This document summarizes various environmental hazards and laws related to air and water pollution. It discusses the different types of air pollutants including primary and secondary pollutants. Major causes of air pollution are outlined such as industrial emissions, vehicular exhaust and agricultural burning. Effects of air pollution on human health, plants and materials are also mentioned. Common water pollutants and causes such as industrial, domestic and agricultural waste are summarized. Key environmental laws in India including the Environment Protection Act, Air and Water Pollution Control Acts are briefly described.

1. ENVIRONMENTAL
HAZARDS
BY
VENKATESH PRASATH N
MPHARM QA

2. CONTENTS
 INTRODUCTION.
 HAZARDS BASED ON
 AIR.
 WATER.
 LAWS
 CONCLUSION.

3. INTRODUCTION
 An environmental hazard is a substance, a state or an event which
has the potential to threaten the surrounding natural environment/
adversely it affects the people’s health.
 Any undesirable changes in the physical, chemical or biological
features on the air, water, and land is called as the pollution.
 It can includes the pollution and the natural disasters such as storms
and earthquakes.

4. HAZARDS
The hazards are categorized into four types,
 Chemical.
 Physical.
 Biological.
 Psychosocial. (Psychological effects on social/environment).
Common factors causing environmental hazards are,
 Air pollution
 Water pollution/Thermal/Marine
 Soil pollution
 Radiation pollution/Nuclear hazards

5. AIR POLLUTION
 Any atmospheric condition in which substances are present at the specific concentrations high enough
above their normal ambient levels to provide a measurable effect on man, animals, vegetation or materials
is called as air pollution.
 Pollutants also in form of solid particles, liquid droplets and gases.
 When the concentrated gases are exceeds the safe limits.
 The air pollution has the long been a serious problems in the world.
 Types of air pollutants;
Primary pollutants.
Secondary pollutants.
AIR
78%
N2
21%
O2
0.3%
CO2
0.7%
others

6. PRIMARY AIR POLLUTANTS.
 Primary air pollutants are emitted directly from the desirable or identifiable sources produced by natural events.
 E.g. Dust storms, volcanic eruptions.
 The 90% of global air pollutants are,
 Carbon monoxide (CO)
 Nitrogen oxides (NO2)
 Sulphur oxides (SO2)
 Hydrocarbons (HXCX)
 Particulates
 Ammonia
 Chlorofluorocarbons.
 Radioactive pollutants.
Carbon monoxide
Colourless,odourless
tasteless gas.
Volcanoes,
natural gas emissions,
seed germination.
Carbon dioxide
Fossil fuels
combustion
Effect on climate,
increase the global
temperature.
Oxides of nitrogen.
Fuel combustion in
automobiles &
Industries.

7. SECONDARY AIR POLLUTANTS.
 Secondary pollutants are not emitted directly.
 Rather, they are formed as a consequence of interaction with primary pollutants.
 Smog: Air pollution in urban and industrial areas.
 Photochemical smog: A noxious mixture of gases and particles, is produced when
strong sunlight triggers photochemical reactions in the atmosphere.
 The major component of photochemical smog is ozone.
 Eg: sulphuric acid, nitric acid, carbonic acids.

8. Gases- compounds of sulphur,
nitrogen, carbon, oxygen etc.,
Natural contaminants- Pollen
particles, bacteria, fungi.
Aerosols- Dust, smoke, mist,
fumes, fog, smog.
TYPES OF PARTICULATES
TYPES,
• Natural
• Anthropogenic.

9. CAUSES OF AIR POLLUTION
Natural Sources
Natural Dust,
Strom,
Volcanoes,
Sea salt dispersion,
Forest gas,
Agricultural burnings.
Major Sources
Chemical & Fertilizers.
Plants, Refineries,
Petrochemicals,
Power plants,
Paper mills,
Chemical plant
Metallurgical industry
Municipal incinerations
Mobile Sources
Automobiles,
Railways,
Airways, Farm
equipment's,
Recreational
Vehicles.
Area Sources
Dry cleaners,
Petrol station,
Print shops,
Electroplating,
Domestic,
Commercial and
Industrial fuels.
Air pollution sources

