1. Explain the harmful effects of sewage water pollution.

Sewage is the wastewater produced by human activities from homes, industries, hospitals,
offices, etc. Sewage is a mixture of water (from the community's water supply), human
excreta (feces and urine), used water from bathrooms, food preparation wastes, laundry
wastewater, and other waste products of normal living. Sewage from municipalities contains
wastewater from commercial activities and institutions, e.g. wastewater discharged
from restaurants, laundries, hospitals, schools, prisons, offices, stores and establishments
serving the local area of larger communities.

Sewage contains various contaminants including disease-causing bacteria and other

microbes. If untreated sewage is discharged into rivers or seas, then the water in the rivers
or seas would also get contaminated. If this contaminated water is used for drinking, then it
can cause diseases such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery, etc. That is why it is harmful to
discharge untreated sewage into rivers or seas.

Sewage is the primary source of pathogens (disease-causing microorganisms) and

putrescible organic substances. Because pathogens are excreted in feces, all sewage
from cities and towns is likely to contain pathogens of some type, potentially presenting a
direct threat to public health. Putrescible organic matter presents a different sort of threat
to water quality. As organics are decomposed naturally in the sewage by bacteria and other
microorganisms, the dissolved oxygen content of the water is depleted. This endangers the
quality of lakes and streams, where high levels of oxygen are required for fish and other
aquatic organisms to survive. In addition, domestic sewage commonly contains
active pharmaceutical ingredients, which can harm aquatic organisms and
may facilitate antibiotic resistance. Sewage-treatment processes reduce the levels of
pathogens and organics in wastewater, but they do not eliminate them completely.

Sewage is also a major source of plant nutrients, mainly nitrates and phosphates. Excess
nitrates and phosphates in water promote the growth of algae, sometimes causing unusually
dense and rapid growths known as algal blooms. When the algae die, oxygen dissolved in
the water declines because microorganisms use oxygen to digest algae during the process of
decomposition (see also biochemical oxygen demand). Anaerobic organisms (organisms that
do not require oxygen to live) then metabolize the organic wastes, releasing gases such
as methane and hydrogen sulfide, which are harmful to the aerobic (oxygen-requiring) forms
of life. The process by which a lake changes from a clean, clear condition—with a relatively
low concentration of dissolved nutrients and a balanced aquatic community—to a nutrient-
rich, algae-filled state and thence to an oxygen-deficient, waste-filled condition is
called eutrophication. Eutrophication is a naturally occurring, slow, and inevitable process.
However, when it is accelerated by human activity and water pollution (a phenomenon
called cultural eutrophication), it can lead to the premature aging and death of a body of
water.

While it is widely recognized that sewage contamination of surface waters is a global threat
to public health, recent research reveals that water contaminated by sewage pollution can
also affect wildlife and natural habitats. The plants and wildlife living in or around
contaminated water often accumulate toxins and pathogens found in sewage. Likewise,
heavy metal occurrence in predatory fish is positively correlated with increasing sewage
pollution in those waters. Pathogens found in sewage pollution that have been shown to
cause widespread disease in humans have recently been shown to cause white-pox disease
in the most important habitat-forming coral in the Caribbean.

Freshwater ecosystems including lakes, rivers, streams and underground reservoirs, are
critical for human health and survival as they provide essential drinking water and protein
provisioning. As humans live close to these ecosystems and often use them for waste
disposal, freshwater systems are especially susceptible to sewage pollution. In countries with
increasing human populations, this pressure is particularly intense. In India, for instance, the
human population has increased by one billion over the last 60 years and the number of
severely polluted rivers has also increased dramatically. A primary cause of elevated
pollution is dumping of untreated sewage from rapidly expanding cities. Sewage pollution
also threatens waterways in developed countries. In the U.S., sewage pollution is severe in
freshwater waterways of cities such as New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los
Angeles. This phenomenon is not limited to large cities; in an extensive survey of U.S. rivers,
streams and lakes, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that 46% of its rivers
and streams and 35% of its lakes were in poor condition and polluted by sewage and/or
fertilizer run-off. Sewage pollution in freshwater ecosystems increases concentration and
transmission of human pathogens, which are estimated to cause 829,000 deaths per year.
Sewage pollution also increases incidence of heavy metal toxicity in both humans and fish.

