ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION TYPES CAUSES, EFFECTS AND CONTROL MEASURES

1. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
P. RAMESH
Dept. of Environmental Science
Sri Venkateswara University

2. ENVIRONMENT:
The term environment has been derived from a French word “Environ” means to
surround.
It refers to both abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) environment. The word
environment means surroundings, in which organisms live.
 Environment regulates the life of the organisms including human beings. Human
beings interact with the environment more vigorously than other living beings

5. ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES:
Environmental studies is the interdisciplinary academic field which
systematically studies human interaction with the environment in the interests of
solving complex problems. It is a broad field of study that includes also the natural
environment, built environment, and the sets of relationships between them.

6. ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY:
Environmental chemistry is the scientific study of the chemical and biochemical
phenomena that occur in natural places. It should not be confused with green
chemistry, which seeks to reduce potential pollution at its source.
It can be defined as the study of the sources, reactions, transport, effects, and fates
of chemical species in the air, soil and water environments; and the effect of human
activity and biological activity on these.

7. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION:
Environmental Pollution can be defined as “any desirable change in physical,
chemical or biological characteristics of any component of the environment(air,
water, soil), which can cause harmful effects on various forms of life or property”.
Polluted Water

8. TYPES OF POLLUTIONS:
Air Pollution
Water Pollution
Soil Pollution

9. Marine Pollution
Thermal Pollution

10. AIR POLLUTION:

11. Air Pollutants:
Pollutant a substance that pollutes something, especially water or the
atmosphere. A pollutant may cause long- or short-term damage by
changing the growth rate of plant or animal species.
Primary Pollutants: These are emitted directly from the point
source. Examples: Carbon monoxide( CO), Nitrogen (NOx) oxides,
Sulphur oxides(SOx)
Secondary Pollutants: These are formed by interaction of primary
pollutants
Examples: ozone(O3), Photochemical smog, Peroxyacetyle nitrate
(PAN)

13. Causes/Sources of Air Pollution:
I. Natural Sources:
The natural sources of air pollution are :
i. Natural disasters- Volcanic eruption, Earthquakes, Cyclones
etc

14. ii. Forest fires:
iii. Biological decay

15. IV. Pollen grains
v. Radio active material-Radon gas

16. 2. Man- made causes:
i. Industrial waste:
ii. Automobiles:

17. iii. Thermal power station
iv. Nuclear explosions:

18. v. Agricultural activities
vi. Disposal of garbage

19. Indoor Air Pollution:
Indoor Air Pollution is the term used to describe the amount of contaminants in the
air inside a building from sources such as cigarette smoking, fuel combustion for
heating or cooking, certain wallboards, carpets, or insulation as well as the
geology of the area (radon in soil or rocks beneath the structure).
What’s indoor air pollution?

20. Indoor air pollution in urban areas is due to pesticides, household
care products, perfumes, hair sprays, furniture polish, glues, air
fresheners, wood preservatives as well as reduced ventilation in
buildings.
Tobacco smoke contributes to a variety of chemicals that are
harmful to the active as well as passive smoker.
Biological pollutants are pollen from plants, mites, hair from pets,
fungi, parasites.
Formaldehyde from carpets, particle boards and insulation from
cause allergies in many people.
Asbestos and radon too cause harm to health.

21. Where does radon come from?
Natural source:
 Earth and rock beneath home
 Well water;
 Outdoor air;
Artificial source:
 Daily life materials: leather; low density plastic (like plastic bags,
etc.); paints
 Building materials: gypsum board (sheetrock), concrete block,
mortar, sheathing paper (tarpaper), wood paneling, and most
insulation.

