Unit 2a-Environmental Pollution

ENVIRONMENTA STUDIES
Unit-2
Environmental Pollution
Dr. Rakesh Kr. Chhikara

Assistant Professor
Department of Applied sciences
MSIT, Janakpuri, Delhi
DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED SCIENCES 1

Environmental Pollution
Environmental Pollution:
Any undesirable change in the quality of the components of environment like
air, water, soil and climate which is harmful to life, humans or property is
called Environmental Pollution.
Pollutant:
Any agent which cause this undesirable change in the quality of air, water, soil
and climate.
• Pollution may be the introduction of contaminants into the natural

environment that cause adverse change.
• Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise,
heat or light. Pollutants, the components of pollution, can be either foreign
substances/energies or naturally occurring contaminants.
• Pollution is often classed as point source or nonpoint source pollution.
Point Sources
• A point source of pollution is a single identifiable source

of air, Water pollution, thermal, noise or light pollution.
• Examples:
• Air pollution from an industrial source, rather than an airport or a road,
considered a line source or a forest fire which is considered an area
source, or volume source.
• Water pollution from an oil refinery wastewater discharge outlet
• Noise pollution from a jet engine
• Disruptive seismic vibration from a localized seismic study
• Light pollution from an intrusive street light
• Thermal pollution from an industrial process outfall
• Radio emissions from an interference-producing electrical device

Nonpoint source pollution
• Non-point source (NPS) pollution refers to both water and air

pollution from diffuse sources.
• Non-point source water pollution affects a water body from
sources such as polluted runoff from agricultural areas draining
into a river, or wind-borne debris blowing out to sea.
• Non-point source air pollution affects air quality from sources
such as smoke stacks or car exhausts.
• Although these pollutants have originated from a point source,
the long-range transport ability and multiple sources of the
pollutant make it a non-point source of pollution.

What Pollutants Do?
• Pollutants don't recognize boundaries, i.e. they

are trans-boundary;
• Many of them can't be degraded by living organisms
and therefore stay in the ecosphere for many years; and
• They destroy biota and habitat.
• It is interesting to note that, as of 1990, there were
around 65,000 different chemicals in the marketplace,
i.e. potential environmental pollutants that were to be
released into air, water and land on a regular basis
(Approx. 80000 in 2014).

Biodegradable pollutants
Biodegradable pollutants are the ones that can be broken

down and processed by living organisms, including organic waste
products, phosphates, and inorganic salts.
For example, if a pollutant is organic, it can be used by a living
organism to obtain energy and other material from carbohydrates,
proteins etc.
Therefore, biodegradable pollutants are only “temporary” that can
be neutralized and converted into harmless compounds.
However, it is important to remember that they can become serious
pollutants if released in large amounts in small areas, thus
exceeding the natural capacity of the environment to degrade them.

Non-Biodegradable Pollutants
• Non-biodegradable pollutants are the ones

that cannot be decomposed by living organisms and therefore
persist in the ecosphere for extremely long periods of time.
• They include plastics, metal, glass, some pesticides and herbicides,
and radioactive isotopes.
• In addition to that, fat soluble (but not water soluble) non-
biodegradable pollutants, ex. mercury and some hydrocarbons, are
not excreted with urine but are accumulated in the fat of living
organisms and cannot be metabolized.

Types of Pollution
Air Pollution:
The release of chemicals and particulates into the atmosphere. Common pollutants
include carbon monoxide (COx), sulfur dioxide (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) produced by industries & motor vehicles.
Photochemical ozone & smog are created as nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons react to
sunlight. Particulate matter, or fine dust is characterized by their micrometer size PM10 to
PM2.5.
Water Pollution:
The discharge of wastewater from commercial and industrial waste (intentionally or
through spills) into surface waters; discharges of untreated domestic sewage, and chemical
contaminants, such as chlorine, from treated sewage; release of waste and contaminants
into surface runoff flowing to surface waters (including urban runoff and agricultural
runoff, which may contain chemical fertilizers and pesticides); waste disposal and
leaching into groundwater; eutrophication and littering.
Soil Pollution:
Throwing of inappropriate man-made objects, unremoved, onto public and private
properties. Soil contamination occurs when chemicals are released by spill or underground
leakage. Among the most significant soil contaminants are hydrocarbons, heavy
metals, herbicides, pesticides and chlorinated hydrocarbons.

