Pollution

1. Pollution
Presented by : Roseline Hansda & Anumol Joseph
Programme : MSW Sem: 2
Course : Social Problems
BSSS College Bhopal

2. Index
 Introduction
 Facts
 Meaning &Definition
 Types
 Causes
 Consequences
 Approaches
 Legal provisions
 Initiatives of NGO’s
 Environmental NGO’s in India
 Suggestions
 Role of Social workers
 References

3. Introduction
• ‘We spray our elms, and the following spring, trees are silent of robin
song, not because we sprayed the robins directly but because the
poison traveled step by step through the now familiar elm-earthworm-
robin cycle’
– Rachael Carson
This quotation appeared in Rachael Carson’s book entitled Silent Spring. In the
years following the publication of Silent Spring in 1962, the book has inspired
controversy and has initiated a major change in thinking about the safety of using
pesticides and other toxic chemicals.

4. Facts
• Pollution is one of the biggest global killers, affecting over 100 million
people.(World Health Organization. "Climate change and health." 2014. Web Accessed April 25, 2015)
• Cleanups can save animals’ lives and discourage people from littering in the
future.
• Over 1 million seabirds and 100,000 sea mammals are killed by pollution every
year.(United Nations Environment Programme. "Marine Liter: Trash that Kills." Web Accessed April 25, 2015.)
• People who live in places with high levels of air pollutants have a 20% higher
risk of death from lung cancer than people who live in less-polluted areas.(Grens, Kerry.
"Air pollution tied to lung cancer in non-smokers." Thomas Reuters, 2011. Web Accessed April 25, 2015)
• While children make up 10% of the world’s population, over 40% of the global
burden of disease falls on them. More than 3 million children under age five die
annually from environmental factors.(Blacksmith Institute, Green Cross. "The World's Worst Pollution Problems: The
Top Ten of the Toxic Twenty." Web Accessed April 25, 2015)
• Recycling and composting prevented 85 million tons of material away from
being disposed of in 2010, up from 18 million tons in 1980. (U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency. "Non-Hazardous Waste | Basic Information." Web Accessed April 25, 2015)

5. Meaning & Definition
• The word pollution comes from the Latin word ‘polluere’ that simply
means contamination.
• Hence, in layman terms, pollution is something that contaminates the
environment.
• The presence of harmful substances in the air, land and water, which
can have an adverse effect on living beings and on the environment is
pollution.
• This occurs when only short-term economic gains are made at the
cost of the long-term ecological benefits for humanity.

6. Types
Air Pollution
• Air pollution refers to the release of harmful contaminants
(chemicals, toxic gases, particulates, biological molecules, etc.) into
the earth’s atmosphere.
• These contaminants are quite detrimental and in some cases, pose
serious health issues.
• Some causes that contribute to air pollution are, burning fossil fuels,
mining operations, exhaust gases from industries and factories

7. Water Pollution
• Water pollution is said to occur when toxic pollutants and
particulate matter are introduced into water bodies such as lakes,
rivers and seas. These contaminants are generally introduced by
human activities like improper sewage treatment and oil spills.
Some significant causes of water pollution are;
• Dumping solid wastes in water bodies
• Disposing untreated industrial sewage into water bodies
• Human and animal wastes
• Agricultural runoff containing pesticides and fertilizers

8. Soil Pollution
• Soil pollution, also called soil contamination, refers to the
degradation of land due to the presence of chemicals or other
man-made substances in the soil. The xenobiotic substances
alter the natural composition of soil and affect it negatively.
These can drastically impact life directly or indirectly.
Causes of soil pollution includes;
• Improper industrial waste disposal
• Oil Spills
• Acid rain which is caused by air pollution
• Mining activities
• Intensive farming and agrochemicals (like fertilizers and
pesticides)
• Industrial accidents

9. Marine Pollution
• Marine pollution is a combination of chemicals and trash, most of
which comes from land sources and is washed or blown into
the ocean. This pollution results in damage to the environment, to the
health of all organisms, and to economic structures worldwide.
Causes of marine pollution includes;
• Oil spills
• Intentional discharge
• Littering
• Ocean mining

10. Noise Pollution
Noise pollution refers to the excessive amount of noise in the
surrounding that disrupts the natural balance. Usually, it is man-
made, though certain natural calamities like volcanoes can
contribute to noise pollution.
Contributors of noise pollution are;
• Industry-oriented noises such as heavy machines, mills,
factories, etc.
• Transportation noises from vehicles, aero planes, etc.
• Construction noises
• Noise from social events (loudspeakers, firecrackers, etc.)
• Household noises (such as mixers, TV, washing machines, etc.)

11. Thermal Pollution
• Thermal pollution is any deviation from the natural temperature in a
habitat and can range from elevated temperatures associated with
industrial cooling activities to discharges of cold water into streams
below large impoundments.
Causes of Thermal Pollution
• Water as a Cooling Agent in Power, Manufacturing and Industrial
Plants

12. Nuclear hazards
• Nuclear hazards are threat posed by the invisible and odorless
contamination of the environment by the presence of
radioactive materials such as radio-nuclides in air water or soil.
• These radio-nuclides emit high energy particles (alpha and beta
rays) and electromagnetic radiations (gamma rays).
Causes of nuclear hazards are;
• Nuclear accidents from nuclear energy generation plants
• The use of nuclear weapons as weapons of mass destruction
• Use of radioisotopes
• Mining
• Spillage of Radioactive Chemicals