In heavily polluted freshwater areas, sewage discharge leads to dangerously low oxygen
levels, as bacteria decompose increasing loads of organic matter, and deplete available
oxygen. Without enough oxygen, dead zones occur. Fish and shellfish become stressed with
low or no oxygen, more susceptible to disease, and large die-offs of fish and mussels become
common occurrences. Freshwater animals such as fish, mussels and insects also show
elevated levels of endocrine disruptors in waters experiencing high sewage pollution.
2. Write a note on Minamata disease

Minamata disease is a neurological disease caused by severe mercury poisoning. Signs and
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 affects fetuses in the womb, causing microcephaly,
extensive cerebral damage, and symptoms similar to those seen in cerebral palsy.

Minamata disease was first discovered in the city of Minamata, Kumamoto Prefecture,
Japan, in 1956, hence its name. It was caused by the release of methylmercury in
the industrial wastewater from a chemical factory owned by the Chisso Corporation, which
continued from 1932 to 1968. It has also been suggested that some of the mercury
sulfate in the wastewater was also metabolized to methylmercury by bacteria in the
sediment. This highly toxic chemical bioaccumulated and biomagnified in shellfish and fish
in Minamata Bay and the Shiranui Sea, which, when eaten by the local population, resulted
in mercury poisoning. The poisoning and resulting deaths of both humans and animals
continued for 36 years, while Chisso and the Kumamoto prefectural government did little to
prevent the epidemic. The animal effects were severe enough in cats that they came to be
named as having "dancing cat fever".

As of March 2001, 2,265 victims had been officially recognized as having Minamata
disease[3] and over 10,000 had received financial compensation from Chisso. [4] By 2004,
Chisso had paid $86 million in compensation, and in the same year was ordered to clean up
its contamination. On March 29, 2010, a settlement was reached to compensate as-yet
uncertified victims.

A second outbreak of Minamata disease occurred in Niigata Prefecture in 1965. The original
Minamata disease and Niigata Minamata disease are considered two of the Four Big
Pollution Diseases of Japan.

Minamata disease remains an important issue in contemporary Japanese

society. Lawsuits against Chisso and the prefectural and national governments are still
continuing and many regard the government responses to date as inadequate. The
company's "historical overview" in its current website makes no mention of their role in the
mass contamination of Minamata and the dreadful aftermath. Their 2004 Annual Report,
however, reports an equivalent of about US$50 million (5,820 million yen) in "Minamata
Disease Compensation Liabilities". From 2000 to 2003, the company also reported total
compensation liabilities of over US$170 million. Their 2000 accounts also show that
the Japanese and Kumamoto prefectural governments waived an enormous US$560 million
in related liabilities. Their FY2004 and FY2005 reports refer to Minamata disease as "mad
hatter's disease", a term coined from the mercury poisoning experienced by hat-makers of
the last few centuries (cf. Erethism).

A memorial service was held at the Minamata Disease Municipal Museum on 1 May 2006 to
mark 50 years since the official discovery of the disease. Despite bad weather, the service
was attended by over 600 people, including Chisso chairman Shunkichi Goto
and Environment Minister Yuriko Koike.

On Monday, March 29, 2010, a group of 2,123 uncertified victims reached a settlement with
the government of Japan, the Kumamoto Prefectural government, and Chisso Corporation
to receive individual lump-sum payments of 2.1 million yen and monthly medical
allowances.
Most congenital patients are now in their forties and fifties and their health is deteriorating.
Their parents, who are often their only source of care, are into their seventies or eighties or
already deceased. Often, these patients find themselves tied to their own homes and the
care of their family, effectively isolated from the local community. Some welfare facilities for
patients do exist. One notable example is Hot House, a vocational training centre for
congenital patients as well as other disabled people in the Minamata area. Hot House
members are also involved in raising awareness of Minamata disease, often attending
conferences and seminars as well as making regular visits to elementary schools throughout
Kumamoto Prefecture.
3. Write some examples of eco friendly products and ecofriendly technologies used in
India

Nature is God’s most precious gift to mankind, and humans have exploited their resources
to unfathomable levels. This is high time that we all get a wake-up call from our slumber and
take steps to restore mother earth’s biodiversity and environment so that future
generations can live better lives.

Some Examples of eco friendly products and eco friendly technologies used in India are as
follows-

 Plastic Waste Used in Road Construction

It is needless to say that plastic pollutes our environment. And that is why the Government
of India directed road constructors and builders to use plastic and heated bituminous mixes
when constructing roads. A professor discovered that plastic could increase the aggregate
impact value of roads during his research, i.e., it can increase the life of roads and reduce
deformities caused by vehicle weight. Furthermore, using plastic in road construction also
improves the quality of pavements. It was also mentioned that it prevents water percolation
and reduces road wear and tear in the long run. Furthermore, the technology prevents the
release of toxic gases during construction. The plastic road is one of the most unique eco-
friendly inventions ever, repurposing plastic waste.