Types of Pollution
Noise Pollution:
It includes traffic noise, aircraft noise, industrial noise as well as high-
intensity sonar.
Radiation Pollution:
Result of 20th century activities in atomic physics, such as nuclear power
generation and nuclear weapons research, manufacture and deployment.
One type of it is light pollution; including light trespass, over-
illumination and astronomical interference, another one is EM radiation
pollution that increased by development of electronic gadgets.
Thermal Pollution:
A temperature change in natural water bodies and air caused by human
influence, such as use of water as coolant in a power plant and heat
release from machines and traffic.
Air Pollution
Air Pollution:
Atmospheric condition in which some substances
are present in conc. that can cause undesirable
effects on environment.
Air Pollutants:
Gases (NOx, SOx, CO, CO2, volatile organic
comp./HC), particulate matter (smoke, dust, fumes,
liquid droplets, pollen grains), radioactive subs. (Rn-
222, I-131, Sr-90, Pu-239) and also Includes normal
substances if in excess
Assessing Agency: CPCB, Headquarter at Shahdra, New
Delhi
Assess Ambient Air Quality, Give AQI and compare it
with Ambient Air Quality standards framed for
particular area

Air Pollution- AQI
AQI Parameters: AQI Scale:

• CO AQI Air Pollution Level
• Pb 0-50 Good
• NO2
51-100 Moderate
• SO2
• PM10 101-150 Unhealthy for
sensitive group
• PM2.5
151-200 Unhealthy
• O3
Above 200 Hazardous

Air Pollutants
Primary: Emitted directly from point source
• Gases: Carbon dioxide, Carbon monoxide, sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, Chloro-
Fluoro Carbons, Ozone
• Particulates: Dust particles (silica), fibers, asbestos, pollens
• Radioactive subs.
• Smoke: Unburned hydrocarbons
Secondary: Formed by two or more

primary pollutants
• Ozone
• Photochemical Smog: Smoke +
Fog
• London Smog (Sulphur Oxides,
Oxidizing, London, Early
morning)
• Los Angeles Smog (Nitrogen
oxides, Ozone, Reducing, Los
Angeles, Afternoon)

CAUSES OF AIR POLLUTION
• Natural sources: • Anthropogenic or man made

– Volcanic eruptions sources:
– Increasing population
– Forest fires
– Deforestation
– Biological decay – Thermal power plants:
– Pollen grains CO2, SOx, NOx, fly ash
– Photochemical oxidation – Burning of fossil fuels
of terpenes, extra – Vehicular emissions: CO,
unburnt HC, SOx, NOx,
terrestrial bodies PM, smoke
– Self decay of radioactive – Rapid industrialization
minerals of earth – Agriculture activities
– Metallic contaminants
– Wars
Effects of Air Pollution
Effects on Human Health:
Particles less than 10 µm are harmful
• Affects mainly cardio-vascular
system
• Chronic Bronchitis and
Emphysema (shortness of breath)
• Silicosis, Blood pressure,
Asbestosis, Fibrosis
• Lung cancer
• Headache
• Dizziness

Effects on Plants:
• Stomatal disruption: Destroy
chlorophyll & affect
photosynthesis
Destruction/reduction of chlorophyll
may results:
• Leaf necrosis- dead areas of leaf
• Chlorosis- yellowing of leaves
• Epinasty- Downward curling
• Abscission- dropping

Effects on Materials:
• Corrosion of metals, rubber and
degradation of property
Effects on Environment:
• Smog
• Global warming
• Ozone layer depletion

Air Pollution Disasters-Case studies
• 1984 Bhopal Disaster in India. Leaked industrial vapours from the Union
Carbide factory, belonging to Union Carbide, Inc., U.S.A. (later bought
by Dow Chemical Company), killed at least 3787 people and injured
anywhere from 150,000 to 600,000.
• The United Kingdom suffered its worst air pollution event when the
December 4 Great Smog of 1952 formed over London. In six days more
than 4,000 died and more recent estimates put the figure at nearer 12,000.
• An accidental leak of anthrax spores from a biological warfare laboratory
in the former USSR in 1979 near Sverdlovsk is believed to have caused at
least 64 deaths.
• The worst single incident of air pollution to occur in the US occurred
in Donora, Pennsylvania in late October, 1948, when 20 people died and
over 7,000 were injured.
Prevention & Control of Air Pollution
• Using non conventional energy

