Environmental pollution & Laws in India Sharon A.J.

2009-03-10

PollutionAn undesirable and unfavorable change in

physical, chemical and biological characteristics of land air and water that harmfully affect both plant and animal life including that of man.

“Environmental pollution” means imbalance in environment. The materials or substances when after mixing in air, water or land alters their properties in such manner, that the very use of all or any of the air water and land by man and any other living organism becomes lethal and dangerous for health.

“Environmental pollutant" means any solid, liquid or gaseous substances present in such concentration as may be or tend to be injurious to environment and human being and animals

.

Types of PollutantsBiodegradable pollutants: Those which

are rapidly decomposed by natural processes. Eg. Domestic sewage

Non-degradable pollutants: That degrade very slowly into natural environment. Eg. Plastic, aluminum cans, glass, DDT, mercuric salts etc.

Pollutants1. Solid wastes (sewage,plastic, soot, dust etc. )2. Gases (carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen

dioxide etc.) 3. Industrial wastes (acids, alkalies)4. Agricultures pollutants (pesticides, herbicides)5. Metals (Iron, Zinc, Mercury)6. Radioactive substances7. Oils

Atmospheric Pollution Contamination of atmospheric air due to

accumulation of harmful or toxic materials.

• Gaseous pollutants

1. Carbon monoxide.2. Nitrogen oxide.3. Sulphur dioxide etc.

• Particulate substances

• Solid and liquid particles1.Large particles that easily settle down in air. (sand and water

drops)2.Fine particles that float in air for long time (dust and mist).3.Finer particles that never settle (smoke, aerosol and fumes)

Sources of Air Pollution

Stationary combustion sources: Combustion of coal and petroleum produces

CO,SO2,various Nitrogen compounds and fly ash containing trace metals like arsenic, lead and mercury.

Incomplete burning of petroleum produces soot and other toxic gases.

Oxides of sulphur react with atmosphere producing sulphuric acid which forms acid rain or acid precipitation.

.

Mobile combustion sources1.Automobile is a major source of pollution. Their exhaust contain carbon monoxide(77.2%), Oxides of nitrogen(7.7%) and hydrocarbons(13.7%)

2.Photochemical reactions on Oxides of nitrogen and hydrocarbons produce photochemical smog which contains Peroxy acetyl nitrate and Ozone.

3.Tetra ethyl lead in petroleum produces various lead compounds

Atmospheric pollution1. Natural sources

1. Volcanic eruption2. Forest fire3. Decaying organic matter4. Sand storms

2. Man-made pollutants Only 0.05% of total atmospheric pollutants.

Caused by the outputs of industries and automobiles

Industrial processing and other sources

Smoke from factoriesCompounds contain Chorine and Fluorine used in

propellants, refrigerants and in aerosol cans produce toxic outputs

Solvents in spray painting, dyeing, printing etc.Blasting, drilling, crushing, mixing etc.

Health effects Allergic reaction and bronchial asthma CO is respiratory poison NO impairs functioning of lungs SO2 penetrates tissues and causes mouth

drying Hydrocarbons and soot are carcinogenic Anthracosis ,silicosis, Stress to animals

Environmental effects Damage to vegetation[ ACID RAIN] Deterioration of air quality Aesthetic insults Change in climate[GLOBAL

WARMING]

Acid Rain…

Green House EffectThe capacity of certain gases in the 

atmosphere to trap heat emitted from Earth’s surface, thereby insulating and 

warming the planet. Without the thermal blanketing of the natural greenhouse effect, Earth’s climate would be about 33°C (about 

59°F) cooler—too cold for most living organisms to survive.

