China's soil pollution is widespread and poses health risks. A government study found 19.4% of China's farmland is contaminated by heavy metals and toxins from industrial pollution and pesticide overuse. Farmers and residents near polluted fields report high rates of illness. Toxic cadmium levels have been found in rice crops, threatening food safety. While China has acknowledged the problem, addressing widespread soil remediation will be difficult and take decades.
Statement of Robert W. Howarth to Congress on the Dangers of FrackingMarcellus Drilling News
Cornell Professor Robert Howarth, Ph.D., appeared before a congressional subcommittee on May 31, 2012 to deliver his standard litany of fearmongering that fracking is unsafe and should be slowed or stopped. This is the official trascript of his prepared remarks.
The International Journal of Engineering and Science (The IJES)theijes
The International Journal of Engineering & Science is aimed at providing a platform for researchers, engineers, scientists, or educators to publish their original research results, to exchange new ideas, to disseminate information in innovative designs, engineering experiences and technological skills. It is also the Journal's objective to promote engineering and technology education. All papers submitted to the Journal will be blind peer-reviewed. Only original articles will be published.
This document summarizes a seminar presentation on using ornamental plants to improve air quality in cities. It discusses the importance of air quality to human and plant health, sources and types of air pollution, effects of air pollution on people and plants, and criteria for selecting plant species well-suited for controlling urban air pollution. It provides examples of research assessing how urban trees and greenery remove air pollutants. The document concludes that strategic planting of indigenous, pollution-tolerant species can help clean the air and create healthier urban environments.
A power point presentation on pollution, its various types and some incidents relating to pollution. An attractive presentation that will surely gain attention.POLLUTION IS THE ADDITION OF ANY SUCH CONSTITUENT TO AIR ,WATER OR LAND WHICH DETERIORATES THE NATURAL QUALITY OF THE ENVIRONMENT
3. AIR POLLUTION IS THE DEGRADATION OF THE AIR QUALITY HARMFULLY AFFECTING THE LIVING ORGANISMS AND CERTAIN OBJECTS
Impact of agricultural practices on environmentTanvirHridoy1
This document summarizes the impacts of various agricultural practices on the environment. It discusses how intensive agricultural practices can place serious burdens on the environment through water and air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and soil and water degradation. Specifically, it examines the negative impacts of pesticide and fertilizer usage, irrigation practices, soil tillage, lack of crop rotation, plant hormone usage, stubble burning, and animal wastes. It also acknowledges some positive environmental effects of agriculture. The document reviews several other studies and sources that have also analyzed the link between agriculture and environmental impacts. It concludes that modern intensive agriculture has increased yields but also environmental costs that cannot be ignored if agricultural expansion continues.
12 ground water pollution in india a review 12 ijtas-92-2018-richa guptaBIOLOGICAL FORUM
ABSTRACT: Groundwater is the foremost source of water for domestic, agricultural and industrial purposes in several countries. Due to human and industrial activities the ground water is contaminated. This is the serious problem now a day. Due to industrial, municipal and agricultural waste containing pesticides, insecticides, fertilizer residues and heavy metals with water groundwater has been polluted by leaching process. The effects of groundwater pollution are wide. In this paper the overview of ground water pollution due to industrial as well as anthropogenic activities. Water quality is affected by both point and non-point sources of pollution. These include sewage discharge, discharge from industries, run-off from agricultural fields and urban run-off. Analysis of the water quality is very important to preserve and prefect the natural eco system. The assessment of the ground water various technologies has been developed and management practices should be carried out periodically to protect the water resources.
Keywords: Ground water, Water pollution, Heavy Metals, Water Quality Index.
Statement of Robert W. Howarth to Congress on the Dangers of FrackingMarcellus Drilling News
Cornell Professor Robert Howarth, Ph.D., appeared before a congressional subcommittee on May 31, 2012 to deliver his standard litany of fearmongering that fracking is unsafe and should be slowed or stopped. This is the official trascript of his prepared remarks.
The International Journal of Engineering and Science (The IJES)theijes
The International Journal of Engineering & Science is aimed at providing a platform for researchers, engineers, scientists, or educators to publish their original research results, to exchange new ideas, to disseminate information in innovative designs, engineering experiences and technological skills. It is also the Journal's objective to promote engineering and technology education. All papers submitted to the Journal will be blind peer-reviewed. Only original articles will be published.
This document summarizes a seminar presentation on using ornamental plants to improve air quality in cities. It discusses the importance of air quality to human and plant health, sources and types of air pollution, effects of air pollution on people and plants, and criteria for selecting plant species well-suited for controlling urban air pollution. It provides examples of research assessing how urban trees and greenery remove air pollutants. The document concludes that strategic planting of indigenous, pollution-tolerant species can help clean the air and create healthier urban environments.
A power point presentation on pollution, its various types and some incidents relating to pollution. An attractive presentation that will surely gain attention.POLLUTION IS THE ADDITION OF ANY SUCH CONSTITUENT TO AIR ,WATER OR LAND WHICH DETERIORATES THE NATURAL QUALITY OF THE ENVIRONMENT
3. AIR POLLUTION IS THE DEGRADATION OF THE AIR QUALITY HARMFULLY AFFECTING THE LIVING ORGANISMS AND CERTAIN OBJECTS
Impact of agricultural practices on environmentTanvirHridoy1
This document summarizes the impacts of various agricultural practices on the environment. It discusses how intensive agricultural practices can place serious burdens on the environment through water and air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and soil and water degradation. Specifically, it examines the negative impacts of pesticide and fertilizer usage, irrigation practices, soil tillage, lack of crop rotation, plant hormone usage, stubble burning, and animal wastes. It also acknowledges some positive environmental effects of agriculture. The document reviews several other studies and sources that have also analyzed the link between agriculture and environmental impacts. It concludes that modern intensive agriculture has increased yields but also environmental costs that cannot be ignored if agricultural expansion continues.
12 ground water pollution in india a review 12 ijtas-92-2018-richa guptaBIOLOGICAL FORUM
ABSTRACT: Groundwater is the foremost source of water for domestic, agricultural and industrial purposes in several countries. Due to human and industrial activities the ground water is contaminated. This is the serious problem now a day. Due to industrial, municipal and agricultural waste containing pesticides, insecticides, fertilizer residues and heavy metals with water groundwater has been polluted by leaching process. The effects of groundwater pollution are wide. In this paper the overview of ground water pollution due to industrial as well as anthropogenic activities. Water quality is affected by both point and non-point sources of pollution. These include sewage discharge, discharge from industries, run-off from agricultural fields and urban run-off. Analysis of the water quality is very important to preserve and prefect the natural eco system. The assessment of the ground water various technologies has been developed and management practices should be carried out periodically to protect the water resources.
Keywords: Ground water, Water pollution, Heavy Metals, Water Quality Index.