23. Major Indoor Pollutants
1, 1, 1-
Trichloroethane
Aerosol sprays Dizziness, breathing
irregularities
Asbestos Pipe insulation,
ceilings, floor tiles,
oven mitts
Lung Cancer and
asbestosis
Benzo-a-pyrene Tobacco smoke,
woodstoves
Lung Cancer
Carbon Monoxide Faulty furnaces,
cigarette smoke
Headache, heartbeat
irregularities, death, CO
has 250x affinity for
hemoglobin than O2
Pollutant Source Health Effects

24. Radon – 222 Soil and rock near house
foundation, concrete
Lung cancer
Styrene Carpets, plastics, Kidney & liver
damage
Tetrachlor-
ethylene
Dry-cleaning fluid Nerve disorders,
damage to liver and
kidneys, cancer
Tobacco Smoke Cigarettes and other
smoking sources
Lung cancer and heart
disease
Organic Material
(Living
Organisms)
Dust mites, fungal and
algal spores, dust
(human skin), animal
dander, hair, carpet
fibers, fur
Allergies, coughs,
sneezing, eye irritation,
sore throats, difficulty
breathing

26. Solutions
Indoor Air Pollution
Prevention
Cover ceiling tiles & lining of AC
ducts to prevent release of mineral
fibers
Use adjustable fresh air vents
for work spaces
Increase intake of outside air
Ban smoking or limit it to well
ventilated areas
Change air more frequently
Set stricter formaldehyde emissions
standards for carpet, furniture, and
building materials
Circulate a building’s air
through rooftop green houses
Prevent radon infiltration Use exhaust hoods for stoves
and appliances burning
natural gasUse office machines in well
ventilated areas
Use less polluting substitutes for
harmful cleaning agents, paints,
and other products
Install efficient chimneys for
wood-burning stoves
Cleanup or
Dilution

27. EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION
 Effects on Human Health:
 CHRONIC: long duration
exposure and/or long term
effects
Examples:
lung cancer
heart disease
damage to brain, nerves,
liver, kidneys, etc.

29.  An average man breathes22,000 times a day and takes in 16 kg of air each day.
 The impurities in the inhaled air can affect human health in a number of
ways, depending upon the nature and concentration of the pollutants, duration
of exposure and age group of the receptor.
i. Eye irritation can be caused by many air pollutants such as
Nox,O3,PAN,smog,Particulates etc.
ii. A variety of particulates, particularly pollens, can initiate asthmatic attacks
iii. High concentrations of SO2, NO2,SPM and photochemical smog can
aggravate chronic pulmonary disease like bronchitis and a asthma.

30. Decrease yield in agriculture.
Suppressed growth of vegetables.
Leaf injury and damage to young plants.
Decreased growth rate and increased death rate.
EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON PLANTS:

31. Sulfur dioxide, ozone, fluorides and peroxyacyl nitrate damage the
leaves of plants. If enough leaves are damaged, the entire plant will die.
Sulfur dioxide, a by-product of burning fossil fuels such as oil, coal and
gasoline, causes changes in the colors of leaf tissue, which may turn
white, brown or yellow.
Ozone damage on leaves appears as mottled spots, which may be
yellow, black or brown. the plant will drop its leaves altogether.
Yellowish
Tissue damage
Molted spots

32. EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON MATERIALS:
Corrosion of metals due to SO2 in presence of oxygen and
moisture is converted into H2SO4 acid.
H2SO4 acid react with limestone, marble and other
building materials to cause deterioration.

33. Soiling and eroding of building materials.
SO2, O3, H2S and aerosols damage protective coating and paints of the
surface.
O3 and PAN causes cracking of rubber and various electrical
insulations.
Deterioration of art work due to SPM

34. Air pollution control
 Cannot be fully prevented but can be
controlled.
1. Preventative measures
2. Control measures using equipments.
Preventative measures (source control)
 Selection of suitable fuel. (Low sulphur coal in power
plant, using of CNG)
 Modification in industrial process.
 Selection of suitable site and zoning for industrial unit.

35. The government is trying to
 Remove the use of leaded petrol, a major cause of air
pollution.
 The industrial acts are implemented to control the
harmful emission of gases.
 The natural management team work to minimize the
effect of various natural disaster like forest fire, volcanic
eruption that are causes of air pollution.