 Rice Used for Furniture

Rice husk is the residue left after the rice grains have been separated for further processing.
These residues are both light and plentiful. Four IIT Kharagpur students had the idea to use
this residue to create something innovative and environmentally friendly. They developed a
method for converting the light yellow residue (husk) into beautiful and sturdy furniture,
significantly reducing deforestation. Pouring adhesive and chemicals into the rice husk
creates a sheet, which is then used to create the bodies of ball pens, kitchenware, and pitch
boards. This is one of the few long-term innovations for environmental protection.

 Cutlery That is Edible

Plastic cutlery, like spoons, knives or forks, has toxins that are obviously harmful to our
environment. To reduce the environmental impact of plastic pollution caused by plastic
cutlery, a Telangana-based entrepreneur started another company named Bakey’s, an eco-
friendly unit that produces edible cutlery. The company has three types of edible cutlery:
plain, sweet, and savoury, using wheat, salt, and millet mixed with rice. They also provide a
preferred range of flavours from sugar to ginger-cinnamon, mint-ginger, and black pepper.
The edible spoons withstand hot and cold liquids and do not break, dissolve, or crumble.
They are preservative-free and have a three-year shelf life. The technology behind this
environmentally friendly invention involves drying, hardening, and baking the cutlery at high
temperatures (much like in the oven). This process significantly reduces the water content
of the raw materials while also increasing the cutlery’s shelf life. Bakey’s sells edible cutlery
at the same price as plastic cutlery to discourage people from using plastics.

 Jackfruit Used for Plates

This aromatic fruit takes some getting used to. Some people adore it, while others despise it.
But some of us don’t even know about the numerous applications of Jackfruit. It is an
excellent way to reduce the use of disposable plastic kitchenware. A Food Processing
Technology created eco-friendly cutlery that can be eaten or discarded. The humble
Jackfruit’s very known and unlikeable exterior has been used to make plates and other
cutlery. Their initial goal was to find a healthier alternative to the traditional cones made of
wheat flour and cornflour for holding millet ice cream. Many don’t know that Jackfruit is a
healthy and cost-effective alternative to conventional cones. They’ve even improved to
make biodegradable plates that are also edible.

 Temple Flower Used to Make Natural Dyes

Praveen Chauhan, a social entrepreneur from Bihar, has refined the natural dye
procurement process. Flowers placed in religious buildings wither over time, and Chauhan
had the brilliant idea of using them to create natural dyes for khadi clothing. He founded the
MATR social enterprise to promote and amplify Khadi culture and to assist local artists in
gaining more respect and exposure. The organization has worked tirelessly to improve the
lives of local artisans and weavers, as well as to bring Khadi culture to global fashion capitals
such as New York, Paris, and Milan. This modest endeavor contributes to the revival of
indigenous weavers and prevents thousands of flowers from going to waste.
. Clothes made from recycled Fabric
One way to make your everyday life eco-friendlier is to dress with clothes made of recycled
materials. Indeed, these clothes are more and more easy to find since more and more
brands offer clothes made of recycled plastic. But how does one go from a plastic bottle to a
garment? First of all, the waste is crushed into petals and then mixed with plastic bottles.
Then everything is mixed and transformed into a liquid mass and finally woven into yarn.
The thread is then transformed into material that will be used to produce the collection!

. Sustainable shopping bags

It is a simple gesture. Bring a bag when you go shopping. Instead of paying a few cents to
buy a bag on the spot, take a reusable shopping bag. As we know, 10 billion plastic bags are
distributed every year around the world. We can realize how this small gesture could have a
direct impact on plastic waste. Think about it.

. Use a Stainless-Steel Water bottle

There are many advantages to using a Stainless-Steel Water Bottle. First, tap water costs
200 times less than bottled mineral water. Also, these containers keep your water cool. And
then, the environmental impact of plastic water bottles is monstrous. The simple fact of
promoting the consumption of tap water thanks to a support like the stainless-steel water
bottle will reduce your production of plastic waste. Wich is not negligible.

. LED bulbs
LED bulbs have many advantages over traditional bulbs. Indeed, the consumption of an LED
bulb is on average 8 to 10 times lower and has a life 25 to 50 times longer than a
conventional bulb. By equipping your home with LED bulbs, you are making a gesture that is
both ecological and economical. Why deprive yourself?