Manthan Prabhu's document summarizes the three main types of environmental pollution: air, water, and soil. It outlines the causes and effects of each type of pollution. Air pollution is caused by industries, gases, and smoke and can lead to global warming, ozone depletion, and acid rain. Water pollution occurs when pollutants are discharged into bodies of water without treatment and can cause diseases. Soil pollution is typically caused by industrial activity, chemicals, and waste and prevents the use of soil for construction and farming while affecting groundwater. Overall, the document provides an overview of the different kinds of environmental pollution and their impacts.
The document discusses solid waste pollution and management in India. It defines solid waste and classifies the important sources such as domestic, industrial, commercial, and agricultural waste. It then outlines the three steps to treating solid waste: collection, transportation, and disposal/processing. The key methods of disposal discussed are incineration, composting, and sanitary landfilling. Currently, India generates over 65 million tonnes of solid waste annually, which is projected to increase significantly by 2031. The major rules for waste management in India and problems with the current system are also summarized.
This document defines and describes different types of environmental pollution. It discusses air pollution, water pollution, and soil pollution. Air pollution is introduced the introduction of harmful materials into the atmosphere, causing health issues and damage. Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies from pollutants discharged without treatment. Soil pollution occurs from the presence of human-made chemicals or other alterations that degrade natural soil environments.
1. Publications by Israeli researchers demonstrated high rates of cancer morbidity and heart disease/stroke in the Haifa and Akko subdistricts from the early 1980s.
2. These subdistricts had heavy industry since the 1930s that polluted air, water, soil, and marine environments with known carcinogens in large quantities.
3. Despite the evident health risks, government and industry denied the link between pollution and health issues for many years through misleading studies and legal intimidation against public participation.
BOLASHVILI-Analyzing of biophysical indicators of land degradation-ID1602-IDR...Global Risk Forum GRFDavos
5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014 Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice 24-28 August 2014 in Davos, Switzerland
Assessment of Sulphur Dioxide Levels in Selected Sites in Athi River, Kenyaijtsrd
Industrialization, economic growth, urbanization and population growth have been responsible for air pollution in developing countries. The discharge of harmful chemicals and increased combustion of fossil fuels, affect both the physical environment and the public health. Air pollution effects are both acute and chronic on human health, ranging from minor upper respiratory irritation to chronic respiratory and heart disease, lung cancer, acute respiratory infections in children and chronic bronchitis in adults. A study was conducted to assess the effect of sulfur dioxide on air quality at three sites in Athi River town, Kenya which included one non-industrial site. The air samples were collected by scrubbing them through appropriate trapping solutions and subsequently analyzed in the laboratory using colorimetric method. The meteorological parameters namely; temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and wind direction were also measured during the sampling exercise. The mean concentrations of sulphur dioxide at the various sampling sites during rainy season were: Shalom Hospital (602 -µg/m3); Vannilaz Restaurant (793 -µg/m3); Redeemed Gospel Church (861 -µg/m3) and Sabaki residential Estate (370 -µg/m3). The levels exceeded the guidelines recommended by WHO which has set a maximum of 500 -µg/m3, for 10 minutes exposure, however the levels at Sabaki residential Estate were low. Mean concentrations of sulphur dioxide during the dry season for Shalom Hospital, Vanillaz Restaurant, Redeemed Gospel church and Sabaki residential Estate were 863, 875,862 and 664 -µg/m3 respectively. The elevated levels of SO2 was associated with heavy vehicular traffic and the various industrial activities mainly cement manufacturing plants. Sulphur dioxide may also be emitted from diesel-powered vehicles and coal burning in the industries. The study revealed that Shalom Hospital, Vanillaz Restaurant and Redeemed Gospel Church were polluted with sulphur dioxide during the rainy season except Sabaki residential Estate but during the dry season all the sites were polluted with sulphur dioxide. Birgen J. | Wafula G. | Yusuf A. | Onyatta J."Assessment of Sulphur Dioxide Levels in Selected Sites in Athi River, Kenya" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-1 | Issue-5 , August 2017, URL: http://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd2320.pdf http://www.ijtsrd.com/engineering/computer-engineering/2320/assessment-of-sulphur-dioxide-levels-in--selected-sites-in-athi-river-kenya/birgen-j
Environmental pollution refers to the presence of physical, chemical, or biological agents in the environment that can harm human health, plant and animal life, or property. The main types of pollution are water pollution, soil pollution, and air pollution. Sources of pollution include household waste, industrial waste, excess fertilizers and chemicals, logging, burning of garbage, and vehicle emissions. Impacts of pollution include effects on cardiovascular health as well as climate change through higher global temperatures and sea levels. Ozone depletion from pollution allows more ultraviolet radiation to reach the earth's surface and threaten human health.
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse changes. The document discusses different types of pollution including air, land, noise, and water pollution. Air pollution is caused by particles, gases, and biological molecules in the atmosphere that can harm health. Land pollution results from improper waste disposal or chemicals used in agriculture. Noise pollution comes from machines, vehicles, and construction activities. Water pollution contaminates bodies of water and damages ecosystems and species. The causes of pollution include using natural resources faster than they can replenish, overindustrialization, and excessive use of chemicals in industry and agriculture.
This document is a student assignment submitted by Muhammad Shoaib Nazeer to Engineer Amir Iqbal discussing environmental pollution in cities. It defines environmental pollution, describes the different types including air, water, soil, noise and light pollution. It then discusses the major causes of pollution such as industrial activities, vehicular emissions, rapid urbanization, waste dumping, and population growth. Specific examples of air pollution, water pollution, and soil pollution are provided, outlining their causes and health impacts.
An environmental hazard is a substance, a state or an event which has the potential to threaten the surrounding natural environment / or adversely affect people's health, and natural disasters such as storms and earthquakes.
Any single or combination of toxic chemical, biological, or physical agents in the environment, resulting from human activities or natural processes, that may impact the health of exposed subjects, including pollutants such as heavy metals, pesticides, biological contaminants, toxic waste, industrial and home chemicals.
Human-made hazards while not immediately health-threatening may turn out detrimental to man's well-being eventually, because deterioration in the environment can produce secondary, unwanted negative effects on the human ecosphere. The effects of water pollution may not be immediately visible because of a sewage system that helps drain off toxic substances. If those substances turn out to be persistent (e.g. persistent organic pollutant), however, they will literally be fed back to their producers via the food chain: plankton -> edible fish -> humans. In that respect, a considerable number of environmental hazards listed below are man-made (anthropogenic) hazards.
Hazards can be categorized in four types:
Chemical
Physical (mechanical, etc.)
Biological
Chemical hazards are defined in the Globally Harmonized System and in the European Union chemical regulations. They are caused by chemical substances causing significant damage to the environment. The label is particularly applicable towards substances with aquatic toxicity. An example is zinc oxide, a common paint pigment, which is extremely toxic to aquatic life.
Pollution is caused by the introduction of contaminants into the environment from human activity that harm living organisms or damage the environment. Fundamental drivers of pollution include industrialization, population growth, and globalization, which increase demand for resources. Production is the primary cause of pollution as it involves extracting, processing, and manufacturing natural resources, while consumption is secondary as it depends on production. Types of pollution include air, water, land, noise, light, thermal, visual, radioactive, personal, and space pollution.