36. Air pollution controlling equipments
Gravitational settling chamber:
 Used to remove particles with size greater than 50
μm.
 Velocity of flue gas reduced in large chamber.
 Particles settle under gravitational force.

37. Advantages
 Low initial cost.
 Easy to design.
 Low pressure drop.
 Low maintenance cost.
 Dry and continuous disposal of solid
particulates.
Disadvantages
 Require large space.
 Less collection efficiency.
 Only larger size particles can be collected.

38. Scrubbers:
 Particulate matters are incorporated into liquid
droplets and removed from the gas stream.
 Different types of scrubbers are-
- Spray tower
- Venturi scrubber
- Cyclone scrubber
 Flue gas made to push up against a down falling
water current.
 Particulate matter mix up with water thus falls
down and gets removed.

39. Spray tower
Cyclone scrubber

40. Advantages
 Simultaneously remove particulates and gaseous
pollutants.
 Hot gases can be cooled down.
 Corrosive gases can be recovered and neutralize.
Disadvantages
 Lot of waste waters produced.
 Poses freezing problem in cold countries.
 Maintenance cost is high when corrosive
materials are collected.

41. WAYS TO REDUCE AIR POLLUTION
• DRIVE LESS  carpool, walk or ride a bike, shop by phone or mail,
ride public transit, telecommute.
• DRIVE SMART  obey the speed limit, combine all errands in one
trip, use cruise control, keep car tuned, don’t top off at the pump, replace
car’s air filter, keep tires properly inflated, buy clean cars.
• BUY AIR-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS  buy products that are water-
based or are low in VOCs, buy water-based paints, paint with a brush
instead of a sprayer, use a push or electric lawn mower, use propane or
gas barbecue.

42. WAYS TO REDUCE AIR POLLUTION
• SAVE ENERGY  turn off lights when you leave a room, use
fluorescent lighting, use a programmable thermostat, insulate your
home, use a fan instead of an air-conditioner, install low-flow shower
heads.
• WASTE NOT  choose recycled products, choose products with
recycled packaging, print or xerox on both sides of the paper, reuse
paper bags, recycle papers, plastics and metals.
• DON’T CREATE DUST  don’t use fireplace on days with
unhealthy air, use rake instead of leaf blower, drive slowly on dirt
roads.

43. ODOUR POLLUTION:
Odour Pollution refers to the release of offensive, unpleasant and
undesirable odour of objectionable proportions.
The source of odour pollution are industrial operations, livestock
operations, agricultural activities, vehicular emissions, sewage and waste
treatment plants, solid waste landfill area, decaying vegetation, chicken and
pig sheds, poultry forms, tanneries, slaughter houses, food and meet
processing units.

44. Effects of Odour Pollution:
Undesirable and unpleasant odour can effects human in many ways
1. Respiratory problems
2. Nausea: is an uneasiness of the stomach that often comes before vomiting.
3. Insomnia: is a sleep disorder that is characterized by difficulty falling
and/or staying asleep.
4. Physical discomfort
5. Annoyance: is an unpleasant mental state that is characterized by such
effects as irritation and distraction from one's conscious thinking
Nausea Insomnia Annoyance

45. CONTROLLING ODOURS FROM AREA SOURCES :
For large area sources like sewage treatment farms, cattle feedlots, composting,
household or industrial tips and manure spreading, there are only two proven
methods that can be used to reduce odour complaints.
These are: 1. Excluding development close to the site
2. Ensuring that the operation is carried out under best management practice.

46. WATER POLLUTION

47.  Water covers over 70% of the Earth’s surface and is a very
important resource for people and the environment.
Water pollution affects drinking water, rivers, lakes and oceans
all over the world.
This consequently harms human health and the natural
environment.

