Environmental Pollution

Air pollution
Water pollution
Soil pollution
Noise pollution
Thermal pollution
 Air Pollution
causes, effects and control measures
Air pollution - Air pollution may be defined as the
presence of one or more contaminants like dust,
mist, smoke and colour in the atmosphere that are
injurious human beings, plants and animals.
Rapid industrialization
Fast urbanization
Rapid growth in population
Growth of vehicles on the roads and
Activities of human beings have disturbed the
natural balance of the atmosphere.
 The composition of Air
Nitrogen 78%
Oxygen 21%
Argon less than 1%
Carbondioxide 0.037%
Water vapour Remaining
Ozone, Helium and ammonia Trace amount

Sources of air pollution are of two types.

Natural sources and
Artificial sources

Natural sources of pollution are those that are caused due to natural phenomena.
Ex: Volcanic eruptions, Forest fires, Biological decay, Pollen grains, Marshes,
Radioactive materials.

Artificial sources are those which are created by man. Ex: Thermal power plants,
Vehicular emissions, Fossil fuel burning, agricultural activities etc.
 Classification of Air Pollutants
Depending on the form of pollutants present in the
environment, they are classified as:
Primary pollutants and
Secondary pollutants
Primary pollutants are those that are directly emitted
in the atmosphere in the harmful form
Ex: CO, NO, CO2, SO2 etc.
Secondary pollutants are those that are formed by
reacting with other components or some basic
component of the atmosphere to form new pollutants.
Ex: Oxides of Nitrogen (NO2 or NO3) react with
moisture in the atmosphere to give Nitric acid
Indoor air pollutants are primary air
pollutants. The most important indoor air
pollutant is Radon gas.
Sources of indoor air pollutants are:
Radon gas is emitted from building materials
like bricks, concrete, tiles, etc that are derived
from soil containing radium
Radon is also found in natural gas and ground
water and is emitted while being used.
Burning fuel in the kitchen and cigarette
smoke release pollutants like CO, SO2, HCHO
(Formaldehyde) and BAP (Benzo-(A) pyrene).
SOURCES AND COMMON EFFECTS OF COMMON AIR
POLLUTANTS

Carbonmonoxide: It is a colourless, odourless gas

that is poisonous animals. It is formed by incomplete
combustion of carbon containing fuels.
Source of carbonmonoxide is cigarette smoking and
incomplete combustion of fossil fuels (more than
77% comes from motor vehicle exhaust)
Health effects include reduced ability of red blood
cells to carry oxygen to body cells and tissues. This
leads to headache and anemia. At high levels it
causes coma, irreversible brain damage and death.
Nitrogen Dioxide: It is a reddish-brown irritating
gas that causes photochemical smog. In the
atmosphere, it gets converted into nitric acid
(HNO3). It is caused by burning fossil fuels in
industries and power plants.
Health effects include lung irritation and damage.
Environmental effects involve acid deposition
leading to damage of trees, lakes, soil and ancient
monuments. NO2 can damage fabrics
Sulphur Dioxide: It is a colourless and irritating
gas that is formed by combustion of sulphur
containing fossil fuels such as coal and oil. In the
atmosphere it is converted into Sulphuric acid
which is a major component of acid deposition.
Health effects involve breathing problems for
healthy people.
Environmental effects involve reduced visibility
and acid deposition on trees, lakes, soils and
monuments leading to their deterioration and
adverse effect on aquatic life.
Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM): Includes
a variety of particles and droplets (aerosols) that
can be suspended in atmosphere for short to long
periods.
Human sources for SPM include burning coal in
power and industrial units, burning diesel and
other fuels in vehicles, agriculture, unpaved roads,
construction, etc.
Health effects include nose and throat irritation,
ling damage, bronchitis, asthama, reproductive
problems and cancer.
Environmental Effects include reduced visibility
and acid deposition. Acid deposition may lead to
damaged trees, soils and aquatic life in lakes.
Ozone is a highly reactive gas with an unpleasant odour
occurring in the stratosphere where it protects mankind fro
the harmful ultra-violet rays from the Sun. However on
earth, it is a pollutant.
It occurs on earth due to reaction between Volatile Organic
Compounds (VOCs) and Nitrogen Oxides. It moderates the
climate
Photochemical smog is a browinsh smoke that frequently
forms on clear, sunny days over large cities with significant
amounts of automobile traffic.It is mainly due to chemical
reactions among nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons in the
presence of sunlight.
Health effects include breathing problems, cough, eye,
nose and throat irritation, heart diseases, reduced resistance
to colds and pneumonia.
Environmental effects involve damage to plants and trees.
Additionally, Smog reduces visibility.
Lead is a solid and highly toxic metal. Its
compounds are emitted into the atmosphere as
particulate matter.
Human Sources: Paint, Smelters (metal
refineries), lead manufacture, storage batteries,
leaded petrol, etc
Health effects: Lead accumulates in the body and
brain leading to nervous system damage and
mental retardation (especially in children),
digestive and other health problems. Lead
containing chemicals are known to cause cancer
in test animals.
Environmental Effects: It can harm wildlife.
Hydrocarbons Lower haydrocarbons accumulate
due to decay of vegetable matter.
Human effects: They are carcinogenic
Chromium: It is a solid toxic metal emitted into
the atmosphere as particulate matter.
Human sources: Paint, Smelters, Chromium
manufacture, Chromium plating.
Health Effects: Perforation of nasal septum,
chrome holes, etc.
 CONTROL MEASURES

