UNIT III: ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION

1. Environmental Pollution 1. Effects on Humans

Environmental pollution occurs when harmful - Respiratory diseases – Asthma, bronchitis,
substances contaminate air, water, or soil, lung infections.
making them unsafe for living organisms. It - Heart diseases – Exposure to pollutants
negatively impacts human health, animals, increases the risk of heart attacks.
plants, and infrastructure. - Reduced life expectancy – Long-term
exposure to polluted air can shorten lifespan.
A. Air Pollution - Eye irritation – Smoke and dust cause redness
and watering of eyes.
Definition
Air pollution is caused by the release of 2. Effects on Animals
harmful gases, dust, and chemicals into the - Breathing problems – Wildlife near industrial
atmosphere, reducing air quality and causing zones suffers from lung diseases.
health and environmental problems. - Poisoning – Toxic pollutants like lead
accumulate in animal bodies.
CAUSES OF AIR POLLUTION - Disruption of migration – Birds are affected
1. Industrial Emissions – Factories release by smog and changing climate patterns.
pollutants like carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur
dioxide (SO₂ ), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). 3. Effects on Plants
2. Vehicle Exhaust – Cars and buses emit - Damage to leaves – Acid rain caused by SO₂
harmful gases, leading to smog and respiratory and NOx burns plant leaves.
issues. - Reduced photosynthesis – Airborne particles
3. Burning of Fossil Fuels – Coal, oil, and gas block sunlight, slowing plant growth.
combustion releases carbon dioxide (CO₂ ), - Soil contamination – Pollutants settle in the
contributing to climate change. soil, making it unfit for crops.
4. Deforestation – Fewer trees mean less
absorption of CO₂ , leading to increased 4. Effects on Infrastructure
pollution. - Corrosion of buildings – Acid rain damages
5. Agricultural Activities – Pesticides and historical monuments and structures.
fertilizers release ammonia, which pollutes the - Damage to vehicles – Pollutants corrode
air. metal parts of vehicles.
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- Reduced visibility – Smog affects road safety - Food chain contamination – Pollutants in
by lowering visibility. water accumulate in fish, which humans
consume.

B. WATER POLLUTION 2. Effects on Animals

- Death of aquatic life – Polluted water kills
Definition fish, amphibians, and other organisms.
Water pollution occurs when harmful - Plastic ingestion – Marine animals mistake
substances enter water bodies, making them plastic for food, leading to choking and
unsafe for consumption and harming aquatic starvation.
life. - Disrupted ecosystems – Pollutants disturb the
balance of aquatic habitats.
CAUSES OF WATER POLLUTION
1. Industrial Waste – Factories discharge toxic 3. Effects on Plants
chemicals into rivers and lakes. - Toxic water uptake – Contaminated water
2. Sewage Disposal – Untreated waste from reduces crop growth and affects food
homes contaminates water sources. production.
3. Plastic Waste – Plastic bags and bottles harm - Algal blooms – Excess nutrients cause
marine life. excessive algae growth, depleting oxygen and
4. Oil Spills – Leakage from ships causes large- killing aquatic plants.
scale ocean pollution.
5. Excessive Pesticides – Agricultural runoff 4. Effects on Infrastructure
introduces harmful chemicals into water - Damage to water supply systems – Polluted
bodies. water clogs and corrodes pipelines.
- Economic losses in fisheries – Contaminated
EFFECTS OF WATER POLLUTION water reduces fish populations, affecting
livelihoods.
1. Effects on Humans - Tourism decline – Polluted beaches and
- Waterborne diseases – Cholera, typhoid, rivers reduce tourist attraction.
dysentery from contaminated water.
- Heavy metal poisoning – Mercury and lead
from polluted water cause brain and kidney
damage.

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 C. SOIL POLLUTION 3. Effects on Plants
- Loss of fertility – Polluted soil cannot support
Definition plant growth.
Soil pollution occurs when harmful chemicals - Stunted growth – Presence of heavy metals
and waste reduce soil quality, affecting plant and toxins reduces plant development.
growth and entering the food chain. - Nutrient imbalance – Chemicals alter soil
composition, affecting crop yield.
CAUSES OF SOIL POLLUTION
1. Industrial Waste Dumping – Factories 4. Effects on Infrastructure
release toxic chemicals into the ground. - Damage to farmlands – Unusable soil reduces
2. Excessive Pesticides and Fertilizers – agricultural output.
Chemicals seep into the soil, making it infertile. - Collapse of foundations – Contaminated soil
3. Deforestation – Loss of vegetation leads to weakens the ground, affecting buildings.
soil erosion.
4. Improper Waste Disposal – Plastic and
electronic waste release toxins into the soil. A. MITIGATION OF AIR POLLUTION

