Air pollution is contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any chemical, physical or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere. Household combustion devices, motor vehicles, industrial facilities and forest fires are common sources of air pollution.

1. Air Pollution
• Definition
• Causes
• Effects
• Control measures

2. Table
of
Contents
Introduction
What is Air Pollution?
01
04
Effects
What are the effects of
Air pollution?
Causes
What causes Air Pollution?
02
05
Control Measures
How to control Air
Pollution?

3. Introduction
Air pollution is contamination of the indoor or outdoor
environment by any chemical, physical or biological agent
that modifies the natural characteristics of the
atmosphere.
Household combustion devices, motor vehicles, industrial
facilities and forest fires are common sources of air
pollution. Pollutants of major public health concern
include particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone,
nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. Outdoor and indoor
air pollution cause respiratory and other diseases and are
important sources of morbidity and mortality.
WHO data show that almost all of the global
population (99%) breathe air that exceeds WHO
guideline limits and contains high levels
of pollutants, with low- and middle-income countries
suffering from the highest exposures.
WHAT IS AIR POLLUTION?

4. “The Earth has enough for man's need, but not for man's greed.”
— Mahatma Gandhi

5. BURNING OF FOSSIL FUELS
1
•Cause: Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, are burned to generate electricity,
power vehicles, and heat homes. This combustion releases large amounts of carbon dioxide
(CO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ),and particulate matter (PM) into the
atmosphere.
•Impact: These pollutants contribute to smog, acid rain, and global warming. Particulate matter
can penetrate deep into the lungs, leading to respiratory diseases like asthma and bronchitis,
and even premature death.
CAUSES
INDUSTRIAL EMISSIONS
2
•Cause: Factories, manufacturing plants, and refineries emit a wide range of harmful gases and
chemicals, including carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and heavy
metals like mercury. Many industries, such as steel, cement, and chemical production, are
significant polluters.
•Impact: These emissions degrade air quality and contribute to health issues like cancer, lung
disease, and heart problems. Industrial emissions also release greenhouse gases, exacerbating
climate change.

6. AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES
3
•Cause: The use of pesticides, fertilizers, and livestock production contributes significantly to air pollution.
Ammonia (NH₃) is released from agricultural fertilizers, and methane (CH₄) is emitted from livestock digestion
and manure management.
•Impact: Ammonia contributes to the formation of particulate matter, which harms human health. Methane is
a potent greenhouse gas, contributing to global warming. Agricultural practices also release nitrous oxide
(N₂O), another greenhouse gas that affects the ozone layer.
DEFORESTATION
4
•Cause: Trees naturally absorb CO₂ and release oxygen, helping to regulate atmospheric composition.
Deforestation, driven by agriculture, urbanization, and logging, reduces the number of trees, which
diminishes this carbon-absorbing capacity.
•Impact: The loss of forests means more CO₂ remains in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
Deforestation also increases the risk of wildfires, which release large amounts of particulate matter, carbon
monoxide, and other pollutants into the air.
WASTE DISPOSAL AND LANDFILLS
5
•Cause: Waste in landfills undergoes anaerobic decomposition, releasing methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Incineration of waste, especially plastics, releases toxic chemicals like dioxins, urans, and carbon monoxide.
•Impact: Landfill gas emissions contribute to air pollution and global warming. Burning waste also produces
harmful pollutants that can cause serious health effects, including respiratory issues and cancer.

7. RESPIRATORY AND CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH ISSUES
1
Air pollution significantly affects human health, particularly the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
Pollutants like particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and ground-level ozone
can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing:
•Respiratory diseases: Such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema.
•Cardiovascular problems: Air pollutants contribute to heart attacks, arrhythmias, and strokes by
damaging blood vessels, increasing inflammation, and raising blood pressure.
•Premature death: Long-term exposure to polluted air has been linked to increased mortality rates due to
chronic respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.
ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION
2
Air pollution harms ecosystems in numerous ways:
•Acid rain: Formed when sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) mix with water vapor, acid rain
damages soil, water bodies, forests, and crops.
•Reduced crop yields: Ground-level ozone affects plant growth, reducing agricultural productivity and
leading to food insecurity.
•Damage to wildlife: Airborne toxins settle on plants, water bodies, and soil, harming wildlife, altering
ecosystems, and leading to biodiversity loss.
EFFECTS