The atmosphere has several built-in self

cleaning processes such as dispersion,
gravitational settling, flocculation, absorption,
rain-washout, etc to cleanse the atmosphere.
However, controlof contaminants at their source
level is a d esirable and effective method
through preventive or control technologies.
Source control: Some measures that can be adopted
in this direction are:
Using unleaded petrol
Using fuels with low sulphur and ash content
Encouraging people to use public transport, walk or
use a cycle as opposed to private vehicles
Ensure that houses, schools, restaurants and
playgrounds are not located on busy streets
Plant trees along busy streets as they remove
particulates, carbon dioxide and absorb noise
Industries and waste disposal sites should be
situated outsdide the city preferably on the
downwind of the city.
Catalytic converters should be used to help control
emissions of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons
Control measures in industrial centers
Emission rates should be restricted to
permissible levels by each and every industry
Incorporation of air pollution control
equipment in design of plant layout must be
made mandatory
Continuous monitoring of the atmosphere for
pollutants should be carried out to know the
emission levels.
 Water pollution
types, effects, sources and control of water
pollution

physical, chemical and biological characteristics of

water which may cause harmful effects on humans

Pollutants include:
Sewage
Industrial effluents and chemicals
Oil and other wastes
TYPES, EFFECTS AND SOURCES OF WATER POLLUTION

Water pollution is any chemical, biological or

physical change in water quality that has a harmful
effect on living organisms or makes water
unsuitable for desired uses.
Infectious agents
Ex: Bacteria, Viruses, Protozoa, and parasitic worms.
Human sources
Human and animal wastes
Effects: Variety of diseases.
 Oxygen demanding wastes
This degradation consumes dissolved oxygen in water.
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is the amount of oxygen dissolved
in a given quantity of water at a particular pressure and
temperature.
The saturated point of DO varies from 8 to 15 mg/L Ex:
Organic wastes such as animal manure and plant debris that
can be decomposed by aerobic (oxygen-requiring) bacteria.
Human sources: Sewage, Animal feedlots, paper mills and
food processing facilities.
Effects: Large populations of bacteria decomposing these
wastes can degrade water quality by depleting water of
dissolved oxygen. This causes fish and other forms of
oxygen-consuming aquatic life to die.
Inorganic chemicals
Ex: Water soluble inorganic chemicals:
Acids
Compounds of toxic metals such as lead (Pb),
arsenic (As) and selenium (Se)
Salts such as NaCl in oceans and fluoride (F-)
found in some soils
Human sources: Surface runoff, industrial
effluents and household cleansers
Inorganic chemicals can:
Make freshwater unusable for drinking and
irrigation
Cause skin cancer and neck damage
Damage nervous system, liver and kidneys
Harm fish and other aquatic life
Lower crop yields
Accelerate corrosion of metals exposed to such
water
Organic chemicals
Ex: Oil, Gasoline, Plastics, Pesticides, Cleaning
solvents and Detergents.
Human Sources: Industrial effluents, household
cleansers and surface runoff from farms.

