Environmental

Steps required to control pollution

Pollution
Corporate Tax Planning
Welingkar Institute of Management
Batch – 2017 - 20
Topic - 8
Rohit Ghai | Roll No. 11
Bharat Tailor | Roll No. 51

Image: Google.com
Table of Contents
Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................... 3
Why does pollution matter? ...................................................................................................................... 4
How does Population cause Environmental Pollution? ........................................................................ 4
Introduction to Environmental Pollution .................................................................................................. 6
Types of Environmental Pollution ............................................................................................................ 8
Air Pollution ............................................................................................................................................. 9
Water Pollution ..................................................................................................................................... 14
Land / Soil Pollution ............................................................................................................................. 20
Noise Pollution ...................................................................................................................................... 35
Radio – Active Pollution ...................................................................................................................... 43
Biological Weapon ............................................................................................................................... 52
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................. 57
References ................................................................................................................................................ 58

2|Page
Executive Summary
The environmental pollution is rapidly increasing and the environment is affected by the
growing sectors like industrialization, urbanization and vehicularization. This rapid
development, together with emission trends (e.g. those resulting from changes in energy,
fuel, and vehicle use), population trends (the degree of urbanization), health trends (age
structure and increase in disease rates) and other important factors (e.g., broad changes
in regulatory approaches and improvements in control technology) will influence the
extent to which exposure to pollution affects the health of the population in India over the
next several decades.

This study has been conducted based on different cities in India and their major part in
environmental pollution and pollution control. Major trends have been analyzed with
regards to change in pollution levels in different parts of the country and the time frame.

The Green Tax or Ecotax is collected in favor to protect the world from the hazardous
effects of the non-eco-friendly products and services and the intended purpose of the
Green Tax is to offset the negative impact resulting from the use of non-green products
and services.

3|Page
Why does pollution matter?
It matters first and for most because it has negative impacts on crucial environmental
services such as provision of clean air and clean water without which life on Earth as we
know it would not exist. People are the reason we have pollution. Pollution affects our
environment because the water pollution can affect the living conditions of people and
plants. Pollution can cause our environment to start and fall. If we don’t have clean water
for plants and trees how are we going to make paper and grow veggies for people to eat?
This is why the big idea affects the environment and people are the main cause of
pollution.

How does Population cause Environmental Pollution?

The rapid increase of human population is putting an incredible strain on our environment.
While developed countries continue to pollute the environment and deplete its resources,
developing countries are under increasing pressure to compete economically and their
industrial advancement are damaging as well. The demands that this growth places on
our global environment are threatening the future of sustainable life on earth. One of the
largest environmental effect of human population growth is the problem of global
warming.

Total World Population: 770.25 Cr Total Population India: 137.72 Cr

China has a share of 18.47% Maharashtra leads with a share of 19.21%
India has a share of 17.70% West Bengal follows with a share of 11.31%

Some scientists fear that global warming will lead to rising sea levels and extreme weather
conditions in the future. In order to support the growing population, forests are being
destroyed at an alarming rate. Humans also continue to put a great demand on the natural
resources of our planet. Many non-renewable resources are being depleted due to the
unrestrained use of fuel and energy.

Many parts of the world also suffer from a shortage of food and water. The growth of
population puts large demands on our already limited resources. The environment on
earth is suffering from the growth of global population. The depletion of resources and
biodiversity, the production of waste, and the destroying of natural habitat are serious

4|Page
 problems that must be addressed in order to ensure that life on earth will be sustainable
throughout the next century.

0.140 Yearly Population Growth of India (Figures in Crores) 0.138

0.137
0.135
0.135 0.134
0.132
0.131
0.130
0.130
0.128
0.127
0.125
0.125 0.123

0.120

0.115
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Uttar Pradesh

West Bengal

Maharashtra

5|Page
Introduction to Environmental Pollution
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the environment that cause harm or
discomfort to humans or other living organism, or that damage the environment, which
can come in the form of chemical substances, or energy such as noise, heat or light.
Pollutants can be naturally occurring substances or energies, but are considered
contaminants when in excess of natural levels.

Environmental pollution takes place when the environment cannot process and neutralize
harmful by-products of human activities (poisonous gas emissions) in due course without
any structural or functional damage to its system.

Pollution occurs, on one hand, because the natural environment does not know how to
decompose the unnaturally generated elements (i.e., anthropogenic pollutants), and, on
the other hand, there is a lack of knowledge on the part of humans on how to decompose
these pollutants artificially. It may last many years during which the nature will attempt to
decompose the pollutants, in one of the worst cases – that of radioactive pollutions – it
may take as long as thousands of years for the decomposition of such pollutants to be
completed.

6|Page
7|Page
Types of Environmental Pollution
Generally speaking, there are many types of environmental pollution, but the most
important ones are:

Air Pollution occurs Water Pollution is the Soil Contamination or Noise Pollution or
when harmful or contamination of Soil Pollution is part of Sound Pollution is
excessive quantities water bodies, usually land degradation is the propagation of
of substances are as a result of human caused by the presence noise with ranging
introduced into activities. of Xenobiotics (human- impacts on the
Earth’s atmosphere. made) chemicals or activity of human or
Releasing inadequately
other alteration in the animal life, most of
Sources of Air treated wastewater
natural soil them harmful to a
Pollution – into natural water
environment. degree.
bodies can lead to
a. Gases (Ammonia,
degradation of aquatic It is typically caused by The source of
Carbon
ecosystems. industrial activities, outdoor noise
Monoxide, Sulfur
agricultural chemicals or worldwide is mainly
Dioxide, Nitrous, This can lead to public
improper disposal of caused by
Methane and health problems for
waste. machines,
Chlorofluorocarb people living
transport and
ons), downstream. The most common
propagation
b. Particulates chemicals involved are
They may use the same systems.
(Organic & petroleum
polluted river water for
Inorganic), hydrocarbons, Main sources of
drinking or bathing or
c. Biological polynuclear aromatic Noise Pollution:
irrigation.
Molecules hydrocarbons, Solvents, Loud Music,
Water pollution is the pesticides, lead, and Transportation,
It may cause
leading worldwide other heavy metals. Construction,
diseases, allergies
cause of death & Explosions &
and even death to
disease People.
living organisms.