• Using bio filters
• Planting more trees
• Reducing vehicle exhausts
• Using less polluting fuels
• Using mass transport
• Removal of particulate matter using
electrostatic precipitator, cyclone filter etc.
• Removal of NOx from vehicle exhaust

Control of Air Pollution
• Bag Houses
• Wet Scrubbers
• Sprinklers
• Cyclone precipitators
• Electrostatic precipitators

Baghouse Filters Wet Srubbers

Cyclonic Precipitator
Electrostatic Precipitators

Water Pollution
Water Pollution:
Undesirable Change in physical, chemical, biological characteristics
of water making it unsuitable for designated use in its natural
form.
• Sources:
– Sewage: Cleaning, bathing, toilet, Kitchen including soaps, detergents,
disease causing agents, cleaners and solvents
– Agricultural runoff: Includes fertilizers, pesticides, salts and crop residues
– Garbage runoff: Solid waste material mixed with rainwater
– Industrial Sources: Chemicals, metals, solvents, colors, food industry waste
etc.
– Groundwater Pollution: Leaching of toxins, radionuclides and salts.
– Organic pollutants
– Inorganic pollutants
– Toxic metals
– Sediments
– Radioactive pollutants

Eutrophication
• Ecosystem's response to the addition of artificial or
natural nutrients, mainly phosphates,
through detergents, fertilizers, or sewage, to an aquatic
system.
• One example is the “algal bloom" or great increase
of phytoplankton in a water body as a response to
increased levels of nutrients.
• Negative environmental effects include hypoxia, the
depletion of oxygen in the water, which may cause
death to aquatic animals. When algae die, they
decompose and the nutrients contained in that organic
matter are converted into inorganic form by
microorganisms. This decomposition process consumes
oxygen, which reduces the concentration of dissolved
oxygen.

Effects of Water Pollution
Diseases
Disease-causing microorganisms are referred to
as pathogens. Although the vast majority of bacteria are
either harmless or beneficial, a few pathogenic bacteria
can cause disease. Coliform bacteria, which are not an
actual cause of disease, are commonly used as a
bacterial indicator of water pollution. Other
microorganisms sometimes found in surface waters that
have caused human health problems include:
Burkholderia pseudomallei, Cryptosporidium parvum,
Giardia lamblia Salmonella, Norovirus and other
viruses, Parasitic worms including
the Schistosoma type

• Organic, inorganic and macroscopic contaminants
• Organic water pollutants include:
• Detergents
• Disinfection by-products found in chemically disinfected drinking water, such as chloroform
• Food processing waste, which can include oxygen-demanding substances, fats and grease
• Insecticides and herbicides, a huge range of organohalides and other chemical compounds
• Petroleum hydrocarbons, including fuels (gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuels, and fuel oil) and
lubricants (motor oil), and fuel combustion byproducts, from storm water runoff
• Volatile organic compounds, such as industrial solvents, from improper storage.
• Chlorinated solvents, which are dense non-aqueous phase liquids, may fall to the bottom of
reservoirs, since they don't mix well with water and are denser.
– Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs)
– Trichloroethylene
• Perchlorate
• Various chemical compounds found in personal hygiene and cosmetic products
• Drug pollution involving pharmaceutical drugs and their metabolites

• Inorganic
• Acidity caused by industrial discharges (especially sulfur dioxide from power plants)
• Ammonia from food processing waste
• Chemical waste as industrial by-products
• Fertilizers containing nutrients--nitrates and phosphates—which are found in storm water runoff
from agriculture, as well as commercial and residential use[17]
• Heavy metals from motor vehicles (via urban storm water runoff) and acid mine drainage
• Silt (sediment) in runoff from construction sites, logging, slash and burn practices or land clearing
sites.
• Macroscopic pollution
• Large visible items polluting the water – may be termed "floatables" in an urban storm water
context, or marine debris when found on the open seas, and can include such items as:
• Trash or garbage (e.g. paper, plastic, or food waste) discarded by people on the ground, along
with accidental or intentional dumping of rubbish, that are washed by rainfall into storm
drains and eventually discharged into surface waters
• Nurdles, small ubiquitous waterborne plastic pellets
• Shipwrecks, large derelict ships.