The document discusses particulate matter (PM) air pollution, including what PM is, its health risks like premature death and respiratory disease, how it is regulated, where it originates from both natural and human sources, and the extensive research that has been done to understand its effects through epidemiological studies and the setting of future research priorities.
Pollution is the addition of substances to the ecosystem that have detrimental effects. The document discusses four main types of pollution: air, water, land, and noise. Air pollution involves accumulation of substances in the atmosphere that endanger health or living organisms. Water pollution is the introduction of chemicals, physical materials, or biology into fresh or ocean water that degrades quality and harms organisms. Land pollution is degradation through misuse of soil from poor agriculture, mining, dumping waste, and improper urban waste disposal.
Pollution is the addition of substances to the ecosystem that have detrimental effects. The document discusses four main types of pollution: air, water, land, and pollution caused by high rates of energy usage. Air pollution involves substances in the atmosphere that endanger health or living organisms. Water pollution degrades water quality and harms aquatic life. Land pollution damages the soil through poor agricultural practices, waste dumping, and improper disposal of urban waste.
This document summarizes four references related to the impacts of fracking on communities and livestock.
The first reference discusses how fracking fluid injections can potentially contaminate underground aquifers through natural gas pathways. Simulation models show risks can be reduced through subsurface mapping, setback distances from faults, monitoring wells, and verifying properties post-fracking.
The second reference outlines ecological risks like surface water impacts from pollutants released during fracking construction. Activities may profoundly affect regions' ecosystems and organisms.
The third reference examines impacts on drinking water in Germany. It finds varying amounts of fracking fluid can contaminate water from accidents, but dilutions are usually below health limits. Data on impacts to
The document discusses different types of pollution: air, water, land, and noise. It provides details on the causes and effects of each type. Air pollution is caused mainly by the combustion of fossil fuels and has resulted in increased respiratory diseases in cities like New Delhi. Water pollution comes from sources like sewage, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff, contaminating water sources. Land pollution damages terrestrial organisms and limits land usage. Noise pollution adds undesirable sound that can cause health issues like hearing loss.
The document discusses different types of environmental issues including air, water, noise, and land pollution. It provides details on each type of pollution, describing their causes and impacts. Air pollution is introduced through chemicals, particulates or biological materials released into the atmosphere, which can harm human health and damage ecosystems. Water pollution occurs when pollutants contaminate bodies of water without adequate treatment, affecting plants and organisms. Noise pollution disrupts human and animal activity through excessive and displeasing sound from machines, transportation and some workplaces. Land pollution results from brownfield sites, habitat destruction, degradation, littering and soil contamination from dumped rubbish and chemicals. The document emphasizes various pollution problems pose risks to both human health and natural environments
This document discusses the high burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in India and the link between air pollution and increased risk of CVD. It provides the following key points:
1. CVD is the leading cause of death in India, with rates higher than global averages. Major CVDs include IHD, cerebrovascular disease, and hypertension.
2. Risk factors for CVD like hypertension and diabetes are rising dramatically in India and projected to affect hundreds of millions by 2030.
3. Existing evidence suggests air pollution likely increases the risk of CVD and its risk factors through mechanisms like endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and increased blood pressure.
4. Research aims to better characterize the associations between long-term air
Soil pollution was brought to public attention in 1978 by the Love Canal disaster. Soil pollution is defined as changes to the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil caused by human activity that degrade soil quality. Natural causes of soil pollution include landslides and hurricanes, while man-made causes include urbanization, industrial and agricultural wastes, mining, domestic wastes, and radioactive wastes. The disposal of industrial wastes on fertile lands degrades soil quality, while urban wastes can slowly poison the soil and damage its fertility. Radioactive elements in polluted soil can enter the food chain through plants.
An Insight into Internal Cross Functional Stakeholder Engagement. References from Online data & my professional experience of 14 Years in various roles
Manthan Prabhu's document summarizes the three main types of environmental pollution: air, water, and soil. It outlines the causes and effects of each type of pollution. Air pollution is caused by industries, gases, and smoke and can lead to global warming, ozone depletion, and acid rain. Water pollution occurs when pollutants are discharged into bodies of water without treatment and can cause diseases. Soil pollution is typically caused by industrial activity, chemicals, and waste and prevents the use of soil for construction and farming while affecting groundwater. Overall, the document provides an overview of the different kinds of environmental pollution and their impacts.
The document discusses solid waste pollution and management in India. It defines solid waste and classifies the important sources such as domestic, industrial, commercial, and agricultural waste. It then outlines the three steps to treating solid waste: collection, transportation, and disposal/processing. The key methods of disposal discussed are incineration, composting, and sanitary landfilling. Currently, India generates over 65 million tonnes of solid waste annually, which is projected to increase significantly by 2031. The major rules for waste management in India and problems with the current system are also summarized.
This document defines and describes different types of environmental pollution. It discusses air pollution, water pollution, and soil pollution. Air pollution is introduced the introduction of harmful materials into the atmosphere, causing health issues and damage. Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies from pollutants discharged without treatment. Soil pollution occurs from the presence of human-made chemicals or other alterations that degrade natural soil environments.
1. Publications by Israeli researchers demonstrated high rates of cancer morbidity and heart disease/stroke in the Haifa and Akko subdistricts from the early 1980s.
2. These subdistricts had heavy industry since the 1930s that polluted air, water, soil, and marine environments with known carcinogens in large quantities.
3. Despite the evident health risks, government and industry denied the link between pollution and health issues for many years through misleading studies and legal intimidation against public participation.