Effects:
Can threaten human health by causing nervous
system damage and some cancers.
Harm fish and wildlife.
 Control measures of water pollution
Administration of water pollution control should be in the hands of state or
central government
Scientific techniques should be adopted for environmental control of catchment
areas of rivers, ponds or streams
Industrial plants should be based on recycling operations as it helps prevent
disposal of wastes into natural waters but also extraction of products from
waste.
Plants, trees and forests control pollution as they act as natural air conditioners.
Trees are capable of reducing sulphur dioxide and nitric oxide pollutants and
hence more trees should be planted.
No type of waste (treated, partially treated or untreated) should be discharged
into any natural water body. Industries should develop closed loop water supply
schemes and domestic sewage must be used for irrigation.
Qualified and experienced people must be consulted from time to time for
effective control of water pollution.
Public awareness must be initiated regarding adverse effects of water pollution
using the media.
Laws, standards and practices should be established to prevent water pollution
and these laws should be modified from time to time based on current
requirements and technological advancements.
Basic and applied research in public health engineering should be encouraged.
 Soil pollution
Types, effects, sources and control of soil pollution

human and natural activities which may cause

Composition of soil is listed below:

COMPONENT %
Organic mineral matter 45
Organic matter 05
Soil water 25
Soil air 25
TYPES, EFFECTS AND SOURCES OF SOIL POLLUTION

Soil pollution mainly occurs due to the

following:
Industrial wastes
Urban wastes
Agricultural practices
Radioactive pollutants
Biological agents
 Industrial wastes
Disposal of Industrial wastes is the major problem for
soil pollution
Sources: Industrial pollutants are mainly discharged
from various origins such as pulp and paper mills,
chemical fertilizers, oil refineries, sugar factories,
tanneries, textiles, steel, distilleries, fertilizers,
pesticides, coal and mineral mining industries, drugs,
glass, cement, petroleum and engineering industries etc.
Effect: These pollutants affect and alter the chemical and
biological properties of soil. As a result, hazardous
chemicals can enter into human food chain from the soil
or water, disturb the biochemical process and finally lead
to serious effects on living organisms.
 Urban wastes
Urban wastes comprise of both commercial and
domestic wastes consisting of dried sludge and
sewage. All the urban solid wastes are commonly
referred to as refuse.
Constituents of urban refuse: This refuse consists
of garbage and rubbish materials like plastics,
glasses, metallic cans, fibres, paper, rubbers,
street sweepings, fuel residues, leaves, containers,
abandoned vehicles and other discarded
manufactured products. Urban domestic wastes
though disposed off separately from industrial
wastes, can still be dangerous. This happens
because they are not easily degraded
 Agricultural practices
Modern agricultural practices pollute the soil
to a large extent. With the advancing agro-
technology, huge quantities of fertilizers,
pesticides, herbicides and weedicides are
added to increase the crop yield.
Apart from these farm wastes, manure, slurry,
debris, soil erosion containing mostly
inorganic chemicals are reported to cause soil
pollution
 Radioactive pollutants
Radioactive substances resulting from explosions
of nuclear testing laboratories and industries giving
rise to nuclear dust radioactive wastes, penetrate
the soil and accumulate giving rise to land/soil
pollution.
Ex:Radio nuclides of Radium, Thorium, Uranium,
isotopes of Potassium (K-40) and Carbon (C-14)
are commonly found in soil, rock, water and air.
Explosion of hydrogen weapons and cosmic
radiations include neutron, proton reactions by
which Nitrogen (N-15) produces C-14. This C-14
participates in Carbon metabolism of plants which
is then into animals and human beings.
Radioactive waste contains several radio nuclides such
as Strontium90, Iodine-129, Cesium-137 and isotopes of
Iron which are most injurious. Strontium get deposited
in bones and tissues instead of calcium.
Nuclear reactors produce waste containing Ruthenium-
106, Iodine-131, Barium-140, Cesium-144 and
Lanthanum-140 along with primary nuclides Sr-90 with
a half life 28 years and Cs-137 with a half life 30 years.
Rain water carries Sr-90 and Cs-137 to be deposited on
the soil where they are held firmly with the soil particles
by electrostatic forces. All the radio nuclides deposited
on the soil emit gamma radiations.
Biological agents Soil gets a large amount of human,
animal and bird excreta which constitute a major source
of land pollution by biological agents.
Ex: 1. Heavy application of manures and digested sludge
can cause serious damage to plants within a few years
 Control measures of soil pollution

