MODULE 2

SE
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Air Pollution and its effects
• Air Pollution
• Air pollution is a broad term applied to any chemical,
physical (particulate matter), or biological agent that
modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere.
• It is the introduction of particulates, biological molecules, or
other harmful materials into Earth's atmosphere, causing
diseases, allergies, death to humans, damage to other
living organisms such as animals and food crops, or the
natural or built environment.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Air Pollution and its effects
• Pollutants
• A substance, which causes pollution, is known as pollutant.
• Pollutants can be solid, liquid or gaseous substances.
• Present in higher concentration, it can be produced due to
human activities or natural happenings.
• The air pollution are basically of two types:
1. Gaseous pollution
2. Particulate pollution
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Air Pollution and its effects
• Gaseous air pollutants

• Gaseous air pollutants include Oxides of Sulphur, Oxides of

Nitrogen, Oxides of Carbon and Hydrocarbons

• a) Oxides of Sulphur

• Oxides of Sulphur are produced when sulphur containing

fossil fuel is burnt.

• Sulphur dioxide is very poisonous gas so produced

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Air Pollution and its effects
a) Oxides of Sulphur - Harmful effects of sulphur dioxide:

It is poisonous to both animals and plants.

A very high concentration of SO2 may cause respiratory

diseases e.g., asthma,bronchitis, emphysema in human beings.

It causes irritation to the eyes, resulting in tears and redness.

Its high concentration leads to the stiffness of flower buds.

Particulate matter present in the air can catalyse the formation

of sulphur trioxide from sulphur dioxide.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Air Pollution and its effects
• b) Oxides of Nitrogen

• Dinitrogen and dioxygen are the main constituents of air.

• These gases do not react with each other at normal

temperature.

• When lightning strikes, dioxygen and dinitrogen combine at

very high temperatures to produce nitrogen dioxide. Nitrogen
Dioxide (NO2) is one of the most dangerous pollutants. It
has a red-brown color that one often sees over traffic jams
and in fumes coming out of factories.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Airof Pollution
• b) Oxides Nitrogen - and its effects
Harmful effectsof Nitrogen
dioxide:

• It reacts with Ozone (O3) present in the atmosphere and thus

decrease the density of Ozone.

• It affects the respiratory system and damages the lungs.

• Higher concentrations of N02 damage the leaves of plants and

retard the rate of photosynthesis.

• It causes cracks in rubber. Nitrogen dioxide is also harmful

to various textile fibres and metals.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Air Pollution
• (C)Hydrocarbons and its effects
• Incomplete combustion of fossil fuel in industry and thermal
power plants and the exhaust of automobiles release
hydrocarbons into the atmosphere constantly causing
pollution.

• Harmful Effects:

• They cause cancer. Methane is one of the greenhouse gases.

• They harm plants in various ways like breakdown of tissues,

shedding of leaves etc.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Air Pollution and its effects
• d) Oxides of carbon – It includes carbon dioxide and
carbon monoxide.

• Carbon dioxide CO2 is released into the air through

respiration, burning of fossil fuels and decomposition of
limestone during the manufacture of cement. It is also
emitted during volcanic eruptions.

• Harmful effects: Deforestation and burning of fossil fuel

increases the CO2 level which is mainly responsible for
global warming.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
•
Air Pollution and its effects
d) Oxides of carbon – It includes carbon dioxide and carbon
monoxide.

• ii) Carbon Monoxide

• Carbon Monoxide is a colourless and odourless gas. It is one

of the most serious air pollutants. It is produced as a result
of incomplete combustion of carbon.

• It is mainly released into atmosphere by automobile exhaust.

Other sources include incomplete combustion of coal,
firewood, petrol etc.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
•
Air Pollution and its effects
d) Oxides of carbon – It includes carbon dioxide and carbon
monoxide.

• ii) Carbon Monoxide

• Harmful effects: Carbon monoxide binds to haemoglobin to

form carboxyhaemoglobin which is more stable than
oxygen-haemoglobin complex. Its concentration in blood
when reaches to 3-4%, the oxygen carrying capacity of
blood is greatly reduced. The oxygen deficiency, results into
headache, weak eyesight, nervousness etc.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Air Pollution and its effects
• Particulate pollutants
• Particulate matter is the collective of all solid and liquid
particles suspended in the atmosphere which are polluting
and harmful to our biosphere.
• These particles originate and various different sources and
are of many sizes and compositions.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Air Pollution and its effects
• Particulate pollutants
1. Soot: Incomplete combustion of coal and charcoal always
leaves behind a black powder-like substance. This is soot.
It is extremely small in size and toxic in nature. It can
travel through our windpipe and settle in our lungs. Soot
can cause a variety of diseases from Asthma to
Bronchitis. Also, soot contains SO2 and NO2 that form
acid rain.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Air Pollution and its effects
• Particulate pollutants
2. Metal Particles: These oxides are formed during metal
reactions. These particles react with other compounds in the
air like SO2 and become highly toxic. If inhaled by humans
they have any ill effects on our health. One main harmful
effect is that metal particles will reduce blood’s ability to
coagulate quickly, slowing down the process
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Air Pollution and its effects
• Particulate pollutants
3. Asbestos Dust:

• Asbestos is a highly toxic substance.