8. CLIMATE CHANGE
3
Air pollution plays a major role in global warming and climate change:
•Greenhouse gases: Carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) trap heat in the
atmosphere, causing the Earth’s temperature to rise.
•Black carbon: Soot from burning fossil fuels and biomass contributes to warming by absorbing sunlight
and accelerating the melting of ice and snow.
•Feedback loops: Climate change, in turn, worsens air pollution by increasing the frequency of wildfires
and dust storms, leading to more particulate matter in the atmosphere.
OZONE LAYER DEPLETION
4
•Increased UV exposure: This raises the risk of skin cancer, cataracts, and other health issues in
humans.
•Damage to ecosystems: UV radiation affects marine ecosystems, particularly phytoplankton, which are
vital to the ocean food chain.
•Impacts on crops: Higher UV levels reduce crop productivity, affecting food security and the economy.
ECONOMIC LOSSES
5
•Healthcare costs: Treating diseases caused by air pollution burdens healthcare systems globally, especially in
developing countries.
•Loss of productivity: People exposed to high pollution levels suffer from health issues that lead to absenteeism,
lower work performance, and reduced labor productivity.
•Environmental cleanup: Governments spend considerable resources managing the effects of pollution, such as
cleaning rivers, restoring forests, and mitigating climate change impacts.

9. In 2023, Delhi experienced a surge in winter pollution compared to 2022 that has been attributed
to factors like meteorological conditions and increased emissions.

10. Avoid Using Vehicles
People should avoid using vehicles for shorter distances. Rather, they should prefer public modes of transport to travel from one
place to another. This not only prevents pollution, but also conserves energy.
Energy Conservation
A large number of fossil fuels are burnt to generate electricity. Therefore, do not forget to switch off the electrical appliances
when not in use. Thus, you can save the environment at the individual level. Use of energy-efficient devices such as CFLs also
controls pollution to a greater level.
Use of Clean Energy Resources
The use of solar, wind and geothermal energies reduce air pollution at a larger level. Various countries, including India, have
implemented the use of these resources as a step towards a cleaner environment.
Other air pollution control measures include:
1.By minimising and reducing the use of fire and fire products.
2.Since industrial emissions are one of the major causes of air pollution, the pollutants can be controlled or treated at the
source itself to reduce its effects. For example, if the reactions of a certain raw material yield a pollutant, then the raw
materials can be substituted with other less polluting materials.
3.Fuel substitution is another way of controlling air pollution. In many parts of India, petrol and diesel are being replaced by
CNG – Compressed Natural Gas fueled vehicles. These are mostly adopted by vehicles that aren’t fully operating with ideal
emission engines.
4.Although there are many practices in India, which focus on repairing the quality of air, most of them are either forgotten or
not being enforced properly. There are still a lot of vehicles on roads which haven’t been tested for vehicle emissions.
5. Another way of controlling air pollution caused by industries is to modify and maintain existing pieces of equipment so
that the emission of pollutants is minimised.
6.Sometimes controlling pollutants at the source is not possible. In that case, we can have process control equipment to
control the pollution.
7. very effective way of controlling air pollution is by diluting the air pollutants.
CONTROL MEASURES

11. Marine Pollution – A Big Threat to the Environment
The Earth is covered with almost 2/3rd of its portion with ocean water.
Ocean water plays a very important role to maintain our ecology. Not
only maintaining ecology but oceans have many other reasons that
make it one of the important parts of mankind such as trade, industry,
adventure, commerce, food etc.

12. WHAT IS MARINE POLLUTION?
Marine pollution is a combination of chemicals and trash, most of which
comes from land sources and is washed or blown into the ocean. This
pollution results in damage to the environment, to the health of all
organisms, and to economic structures worldwide.