Soil erosion can be controlled by a variety of

forestry and farm practices.
Ex: Planting trees on barren slopes
Contour cultivation and strip cropping may be
practiced instead of shifting cultivation
Terracing and building diversion channels may be
undertaken.
Reducing deforestation and substituting chemical
manures by animal wastes also helps arrest soil
erosion in the long term.
Proper dumping of unwanted materials: Excess wastes by
man and animals pose a disposal problem. Open dumping is
the most commonly practiced technique. Nowadays,
controlled tipping is followed for solid waste disposal. The
surface so obtained is used for housing or sports field.
Production of natural fertilizers: Bio-pesticides should be
used in place of toxic chemical pesticides. Organic fertilizers
should be used in place of synthesized chemical fertilizers.
Ex: Organic wastes in animal dung may be used to prepare
compost manure instead of throwing them wastefully and
polluting the soil.
Proper hygienic condition: People should be trained
regarding sanitary habits. Ex: Lavatories should be equipped
with quick and effective disposal methods.
Public awareness: Informal and formal public
awareness programs should be imparted to educate
people on health hazards by environmental education.
Ex: Mass media, Educational institutions and
voluntary agencies can achieve this.
Recycling and Reuse of wastes: To minimize soil
pollution, the wastes such as paper, plastics, metals,
glasses, organics, petroleum products and industrial
effluents etc should be recycled and reused.
Ex: Industrial wastes should be properly
treated at source. Integrated waste
treatment methods be adopted.
Ban on Toxic chemicals: Ban should be imposed on
chemicals and pesticides like DDT, BHC, etc which
are fatal to plants and animals. Nuclear explosions and
improper disposal of radioactive wastes should be
banned.
 Noise pollution
Noise pollution
Noise is defined as, "the unwanted, unpleasant or disagreeable
sound that causes discomfort to all living beings". Sound
intensity is measured in decibels (dB), that is the tenth part of
the longest unit Bel. One dB is the faintest sound that a human
ear can hear.
TYPES OF NOISE: Environmental noise has been doubling every
ten years. Noise is classified as:
Industrial Noise
Transport Noise and
Neighbourhood noise
 Industrial Noise
It is sound with a high intensity sound caused by
industry machines. Sources of such noise pollution is
caused by machines from machines in various factories,
industries and mills. Noise from mechanical saws and
pneumatic drills is unbearable and a nuisance to the
public.
The Indian Institute of Oto-Rino Laryngology, Chennai
reported that increasing industrial pollution damages
the hearing ability by atleast 20%.
Workers in steel industry, who work close to heavy
industrial blowers are exposed to 112dB for eight hours
suffer from occupational pollution.
 Transport Noise
Transport noise mainly consists of traffic noise from
road, rail and aircraft. The number of automobiles on
roads like motors, scooters, cars, motor cycles, buses,
trucks and diesel engine vehicles have increased
enormously in the recent past further aggravating the
problem of transport noise.
Noise levels in most residential areas in metropolitan
cities is hovering around the border line due to
increased vehicular noise pollution. This high level of
noise pollution leads to deafening in the elderly.
 Neighborhood noise
This type of noise includes disturbance from
household gadgets and community. Common
sources being musical instruments, TV, VCR,
Radios, Transistors, Telephones, and
loudspeakers etc. Statistically, ever since the
industrial revolution, noise in the environment
has been doubling every ten years.
 Effects of Noise pollution
Noise pollution affects both human and animal health. It leads to:
contraction of blood vessels
making skin pale
excessive adrenalin in the blood stream which is responsible for high blood pressure.
Blaring sounds are known to cause mental distress
Heart attacks, neurological problems, birth defects and abortion
Muscle contraction leading to nervous breakdown, tension, etc
The adverse reactions are coupled with a change in hormone content of
blood, which in-turn increases heart beat, constriction of blood vessels,
digestive spams and dilation of the pupil of the eye.
Adverse affects health, work efficiency and behaviour. Noise pollution
may cause damage to the heart, brain, kidneys, liver and may produce
emotional disturbance.
