2. Pollution
• “Pollution” is derived from Latin word “pollure”
which means defile (spoil)
• Addition of unwanted substances or affects which
adversely alters the natural or manmade environment
• Pollution is a direct or indirect change in any
component of the biospheres.
3. Definition of Pollution
“An undesirable change in the physical, chemical or
biological of air, water and soil that may create a
hazard to the health, safety or welfare of living
species". K.C. Agrawal
4. Common pollutants
• Gases like sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide,
ammonia, from industries and vehicles etc.
• Metal like lead, iron and zine etc.
• Poisonous chemical used in agricultural fields like pesticide,
herbicides, fungicides etc. and fertilizers
• Noise produced in factories and from vehicles.
• Excessive heat from nuclear reactors or from any other sources.
• Radioactive substances.
• Dust, smoke etc.
5. Types of Pollution
• Noise pollution
• Air pollution
• Water pollution and
• Land pollution
6. Noise Pollution
• Wrong sound in wrong place and wrong time
• 21st century is “Century of Noise”
• Noise pollution is unwanted, untimely and
unpleasant sound. It is the exposure of the
people or animals to levels of sound that are
annoying, stressful and damaging to the ears.
8. Loudness of Noise
• The loudness of noise is measured in decibels
(dB). The normal sound is 60dB.
• The recommended maximum noise level for
people is 85 dB.
• People can tolerate up to 85 dB without
substantial damage to their hearing.
9. Loudness or intensity of Noise
1 Whispering 20-30dB
2 Quiet library 30-50dB
3 Normal conversation 60-65 dB
4 Heavy street traffic 60-80dB
5 Printing Press 80dB
6 Office noise 60-80dB
7 Alarm clock 70-80 dB
8 Train passing station 100-110dB
9 Motor car horn 120 dB
10 Air craft 110-120 dB
10. Frequency of Noise
• The frequency is denoted by Hertz (Hz). One Hz is equal
to one wave per second.
• Human ear can hear frequency from about 20 to 20,000
Hz, but this range is reduced with age and other subjective
factors.
• Dog can hear sound inaudible to human ears.
Infra-audible = Range of vibration below 20Hz
Ultrasonic = above 20,000 Hz
11. Causes of Noise Pollution
• Industrialization
• Poor Urban Planning
• Social Events
• Vehicles
• Construction Activities
• Household chores
• Defense equipments
13. Auditory effects:
• Auditory fatigue appears in 90 dB region and greatest at
4000 Hz and is asssociated with side effects as whistling and
buzzing in ears.
• Deafness:
• Hearing loss may be temporary or permanent.
• Temporary hearing loss occurs if exposed to 4000- 6000
Hz constant for 24 hours or more.
• Repeated or continuous exposes to noise around 100
decibels may result in permanent hearing loss due to
destruction of the organ of corti.
• When this occurs as a result of occupation, it is called
occupational hearing loss.
14. Non-auditory effects
• Interference with speech: A noise of 50 - 60 dB
communally interferes with speech.
• Annoyance is primarily a psychological response. A neurotic
person is more sensitive than a balanced one
• Loss of working efficiency: Noise develops tiredness in
doing mental work.
• Physiological changes: A number of temporary
physiological changes as, rise in BP, rise in intracranial
pressure, tachycardia, increase in breathing, etc.
15. Prevention of Noise Pollution
• Reduce noise at source
• Control of Indoor Noise:
• Road Noise:
• Legislation:
• Education:
• Public Awakening and the Control:
16. S.No Level in dB Effect
1 Up to 23 No disturbance
2 30-60 Stress, tension, psychological effect especially at
upper range
3 60-90 Damage to health psychological and vegetative
4 60-120 Damages to health and ontological effect
5 Above 120 Painful effects in long term
17. Types of Air Pollution
• The pollutants that are a direct result of the process can be
called primary pollutants. A classic example of a primary
pollutant would be the sulfur-dioxide emitted from factories.
• Secondary pollutants are the ones that are caused by the
inter mixing and reactions of primary pollutants. Smog
created by the interactions of several primary pollutants is
known to be as secondary pollutant.
18. Sources of Air Pollution
• Burning of Fossil Fuels:
• Agricultural activities:
• Exhaust from factories and manufacturing
industries:
• Mining operations:
• Indoor air pollution:
19. Effect of Air Pollution
• Respiratory and heart problems
• Global warming
• Acid Rain
• Eutrophication:
• Effect on Wildlife
• Depletion of Ozone layer:
20. Prevention and Control of Air Pollution
• Use public mode of transportation
• Conserve energy
• Understand the concept of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
• Emphasis on clean energy resources
• Use energy efficient devices
21. Water Pollution
• Water pollution means one or more substances have
built up in water to such an extent that they cause
problems for animals or people.
• It is all about quantities: how much of a polluting
substance is released and how big a volume of water it
is released.
22. Causes of Water Pollution
• Chemicals and other contaminants (organic, e.g.
insecticides, pesticides, chemical compounds &
inorganic, e.g. acidity caused by industrial wastes
and fertilizers).
• Macroscopic (visible) pollution
• Transports and chemical reaction of water
pollutants.
23. Consequences of Water Pollution
• Poor sanitation and contaminated drinking water
• Inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene account
for a large portion of the burden of illness and
death in developing countries.
• Lack of clean water and sanitation is the second
most common risk factor after malnutrition in the
global burden of diseases.
24. Prevention of Water Pollution
• Safe disposal of
excreta and sewage:
• Purification of water
25. Land/ Soil Pollution
• The degradation of the Earth's surface caused by a
misuse of resources and improper disposal of
waste
• The addition of chemicals and organic substances
in the soil which reduces its productivity and
deteriorate environment.
26. Sources of Land Pollution
• Waste matter from living habitat
• Waste matter from agriculture
• Increasing population and growth of cities
• Waste matter from industries
• Socio-cultural practices
27. Effects of Land Pollution
• Contaminates the soil and water with micro-organisms and
helminthes which causes GI diseases (typhoid, dysentery, worm
infestation, etc.)
• Produces bad smell that affects the surrounding environment.
• Waste matter from household, stables, butcher houses etc, when
not disposed of properly attracts flies mosquitoes, rats etc,
deteriorates environment and cause sanitation problems.
• Soil polluted with toxic chemicals is injurious to plants and
vegetations.
28. Prevention and Control of Land Pollution
• Safe disposal of excreta and sewage
• Use of garbage for producing manure bio-gas etc, especially in
rural areas.
• Controlled use of fertilizers and other chemicals.
• Avoid use of materials which cannot be reuse or recycled.
• Recycling of wastes and used metals such as, iron, copper,
aluminium etc.
• Encourage use of bio-degradable materials to reduce soil
pollution.
• Improvement of slum.