Waste Water Treatment
Sewage
Treatment
Effluent
Treatment
Plant

Minamata Disease-Case Study
• A neurological syndrome caused by severe mercury poisoning.
Symptoms include ataxia, numbness in the hands and feet,
general muscle weakness, loss of peripheral vision, and damage
to hearing and speech. In extreme cases, insanity, paralysis, coma,
and death follow within weeks of the onset of symptoms.
A congenital form of the disease can also affect fetuses in the
womb.
• Minamata disease was first discovered in Minamata city
in Kumamoto prefecture, Japan, in 1956. It was caused by the
release of methylmercury in the industrial wastewater from
the Chisso Corporation's chemical factory, which continued from
1932 to 1968. This highly toxic chemical bioaccumulated in
shellfish and fish in Minamata Bay and the Shiranui Sea, which,
when eaten by the local populace, resulted in mercury poisoning.
While cat, dog, pig, and human deaths continued for 36 year
• As of March 2001, 2,265 victims had been officially recognized as
having Minamata disease (1,784 of whom had died), the
government and company did little to prevent the pollution.

Control of Water Pollution
• Control measures of water pollution:

• Setting up of effluent treatment plants to treat waste water can
reduce the pollution load in the recipient water. The treated
effluent can be reused either for gardening or cooling purposes or
wherever possible.
• Root zone process has been developed by Thermax. by running
contaminated water through the root zone of specially designed
reed beds. These have the capacity to absorb from the surrounding
air through their stomata openings. It creates O2 rich conditions
where bacteria and fungi oxidize the wastes.
• Providing sanitation and waste water treatment facility.
• Integrated nutrient management (INM) and integrated pest
management (IPM) practices will reduce the effects caused due to
excess pesticides.

Thermal Pollution
Thermal pollution: is the degradation of water quality by any
process that changes ambient water temperature.
Cause: A common cause of thermal pollution is the use of

water as a coolant by power plants and industrial
manufacturers. When water used as a coolant is returned to
the natural environment at a higher temperature, the change
in temperature decreases oxygen supply and
affects ecosystem composition.

Effects of thermal pollution
– Thermal Shock: Fish and other organisms adapted to particular
temperature range can be killed by an abrupt change in water
temperature (either a rapid increase or decrease) known as "thermal
shock.
– Decrease Level of DO: Elevated temperature typically decreases the
level of dissolved oxygen (DO) in water. The decrease in levels of
DO can harm aquatic animals such as fish and amphibians.
– Metabolism Increase: Thermal pollution may also increase the
metabolic rate of aquatic animals, as enzyme activity, resulting in
these organisms consuming more food in a shorter time, hence
shortage of food or extinction of some species
– Decrease in Biodiversity: An increased metabolic rate may result to
fewer resources; as a result Biodiversity can be decreased.

Effects of thermal pollution
– Increase in toxicity: The rising temperature changes the physical
and chemical properties of water. Eg. 10oC rise in temperature
doubles the toxic effect of potassium cyanide.
– Interference with reproduction: In fishes, several activities like
nest building, spawning, hatching, migration and reproduction etc.
depend on some optimum temperature.
– Increased vulnerability to disease: Activities of several
pathogenic microorganisms are accelerated by higher
temperature.
– Invasion of destructive organisms : Thermal pollutants may
permit the invasion of organisms that are tolerant to warm water
and highly destructive.

Control of thermal pollution
• Control measures:
Heated water from these sources may be controlled with:
• Cooling ponds, man-made bodies of water designed for cooling
by evaporation, convection, and radiation
• Cooling towers, which transfer waste heat to
the atmosphere through evaporation and/or heat transfer
• Cogeneration, a process where waste heat is recycled for
domestic and/or industrial heating purposes.

Soil Pollution
Soil Polution: Contamination of soil with sewage sludge, industrial
sludge, solid wastes, dumps, agrochemicals & radioactive substances
• Soil contamination is caused by the presence of human-made

chemicals or other change 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(α)pyrene), solvents, pesticides and heavy metals.
• Contamination is correlated with the degree of industrialization and
intensity of chemical usage.

Causes of Soil Pollution
• Drilling of oil refineries

• Accidental spills
• Acid rain (which is caused by air pollution)
• Intensive farming
• Deforestation
• Genetically modified plants
• Nuclear wastes
• Industrial accidents
• Landfill and illegal dumping
• Land erosion
• Sewage sludge (biosolids) disposal.

Causes of Soil Pollution
• Agricultural practices, such as application

of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers
• Mining and other industries
• Oil and fuel dumping
• Buried wastes
• Disposal of coal ash
• Disposal of ammunitions and agents of war.
• Drainage of contaminated surface water into the soil
• Electronic waste
• The most common chemicals involved are
petroleum hydrocarbons, solvents, pesticides, lead, and
other heavy metals.