13. What Are the Causes of Marine Pollution?
Marine pollution is caused due to various reasons out of which most of the reasons are man-made.
Sometimes, it causes due to wastage dumped and
sometimes due to ocean mining. Whatever is the cause but the fact is that marine pollution is causing
hazardous effects on marine animals and vegetation.
There are various causes of marine pollution which are discussed below –
•Marine pollution through sewage
Pollution directly enters the ocean in the form of sewage. Sewage enters into the ocean water through
rivers and pollutes the marine life. It causes the
reduction of oxygen level in the water which hampers the life of animals and plants of oceans.
•Marine pollution through the oil spill
Oil spills from ships also cause marine pollution. It is one of the major toxins that contaminate ocean water
which does not clean up so easily. Oil spills lead
to the death of thousands of innocent marine animals due to suffocation and toxic effects of it.
•Marine pollution through industrial chemicals
Ocean pollution is also caused due to the toxins and chemicals entered into seawater through industrial &
agricultural wastes. These chemical acts as heavy
pollutants that cause thermal pollution. The temperature of the ocean increases due to thermal pollution.
There are some animals in oceans who cannot
survive in high temperature, hence they die.

14. What are the harmful effects of marine pollution?
•Reduction of oxygen level in the water
Most of the waste dumped in oceans across the world does not able to decompose for many years that
decreasing the oxygen level in the water quite rapidly. Excessive debris in sea water is reducing the
oxygen level at an alarming rate. The low level of oxygen is directly affecting the health of the plants and
animals of the sea such as sharks, penguins, whales, dolphin, turtles, seal etc.
•Affects the oceanic food chain
The river that eventually enters into the sea takes agricultural & industrial waste with it into the sea water.
The agricultural & industrial debris such as pesticides, chemicals, radioactive dumped waste etc.
sediments into the bottom level of the ocean and remains as usual for many years. This deposited waste
affects from the bottom to the top surface of the ocean. The small animals of ocean swallow these
chemicals and then these small animals are eaten by large animals. In this way, the entire food chain gets
affected.
•Upset the coral reef cycle
Oil spills that cover the surface of seawater do not allow sunlight to reach oceanic plants. Hence it affects
photosynthesis process. As a result, the cycle of coral reef gets disturbed.
•Affects the reproductive system of water animals
The waste from industries and agriculture are composed of harmful chemicals that affect marine life
badly. These chemicals are so dangerous that it can damage the organs of water animals such as the
reproductive system. The failure of the reproductive system affects the breeding process of the species of
water animals.
•Harmful effects of toxins on marine life
The toxins that is accumulating day by day in oceans showing dangerous results on water animals such
as cancer, damage of tissues & cells, failure of organs, behavioral changes, failure of reproductive system
etc. The harmful chemicals, pesticides, oil spills get into the body of these animals directly or indirectly &
causes various health issues and sometimes lead to death.

15. Prevention of Marine Pollution
•According to the studies, almost 80% marine pollution caused due to waste from lands. We can reduce
this by limiting the waste material.
•Plastic bags, bottles etc. have become one of the big reasons for marine pollution. We need to stop using
plastic made material to save marine life and our environment.
•We all need to put efforts to clean the sea beaches. If beaches will be cleaned, marine pollution can be
reduced to some extent.
•The farmers should use organic farming techniques instead of using chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
When these fertilizers and pesticides entered into ocean water causes various health issues to the plants &
animals of the sea.
•We all need to make sure that only rainwater goes into the drainage because most of the drain water goes
into oceans. If we allow sewage and waste material to get into the drainage, it will eventually affect the
marine life.
•Most of the rivers flow into the oceans and also the wastes get entered in the sea water. Hence we also
need to take care of the cleanliness of the rivers so that it cannot contaminate the marine life.
•We should stop using single-use plastic to protect the marine ecosystem.
•Say “NO” to disposables such as straws, tumblers, plastic carry bags, etc. These items only increase the
amount of waste that ultimately goes into oceans.
•Recycling helps a lot to protect ocean ecology.
•We should try to minimize energy use to reduce the oceanic temperature.
•Give preference to buy Eco-friendly products and materials.
•Spread awareness among people about the conservation and importance of the marine environment.
•You can join any organization that works for the conservation of marine culture from pollution.

16. What is Thermal Pollution?
•Thermal pollution is defined as a sudden increase or decrease in the temperature of a
natural body of water, which may be ocean, lake, river or pond.
•This sudden change in water temperature is mainly due to anthropogenic activities.For
example, a power plant takes water from a source, e.g., a river, as a coolant and then
discharges the warm water back into the water body.
•Thermal Pollution is a prominent type of Environmental Pollution.