8|Page
 BEFORE AFTER

17 Oct 2019 8 April 2020

Delhi

Air Pollution
During the last few years India has faced bad pollution levels in most of its cities which
brings India on the second position under the worlds most polluted county. Delhi,
Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, Patna and Mumbai have been marked as the top
polluted cities. Since few months the world is under a pandemic due to covid-19 (Corona
Virous), during these days India has witnessed cleaner air quality levels due to lockdown.

Above you can see the air quality index levels for the month of December 2019 including
different air pollutants(chemicals) present in the air. Here Patna & Delhi have gone
beyond the records with an index of 11,040 where as Ahmedabad, Lucknow and
Gurugram are in the index range of 8,912 – 9,100; Mumbai on the other hand, with the
highest number of population in India had an Index of 5,625.
9|Page
Why Delhi is more polluted city than Mumbai, where as Mumbai has the highest
population rate in India –

Delhi and Mumbai both are metro cities but Delhi is denser and more polluted city as
compared to Mumbai. This is because of many factors –

1. More Vehicles running in Delhi as compared to Mumbai.

2. Low Volume Breeze flow in Delhi as it is surrounded by cities.

10 | P a g e
3. No Nearby sea or wide land greenery area.
4. Surrounded by developing cities like Gurugram, Faridabad, Noida and Gaziabad.
In these developing cities air pollution index level is also high. These cities come
under rule of other states which have weak pollution control policies while these
cities are highly pollution generating cities.

5. Pollution concentration is due to topographical reasons. Notice the small arrows in

the below map which are going almost due North-East to the right of Mumbai’s
pollution cloud. There is low drainage but Mumbai still remains better than Delhi
on most days.

11 | P a g e
Pollution Level in India during Covid-19

During all India lockdown due to covid-19, the nature has started healing itself. The air
quality index levels have reached the safe range. The top polluted cities have safe air to
breath with the air quality index of, Patna – 3,935 and Delhi – 3,390 (drop of 7,000 points);
whereas, Mumbai has reached to a level of 2,230 (drop of 3,400 points).

List and definition of Chemical Pollutants which are present in the air:

Abbreviations Meaning

AQI Air Quality Index

Products that contain benzene such as glues, paints, furniture wax,
and detergents.
Benzene
The air around hazardous waste sites or gas stations can contain
higher levels of benzene than in other areas.
The natural concentration of carbon monoxide in air is around 0.2
parts per million (ppm), and that amount is not harmful to humans.
CO
Natural sources of carbon monoxide include volcanoes and
bushfires.
NOx is produced from the reaction of nitrogen and oxygen gases in
N Ox the air during combustion, especially at high temperatures. In areas
of high motor vehicle traffic, such as in large cities, the amount

12 | P a g e
 of nitrogen oxides emitted into the atmosphere as air pollution can be
significant.
Highly reactive and soluble alkaline gas. It originates from both
natural and anthropogenic sources, with the main source being
NH3 agriculture, e.g. manures, slurries and fertilizer application.
Excess nitrogen can cause eutrophication and acidification effects on
semi-natural ecosystems.
Nitrogen dioxide is a nasty-smelling gas. Some nitrogen dioxide is
formed naturally in the atmosphere by lightning and some is produced
by plants, soil and water. However, only about 1% of the total amount
NO2 of nitrogen dioxide found in our cities' air is formed this way.
Nitrogen dioxide is an important air pollutant because it contributes to
the formation of photochemical smog, which can have significant
impacts on human health
Ozone (O3) is a gas that can form and react under the action of light
and that is present in two layers of the atmosphere. High up in the
O3 atmosphere, ozone forms a layer that shields the Earth from
ultraviolet rays. However, at ground level, ozone is considered a
major air pollutant.
PM2. 5 refers to particles that have diameter less than 2.5
micrometers (more than 100 times thinner than a human hair) and
PM 2.5 remain suspended for longer. These particles are formed as a result
of burning fuel and chemical reactions that take place in the
atmosphere.
Sulfur dioxide is a gas. It is invisible and has a nasty, sharp smell. It
reacts easily with other substances to form harmful compounds, such
SO2
as sulfuric acid, sulfurous acid and sulfate particles. About 99% of
the sulfur dioxide in air comes from human sources.

13 | P a g e
 River Ganga

Water Pollution
Humans have wrestled with water quality for thousands of years, as far back as the 4th
and 5th centuries BC when Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, linked impure
water to disease and invented one of the earliest water filters. Today, the challenge is
sizeable, creating existential threats to biodiversity and multiple human communities, as
well as threatening economic progress and sustainability of human lives. As India grows
and urbanizes, its water bodies are getting toxic. It's estimated that around 70% of surface
water in India is unfit for consumption. Every day, almost 40 million liters of wastewater
enters rivers and other water bodies with only a tiny fraction adequately treated. A recent
World Bank report suggests that such a release of pollution upstream lowers economic
growth in downstream areas, reducing GDP growth in these regions by up to a third. To
make it worse, in middle-income countries like India where water pollution is a bigger
problem, the impact increases to a loss of almost half of GDP growth. Another study
estimates that being downstream of polluted stretches in India is associated with a 9%
reduction in agricultural revenues and a 16% drop in downstream agricultural yields.

