AIM

Environmental
Pollution
 Certificate

This is to certify that Shubhayush Debnath of Class XI (Science) has

completed the chemistry project entitled 'Environmental Pollution'
himself and under my guidance. The progress of the project has been
continuously reported and has been in my knowledge consistently.

Mr. Amit Chakraborty

Internal Examiner

Mr. Sujit Dasgupta (Principal)

Modern High Secondary School
 Acknowledgement

It gives me great pleasure to express my gratitude towards our Chemistry

Teacher Mr. Amit Chakraborty for his guidance support and
encouragement throughout the duration of the project. Without his
motivation and help the successful completion of this project would not
have been possible.
I also like to thank Mr. Sujit Dasgupta, Principal, Modern High Secondary
School for his support and encouragement.
Last but not the least, I want to thanks my family members and friends for
their unlimited support.

Shubhayush Debnath
Date:22/02/2022
 INDEX
Topics Name Page number
Aim i

Certificate ii

Acknowledgement iii

Index iv

Statement on 1
environmental pollution
Objectives of the study 2

Introduction 3

Forms of pollution 4

Ozone layer 10

Greenhouse effect 14

Methods to control 17
environmental pollution
Conclusion 19

Limitation of the study 20

Bibliography 21
 Statement on environmental pollution

The project’s claim is to protect environment from being polluted. Environmental

pollution is not a new phenomenon, yet it remains the world’s greatest problem
facing humanity, and the leading environmental causes of morbidity and mortality.
Man’s activities through urbanization, industrialization, mining, and exploration are
at the forefront of global environmental pollution. Both developed and developing
nations share this burden together, though awareness and stricter laws in developed
countries have contributed to a larger extent in protecting their environment. Despite
the global attention towards pollution, the impact is still being felt due to its severe
long-term consequences. This chapter examines the types of pollution—air, water,
and soil; the causes and effects of pollution; and proffers solutions in combating
pollution for sustainable environment and health.
 Objectives of the study

Environmental pollution is one of the most serious global challenges. Wild-type

organisms have a slower degradation rate of hazardous materials. Currently,
advanced molecular biology tools along with conventional approaches allow us to
rapidly degrade or accumulate hazardous materials from environments. This can
help modify microorganisms to gain the ability to sense and degrade hazardous
chemicals from contaminated sites, in turn, allowing us to grow vegetation and
improve crop productivity. In this chapter, conventional and advanced molecular
biology tools for the removal and detoxification of contaminants from soil and water
to improve environmental conditions are highlighted.
 INTRODUCTION

The problems that arise in the environment due to contaminants are called pollution.
In today’s time, almost every area of nature has become polluted. Such as the
greenhouse effect due to climate change and the increase in global warming of the
earth, the depletion of the ozone layer, the occurrence of acid rain, large landslides
due to floods, the movement of soil from one place to another is signs of pollution
of the environment.

Human society is the biggest reason for the pollution of the environment. The
condition of the environment we see today results from many years of wrong deeds
of man towards the environment. Man has exploited the environment a lot to fulfill
his needs. If steps are not taken to save the environment even now, we will have to
pay a hefty price in the coming few years. Our future generations will not be able to
see a better environment. Therefore, we all have to take steps together for the benefit
of the environment.

What can we do to save the environment? To save the environment from pollution,
we have to start with ourselves. We have to promise ourselves that we will never
take steps against the health of the environment.
We all know that plastic is harmful to the environment, so we will not use it at all.
We will never advise farmers to use chemicals in their fields. We will save
electricity. We will plant new trees.

Whenever possible, we will make people aware of the environment and explain the
importance of a good environment. In this way, we can contribute to saving the
environment.
 Forms of pollution

Air Pollution
Air pollution is the contamination of air due to the presence of substances in the
atmosphere that are harmful to the health of humans and other living beings, or cause
damage to the climate or to materials. There are many different types of air
pollutants, such as gases (including ammonia, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide,
nitrous oxides, methane, carbon dioxide and chlorofluorocarbons), particulates (both
organic and inorganic), and biological molecules. Air pollution can cause diseases,
allergies, and even death to humans; it can also cause harm to other living organisms
such as animals and food crops, and may damage the natural environment (for
example, climate change, ozone depletion or habitat degradation) or built
environment (for example, acid rain). Both human activity and natural processes can
generate air pollution.