17. Causes of Thermal Pollution
Some of the prominent causes and sources of thermal pollution can be seen as follows:
•Power, Manufacturing and Industrial Plants: These plants draw water from nearby sources
as a coolant and then release warmer water back to the source.
•Soil Erosion: Consistent soil erosion causes water bodies to rise, which makes them more
exposed to sunlight.
•Deforestation: Trees and plants prevent sunlight from falling directly on water bodies.
• With deforestation, these water bodies are directly exposed to more sunlight, thus
absorbing more heat and raising the temperature of water bodies.
•Runoff from Paved Surfaces: During summer seasons, Urban pavement gets quite hot, which
creates warm runoff that gets into the sewer systems and water bodies, increasing their
temperature.
•Natural Causes: Volcanoes and geothermal activity beneath the oceans and seas can release
warm lava to raise the temperature of water bodies.
• Lightning is another natural cause that can introduce heat into the oceans.

18. Effects of Thermal Pollution
Varies effects of thermal pollution can be seen as follows:
•Decrease in Dissolved Oxygen Levels: The warm temperature decreases the levels of DO (Dissolved
Oxygen) in water.
• The decrease in oxygen may give rise to anaerobic conditions by suffocating plants and animals.
•Growth of Algae: Warmer water allows algae to flourish on surface of water and over the long term
growing algae can decrease oxygen levels in the water.
•Surge in Toxins: Constant flow of high-temperature water discharge from industries leads to an
increase in toxins in the natural water body.
• These toxins may contain chemicals or radiation that may have a harmful impact on aquatic
organisms.
•Biodiversity Loss: Changes in the temperature of water bodies may lead to migration to more
adaptable surrounding leading to more clash for limited resources leading to death of many organisms.
•Ecological Impact: A sudden thermal shock can result in mass killings of organisms.
• Little increase in water temperature may increase activity level of some organisms while higher
increase in water temperature may decrease the activity level of some.
•Reproductive Systems: As reproduction better happens within a certain range of temperature. Higher
temperature can cause release of immature eggs or can prevent normal development of certain eggs.
•Metabolic Rate: Thermal pollution increases the metabolic rate of organisms.
• It may also disrupt the stability of the food chain and change the composition of species.

19. Thermal Pollution Control Measures
The following are some of the thermal pollution control measures:
•Storing hot water in cooling ponds and allowing the water to cool before releasing it into any
water body or back to the plant.
•Warm effluents can be passed through a cooling tower after it leaves the condenser.
• The heat is dissipated into the air and the water can then be discharged into the river
or pumped back to the plant to be reused for cooling.
•Create storm water management facilities to absorb runoff or direct it into groundwater,
such as infiltration basins and bio-retention systems.
•Dams can be designed such that instead of releasing cold water at the bottom of the
reservoir, they release water from the top.

20. What is Radioactive Pollution?
When radioactive materials are present or added to the environment, especially when
doing so unintentionally and endangering the environment through radioactive decay,
this is known as radioactive pollution.
The radioactive materials cause damage by releasing dangerous ionizing radiation into
the environment where they are present, such as beta or alpha particles, gamma rays, or
neurons.
About 20% of the radiation humans are exposed to is thought to be caused by human
activity.
Human activities that can release radiation include those involving radioactive materials,
such as mining, handling and processing radioactive materials, handling and storing
radioactive waste, using radioactive reactions to produce energy, and using radiation in
research and medicine.

21. Sources of Radioactive Pollution
• Exposure to Cosmic Radiation
The outer atmosphere of the earth is continually being attacked by cosmic radiation.
Fast-moving particles that are present in space and can originate from a variety of sources,
including the sun and other celestial events, make up cosmic radiation.
Cosmic rays are mostly protons, but they can also be other particles or wave energy.
• Terrestrial Radiation
The Earth itself is the source of terrestrial radiation. Soil and rock can both contain naturally
occurring radioactive elements.
The main sources are uranium, potassium, and thorium natural deposits, which during natural
decay generate small amounts of ionizing radiation.
Both uranium and thorium are “ubiquitous,” or present practically everywhere.
• Radiation through Inhalation
The majority of fluctuations in natural radiation exposure are caused by the inhalation of
radioactive gases produced by radioactive elements found in soil and bedrock.
Radon, a radioactive gas that has neither an odor nor a color, is created when uranium-238
decays. Because it is an inert gas, it does not interact with its surroundings.
Radon does not react, thus it can move readily through the soil and up into the atmosphere.
• A radioactive gas generated from thorium is called tron.
The composition of the soil and bedrock has a significant impact on the amount of radon and
thoron in the air.
• Nuclear Power Plants
The primary cause of the production of radioactive waste is the nuclear fusion process in
nuclear power plants.

