PERCY MAGUCHU: [email protected].

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Lesson 4.1: What is Pollution?

Lesson Summary
Pollutants cause pollution in the environment.
Pollution brings a detrimental effects on our environment.

Learning Outcomes
In this lesson, the students will be able to define pollution and the term “pollutants,” which refers to the substances that cause it.

Motivation Question
Give at least three potential pollutants that can be found in your house and state the corresponding type of pollution it can result in.
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Discussion

What is pollution?
Pollution refers to the changes in physical and chemical properties and the biological characteristics which is detrimental to
various bodies of water, land, and air.
Pollution is the contamination of the environment by humans adding any substance or energy- it brings harmful effects on
human life and the environment as a whole.
A pollutant is any matter or energy introduced by human activities that produces harmful effects on resident populations thus
altering community structure.
• Pollutants bring unfavourable changes to different water bodies, land, and air.
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Examples of pollutants:
 Dust
 Smoke
 Chemicals (e.g., Methyl mercury)
 Heat
 Noise
 Heavy metals
 Gases, oil
 Sewage
 Radiation
 Pesticides
Some pollutants like chemicals can accumulate within the tissues of living organisms and eventually magnified- bio-magnification.
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Biological magnification is the gradual increase in concentration/accumulation of a substance(chemical) in successive members of a food
chain.
Toxic substances may accumulate in members of higher trophic levels as a result of biomagnification- moving along the food chains
towards the members of the higher tropical level.
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The movement on compounds(molecules) through trophic levels is called trophic transfer

Toxic substances, like nutrients, can be transferred through trophic levels
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Lesson 4.2: Types of Pollution

What is water pollution?.

Water pollution occurs when toxic substances enter water bodies such as oceans, lakes and rivers leading to the
degradation of water quality and rendering it toxic to human health and the environment
These substances may be chemicals or heat reaching a particular level, which is unfavorable for living organisms
• Humans
• Animals and
• Aquatic organisms.
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Water pollution can significantly

inhibit the normal activities of
various living communities
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Causes of Water Pollution

1. Domestic Wastes
 Domestic wastes includes wastes coming from houses and different
commercial establishments.
 These wastes usually contain nitrates and phosphates that are usually
responsible for eutrophication.

 Sewage water carries pathogens, other harmful bacteria, and

chemicals that can cause serious health problems leading to diseases.
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2. Industrial Wastes

 Industries can also be considered as major sources of water

pollution. Considerable numbers of factories are known to
release effluents to different bodies of water without being
adequately treated- Heavy water pollution
 These wastes contains large amounts of toxic chemicals.

 Industrial chemical wastes discharged can accumulate within

the living tissues of aquatic organisms living in those areas
and threatens human health through the food chains.
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3. Agricultural Wastes

 Wastes such as fertilizers, farm animal wastes,

and sediments contribute to the pollution of water
since they contain nitrates and phosphates which
are carried away by water runoff resulting in
eutrophication.

In recent years, as the prices of fertilizers and

pesticides became cheap, it paved the way for the
excessive application of farmers.
These wastes can also result in eutrophication

What options are there to reduce the effects

associated with Agricultural Wastes?
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Effects of Water Pollution
1. Eutrophication
 This refers to the phenomenon in which
enrichment of nutrients leads to the increase
of algal population (algae consumes the
nutrients) in a water body, thereby affecting
the aquatic life-How?
 When the algae die, decomposers continue
the cycle thereby pulling out the oxygen out
of the water.
It affects living organisms, specifically aquatic
organisms, as the bacteria and fungi consume
enormous amounts of dissolved oxygen by
degrading organic wastes coming from different
domestic, industrial and agricultural sources.
Lesser dissolved oxygen in different water
bodies, such as lakes and rivers, may lead to
death of fish and other aquatic organisms.
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2. Diseases- Consuming polluted water can cause water-borne diseases such as typhoid, cholera, hepatitis, methemoglobinemia, and
various other diseases.