The cost of environmental degradation in India is estimated to be INR 3.75 trillion ($80
billion) a year. The health costs relating to water pollution are alone estimated at about
INR 470-610 billion ($6.7-8.7 billion per year) – most associated with diarrheal mortality
14 | P a g e
and morbidity of children under five and other population morbidities. Apart from the
economic cost, lack of water, sanitation and hygiene results in the loss of 400,000 lives
per year in India.

State Wise Rivers –

15 | P a g e
A state wise bar chart represents the details of river / lakes chemical contents. As per the
latest figures the Southern region of India including Maharashtra have a high rate of toxics
present in the water which are accumulated the following reasons:

Sewage &
Waste Water

Eutrophication Dumping

Water
Pollution Industrial
Acid Rain
Waste

Global
Oil Pulling
Warming

16 | P a g e
Abbreviations Meaning

Temp Water Temperature

The pH of pure water is 7. In general, water with a pH lower than 7 is
considered acidic, and with a pH greater than 7 is considered basic.
PH
The normal range for pH in surface water systems is 6.5 to 8.5, and
the pH range for groundwater systems is between 6 and 8.5.
The conductivity of water is a measure of the capability of water to
Conductivity pass electrical flow. This ability is directly dependent on the
concentration of conductive ions present in the water.
BOD is a measure of the amount of oxygen required to remove waste
organic matter from water in the process of decomposition by aerobic
B.O.D bacteria (those bacteria that live only in an environment containing
oxygen). BOD is used, often in wastewater-treatment plants, as an
index of the degree of organic pollution in water.
Nitrate in drinking water is measured either in terms of the amount of
nitrogen present or in terms of both nitrogen and oxygen. The federal
standard for nitrate in drinking water is 10 milligrams per liter (10 mg/l)
Nitrate -
nitrate-N, or 45 mg/l nitrate-NO3. when the oxygen is measured as
Nitrogen
well as the nitrogen. Unless otherwise specified, nitrate levels usually
refer only to the amount of nitrogen present, and the usual standard,
therefore, is 10 mg/l.
The presence of fecal coliform bacteria in aquatic environments
indicates that the water has been contaminated with
Fecal Coliform the fecal material of man or other animals. ... The presence
of fecal contamination is an indicator that a potential health risk exists
for individuals exposed to this water.

17 | P a g e
Pristine Waters
Pictures of pristine clear waters of the Ganges, India’s longest river considered holy by
Hindus, were enthusiastically shared on social media a few weeks into the lockdown.
India’s pollution monitoring body said the water had even become fit for bathing in some
areas, according to real-time monitors placed along the 2,575-kilometer (1,600-mile) -
long river. A recent analysis by the Delhi Pollution Control Board found that the quality of
the Yamuna River flowing along New Delhi has also improved during the lockdown. The
study cited a decrease in runoffs from 28 industrial clusters and less trash.

The above graph shows the temporal variation of SPM concentrations in Vembanad lake
water on 28th February, 15th and 31st March, and 16th April of 2020. Visual interpretation
clearly shows a decrease in SPM concentration during the lockdown period. For
quantitative verification, the lake area was divided into 20 zones. Eighteen out of the 20
zones showed a decrease in the SPM concentration, showing that the decrease was
observed in the almost entire lake. Comparing the average SPM concentrations of the
period of lockdown (31st March and 16th April) with those of the pre-lockdown period
(28th February and 15th March), a significant decrease in SPM concentrations was
observed (15.9% on average; range: −10.3–36.4%). The mean values of SPM in each
zone decreased to a maximum of 8 mg/l.

18 | P a g e
Time series suspended particulate concentrations (2013–2020) estimated for the
Vembanad lake.

19 | P a g e
 Ahmedabad

Land / Soil Pollution

Industrial sector in India is witnessing rapid growth since the last decade of twentieth
century with reforms in economic laws and with establishment of special economic zones
(SEZ). Such rapid industrial growth has also increased threat to the environment. In spite
of great difficulty in its remediation in comparison with polluted air and water, soil pollution
as a threat to human life is by and large ignored at national level in India due to lack of
comprehensive information on the subject. Though coordinated effort on assessment of
soil pollution is absent at national level, sporadic information has been generated by
several researchers on various aspects of pollution affecting soil quality. It indicates that
soil resources are facing threats from deliberate use of contaminated organics,
amendment materials and irrigation water or from atmospheric depositions, spillage of
effluents etc. Nature pollutants varies from salts, toxic metals, metalloids, persistent
organics with varying degree of toxicity and may be of both industrial and geogenic
origins.

According to an analysis of soil samples from Goa and six cities, including New Delhi and
Mumbai, the average concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Indian soil was
almost twice the amount found globally—12 ng/g (nanogram per gram) dry weight as
against 6ng/g. The study was carried out by the SRM University (Tamil Nadu) in
collaboration with international institutes. PCBs are synthetic organic chemicals used in
electrical equipment, adhesives, paints and several other products. In April 2016, India

20 | P a g e
said manufacturing and importing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) will be banned after
December 31, 2025. Recently, a joint study by the researchers at the James Hutton
Institute and University of Aberdeen found that even the bottom of the ocean is not safe
from PCB contamination with “extraordinary” levels of contamination found in two of the
deepest trenches in the ocean—Mariana Trench in the North Pacific and Kermadec
Trench in the South Pacific. This polluting chemical persisted and found its way into the
remotest corner of the earth even though the US had banned its use back in 1979.