The most immediate and acute effect of noise is impairment of hearing
that diminishes some part of the auditory system. Prolonged exposure to
noise of certain frequency pattern leads to chronic damage to the inner
ear.
Impulsive noise may cause psychological and
pathological disorders
Ultrasonic sound can affect the digestive, respiratory,
cardiovascular system and semicircular canals of the
internal ear.
The brain is adversely affected by loud and sudden
noise by jets and airplanes. People are subjected to
psychiatric illness.
Recent reports suggest that blood is thickened by
excessive noise.
The optical system of human beings is also affected
by noise pollution. Severe noise pollution causes:
Pupullary dilation
Impairment of night vision and
Decrease in rate of colour perception
 Control measures
SOURCE CONTROL: This includes source modification
such as acoustic treatment to machine surface, design
changes, limiting operational timings, etc
TRANSMISSION PATH INTERVENTION: This includes
containing the source inside a sound insulating enclosure,
constructing a noise barrier or provision of sound absorbing
materials along the path.
RECEPTOR CONTROL: This includes protection of the
receiver by altering the work schedule or provision of
personal protection devices such as ear plugs for operating
noisy machinery. The measure may include dissipation and
deflection methods.
OILING: Proper oiling will reduce noise from the machine.
 Preventive measures
Prescribing noise limits for vehicular traffic
Ban on honking (usage of horns) in certain areas
Creation of silence zones near schools and
hospitals
Redesigning buildings to make them noise proof
Reduction of traffic density in residential areas
Giving preference to mass public transport system.
 Thermal pollution
Thermal pollution
Thermal pollution is defined as the addition of
excess of undesirable heat to water thereby
making it harmful to man, animal or aquatic
life. Thermal pollution may also cause
significant departures from nor activities of
aquatic communities
 Sources of Thermal Pollution
The following sources contribute to thermal
pollution.
Nuclear power plants
Coal fired plants
Industrial effluents
Domestic sewage
Hydro-electric power
Nuclear power plants: Nuclear power plants
including drainage from hospitals, research
institutions, nuclear experiments and explosions,
discharge a lot of heat that is not utilized along
with traces of toxic radio nuclides into nearby
water streams.
Emissions from nuclear reactors and processing
installations are also responsible for increasing
the temperatures of water bodies.
The operations of power reactors and nuclear fuel
processing units constitutes the major contributor
of heat in the aquatic environment. Heated
effluents from power plants are discharged at 10
C higher than the receiving waters that affects the
aquatic flora and fauna.
 Coal-fired power plants
Coal fired power plants constitute a major source
of thermal pollution. The condenser coils in such
plants are cooled with water from nearby lakes or
rivers. The resulting heated water is discharged
into streams thereby raising the water temperature
by 15C.
Heated effluent decreases the dissolved content of
water resulting in death of fish and other aquatic
organisms. The sudden fluctuation of temperature
also leads to "thermal shock" killing aquatic life
that have become acclimatized to living in a
steady temperature.
 Industrial effluents
Industries like textile, paper, pulp and sugar
manufacturing release huge amounts of
cooling water along with effluents into nearby
natural water bodies. The waters polluted by
sudden and heavy organic loads result in
severe drop in levels of dissolved oxygen
leading to death of several aquatic organisms
Domestic Sewage & Hydro-electric power
Domestic sewage is discharged into rivers, lakes,
canals or streams with minimal treatment or without
any treatment. These wastes have a higher organic
temperature and organic load. This leads to decrease in
dissolved oxygen content in the receiving waters
resulting in the set-up of anaerobic conditions causing
release of foul and offensive gases in water. Eventually,
this leads to development of anoxic conditions resulting
in rapid death of aquatic organisms.
Hydro-electric power: Generation of hydroelectric
power sometimes leads to negative thermal loading in
water systems. Apart from electric power industries,
various factories with cooling requirement contribute to
thermal loading.
Thermal pollution in streams by human activities

