's subsurface.
• Water pollution is one of the major environmental issues in India.
• Water pollution refers to the contamination of water bodies such as
rivers, seas, lakes, groundwater, etc.
• This pollution is caused by the discharge of pollutants directly or
indirectly into water bodies without any concern for its toxicity or its
effect on the environment.
• The pollutants here can be a variety of things, the sewage from
houses which mostly consists of organic wastes or the highly toxic
chemicals released into the water by factories, etc.
• Although organic wastes from houses are a lot less harmful than the
discharge from industries, the sheer amount of organic waste
generated by the humans on the planet can still be detrimental to the
health of the water body.
• A short introduction to Ganga River
before we get started. Ganga is the
largest river in India with extraordinary
religious importance for Hindus. It
provides the majority of the water to
North India which is about 40% of
India’s population across 11 states,
serving an estimated population of 500
million people or more, which is larger
than any other river in the world. This
means that the pressure on the Ganga
River is extremely high. Over time this
pressure has begun showing. This
pressure is due to the water pollution
that we dump into the river.
• Let’s take a closer look at all that goes into our sacred Ganga River.
Human Waste:
• The River sustains the human population in an area the size of Mexico
and a population of almost 500 million people and these people have shat
into the river for years and years.
• The sewage from the houses of all these people ends up in the Ganga
River.
• Along with the human faeces, we have chemicals such as the detergents
and soaps we use.
• This sewage has a higher organic load and therefore at least to some
extent, the river can handle the water pollution, but when combined with
other pollutants, our sacred Ganga River does not stand a chance.
 Industrial Waste:
• Many industrial cities such as Kanpur, Allahabad, and Varanasi, etc.
lie on the banks of the Ganga River.
• All these cities are home to various industries and factories
consisting of countless tanneries, chemical plants, textile mills,
distilleries, slaughterhouses, and hospitals that grow and prosper
thanks to the presence of Ganga.
• In return for the gift of water, people along the river contribute to
killing this river by dumping their effluents to add to the already high
levels of water pollution.
• Although industrial wastes are not as large in quantity as human
wastes, they are even more harmful due to the presence of harmful
chemicals and non-biodegradable toxic substances.
A tannery is the place where the skins are processed. Tanning hide into leather involves a process which permanently alters the protein structure of skin,
making it more durable and less susceptible to decomposition, and also possibly colouring it.
Religious Wastes:
• Taking a dip in the holy waters of Ganga is supposed to wash away
all your sins and to this end, a huge number of people gather along
its banks during festivities to ensure their righteousness.
• In addition to this, since time immemorial, people have considered
dying by the Ganga River as a sure shot way to reach heaven.
• Therefore, the sights of dead bodies floating by on the river are a
common sight.
• This holy river has been made hellish by the people hoping to secure
a berth in heaven.
• This seriously has to stop since not only is it disgusting it is also
dangerous as decaying corpses are host to many
dangerous bacteria and viruses.
Dams and Pumping Station:
• The human population has been growing since the advent of
technology and the growth does not look like it’s going to stop
anytime soon, To feed this ever-increasing population, along the
river Ganga a lot of dams and irrigation pumping stations have
been constructed. Such dams reduce the downstream flow
severely affecting life downstream and also upstream. The
negative effects of dams can be seen by analyzing the decline
of Gangetic Dolphin’s population.
Agrochemicals are pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers used for the management of ecosystems in agricultural sectors.
Reliance- dependence on or trust in someone or something.

Leaching- (with reference to a soluble chemical or mineral) drain away from soil, ash, or similar material by the action of percolating liquid, especially
rainwater.
• Soil pollution refers to the contamination of soil with anomalous
concentrations of toxic substances. 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.

Leukaemia is a cancer which starts in blood-forming

tissue, usually the bone marrow.
• It is important to understand that all soils contain compounds that are
harmful/toxic to human beings and other living organisms. However,
the concentration of such substances in unpolluted soil is low
enough that they do not pose any threat to the surrounding
ecosystem. When the concentration of one or more such toxic
substances is high enough to cause damage to living organisms, the
soil is said to be contaminated.
• The root cause of soil pollution is often one of the following:
• Agriculture (excessive/improper use of pesticides)
• Excessive industrial activity
• Poor management or inefficient disposal of waste
• The challenges faced in soil remediation (decontamination of soil)
are closely related to the extent of soil pollution. The greater the
contamination, the greater the requirement of resources for
remediation.
A carcinogen is any substance, radionuclide, or radiation that promotes carcinogenesis, the formation of cancer.