. Kitchen composter/Compost pail

The composting of your kitchen waste and your green waste makes it possible to divert
kilos of waste from your garbage cans, which otherwise must be collected, transported and
treated by public institutions. Indeed, a large proportion of municipal waste is
biodegradable waste that can be composted. Not only will you produce a fertile material
useful to the environment and also you will reduce your overall waste production. Do you
live in an apartment or do you have no garden? No problem! You can very well make
compost with small kitchen composters.
4. What are biofertilizers? Explain the advantages of biofertilizers.

Biofertilizers are substances that contain microorganisms, which when added to the soil
increase its fertility and promotes plant growth. Biofertilizers utilise certain microorganisms.
These microorganisms trap atmospheric nitrogen and reduce it to ammonia and make it
available to the plants. They also convert insoluble phosphates into the forms required by
the plants. The main sources of biofertilizers include bacteria, cyanobacteria and fungi.

Biofertilizers are substance that contains microbes, which helps in promoting the growth of
plants and trees by increasing the supply of essential nutrients to the plants. It comprises
living organisms which include mycorrhizal fungi, blue-green algae, and bacteria. Mycorrhizal
fungi preferentially withdraw minerals from organic matter for the plant whereas
cyanobacteria are characterized by the property of nitrogen fixation. Nitrogen fixation is
defined as a process of converting di-nitrogen molecules into ammonia. For instance, some
bacteria convert nitrogen to ammonia. As a result, nitrogen becomes available for plants.

Biofertilizers are required to restore the fertility of the soil. Prolonged use of chemical
fertilizers degrades the soil and affects crop yield. Biofertilizers, on the other hand, enhance
the water holding capacity of the soil and add essential nutrients such as nitrogen, vitamins
and proteins to the soil. They are the natural form of fertilizers and hence, widely used in
agriculture.

Types of Biofertilizers
Following are the important types of biofertilizers:

Symbiotic Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria

Rhizobium is one of the vital symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Here bacteria seek shelter
and obtain food from plants. In return, they help by providing fixed nitrogen to the plants.

Loose Association of Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria

Azospirillum is a nitrogen-fixing bacteria that live around the roots of higher plants but do
not develop an intimate relationship with plants. It is often termed as rhizosphere
association as these bacteria collect plant exudate and the same is used as food by them.
This process is termed associative mutualism.

Symbiotic Nitrogen-Fixing Cyanobacteria

Blue-Green algae or Cyanobacteria from the symbiotic association with several plants.
Liverworts, cycad roots, fern, and lichens are some of the Nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria.
Anabaena is found at the leaf cavities of the fern. It is responsible for nitrogen fixation. The
fern plants decay and release the same for utilization of the rice plants. Azolla pinnate is a
fern that resides in rice fields but they do not regulate the growth of the plant.

Free-Living Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria

They are free-living soil bacteria that perform nitrogen fixation. They are saprotrophic
anaerobes such as Clostridium beijerinckii, Azotobacter, etc.
Among all the types of biofertilizers, Rhizobium and Azospirillum are most widely used.
 Components of Biofertilizers -
The components of biofertilizers include:
Bio Compost
It is one of the eco-friendly product composed of waste material released from sugar
industries which are decomposed. It is magnified with human-friendly bacteria, fungi, and
various plants.

Tricho-Card
It is an eco-friendly and nonpathogenic product used in a variety of crops as well as in
horticultural and ornamental plants, such as paddy apple, sugar cane, brinjal, corn, cotton,
vegetables, citrus, etc. It acts as a productive destroyer and antagonistic hyper parasitic
against eggs of several bores, shoot, fruit, leaves, flower eaters and other pathogens in the
field.

Azotobacter
It protects the roots from pathogens present in the soil and plays a crucial role in fixing
atmospheric nitrogen. Nitrogen is a very important nutrient for the plant and about 78% of
the total atmosphere comprises nitrogen.

Phosphorus
Phosphorus is one of the essential nutrients for plants growth and development. Phosphate
solubilizing microorganisms, hydrolyze insoluble phosphorus compounds to the soluble
form for uptake by plants. Many fungi and bacteria are used for the purpose such
as Penicillium, Aspergillus, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, etc.

Vermicompost
It is an Eco-friendly organic fertilizer that comprises vitamins, hormones, organic carbon,
sulfur, antibiotics that help to increase the quantity and quality of yield. Vermicompost is
one of the quick fixes to improve the fertility of the soil.