Cholera Typhoid Fever Methemoglobinemia

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Air Pollution
 Air pollution occurs when
there is a release of air
pollutants in the atmosphere
and can bring global effects
and is harmful to human
health.
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Causes of Air Pollution

1. Industrial Pollutants
 Industrial chimneys and powerhouses release
CO, CO2, SO2, H2S, and hydrocarbons
• These pollutants are the usual result of the
burning of fossil fuels

 Phosphate fertilizer manufacturing plants release

fluorine compounds (HF, F2, SiF4, H2SiF6)

 Other chemical industries release hydrochloric

acid, chlorine, oxides of nitrogen, Zn, Pb, As,
oxides of Cu, and SO2, CO, and H2S.
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2. Automobiles

 The most significant contributor to air pollution

• According to research, automobiles release about
two-thirds of the carbon monoxide and one-half of
the hydrocarbons and nitrous oxide.
 The combustion process occurring in automobiles
produces lead compounds found to bring harmful effects
on living organisms

 The usage of petrol and diesel releases the three volatile

organic compounds (VOC)-benzene, toluene, and xylene
• The atmosphere in urban areas contains higher
percentages of these
#Benzene is shown to have strong correlations with cancer
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3. Burning of Fuels

 Diesel and petroleum came from the combustion of

fossil fuels.
 The three volatile organic compounds, xylene, benzene,
and toluene, are found in the atmosphere of urban areas.
 Fossil fuels are also used in the production of electricity
e.g. coal.
 Power plants producing electricity produce about two-
thirds of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere.

Why is SO2 harmful?

These air pollutants results in acid rain which destroys

buildings and establishments in cities
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Sulfur Dioxide and Acid Rain

• Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a colorless gas produced by combustion of fossil fuels at

power plants and certain industrial sources.
• SO2 along with nitrogen oxides results in acid rain.
• The impact of acid rain in Europe has been sever and is most noticed in forests of
the northeastern US.
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4. Agricultural Activities

 Agricultural activities are associated with the

burning of forest areas and grasslands to make
pastures and clear croplands for agricultural
production/the next production cycle.
 This results in the production of about 60 to
65% of CO2.
 Methane is also produced from biomass
burning, paddy fields, and guts of livestock.
 Application of crop sprays and dusting for pest
and weed control has been found to release
organic phosphates, chlorinated hydrocarbons,
arsenic, and lead into the air thereby causing
pollution.
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Effects of Air Pollution
1. Photochemical smog
According to research, one of the effects of air pollution includes the atmosphere's capability to reduce solar radiation by 15 to 20% due
to the presence of particulate matter PAN-Peroxyacyl nitrates
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2. Greenhouse Effect
 The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon; however, the enhanced greenhouse effect occurs due to elevated air pollutants.
 Air pollutants like carbon dioxide are
exclusively confined in the troposphere.
• Condense concentration of a pollutant in
the troposphere can be dangerous-global
warming
 Naturally, the temperature of the earth's
surface is regulated by two factors:
• The heat entering and the heat that is re-
radiated back outside the atmosphere.
 When heat enters the atmosphere, carbon
dioxide molecules tend to absorb it,
eventually creating another layer of extra
warmth.
 An increase in temperature is can melt ice
caps in Polar Regions resulting in sea level
rise
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Soil Pollution
 It is defined as the presence of pollutants or
contaminants in soil, in high enough
concentrations to pose a risk to human health
and the environment including aquatic
communities.
 According to the Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO), soil pollution is the
alteration of soil properties due to the
presence of substances at a higher
concentration than the average level in which
it brings detrimental effects.
 Soil pollutants are the majority of
anthropogenic origin.
 Some soil pollutants still naturally exist in
soil as components of rocks and minerals-
which can be toxic at an elevated level of
concentration
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Causes of Soil Pollution
Soil pollution is the result of the pollutants originating from mining
corporations, improper wastes, and sewage disposal as well as
agricultural wastes.