48. Any alteration in the physical or chemical or
biological properties of water and the
contamination with any unwanted foreign
substances, which would contribute a health
hazard or otherwise decrease the utility of water”
WATER POLLUTION

49. .
Types of water pollution

50. If the pollution comes from a single source, such as an oil
spill, it is called point-source pollution.
Nonpoint-source
If the pollution comes from many sources, it is called
nonpoint-source pollution.
Point-source

51. Surface water pollution
Surface waters are the natural water resources of the
Earth. They are found on the exterior of the Earth’s crust
and include: Oceans, Rivers, Lakes
These waters can become polluted in a number of ways,
and this is called surface water pollution

52. Groundwater Pollution
 A lot of the Earth’s water is found underground in soil
or under rock structures called aquifers.
When this water becomes polluted it is called
groundwater pollution.
 Groundwater pollution is often caused by pesticide
contamination from the soil, this can infect our drinking
water and cause huge problems

53. causes of water pollution

55. .Pollutants from industrial sources
include
Asbestos
Lead
Mercury
Nitrates and phosphates
Oils
Petrochemicals

56. Radioactive waste :

57. OIL POLLUTION
Oceans are polluted by oil on a daily basis from oil
spills, routine shipping, run-offs and dumping.

58. Underground storage leakages
A tank or piping network that has at least 10
percent of its volume underground is known as an
underground storage tank (UST).

59. Atmospheric deposition
Atmospheric deposition is the pollution of water
caused by air pollution.
*In the atmosphere, water particles mix with
carbon dioxide sulphur dioxide and nitrogen
oxides, and forms acid rain and pollute water

60. Nutrients and their effect on water
Nutrients are essential for plant growth and
development. Many nutrients are found in wastewater
and fertilizers, and these can cause excess weed and
algae growth if large concentrations end up in water.

61. Eutrophication
Eutrophication is when the environment becomes
enriched with nutrients and can cause algal
blooms.
The bloom of algae may also block sunlight from
photosynthetic marine plants under the
water surface.

62. Microbiological water pollution

63. Suspended Matter
Some pollutants do not dissolve in water as their
molecules are too big to mix between the
water molecules. This material is called
particulate matter and can often be a cause of water
pollution..

64. Chemical water pollution

65. Agricultural Wastes:
Chemical fertilizers and pesticides have become essential for
present day high yielding crops.
 Consequently , they have become a potential source of water
pollution. These fertilizers contain major plants nutrients mainly
nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium.
 Excess fertilizers may reach the ground water by leaching or may be
mixed with surface water of rivers, lakes and ponds by runoff and
drainage

66. Sewage and Wastewater

67. Health Effects:
Heavy metals
Industrial waste
Microbial pollutants,
Organic matter and nutrients
Suspended particles

68. .
Oxygen Depleting
Microorganisms that live in water feed on
biodegradable substances. When too much
biodegradable material is added to water, the number
of microorganisms increase and use up the available
oxygen. This is called oxygen depletion

69. CONTROLLING OF WATER POLLUTION:
1. All domestic and municipal effluents be drained to water bodies only
after treatment
2. Use of pesticides in agriculture should be limited. Only standard
quality pesticides Should be used.
3. Chemicals like potassium permanganate should be sprayed regularly
to protect water from micro organisms.
4. Radio active substances can be removed by Ion-exchange method.
5. Plants, trees and forests control pollution and they act as natural air
conditions.
6. Bacteria are killed by passing chlorine gas into water bodies
7. Inorganic wastes can be treated chemically.
8. Acids and bases are removed by neutralization

71. What Can You Do?

72. Marine pollution

73. MARINE POLLUTION:
The discharge of waste substances in to the sea resulting in harm to
the living resources, hazards to the human health hindrances to the
fishery and impairment of quality use of sea water
Sources:
1. Dumping the wastes
2. Oil Spillage
3. Radio active materials enter the ocean from nuclear
weapon testing
4.Toxic chemicals
5. Marine Debris:

74. Marine dumping of Wastes:
Dumping of untreated wastes and sewages in the oceans by
coastal towns, cities and industries.
Rivers on the way to sea carry huge amount of sewage garbage
agricultural discharge pesticide heavy metals. Huge quantity of
plastic dumped in to the sea.