22. Effects of Radioactive Pollution
• Genetic Mutations
Radiation has detrimental effects on DNA and genetics.
Genetic decay results from the harm it causes to DNA strands over time.
Depending on the quantity and type of radiation one has been exposed to, the degree of genetic
mutation resulting in changes in DNA composition varies.
A person or animal exposed to excessive radiation through the environment, food, or even
water is likely to have already absorbed the radiation into their systems.
Energy cannot be expelled, thus once within the body, it stays active.
One is very prone to cancer as a result of the mutation.
• Diseases
Radioactive pollution has a negative impact on our health. One of the rarest and deadliest side
effects of radioactive pollution is acute radiation sickness.
However, it is a result of radioactive radiation at high levels. This condition quickly results in
nausea and vomiting.
In the worst-case scenario, the person can pass away within a few days or weeks.
Cancer is the most frequent adverse reaction to radiation and it can also cause it.
• Soil Infertility
Because soils are exposed to the atmosphere, radiation is a common occurrence in them.
The soil’s radioactive chemicals react with different nutrients, destroying the nutrients and
making the soil poisonous and infertile.
Such soil causes the harvest of radioactively tainted crops that are dangerous for ingestion by
both humans and animals.

23. Measures to Control Radioactive Pollution
• Proper Method of Disposing of Radioactive Waste
Radioactive waste still contains radiation. It cannot be disposed of in the same way as conventional waste
because of this.
It can neither be buried nor burned. This trash should be kept in big, sturdy concrete containers because
seepage is a possibility.
Another option is to dilute the radiation because storage might not be practical.
• Proper Labeling
Any product containing radioactive material must be labeled, and the label’s content must include the
necessary safety instructions.
This is because radiation can enter the body through very slight interaction with radioactive material.
To encourage the use of protective equipment when handling them, containers containing hazardous
products must to be prominently marked.
• Prohibition of Nuclear Tests
It has previously been proven that nuclear energy has a significant amount of latent destructive power.
However, the tests made to improve the energy have a big impact on the total amount of radioactive
elements.
These tests also end up leaking into adjacent ecosystems despite being done in deserts, affecting many
people’s livelihoods.
• Alternative Energy Sources
Nuclear power development and use were initially not bad things.
But given the harm and dangers it does to the environment, it is long past due for its use to be phased out in
favor of more eco-friendly energy sources like renewable energy (solar, hydroelectric, and wind power).
The waste released from the various processes and combustion causes additional radiation to be released
into the atmosphere when radioactivity is used to generate energy in nuclear power plants, for instance.

24. What Is Nuclear Pollution?
Nuclear pollution is sometimes also referred to as radioactive contamination. It is
the deposition or presence of radioactive materials within solids, liquids, gases, or
on surfaces. Their presence within these bodies may be undesirable or
unintentional. Today, however, we commonly refer to nuclear pollution as
pollution of the atmosphere by radiation or radioactive particles.
The decaying of radioactive particles releases alpha, beta, gamma rays, and free neutrons.
These particles are ionizing radiation.They are incredibly harmful to human health and the
environment.