Industries and power plants use water to cool

machinery and discharge the warm water into
a stream
Stream temperature rises when trees and tall
vegetation providing shade are cut.
Soil erosion caused due to construction also
leads to thermal pollution
Removal of stream side vegetation
Poor farming Practices also lead to thermal
pollution
 Effects of Thermal pollution
Reduction in dissolved oxygen: Concentration of Dissolved
Oxygen (DO) decreases with increase in temperature.
Increase in toxicity: The rising temperature increases the
toxicity of the poison present in water. A 10C increase in
temperature of water doubles the toxicity effect of potassium
cyanide, while 80C rise in temperature triples the toxic effects
of o-xylene causing massive mortality to fish.
Interference in biological activity: Temperature is considered
to be of vital significance to physiology, metabolism and
biochemical processes that control respiratory rates, digestion,
excretion, and overall development of aquatic organisms.
Temperature changes cause total disruption to the entire
ecosystem.
Interference in reproduction: In fishes, several activities like
nest building, spawning, hatching, migration and reproduction
depend on optimum temperature.
Direct mortality: Thermal pollution is directly
responsible for mortality of aquatic organisms.
Increase in temperature of water leads to
exhaustion of microorganisms thereby
shortening the life span of fish. Above a
certain temperature, fish die due to failure of
respiratory system and nervous system failure.
Food storage for fish: Abrupt changes in
temperature alters the seasonal variation in the
type and abundance of lower organisms
leading to shortage of right food for fish at the
right time.
 Control measures for thermal pollution
The following methods can be adapted to control high temperature caused
by thermal discharges:
Cooling towers: Use of water from water systems for cooling systems for
cooling purposes, with subsequent return to the water way after
passage through a condenser, is called cooling process. Cooling towers
transfer heat from hot water to the atmosphere by evaporation. Cooling
towers are of two types:
(i) Wet cooling tower: Hot water coming out from the condenser
(reactor) is allowed to spray over baffles. Cool air, with high velocity, is
passed from sides, which takes away the heat and cools the water.
(ii) Dry cooling tower: Here, hot water is allowed to flow in long spiral
pipes. Cool air with the help of a fan is passed over these hot pipes,
which cools down hot water. This cool water can be recycled.
Cooling ponds: Cooling ponds are the best way to cool thermal
discharges. Heated effluents on the surface of the water in cooling
ponds maximize dissipation of heat to the atmosphere and minimize the
water area and volume. The warm water wedge acts like a cooling pond.
Spray ponds: The water coming out from
condensers is allowed to pass into the ponds
through sprayers. Here water is sprayed
through nozzles as fine droplets. Heat from the
fine droplets gets dissipated to the atmosphere.
Artificial lakes: Artificial lakes are man made
water bodies that offer once-through cooling.
The heated effluents can be discharged into the
lake at one end and water for cooling purposes
may be withdrawn from the other end. The
heat is eventually dissipated through
evaporation
 Solid waste management
Rapid population growth and urbanization in
developing countries has led to people
generating enormous quantities of solid waste
and consequent environmental degradation. The
waste is normally disposed in open
dumpscreating nuisance and environmental
degradation. Solid wastes cause a major risk to
public health and the environment. Management
of solid wastes is important in order to minimize
the adverse effects posed by their indiscriminate
disposal.
 Types of solid wastes
Depending on the nature of origin, solid wastes
are classified into
URBAN OR MUNICIPAL WASTES
INDUSTRIAL WASTES and
HAZARDOUS WASTES
SOURCES OF URBAN WASTES
Urban wastes include the following wastes:
Domestic wastes containing a variety of materials thrown
out from homes
Ex: Food waste, Cloth, Waste paper, Glass bottles,
Polythene bags, Waste metals, etc.
Commercial wastes: It includes wastes coming out from
shops, markets, hotels, offices, institutions, etc.
Ex: Waste paper, packaging material, cans, bottle, polythene
bags, etc.
Construction wastes: It includes wastes of construction
materials.
Ex: Wood, Concrete, Debris, etc.
Biomedical wastes: It includes mostly waste organic
materials
Ex: Anatomical wastes, Infectious wastes, etc
 Classification of urban wastes
Urban wastes are classified into:
Bio-degradable wastes - Those wastes that can be
degraded by micro organisms are called bio-
degradable wastes
Ex: Food, vegetables, tea leaves, dry leaves, etc.
Non-biodegradable wastes: Urban solid waste
materials that cannot be degraded by micro
organisms are called non-biodegradable wastes.
Ex: Polythene bags, scrap materials, glass bottles,
etc.
SOURCES OF INDUSTRIAL WASTES

The main source of industrial wastes are chemical

industries, metal and mineral processing industries.
Ex:
Nuclear plants: It generated radioactive wastes
Thermal power plants: It produces fly ash in large
quantities
Chemical Industries: It produces large quantities of
hazardous and toxic materials.
Other industries: Other industries produce packing
materials, rubbish, organic wastes, acid, alkali, scrap
metals, rubber, plastic, paper, glass, wood, oils, paints,
dyes, etc.
 EFFECT OF IMPROPER SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Due to improper disposal of municipal solid waste on the roads and