BOLASHVILI-Analyzing of biophysical indicators of land degradation-ID1602-IDR...Global Risk Forum GRFDavos
5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014 Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice 24-28 August 2014 in Davos, Switzerland
Assessment of Sulphur Dioxide Levels in Selected Sites in Athi River, Kenyaijtsrd
Industrialization, economic growth, urbanization and population growth have been responsible for air pollution in developing countries. The discharge of harmful chemicals and increased combustion of fossil fuels, affect both the physical environment and the public health. Air pollution effects are both acute and chronic on human health, ranging from minor upper respiratory irritation to chronic respiratory and heart disease, lung cancer, acute respiratory infections in children and chronic bronchitis in adults. A study was conducted to assess the effect of sulfur dioxide on air quality at three sites in Athi River town, Kenya which included one non-industrial site. The air samples were collected by scrubbing them through appropriate trapping solutions and subsequently analyzed in the laboratory using colorimetric method. The meteorological parameters namely; temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and wind direction were also measured during the sampling exercise. The mean concentrations of sulphur dioxide at the various sampling sites during rainy season were: Shalom Hospital (602 -µg/m3); Vannilaz Restaurant (793 -µg/m3); Redeemed Gospel Church (861 -µg/m3) and Sabaki residential Estate (370 -µg/m3). The levels exceeded the guidelines recommended by WHO which has set a maximum of 500 -µg/m3, for 10 minutes exposure, however the levels at Sabaki residential Estate were low. Mean concentrations of sulphur dioxide during the dry season for Shalom Hospital, Vanillaz Restaurant, Redeemed Gospel church and Sabaki residential Estate were 863, 875,862 and 664 -µg/m3 respectively. The elevated levels of SO2 was associated with heavy vehicular traffic and the various industrial activities mainly cement manufacturing plants. Sulphur dioxide may also be emitted from diesel-powered vehicles and coal burning in the industries. The study revealed that Shalom Hospital, Vanillaz Restaurant and Redeemed Gospel Church were polluted with sulphur dioxide during the rainy season except Sabaki residential Estate but during the dry season all the sites were polluted with sulphur dioxide. Birgen J. | Wafula G. | Yusuf A. | Onyatta J."Assessment of Sulphur Dioxide Levels in Selected Sites in Athi River, Kenya" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-1 | Issue-5 , August 2017, URL: http://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd2320.pdf http://www.ijtsrd.com/engineering/computer-engineering/2320/assessment-of-sulphur-dioxide-levels-in--selected-sites-in-athi-river-kenya/birgen-j
Environmental pollution refers to the presence of physical, chemical, or biological agents in the environment that can harm human health, plant and animal life, or property. The main types of pollution are water pollution, soil pollution, and air pollution. Sources of pollution include household waste, industrial waste, excess fertilizers and chemicals, logging, burning of garbage, and vehicle emissions. Impacts of pollution include effects on cardiovascular health as well as climate change through higher global temperatures and sea levels. Ozone depletion from pollution allows more ultraviolet radiation to reach the earth's surface and threaten human health.
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse changes. The document discusses different types of pollution including air, land, noise, and water pollution. Air pollution is caused by particles, gases, and biological molecules in the atmosphere that can harm health. Land pollution results from improper waste disposal or chemicals used in agriculture. Noise pollution comes from machines, vehicles, and construction activities. Water pollution contaminates bodies of water and damages ecosystems and species. The causes of pollution include using natural resources faster than they can replenish, overindustrialization, and excessive use of chemicals in industry and agriculture.
This document is a student assignment submitted by Muhammad Shoaib Nazeer to Engineer Amir Iqbal discussing environmental pollution in cities. It defines environmental pollution, describes the different types including air, water, soil, noise and light pollution. It then discusses the major causes of pollution such as industrial activities, vehicular emissions, rapid urbanization, waste dumping, and population growth. Specific examples of air pollution, water pollution, and soil pollution are provided, outlining their causes and health impacts.
An environmental hazard is a substance, a state or an event which has the potential to threaten the surrounding natural environment / or adversely affect people's health, and natural disasters such as storms and earthquakes.
Any single or combination of toxic chemical, biological, or physical agents in the environment, resulting from human activities or natural processes, that may impact the health of exposed subjects, including pollutants such as heavy metals, pesticides, biological contaminants, toxic waste, industrial and home chemicals.
Human-made hazards while not immediately health-threatening may turn out detrimental to man's well-being eventually, because deterioration in the environment can produce secondary, unwanted negative effects on the human ecosphere. The effects of water pollution may not be immediately visible because of a sewage system that helps drain off toxic substances. If those substances turn out to be persistent (e.g. persistent organic pollutant), however, they will literally be fed back to their producers via the food chain: plankton -> edible fish -> humans. In that respect, a considerable number of environmental hazards listed below are man-made (anthropogenic) hazards.
Hazards can be categorized in four types:
Chemical
Physical (mechanical, etc.)
Biological
Chemical hazards are defined in the Globally Harmonized System and in the European Union chemical regulations. They are caused by chemical substances causing significant damage to the environment. The label is particularly applicable towards substances with aquatic toxicity. An example is zinc oxide, a common paint pigment, which is extremely toxic to aquatic life.
Pollution is caused by the introduction of contaminants into the environment from human activity that harm living organisms or damage the environment. Fundamental drivers of pollution include industrialization, population growth, and globalization, which increase demand for resources. Production is the primary cause of pollution as it involves extracting, processing, and manufacturing natural resources, while consumption is secondary as it depends on production. Types of pollution include air, water, land, noise, light, thermal, visual, radioactive, personal, and space pollution.
The document discusses particulate matter (PM) air pollution, including what PM is, its health risks like premature death and respiratory disease, how it is regulated, where it originates from both natural and human sources, and the extensive research that has been done to understand its effects through epidemiological studies and the setting of future research priorities.
Pollution is the addition of substances to the ecosystem that have detrimental effects. The document discusses four main types of pollution: air, water, land, and noise. Air pollution involves accumulation of substances in the atmosphere that endanger health or living organisms. Water pollution is the introduction of chemicals, physical materials, or biology into fresh or ocean water that degrades quality and harms organisms. Land pollution is degradation through misuse of soil from poor agriculture, mining, dumping waste, and improper urban waste disposal.
Pollution is the addition of substances to the ecosystem that have detrimental effects. The document discusses four main types of pollution: air, water, land, and pollution caused by high rates of energy usage. Air pollution involves substances in the atmosphere that endanger health or living organisms. Water pollution degrades water quality and harms aquatic life. Land pollution damages the soil through poor agricultural practices, waste dumping, and improper disposal of urban waste.
This document summarizes four references related to the impacts of fracking on communities and livestock.
The first reference discusses how fracking fluid injections can potentially contaminate underground aquifers through natural gas pathways. Simulation models show risks can be reduced through subsurface mapping, setback distances from faults, monitoring wells, and verifying properties post-fracking.
The second reference outlines ecological risks like surface water impacts from pollutants released during fracking construction. Activities may profoundly affect regions' ecosystems and organisms.
The third reference examines impacts on drinking water in Germany. It finds varying amounts of fracking fluid can contaminate water from accidents, but dilutions are usually below health limits. Data on impacts to
The document discusses different types of pollution: air, water, land, and noise. It provides details on the causes and effects of each type. Air pollution is caused mainly by the combustion of fossil fuels and has resulted in increased respiratory diseases in cities like New Delhi. Water pollution comes from sources like sewage, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff, contaminating water sources. Land pollution damages terrestrial organisms and limits land usage. Noise pollution adds undesirable sound that can cause health issues like hearing loss.
The document discusses different types of environmental issues including air, water, noise, and land pollution. It provides details on each type of pollution, describing their causes and impacts. Air pollution is introduced through chemicals, particulates or biological materials released into the atmosphere, which can harm human health and damage ecosystems. Water pollution occurs when pollutants contaminate bodies of water without adequate treatment, affecting plants and organisms. Noise pollution disrupts human and animal activity through excessive and displeasing sound from machines, transportation and some workplaces. Land pollution results from brownfield sites, habitat destruction, degradation, littering and soil contamination from dumped rubbish and chemicals. The document emphasizes various pollution problems pose risks to both human health and natural environments
This document discusses the high burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in India and the link between air pollution and increased risk of CVD. It provides the following key points:
1. CVD is the leading cause of death in India, with rates higher than global averages. Major CVDs include IHD, cerebrovascular disease, and hypertension.