• Any activity related to it like manufacturing asbestos sheets

or asbestos insulation can release asbestos dust.
• This is very harmful and a major cause of atmospheric
pollution.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Air Pollution and its effects
• Particulate pollutants
4. Dust Particles:

• Dust particles forming in everyday events or construction

or agricultural activities etc is also a pollutant.

• They attach to other pollutants and become more harmful.

• In humans, they may cause allergies and other respiratory

diseases.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Air Pollution and its effects
• Effects of Air pollution
1. Respiratory and heart problems

2. Global warming

3. Acid Rain

4. Effect on Wildlife

5. Depletion of Ozone layer

 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Air Pollution and its effects
• Methods to reduce Air Pollution
1. Use public mode of transportation

2. Conserve energy

3. Understand the concept of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

4. Emphasis on clean energy resources

5. Use energy efficient devices

6. Monitor Air quality

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Water pollution and its sources
• Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies (e.g.,
lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers and groundwater), very
often by human activities.

• Any change or modification in the physical, chemical and

biological properties of water that will have a detrimental
consequence on living things is water pollution.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Water pollution and its sources
• Types of Water Pollution
1. Surface Water Pollution

2. Ground Water Pollution

3. Suspended Matter Pollution

4. Microbial Pollution

5. Chemical Water Pollution

6. Point source pollution

7. Non point source pollution

 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Water pollution and its sources
Surface Water Pollution
• Covering about 70 percent of the earth, surface water is
what fills our oceans, lakes, rivers. Hazardous substances
when coming into contact with different sources of
water, leads to surface water pollution.
• The harmful contaminants from various sources mix or
dissolve with lakes, lagoons, oceans and lead to surface
water pollution.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Water pollution and its sources
Ground Water Pollution
• When rain falls and seeps deep into the earth, filling the
cracks, crevices, and porous spaces of an aquifer (basically
an underground storehouse of water), it becomes
groundwater—one of our least visible but most important
natural resources. Pesticides and chemicals applied to crops
and soil are washed deep into the ground during the rain.
The pesticides mix with groundwater and lead to its pollution.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Water pollution and its sources
Suspended Matter Pollution
• In this pollution, the pollutants enter into water and don’t mix
with the water molecules. Therefore, the suspended particles in
water form silt on the waterbed. This is harmful to marine life
that lives on the floor of rivers or lakes. Biodegradable
substances are often suspended in water and can cause
problems by increasing the amount of anaerobic microorganisms
present. Toxic chemicals suspended in water can be harmful to
the development and survival of aquatic life.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Water pollution and its sources
Microbial Pollution
• It is a natural form of water pollution caused by
microorganisms. Microorganisms cause this type of water
pollution. Although most of the microorganisms are
harmless, some bacteria and viruses may cause serious
health problems. Eg cholera
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Water pollution and its sources
Microbial Pollution
• It is a natural form of water pollution caused by
microorganisms. Microorganisms cause this type of water
pollution. Although most of the microorganisms are
harmless, some bacteria and viruses may cause serious
health problems. Eg cholera
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Water pollution and its sources
Chemical Water Pollution
• Many industries and farmers use chemicals for their
various purposes. It causes water pollution.
• Pollutants used to control weeds, insects and pests leech
into the water and spreading the pollution.
• Also, metals and solvents from industries also lead to water
pollution.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Water pollution and its sources
• Point source pollution
• Pollution from a single source.

• Non point source pollution

• Pollutants are emitted from multiple sources.

 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Water pollution and its sources
• Causes of Water Pollution
• a) Industrial waste

• b) Sewage and waste water

• c) Mining activities

• d) Marine dumping

• e) Accidental Oil leakage

• f) Burning of fossil fuels

 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Water pollution and its sources
• Causes of Water Pollution
• g) Chemical fertilizers and pesticides

• h) Leakage from sewer lines and landfills

• i) Radioactive waste

• j) Urban development

• k) Animal waste
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Water pollution and its sources
• Methods to reduce water pollution
• a) Sewage treatments

• b) Treatment of wastes before discharge

• c) Strict adherence to water laws

• d) Routine cleaning

• e) Self hygiene

• f) Sanitation

• g) Public Awareness
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Solid waste management
• It is the collecting, treating, and disposing of solid material
that is discarded because it has served its purpose or is no
longer useful.