Air pollution is a significant risk factor for a number of pollution-related diseases,

including respiratory infections, heart disease, COPD, stroke and lung cancer.
Growing evidence suggests that air pollution exposure may be associated with
reduced IQ scores, impaired cognition, increased risk for psychiatric disorders such
as depression and detrimental perinatal health. The human health effects of poor air
quality are far reaching, but principally affect the body's respiratory system and the
cardiovascular system. Individual reactions to air pollutants depend on the type of
pollutant a person is exposed to, the degree of exposure, and the individual's health
status and genetics. Outdoor air pollution alone causes 2.1to 4.21 million deaths
annually, making it one of the top contributors to human death. Overall, air pollution
causes the deaths of around 7 million people worldwide each year, and is the world's
largest single environmental health risk. Indoor air pollution and poor urban air
quality are listed as two of the world's worst toxic pollution problems in the 2008
Blacksmith Institute World's Worst Polluted Places report. The scope of the air
pollution crisis is enormous: 90% of the world's population breathes dirty air to some
degree. Although the health consequences are extensive, the way the problem is
handled is often haphazard.

Productivity losses and degraded quality of life caused by air pollution are estimated
to cost the world economy $5 trillion per year but, along with health and mortality
impacts, are an externality to the contemporary economic system and most human
activity, albeit sometimes being moderately regulated and monitored. Various
pollution control technologies and strategies are available to reduce air pollution. To
reduce the impacts of air pollution, both international and national legislation and
regulation have been implemented to regulate air pollution. Local laws, where well
enforced, have led to strong public health improvements. At the international level,
some of these efforts have been successful – for example the Montreal Protocol was
successful at reducing release of harmful ozone depleting chemicals or the 1985
Helsinki Protocol which reduced sulfur emissions, while other attempts have so far
been less successful in implementation, such as international action on climate
change.

Noise Pollution
Noise pollution, also known as environmental noise or sound pollution, is the
propagation of noise with ranging impacts on the activity of human or animal life,
most of them harmful to a degree. The source of outdoor noise worldwide is mainly
caused by machines, transport, and propagation systems. Poor urban planning may
give rise to noise disintegration or pollution, side-by-side industrial and residential
buildings can result in noise pollution in the residential areas. Some of the main
sources of noise in residential areas include loud music, transportation (traffic, rail,
airplanes, etc.), lawn care maintenance, construction, electrical generators, wind
turbines, explosions, and people. Documented problems associated with noise in
urban environments go back as far as ancient Rome. Today, the average noise level
of 98 decibels exceeds the WHO value of 50 dB allowed for residential areas.
Research suggests that noise pollution in the United States is the highest in low-
income and racial minority neighborhoods, and noise pollution associated with
household electricity generators is an emerging environmental degradation in many
developing nations.

High noise levels can contribute to cardiovascular effects in humans and an

increased incidence of coronary artery disease. In animals, noise can increase the
risk of death by altering predator or prey detection and avoidance, interfere with
reproduction and navigation, and contribute to permanent hearing loss.[8] A
substantial amount of the noise that humans produce occurs in the ocean. Up until
recently, most research on noise impacts has been focused on marine mammals, and
to a lesser degree, fish.[9][10] In the past few years, scientists have shifted to
conducting studies on invertebrates and their responses to anthropogenic sounds in
the marine environment. This research is essential, especially considering that
invertebrates make up 75% of marine species, and thus compose a large percentage
of ocean food webs.[10] Of the studies that have been conducted, a sizable variety
in families of invertebrates have been represented in the research. A variation in the
complexity of their sensory systems exists, which allows scientists to study a range
of characteristics and develop a better understanding of anthropogenic noise impacts
on living organisms.

Water Pollution
Water pollution (or aquatic pollution) is the contamination of water bodies, usually
as a result of human activities, in such a manner that negatively affects its legitimate
uses. Water pollution reduces the ability of the body of water to provide the
ecosystem services that it would otherwise provide. Water bodies include for
example lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers, reservoirs and groundwater. Water pollution
results when contaminants are introduced into these water bodies. Water pollution
can usually be attributed to one of four sources: sewage, industry, agriculture, and
urban runoff including stormwater. For example, releasing inadequately treated
wastewater into natural waters can lead to degradation of these aquatic ecosystems.
Water pollution can also lead to water-borne diseases for people using polluted water
for drinking, bathing, washing or irrigation. Supplying clean drinking water is an
important ecosystem service provided by some freshwater systems, but
approximately 785 million people in the world do not have access to clean drinking
water because of pollution.