EFFECTS OF SOIL POLLUTION 1. Technological Solutions

- Use of Clean Energy Sources – Transitioning
1. Effects on Humans from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources
- Food contamination – Pollutants in soil enter like solar, wind, and hydropower reduces
crops and affect health. emissions.
- Skin diseases and cancer – Direct contact with - Emission Control Technologies – Industries
contaminated soil can cause illnesses. can install electrostatic precipitators, scrubbers,
- Groundwater contamination – Toxic and catalytic converters in factories and
chemicals seep into drinking water sources. vehicles to filter harmful gases before release.
- Fuel Efficiency Improvements – Developing
2. Effects on Animals hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) helps
- Food chain disruption – Polluted soil affects reduce emissions from transportation.
insects, which in turn affect animals that feed - Green Building Practices – Using energy-
on them. efficient materials, improved ventilation, and
- Poisoning – Heavy metals accumulate in rooftop gardens reduces pollution inside
animal bodies, leading to organ failure. buildings.
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 B. MITIGATION OF WATER
2. Policy Regulations and Government POLLUTION
Initiatives
- Strict Emission Standards – Governments 1. Technological Solutions
enforce pollution control laws like the - Wastewater Treatment Plants – Industries
Environment Protection Act, requiring and municipalities should install sewage
industries to limit emissions. treatment plants (STPs) to filter pollutants
- Vehicle Emission Norms – Regulations like before releasing water into rivers.
Bharat Stage (BS) emission standards ensure - Oil Spill Management – Using oil-absorbing
cleaner fuel and engines. materials, bioremediation (microbes that break
- Air Quality Monitoring – Installation of air down oil), and containment booms prevents
quality sensors in cities helps track pollution large-scale marine pollution.
levels and enforce action when necessary. - Desalination and Water Purification –
- Banning Open Burning – Restricting crop Advanced reverse osmosis and filtration
burning, garbage burning, and industrial technologies help remove contaminants from
smoke release reduces air pollutants. water.

3. Lifestyle and Community Changes 2. Policy Regulations and Government

- Public Transport and Carpooling – Initiatives
Reducing private vehicle use helps decrease - Ban on Single-Use Plastics – Governments
emissions. should enforce bans on plastic bags, straws,
- Planting More Trees – Trees absorb carbon and packaging to prevent marine pollution.
dioxide (CO₂ ) and filter pollutants , - Stringent Industrial Waste Disposal Laws –
improving air quality. Industries must follow Zero Liquid Discharge
- Eco-Friendly Household Choices – Using (ZLD) norms , ensuring all water is treated
low-VOC paints, LED bulbs, and natural before disposal.
ventilation reduces indoor air pollution. - River and Ocean Clean-Up Campaigns –
- Work-from-Home and Digital Meetings – Initiatives like the National Mission for Clean
Reducing commuting for work and meetings Ganga (NMCG) help restore polluted water
helps cut down transportation-related bodies.
pollution. - Mandatory Environmental Impact
Assessments (EIA) – Before setting up
industries near water bodies, an assessment
must be done to ensure minimal pollution.
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 - Stricter Landfill Management Rules – Proper
3. Lifestyle and Community Changes waste segregation and landfill lining prevent
- Reducing Household Waste – Avoiding toxic substances from leaching into soil.
dumping cooking oil, paints, and medicines - Regulation of Pesticide Use – Governments
into drains prevents water contamination. should ban or limit harmful pesticides like
- Sustainable Farming Practices – Farmers DDT and promote safer alternatives.
should switch to organic fertilizers, crop - Sustainable Mining Practices – Enforcing
rotation, and biopesticides to reduce chemical reforestation and soil restoration in mining
runoff. areas helps reduce land degradation.
- Beach and River Cleanup Drives – Citizens
can volunteer for local clean-up programs to 3. Lifestyle and Community Changes
remove plastic and waste from water bodies. - Composting Organic Waste – Households
- Conserving Water – Using rainwater can convert food waste into compost instead of
harvesting, fixing leaks, and turning off taps throwing it in landfills.
when not in use prevents water wastage and - Recycling and Reusing Materials – Proper
contamination. disposal and recycling of plastics, metals, and
e-waste help reduce soil contamination.
C. MITIGATION OF SOIL POLLUTION - Reforestation and Agroforestry – Planting
trees and integrating crops with trees
1. Technological Solutions improves soil health and prevents erosion.
- Bioremediation – Using microbes and plants D. MITIGATION OF NOISE POLLUTION
to remove contaminants from soil.
- Soil Testing and Treatment – Regular testing 1. Technological Solutions
of soil and use of corrective measures like - Soundproofing in Buildings – Using
liming acidic soil or adding organic matter to acoustic panels, noise barriers, and insulated
degraded land. windows reduces urban noise.
- Use of Eco-Friendly Fertilizers – Switching - Quieter Machinery and Vehicles –
from chemical fertilizers to organic compost, Manufacturers should develop low-noise
manure, and biofertilizers prevents soil engines and industrial equipment to minimize
degradation. noise pollution.

2. Policy Regulations and Government

Initiatives

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 2. Policy Regulations and Government
Initiatives
- Laws to Control Loudspeakers and
Fireworks – Governments should impose
time restrictions on loud noises in residential
areas.
- Zoning Regulations – Industrial areas
should be separated from residential zones to
limit noise exposure.

3. Lifestyle and Community Changes

- Reducing Horn Use – Drivers should avoid
excessive honking in traffic.
- Using Headphones for Music – Instead of
playing loud music in public, individuals can
use headphones.
- Promoting Green Spaces – Parks, gardens,
and tree plantations in cities help absorb
noise.

CONCLUSION
Pollution is a serious threat to the environment,
but its impacts can be minimized through a
combination of technology, policies, and
personal efforts . Governments, businesses,
and individuals must work together to adopt
sustainable practices and protect natural
resources for future generations.