1. Mining activities
 Mining processes and activities like metal
smelting have been contributing many pollutants
into the soil.
 The types of machinery used are capable of
releasing a significant amount of heavy metals
and many other toxic substances detrimental to
the environment.
 Heavy metals are dangerous because of their
cytotoxicity-It can inhibit many physiological
processes in the plant, such as photosynthetic
activity and cancer on humans.
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2. Waste and Sewage Generation and

Disposal

 As the human population increases, the

number of wastes produced increases-
linear relationship.
 The rise in population growth in
developing and least developed countries
with increasing waste generation and
lack of proper implementation of solid
waste management at the municipal level
can create a severe problem.
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3. Agricultural and Livestock Activities

 Agricultural activities also contribute to soil pollution.

Sources of soil pollutants coming from agriculture include
agrochemical sources like pesticides, livestock manure, and
fertilizers applied.
 Metals that can be found in agrochemical sources, including
copper, cadmium, lead, and mercury, inhibit the physiological
process in plants like the reduction of photosynthetic activity
and eventually decrease crop production productivity.
 Excessive application of fertilizers that releases nitrates and
phosphates are not just considered as soil pollutants but also
poses a threat indirectly to the health of the environment and
humans as well as food security.
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Impact on Ecosystem Services of Soil Pollution from Agriculture
• Agricultural wastes that are released into the environment poses a severe threat to the environment-Direct
entry of soil pollutants through the discharge of chemicals onto the land. The indirect entry, irrigation water
being polluted as it is used to for crop production.
• This affects vast areas of land by contaminating it, affects natural resources, specifically soil and groundwater
Effects of Soil Pollution

bodies, crop productivity, and living organisms, including humans. 

Soil Acidification and Crop Loss
• Improper application of fertilizers containing phosphorus and nitrogen can lead to acidification and crop
loss.
• Acidification is a factor that may contribute to further soil pollution by mobilizing heavy toxic metals. If the
currently available nitrogen in the soil surpasses the required level of N in the plants, nitrification can lead to
nitrate accumulation- Potential to penetrate groundwater, polluting it. The elevated amount of phosphorus
also contributes to an increase in the algal population leading to eutrophication.
Human Health Risks
• Long term impacts of soil pollution are still vague. However, efforts through more research are still in
progress to better understand the impacts of toxic pollutants on human. Urban soils however require more
attention since there is also a higher rate of anthropogenic activities, which means higher degradation.
Nonurban soils are also recipients of different sources of pollution, usually coming from diffuse sources,
making it harder to trace and estimate their extent.
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Lesson 4.3: Solid and Hazardous Wastes

According to the Ecological Solid Waste

Management Act of 2000, RA 9003, solid
waste shall refer to all discarded household,
commercial waste, non-hazardous
institutional and industrial waste, street
sweepings, construction debris, agriculture
waste, and other non-hazardous/non-toxic
solid waste.

Aim
 Reduce
 Reuse
 Recycle
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Unless expressly noted otherwise, the

term “solid waste” as used in this Act
shall not include:

1. Waste identified or listed as a

hazardous waste of a solid, liquid,
contained gaseous or semisolid form
which may cause or contribute to an
increase in mortality or in severe or
incapacitating reversible illness, or
acute/chronic effect on the health of
persons and other organisms; 
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2. Infectious waste from hospitals such as equipment,
instruments, utensils, and fomites of a disposable
nature from patients who are suspected of having or
have been diagnosed as having infectious diseases and
must, therefore, be isolated as required by public health
agencies, laboratory wastes such as pathological
specimens (i.e., all tissues, samples of blood elements,
excreta, and secretions obtained from patients or
laboratory animals), and disposable fomites that may
harbor or transmit pathogenic organisms, and surgical
operating room pathologic specimens and disposable
fomites attendant to that, and similar disposable
materials from outpatient areas and emergency rooms