• One of the adverse effects of industrialization is the

creation of solid waste.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Solid waste management
• Improper disposal of municipal solid waste can create
unsanitary conditions, and these conditions in turn can lead
to pollution of the environment and to outbreaks of
vector-borne disease—that is, diseases spread by rodents
and insects.
• The tasks of solid-waste management present complex
technical challenges.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Solid waste management
• Various sources of solid waste include:
1. Residential

2. Industrial

3. Commercial

4. Institutional

5. Construction and demolition areas

6. Municipal services

7. Agriculture
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Solid waste management
• Methods of solid waste management
1. Sanitary Landfills

2. Incineration

3. Recovery and recycling

4. Composting

5. Pyrolysis
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Solid waste management
• Methods of solid waste management
1. Sanitary Landfills

2. Incineration

3. Recovery and recycling

4. Composting

5. Pyrolysis
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Zero waste concept in solid waste
•
management
“Zero Waste” is a philosophy of eliminating the
generation of materials that have no viable or economic
option for end-of-use management.
• It aims to send nothing to the landfill.

• We reduce what we need, reuse as much as we can, send

little to be recycled, and compost what we cannot.
• Instead of discarding resources, we create a system where
all resources can be resumed fully back into the system.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Zero waste concept in solid waste
management
• Until very recently we had a linear
production-consumption-disposal system.
• We extract natural resources like trees, precious metals
and petroleum.
• We manufacture them, often through polluting, toxic and
wasteful practices, into products designed for the dump.
• We distribute them, often shipping them long distances,
from manufacturing to sale.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Zero waste concept in solid waste
management
• After we buy and use them, we pitch our products into a
hole in the ground (or a landfill) or an incinerator and
destroy the value of those resources.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Zero waste concept in solid waste
management
• A Zero Waste System is cyclical, like in nature, and does
two fundamental things:
• It redesigns our systems and resource use—from product
design to disposal—to prevent wasteful and polluting
practices that lead to tonnes of waste.
• It then captures discards and uses them, instead of
natural resources, to make new products, creating far
less pollution and feeding the local economy.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Zero waste concept in solid waste
management
• Zero Waste concept requires:-
· designing and managing products and processes to
systematically avoid and eliminate the volume and toxicity
of waste and materials,
· conserving and recovering all resources,

· investment in community waste reduction and recovery

systems
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Zero waste concept in solid waste
management
• Zero Waste concept requires:-
· Public participation in recycling.

· Eliminate all discharges to land, water or air that is a

threat to planetary, human, animal or plant health.
· Adopting 3R concepts (reduce, reuse, recycle)

· Acquiring waste to energy technologies.

 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Zero waste concept in solid waste
• management
Benefits of zero waste concept
1. Zero waste reduces our climate impact.

2. Zero waste conserves resources and minimizes

pollution.
3. Zero waste promotes social equity and builds
community.
4. Zero waste supports a local circular economy and
creates jobs.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
3 R concepts in solid waste management
• The 3 R concept of waste management is the order of
priority of actions to be taken to reduce the amount of
waste generated and to improve overall waste management
processes and programs.
• The three R’s – reduce, reuse and recycle – all help to cut
down on the amount of waste we throw away.
• They conserve natural resources, landfill space and
energy.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
3 R concepts in solid waste management
• Reduce
• The best way to manage waste is not to produce it.

• Reducing waste is the most important thing we can do.