Water pollution can be classified as surface water pollution (for example lakes,
streams, estuaries, and parts of the ocean in marine pollution) or groundwater
pollution. Sources of water pollution are either point sources or non-point sources.
Point sources have one identifiable cause, such as a storm drain, a wastewater
treatment plant or an oil spill. Non-point sources are more diffuse, such as
agricultural runoff. Pollution is the result of the cumulative effect over time.

Pollution may take the form of toxic substances (e.g., oil, metals, plastics, pesticides,
persistent organic pollutants, industrial waste products), stressful conditions (e.g.,
changes of pH, hypoxia or anoxia, stressful temperatures, excessive turbidity,
unpleasant taste or odor, and changes of salinity), or pathogenic organisms.
Contaminants may include organic and inorganic substances. Heat can also be a
pollutant, and this is called thermal pollution. A common cause of thermal pollution
is the use of water as a coolant by power plants and industrial manufacturers. Control
of water pollution requires appropriate infrastructure and management plans as well
as legislation. Technology solutions can include improving sanitation, sewage
treatment, industrial wastewater treatment, agricultural wastewater treatment,
erosion control, sediment control and control of urban runoff (including stormwater
management). Effective control of urban runoff includes reducing speed and
quantity of flow.

Soil Pollution
soil pollution, or land pollution as a part of land degradation is caused by the
presence of xenobiotic (human-made) chemicals or other alteration in the natural
soil environment. It is typically caused by industrial activity, agricultural chemicals
or improper disposal of waste. The most common chemicals involved are petroleum
hydrocarbons, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (such as naphthalene and
benzo(a)pyrene), solvents, pesticides, lead, and other heavy metals. Contamination
is correlated with the degree of industrialization and intensity of chemical substance.
The concern over soil contamination stems primarily from health risks, from direct
contact with the contaminated soil, vapor from the contaminants, or from secondary
contamination of water supplies within and underlying the soil. Mapping of
contaminated soil sites and the resulting cleanups are time-consuming and expensive
tasks, and require expertise in geology, hydrology, chemistry, computer modeling,
and GIS in Environmental Contamination, as well as an appreciation of the history
of industrial chemistry.

In North America and Western Europe, the extent of contaminated land is best
known, with many of countries in these areas having a legal framework to identify
and deal with this environmental problem. Developing countries tend to be less
tightly regulated despite some of them having undergone significant
industrialization.

Radioactive Pollution
Radioactive pollution, also called radiological contamination, is the deposition of,
or presence of radioactive substances on surfaces or within solids, liquids or gases
(including the human body), where their presence is unintended or undesirable (from
the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) definition).

Such contamination presents a hazard because of the radioactive decay of the

contaminants, which produces such harmful effects as ionizing radiation (namely
alpha, beta, and gamma rays) and free neutrons. The degree of hazard is determined
by the concentration of the contaminants, the energy of the radiation being emitted,
the type of radiation, and the proximity of the contamination to organs of the body.
It is important to be clear that the contamination gives rise to the radiation hazard,
and the terms "radiation" and "contamination" are not interchangeable.

The sources of radioactive pollution can be classified into two groups: natural and
man-made. Following an atmospheric nuclear weapon discharge or a nuclear reactor
containment breach, the air, soil, people, plants, and animals in the vicinity will
become contaminated by nuclear fuel and fission products. A spilled vial of
radioactive material like uranyl nitrate may contaminate the floor and any rags used
to wipe up the spill. Cases of widespread radioactive contamination include the
Bikini Atoll, the Rocky Flats Plant in Colorado, the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear
disaster, the Chernobyl disaster, and the area around the Mayak facility in Russia.

Plastic Pollution
Plastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic objects and particles (e.g., plastic
bottles, bags and microbeads) in the Earth's environment that adversely affects
wildlife, wildlife habitat, and humans. Plastics that act as pollutants are categorized
by size into micro-, meso-, or macro debris. Plastics are inexpensive and durable
making them very adaptable for different uses; as a result, humans produce a lot of
plastic. However, the chemical structure of most plastics renders them resistant to
many natural processes of degradation and as a result they are slow to degrade.
Together, these two factors allow large volumes of plastic to enter the environment
as mismanaged waste and for it to persist in the ecosystem.