2. Risk factors for CVD like hypertension and diabetes are rising dramatically in India and projected to affect hundreds of millions by 2030.
3. Existing evidence suggests air pollution likely increases the risk of CVD and its risk factors through mechanisms like endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and increased blood pressure.
4. Research aims to better characterize the associations between long-term air
Soil pollution was brought to public attention in 1978 by the Love Canal disaster. Soil pollution is defined as changes to the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil caused by human activity that degrade soil quality. Natural causes of soil pollution include landslides and hurricanes, while man-made causes include urbanization, industrial and agricultural wastes, mining, domestic wastes, and radioactive wastes. The disposal of industrial wastes on fertile lands degrades soil quality, while urban wastes can slowly poison the soil and damage its fertility. Radioactive elements in polluted soil can enter the food chain through plants.
An Insight into Internal Cross Functional Stakeholder Engagement. References from Online data & my professional experience of 14 Years in various roles
This document discusses how to effectively use the Spring framework in Liferay. It explains that Spring handles infrastructure and allows focusing on unique functionality. It also describes how Liferay uses Spring in many of its modules through services, Hibernate, workflows and more. Additionally, it notes pros like easy use of annotations and submodules, as well as cons like different contexts for ServiceBuilder and Spring MVC requiring use of utilization methods.
MS SQL Server is a database server produced by Microsoft that enables users to write and execute SQL queries and statements. SQL includes data definition language (DDL) statements to define and modify database schemas and data manipulation language (DML) statements to manipulate database content. Common DDL commands include CREATE TABLE, ALTER TABLE, and DROP TABLE. Common DML commands are INSERT to add rows, UPDATE to modify rows, and DELETE to remove rows. SQL statements also include clauses like WHERE, GROUP BY, and ORDER BY to filter and sort query results.
This ESL lesson provides a list of activities for students to learn English vocabulary words, including looking at cherry blossoms, swinging on a swing, working in the garden, walking in the rain, dancing in a field, cutting grass, washing windows, buying fruits and vegetables, feeding chickens, plowing a field, visiting a national park, going canoeing, painting a picture, and having a garage sale.
MySql Triggers Tutorial - The Webs Academythewebsacademy
A SQL trigger is a set of SQL statements stored in the database catalog. A SQL trigger is executed or fired whenever an event associated with a table occurs e.g., insert, update or delete.
The document discusses the differences between routers, hubs, and switches. It states that hubs are used to connect network segments and copy packets to all ports. Switches operate at the data link layer and filter and forward packets between network segments. Routers are located at gateways where two or more networks connect, and use headers and tables to determine the best path to forward packets between networks. While routers, hubs, and switches now often combine functions, routers primarily connect and direct traffic between different networks, whereas hubs and switches operate within one network.
This document is an index for a project on soil pollution. It contains definitions, causes, effects, and solutions related to soil pollution. The index outlines slides on acknowledging the teacher, defining soil pollution, identifying causes such as deforestation and unsustainable agriculture, explaining effects like soil erosion and health impacts, and proposing solutions involving reducing waste and encouraging reforestation.
Noise pollution occurs when unwanted or excessive sound disrupts normal human or animal activities. The main sources of noise pollution are transportation systems, construction work, and industrial activity. Prolonged exposure to noise pollution can cause hearing loss, cardiovascular effects, sleep disturbances, and stress in humans. It can also damage animal communication and increase the risk of death by interfering with predator/prey detection. Some strategies to reduce noise pollution include planting trees, regular maintenance of vehicles and machines, soundproofing buildings, and imposing regulations on loud speakers.
Good manners are a set of behaviors that mark someone as civilized and help them fit into social situations. Manners are usually taught from a young age and involve treating others with respect, courtesy, and consideration to make others comfortable. Having good manners can help people develop better relationships and avoid being seen as rude or inappropriate. The document provides examples of good manners like saying please and thank you, holding doors, speaking politely, giving up seats, offering congratulations, proper greetings and introductions, good grooming, and writing thank you notes.
This document defines and discusses various types of environmental pollution. It begins by defining environmental pollution and the key terms of pollutant and pollution. It then describes the main types of pollution as water, air, land, and noise pollution. For each type of pollution, it provides details on causes, sources, and effects. It emphasizes that most water and air pollution is caused by human activities. The document concludes by discussing solutions to pollution and providing examples of evidence of global warming.
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse effects. It discusses various types of pollution like air, water, soil, noise, and light pollution. The document outlines causes like industries, vehicles, and agriculture. Effects include health impacts and ecosystem damage. It provides measures to control different types of pollution such as treating wastes, using public transport, and limiting fertilizers. The most polluted world cities include Cairo, Delhi, and Beijing. The conclusion is that reducing pollution requires going green.
The document defines and describes five main types of pollution: air, water, noise, land, and radioactive. It provides details on the causes and effects of each type of pollution, as well as some methods to prevent or reduce pollution. The five types of pollution covered are air (from vehicles, industries), water (from organic and inorganic wastes), noise (from traffic, construction, industries), land (from mining, waste, urbanization), and radioactive (from nuclear power and waste). The document emphasizes that pollution harms human health, other living things, and the environment.
China currently feeds 20 percent of the world’s population with just 8 percent of the earth’s arable land, which works out at approximately 0.09 hectares (ha) per person. The so-called ‘red line’ of one hundred and twenty million hectares of farmland as a Chinese policy goal is widely seen as an acknowledgement of this pressure. The first policy document of 2014, referred to as ‘No.1 Document’, emphasised that the ‘red line’ should be strictly protected.
The document discusses China's major environmental issues resulting from rapid industrialization and economic growth, including air and water pollution, soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and climate change impacts. It outlines the government's responses over time, from early recognition of problems to increased regulation and spending on environmental protection. However, challenges remain due to the central role of economic development and difficulties enforcing policies at the local level.
Soil pollution occurs when contaminants like heavy metals, chemicals, and toxins accumulate in the soil. Common sources of soil pollution include industrial waste, mining, improper waste disposal, agricultural runoff containing pesticides and fertilizers, and accidents involving radioactive or hazardous materials. Soil pollution poses risks to human health through direct contact with contaminated soil or ingestion of contaminated plants and water, and can harm ecosystems. Efforts are underway to prevent further soil pollution and remediate contaminated sites using methods like excavation, containment, and phytoremediation using plants that uptake heavy metals.
This document discusses funding for stormwater controls in Maryland. It summarizes that urban stormwater runoff is a major source of pollution to the Chesapeake Bay, and controlling it is critical for improving bay health. However, developing stable funding programs for stormwater mitigation is challenging and controversial, as seen with the "Rain Tax." As populations and urban areas grow, so do impervious surfaces and stormwater runoff pollution loads to local waterways. Effective funding policies and public education are needed to address this issue.
1) Pollution levels vary depending on a country's level of economic development - early industrialization leads to high pollution from primary industries like mining and manufacturing, while more developed economies experience less pollution as these industries move overseas.