• By reducing waste, we avoid the unnecessary use of

resources such as materials, energy and water. It means
there is less waste to manage. Eg. Buy in bulk to reduce
packaging, carry your own shopping bag, say no to plastic
shopping bag when you have only a few items.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
3 R concepts in solid waste management
• Reuse
• The next most important thing we can do is reuse waste
material. That way it doesn't go in the rubbish and end up
in the landfill. It also means you don't have to buy a new
product. That saves you money and saves the energy and
resources that would have been used to make the new
product. Eg. Give unwanted toys and books to hospitals
or schools, Use old jars for storage, Re-use envelopes.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
3 R concepts in solid waste management
• Recycle
• Recycling involves some form of reprocessing of waste
materials to produce another product.
• For example, recycling plastic bottles to make buckets,
recycle paper, cardboard, glass, aluminium, tin and
plastic containers.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Greenhouse effect
• The greenhouse effect is the natural warming of the earth
that results when gases in the atmosphere trap heat from the
sun that would otherwise escape into space.
• While 30 percent of the solar energy that reaches our
world is reflected back to space, approximately 70 percent
passes through the atmosphere to the earth’s surface, where
it is absorbed by the land, oceans, and atmosphere, and
heats the planet.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
•
Greenhouse effect
This heat is then radiated back up in the form of invisible
infrared light. While some of this infrared light continues
on into space, the vast majority, approximately 90 percent
gets absorbed by atmospheric gases, known as
greenhouse gases, and redirected back toward the earth,
causing further warming. Normally greenhouse effect is a
natural phenomenon and is beneficial to us. It maintains
the planet’s temperature at a suitable level for the
development of life.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
• But in the last
Greenhouse effect
century, human activities such as burning
fossil fuels and deforestation have caused a jump in the
concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This
has resulted in extra trapped heat and higher global
temperatures.
• The main gases responsible for the greenhouse effect
include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and
water vapor (which all occur naturally), and fluorinated
gases (which are synthetic).
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Greenhouse effect
• The sources of greenhouse gases include electricity and
heat production, agriculture and land use changes,
industry, transportation, buildings and other sources
includes emissions from energy-related activities other
than fossil fuel combustion, such as the extraction,
refining, processing, and transportation of oil, gas, and coal.
• The consequence of greenhouse effect is global warming.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Greenhouse effect
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Global warming
• Global Warming is the increase of Earth's average
surface temperature due to the presence of excess amount
of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane etc
which trap heat that would otherwise escape from Earth.
• Global warming occurs when carbon dioxide (CO2) and
other air pollutants and greenhouse gases collect in the
atmosphere and absorb sunlight and solar radiation that
have bounced off the earth’s surface.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Global warming
• Normally, this radiation would escape into space—but
these pollutants, which can last for years to centuries in
the atmosphere, trap the heat and cause the planet to get
hotter. That's what's known as the greenhouse effect.
• Global Warming is caused by:

• Burning of fossil fuels

• Refrigerants and air conditioners release CFC

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Global warming
• Global Warming is caused by:
• Deforestation – carbon dioxide intake is reduced when
forests are cut down.
• Methane emission occurs due to anaerobic decomposition
at huge landfills.
• Methane emission from livestock (animal farm)
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Global warming
• The effects of global warming includes:
• melting glaciers

• rising sea levels

• Forests, farms, and cities will face troublesome new pests,

heat waves, heavy downpours, and increased flooding
• Disruption of habitats such as coral reefs could drive many
plant and animal species to extinction.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Global warming
• The effects of global warming includes:
• Allergies, asthma, and infectious disease outbreaks will
become more common due to increased growth of
pollen-producing ragweed, higher levels of air pollution,
and the spread of conditions favorable to pathogens and
mosquitoes.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Global warming
• Measures to control global warming:
• Promote renewable energy usage (solar energy, wind
energy etc)
• Depend more on public transport system to reduce the
use of fossil fuels.
• Afforestation and reforestation

• Adopt 3R concept whenever possible.

• Reduce energy consumption at home, office etc.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Climate Change
• Climate change refers to a change in average weather
conditions, that exists for an extended period of time.
• Many frequent changes in climate had occurred on our
earth.
• A number of natural factors like continental drift, earth’s
tilt, ocean currents etc. were responsible for such climatic
changes.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Climate Change
• Recently, many anthropogenic (originating in human
activity) causes have led to an alarming variations in
climatic patterns all over the world.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Climate Change
• These include:-
• Increase in the usage of fossil fuels:

• Fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas ) are used as energy
sources all over the world.
• Burning of fossil fuels produce CO2 ,which spreads into
the atmosphere leading to global warming and increase in
the temperature.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Climate Change
• These include:-
• Deforestation: When trees are cut down on a large scale,
the amount of atmospheric CO2 increases, leading to global
warming and increase in the temperature.
• Population growth, urbanization and industrial
revolution: More and more needs of the people have to be
satisfied for which cities were developed and industries
were set up on a large scale.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Climate Change
• These include:-
• All these have led to an increase in the amount of
greenhouse gases resulting in global climatic changes.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Ozone Layer Depletion
• The ozone layer is a region in the earth’s stratosphere that
contains high concentrations of ozone and protects the earth
from the harmful ultraviolet radiations of the sun.
• The ozone layer is found in the lower portion of the
earth’s atmosphere.
• Ozone is a naturally occurring molecule containing three
oxygen atoms.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Ozone Layer Depletion
• These ozone molecules form a gaseous layer in the
Earth’s upper atmosphere called stratosphere.
• This lower region of stratosphere containing relatively
higher concentration of ozone is called Ozonosphere.
• The ozonosphere is found 15-35 km (9 to 22 miles) above
the surface of the earth.
• The ozone layer forms a thick layer of gas in stratosphere,
encircling the earth, which has large amount of ozone in it.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Ozone Layer Depletion
• It protects our planet from the harmful UV radiations.
• The ozone layer was discovered in 1913 by the French
physicists Charles Fabry and Henri Buisson.
• It is a colorless gas and has a very harsh odour. The ozone
layer has the capability to absorb almost 97-99% of the
harmful ultraviolet radiations that sun emits and which
can produce long term devastating effects on human beings
as well as plants and animals.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Ozone Layer Depletion
• If the ozone layer was absent, millions of people would
develop skin diseases and may have weakened immune
systems.
• While at the ground level ozone is considered a pollutant,
it is considered a protectional layer in the stratosphere.
• While oxygen has two atoms in a molecule, ozone has 3
atoms in its molecular structure.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Ozone Layer Depletion
• Ozone in the atmosphere is formed by the influence of
sunlight.
• The UV rays in the sunlight strike oxygen molecules and
produces oxygen free radicals.
• When this oxygen free radicals combines with oxygen
molecule, it produces ozone molecule.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Ozone Layer Depletion
• Ultraviolet radiation can destroy the organic matter.
• For humans, excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation
leads to higher risks of cancer (especially skin cancer) and
cataracts.
• It is calculated that every 1 percent decrease in ozone
layer results in a 2-5 percent increase in the occurrence
of skin cancer.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Ozone Layer Depletion
• Other ill effects of the reduction of protective ozone layer
include – increase in the incidence of cataracts, sunburns
and suppression of the immune system.
• Human activities had resulted in considerable reduction in
the ozone layer of the atmosphere.
• Ozone depletion occurs when destruction of the
stratospheric ozone is more than the production of the
molecule.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Ozone Layer Depletion
• The scientists have observed reduction in stratospheric
ozone since early 1970s.
• It was found to be more prominent in Polar Regions.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Ozone Layer Depletion
• Ozone layer depletion is the gradual thinning of the
earth’s ozone layer in the upper atmosphere caused due
to the release of chemical compounds containing gaseous
bromine or chlorine from industries or other human
activities.
• Ozone layer depletion happens when the chlorine and
bromine atoms in the atmosphere come in contact with
ozone and destroy the ozone molecules.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Ozone Layer Depletion
• One atom of chlorine can destroy 100,000 molecules of
ozone.
• It is destroyed more quickly than it is created.

• Some compounds release chlorine and bromine on

exposure to high ultraviolet light, which then contributes
to the ozone layer depletion.
• Such compounds are known as Ozone Depleting
Substances (ODS).
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Ozone Layer Depletion
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Ozone Layer Depletion
• The ozone-depleting substances that contain chlorine
include chlorofluorocarbon, carbon tetrachloride,
hydrochlorofluorocarbons, and methyl chloroform.
• Whereas, the ozone-depleting substances that contain
bromine are halons, methyl bromide, and hydro
bromofluorocarbons.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Ozone Layer Depletion
• The problem with the Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS)
is that they are not washed back in the form of rain on the
earth and in-fact remain in the atmosphere for quite a long
time.
• With so much stability, they are transported into the
stratosphere.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Ozone Layer Depletion
Ozone depleting Source
substances
Chlorofluorocarbons Refrigerators, air-conditioners,
(CFCs) solvents, dry-cleaning agents, etc.
Halons Fire-extinguishers
Carbon tetrachloride Fire extinguishers, solvents
Methyl chloroform Adhesives, aerosols
Hydrofluorocarbons Solvent cleaning, fire extinguishers
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Ozone Layer Depletion
• The main causes responsible for the depletion of the
ozone layer are listed below:
• 1. Chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs

• 2. Hydrofluorocarbons

• 3. Halons

• 4. Carbon Tetrachloride

• 5. Methyl Chloroform
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Ozone Layer Depletion
• The major effects of ozone layer depletion include:
• 1. The humans will be directly exposed to the harmful
ultraviolet radiations of the sun due to the depletion of the
ozone layer.
• This might result in serious health issues among humans,
such as skin diseases, cancer, sunburns, cataract, quick
ageing, and weakened immune system.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Ozone Layer Depletion
• The major effects of ozone layer depletion include:
• 2. Direct exposure to ultraviolet radiations leads to skin and
eye cancer in animals.
• 3. Ozone depletion contributes to global warming and
climate change.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Ozone Layer Depletion
• The major effects of ozone layer depletion include:
• 4. Strong ultraviolet rays may lead to minimal growth,
flowering and photosynthesis in plants.
• The forests also have to bear the harmful effects of the
ultraviolet rays.
• Some of the crop species vulnerable to UV light include
barley, wheat, corn, oats, rice, broccoli, tomatoes,
cauliflower just to name a few.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Ozone Layer Depletion
• The major effects of ozone layer depletion include:
• 5. Planktons are greatly affected by the exposure to
harmful ultraviolet rays.
• These are higher in the aquatic food chain.

