Environmental Pollution Lecture Notes

Introduction to Pollution

• Definition of Pollution: Any undesirable change in the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of air, water, and land harmful to living organisms.
• Types of Pollution: Natural and man-made (most pollution is man-made).

Pollutants

• Definition: Agents that cause pollution, introducing undesirable changes.
• Types of Pollutants:
  • Deposited Matter: Smoke, tar, dust.
  • Gases: Carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, halogens (Cl, Br, I).
  • Metals: Lead, zinc, iron, chromium, mercury.
  • Industrial Pollutants: Emitted by industries (e.g., benzene, acetic acid, cyanide).
  • Agricultural Pollutants: Pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers.
  • Photochemical Pollutants: Formed in the presence of sunlight (e.g., ozone).
  • Radiation Pollutants: Caused by radioactive substances.

Classification of Pollutants

Based on Nature of Disposal:

• Non-degradable Pollutants: Cannot be easily decomposed (e.g., DDT, aluminum cans).
• Biodegradable Pollutants: Can be decomposed by microorganisms (e.g., domestic sewage).

Based on Nature of Form:

• Primary Pollutants: Emitted directly from a source (e.g., NO2, SO2).
• Secondary Pollutants: Formed by reactions between primary pollutants (e.g., ozone, PAN).

Types of Pollution Covered

1. Air Pollution
2. Water Pollution
3. Soil Pollution
4. Noise Pollution
5. Nuclear Pollution

Air Pollution

• Definition: Contamination of air (indoor or outdoor).
• Causes of Air Pollution:
  • Forest fires, agriculture (pesticides), industrial emissions (nuclear plants), dust, transportation.
  • Examples: Burning fossil fuels, mining operations.

Types of Air Pollutants

• Primary Air Pollutants: Sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides.
• Secondary Air Pollutants: Sulfur trioxide, ozone, particulate matter.

Effects of Air Pollution

On Human Health:

• Pregnancy: Low birth weight.
• Children: Asthma, developmental issues.
• Adults: Heart disease, lung cancer, COPD.
• Elderly: Accelerated lung function decline, dementia.

Environmental Effects:

• Acid rain, global warming, altered rain patterns, melting glaciers, rising sea levels, wildfires.

Control Measures for Air Pollution

• Use unleaded petrol and low sulfur fuels.
• Encourage public transport and cycling.
• Plant Trees: Help absorb CO2 and reduce noise pollution.
• Industrial Regulations: Strict controls on emissions; use of catalytic converters.
• Waste Disposal: Ensure waste sites are downwind and away from urban areas.

Conclusion

• Importance of being responsible to reduce pollution and protect the environment.