The environment is a very complex phenomenon.

To understand the concept (environment), it is

necessary to know about the ecology, eco-system and biosphere as explained hereunder:

According to section 2(a) of the EPA 1986, environment includes water, air and land and the inter-
relationship which exists among and between water, air and land, and human beings, other living
creatures, plants, micro-organism and property,

Ecology: . It is a branch of biology dealing with relations of living organisms to their surroundings,
their habits, modes of life etc. it (ecology) may be described as “the science involved in the study of
organisms in relation to their environment”.

Ecosystem-the interdependence of living and non-living parts i.e. man, animals, plants, forests, lakes,
etc. make eco-system”.

Biosphere: ‘Biosphere’ is that part of the earth and atmosphere, which is inhabited by living beings.

The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: According to Section 2(c) of the Act, ‘Environmental Pollution’
means “the presence in the environment of any environmental pollutant”. ”. This definition is not
comprehensive and should be read with ‘Environmental Pollutant’ and ‘hazardous substance’ as defined
under Sec. 2(b) and 2(e) of the Act respectively as follows:

‘Environmental Pollutant’ means “any solid, liquid or gaseous substance present in such concentration
as may be or tend to be injurious to environment”.

‘hazardous substance’ means “any substance or preparation, which, by reason of its chemical or
physico-chemical properties or handling, is liable to cause harm to human beings, other living creatures,
plants, micro-organisms, property or the environment”.

Sources of pollution

• There are various sources/factors causing Environmental Pollution. The main sources are
explained below:

• Natural Causes:- Pollution caused by the natural hazards viz., cyclones, floods, earthquakes
etc. is called “Natural Pollution or by Natural Causes”.

• Artificial Causes:- Pollution caused by artificial causes viz., the intervention of human agency is
called “Artificial Pollution or by Artificial Causes”. They are two, namely: Population Growth;
and Industrialisation etc.

• Water pollution-According to Section 2(e) of the pollution means “such contamination of

water or such alteration of the physical, chemical or biological properties of water or such
discharge of any sewage or trade effluent or of any other liquid, gaseous or solid substance
 into water (whether directly or indirectly) as may, or is likely to, create a nuisance or render
such water harmful or injurious to public health or safety, or to the domestic, commercial,
industrial. agricultural or other legitimate uses, or to the life and health of animals or plants or
of aquatic organisms”.

• Noise is a form of sound. It is an unwanted or undesired and unpleasant sound, which

produces a bad effect on health (loss of hearing capacity, fatigue, digestive system, blood
pressure etc. Harell defined noise as “an unwanted sound which increases fatigue and under
some industrial conditions, it causes deafness Industries, Loudspeakers, Automobiles,
Aircraft, Trains, Construction works, Radio, T. V Microphones etc. are the main sources of
Noise.

• Land pollution- Destruction of soil, erosion of soil, creation of dust bowls etc. render the land
polluted. The major source of land pollution is the massive amount of solid wastes deposited
by use here and there. Household refuses, industrial waste etc. are land pollutants. The most
dangerous is plastic components. Chemicals also create land pollution. The major source of
land pollution is urbanisation. Agricultural operations, mining operations, felling of trees
result in land pollution.

• Food Pollution:- Food gets polluted from its source. Food pollution begins, when chemicals are
used from plant growth. These chemicals, directly and indirectly, affect the quality of food. Food
also gets polluted during processing, storage, transportation and retailing. When polluted or
adulterated food is consumed, it affects the health of the consumer.

• Radio Active Pollution:- Radioactive pollution is “the pollution caused by the blast of atoms”.
Some elements such as radium, uranium etc. emit invisible effects known as radiation. The
emission of these invisible radiations is known as ‘radioactivity’ and such substances are called
‘radioactive substances’.

When the amount of radiation received is exceeded (i.e. when it crosses the permissible limits), then it
causes pollution known as radioactive pollution.