2) Air pollution in particular poses significant health risks like increased respiratory diseases, with the young, elderly, and those with preexisting conditions being most vulnerable.
3) Many cities in China face extremely high pollution levels linked to coal burning that have caused widespread health issues like cancer among local populations.
The document discusses soil pollution from various sources. It begins by defining soil and its components. Soil pollution is then defined as a decrease in soil quality from natural or human-caused sources. Various human activities are listed as factors contributing to soil pollution, including excessive fertilizer and pesticide use, industrial and urban waste, and land use changes. Specific issues affecting China, India, Europe, and other regions are then outlined. The main types of soil pollutants like physical, biological, airborne, and chemical agents are described. Remediation methods for soil pollution include in-situ and ex-situ techniques.
This document provides a review of groundwater pollution. It discusses how groundwater is an important source of water for drinking, agriculture, and industry. However, groundwater is vulnerable to pollution from various sources like agriculture, industrial activities, and contaminated land. The review summarizes the types of groundwater pollution including nitrates, heavy metals, microbiological contaminants, and more. It also discusses the health effects of contaminated groundwater. The document examines methods for studying groundwater pollution and contaminant transport, as well as remediation techniques used to treat contaminated groundwater.
Each year, hundreds of millions of units of electronic waste are disposed of, most of it improperly. When electronic waste is burned to retrieve valuable components, it releases toxic chemicals into the air, water, and soil. This pollution contaminates the environment and harms human health, increasing risks of cancer, respiratory illness, and other diseases. Improper e-waste disposal pollutes drinking water sources and renders soil unusable. Governments must take urgent action to enforce strict e-waste recycling laws and ensure all electronic waste is processed safely to prevent further environmental damage and health impacts.
Soil pollution, health effect of the soilJasmine John
Soil pollution occurs when contaminants like heavy metals, chemicals, and toxic compounds build up in soil. It is caused by industrial waste dumping, mining, agricultural runoff containing pesticides and fertilizers, and leaking underground storage tanks. Soil pollution poses serious risks to human health through direct contact or consumption of contaminated crops and water, and can harm ecosystems by altering soil chemistry and killing plants and microorganisms. Cleaning up polluted soil sites is an expensive process requiring excavation or treatment of contaminated areas. Prevention through regulation and reducing the use of hazardous chemicals is important to limit further soil pollution.
This document discusses various sources of water pollution and new techniques being developed for water purification. It begins by outlining how water pollution occurs from industrial wastes like mining and manufacturing, agricultural runoff containing pesticides, and domestic waste. It then examines some specific pollutants in more depth from these sources. New techniques under research for water purification are also mentioned, with the goal of developing more affordable methods. The document aims to analyze the impact of pollutants on water and introduce promising new purification techniques.
Climate issues of the world adam sbragialilaoshi2010
China faces severe environmental crises due to its extensive coal burning, water pollution, loss of forests, and desertification. Over half of China's surface water and about 90% of underground water used for farming is polluted. Nearly a quarter of China's land is desertified. The existence of "cancer villages" where pollution has caused high cancer rates has also drawn attention, with the government now acknowledging the link between pollution and health issues. While challenges remain, there are some signs the public is demanding more control over environmental protection.
impacts of biodegradable organics on soil and gwMarwan Haddad
This study investigated the impact of biological oxygen demand (BOD) on soil and groundwater in two areas of the West Bank - Jericho and Talkarem. Soil samples were collected from each area and subjected to simulated rainfall in columns, with some columns receiving water containing BOD and others receiving only water. The concentration of BOD, total dissolved solids (TDS), and dissolved oxygen (DO) were measured in the leachate from the columns over time, simulating the effects of 1, 10, and 25 years of rainfall. The results showed that BOD concentration increased with time and depth in the soil columns, and was generally higher in Talkarem soil than Jericho soil. TDS levels also
A Critical Review of Acid Rain Causes, Effects, and Mitigation Measures.pdfVernette Whiteside
This document discusses the history of acid rain. It describes how Swedish scientist Svante Odén first highlighted acid rain as an environmental issue in 1967. While evidence of acid rain existed earlier, Odén's work brought attention to declining pH levels in precipitation and surface waters due to rising sulfur dioxide emissions across Europe. It discusses how Odén's findings were based on existing precipitation monitoring networks in Sweden and Europe. While initial reactions were skeptical, it was eventually recognized that air pollution was an international issue. The document provides background on acid rain, factors contributing to it, and its evolution as a key environmental concern in industrialized nations.
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major environmental problems in bangladesh
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role of iucn and greenpeace
Acid rain has become an important environmental problem in China since the late 1970s due to rapid industrialization and economic growth. Coal combustion for energy production, which accounts for 69% of China's energy, has led to significant emissions of sulfur and subsequent widespread acid rain deposition in southern and southwestern China. Some deposition levels in these areas are comparable to or higher than levels observed in Europe in the 1980s. Nitrogen is also deposited from sources including agriculture, vehicles, and power plants. Little is known about the effects of this acid deposition on China's ecosystems, but forest damage has been observed near heavily polluted cities. Long-term monitoring is needed to better understand deposition trends and environmental impacts.
This document summarizes a study that investigated the impact of human activities on water quality in Kaduna, Nigeria. Water samples were collected from 8 groundwater and 4 surface water sources and analyzed for various physicochemical and microbiological parameters. The results showed that many parameters exceeded regulatory limits, including electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, coliform bacteria, and lead levels. Contamination was highest near domestic, industrial, and agricultural areas. Surface water generally contained more trace elements while groundwater sources exceeded limits for more physicochemical parameters. The results indicate that human activities are negatively impacting water quality in Kaduna.
The document discusses various types and causes of pollution including littering, water pollution, and air pollution. It notes that littering costs the US $11.5 billion annually to clean up and that plastic trash in the Pacific Ocean has created a garbage patch twice the size of Texas. Water pollution is also discussed, noting that a third of the world's population lives with water stress. Various sources of air pollution are outlined like vehicle emissions, factories, and smoke stacks. The health effects of air pollution include lung cancer, asthma, and other respiratory issues.
The document discusses pollution and efforts to address it. It notes that pollution has significant negative impacts on human health and the environment. Approximately 19 million premature deaths occur annually due to pollution's effects on air, water, and food. The sources of pollution are highly diverse and include household chemicals, fossil fuel combustion, agriculture, mining, and more. If current consumption and production patterns continue, pollution will severely burden the planet and affect current and future generations. While pollution remains a challenge, countries, cities, and businesses are working to successfully tackle serious pollution issues through alternative models, technologies, and policies.
1. Photographer: Sim Chi Yin/The New York Times via Redux
A farmer prepares his land to plant sweet potatoes beside a lead factory at Chenjiawan
in the Hunan Province of China on Dec. 3, 2013
China’s air and water pollution is more visible than its soil pollution and more often
makes headlines. But recent government studies underscore the worrying extent of
heavy-metal pollution tainting China’s agricultural lands—and its food supply.