PCB concentration in India cities

After studying air samples and 84 samples of surface soil up to 20 cm from New Delhi,
Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Goa and Agra, it was revealed that heavier PCB
compounds were prevalent in urban areas.

Chennai: the city was found to be most contaminated in terms of PCB concentration in
soil, with an informal e-waste shredding site recording maximum concentration. Located
close to the port, the city imports e-waste and also generates nearly 47,000 tonnes of e-
waste annually.

Bengaluru: the second highest contamination was reported in a village in Bengaluru,

which was home to an open solid waste dumping ground.

Delhi: while soil PCB concentration was less in New Delhi and Mumbai, these cities
showed high levels of PCB in the air, primarily due to emission during informal e-waste
recycling.

Eastern Delhi is home to several informal electronic waste recycling units. The city, alone,
generates 15,000 tonnes of e-waste every year, in addition to the e-waste imported for
recycling purpose. High levels of tetra and penta PCB congeners were found in soil
samples from eastern Delhi.

21 | P a g e
Soil Quality & Chemicals Present

State – Andhra Pradesh

District – Kurnool

22 | P a g e
In the above graphs you see that the presences of pH is 69% which is in the Neutral Level
(Yellow) it also show that the presence of Alkaline (Green) is 31% in the first graph. In the
graph 2, the level of Electrical Conductivity (EC) (Red) is under Normal Level i.e 100%,
but in the graph 3 and 4, the Organic Carbon and Nitrogen is extremely Low (100%)
(Red). While Phosphorus and Potassium in the 5th and 6th graph is in the High level i.e.
58% and 95%. This proves that the soil quality of this district is good as the level of
Phosphorus, Potassium and Nitrogen present are High.

23 | P a g e
State – Gujrat

District – Ahmedabad

24 | P a g e
25 | P a g e
26 | P a g e
In the above graph of Ahmedabad district, we see that the presence of the important
chemicals leads to good quality of soil i.e. Phosphorus is 68% present in the soil where
as Potassium is 86% but the Low quantity of Nitrogen (100% Low) present in the soil
makes the life difficult for the farmers which calls for pesticides. But the presences of
Sulphur, Zinc, Iron, Copper, Manganese and Boron gives the soil a different texture.

State – Maharashtra

District – Amaravati

27 | P a g e
Amaravati District, Maharashtra has a has low quantity of unwanted chemicals and the
soil is fit for farming. High and Medium Volume of pH (70%), EC (100%), Organic Carbon
(80%), Phosphorus (87%), Potassium (100%), Sulphur (96%), Zinc (86%), Iron (51%),
Copper (100%), Manganese (89%) but the Low level of Nitrogen (100%) doesn’t provide
sufficient nutrition to the soil.

28 | P a g e
State – Kerala
District – Kozhikode

29 | P a g e
30 | P a g e
31 | P a g e
High Level of Acid is found in this region which is not suitable for any crop cultivation, the
presence of other chemicals such as Phosphorous, Potassium and Sulphur gives the soil
some amount of oxygen to the soil. But huge amount of Acid and Electrical Conductivity
destroys the fertility of the soil.

120%
Acidic
100%
100%
100% 98%100%
100% 100%
100%
100% 100%97% 100% 100%
100% 100% 100%
100%
100%
100%
100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
95% 94% 93% 94% 96%
100% 90% 87% 89% Adequate
86% 86%
77% 77% 80%
73% 76%
80% 69% 70% Alkaline
68% 67%69%
58% Dificient
60% 51%
47%
42% High
37%
40% 31% 27%
31% 30%
24% 23% 23% 25% Low
17% 20% 19%
16% 16%
16%14% 16% 13% 13%
20% 10% 11%
5% 6% 7% 6% 5% 4% 1% Medium
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%2%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%3%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0% Neutral
Potassium
Sulphur

Boron

Potassium
Sulphur

Boron

Potassium
Sulphur

Boron

Potassium
Sulphur

Boron
Potential of Hydrogen
Electrical Conductivity

Nitrogen

Potential of Hydrogen
Electrical Conductivity

Nitrogen

Potential of Hydrogen
Electrical Conductivity

Nitrogen

Potential of Hydrogen
Electrical Conductivity

Nitrogen
Phosphorus

Zinc

Copper

Phosphorus

Zinc

Copper

Phosphorus

Zinc

Copper

Phosphorus

Zinc

Copper
Organic Carbon

Iron

Manganese

Organic Carbon

Iron

Manganese

Organic Carbon

Iron

Manganese

Organic Carbon

Iron

Manganese
Non Saline

Normal

Saline

Slitly Saline
Kurnool Ahmedabad Kozhikoda Amaravati
Sufficient
Andhra Pradesh Gujrat Kerala Maharashtra