Plastic pollution can afflict land, waterways and oceans. It is estimated that 1.1 to
8.8 million tons of plastic waste enters the ocean from coastal communities each
year. It is estimated that there is a stock of 86 million tons of plastic marine debris
in the worldwide ocean as of the end of 2013, with an assumption that 1.4% of global
plastics produced from 1950 to 2013 has entered the ocean and has accumulated
there. Some researchers suggest that by 2050 there could be more plastic than fish
in the oceans by weight. Living organisms, particularly marine animals, can be
harmed either by mechanical effects such as entanglement in plastic objects,
problems related to ingestion of plastic waste, or through exposure to chemicals
within plastics that interfere with their physiology. Degraded plastic waste can
directly affect humans through both direct consumption (i.e., in tap water), indirect
consumption (by eating animals), and disruption of various hormonal mechanisms.

As of 2019, 368 million tons of plastic is produced each year; 51% in Asia, where
China is the world's largest producer. From the 1950s up to 2018, an estimated 6.3
billion tons of plastic has been produced worldwide, of which an estimated 9% has
been recycled and another 12% has been incinerated.[10] This large amount of
plastic waste enters the environment, with studies suggesting that the bodies of 90%
of seabirds contain plastic debris. In some areas there have been significant efforts
to reduce the prominence of free-range plastic pollution, through reducing plastic
consumption, litter cleanup, and promoting plastic recycling. As of 2020, the global
mass of produced plastic exceeds the biomass of all land and marine animals
combined. A May 2019 amendment to the Basel Convention regulates the
exportation/importation of plastic waste, largely intended to prevent the shipping of
plastic waste from developed countries to developing countries. Nearly all countries
have joined this agreement. COVID-19 saw an increase in plastic finding its ways
to the ocean, especially from medical waste and masks. Several news reports point
to a plastic industry trying to take advantage of the health concerns and desire for
disposable masks and packaging to increase production of single use plastic.

Ozone Layer
In the lower region of the stratosphere (the region at the height of 15 km to 35 km
from the ground), there exists a layer of ozone gas. This layer is known as ozone
layer or ozonosphere. Almost 90% of total ozone gas exists in this layer.
In the absence of ozonosphere, the existence of the living beings would have been
at stake. It is this ozone layer in the stratosphere which absorbs the harmful
ultraviolet radiations coming from the sun. Thus, it prevents most of the ultraviolet
rays from reaching the earth's surface.
Formation of ozone layer
oxygen molecules (0₂) present in the stratosphere absorbs ultraviolet radiations
coming from the sun and decomposes to form oxygen atoms (0). This atomic oxygen
combines with oxygen molecule to form ozone molecule.

In the ozone layer of the stratosphere, these two opposite processes (formation of
ozone molecule and the decomposition of ozone molecule) occur in a cyclic order
and finally attains a state of equilibrium. Due to the existence of such an equilibrium
state, quantity of ozone in the stratosphere remains fixed.

Role of ozone layer in the environment

The ozonosphere works as protective layer for the living. world. Acting as a
protective umbrella, ozone layer absorbs most of the harmful UV-radiation emitted
by the sun because these rays are utilized in the production and decomposition of
ozone. In the absence of ozone layer, the earth's surface and the adjacent air would
be so heated by the UV-radiation that the existence of the plants and the animals
including bacteria in land and water would have been impossible.
Ultraviolet radiation- causes cancer in human skin, damages the cornea of the eyes
and develops premature cataract. decreases immunity against diseases and fertility
in living beings. Genetic diseases are also the consequence of the harmful effects of
ultraviolet radiation.

Depletion of ozone layer: Ozone hole

In 1982, the British scientist Jo Foreman first observed that the ozone layer of the
stratosphere above the Antarctic (the south polar regions) was gradually getting
thinner. Extensive researches in the subsequent years have revealed that the ozone
layer is gradually becoming thinner not only in Antarctica but almost everywhere in
the stratosphere. The phenomenon of thinning of the ozone layer of the stratosphere
is known as depletion of ozone layer or ozone hole.