A new study from the China National Environmental Monitoring Center examines the
results of nearly 5,000 soil samples from vegetable plots across China. Roughly a
quarter of the sampled areas were polluted. The most common problem is high soil
concentrations of heavy metals—such as cadmium, lead, and zinc—which leach out
from open mines and industrial sites and into surrounding farmland.
Plants grown in tainted soil can absorb heavy metals. People who ingest high levels of
heavy metals over an extended time can develop organ damage and weakened bones,
among other medical conditions.
Story: China's Plan to Export Pollution
Another recent study by the nonprofit Changsha Shuguang Environmental Charity
Development Center found that farmland in the southern Hunan province contains
more than 200 times the level the government deems safe. Hunan is one of China’s
most important rice-growing provinces.
2. In April, China’s environmental ministry released the results of a 5-year nationwide
soil study, which found that 19.4 percent of the country’s farmland was dangerously
polluted.
Soil Pollution in China Still a State
Secret Despite Recent Survey
By Angel Hsu& WilliamMiao | June 18, 2014
|
On March 17, the Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Ministry of
Land and Resources released the first-ever results of a nationwide soil pollution
survey that took place from 2005 to 2013. International media have commended the
release, which revealed startling statistics such as one-fifth of arable land is polluted
and contaminated with inorganic chemicals like cadmium, nickel and arsenic. On the
surface, it seems, soil pollution, which was once a “state secret,” is no longer.
Overall, the report admits that the situation is “not optimistic.” The survey further
reveals that inorganic pollutants are the primary contaminants in China’s soil. Chronic
exposure to cadmium can lead to kidney disease, and was recently found to be present
in almost half of the rice tested in the city of Guangzhou, the capital city in
Southeastern Guangdong province. Arsenic, which is a water contaminant, can lead to
skin lesions and skin cancer. These pollutants result from industrial waste from
factories and mines as well as automobile exhaust. Irrigation using polluted water
resulting from the use of fertilizers and pesticides, as well as raising livestock, can
also cause soil contamination.
3. Arable land around the urban fringe in China. (Cao Chunhai/Thinkstock)
Soil pollution is a serious concern in China, particularly with respect to the human
health implications resulting from contaminated water and food. However, while this
report represents a significant step toward greater transparency with respect to
pollution in China, it still lags in some key aspects and raises questions as to what can
be done about the problem, the full extent of which is still unknown.
Breaking down the soil statistics
My colleagues and I reviewed the survey results and relevant regulations on soil and
found that there are major gaps. First, it should be noted that none of the raw data or
full survey results were released to the public, and likely will not be. When the
government completed its first national pollution census in 2010, the raw data were
never publicly released, despite findings that revealed a doubling in the extent of
water pollution.
Second, careful attention should be paid to how exactly the statistics and findings are
worded in the report. While the headlines suggest 16.1 percent, or one-fifth, of soil is
contaminated, the report is more nuanced. According to our translation, the
government surveyed “approximately 6.3 million square kilometers” of arable land,
including woodlands, grasslands, unused and construction lands, of which 16.1
percent of surveyed points (点位 or dianwei) “exceed limits.” Exactly what these
limits are was not made explicit in the report itself, but are available here (in
Chinese). While a subtle distinction, it should be noted that the report actually does
not go as far as specifying the total area of land that is contaminated, but rather a
percentage of sampled points.
4. While the sampling techniques do have scientific grounding, exactly how the survey
was conducted was not included in the initial report. Instead, government officials
held a press conference (in Chinese) to explain some of the results of the survey.
Essentially, the total surveyed area of 6.3 million square kilometers was divided into 8
kilometer by 8 kilometer plots (an area larger than Manhattan), each containing one
point. Officials admitted that the soil survey results only provide an aggregate, macro
picture of soil quality in China because the variability of conditions makes it difficult
to be comprehensive or accurate using only points. What’s disturbing is that some
areas could potentially be more polluted than these sampling points describe. It’s akin
to saying that the entire soil quality of Manhattan is homogenous; the actual situation
could be much worse than what these statistics show.
What now?
The twelfth Five-Year Plan includes a 30 billion yuan ($4.8 billion) commitment to
address soil pollution. However, compared to the amount that the State Council
approved last July to tackle air pollution—$277 billion—the amount allocated to soil
seems to be a drop in the bucket. Part of the reason for this discrepancy is the lack of
pubic awareness about soil pollution; the Chinese are comparatively much more
aware of the dangers of air and water pollution.
Remediation of soil is also difficult, both from a technical and regulatory perspective.
China lacks any type of soil remediation standard and regulations for pollution levels
in soil are outdated. As a result, a lot of polluted farmland goes untreated. The
potential consequences for agriculture could certainly threaten food provision in
China, where in December 2013 the country’s Ministry of Land Resources deemed
some 8.24 million acres of arable land (around one-fourth of the total) unfit for
farming.
While the initial soil pollution survey is a start, it’s not enough. It took almost nine
years for the government to reach such meager and incomplete results. More details
about the spatial location of sampling sites and the levels of exceedance for individual
points, as well as the release of the raw survey results, would provide better clarity
and much-needed transparency to understand how prevalent the problem may be. As
the survey stands, there is too much left open to interpretation. Without access to the
full raw data and results of the survey, it may be impossible to know exactly what the
government in China may be nuancing with these statistics. Such numbers, while
providing a starting point, may be hiding a much more dangerous truth beneath their
surface.
Peter Hirsch, a Masters of Environmental Management candidate of the Yale School
of Forestry and Environmental Studies, designed the following infographic.
5.
6. Website 3
Soil pollution is a 'severe
problem' in China
Soil pollution has been one of the side effects of three decades of
breakneck economic expansion in China, raising concerns over food
security and people's health in the world's most populous nation.
China's troubles with air and water pollution are widely known with its smog-
clouded cities and chemical-filled rivers drawing international attention.
However, there is another, less visible consequence of the whirlwind GDP growth
the country has experienced over the past three decades: soil pollution.
"Rapid industrialization has left a legacy of soil pollution that is damaging health
and livelihoods in villages across China," concluded a recent investigation titled
"The victims of China's soil pollution crisis," jointly conducted by Yale
Environment 360 and chinadialogue, a non-profit organization based in London
and Beijing.
7. However, soil pollution is not only affecting the health and well-being of Chinese
citizens, it is also putting the nation's food security at risk. A Chinese government
report released in April this year said that 16.1 percent of the country's soil was
polluted.
The figure for contaminated farmland is even higher, 19.4 percent. The main
contaminants are heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, nickel and arsenic, among
others.
19.4 percent of the farmland in China is contaminated, according to the
government
The areas mainly affected include the country's industrial belt along the eastern
coast as well as inland provinces in central and western China. Experts say the
main sources of this kind of pollution are industrial waste seeping from factories
onto the soil, and agricultural activities such as the application of fertilizers and
the use of polluted water for irrigation. The level of pollution has raised questions
about the quality of food produced in the contaminated regions.