The table show the percent of chemical present in the soil

Accidental
spills &
Waste Industrial
accidents Acid rain
disposal

Chemical
Oil spills agents of
war

Nuclear
wastes Soil Coal ash

Pollution Corrosion of
underground
Microplastics
storage
tanks

Discharge of
Mining
sewage
Landfills &
Electronic
illegal
waste
dumping

32 | P a g e
Cause Detail
Accidental Industrial accidents (such as the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster Incident) can
spills & contaminate the soil with toxins or other substances. These can severely
Industrial impact the ecosystem and human health. Even agrochemicals stored in
accidents bulk may pose a significant risk in the event of an accidentally spilt.
Acid rain has high levels of hydrogen ions, making it acidic. When this rain
seeps into the soil, it can change adversely change the soil chemistry. This
Acid rain
means the acid rain may negatively affect plants and important microbes
that live in the soil; thereby affecting the food chain.
Chemical Chemicals that are synthesized to inflict harm or cause death has the
agents of war potential to leak into soil and remain potent.
These are fine particulates that are driven out of coal-fired boilers alongside
Coal ash flue gases. These particles contain traces of toxic elements such as
arsenic, cadmium and mercury.
Corrosion of Storage tanks that contain chemicals which are toxic, or may change soil
underground chemistry can be a potential cause of soil pollution of the tanks start to
storage tanks corrode.
Wastewater, if released back into the environment untreated can cause
Discharge of
contaminants to leech into the soil. If these contaminants infiltrate water
sewage
source, water-borne diseases can arise.
Electronic wastes have many components inside them, some of which may
Electronic
be toxic to human life. When these components are disposed of, these
waste
toxins may leech into the soil and affect life.
Landfills & Soil can get contaminated with leachate – which are formed when water
illegal percolates through garbage, collecting the dissolved materials. Soil may
dumping become contaminated if the leachate filters through.
Mining activities can affect the soil by causing soil erosion, the formation of
Mining
sinkholes, or leaching chemicals of the mining process into the soil.
Microplastics are extremely small pieces of plastic that are less than 5 mm
in length. As we all know, plastics do not easily decompose – it may take
Microplastics
between 10 to 500 years to decompose. Hence, microplastics can cause
soil pollution

33 | P a g e
 Nuclear Nuclear wastes are extremely dangerous to humans. Hence, if this type of
wastes waste isn’t properly disposed of, it can render an area uninhabitable.
Oil spills typically occur in a marine environment. However, it can also
Oil spills occur on land. Such a situation can affect soil chemistry and also disrupt
plant and animals life.
Improper waste disposal methods can cause soil pollution. For instance,
Waste
chemicals from various waste products could leech into the soil,
disposal
contaminating it.

How can Soil Pollution be Controlled?

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.

34 | P a g e
 Mumbai

Noise Pollution
The red light at a traffic junction is the universal sign for vehicles to stop — but in India, it
is also a signal to start something else: relentless honking. To address this menace and
punish impatient drivers, the Mumbai Police have launched a novel ‘Honk More, Wait
More’ scheme. Now, if impatient drivers honk at signals, they are simply increasing their
wait time. This may seem a quirky solution but it addresses a serious problem. When
noise from constant honking is added to the general cacophony in cities, it becomes noise
pollution — and this pollution can be costly and dangerous too.

Because of the threats of noise pollution, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
tracks noise-levels through monitoring stations spread across India’s major cities. In 2018
(the latest year for which data was available), Chennai was the noisiest among India’s six
metros. Across the city’s 10 stations, the average noise levels during the day was 67.8
decibels (dB), much higher than the equivalent figure for Delhi (61). Since decibels are
measured on a logarithmic scale, a 10 dB increase actually translates to a doubling in
perceived loudness making differences between cities more significant. Almost every part
of India’s cities, though, including Delhi, violates noise pollution standards. The

35 | P a g e
government mandates that noise levels in residential areas should not exceed 55 dB
during the day (and 45 at night).

In the 13 monitoring stations in residential areas across the six cities, this limit was
violated during both day and night throughout 2018. Even designated silence zones,
areas around hospitals, for instance, do not meet noise pollution standards. The area
around ASHP Hospital in Mumbai is the quietest among the metros (54 dB) but still noisier
than the limit (50 dB). Unsurprisingly, the noisiest parts of the city are in commercial and
industrial areas. The area around Paradise junction in Hyderabad, a major commercial
hub and a traffic chokepoint, is India’s loudest (79 dB). All this noise can inflict significant
damage. For a start, constant exposure to loud noise, such as regular honking hurts
hearing, with children and the elderly especially vulnerable. According to data from the
World Health Organization (WHO), South Asia already has the highest prevalence of
hearing loss in the world among children and the elderly.

36 | P a g e
But noise pollution can also lead to deeper damage. It affects sleep, increases stress and
even impairs cognitive development among children. According to a 2011 WHO study,
noise pollution in Western Europe was found to be associated with greater risk of heart
diseases, more stress-related mental health risks and slower child cognitive development.
Beyond the public health costs, noise pollution can even hurt the economy. Noise at night
affects the quality of sleep which is considered an important determinant of well-being
and productivity. Even during the day, working in a noisy environment hurts productivity.
An experiment in Kenya found that a 10 dB increase in noise reduces productivity by
around 5%.

In almost every part of Indian cities, noise levels exceed noise

pollution standards
80.0 75.0
68.6
70.0 65.4 65.9 65.0
60.2
60.0 55.0
50.0
50.0

40.0

30.0

20.0

10.0

-
Silent Residential Industrial Commercial

Avg of Six Metro Cities CPCB Std

Eliminating noise from cities is impossible but measures, such as the Mumbai police’s
traffic light initiative, can be an important first step in bringing noise pollution under control.
It is the right move because it will raise awareness. But there also has to be enforcement
like there is for other issues like drinking and driving, and wearing seat belts. There has
to be fines and penalties for honking unnecessarily. Only initiatives like these can prove
to be a solution for noise pollution in the long run.