Advantages of Biofertilizers
 Biofertilizers improve the soil texture and yield of plants.
 They do not allow pathogens to flourish.
 They are eco-friendly and cost-effective.
 Biofertilizers protect the environment from pollutants since they are natural fertilizers.
 They destroy many harmful substances present in the soil that can cause plant diseases.
 Biofertilizers are proved to be effective even under semi-arid conditions.
 It is beneficial for the health of the people consuming the vegetables grown by the addition
of biofertilizers

Applications of Biofertilizers
Following are the important applications of biofertilizers:

Seedling root dip

This method is applicable to rice crops. The seedlings are planted in the bed of water for 8-
10 hours.
Seed Treatment
The seeds are dipped in a mixture of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers. These seeds are
then dried and sown as soon as possible.

Soil Treatment
The biofertilizers along with the compost fertilizers are mixed and kept for one night. This
mixture is then spread on the soil where the seeds have to be sown.
5. What are the impact of excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides on human
health?

Fertilizers are natural or artificial substance. Natural fertilizers are organic in nature and
inorganic fertilizers are artificial or chemicals. The organic fertilizers include animal manure
and other naturally occurring materials whereas inorganic fertilizers are artificial products.
Fertilizers enhance the natural fertility of the soil or replace the chemical elements taken
from the soil by previous crops. The application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has
become necessary by farmers to achieve maximum production of agriculture, produce and
to feed the growing population.

Pesticides are substances or mixtures of substances that are mainly used in agriculture or in
public health protection programs in order to protect plants from pests, weeds or diseases,
and humans from vector-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue fever, and
schistosomiasis. Insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, rodenticides, and plant growth
regulators are typical examples. These products are also used for other purposes, such as
the improvement and maintenance of non-agricultural areas like public urban green areas
and sport fields. Furthermore, there are other less known applications of these chemical
substances, such as in pet shampoos, building materials, and boat bottoms in order to
eliminate or prevent the presence of unwanted species.
The increasing use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture has been a hot topic for
discussion for many years now. Fertilizers and pesticides are essential for modern
agriculture, as they provide crops with the necessary nutrients and protect them from
disease and pests. While these chemical compounds are designed to enhance the growth of
crops and protect them from diseases, they are also known to cause adverse effects on
human health.

Chemical fertilizers and pesticides have recently caused several environmental and water
pollution issues. The primary sources of exposure to these chemicals are food, water, and
the environment, which all indirectly or directly affect human health. Over the past few
decades, using fertilizers and pesticides has increased exposure to these chemicals for
farmers, farm workers, and the general population. It has raised serious questions about the
potential risks of these chemicals and their impact on human health.

Excessive use of chemical fertilizers creates adverse effects to the public and environmental
health. Excessive chemical fertilisation used increased soil salinity, heavy metal
accumulation, and accumulation of nitrate lead to problems of infertility in soil. Flora
absorbs the chemical elements fertilizers through the soil and inter in the food chain. Use of
exceed quantity of chemical fertilizers in soil, may contaminate the ground water and
possibly the surface water of rivers and lakes with negative effects. Modern farming is based
on commercial approach in which farmer are using huge quantity of chemical fertilizers and
pesticides to produce large quantities of agriculture product. These chemical components
are having deadly impacts on the environment and human health when they are utilised in
agricultural farms.

Many of the pesticides have been associated with health and environmental issues, and the
agricultural use of certain pesticides has been abandoned. Exposure to pesticides can be
through contact with the skin, ingestion, or inhalation. The type of pesticide, the duration
and route of exposure, and the individual health status (e.g., nutritional deficiencies and
healthy/damaged skin) are determining factors in the possible health outcome. Within a
human or animal body, pesticides may be metabolized, excreted, stored, or bioaccumulated
in body fat. The numerous negative health effects that have been associated with chemical
pesticides include, among other effects, dermatological, gastrointestinal, neurological,
carcinogenic, respiratory, reproductive, and endocrine effects. Furthermore, high
occupational, accidental, or intentional exposure to pesticides can result in hospitalization
and death
Residues of pesticides can be found in a great variety of everyday foods and beverages,
including for instance cooked meals, water, wine, fruit juices, refreshments, and animal
feeds. Furthermore, it should be noted that washing and peeling cannot completely remove
the residues. In the majority of cases, the concentrations do not exceed the legislatively
determined safe levels. However, these “safe limits” may underestimate the real health risk
as in the case of simultaneous exposure to two or more chemical substances, which occurs
in real-life conditions and may have synergistic effects. Pesticides residues have also been
detected in human breast milk samples, and there are concerns about prenatal exposure
and health effects in children.