Serious health risks
Miao Zhang, senior toxic campaigner at Greenpeace East Asia, explains that soil
pollution can cause underground water contamination, thus damaging the quality
and quantity of crops. The contaminants, in turn, tend to "accumulate in the
human body through food chain," Miao told DW.
But despite the awareness of what pollution can do, poor people have little choice
but to eat locally produced food, highlights the chinadialogue report. The
organization's founder and editor, Isabel Hilton, said in a DW interview that
8. serious health issues, including cancer and diseases infecting the nervous system,
could be caused by soil pollution.
DW recommends
'Millions of hectares of China's arable land are polluted'
With 19 percent of China's farmland contaminated, agriculture and the livelihood
of rural communities are being badly hit. Soil pollution is an issue often
obfuscated by the authorities, says China expert Isabel Hilton. (24.07.2014)
China's rubber boom obliterates southern forests
US and China agree to cooperate more closely to fight global
warming
Smog makes Beijing barely suitable for living
"Like many conditions with environmental causes, the exact chain of consequence
in any case is hard to establish. But statistical and epidemiological evidence
makes a strong case for the relationship between pollution and ill-health," she
pointed out.
Soil pollution in China has attracted little public attention, in spite of the health
threats. Until recently, the government also resisted media attempts to spotlight
local cancer epidemics in the country's newly industrial areas, the report claims.
Indeed, the Chinese government previously refused to divulge information on soil
pollution terming it a "state secret."
A severe problem
9. But in February 2013, the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) finally
admitted that "cancer villages" existed in China. The chinadialogue report cites
the estimates of some civil society groups which put the number of such villages
at around 450, and that the figure is on the rise.
Describing the pollution problem as "severe and urgent," Greenpeace's Miao says
that it is hard to understand the reasons behind the government's reluctance to
share information. "But hiding the data did make people wonder whether it was
because the problem was too terrible to be known," she added.
Analysts, however, agree that Beijing has started taking measures to confront the
problem, although it still has a long way to go. "Many polluting factories have
been shut down in central and eastern parts of the country. Unfortunately, this is
less true of western China where there are thousands of toxic sites that need to be
contained and we are still not seeing the necessary level of pollution control,"
explained Hilton.
Furthermore, experts call for more government focus on crop safety, demanding
that contaminated sites should be taken out of food production chain. But getting
rid of the pollution is not only about the removal of contaminants, it also involves
the restoration of soil health, which is required to ensure food safety and people's
health. The need of the hour is a reorientation of the Chinese development model,
which has succeeded in lifting millions of people out of poverty over the last three
decades.
Hidden costs
The problem is that the emphasis was on very rapid growth and little attention
was paid to the negative effects, which economists call externalities, stressed
Hilton. "These effects are showing up in health impacts, food safety, food security
and water scarcity as well as contamination.
10. Air and water pollution in China have drawn more international attention than
soil contamination
All of these have economic impacts, so looking only at GDP growth does not give
you the true picture," the expert underlined.
This view is shared by Greenpeace campaigner Miao, who argues that treating
one million hectares of polluted soil will cost at least 140 billion yuan (22.6 billion
USD). "The economic development in the past 30 years did make China a good
fortune. However, there is already evidence showing that there is huge debt
behind the prosperity."
Website 4:
China's farmers, consumers feeling the
effects of widespread soil pollution
Governmentstudyfound20% offarmlandistainted by lead,cadmium, pesticides
and othertoxins
A government study released last spring found that nearly 20 per cent of China's
farmland is tainted by toxic metals and pesticides, and that pollution is making those
who farm the land and consume the food grown on it sick, say environmental activists
and some farmers.
11. The threat from pollution to China's food supply has been overshadowed by public
alarm at smog and water contamination but is gaining attention following scandals
over tainted rice and other crops.
The government was criticized last year when it refused to release results of
a nationwide survey of soil pollution, declaring them a state secret.
Millions of acres of China farmland too polluted to grow food
This spring, it backtracked and released the study, which shows that the amount of
contaminated farming soil is roughly the equivalent of all the farmland in Manitoba,
Ontario, Quebec and the Maritime provinces combined.
Pesticides, metals and other toxins taint countryside
Industrialization has transformed China's landscape, and for some, the price of
factories, mines and megacities has been high.
Complaints by farmers in China about lead and other pollutants in their soil and water
supplies have led to protests against factories. (CBC)
The explosive growth of Chinese industry, overuse of farm chemicals and lax
environmental enforcement have left swathes of the countryside tainted by lead,
cadmium, pesticides and other toxins.
12. Investigations by the Ministry of Environmental Protection have found "moderate to
severe pollution" on 3.3 million hectares.
Han Jinchao is a resident in a village in Hunan province that is surrounded by toxic
farming soil. He is sick and has not left his home in six years.
"My legs, I don't feel any strength. My hands are the same. It's even hard for me to
carry a bowl when I eat," he said.
There is no proof that the soil is what has made Han sick, but many of his neighbours
are ill, too, and they all believe it is from toxic soil.
"There are people with cancer. Also, some with diabetes. Also, many have cadmium
levels that are higher than normal," said one of Han's neighbours.
High levels of cadmium in rice
Greenpeace environmental activist Wi Yixiu says the toxicity in collected rice
samples is extreme.
"All the samples collected from this area were heavily contaminated by cadmium.
Sometimes, the cadmium level is 20 times higher than the national standard," she
said.
Cadmium is a carcinogenic metal that can cause kidney damage and other health
problems and can be absorbed into rice, the country's staple grain.
13. Chinese farmers say they are getting sick from working on polluted land. (CBC)
In May last year, authorities launched an investigation of rice mills in southern China
after tests found almost half of rice supplies sold in Guangzhou, a major city, were
contaminated with cadmium.
In February 2013, the newspaper Nanfang Daily reported tens of thousands of tons of
cadmium-tainted rice was sold to noodle makers in southern China from 2009 to this
year. It said government inspectors declared it fit only for production of non-food
goods such as industrial alcohol but a trader sold most of the rice to food processors
anyway.
Other toxic substances like lead and arsenic have been found in food as well, and only
in the most extreme cases has the government prohibited using the land for farming.
Every consumer is vulnerable, says Greenpeace
But it will take decades before such soil is no longer toxic.
'EveryconsumerinChinais exposedtothiskindof pollution.Itisnotjusta remote issue.It
can go to everyone'sdiningtable.'- WiYixiu, Greenpeace
The government is working on a long-range plan and expects to spend several billion
dollars a year on the effort but has given few details. Scientists say one possible
14. approach is to plant trees or other vegetation that will absorb heavy metals from the
soil but will not be consumed by humans.
Complaints by farmers about lead and other pollutants in their water supplies have led
to protests against battery factories.
"There have been a lot of scandals with the cadmium rice being found out in certain
provinces and being sold at market," said Yixiu. "Every consumer in China is exposed
to this kind of pollution. It is not just a remote issue. It can go to everyone's dining
table."