EVS

Chapter – 24
Help! I can’t breathe
Important Notes:
Q1. What is pollution?
Ans: When we pollute air, water, soil or any part of the environment, it is
called pollution.
Q2. What substances cause pollution?
Ans : Harmful substances that contaminate the environment are poisonous
gases, chemicals, garbage, sewage etc.
Q3. How do fuels add to the pollution ?
Ans: When we burn fuels, we contaminate air by adding carbon monoxide,
carbon dioxide, sulphur etc. to it.
Q4. Classify various types of pollution. How are they caused and the
problems we face due to them.
Types of pollution Causes Problems related to
the pollution
1. AIR POLLUTION • Harmful gases • Number of
Definition: like carbon diseases like
An undesirable monoxide, asthma, chronic
change in air that nitrogen dioxide cough,
brings down its and sulphur breathing
quality is called air dioxide etc. disorders etc.
pollution. • Smoke released
from burning
fuel in factories,
at home and in
vehicles.
2. WATER • Waste and dirty • A number of
POLLUTION water from dreadful
Definition: industries and diseases like
The undesirable sewage from typhoid,
changes that make houses are cholera,
water unfit for use major dysentery etc.
 and consumption is pollutants of are caused by
called water pollution. water. water pollution.
3. LAND • Plastic and dirt • A number of
POLLUTION littered on the diseases are
Definition: ground. caused by soil-
The undesirable • Open borne germs.
changes in the defecation adds
composition of soil of bacteria and
an area are termed germs to the
land pollution. soil.
• Fertilizers and
pesticides add
chemicals to the
soil.
4. NOISE • Loud noise • Delicate ear
POLLUTION made by the drum gets
Definition: loudspeakers. harmed.
The undesirable noise • High volume • One can
levels cause noise from concerts, become deaf.
pollution. religious • Irritation and
functions. restlessness in
• Listening to children, old
loud music from people and
the ear pods or patients.
headphones. • Disturbed sleep
or conversation.
• Continuous
exposure to
noise pollution
can cause high
blood pressure,
hypertension
and heart
problems.

Q5. What can we do to check environmental pollution?

Ans: We can follow these measures to check environmental pollution:
1. Do not throw garbage in water or on land.
 2. Sewage waste or industrial waste must be well treated before being
drained into water bodies.
3. Non-biodegradable products must be disposed properly.
4. Reduce the use of plastic bags.
5. Recycle the paper and wood articles to save trees.
6. Plant more and more trees to prevent soil erosion.
7. Vehicles must be checked regularly for pollution.
8. Fertilizers and pesticides should be used wisely in agriculture.
9. Sound should be kept well within the limits of human ear’s audibility.
10.Deforestation should be banned.
Q6. Differentiate between biodegradable and non-biodegradable products.
BIODEGRADABLE SUBSTANCES NON-BIODEGRADABLE SUBSTANCES
1. They are environment 1. They are harmful for the
friendly. environment.
2. These can be disposed 2.It is difficult to dispose these.
properly.
3. These can be recycled 3.These can not be recycled
naturally. naturally and cause
environmental pollution.
4.Eg: paper, leaves, cowdung, 4.Eg: plastic bags, synthetic fibres,
wood etc. aluminium cans etc.