37 | P a g e
State wise Noise Pollution / Level during the Day along with Forecasting

72.00
70.00
68.00
65.62 65.23 65.77
66.00 64.14 64.68
64.00 63.17
62.01
61.33
62.00
59.76 59.18 59.85
60.00 58.50
58.00
56.00
54.00
52.00
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Delhi Forecast(Delhi)

70.00
68.02 67.73 67.79
68.00 66.70 67.21
66.64 66.22
66.00
64.28 64.18 64.08 63.98 63.88
64.00
62.00
60.00
58.00
56.00
54.00
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Maharashtra Forecast(Maharashtra)

72.00
70.00 68.59 68.26
68.00 66.84 66.51
66.00 64.54 64.89
63.58 63.64
64.00
62.00 60.49 60.37 60.82
59.43
60.00
58.00
56.00
54.00
52.00
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Karnataka Forecast(Karnataka)

38 | P a g e
76.00
74.00 72.68
72.00 71.13 70.58
69.42 69.77 69.80
70.00 68.64 68.10 68.21
67.75 67.87 67.98
68.00
66.00
64.00
62.00
60.00
58.00
56.00
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Tamil Nadu Forecast(Tamil Nadu)

74.00

72.00
69.48
70.00 68.93
68.08 67.93 68.38
67.60 67.83
68.00 67.14
66.02
66.00 65.07
64.12 64.37
64.00

62.00

60.00

58.00
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Telangana Forecast(Telangana)

80.00
69.08 69.37
70.00 64.97 66.24 64.74 65.22 65.70 66.17 66.65
61.58 62.03 63.30
60.00

50.00

40.00

30.00

20.00

10.00

-
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Uttar Pradesh Forecast(Uttar Pradesh)

39 | P a g e
 90.00
80.00 71.42 72.49 73.57
68.19 70.18 67.85 70.34
70.00 64.07 66.58
61.73 61.85 62.72
60.00
50.00
40.00
30.00
20.00
10.00
-
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

West Bengal Forecast(West Bengal)

State wise Noise Pollution / Level during the Night along with Forecasting

66.00
64.00
62.00 60.92
59.64 60.01
60.00 58.89 59.27
57.56 57.03
58.00 56.98
55.91 55.40
56.00 55.33
54.65
54.00
52.00
50.00
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Delhi Forecast(Delhi)

68.00

66.00
64.04 64.03 63.69 63.99
64.00 63.08 63.39
62.92
62.10
62.00 60.77
60.65 60.46 60.21
60.00

58.00

56.00
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Maharashtra Forecast(Maharashtra)

40 | P a g e
80.00

70.00 65.16 65.47

62.65 62.96
58.00 58.50 59.85 60.45
60.00 54.44 53.65 54.62
52.23
50.00

40.00

30.00

20.00

10.00

-
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Karnataka Forecast(Karnataka)

80.00
68.80 69.83 70.87
67.42 65.86 67.77
70.00 65.04 64.03
59.51 59.80 60.35 61.35
60.00
50.00
40.00
30.00
20.00
10.00
-
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Tamil Nadu Forecast(Tamil Nadu)

80.00

70.00 62.98 62.95 63.03 63.75 64.47 65.18

61.74 62.31
58.27 57.32 57.60 59.23
60.00

50.00

40.00

30.00

20.00

10.00

-
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Telangana Forecast(Telangana)

41 | P a g e
80.00
70.00 63.84 64.89 65.94
62.21 62.88 62.79
59.99 58.56
60.00 54.38 54.02 55.03 56.52

50.00
40.00
30.00
20.00
10.00
-
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Uttar Pradesh Forecast(Uttar Pradesh)

80.00
70.06 71.50
66.81 67.16 68.61
70.00 64.13 63.97 63.53
59.58 59.46
60.00 55.60 56.10

50.00
40.00
30.00
20.00
10.00
-
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

West Bengal Forecast(West Bengal)

63.13 65.00 67.95 72.84 72.86 69.66 69.93

61.40 64.14 75.85 65.21 65.73 68.82
63.73 62.32 64.90 67.70 64.10 58.92 64.71
56.75 61.24 67.28 64.36 58.82 65.09 66.83

42 | P a g e
Radio – Active Pollution

• India has a largely indigenous nuclear power programme.

• The Indian government is committed to growing its nuclear power capacity as part
of its massive infrastructure development programme.
• The government has set ambitious targets to grow nuclear capacity.
• Because India is outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty due to its weapons
programme, it was for 34 years largely excluded from trade in nuclear plant and
materials, which hampered its development of civil nuclear energy until 2009.
• Due to earlier trade bans and lack of indigenous uranium, India has uniquely been
developing a nuclear fuel cycle to exploit its reserves of thorium.
• Since 2010, a fundamental incompatibility between India’s civil liability law and
international conventions limits foreign technology provision.

43 | P a g e
44 | P a g e
45 | P a g e
Radioactive wastes are the wastes emanating from a nuclear power plant or medical
laboratory. They contain the radioactive materials that are hazardous to most forms of life
and the environment. The wastes decay over the course of time, so they would be
confined to a safe place until the time they lose their radioactivity and no longer pose a
threat to the environment. The time specified earlier depends on the type of waste and
radioactive isotopes.
The natural radiations are also called as background reactions as the cosmic rays are
involved and the surface of the earth is reached from space. These include the radioactive
elements like uranium, thorium, radon, potassium, carbon, and radium. These elements
are traced in the soil, water, and rock. While man-made radiations include refining of
plutonium, thorium, and mining. Explosion and production of nuclear power plants and
radioactive isotopes as well as nuclear fuels.