75. This is discharged in to the sea as crude oil and as separate
fraction.
Oil and it’s fractions are used in houses automobiles and
industries. This causes devastation of marine environment
Oil Spillage

76. Radio active materials
Ocean disposal or ocean dumping as a method to dispose of
nuclear/radioactive waste
 The waste materials included both liquids and solids housed in
various containers, as well as reactor vessels, with and without
spent or damaged nuclear fuel

77. Marine Debris:
Garbage like plastic bags, ropes helium balloons

78. Effects of marine pollution:
1. Many marine birds ingest plastic that causes gastrointestinal
disorders.
2. Heavy metals and organic pollutants damages birds by thinning of egg
shells and tissue damage of egg.
3. Oil pollution causes damage to marine animals and plants including
algae bird, fish etc

79. Control of marine pollution:
1. The industrial unit on the coastal lines should be equipped
with pollution control instrument.
2. Urban growth near the coast should be regulated.
Methods of removal of oil
Physical methods.
a) skimming the oil off the surface with suction device
b) Floating oil can be absorbed using absorbing materials like
ploy urethane foam. Chopped straw and saw dust also used to
absorbed oil from the sea water.
c) Chemical methods like dispersion , emulsification and using
chemical additives are used to coagulated the oil

80. Protective method:
1. Municipal and industrial waste should be treated before
disposing in to sea
2. Coastal waste are periodically analyzed for detecting
pollution level
3. Soil erosion in the coastal land should be arrested be
suitable techniques
4. Recreation beaches should be maintained to meet
hygienic and aesthetic standard

81. .
NOISE POLLUTION
NOISE POLLUTION

82. Noise is the unwanted sound
The word noise is cognate with the Latin
word nauseas, which means disgust or discomfort.
Noise pollution is displeasing or excessive noise that
may disrupt the activity or balance of human or life.

83. source of Noise pollution:
1. Natural
2. Manmade
Natural : Wind, Thunder, Movement of water etc,.
Manmade: Industries, Domestic, Traffic, etc,.

84. Outdoor Noise pollution
 Machines
 Transportation systems,
 Motor vehicles,
 Aircrafts and
 Trains

85. Indoor noise pollution
 Machines,
 Building activities,
 Music performances and
 Especially in some workplaces

86. Noise pollution affects: both health and
behavior.
Unwanted sound (noise) can damage
psychological health.
 Noise pollution can cause annoyance and
aggression, hypertension, high stress
levels, hearing loss, sleep disturbances, and
other harmful effects.

87. Adultery effects
First ear effected
Deafness
Permanent hear losing
Non adultery effects
Disturbances
Sleeping problem
Physiological disorders

88. On animal
1. Lion, Deer, Rhinos they appear dull and inactive
2. Increasing the risk of death by changing.
3.Acoustic ( Audio) overexposure can lead to temporary or
permanent loss of hearing.
4. Migrating birds stops resting due to close of habitation
An impact of noise on animal life is the reduction of usable
habitat that noisy areas may cause, which in the case of
endangered species may be part of the path to extinction.

89. CONTROL OF NOISE POLLUTION
 Reducing in sources of noise ( Heavy
Vehicles, Old motor vehicles)
 Machines should be kept in containers
 Using sound absorbing silencers
 Planting more trees
 Through law

91. SOIL POLLUTION
Soil Pollution is defined as the changes in physical,
chemical and biological conditions of the soil through
man’s intervention resulting in the degradation in quality
and productivity of soil
SOIL
Soil is dynamic natural body composed of mineral
matter and organic matter and living forms in which
plant grows.

