Environmental Pollution

Introduction

Over the centuries, population rates have increased dramatically. This implies that food supply, water, housing, power, roads, autos, and various other goods have also risen. These requirements place enormous strain on our environmental assets while also adding to the emission of carbon dioxide, food, & soil.

The discharge of chemicals and energies from waste elements of human activity is involved in environmental pollution. It comes in a variety of forms. The following are the pollutant classifications:

1. Water Pollution
2. Noise pollution
3. Air Pollution
4. Land pollution

Water Pollution

People have been polluting water sources worldwide by putting various forms of rubbish into them. Recognizing the significance of conserving the purity of the aquatic environment, the Government of India enacted the Water (Environmental protection Act) Act, 1974, to protect our water resources.

There is no pure saltwater in rivers, canals, or lakes left since all irrigation systems include minute amounts of suspended matter biological and chemical chemicals. When the concentration of these compounds in water grows, water pollution grows and increases the overall environmental pollution. 

Two Causes of Pollution:

1. Nature Degradation, earthquakes, decay, and disintegration of living organisms, among other things, are natural effluents.
2. Human-caused water contamination is a big issue these days. Generated from industrial, commercial, and rising popularity degrade the environment. 

Pollution Sources in the Ganga and Yamuna Rivers

Most contaminants, such as contaminated wastewater treatment, toxic gases, pharmaceutical residuals, various contaminants, dust, pollution, and so on, are being disposed of in flowing water, lagoons, ponds, rivers, and perhaps other rivers and streams. As a result, they were destroying their bio-systems. The calfskin, paper production, garment, and chemical production are major offenders and resources of water pollution.

In agriculture nowadays, numerous sorts of chemicals such as inorganic fertilisers, insecticides, and insecticides are often used. Aside from that, community activities such as pilgrims, religious festivals, tourism, and so on also pollute the water. Today, most rivers and lakes in India are polluted and unsafe for personal consumption. 

Effects Of Water Pollution

The kind and quantity of contaminants determine the impact. The placement of waterways is also an essential element in deciding pollutant concentrations.

• Aquatic organisms near metropolitan areas are increasingly polluted. This is now the by-product of heavy industrial businesses dumping rubbish and harmful substances
• Water contamination has a significant impact on aquatic species. It affects their nutrition and demeanour and causes mortality and morbidity. Dioxin is a toxin that induces a variety of issues, ranging from reproductive issues to epithelial development and cancer. This substance accumulates in fish, poultry, and meat. Chemicals like these make their way up the ladder
• It may significantly influence the food system and upset the ecosystem. Heavy metals and copper are two harmful elements that cause food poisoning by creatures’ fish and, if fed by living creatures, can persist in disturbing health at increasing levels
• The harm caused to humans by the disposal in rivers and streams can cause illnesses such as jaundice. In addition, poor groundwater treatment and contaminated water can also lead to an epidemic of influenza infection like cholera
• The species can be severely harmed, altered, and substantially lost through impure water quality. The usage of untreated wastewater can impair people’s health and induce a variety of moisture ailments such as diarrhoea, roundworm, influenza, and others. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), water pollution accounts for around one-fourth of all transmitted diseases in India

Air Pollution

We rely on air to meet our respiratory demands. All living creatures are harmed by air pollution. Pollutants in the air also harm the respiratory systems of sentient creatures. The adverse impacts are affected by the balance of pollutants, the length of exposure, and the microorganism.

The plumes of the smoke of energy sources, industrial facilities, and other businesses emit solid and chemical contaminants, as well as innocuous gases like oxygen or nitrogen.

Effects of Air Pollution

The following are the basic consequences of air pollution:

• Many disorders of the respiratory, neurological, and cardiovascular systems are effects of air contamination
• Urban smog is caused by air pollution, which causes a hazy fog to form over cities. It has harmful consequences on human health
• Acid rain could also be emitted into the atmosphere. In metropolitan locations, the whole first rain following midsummer always has a strong acidic character, indicating a lesser pH level than following rain

The primary causes include the dependency on fossil fuels, manufacturing, and businesses that emit gaseous and particulate oxides, compounds, carbon dioxide, unburned hydrocarbons, give rise, and radon. The following are some of the harmful effects of air pollution and its impact:

• Diseases

Humans have developed a variety of cardiovascular and respiratory ailments due to air pollution. Mesothelioma has become more common in recent decades. Children who live in polluted environments are more likely to get influenza and asthma. 

• Warming of the Planet

The atomic structure of the air is unbalanced due to carbon dioxide emissions. The earth’s average surface temperature has increased as a result of this. This rise in the Stratospheric ozone is referred to as global warming. As a by-product, glaciers have melted, and sea levels have risen. Many regions are entirely buried beneath the water.

• Rainfall Contamination

The combustion of fossil fuels emits hazardous chemicals into the atmosphere, such as hydrogen sulphide. When water droplets mix with contaminants, they turn caustic and descend as sulphur dioxide, causing harm to humans, wildlife, and aquatic vegetation.

• Depletion of the Ozone Layer

The primary source of ozone layer depletion is the emission of chlorofluorocarbons, halons, and hydrochlorofluorocarbons into the atmosphere. The decreasing ozone layer does not protect people from the sun’s damaging UV radiation, which causes skin ailments and eye difficulties.

Note- Permissible noise level in India

The allowed limit in industrial zones is 75 dB during the day and 70 dB at night. During the day and night, it is 65 dB and 55 dB in commercial areas, and 55 dB and 45 dB in residential areas, respectively.

Conclusion

The environment is described as a physical system’s surroundings, which may communicate with other components by transferring mass and electricity. The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living objects. Because the environment is where we exist, we should keep it safe from harm. If we ignore the rising pollution, it may affect us negatively and our future generation. 

Waste generation harms life on Planet’s surface and should be eliminated as much as feasible. This should be halted; human survival is dependent on the environment; thus, care should always be done to keep it in line.