Depletion of the ozone layer signifies that the equilibrium between the two
contradictory processes i.e., the formation and the decomposition of ozone has been
disturbed somehow. Due to the influx of several foreign substances into the
atmosphere, the rate of decomposition of ozone has far exceeded than the rate of its
formation. This has resulted in the thinning of ozone layer almost everywhere in the
stratosphere.

Causes of depletion of ozone layer (formation of ozone hole)

[i] Scientists believe that some chemical substances belonging to the class of
chlorofluorocarbons (Freons or CFCs) are mainly responsible for the formation
ozone hole. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are the different chloro and fluoro
derivatives of methane and ethane. Some examples of CFCs are given below.

The above-mentioned chemicals were extensively used as O refrigerants, 2

propellants in aerosols, foaming agent in plastic production, 4 ingredients of fire
extinguisher, 5 solvents for various purposes etc. In the troposphere, these gases are
non-corrosive, non-toxic, non-inflammable and chemically inert. As a result, these
gases after being liberated from the field of their applications, gradually reach the
upper stratosphere after a long period of time. In stratosphere, they absorb the UV -
radiation coming from the sun and decompose to produce highly active chlorine
atoms which subsequently t with O, of the ozone layer to liberate oxygen and
chlorine monoxide free radical (CIO) which, on further reaction with ozone, forms
O, molecules and active chlorine atoms. The chlorine atoms again combine with 0.
molecules to form O, molecules. In this way, a cyclic process continues, which
eventually causes depletion of the ozone layer.

It has been experimentally found that a single Cl-atom is capable of decomposing

millions of O3 molecules.

[ii] Experiments head revealed that halons widely damage the ozone layer. Halons
are halocarbons. Most of them contain bromine as halogen. These are mainly used
as fire extinguishers e.g., Halon-1211 (CF₂BrCl, bromochloro difluoromethane),
Halon-1301 (CF3Br, bromotrifluoro methane) etc. Halons are stable in the
troposphere. But in the stratosphere, they absorb UV-radiations and decompose to
produce active bromine atoms. These active bromine atoms combine with O3 of the
ozone layers to liberate oxygen and bromine monoxide free radical (BrỎ). The
produced BrỎ again reacts with ozone to evolve O2 molecules and active bromine
atoms. Bromine atoms thus obtained, on reaction with O3, gives O₂ molecule. In this
way, the entire process proceeds continuously in a cyclic manner which leads to
the decay of the ozone layer.

[iii] Extensive studies have unquestionably proved that increase in quantity of the
oxides of nitrogen in the stratosphere adversely affect the ozone layer. The main
source of these oxides are the supersonic aeroplanes which emit plenty of NO gas
while flying through the stratosphere. Like Cl and Br-atoms, NO molecule brings
about catalytic decomposition of O3 into O2.
The reaction of O3 with NO yields NO2 and O2. This NO2 combines with oxygen
atom (which is always produced in the stratosphere due to the decomposition of O 3
and O2 under the influence of UV-radiation) to regenerate NO. This explains why
the O3 molecules undergo continuous decomposition although the quantity of NO is
not diminished.

Green House
Greenhouse means a glass room or glass chamber. Plants of the tropical region
cannot adopt themselves to the climatic condition of the cold countries. So, for
sustaining plant life (particularly for plants of tropical regions in cold countries), this
type of chamber made of glass is used. Sun rays enter the glass chamber through the
transparent glass roof and walls and due to this the soil gets heated. The heated soil
inside the chamber radiates infrared rays of longer wavelengths which cannot pass
through the glass. The glass absorbs a part of these rays and the rest are reflected
back to the soil inside the chamber. As a result, the temperature inside the chamber
always remains higher than that of the outside temperature. Thus, proper growth of
these plants becomes possible.
In fact, some gaseous substances present in the earth's atmosphere such as CO₂,
water vapour etc., together acts like a glass of the greenhouse and keep the
atmosphere adjacent to the earth's surface warmer and create a favorable
environment for the living world.

Greenhouse effect and its importance

The natural process by which CO₂, water vapour and some other gases present in the
atmosphere, prevent the return of the radiation emitted by the earth's surface to outer
space, thereby keeping the surface of the earth and the adjacent atmosphere warm to
create an environment suitable for the existence of the living world is called
greenhouse effect.

