SHREE MEDHA COLLEGE, BELLARY
Unit II:
Environmental Pollution and Policies : Environmental pollution: types, pollutants causes,
effects and controls; Air, water, soil and noise pollution, Nuclear hazards and human
health risks, Solid waste management, Control measures of urban and industrial waste
Pollution case studies. Social and Environmental Issues Climate change, global warming,
ozone layer depletion, acid rain and impacts on human communities and agriculture.
Environmental Policies and Practices: Environment Laws: Environment Protection Act;
Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act; Water (Prevention and control of Pollution)
Act; Wildlife Protection Act; Forest Conservation Act. International agreements:
Montreal and Kyoto protocols and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
1. Environmental Pollution
1.1 Meaning
Environmental pollution refers to the introduction of harmful substances or agents (pollutants)
into the natural environment, leading to adverse changes in air, water, soil, and living
organisms.
1.2 Types of Pollution, Causes, Effects, and Controls
a) Air Pollution
• Pollutants: Carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons,
particulate matter, ozone.
• Causes: Vehicular emissions, industrial exhaust, burning of fossil fuels, deforestation.
• Effects: Respiratory diseases (asthma, bronchitis), acid rain, global warming, reduced
visibility, damage to crops and buildings.
• Control Measures:
o Adoption of clean energy (solar, wind).
o Use of catalytic converters in vehicles.
o Enforcement of emission standards.
o Afforestation and green belts.
b) Water Pollution
• Pollutants: Sewage, industrial effluents, pesticides, fertilizers, heavy metals.
• Causes: Discharge of untreated sewage, agricultural runoff, oil spills, chemical
industries.
• Effects: Spread of water-borne diseases (cholera, typhoid), destruction of aquatic life,
bio-magnification, scarcity of potable water.
• Control Measures:
o Effluent treatment plants.
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SHREE MEDHA COLLEGE, BELLARY
o Strict regulations for industrial discharge.
o Rainwater harvesting and water recycling.
o Public awareness on safe disposal practices.
c) Soil Pollution
• Pollutants: Pesticides, plastics, heavy metals, e-waste.
• Causes: Excessive use of fertilizers, dumping of industrial waste, deforestation, mining
activities.
• Effects: Loss of soil fertility, reduced agricultural productivity, contamination of food
chain.
• Control Measures:
o Use of bio-fertilizers and organic farming.
o Recycling and proper waste disposal.
o Land reclamation measures.
d) Noise Pollution
• Pollutants: Unwanted sound above permissible limits.
• Causes: Traffic, loudspeakers, industrial machinery, construction activities.
• Effects: Hearing impairment, stress, hypertension, reduced work efficiency.
• Control Measures:
o Noise control regulations.
o Use of silencers in machines.
o Urban planning (green buffers, silent zones near hospitals/schools).
e) Nuclear Hazards
• Sources: Nuclear power plants, atomic tests, radioactive waste, accidents (e.g.,
Chernobyl, Fukushima).
• Human Health Risks: Cancer, genetic mutations, radiation sickness, ecological
imbalance.
• Control Measures:
o Safe storage and disposal of radioactive waste.
o Strict safety protocols in nuclear plants.
o International monitoring of nuclear activities.
2. Solid Waste Management
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SHREE MEDHA COLLEGE, BELLARY
• Definition: The collection, treatment, and disposal of solid waste generated from
human and industrial activities.
• Types of Solid Waste: Municipal waste, industrial waste, hazardous waste, biomedical
waste, e-waste.
• Control Measures:
o 3R principle (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle).
o Composting and biomethanation.
o Incineration and sanitary landfills.
o Segregation of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste.
Case Studies in Pollution
• Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984): Leakage of methyl isocyanate from Union Carbide plant
led to thousands of deaths and long-term health impacts.
• Ganga Water Pollution: Industrial effluents, sewage, and religious offerings leading
to severe contamination.
• Delhi Air Pollution: Severe smog episodes due to vehicular emissions, stubble
burning, and industrial pollution.
3. Social and Environmental Issues
a) Climate Change
• Definition: Long-term alteration of temperature and weather patterns mainly due to
greenhouse gas emissions.
• Impact: Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, migration issues, biodiversity loss.
b) Global Warming
• Definition: Increase in Earth’s average surface temperature due to greenhouse gases
(CO₂, CH₄, N₂O).
• Impact on Communities and Agriculture: Crop failures, water stress, increased
frequency of droughts and floods.
c) Ozone Layer Depletion
• Cause: Use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in refrigerants, aerosols, and solvents.
• Impact: Increase in UV radiation leading to skin cancer, cataracts, reduced crop yields,
and harm to aquatic ecosystems.
d) Acid Rain
• Cause: Emission of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides mixing with rainwater.
• Impact: Damage to forests, aquatic systems, historical monuments, and soil fertility.
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SHREE MEDHA COLLEGE, BELLARY
4. Environmental Policies and Practices
4.1 National Environmental Laws
1. Environment Protection Act (1986): Umbrella legislation for environmental
protection and pollution control.
2. Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act (1981): Establishes pollution control
boards to regulate and control air pollution.
3. Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act (1974): Ensures clean water by
regulating industrial discharge and sewage treatment.
4. Wildlife Protection Act (1972): Provides protection to endangered species and
establishes national parks and sanctuaries.
5. Forest Conservation Act (1980): Restricts the use of forest land for non-forest
purposes without prior approval.
4.2 International Agreements
1. Montreal Protocol (1987): International treaty to phase out ozone-depleting
substances like CFCs.
2. Kyoto Protocol (1997): Legally binding agreement to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions by developed countries.
3. Convention on Biological Diversity (1992): Focuses on conservation of biodiversity,
sustainable use of resources, and fair sharing of benefits from genetic resources.
5. Summary
• Environmental pollution includes air, water, soil, noise, and nuclear hazards that impact
health and ecosystems.
• Effective control requires technological, legislative, and behavioral interventions.
• Social and environmental issues like climate change, global warming, ozone depletion,
and acid rain pose global challenges.
• National laws and international agreements are essential tools to address these issues.
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