Effects of Soil Pollution
Effects of Soil Pollution
– Food shortage: The foremost effect of loosing top soil is causing water
pollution and reduced food production leading to food shortage. With
population growth, it becomes more critical.
– Desertification: Continuous exposure of eroded soil to sun for longer
periods may transform the land into sandy and rocky in nature. These are
symptoms of desertification rendering the soil unsuitable for cultivation.
– Decrease in the extent of agricultural land
– Loss of top soil: Top soil which is washed away also contributes water
pollution by clogging of lakes, and increasing turbidity of water, ultimately
leading to loss of aquatic life.
– Water logging & salinization: Excess use of irrigation leads to water
logging and soil salinization.
– Eutrophication: Fertilizer run off leads to the eutrophication of waterways
– Bioaccumulation and Bio-magnification
Harmful effects of Soil Pollution
• Health consequences from exposure to soil contamination vary greatly depending on
pollutant type, pathway of attack and vulnerability of the exposed population.
• Chronic exposure to chromium, lead and other metals, petroleum, solvents, and
many pesticide and herbicide formulations can be carcinogenic, can cause congenital
disorders, or can cause other chronic health conditions.
• Ammonia and nitrate produced from modern agriculture and animal husbandry have
also been identified as health hazards.
• Ecological imbalance by wiping off entire species which may have been keystone
species for the ecosystem.
• Organophosphates and carbamates can induce a chain of responses leading to
neuromuscular blockage. Many chlorinated solvents induce liver changes, kidney
changes and depression of the central nervous system.
• There is an entire spectrum of further health effects such as headache, nausea, fatigue,
eye irritation and skin rash for the above cited and other chemicals. At sufficient dosages
a large number of soil contaminants can cause death by exposure via direct contact,
inhalation or ingestion of contaminants in groundwater contaminated through soil.
Control of Soil Pollution
• Proper soil conservation measures to minimize the loss

of top soil
• INM, IPM, using bio pesticides and
integrated environment friendly agriculture to
reduce pesticides or fertilizers.
• Appropriate water management practices in agriculture
• Keeping the soil surface covered with crop residues or
crop cover
• Planting trees as a part of afforestation/ shelter
belts/wind breakers
• Cleaning up of polluted soil: Bioremediation of soil
Solid Waste Management
• Solid waste means any garbage, refuse,

waste from any air, water or soil control
facility (sludge, fly ash etc.); and other
discarded materials from industrial,
commercial, mining, agricultural operations
and from community activities (but does not
include solid or dissolved materials in
domestic sewage).

Municipal Solid waste
When waste is generated by society or general public, consists of
everyday items discarded by general public: commonly called garbage.
• Biodegradable waste: food and kitchen waste, green waste, paper (can
also be recycled)
• Recyclable material: paper, cardboard, glass, bottles, jars, cans, alumin
um cans, aluminum foil, metals,
certain plastics, fabrics,clothes, tires, batteries, etc.
• Inert waste: construction and demolition waste, dirt, rocks, debris
• Electrical and electronic waste (WEEE) - electrical appliances, light
bulbs, washing machines, TVs, computers, screens, mobile
phones, alarm clocks, watches, etc.
• Composite wastes: waste clothing, Tetra Packs, waste plastics such as
toys
• Hazardous waste including most paints, chemicals, tires, light
bulbs, fluorescent tubes, aerosol spray cans, fertilizers and containers
• Toxic waste and chemicals including pesticide, herbicides, fungicides
• Medical waste, expired medicines, etc.

Agricultural Solid Waste
• Agricultural waste, which includes both natural

(organic) and non-natural wastes, is a general term
used to describe waste produced on a farm through
various farming activities. These activities can
include but are not limited to dairy farming,
horticulture, seed growing, livestock breeding,
grazing land, market gardens, nursery plots, and
even woodlands.
E.g. Crop residue, Cow dung, Poultry
droppings etc.

Industrial Solid Waste
• Industrial waste is the waste produced

by industrial activity which includes any
material that is rendered useless during a
manufacturing process such as that
of factories, industries, mills, and mining
operations. It has existed since the start of
the Industrial Revolution.
E.g. chemical solvents, paints,
sandpaper, paper products, industrial by-
products, metals, cardboard,
and radioactive wastes.