Some gases like CO₂, water vapour etc., present in the atmosphere allow sun rays of
smaller wavelengths to be incident on the earth's surface but prevent the rays of
longer wavelength (infrared rays) emitted from the hot earth’s surface, from
returning to the outer space. Their gases absorb a significant portion of the reflected
radiation of longer wavelength and are heated. The rest of the infrared rays fall in
the earth's surface and remain in the adjacent atmosphere to keep the surface of the
earth and the adjacent atmosphere warm and make it favourable for the existence of
the living world.
Greenhouse gases like CO water vapour etc. helps to keep the atmosphere warm to
a certain level of temperature (average-15°C) which is essential for the existence of
life on earth. If those gases were not present in the atmosphere, then average
temperature of earth's surface and that of surrounding atmosphere would have
dropped to about -30°C and eventually, survival of life on earth would have been
impossible.
For the last few centuries, the average temperature of the earth has been gradually
increasing. For example, during the from 1800-1900 AD, the average temperature
of the earth has increased by nearly 0.4 °C. Again, in the following 1900-2000 AD,
this increase in temperature has been almost of 1°C. So, it cannot be denied that the
natural environment is gradually becoming warmer. The phenomenon of this
progressive rise in temperature all over the world is called global warming. The
reason for this global warming can attributed to the increased concentration of
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, caused by various human activities.

Effect of Green House

{i}Because of global warming in 2100 AD, the polar ice caps will melt, thereby
leasing an enormous amount of water. Then the situation will be almost similar to
what it was 110,000 years ago when the surface water level of the sea was 6 meters
higher than that of today. If this happens, many coastal regions like Holland.
America. New Orleans, Florida, Bangladesh etc., will be inundated and will go
under water forever.

{ii} Global warming is a great threat to human health Respiratory problems occur
frequently due the change in the climatic conditions is likely to be a at concern.
Global warming would initiate a favourable temperature for the breeding of
microorganisms resulting in the epidemic spread of dreadful diseases such as
dengue, malaria, encephalitis etc.

{iii}If the CO₂ content in the air becomes twice than that of the present value, then
many species will become extinct from the earth.
 Methods to Control Environmental Pollution

Due to the increased human activities and pressure on natural resources is becoming
worse day-by-day, necessary precautions have to be taken to reduce it. Because if
the same goes in a continual process at this rate, the life on earth would become
unsustainable. Many Scientists and Environmentalists are working to implement
certain strategies to control environmental pollution, due to some reasons, it’s not
happening. They made some plans on how to control environmental pollution, but
eventually, the implementation had vanished. In contrast to the solid waste that we
see in our household garbage bins, there are also industrial, medical, mining, and
agricultural wastes. The environment has mostly been polluted by improper disposal
of Waste. Therefore, it is needed to keep an eye over waste disposal regularly. When
we look upon the effects of soil, air, and water pollution, the need to reduce
environmental Pollution comes into the picture. The required measures should be
taken on an individual basis to reduce environmental Pollution in the neighborhood
as well, which should lead to a cleaner environment. Pollution occurs primarily
because of the discharge of wastes and inefficient disposal. We should have a certain
waste management strategy that should perform properly from its inception until the
final disposal. Waste Management Tons and tons of solid waste are generated in the
neighborhood. As we have many waste outcomes such as industrial, pharmaceutical,
chemical, manufacturing units, food processing machines, other than household
wastes, it is quite necessary to take some measures in terms of proper disposal - the
improper disposal of these wastes resulting in environmental Pollution. Thus, care
must be taken while disposing of these wastes to reduce the pollution levels in our
surroundings. Collection of Wastes The domestic waste generated should be
collected into the bins and transferred to the municipal workers who take them to
disposable sites. And there, the Waste is sorted out and separated as a biodegradable
and non-biodegradable. The plastic wastes, non-biodegradable such as bottles,
plastic bags, and more, are sent for recycling. On the other side, the biodegradable
wastes are deposited on the land and converted as compost. If the Waste is not
collected properly for disposal, then it will be on its way into the sewers. And, some
amounts are eaten by the cattle - non-biodegradable wastes, including plastic bags
and metal scrap choke, the sewers, and cause incontinence. The cattle swallow these
polythene bags and choke their throat. This becomes difficult for them to breathe
and may lead to death. Disposal of Wastes All of us should follow the practice of
collecting Waste and disposing of it properly. If certain waste management
techniques are not implemented, then it may result in epidemics due to groundwater
contamination leading to Water Pollution. It is especially hazardous to the people
who work with the wastes. For suppose, the rag pickers and a few workers who were
involved in waste disposal. Such ones are largely affected because they don’t follow
any protective measures like wearing gloves and mask while handling the wastes.
Improper disposal may also allow poisonous gases to escape into the atmosphere
and cause Air Pollution. In addition, the vehicles and the industries pumping
hazardous gases either directly or indirectly affect humans’ lives and contribute to
Air Pollution. As responsible citizens, we should participate in proper waste disposal
management and cooperate with the government. Throwing wastes at inappropriate
locations should be strictly avoided. Efforts are taken to reduce vehicular emissions
by encouraging the use of public transports, carpooling, and finding greener
alternatives to the existing fuel. Encouraging the use of Renewable sources of energy
will go a long way in making our planet safer and healthy to live in. Strategies to
Reduce Air Pollution One of the ways to lessen Air pollution is by using less fossil
fuel. Some of the pollution control strategies to follow to reduce air pollution
includes, Instead of driving, select to walk or ride a bike whenever possible Choose
public transportation, instead of using own/commercial vehicles Maintain your
vehicle tires with proper inflated Turn the lights off when you are about to leave a
room Replace energy-hungry incandescent bulbs with some compact fluorescent
bulbs or LEDs for natural resources like Windmills or Solar plates to avail electricity
Plant more trees! Because trees filter air by inhaling carbon dioxide and providing
the fresh air. Strategies to Reduce Environmental Pollution Environmental Pollution
is also a major global concern due to the harmful effects of pollution on a person’s
health and on the environment as well. Some of the strategies that are to be followed
to lessen the environmental Pollution include, stop smoking or at least follow “No
Smoking” regulations at public places Do not use open fires for waste disposal
Instead of plastic, use ecofriendly or biodegradation products because plastic-like
products are highly toxic in nature. Maintain proper waste disposal especially for
toxic wastes, and should plan some strategies to reduce waste Do not litter on public
places and some anti-litter campaigns should run to educate public Don’t cause loud
noises or unwanted sound.
 CONCLUSION

