Environmental Pollution
effects of noise pollution
- According to USEPA, there are direct links between noise and health. Also, noise pollution adversely affects the lives of millions of people. - Noise pollution can damage physiological and psychological health. - High blood pressure, stress related illness, sleep disruption, hearing loss, and productivity loss are the problems related to noise pollution. - It can also cause memory loss, severe depression, and panic attacks
What are the consequences of air pollution?
- CO2 is a good transmitter of sunlight, but it also partially restricts infrared radiation going back from the earth into space, which produces the so called greenhouse effect that prevents a drastic cooling of the Earth during the night. - CO2 in atmosphere --> GLOBALWARMING
What are the causes of air pollution?
- Carbon dioxide - this happens because of deforestation and fossil fuel burning. - Sulfur dioxide - Due to the burning of sulfur containing compounds of fossil fuels. - Sulfur oxides - very dangerous to humans at a high concentration. Sulfur in the atmosphere is responsible for acid rain.
Four main causes of land pollution:
- Construction - Agriculture - Domestic waste - Industrial Waste
Sources of water pollution
- Municipal Waste Water - Industrial - In-organic Pollutants - Organic Pollutants - Agricultural Wastes - Marine Pollution التلوث البحري - Thermal pollution
Solutions for noise pollution
- Planting bushes and trees in and around sound generating sources is an effective solution for noise pollution. - Regular servicing and tuning of automobiles can effectively reduce the noise pollution - Social awareness programs should be taken up to educate the public about the causes and effects of noise pollution. - Workers should be provided with equipment such as ear plugs and earmuffs for hearing protection. - Similar to automobiles, lubrication of the machinery and servicing should be done to minimize noise generation. - Soundproof doors and windows can be installed to block unwanted noise from outside. - Regulations should be imposed to restrict the usage of play loudspeakers in crowded areas and public places. - Factories and industries should be located far from the residential areas.
Types of pollution:
- water pollution - air pollution - land pollution - noise pollution
sources of noise pollution
-Transportation systems are the main source of noise pollution in urban areas. -Construction of buildings, highways, and streets cause a lot of noise, due to the usage of air compressors, bulldozers, loaders, dump trucks, and pavement breakers. -Industrial noise also adds to the already unfavorable state of noise pollution. -Loud speakers, plumbing, boilers, generators, air conditioners, fans, and vacuum cleaners add to the existing noise pollution.
What is an air pollutant?
A substance in the air that can cause harm to humans and the environment
What is a pollutant?
Any substance causing disturbance or harmful effects or uneasiness to the organisms
Agriculture
As there are more and more people inhabiting the earth, food is in higher demand and so forests are chopped down and turned into farmland In addition, herbicides, pesticides, artificial fertilizers, animal manure are washed into the soil and pollute it.
Construction
Buildings take up resources and land, the trees are chopped down and used to make buildings. Takes away the places for animals and other organisms to live.
What are the uses of fresh water?
It is used for drinking, domestic and municipal uses, agricultural, irrigation, industries, navigation, recreation. The used water becomes contaminated and is called waste water.
Is water pollution man made or does it happen naturally?
Most of Water Pollution is man made It may also occur naturally by addition of soil particles through erosion animal wastes and leaching of minerals from rocks.
World Health Organization (WHO) STATED THAT
Noise must be recognized as a major threat to human wellbeing
Marine Pollution
Oceans are the final sink of all natural and manmade pollutants. Rivers discharge their pollutants into the sea. The sewage and garbage of costal cities are also dumped into the sea. The other sources include, discharge of oils, grease, detergents, and radioactive wastes from ships.
Industrial Waste
Plastics factories, chemical plants, oil refineries, nuclear waste disposal activity, large animal farms, coal-fired power plants, metals production factories and other heavy industry all contribute to land pollution.
thermal pollution
Thermal Pollution of water is caused by the rise in temperature of water. The main source of thermal pollution are the thermal and nuclear power plants. The power generating plants use water as coolants and release hot water into the original source. Sudden rise in temperature kills fish and other aquatic animals.
organic pollutants
They Include oils, fats, phenols, organic acids grease and several other organic compounds
inorganic pollutants
They include fine particles of different metals, chlorides, sulphates, oxides of iron, cadmium, acids and alkalies.
Domestic Waste
Tons of domestic waste is dumped every day. Some waste from homes, offices and industries can be recycled or burnt. There is still a lot of garbage, such as refrigerators and washing machines that are dumped in landfills simply because they cannot be reused in anyway, nor recycled
What are the major causes of land pollution?
Urbanization and industrialization
Water pollution
alteration in physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of water through natural or human activities and making it unsuitable for its designated use.
What is environmental pollution?
any undesirable change in physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of any component of the environment i.e. air, water, soil which can cause harmful effects on various forms of life or property.
What is noise pollution?
excessive, displeasing human, animal, or machine-created environmental noise that disrupts the activity or balance of human or animal life.
What is Pollution?
influence of any substance causing disturbance, harmful effects, and uneasiness to the organisms
What is land pollution?
the demolition of Earth's land surfaces often caused by human activities and their misuse of land resources. It occurs when waste is not disposed properly.
What is air pollution?
the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or cause damage to the natural environment or built environment, into the atmosphere.
What is the major source of water pollution?
the waste water discharged from industries and commercial bodies, these industries are chemical, metallurgical, food processing industries, textile, paper industries. They discharge several organic and inorganic pollutants. That prove highly toxic to living beings. (Industrial waste)
Agricultural wastes
they have become a potential source of water pollution. These fertilizers contain major plants nutrients mainly nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Excess fertilizers may reach the ground water by leaching or may be mixed with surface water of rivers, lakes and ponds by runoff and drainage.
when does sound become undesirable?
when it disturbs the normal activities such as working, sleeping, and during conversations.