Nuclear Waste Management

If someone is exposed to radioactive waves at levels greater than natural background
then that can be perilous to health. Cancer, birth defects, and other abnormalities can be
the result of exposure to high-level radioactive wastes. The government takes care of the
safe disposal of radioactive wastes within their borders. The cycle of waste management
is a possession, transportation, storage and disposal of waste.

Radio Active Waste Pollution

Radioactive pollution is the waste of water, air and other radioactive materials. Without
the safe disposal of radioactive waste, it can create life-threatening pollution and very
unhealthy repercussions could follow from the waste if not disposed of properly. To
provide an example, the first atom bomb that exploded during the second world war had
the after effects that the world can never forget. Flora and fauna were completely
destroyed. Nearly 30% of the population were either burned or killed by the radiation
caused by the bomb and another 30% were seriously injured. Even with these results,
the nuclear race is still going on between different nations that are also leading to radiation
pollution.

46 | P a g e
Radio Active Pollution in India and the death toll

Radiation Accident at Mayapuri Scrap Market, Delhi, 2010

In 2010, a most curious – and in hindsight rather dangerous under the circumstances –
object made its way to Mayapuri in Delhi. Mayapuri, often called Asia’s biggest scrap
market, has around 200 shops dealing in all kinds of scrap. A large number of
shopkeepers are from the minority Sikh community, with many Muslims and Hindus as
well. The labourers, like in other industrial areas in Delhi and nearby, are from Uttar
Pradesh and Bihar.

Initially, no one knew the provenance of the mysterious object which later turned out to
be Cobalt-60. A radioactive substance, it is used to treat cancer, among other things. It
would later transpire that it was auctioned by Delhi University (DU), allegedly, in
contravention of norms. In fact, it wasn’t before five people fell ill from the effects of the
radiation – leading to the death of a labourer who had come in contact, and grave injuries

47 | P a g e
to three shopkeepers – was it known what it was: a radioactive substance capable of
causing major damage, due to the completely wrong way it was being handled.

YKA investigated and found out that the victims of the radiation from the substance
continue to suffer from physical infirmities like dizziness in the sun, general weakness
and others they contracted through their contact with Cobalt-60, as per their claims. They
told YKA that the compensation they received was hardly satisfactory and did little to
alleviate their difficulties. They received Rs. four lakh each. The labourer who died
received monetary compensation of a few lakhs as well and his wife was given a
government job on compassionate grounds.

Not only that, neither the state nor the central government has put in place any
mechanism to prevent a reoccurrence of the tragedy, YKA learnt. Everything continues
as it was and a repeat may happen anytime, putting in danger a large labour force and
sundry shopkeepers.

Death – 1 Hospitalized - 8

48 | P a g e
The Bhopal disaster or Bhopal gas tragedy was an industrial accident. It happened at
a Union Carbide subsidiary pesticide plant in the city of Bhopal, India. On the night of 2-3
December 1984, the plant released approximately 40 tonnes of toxic methyl
isocyanate (MIC) gas, exposing more than 500,000 people to toxic gases.

A mixture of poisonous gases flooded the city, causing great panic as people woke up
with a burning sensation in their lungs. Thousands died immediately from the effects of
the gas. Many were trampled in the panic that followed. The first official immediate death
toll was 3,598 in 1989. Another estimate is that 8,000 died within two weeks, that an
additional 8,000 have since died from gas-related diseases.

The Bhopal disaster is frequently cited as the worst industrial disaster. The International
Medical Commission on Bhopal was established in 1993 to respond to the long term
health effects of the disaster. The owner of the factory, UCIL, was majority owned by
UCC, with Indian Government-controlled banks and the Indian public holding a 49.1

49 | P a g e
percent stake. In 1989, UCC paid $470 million ($929 million in 2017 dollars) to settle
litigation stemming from the disaster. In 1994, UCC sold its stake in UCIL to Ever-Ready
Industries India Limited (EIIL), which subsequently merged with McLeod Russel (India)
Ltd. Eveready ended clean-up on the site in 1998, when it terminated its 99-year lease
and turned over control of the site to the state government of Madhya Pradesh. Dow
Chemical Company purchased UCC in 2001, seventeen years after the disaster.

Civil and criminal cases were filed in the District Court of Bhopal, India, involving UCC
and Warren Anderson, UCC CEO at the time of the disaster. In June 2010, seven former
employees, including the former UCIL chairman, were convicted in Bhopal of causing
death by negligence and sentenced to two years imprisonment and a fine of about $2,000
each, the maximum punishment allowed by Indian law. An eighth former employee was
also convicted, but died before the judgement was passed. Anderson died on 29
September 2014.

4,500
3,928
4,000

3,500

3,000

2,500 2,259

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

-
1984 1991

Over all Affected – 5,58,125

50 | P a g e
Types of Nuclear Waste

Total
Volume of
Nuclear
Waste

3%
High – level Waste
Spent fuel containing 95% of radioactivity in the nuclear waste.

7%
Intermediate – level Waste
Used filters, steel components from within the reactor and
some effluents from reprocessing containing 4% of
radioactivity in the nuclear waste.

90%
Low - level Waste
Lightly – contaminated items like tools and work clothing
containing only 1% of radioactivity in the nuclear waste.

51 | P a g e
Biological Weapon
Biological Warfare (BW), also known as germ warfare is the use of biological toxins or
infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi with the intent to kill or incapacitate
humans, animals or plants as an act of war. Biological weapons (often termed “bio-
weapons”, “biological threat agents”, or “bioagents”) are living organisms or replicating
entities (viruses, which are not universally considered “alive”) that reproduce or replicate
within their host victims.