Today people are suffering from various diseases and are deprived of some of the
basic necessities of life such as food, clothing, shelter, and education. The reason
behind such a catastrophe is not just overpopulation but the environmental pollution
that is slowly consuming us and making our planet worse day by day.

Deforestation, infertility of soil, energy crisis, and pollution are causing rapid
depletion of the environment and consequently making us unable to survive. Man,
himself is responsible for all this and if he will not take an initiative to stop all this,
one day everything will be finished. The ever-evolving needs of human beings are
disturbing the natural ecological balance and thus threatening and destroying the
environment rapidly. Therefore, mankind plays an important role in the dilapidation
of the environment. The dust particles and carbon gases released from man-made
activities concatenate in the air and cause great damage to the respiratory system of
living beings. The industrial units emit such gases into the air without even
considering its ill-effects on the environment and thus causing air pollution.

The chemical and organic waste of the humans is also dumped into the land making
it infertile and harmful for animals. The main cause of land and soil pollution is due
to the use of pesticides and fertilizers along with deforestation. Then there’s the
water pollution which is caused due to the discharge of human waste and chemical
waste from industries. Such toxic water when consumed by animals and humans
leads to serious illnesses that prove to be fatal as well. Other than this, Climatic
change is also a consequence of environmental pollution. It alters the biological
components of the environment and leads to ecological imbalance. Thus, it’s high
time to save the environment and reduce such activities that cause environmental
pollution. If you wish to survive happily on this planet, you need to take remedial
measures to save it as soon as possible.
 Limitation of the study

Environmental pollution is increasing gradually and causing a serious impact on

living organisms including humans. It can be reduced by microorganisms or plants
that have biosynthetic pathways for the degradation or accumulation of
environmental pollutants from soil and water. Lack of genetic components in
natural microorganisms or plants lessens their ability to degrade or accumulate
pollutants and hence is currently released at high rates. Recent advances in
CRISPR-Cas9 technology have been used to edit the genome of microorganisms or
plants in order to improve the degradation and accumulation efficiency to a higher
rate for controlling environmental pollutants. We discuss recent developments in
CRISPR-Cas9 based microorganisms and plant genome editing for bioremediation
of environmental pollution in order to clean our environment for healthy animal
life on earth.
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