Global Warming or Climate Change, measurable increases in the average temperature of Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, and landmasses. Scientists believe Earth is currently facing a period of rapid warming brought on by rising levels of heat-trapping gases known as green house gases Effect

Global warming

Percentage contribution to the greenhouse effect on Earth the four major gases are

water vapor, 36–70%carbon dioxide, 9–26%methane, 4–9%ozone, 3–7%

Air pollution laws The Environment Protection Act (1986)

• Enacted under article 253 of the Indian constitution. • To protect and improve environmental quality, control and reduce

pollution from all sources• 1981 - The Air (Prevention and Control of

Pollution) Act The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution)

Rules (1982) The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution)

Amendment Act (1987) The Motor Vehicles Act(1988)

Water PollutionContamination of water by addition of

undesirable organic, inorganic or biological substances to water sources

Natural sources: soil erosion, leaching of minerals from of rocks and decay matter.

Industrial effluentsDestroys ecosystem and affects human and Animal

healthAffects marine organisms

Sources of water pollution Community waste waters Industrial wastes Agricultural sources Thermal pollution Under ground water

pollution Marine pollution Oil spills

SOURCES OFWATER POLLUTION

DOEMESTIC WASTEAGRICULTURAL

WASTE

NON BIODEGRADABLE

WASTE

INDUSTRIAL WASTE

OIL SPILLAGEAT SEA

SOURCES OF WATER POLLUTION

Heavy metal poisoning causes diseases in animals Inorganic nitrates promote excessive plant growth in

lakes and reservoirs[EUTROPHICATION]Pesticides are harmful to aquatic life Organochlorines pass through food chain to animals and

is harmful[BIOMAGNIFICATION]

Increased turbidity due to suspended particles.Unpleasant odours and bad tasteSoaps and alkalies cause foam formationEutrophication provides rich growth of micro

organisms that consume dissolved oxygenThermal pollution cause damage to aquatic life

Eutrophication DISCHARGE OF AGRICULTURAL

WASTE INTO THE WATER SYSTEM INCRESAES ALGAE PLANT.

DECOMPOSITION OF ALGAE TAKES A LARGE AMOUNT OF OXYGEN.

THE B.O.D. THEN INCREASES AND BADLY AFFECTED AQUATIC LIFE.

Biomagnification

Oil Spills

Control of water pollution

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act (1974)

• Establishes an institutional structure for preventing and abating water pollution.

• It establishes standards for water quality and effluent. • The CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) was

constituted under this act The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution)

Cess Act (1977) Provides for the levy and collection of fees on

water consuming industries and local authorities. The Coastal Regulation Zone Notification (1991)

• Puts regulations on various activities, including construction.

• It gives some protection to the backwaters and estuaries.

Soil pollution• Undesirable change in the physical,

chemical or biological property which adversely affects its productivity

• Caused by dumping of wastes, agrochemicals

Control of soil pollutionProper disposal of industrial and

agricultural wastesRecycling and recovery of materialsMinimize the manufacture and use of

chemical fertilizersReduce the use of pesticides

Laws regarding solid waste..

The Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, (2000)

Apply to every municipal authority responsible for the collection, transportation, processing, and disposal of municipal solid wastes

The Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules (2001)

The Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control (2000)

The Biomedical waste (Management and Handling) Rules (1998)

The objective of Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules (1989)

Radioactive pollutionPhysical pollution that affects air, water and

soil. Caused by ionizing radiations of harmful nature emitted from disintegrating atomic nuclei.

The natural sources include cosmic rays that reaches the earth surface and radiations from radium 224, uranium 235 thorium 232 etc.

Man made sources

Nuclear weaponsReactors and Nuclear fuelWaste waters containing these wastesX-rays used in medical practicesUltra violet rays present in solar radiations

EffectsMutationCancerRadioactive substances in food chain cause

retarded growth and bone cancer.Increases infant mortality rate

Control measures

Prevention of leakage of radioactive elements from nuclear reactors.

Proper storage and disposal of nuclear wastesRegular monitoringIncreasing the use of non harmful energy

sources

Laws regarding nuclear pollutionThe Atomic Energy Act (1982)

Deals with the radioactive waste

Pollution impact on animals

Thank you