• If the planktons are destroyed, the organisms present in

the lower food chain are also affected.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Ozone Layer Depletion
• The solutions to ozone layer depletion include:
• 1. Natural methods should be implemented to get rid of
pests and weeds instead of using chemicals. One can use
eco-friendly chemicals to remove the pests or remove the
weeds manually.
• 2. The vehicles emit a large amount of greenhouse gases
that lead to global warming as well as ozone depletion.
Therefore, the use of vehicles should be minimized as
much as possible.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Ozone
• The solutions Layer
to ozone Depletion
layer depletion include:
• 3. The Montreal Protocol formed in 1989 helped a lot in
the limitation of CFCs.
• However, the protocol never covered nitrous oxide,
which is a known harmful chemical that can destroy the
ozone layer.
• The government should take actions and prohibit the use of
harmful nitrous oxide that is adversely affecting the ozone
layer.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Ozone Layer Depletion
• The solutions to ozone layer depletion include:
• 3. The Montreal Protocol formed in 1989 helped a lot in
the limitation of CFCs.
• People should be made aware of the harmful effects of
nitrous oxide and the products emitting the gas so that its
use is minimized at the individual level as well.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Ozone Layer Depletion
• The solutions to ozone layer depletion include:
• 4. Most of the cleaning products have chlorine and
bromine releasing chemicals that find a way into the
atmosphere and affect the ozone layer.
• These should be substituted with natural products to
protect the environment.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
•
Carbon credits
A carbon credit (often called a carbon offset) is a financial
instrument or permit representing the right to emit one
tonne of CO2 (carbon dioxide) or CO2 e (carbon dioxide
equivalent gases) into the atmosphere.
• It represents the amount of GHGs removed or reduced from
the atmosphere from an emission reduction project.
• This carbon credit can be used by governments, industry
or private individuals to offset damaging carbon emissions
that they are generating.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Carbon credits
• Carbon credits are market mechanisms for the
minimization of greenhouse gases emission.
• Governments or regulatory authorities set the caps on
greenhouse gas emissions.
• For some companies, the immediate reduction of the
emission is not economically viable.
• Therefore, they can purchase carbon credits to comply
with the emission cap.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Carbon credits
• Companies that achieve the carbon offsets (reducing the
emissions of greenhouse gases) are usually rewarded with
additional carbon credits.
• The sale of credit surpluses may be used to subsidize future
projects for the reduction of emissions.
• The introduction of such credits was ratified in the Kyoto
Protocol.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
•
Carbon credits
The Kyoto Protocol establishes the quotas of greenhouse
gases (denominated in individual units) that each developed
country can emit.
• These so-called Assigned Amount Units (AAUs)
correspond to an allowance to emit one metric tonne of CO2
or equivalent greenhouse gas.
• Each country then divides its quotas assigning them to local
businesses and organizations, setting in this way a limit on
the emissions of CO2 for each of them.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Carbon credits
• In the Kyoto Protocol there are three mechanisms that aim
to support countries in achieving their emission reductions.
1. Emissions trading

2. Joint Implementation (JI)

3. Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Carbon credits
• There are two types of credits:
• 1. Voluntary emissions reduction (VER):

• A carbon offset that is exchanged in the over-the-counter or

voluntary market for credits.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Carbon credits
• There are two types of credits:
• 2. Certified emissions reduction (CER):

• Emission units (or credits) created through a regulatory

framework with the purpose of offsetting a project’s
emissions.
• The main difference between the two is that there is a third
party certifying body that regulates the CER as opposed
to the VER.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Carbon credits
• Carbon credits can be traded on both private and public
markets.
• Current rules of trading allow the international transfer of
credits.
• The prices of credits are primarily driven by the levels of
supply and demand in the markets.
• Due to the differences in the supply and demand in different
countries, the prices of the credits fluctuate.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Carbon credits
• There are special exchanges that specialize in the trading of
the credits, including the European Climate Exchange, the
NASDAQ OMX Commodities Europe exchange, and the
European Energy Exchange.
• One carbon credit corresponds to one tonne of CO2
emitted.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Carbon credits
• Carbon credits are acquired through:-
• i) Project based transactions - credits are acquired as a
result of successful implementation of carbon reduction
projects.
• ii) Allowance based transactions - Regulatory authority
issues allowances or permits to industries. If one carbon
credit is issued to an industry, it means that they can emit
one tonne of carbon dioxide or equivalent.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Carbon Trading
• It is a market-based system aimed at reducing greenhouse
gases that contribute to global warming, particularly carbon
dioxide emitted by burning fossil fuels.
• There are two ways of reducing GHG emissions:

1. Cap and trade mechanism

2. Offsetting
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
1.
Carbon
Cap and trade mechanism
Trading
• Cap and Trade mechanism (or emission trading) works by
setting an overall limit or cap on the amount of
emissions that are allowed from significant sources of
carbon, including the power industry, automotive and air
travel.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
1.
Carbon
Cap and trade mechanism
Trading
• The government itself or the governing bodies which
monitor the pollution sets the limits for GHG emissions.
• The allowances which the projects or the companies are
given may be sold as carbon credits.
• Also, countries and organizations can purchase carbon
credits which get expended when they give out emissions.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
2. Offsetting Carbon Trading
• Offsetting is a more proactive way of reducing the GHG
emissions. The emissions produced by one country,
project or industry are compensated by establishing a
project or programme which will reduce GHG emissions,
at a different locations.
• Emissions reduced everywhere in the world contributes
to the overall reduction of GHG globally – this is the
key principle behind offsetting.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Carbon Trading
• Besides carbon trading, carbon tax is another
market-based mechanism for regulating GHG
emissions.
• A carbon dioxide tax is a tax on businesses and industries
that produce carbon dioxide through their operations.
• The tax is designed to reduce the output of greenhouse gases
and carbon dioxide.
• The tax is imposed with the goal of environmental
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Carbon footprint
• It is a measure of the total amount of carbon dioxide
emissions that is directly and indirectly caused by an
activity, individual, organization etc.
• In other words: When you drive a car, the engine burns fuel
which creates a certain amount of CO2, depending on its
fuel consumption and the driving distance.
• When you heat your house with oil, gas or coal, then you
also generate CO2.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Carbon footprint
• Even if you use electricity, the generation of the electrical
power may also have emitted a certain amount of CO2
(thermal power plants).
• When you buy food and goods, the production of the food
and goods also emitted some quantities of CO2.
• Your carbon footprint is the sum of all emissions of CO2
(carbon dioxide), which were induced by your activities
in a given time frame.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Carbon footprint
• Each of us contributes to the greenhouse gas emissions
either by the way we travel, the food we eat, the amount of
electricity we consume and many more.
• Every individual, organization, business unit etc should
focus to reduce their carbon footprints.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Carbon footprint
• Carbon footprint can be :
• 1. Primary footprint – direct emission of carbon dioxide as
in case of burning fossil fuels
• 2. Secondary footprint - indirect emissions associated with
manufacture of a product
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Carbon footprint
• The contributors to carbon footprint include:
• 1. Population

• 2. Energy

• 3. Industrialization

• 4. Agriculture
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Carbon footprint
• The ways to reduce carbon footprint include:
• 1. Energy efficiency at home

• 2. Buy renewable energy

• 3. Recycle and re-use

• 4. Plant a Tree

• 5. Buy local
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Legal provisions for environmental
protection
• Multilateral Environmental Agreements and Protocols
• A multilateral environmental agreement (MEA) is a legally
binding agreement between two or more countries
containing commitments to meet specific
environment-related objectives.
• MEA can be expressed as a Treaty, Convention, Agreement,
Pact, Accord or Protocol.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Legal provisions for environmental
protection
• MEA is an international legal instrument that:
has environmental protection/sustainable development as
their goal
concluded between a large number of states or international
organizations as parties
concluded in written form

governed by international law

 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Legal provisions for environmental
•
protection
Some important Multilateral Environment Agreements
(MEA) and protocols listed below:
1. Global Environment Summit in Stockholm, 1972

2. International Union for Conservation of Nature, 1948

3. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

(CITES) of Wild Fauna and Flora, 1973
4. The Vienna Convention (1985) and Montreal Protocol
(1987)
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Legal provisions for environmental
•
protection
Some important Multilateral Environment Agreements
(MEA) and protocols listed below:
5. Earth Summit (1992)

6. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), 1992

7. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate

Change (UNFCCC)
8. Agenda 21

9. Kyoto Protocol
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Legal provisions for environmental
•
protection
Enforcement of environmental laws in India
• In 1972, the Government of India established National
Council of Environment Planning and Coordination under
the Department of Science and Technology.
• Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is a statutory
organization formed in 1974 aiming for clean water and
air by preventing water and air pollution.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Legal provisions for environmental
•
protection
Enforcement of environmental laws in India
• The main functions of CPCB are as follows:

Plan and organize programmes for preventing and

controlling air and water pollution
By providing proper guidelines, avoid conflicts and disputes
related to pollution
Conduct and propagate awareness programmes related
prevention of pollution through mass media
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Legal provisions for environmental
•
protection
Enforcement of environmental laws in India
• The main functions of CPCB are as follows:

Conduct investigations and research regarding the problems

related to pollution
Collect data related to air and water pollution for analyzing
and publishing the statistical results for awareness of the
state and the public
Coordinate with the State boards and guide them properly
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Legal provisions for environmental
•
protection
Enforcement of environmental laws in India
• Environment legislation is done by both the central and
state governments.
• The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) of
Government of India plays a vital role in planning,
promoting and drawing up legislations related to
environment protection.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Legal provisions for environmental
•
protection
Enforcement of environmental laws in India
• In addition to Central Pollution Board, there are also State
Pollution Control Boards, State Department of
Environment, Forest Survey India, Wildlife Institute of
India, The National Afforestation and Eco-development
Board, Botanical and Zoological Survey of India etc to
assist in environment related activities.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Legal provisions for environmental
•
protection
Enforcement of environmental laws in India
• The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010
• The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 (No. 19 of 2010) (NGT Act) has
been enacted with the objectives to provide for establishment of a National
Green Tribunal (NGT) for the effective and expeditious disposal of cases
relating to environment protection and conservation of forests and other
natural resources including enforcement of any legal right relating to
environment and giving relief and compensation for damages to persons
and property and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Legal provisions for environmental
• protection
Enforcement of environmental laws in India
• The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
• The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 (the "Air Act") is
an act to provide for the prevention, control and abatement of air
pollution and for the establishment of Boards at the Central and State levels
with a view to carrying out the aforesaid purposes. To counter the
problems associated with air pollution, ambient air quality standards
were established under the Air Act. The Air Act seeks to combat air
pollution by prohibiting the use of polluting fuels and substances, as
well as by regulating appliances that give rise to air pollution.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Legal provisions for environmental
• protection
Enforcement of environmental laws in India
• The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act,
1974. The Water Prevention and Control of Pollution Act, 1974 (the

"Water Act") has been enacted to provide for the prevention and control of
water pollution and to maintain or restore wholesomeness of water in
the country. It further provides for the establishment of Boards for the
prevention and control of water pollution with a view to carry out the
aforesaid purposes. The Water Act prohibits the discharge of pollutants
into water bodies beyond a given standard, and lays down penalties for
non-compliance.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Legal provisions for environmental
• protection
Enforcement of environmental laws in India
• The Environment Protection Act, 1986
• The Environment Protection Act, 1986 (the "Environment Act") provides for
the protection and improvement of environment. The Environment
Protection Act establishes the framework for studying, planning and
implementing long-term requirements of environmental safety and
laying down a system of speedy and adequate response to situations
threatening the environment. It is an umbrella legislation designed to
provide a framework for the coordination of central and state authorities
established under the Water Act, 1974 and the Air Act.
 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Legal provisions for environmental
• protection
Enforcement of environmental laws in India
• Hazardous Wastes Management Regulations. Hazardous

waste means any waste which, by reason of any of its physical, chemical,
reactive, toxic, flammable, explosive or corrosive characteristics, causes
danger or is likely to cause danger to health or environment, whether
alone or when in contact with other wastes or substances. There are
several legislations that directly or indirectly deal with hazardous waste
management. The relevant legislations are the Factories Act, 1948, the
Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991, the National Environment Tribunal

Act, 1995 and rules and notifications under the Environmental Act.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Legal provisions for environmental
protection
• Enforcement of environmental laws in India
• Some of the rules dealing with hazardous waste
management are discussed below:
• Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling and
Transboundary) Rules, 2008, brought out a guide for
manufacture, storage and import of hazardous chemicals
and for management of hazardous wastes.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Legal provisions for environmental
protection
• Enforcement of environmental laws in India
• Some of the rules dealing with hazardous waste
management are discussed below:
• Biomedical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules,
1998, were formulated along parallel lines, for proper
disposal, segregation, transport, etc, of infectious wastes.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Legal provisions for environmental
protection
• Enforcement of environmental laws in India
• Some of the rules dealing with hazardous waste
management are discussed below:
• Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling)
Rules, 2000, aim at enabling municipalities to dispose
municipal solid waste in a scientific manner.