Solid Waste Management
1. Dumping
Open dumping
Pit dumping
2. Composting
Open composting
Pit Composting
Vermi-composting
3. Incineration
4. Sanitary Landfilling

Composting

Composting

Sanitary Landfilling


(Garbage compression)

Incineration

Approach to Waste Management

Light Pollution
• Causes: Over-illumination, working

under artificial lights, traffic at nights,
astronomical interferences.
• Effects: Headache, Nausea, High blood

pressure, Sleep disturbances, Disturbed
biological clock etc.

Radioactive/Radiation Pollution
• Due to different radionuclides such as Cs-137, Cs-134, Sr-90, I-131, H-

3 etc.
• Radionuclides release energy in form of alpha, beta and gamma rays
which may cause mutational changes depending on their energy levels.
• Sources are natural as well as anthropogenic (man-made). Natural
sources include sun, earth’s crust and volcanic eruptions.
Anthropogenic sources are Nuclear reactors, nuclear weapon testing
and research facilities of nuclear physics and nuclear medicine.
• Can cause changes in DNA like Thiamine Dimers.
• May cause cancer and other genetical disorders if the dose is
significant.
• Sr-90 is one of the most dangerous radionuclide. It is similar in
structure with Calcium and can incorporate in bones in place of calcium
resulting in bone cancer.

Noise Pollution
Meaning of Noise Pollution
Noise is an unwanted or unpleasant or excessive sound that can
have deleterious effects on human health, wildlife, and
environmental quality
The presence of a large amount of unwanted noise can upset the
balance of the environment and lead to noise pollution
Measuring and perceiving loudness
Sound waves are vibrations of air molecules carried from
a noise source to the ear Sound is typically described in terms of the
loudness (amplitude) and the pitch (frequency) of
the wave. Loudness (also called sound pressure level, or SPL) is
measured in logarithmic units called decibels (dB)
The normal human ear can detect sounds that range between
0 dB (hearing threshold) and about 140 dB
The range from 30dB to 140dB is very dangerous for people
Noise Pollution-Type
Two types of noise pollution:

• Environmental Noise: The kind of noise produced from the
wide-range of environmental happenings refers to
environmental noise. It can include thunderstorms, the
mating calls of animals, and many more.
• Man-made Noise: The sound created due to man-made
activities refers to man-made noise and serves as the major
reasons for noise pollution. It can include noise from
vehicular traffic, construction work, household noise, and
many more

Causes of Noise Pollution
• Industrialization: Most of the manufacturing companies and worldwide
industries use big machines that can produce a large amount of noise. Apart
from that, different equipment such as exhaust fans, compressors, grinding
mills, and many more participate in producing big sound. The wide-ranging
exposure to high levels of sound can damage the hearing abilities of the
workers.
• Transportation: Traffic serves as one of the major causes of sound pollution
as numerous vehicles at the same time on the roads produce heavy noise. Apart
from it, underground trains, aeroplanes flying over houses, and other
transportation modes make it difficult for people to get adapted to high sound.
• Construction Activities: The construction of buildings, stations, roads, dams,
flyovers, and mining produces high noise. The sound produced can even
hinder the hearing capacities of an individual exposed to the sound.
• Social Events: Whether it’s a club, worship place, marriage, or any other
social place, people usually create a nuisance that becomes the major cause of
noise pollution. Playing songs on full volume can affect the hearing abilities of
an individual who is frequently exposed to such sounds.

Effects of Noise Pollution
• Hearing Difficulties: Any unwanted sound that human ears have not been
assembled to filter can cause hearing problems. For the normal hearing range,
man-made noises such as traffic horns, aeroplanes, jackhammers, and many
more can be too loud. Continuous exposure to loud levels of noise can
straightforwardly result in the damage of eardrums and hence loss of hearing.
Additionally, it can decrease the sensitivity of human ears to sound.
Exposure to noise can damage one of the most vital organs of the body, the
ear. Hearing impairment due to noise pollution can either be temporary or
permanent. When the sound level crosses the 70dB mark, it becomes noise
for the ear.
Noise levels above 80 decibel produce damaging effects to the ear. When
ear is exposed to extreme loud noise (above 100 decibel) for a considerable
period of time, it can cause irreparable damage and may lead to permanent
hearing loss.