92. 1. Agricultural pesticides
2. Disposal of solid wastes on land
3. Mining activities
4. Biological agents
5. Radioactive pollutants
6. Heavy metal pollutants
CAUSES OF SOIL POLLUTION-

93. The use of inorganic nutrients for a long time gradually
declines the soil fertility.
The intensive inappropriate tillage practices lowers the
capability of soil.
Agricultural practices

94. Disposal of solids wastes on land
The solid wastes are mostly generated from industrial, domestic
and urban and agricultural sources.
The solid wastes generated in Indian cities mainly contains sludge,
glass materials, metallic cans, fibers, waste paper, packing materials,
leather.

95. The top layer of soil is generally damaged or destroyed during
both shaft and strip mining practices.
The uncontrolled mine fires may also destroy the productivity
of the areas near mines.
Mining activities

96. The major sources of biological agents causing soil pollution
are human excreta, animal and bird excreta, municipal wastes,
faulty sanitation.
The industrial parasites are among the most threatening
biological agents.
Biological agents

97. Radioactive pollutants
Huge amounts of radio-active substances result from
nuclear device explosion, nuclear testing laboratories, nuclear
power plants and weapons.
All these are responsible for enhancing soil pollution.

98. Heavy metals in soil are basically due to industrial discharges.
Certain heavy metals eg. Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd and Pb are also present in
significant levels in sewage sludge and reach the soil where they
become part of life cycle and affects adversely.
Heavy metal pollutants

99. 1. Soil fertility is adversely affected if pesticide remain in soil for
longer period.
2. Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticide chemicals does not allow
microbial flora and fauna in soil to flourish.
3. Excessive use of nitrogen and phosphatic fertilizer makes the soil
deficient in other micronutrients like Zn, Co etc. and causes
nutrition imbalance.
4. Pesticides like DDT, deldrin etc. are known to seep gradually
through soil into ground water and thus contaminate public
drinking water supplies.
Effects of soil pollution

100. 5. People in contact with pesticides are extremely prone to get
poisoned.
6. Some of the industrial wastes are extremely toxic for
organisms.
7. Solid urban wastes and industrial wastes produce foul and
offensive odour.
8. Heavy metals and other toxic substances can destroy beneficial
microorganisms of the soil.
9. Radioactive pollutants can cause a number of undesirable
disease of digestive system if they enter our body through food
chain.

101. Control of soil pollution
1. Adoption of sustainable agriculture having organic farming
and use of biofertilizers, biointegrated pest management and
proper water management, composting etc.
2. Adoption of suitable and proper industrial and urban wastes
management.
3. Adequate controlled use of heavy metal and toxic substances.
4. Non-biodegradable wastes can be recycled and used again
5. Biomedical wastes should be carefully disposed off so that it
does not create any health hazard.

102. DON’T USE EXCESS CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS

103. DON’T USE EXCESS CHEMICAL PESTICIDE

104. THERMAL POLLUTION

105. DEFINITION:
addition of excess of undesirable heat to water that makes it
harmful to man, animal or aquatic life

107. Waste Heat from Power Plants

108. CAUSES
discharge of heated water or hot waste material into water
bodies from
 NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
 INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS
 DOMESTIC SEWAGE
 HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER
 COAL FIRED POWER PLANTS

109. Nuclear Power Plants
 Nuclear power plants use water as a
cooling agent.
 After the water is used, it is put back
into a water supply at 9-20oC warmer
This 1988 thermal image of the Hudson River
highlights temperature changes caused by
discharge of 2.5 billion gallons of water each day
from the Indian Point power plant. The plant sits
in the upper right of the photo — hot water in the
discharge canal is visible in yellow and red,
spreading and cooling across the entire width of
the river.