25. Causes of Nuclear Hazards
Nuclear hazards can arise from various causes, each posing significant risks to human health, the environment, and
global security. Some of the main causes of nuclear hazards include:
•Accidents at Nuclear Power Plants: Malfunctions, equipment failures, human errors, or natural disasters can lead to
accidents at nuclear power plants. These accidents may result in the release of radioactive materials into the
environment, causing contamination and posing health risks to nearby populations. Examples include the Chernobyl
disaster in 1986 and the Fukushima Daiichi accident in 2011.
•Improper Handling and Disposal of Radioactive Waste: Improper handling, storage, or disposal of radioactive waste
generated from nuclear power plants, research facilities, and medical institutions can lead to environmental
contamination and public health risks. If not managed effectively, radioactive waste can leach into soil and water,
contaminate ecosystems, and pose long-term hazards to human health.
•Nuclear Weapons Testing and Proliferation: Nuclear weapons testing and the proliferation of nuclear weapons and
technology pose serious risks to global security and stability. The testing of nuclear weapons releases radioactive
fallout into the atmosphere, contaminating air, soil, and water, and posing health risks to populations downwind.
Additionally, the spread of nuclear weapons increases the likelihood of nuclear conflict, terrorism, and the potential
use of nuclear weapons.
•Terrorism and Sabotage: Nuclear facilities and materials are vulnerable to terrorist attacks, sabotage, theft, and
unauthorized access. A malicious act targeting a nuclear facility or the theft of radioactive materials could result in
the release of radioactive contamination, environmental damage, and significant public health and safety risks.
•Natural Disasters and Climate Change: Natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, and floods can
pose risks to nuclear facilities and infrastructure, leading to accidents or incidents that release radioactive materials.
Climate change may also increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, exacerbating the
vulnerability of nuclear facilities to natural hazards.
•Human Error and Management Failures: Human error, inadequate training, and management failures can contribute
to nuclear hazards by increasing the likelihood of accidents, incidents, and safety breaches. Effective training,
stringent safety protocols, and robust regulatory oversight are essential for preventing human-related errors and
ensuring the safe operation of nuclear facilities.

26. Effects of Nuclear Hazards
The effects of nuclear hazards can be wide-ranging and have significant impacts on human health, the environment,
and global security. Some of the key effects include:
•Health Effects: Exposure to ionizing radiation from nuclear hazards can cause various health effects, ranging from
acute to long-term consequences. Acute effects may include radiation sickness, nausea, vomiting, and hair loss, while
long-term effects can include an increased risk of cancer, genetic mutations, reproductive problems, and other
chronic illnesses.
•Environmental Contamination: Nuclear hazards, such as accidents at nuclear power plants or improper disposal of
radioactive waste, can lead to environmental contamination. Radioactive materials released into the air, soil, and
water can persist in the environment for long periods, contaminating ecosystems and posing risks to plants, animals,
and humans.
•Ecosystem Disruption: Radioactive contamination can disrupt ecosystems by affecting biodiversity, soil quality, and
water resources. Contaminated areas may experience reduced plant and animal populations, changes in species
composition, and long-term ecological disturbances that can take decades or even centuries to recover.
•Economic Impact: Nuclear hazards can have significant economic consequences, including cleanup and
decontamination costs, loss of agricultural and commercial activities in affected areas, declines in property values,
and damage to local economies. The economic impact of nuclear accidents can be substantial and may persist for
years or even decades after the event.
•Social Disruption: Nuclear hazards can cause social disruption and displacement of populations, particularly in the
case of nuclear accidents or incidents. Evacuations, relocation, and restrictions on activities in contaminated areas
can disrupt communities, lead to social stigma and psychological distress, and strain social support systems.
•Global Security Risks: The proliferation of nuclear weapons and materials poses serious risks to global security and
stability. Nuclear hazards increase the likelihood of nuclear conflict, terrorism, and the spread of weapons of mass
destruction, leading to heightened tensions among nations and potential threats to international peace and security.

27. Nuclear Pollution Control Measures
1. Containment of Nuclear Waste
Nuclear radiation is a form of heat transfer. While radiation can occur in almost any
condition, heat increases the amount of radiation. More radiation means a higher health
risk. Scientists recently found that apart from the ash released from nuclear plants, even coal
ash, and wood ash contain radiation because of their heat. Therefore, we must store
nuclear waste in cool places, away from a heat source.
2. Law Enforcement
We need laws that protect human health and the environment from nuclear and
radioactive radiation. Federal agencies in every country must establish radiation exposure
standards and limits. National governments must also develop standards for nuclear
power plants. They must implement strict actions against nuclear plants for failing to
comply with environmental and health regulations.
3. Individual Prevention Measures
You should regularly test your home for radon. The internet can find you many consulting
services and inexpensive testing kits.
If you’re buying a new home, make sure it is away from primary sources of radiation and
nuclear pollution.