10. AIR POLLUTANTS.
 Sulphur dioxide
 Nitrogen oxides.
 Hydrogen sulphides.
 Carbon monoxide
 Arsenic , lead , ozone.
 Suspended particles ( ash, soot, smoke etc.,)

11. Main environmental problems caused,
 Effect on Human health.
 Effect on plants.
 Effect on materials.
 Effect on stratosphere (human, food, climate)
 Green house effect involves water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane.
 Chlorine + bromine atoms contact with ozone in stratosphere destroys ozone molecules.
 Sulfur dioxide + nitrogen oxide emitted from powerplants and automobiles gases mix with
atmosphere results acid rain.
EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION.

12. CONTROL MEASURES
 Preventive technique: dry & wet collectors, filters, electrostatic precipitators.
 Effective controls: use of unleaded petrol, substitution of the materials.

13. WATER POLLUTION
 It is defined as alteration of quality or composition of water changes by directly or indirectly, making it unsuitable
for designating use in its natural states.
 Which affects its normal functions and properties such that it becomes harmful if used by man, animals, and aquatic
life.
 The water pollution it includes pollution of
Fresh water.
Marine water.
Ground water.
 The water pollutants classified into
Organic - dye, pesticides.
Inorganic - arsenic, iron.
Biological – Bacteria, eutrophication.
TYPES

14. CAUSES OF WATER POLLUTION
 Industrial wastes: All industries discharge the waste products of manufacturing process into
rivers or other water bodies.
 Thermal and radioactive waste: Different industries and nuclear power plants use water and
discharge the heated water into water bodies.
 Domestic sewage: It consists of water borne wastes of human community. Mostly disposed
off in treated, partly or untreated form into lakes, rivers or sea.
 Biodegradable waste: The pollutants consists mainly of organic matter from domestic
sewage.
 Non-Biodegradable waste: The wastes includes plastic bags, long chain detergents,
aluminium cans, glass etc.
 Disease causing agents: Parasitic worms, bacteria, viruses, protozoa into water.
 Oxygen depleting wastes: The organic wastes been decomposed by aerobic bacteria.

15.  Inorganic plant nutrients: These are water soluble nitrates and phosphates.
 Excess pesticides: It falls on ground and leach rain water to canals and rivers.
 Water soluble organic chemicals: These are acids, salts and compounds of
toxic metals such as mercury & lead.
 Variety of organic chemicals: Includes oil, gasoline, plastics, detergents &
other chemicals.
 Water soluble radio active isotopes.
 Acid mine drainage into the rivers.

16. EFFECTS OF WATER POLLUTION
 Physical effects:
Settled particles slowly accumulate on vegetation foliage and produce a deposit on river beds.
Small suspended particles make water turbid and reduce light penetration, reduce photosynthesis and restrict plant
growth.
 Chemical toxic waste:
a. Toxic metals: Heavy metals eg: Iron, lead, mercury, cadmium, zinc etc.
b. Acid and alkali toxins: These may be regarded as hazardous they lower or raise pH value of water.
c. Pesticide toxins: Hazardous pesticides are organochloride compounds because of their stability and persistence in
environment.
 Microorganism effect: Waste discharged into water contains pathogens cause human diseases eg: cholera, typhoid.
 Chemical nutrient effect: Nitrogen and phosphorous usually present in nitrates and phosphates.

17. CONTROL MEASURES
 Prevent or minimize the mix of pollutants into
water bodies.
 Maintenance and restoration of all water types,
such as surface and ground water.
 Industries should re treat their effluents before
they dispose it into the water bodies.

18. Tests for water
 There are several tests that can be conducted to assess the quality of water, including:
 pH test: This measures the acidity or basicity of water, and provides an indication of whether the water is safe for consumption and
other uses.
 Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) test: This measures the amount of inorganic and organic substances in water, including salts,
minerals, and pollutants.
 Turbidity test: This measures the amount of suspended particles in water, and provides an indication of the level of clarity and
cleanliness of the water.
 Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) test: This measures the amount of oxygen consumed by microorganisms in water, and
provides an indication of the amount of organic matter in the water and its ability to support aquatic life.
 Chlorine residual test: This measures the amount of residual chlorine in water, and provides an indication of the effectiveness of
water treatment and disinfection processes.
 Total Coliform and E. coli test: This measures the presence of harmful bacteria in water, and provides an indication of the safety
of the water for human consumption and other uses.
 Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) test: This measures the amount of oxygen required to break down the organic matter in water,
and provides an indication of the level of water pollution.
 These are some of the common water tests that can be conducted to assess the quality of water. The specific tests required for a
particular water sample may vary depending on the intended use of the water and the quality standards that apply.