110. Coal-fired power plants
 Coal is utilized as a fuel
 Condenser coils are cooled with water from nearby lake or
river
 The heated effluents decrease the DO of water
 Damages the marine organisms

111. Industrial Effluents
Discharged water from steam-electric power industry using turbo
generators will have a higher temperature ranging from 6 to 9˚C
than the receiving water.
In modern stations, producing 100 MW, nearly one million
gallons are discharged in an hour with increase in temperature of
the cooling water passing by 8 to 10 ˚C

112. Domestic sewage
Sewage is commonly discharged into lakes, canals or streams
Municipal sewage normally has a higher temperature than the
receiving water
Increase in temperature of the receiving water decreases the DO
of water.
The foul smelling gases increased in water resulting in death of
marine organisms

114. CONTROL MEASURES
 Cooling towers
 Cooling ponds
 Spray ponds
 Artificial lakes
Cooling tower

115. Spray ponds Artificial lakes

116. Radioactive Pollution

117. What is Radioactive Pollution?
 Addition of radiation to environment by using radioactive
elements .

118. Causes
 Production of nuclear weapons
 Decommissioning of nuclear weapons
 Mining of radioactive ore (uranium, phosphate etc.)
 Coal ash
 Medical waste
 Nuclear power plants

119. Production of nuclear weapons
 Radioactive materials used in this production have high health risks
and release a small amount of pollution. Thanks to good current
health-standards this release is not significant and is not a danger to us
unless an accident occurs.

120. Mining of radioactive ore
Mining these involves crushing and processing of the
radioactive ores and this generates radioactive waste which
emits alpha particles. This waste is of low risk unless ingested.

121. Coal ash
It may come as a surprise that coal ash can be very dangerous.
Some coal contains more radioactive material than usual and
is often referred to as 'dirty' coal; when this is burnt the ash
becomes more radioactive as the radioactive particles do not
burn well. This level of radioactivity is less than in phosphate
rocks, however, due to small amounts being released into the
atmosphere and its ability to be inhaled, this ash is
significantly more dangerous.

122. Medical waste
A number of radioactive isotopes are used in medicine, either for
treatment or diagnostics. These can be left to decay over a short
period after which they are able to be disposed of as normal
waste.

123. Nuclear power plants
Nuclear power plants under current standards produce
little radioactive pollution due to safety precautions that
must be adhered to.
Accidents at these power plants can cause dangerously
high radioactive pollution, such as in the case
of Chernobyl, the most well-known and worst nuclear
disaster in history and the more recent Fukushima, after
the earthquake and tidal wave in Japan.

124. Effects
 On Human Beings
The magnitude of the adverse effects largely depends on the level and
duration of exposure to radioactivity. Low levels of localized exposure
may only have a superficial effect and cause mild skin irritation.
 Long-term exposure or exposure to high amounts of radiation can
have far more serious health effects. Radioactive rays can cause
irreparable damage to DNA molecules and can lead to a life-
threatening condition.

125. The rapidly growing/dividing cells, like those of the skin, bone
marrow, are more sensitive towards radioactive emissions.
 On the other hand, cells that do not undergo rapid cell division, such
as bone cells and nervous cells, aren't damaged so easily.
 Skin cancer, lung cancer and thyroid cancer are some of the
common types of cancers caused by radiation effect.

126. Prevention
 Nuclear devices should be exploded under ground.
Contaminants may be employed to decrease the radioactive
emissions.
Production of radio isotopes should be minimised.
 Extreme care should be exercised in the disposal of industrial
wastes contained with radionuclide's.
Use of high chimney and ventilations at the working place
where radioactive contamination is high.
.

127. In nuclear reactors, closed cycle coolant system with
gaseous coolants of very high purity may be used to
prevent extraneous activation products.
 Fission reactions should be minimised.
 In nuclear mines, wet drilling may be employed along
with underground drainage.
Nuclear medicines and radiation therapy should be
applied when absolutely necessary and earth
minimum doses

128. Solid Waste Management
Solid waste means any garbage, refuse, sludge from a
wastewater treatment plant, water supply treatment plant, or
air pollution control facility and other discarded materials
including solid, liquid, semi-solid, or contained gaseous
material, resulting from industrial, commercial, mining and
agricultural operations, and from community activities,