NBC is the military acronym for nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare using weapons
of mass destruction. There is an overlap between biological warfare and chemical
warfare, as the use of toxins produced by living organisms is considered, it may also be
considered as bioterrorism. Entomological (insect) warfare is also considered a type of
biological weapon.

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is the nodal ministry for BW and partners with Ministry of
Health & Family Welfare in its management. MHA is responsible for assessing threat
perceptions, setting up of deterrent mechanisms and providing intelligence inputs.

52 | P a g e
WHO contributes to global health security in the specific field of outbreak alert and
response by:

• strengthening national surveillance programmes, particularly in the field of

epidemiology and laboratory techniques;

• disseminating verified information on outbreaks of diseases, and also by providing

technical support for response; and

• Collecting, analyzing and disseminating information on diseases likely to cause

epidemics of global importance.

India has ratified the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) and pledges to
abide by its obligations. There is no clear evidence, circumstantial or otherwise, that
directly points toward an offensive BW program. India has defensive biological warfare
(BW) capabilities and has conducted research on countering various diseases. [1] India
also has an extensive and advanced dual-use pharmaceutical industry.

Capabilities

New Delhi possesses the scientific capability and infrastructure to launch an offensive
BW program, but does not appear to have chosen to do so. In terms of delivery, India
also possesses the capability to produce aerosols and has numerous potential delivery
systems ranging from crop dusters to sophisticated ballistic missiles. However, no
information exists in the public domain suggesting interest by the Indian government in
delivery of biological agents by these or any other means.

Biological Weapons

Corona Virus

H1N1 Flue

E- Bola

53 | P a g e
No Cases of E-bola in India

54 | P a g e
 The devastating effects caused by an enormous spread of a
certain kind of living organism that may spread disease, viruses or
Definition
infestation of plant, animal or insect life on an epidemic or
pandemic level
Indicates a disaster that affects many people in a given area or
Epidemic Level
community
Indicates a disaster that affects a much larger region, sometimes
Pandemic Level an entire continent or even the whole planet. For example, the
recent Corona Virus, H1N1 or Swine Flu pandemic

Prevention of Biological Hazards

The basic measure to prevent and control biohazards is the elimination of the source of
contamination.

Preventive Measures for workers in the field (medical):

• Engineering controls – to help prevent the spread of such disasters including

proper ventilation, installing negative pressure, and usage of UV lamps.
• Personal hygiene – washing hands with liquid soap, proper care for clothes that
have been exposed to a probably contaminated environment.
• Personal protection equipment – masks, protective clothing, gloves, face shield,
eye shield, shoe covers.
• Sterilisation – Using ultra heat or high pressure to eliminate bacteria or using
biocide to kill microbes.
• Respiratory protection – surgical masks, respirators, powered air-purifying
respirators (PAPR), air-supplying respirators.

55 | P a g e
Prevention of Biological Disaster

Prevention includes the following measures that should be taken before (preventive),
during and after any outbreaks.

Environmental Management:

• Safe water supply, proper maintenance of sewage pipelines – to prevent

waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, dysentery, etc.
• Awareness of personal hygiene and provision for washing, cleaning, bathing,
avoiding overcrowding, etc.
• Vector control:
o Environmental engineering work and generic integrated vector control
measures.
o Water management, not permitting water to stagnate and collect and other
methods to eliminate breeding places for vectors.
o Regular spraying of insecticides, outdoor fogging, etc. for controlling
vectors.
o Controlling the population of rodents.

Post-disaster Epidemics Prevention:

• The risk of epidemics is increased after any biological disaster.

• Integrated Disease Surveillance Systems (IDSS) monitors the sources, modes of
diseases spreading, and investigates the epidemics.

Detection and Containment of Outbreaks:

This consists of four steps as given under:

• Recognising and diagnosing by primary healthcare practitioners.

• Communicating surveillance information to public health authorities.
• Epidemiological analysis of surveillance data
• Public health measures and delivering proper medical treatment.

56 | P a g e
Conclusion
While the COVID-19 pandemic has temporarily reduced pollution in the seas, this should
not be a moment of reprieve. Rather, recovery efforts need to build a new reality,
embedded in sustainability. Efforts are needed to steer our collective fleets toward
sustainability.

• Air pollution control devices (High Efficiency Electro-Static Precipitators) have

been installed,
• 275m high Chimney,
• Cooling Towers,
• Power Station has been designed on concept of “Zero Discharge” as a result 100%
recirculation/ recycle of water and wastewater is being maintained,
• Installation of Dust Extraction and Dust Suppression System (DE and DS System)
in Coal Handling Area for control of dust emission,
• Ash slurry disposal in ash ponds adopting High Concentration Slurry Disposal
(HCSD) technique,
• Installation of Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) including Ash Water Recirculation
System (AWRS),
• Ash Management through Wet and Dry Ash collection system and the effective
utilization of ash by different industries for manufacturing of products like cement,
tiles, blocks, etc.,
• Installation of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP),
• Implementation of Solid Waste Management Plan,
• Environment laboratory for regular Environment Monitoring,
• Independent Environment Monitoring,
• Green Belt Development, Afforestation and landscaping,
• Campaigns for Environment consciousness,
• Compliances with all legal and statutory requirements.

57 | P a g e
References
1. https://www.apcpl.co.in/index.php/environment/pollution-control-measures
2. https://byjus.com/?s=pollution+control+measures
3. https://data.gov.in/
4. https://www.kaggle.com/
5. www.google.com
6. https://www.farmer.gov.in/soilfertilitymaps.aspx
7. https://www.journals.elsevier.com/environmental-pollution

58 | P a g e