• Some of the most hazardous soil pollutants are xenobiotics – substances

that are not naturally found in nature and are synthesized by human
beings. The term ‘xenobiotic’ has Greek roots – ‘Xenos’ (foreigner), and
‘Bios’ (life). Several xenobiotics are known to be carcinogens. An
illustration detailing major soil pollutants is provided below.
• The different types of pollutants that are found in contaminated soil are
listed in this subsection.
• 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. Some metals that can be classified as soil pollutants are
tabulated below.

These metals can originate from several sources such as mining activities, agricultural
activities, electronic waste (e-waste), and medical waste.
 • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (often abbreviated to PAHs) are
organic compounds that:
1.Contain only carbon and hydrogen atoms.
2.Contain more than one aromatic ring in their chemical structures.
• 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.
• Soil pollution due to PAHs can be sourced to coke (coal) processing,
vehicle emissions, cigarette smoke, and the extraction of shale oil.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of chemicals that occur naturally in coal, crude oil, and gasoline. They also are produced when
coal, oil, gas, wood, garbage, and tobacco are burned. PAHs generated from these sources can bind to or form small particles in the air.
• Industrial Waste
• The discharge of industrial waste into soils can result in soil pollution.
Some common soil pollutants that can be sourced to industrial waste
are listed below.
• Chlorinated industrial solvents
• Dioxins produced from the manufacture of pesticides and the
incineration of waste.
• Plasticizers/dispersants
• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
• The petroleum industry creates many petroleum hydrocarbon waste
products. Some of these wastes, such as benzene and
methylbenzene, are known to be carcinogenic in nature.
• Pesticides
• Pesticides are substances (or mixtures of substances) that are used
to kill or inhibit the growth of pests. Common types of pesticides
used in agriculture include:
• Herbicides – used to kill/control weeds and other unwanted plants.
• Insecticides – used to kill insects.
• Fungicides – used to kill parasitic fungi or inhibit their growth.
• 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.
Some important soil contaminants found in pesticides are listed
below.
Herbicides
• Triazines
• Carbamates
• Amides
• Phenoxyalkyl acids
• Aliphatic acids
Insecticides
• Organophosphates
• Chlorinated hydrocarbons
• Arsenic-containing compounds
• Pyrethrum
Fungicides
• Mercury-containing compounds
• Thiocarbamates
• Copper sulfate
• These chemicals pose several health risks to humans. Examples of health hazards related to pesticides include diseases of the central
nervous system, immune system diseases, cancer, and birth defects.
• Soil pollution can be broadly classified into two

categories –

• Naturally caused soil pollution

• Anthropogenic soil pollution (caused by human activity)