immediate surroundings, biodegradable materials undergo
decomposition producing foul smell and become a breeding ground for
disease vectors.
Industrial solid wastes are the source for toxic metals and hazardous
wastes that affect soil characteristics and productivity of soils when
they are dumped on the soil
Toxic substances may percolate into the ground and contaminate the
groundwater.
Burning of industrial or domestic wastes (cans, pesticides, plastics,
radioactive materials and batteries) produce furans, dioxins and
polychlorinated biphenyls that are harmful to human beings.
Solid waste management involves waste generation, mode of
collection, transportation, segregation of wastes and disposal
techniques.
 STEPS INVOLVED IN SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
Two important steps involved in solid waste management are:
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle of Raw Materials
Discarding wastes
Reduce - If usage of raw materials is reduced, the generation of
waste also gets reduced
Reuse - Refillable containers that are discarded after use can be
reused
Rubber rings can be made from discarded cucle tubes and
this reduces waste generation during manufacture of rubber
bands.
Recycle- Recycling is the reprocessing of discarded materials into
new useful products
Ex: Old aluminium cans and glass bottles are melted and recast
into new cans and bottles
Preparation of cellulose insulation from paper
Preparation of automobile body and construction material
from steel cans
This method (Reduce, Reuse & Recycle),
DISCARDING WASTES:
The following methods are adopted for discarding
wastes:
Landfill
Incineration and
Composting
LANDFILL: Solid wastes are placed in a sanitary
landfill in which alternate layers of 80 cm thick
refuse is covered with selected earth-fill of 20 cm
thickness. After 2-3 years solid waste volume
shrinks by 25-30% and land is used for parks, roads
and small buildings. This is the most common and
cheapest cheapest method of waste disposal and is
mostly employed in Indian cities.
Advantages:
It is simple and economical
Segregation of wastes is not required
Landfilled areas can be reclaimed and used for other
purposes
Converts low-lying, marshy waste-land into useful areas.
Natural resources are returned to soil and recycled.
Disadvantages:
Large area is required
Land availability is away from the town, tansportation costs
are high
Leads to bad odour if landfill is not properly managed.
Land filled areas will be sources of mosquitoes and flies
requiring application of insecticides and pesticides at
regular intervals.
Causes fire hazard due to formation of methane in wet
weather.
 INCINERATION
It is a hygenic way of disposing solid waste. It is
suitable if waste contains more hazardous
material and organic content. It is a thermal
process and very effective for detoxification of
all combustible pathogens. It is expensive
when compared to composting or land-filling.
In this method municipal solid wastes are
burnt in a furnace called incinerator.
ADVANTAGES
Residue is only 20-25% of the original and can be
used as clinker after treatment
Requires very little space
Cost of transportation is not high if the incinerator
is located within city limits
Safest from hygenic point of view
An incinerator plant of 3000 tonnes per day
capacity can generate 3MW of power.
DISADVANTAGES
Its capital and operating cost is high
Operation needs skilled personnel
Formation of smoke, dust and ashes needs further
disposal and that may cause air pollution.
 COMPOSTING
It is another popular method practiced in many cities in our country.
In this method, bulk organic waste is converted into fertilizer by
biological action.
Separated compostible waste is dumped in underground trenches in
layers of 1.5m and finally covered with earth of 20cm and left for
decomposition.
Sometimes, actinomycetes are introduced for active decomposition.
Within 2 to 3 days biological action starts. Organic matter is
destroyed by actinomycetes and lot of heat is liberated increasing
the temperature of compost by 75C and the refuse is finally
converted into powdery brown coloured odourless mass called
humus that has a fertilizing value and can be used in agriculture.
Humus contains lot of Nitrogen essential for plant growth apart
from phosphates and other minerals.
ADVANTAGES
Manure added to soil increases water retention
and ion-exchange capacity of soil.
This method can be used to treat several
industrial solid wastes.
Manure can be sold thereby reducing cost of
disposing wastes
Recycling can be done
DISADVANTAGES
Non-consumables have to be disposed
separately
The technology has not caught-up with the
farmers and hence does not have an assured
market.
 Liquid waste management
LIQUID WASTE
Liquid waste can be defined as such Liquids as
wastewater, fats, oils or grease (FOG), used oil,
liquids, solids, gases, or sludges and hazardous
household liquids. These liquids that are
hazardous or potentially harmful to human health
or the environment. They can also be discarded

pesticides, or the by-products of manufacturing

processes
 Types of Industrial Wastewater

Inorganic wastewater
Organic wastewater
Listed hazardous wastewater
Industrial wastewater with heavy metals
Industrial wastewater with organics
Non-hazardous wastewater
Oil and water mixtures
Industrial Wastewater Treatment Technologies

Chemical oxidation and reduction

Acid/Base neutralization
Chemical precipitation of metals
Flocculation
Filtration
Carbon adsorption
Supercritical fluid extraction
Biological treatment
Oil/Water separation
Liquid waste can be removed by:
-Containment: In this case, the waste is stored
either in barrels or tanks that can be picked up by
waste management services
-Treatment: In this case the liquids are treated
before disposal. The treatment technology
adopted depends upon the composition of the
liquid waste. Organic wastes are composted
whereas non-hazardous liquid wastes have their
water content extracted.
-Disposal: The liquid wastes after treatment are
either dumped in landfills, incinerated or
converted into new products that can be reused.
 Environmental legislation
Environment Protection Act
Salient features of Air Act, Water Act, Forest
& wildlife act
Issues involved in enforcement of
environmental legislation
Environment Protection Act, 1986

