Environmental.docx

What is Environment ??  Environment means our surrounding  Environment includes: Air Water Soil Biological Environment- Flora,

Threats to Environment Air pollution  Tonnes of pollutants dumped in air by industries, vehicles  Green coverage decreasing day by day Air Pollutants CO2

Fauna

CO

Noise

Nitrogen oxides (NOx)

Aesthetics

Sulfur oxides

Cultural, Socio-Economic, Political Conditions

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Particulate Matter Toxic metals- lead, cadmium

Why Care for Environment ?? It affects our ability to live on Earth It affects our health, our economy, our existence

Effects of Air Pollution  Dust Particles of small sizes damages lungs– causing respiratory symptoms like cough, wheezing, asthma etc  Excess Carbon Monoxide can cause death  Excess CO2 , CH4 (Green house gases)

causing Global warming Polar ice caps melting Higher sea levels – floods

 Cancer causing potential of diesel exhaust is very high  Poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and particulate matter of diesel exhaust -10 times more potent to cause mutation  NOx reduces oxygen carrying capacity of blood, can cause cancer, emphysema  NOx - Ozone - respiratory problems

Protect Environment (What can we do?)  Preventive action is the best  Spread the awareness among people  Conduct epidemiological studies– how air quality affects health????????  Pressurize governments for proper policies for e.g. - prevent dieselization of private vehicles    

Promote usage of bicycles Use alternative energy resources-solar,wind… Zoning and transport infrastructure planning Introduction of cleaner engines and cleaner fuels like CNG (compressed Natural Gas)  Stricter regulations for vehicular and industrial emissions and regular compliance checking  Stop burning of wastes

Water Pollution     

Water Pollutants Heavy metals--- chromium, nickel, copper etc Inorganic chemicals– acids, alkalis, inorganic salts Nutrients- Nitrogen, Phosphorus Disinfection byproduts– trihalomethanes etc Microorganisms Effects

 Cadmium causes Itai Itai disease  Mercury causes Minamata disease  Microorganisms causes diseases like dysentry, diarrohea  Excess nutrients cause eutrophication

Decreases dissolved oxygen concentration Causes     

plastics and garbages dumped into river Clay idols discarded into river Human corpse discarded into river Oil Spills Oil spill cleaning process

Affects aquatic life

Minamata disease

YOU CAN HELP  Never throw rubbish away any how. Always look for the correct waste bin. If there is none around, please take it home and put it in your trash can. This includes places like the beach, riverside and water bodies.  Use water wisely. Do not keep the tap running when not in use. Also, you can reduce the amount of water you use in washing and bathing. If we all do this, we can significantly prevent water shortages and reduce the amount of dirty water that needs treatment.  Do not throw chemicals, oils, paints and medicines down  the sink drain, or the toilet. In many cities, your local environment office can help with the disposal of medicines and chemicals. Check with your local authorities if there is a chemical disposal plan for local residents.  Buy more environmentally safe cleaning liquids for use at home and other public places. They are less dangerous to the environment.  If you use chemicals and pesticides for your gardens and farms, be mindful not to overuse pesticides and fertilizers. This will reduce runoffs of the chemical into nearby water sources. Start looking at options of composting and using organic manure instead.  If you live close to a water body, try to plant lots of trees and flowers around your home, so that when it rains, chemicals from your home does not easily drain into the water.

Soil Pollution

Itisthe degradation of Earth's landsurfaces by human activities andmisuse of land resources.

Causes  Haphazard disposal of urban and industrial wastes  Exploitation of minerals  Harmful agricultural practices

 Population increasing

Causes

Higher food demand Construction debris Intensive agriculture

Forest converted to agricultural fields

Construction, destruction of forests

monoculture Urbanization Excessive

More land required for landfill sites

use of fertilizers, pesticides,

Informal settlements,

herbicides

poorly maintained sewage pipes

EFFECTS  Can seriously disrupt the balance of nature  Pesticides can damage crops  Some pollutants can get into our systems indirectly from eating vegetables grown in contaminated soil.  Reduced aesthetic appeal

What can we do?  Three R– Reduce, Reuse, Recycle  Collect degradable and non degradable waste in separate bins  Soil remediation for polluted soil  Plant more trees

Afforestation reduces soil erosion