• Sleeping Disorders: The high levels of sound can disturb the sleeping pattern
of an individual and thus can lead to uncomfortable and irritating situations.
The late-night parties, loud music in marriages, or other events can affect
neighbour’s night sleep. They can experience fatigue over the next entire day.
It becomes necessary to take actionable measures and adopt a healthy lifestyle
to reduce the effect of sound pollution.
• Health-related Issues: Undoubtedly, too much sound in the working areas
like construction sites, offices, and even in the homes can affect psychological
health. Disturbance of sleep, hypertension, aggressive behaviour, or stress can
be associated with excessive sound levels. As a result, noise pollution can
cause chronic health issues.
• Cardiovascular Problems: The high-intensity sound can cause an increase in
heartbeat rate and blood pressure as well. It is because extensive sound
interrupts the normal blood flow and results in the risk of cardiovascular
diseases.

• Effects of Noise Pollution on Mental Health:
Noise can also cause emotional or psychological effects such as irritability,
anxiety and stress. Lack of concentration and mental fatigue are significant
health effects of noise. It has been observed that the performance of school
children is poor in comprehension tasks when schools are situated in busy
areas of a city and suffer from noise pollution.
• Effects on Animals:
Man-made noise pollution has made the earth an uncomfortable place to live
for animals as well. Hearing loss and rapid increase in heart rate are some of
the ill-effects of noise pollution on animals. High intensity sound induces fear,
forcing them to abandon their habitat.
• Effects of Noise on Industrial Workers:
Industrial noise adversely affects the workers and they suffer from various
health problems. High volume of sound leads to increased adrenaline
(harmone) levels, which leads to the constriction of blood vessels, which
normally happens when the individual is tensed, afraid, anxious or extremely
happy and excited.
Control of Noise Pollution
The control of noise pollution depends upon the extent to which

noise reduction is required, nature of equipment used and the
economy aspects of the available techniques.
There are four fundamentals ways in which noise can be
controlled:
a) Reduce noise at the source
b) Block the path of the noise
c) Increase the path length of noise and
d) Protect the recipient
In general the best control method is to reduce the noise level at
source

Methods to Reduce noise at the source:
(i) Reducing the Noise level from Domestic Sector:
• The domestic noise comes from radios, tape recorders, television sets, mixers,
washing machines, cooking operations. The noise from the television sets, tape
recorders & radios can be controlled if they are played “in low” volume
• The noise from mixers, washing machines & from cooking can be minimised
by their selective and judicious operation for required time. The noise
generated from falling of items in house can be minimised by the use of
carpets
(ii) Automobile Servicing (Fixing of silencers):
Automobiles account to the highest production of noise. Regular servicing and
tuning of vehicles will reduce the noise level
Machine quality:
Selection of machinery or equipment’s which generate less noise (sound) due to
superior technology etc. is also an important factor in noise minimisation
strategy

Methods to Reduce noise at the source:
(iii) Loud speaker prohibition:
By not permitting the usage of loudspeakers in residential zones except for
important meetings. Now-a-days, the urban Administration of the metro cities
in India is becoming stringent on usage of loudspeakers.
(iv) Control in the Transmission Path:
The change in the transmission path will increase the distance of travel for the
wave and sound on such a long path will get absorbed/ refracted/radiated in the
surrounding environment. The following techniques can be used for
transmission of path
(v) Green Belt Development:
Growing trees or green plants for reduction or attenuation of sound is called green
belt development. The degree of attenuation varies with species of green belt
(vi) The use of explosives in the forest, mining areas, and mountains should
get banned

Unit 2a-Environmental Pollution

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Unit 2a-Environmental Pollution

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ENVIRONMENTA STUDIES

Dr. Rakesh Kr. Chhikara

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• Pollution may be the introduction of contaminants into the natural

• A point source of pollution is a single identifiable source

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• Non-point source (NPS) pollution refers to both water and air

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• Pollutants don't recognize boundaries, i.e. they

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Biodegradable pollutants are the ones that can be broken

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• Non-biodegradable pollutants are the ones

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AQI Parameters: AQI Scale:

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Secondary: Formed by two or more

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• Natural sources: • Anthropogenic or man made

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• Using non conventional energy

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• Control measures of water pollution:

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Cause: A common cause of thermal pollution is the use of

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• Soil contamination is caused by the presence of human-made

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• Drilling of oil refineries

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• Agricultural practices, such as application

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• Proper soil conservation measures to minimize the loss

• Solid waste means any garbage, refuse,

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• Agricultural waste, which includes both natural

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• Industrial waste is the waste produced

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