• In some extremely rare processes, some pollutants are
naturally accumulated in soils. This can occur due to the
differential deposition of soil by the atmosphere. Another
manner in which this type of soil pollution can occur is via the
transportation of soil pollutants with precipitation water.
• An example of natural soil pollution is the accumulation of
compounds containing the perchlorate anion (ClO4–) in some
dry, arid ecosystems. It is important to note that some
contaminants can be naturally produced in the soil under the
effect of certain environmental conditions. For example,
perchlorates can be formed in soils containing chlorine and
certain metals during a thunderstorm.
• Almost all cases of soil pollution are anthropogenic in nature. A variety of human
activities can lead to the contamination of soil. Some such processes are listed below.
• The demolition of old buildings can involve the contamination of nearby soil with
asbestos.
• Usage of lead-based paint during construction activities can also pollute the soil with
hazardous concentrations of lead.
• Spillage of petrol and diesel during transportation can contaminate soils with the
hydrocarbons found in petroleum.
• Activities associated with metal casting factories (foundries) often cause the
dispersion of metallic contaminants into the nearby soils.
• Underground mining activities can cause the contamination of land with heavy
metals.
• Improper disposal of highly toxic industrial/chemical waste can severely pollute
the soil. For example, the storage of toxic wastes in landfills can result in the
seepage of the waste into the soil. This waste can go on to pollute groundwater
as well.
• Chemical pesticides contain several hazardous substances. Excessive and
inefficient use of chemical pesticides can result in severe soil pollution.
• Sewage produced in urbanized areas can also contaminate soil (if not disposed
of correctly). These wastes may also contain several carcinogenic substances.
• Other forms of waste that can pollute soil include nuclear waste, e-waste, and
coal ash.
Soil pollution harbours a broad spectrum of negative consequences that affect
plants, animals, humans, and the ecosystem as a whole. Since children are more
susceptible to diseases, polluted soil poses a greater threat to them. Some
important effects of soil pollution are detailed in this subsection.
Effects on Human Beings
Soil contaminants can exist in all three phases (solid, liquid, and gaseous).
Therefore, these contaminants can find their way into the human body via several
channels such as direct contact with the skin or through the inhalation of
contaminated soil dust.
The short term effects of human exposure to polluted soil include:
• Headaches, nausea, and vomiting.
• Coughing, pain in the chest, and wheezing.
• Irritation of the skin and the eyes.
• Fatigue and weakness. Wheezing is a high-pitched, coarse whistling sound when you breathe.
A variety of long-term ailments have been linked to soil pollution. Some
such diseases are listed below.
• Exposure to high levels of lead can result in permanent damage to the
nervous system. Children are particularly vulnerable to lead.
• Depression of the CNS (Central Nervous System).
• Damage to vital organs such as the kidney and the liver.
• Higher risk of developing cancer.
It can be noted that many soil pollutants such as petroleum hydrocarbons
and industrial solvents have been linked to congenital disorders in
humans. Thus, soil pollution can have several negative effects on human
health.
Congenital- (of a disease or physical abnormality) present from birth.
Effects on Plants and Animals
• Since soil pollution is often accompanied by a decrease in the availability
of nutrients, plant life ceases to thrive in such soils. Soils contaminated
with inorganic aluminium can prove toxic to plants. Also, this type of
pollution often increases the salinity of the soil, making it inhospitable for
the growth of plant life.
• Plants that are grown in polluted soil may accumulate high concentrations
of soil pollutants through a process known as bioaccumulation. When
these plants are consumed by herbivores, all the accumulated pollutants
are passed up the food chain. This can result in the loss/extinction of many
desirable animal species. Also, these pollutants can eventually make their
way to the top of the food chain and manifest as diseases in human
beings.
Effects on the Ecosystem
• Since the volatile contaminants in the soil can be carried away into the
atmosphere by winds or can seep into underground water reserves, soil
pollution can be a direct contributor to air and water pollution.
• It can also contribute towards acid rain (by releasing huge quantities of
ammonia into the atmosphere).
• Acidic soils are inhospitable to several microorganisms that improve soil texture
and help in the decomposition of organic matter. Thus, the negative effects of
soil pollution also impact soil quality and texture.
• Crop yield is greatly affected by this form of pollution. In China, over 12 million
tons of grain (worth approximately 2.6 billion USD) is found to be unfit for human
consumption due to contamination with heavy metals (as per studies conducted
by the China Dialogue).
China Dialogue is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting a common understanding of China's environmental challenges.
Mycoremediation is a form of bioremediation in which fungi-based technology is used to decontaminate the environment.
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.
Bioremediation is a branch of biotechnology that employs the use of living organisms, like microbes and bacteria, in the removal of contaminants,
pollutants, and toxins from soil, water, and other environments.
The Chernobyl disaster was caused by a nuclear accident that occurred on Saturday 26 April 1986, at the No. 4 reactor in the Chernobyl
Nuclear Power Plant, near the city of Pripyat in the north of the Ukrainian SSR.

Catastrophic- involving or
causing sudden great
damage or suffering.

Infiltrate- (of a liquid)

permeate (something) by
filtration.

Permeate- spread
throughout (something)
Leachate- water that has percolated through a solid and leached out some of the constituents.
Microbial degradation is one of the most promising approaches, as it exploits the ability of microorganisms for removal of pollutants from contaminated sites in the most
effective, least hazardous, and most environmentally friendly way
THANK YOU!!