3. Waste resulting from mining activities, including

contaminated soil and debris. (Republic Act, 9003.
http://nswmc.emb.gov.ph/wpcontent/uploads/2016/07/
RA-IRR-2012-NEW-SEND-FILE-sept-10.pdf)
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Source Typical waste generators Types of solid wastes
Residential Single and multifamily dwellings Food wastes, paper, cardboard, plastics, textiles, leather,
yard wastes, wood, glass, metals, ashes, special wastes
(e.g., bulky items, consumer electronics, white goods,
batteries, oil, tires), and household hazardous wastes.).
Industrial Light and heavy manufacturing, fabrication, Housekeeping wastes, packaging, food wastes,
construction sites, power and chemical plants. construction and demolition materials, hazardous wastes,
ashes, special wastes.
Commercial Stores, hotels, restaurants, markets, office Paper, cardboard, plastics, wood, food wastes, glass,
buildings, etc. metals, special wastes, hazardous wastes.
Institutional Schools, hospitals, prisons, government centers. Same as commercial.
Construction and demolition New construction sites, road repair, renovation Wood, steel, concrete, dirt, etc.
sites, demolition of buildings
Municipal services Street cleaning, landscaping, parks, beaches, other Street sweepings; landscape and tree trimmings; general
recreational areas, water and wastewater treatment wastes from parks, beaches, and other recreational areas;
plants. sludge.
Process (manufacturing, etc.) Heavy and light manufacturing, refineries, Industrial process wastes, scrap materials, off-
chemical plants, power plants, mineral extraction specification products, slay, tailings.
and processing.
Agriculture Crops, orchards, vineyards, dairies, feedlots, Spoiled food wastes, agricultural wastes, hazardous
farms. wastes (e.g., pesticides).
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Hazardous Wastes

a. Substances that are without any safe commercial, industrial, agricultural or economic usage and are shipped,
transported or brought from the country or origin for dumping or disposal into or in transit through an part of the
territory of the Philippines

b. By-products, side-products, process residues, spent reaction media, contaminated plant or equipment or other
substances from manufacturing operations and as consumer discards of manufactured products which products
which present unreasonable risk and/or injury to health and safety and to the environment.

(Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990, R.A. 6969)
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Hazardous waste includes:

 Toxic chemicals and substances that may be flammable or radioactive.

 Industrial wastes coming from sources like chemical plants or nuclear reactors
 Wastes coming from agricultural activities like pesticide and fertilizers
 Residues from medical hospital facilities
 Debris from toxic paints and solvents. 
 Non-degradable wastes
May be defined as any solid, liquid, or gas that brings detrimental effects on human health and
the environment and is characterised as non-degradable
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Based on estimations, about 400 million metric tons of hazardous wastes are generated annually.
Any form of dealing with hazardous wastes such as:
• Utilizing Storing
• Transporting and
• Disposing of
 Threatens the environment and human health.
 Poses a severe threat to humans as even light exposure can cause serious illnesses such as cancer, congenital
disabilities, and the worst extent, death.
One of the most famous tragic nuclear accidents had wiped out 31 lives; 200,000 people suffered.
They were forced to evacuate and the released radioactive material in the atmosphere reached neighbouring countries as far as Norway and
the United Kingdom.
Long before Minamata bay incidence was discovered in the 1960s and 1970s, hazardous wastes were known to be disposed of legally in
landfills and different bodies of water.
Later on, rules and policies were imposed to regulate and control the materials that were utilized and disposed of. However, such
regulations are challenging to enforce, as the industry does not strictly follow them. 
Specifically, people are concerned about hazardous wastes that are radioactive coming from industries that create nuclear power and
weapons.
Even now, there is still no known method of safe and permanent disposal. The common way applied in dealing with this type of waste is
usually by keeping it in storage facilities located at the same sites they were generated.
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Sources of Hazardous Wastes

 Developing countries have used more hazardous waste for production and
consumption (chemicals and materials) than in developed countries.

 Most industries in developing countries use outdated and banned technologies that
operate poorly and produce hazardous wastes.