Objectives:
-To protect and improve air, water and land environment
-To prevent hazards to all living creatures and properties
-To maintain a pleasant relationship between human beings
and their environment.
Important features of this act:
-This act empowers the government to lay down
procedures and safeguards for prevention of accidents that
cause pollution and remedial measures if an accident
occurs.
The government has the authority to close/prohibit or regulate
any industry or its operation if violation of the provisions of
the act occur.
-Any person who fails to comply or contravenes any
provision of the act is punishable with imprisonment for a
term extending upto five years or a fine upto one lakh rupees
or both.
-An additional fine of Rs.5000 per day may be imposed for
entire period of violation of rules.
-The act fixes the liability on the person who is directly in-
charge unless it is proved that the offence was committed
without his/her knowledge or consent.
-This act empowers the officer of central government to
inspect the site and collect samples of air, water, soil or other
material for testing.
This act is the most comprehensive legislation with powers
for central government to act directly without interference
from regulatory authorities or agencies.
 SALIENT FEATURES OF AIR ACT
-The Air act provides for establishment of central and state boards for
implementation of rules under the act
-The Air act aims at prevention, control and abatement of air pollution
-pollution beyond certain limits due to various pollutants discharged
through industrial emission is monitored by pollution control boards
set up in every state
-The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) implements legislation
to improve quality of air, prevent and control air pollution in the
country.
-The board advises the central government on matters concerning
quality of air. It also coordinates activities, provides technical
assistance and guidance to state boards in addition to setting the
standards for quality of air.
-It collects and disseminates information in respect to air pollution and
performs functions prescribed by the act.
-The state boards advise the state government on matters concerning
prevention and control of air pollution
The state boards possess the right to inspect at all
reasonable times any control equipment, industrial plant or
manufacturing process and give orders to take necessary
steps to control pollution.
-The state board inspects air pollution control areas at
regular intervals or whenever necessary.
-They are empowered to provide standards for emissions to
be laid down for different industrial plants with regard to
quantity and composition of emissions.
-A state board may recognize or establish a laboratory for
this purpose.
-State government has powers to declare air pollution
control areas after consulting with state boards. In the same
manner, state government can give instructions to ensure
standards of emission from automobiles and restrict
operation of certain industrial units.
-Penalties are imposed by the state board and it might
appeal to the court to restrain persons for causing air
pollution.
The act empowers the board to take:
- water samples for analysis
- govern discharge of sewage
- trade effluents
- study or inspect appeals
- revision of policies
- set minimum and maximum
penalties
- publication of names of offenders
- offences by companies or
government departments
- establish or recognize water testing
laboratories and standard testing
 Issues involved in enforcement of environmental legislation
Three issues that are especially important for environmental legislation are:
1. The precautionary principle This principle has evolved to deal with
risks and
uncertainties faced by environmental management. The principle implies
that an ounce of
prevention is worth a pound of cure it does not prevent problems but
may reduce their
occurrence and helps ensure contingency plans are made.
2. The polluter-pays principle In addition to-the obvious the polluter
pays for the
damaged caused by a development this principle also implies that a
polluter pays for
monitoring and policing. A problem with this approach is that fines may
bankrupt small
businesses, yet be low enough for a large company to write them off as an
occasional
overhead, which does little for pollution control.
3. Freedom of information: Environmental planning and
management is hindered if the
public, NGOs or even official bodies are unable to get
information.
A number of laws have been enforced for safeguarding the
environmental quality. However, these laws and acts could
not be enacted successfully in light of the following
problems.
Drawbacks of wildlife protection act, 1972
Since this act has been enacted just as a fallout of Stockholm
conference held in 1972, it has not included any locally evolved
conservation measures.
The ownership certificates for some animal articles (Ex: Leopard
and Tiger skins) often serve as a tool for illegal trading.
Jammu and Kashmir have their own wildlife acts, therefore,
hunting and trading of many endangered species, prohibited in
other states are allowed in Jammu and Kashmir.
Drawbacks of the Forest (conservation) Act,
1980
This act only transfers the powers from state to
centre to decide the conversion of reserve forests
to non-forest areas.
The power has been centralized at the top and local
communities have been completely ignored from
the decision making process regarding the nature
of forest areas.
Drawbacks of pollution related acts
The power and authority has been given only to
the central government with little power to the
state government. This hinders effective
implementation of the act in the states.
The penalties imposed by this act are very small
when compared to the damage caused by big
industries due to pollution.
A person cannot directly file a petition in the court.
Litigation, related to the environment is expensive,
since it involves technical knowledge.
THANK YOU