19. Laws
 Environment protection act- 1986.
 Air prevention and control of pollution act- 1981.
 Motor vehicles act- 1988.
 Water prevention and control of pollution act- 1974.

20. Environment protection act- 1986.
 Under the act, power to measure the protection and improvement of the environment, including
formulation of policies, plans and programs and the regulation of activities likely to cause
environmental pollution.
 It aims to provide protection and improvement of the environment and prevention of hazards to
human beings, other living creatures, plants and property.
 The provisions of act is monitor by CPCB, SCPB.
 The environment protection policy should covers wide range of environmental issues, includes air
and water pollution, waste management, energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions. The
regulation of hazardous substances, preservation of wildlife, forests and waste.
 It also provides the penalties and fines for violating the provisions of the act, the empowers the
central government to take legal actions against violators.

21. Air prevention and control of pollution act- 1981.
 The Air Prevention and Control Of Pollution Act (APPCA) provides the prevention, control
and abatement of air pollution.
 The APPCA empowers the both central & state government to take measures to prevent
and control air pollution.
 The act includes provisions for the establishment of air pollution control boards,
regulations for emissions from industrial units, and standards for air quality.
 It gives regulations and guidelines for industrial units, vehicles, and other sources of air
pollution. It regulates covers a range of pollutants, including particulate matters.
 The APPCA also provides for penalties and fines for violating the provisions of the act.
 They have the authority to inspect industrial units, impose penalties and fines, and take
legal actions against violators.

22. Water prevention and control of pollution act- 1974.
 It aims to preventing and controlling water pollution, it establishes CPCB AND SPCB to enforce
the provisions of the act and monitor compliance with water quality standards.
 Under the act, industrial units, municipal bodies, and other sources of water pollution are request
to obtain consent from the CPSB OR SPCB to discharge pollutants into water bodies.
 It regulates cover a range of pollutants, including BOD, COD, TSS.
 The implementation of act it provides a support by a network of monitoring stations, laboratory
facilities, and technical expertise, which help to ensure that the provisions of the act are
effectively implemented and water pollution is been controlled.
 It provides the implementation of measures to prevent and control water pollution, includes
treatment of sewage and industrial effluents, and the prohibition of the discharge of hazardous
pollutants into the water bodies.

23. CONCLUSION
 A hazard is a situation that poses a level of threat to life, health,
property or environment.
 Environmental hazard is the state of events which has the potential
to threaten the surroundings natural environment and adversely
affects people’s health.

24. REFERENCE
 Environmental Hazards: Classification of Environmental Hazards And Disasters, Kumar, Environmental Pollution.
(https://www.environmentalpollution.in/hazards/environmental-hazards-classification-of-environmental-hazards-
and-disasters/357).
 5 Different Types Of Pollution, Reena J. (https://www.shareyouressays.com/knowledge/5-different-types-of-
pollution-air-water-soil-radiation-noise/111004).
 https://www.omicsonline.org/scholarly/water-pollution-journals-articles-ppts-list-php.
 https://www.jacionline.org/article.
 Dr. Kishore R. Pawar, Dr. Sachin B. Narkhede, environmental sciences, Vandana publications.
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles.
 Dr. M.K Gupta, Dr. Manish Jaimini, Vikas Pandey, Environmental Science, Nirali prakashan.
 Air, Noise And Radiation Pollution, Dr. Sakthi Kaur Chhabra, Health & Medicine,
(https://www.slideshare.net/9829061634/air-noise-and-radiation-pollution).
 Basic Of Environmental Pollution, Dhaval Yadav, Education, (https://www.slideshare.net/dhavalyadav1/basic-of-
environmental-pollution).

25. THANK YOU.