13. Causes
Air Pollution
• Vehicle Exhaust Fumes.
• Fossil Fuel-Based Power
Plants.
• Exhaust from Industrial
Plants and Factories.
• Construction and
Agricultural Activities.
• Natural Causes.
• Household Activities.
 Water Pollution
• Sewage Pollutants (Domestic
and Municipal Waste)
• Industrial Pollutants
• Oil pollution
• Acid Rain
• Radioactive and Thermal
Pollutants

14. Causes
Noise Pollution
• Industrialization
• Vehicles
• Events
• Construction sites
 Thermal Pollution
• Water as a cooling agent in
power, manufacturing and
industrial plants
• Soil erosion
• Deforestation
• Runoff from paved surfaces
• Natural causes
• Retention ponds
• Domestic sewage

15. Causes
 Soil Pollution
• Accidental spills and leaks
• Foundry activities
• Mining activities
• Construction Activities
• Agricultural activities
• Transportation activities
• Chemical waste dumping
• The storage of waste in
landfills
Marine Pollution
• Sewage
• Toxic chemicals from
industries
• Land Runoff
• Large Scale Oil Spills
• Ocean Mining
• Littering

16. Consequences
• Pollution continues to cause cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses.
• Long and short term exposure to air suspended toxicants has a different
toxicological impact on human including neuropsychiatric complications, the
eyes irritation, skin diseases, and long-term chronic diseases such as cancer.
• Pollution reduces the economic value of crops and leads to expensive cleaning of
cultural heritage.
• Pollution reduces plant biodiversity and affects other ecosystem services, such as
clean water, recreational activities and carbon storage.
• Pollution contributes to climate change, hence air pollution abatement policies
have co-benefits for climate change abatement policies..

17. Approaches/ Actions
Pollution prevention approaches include:
Pollution prevention (P2) is any practice that reduces, eliminates, or prevents
pollution at its source
• Reducing the use of water and chemical inputs.
• Adoption of less environmentally harmful pesticides or cultivation of crop
strains with natural resistance to pests.
• Implementing water and energy conservation practices.
• Reusing materials such as drums and pallets rather than disposing of them
as waste.
• Concept of sustainable development: “development that meets the needs of
the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs” e.g. wind energy, solar energy, crop rotation, green spaces.

18. Legal Provisions
1.The Water (Prevention &Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and its
amendments
2. The Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977 and its
amendments
3. The Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and its
amendments
4. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and its amendments
5. National Environmental Tribunal Act of 1995
6. National Environmental Appellate Authority Act of 1997
7. Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, July 1989
8.The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991.

19. Initiatives of NGO
• Conducting participatory rural appraisal.
• Being involved in the protection of human rights to have a clean environment.
• Protecting the natural resources and entrusting the equitable use of resources.
• Data generation on natural resources, time line history of villages.
• Analysis and monitoring of environmental quality.
• Transferring information through newsletters, brochures, articles, audio
visuals, etc.
• Organizing seminars, lectures and group discussion for promotion of
environmental awareness.
• Helping the villages administrative officials in preparation, application and
execution of projects on environmental protection.

20. Environmental NGOs in India
• Assam science society
• Bombay natural history society
• Centre for Environmental Education
(CEE)
• Centre for Science and Environment
(CSE)
• CPR Environmental Education Centre
• Kerala sastra sahitiya parishad
• Kalpavriksh
• Narmada bachao andalon
• Worldwide fund for nature India
• Tata Energy and Research Institute
(TERI)
• AWAAZ foundation
• Paryavaran Mitra

21. Reflection
• Pollution leaves a huge negative impact on our environment,
human lives, animals etc.
• We, as responsible citizens, must take steps towards a better
tomorrow.
• We must join hands to take various initiatives and fight against this
problem.

22. Suggestions
• Choosing a mode of transportation which causes less pollution
• Using energy sources like water, air and solar energy for production
of power.
• Using reusable water bottles instead of throw-always
• Automatically turning off lights when not in use
• Repairing leaky faucets and hoses
• Switching to "green" cleaners
• Using organic manures and organic pesticide
in farmland.
3R principle
 Reduce
 Reuse
 Recycle

23. Role of Social Workers
• Social workers can serve as catalysts. Social workers have worked and are
working to effect a positive change in the lives of people by facilitating change in
them.
• Creating Awareness: Social workers can play a important role in advocating the
cause of Environment Conservation and Sustainable Development
• Social Workers are expected to address social issues related to development and
environment
• Social Workers can develop familiarity with conservation issues and programmes
both at micro and macro level.
• Interventions based on social work principles can be developed and implemented
to deal with environmental issues.
• Many of the problems and ill effects of environmental degradation can be
effectively addressed by adopting a policy of sustainable development.

24. Environmentalists in India
• Jadav Payeng Also known as the ‘forest man of India,’ Jadav Payeng
comes from the state of Assam. His contribution as an environmentalist
entails creating a 550 hectare long man-made forest all by himself.
• Sumaira Abdulali, was born into a family of environmentalists and has been
working towards environmental protection since 2002. For more than a
decade, she has contributed extensively to two issues that impact the
environment, namely, sand mining and noise pollution.
• Salim Ali Also known as the ‘Birdman of India,’ Ali was a naturalist and
ornithologist. His contribution as an environmentalist encompassed
conducting systematic surveys of birds in India. He also played a significant
role in the creation of Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary and the protection of the
Silent Valley National Park.
• Rajendra Singh Also known as the ‘waterman of India,’ Rajendra Singh has
worked towards the goal of efficient water management and harvesting.
• Medha Patkar is one of the most famous environmentalists in India since she
initiated the ‘Narmada Bachao Aandolan’ and her work has played an
instrumental role in changing the Indian environmental processes.

25. • Marimuthu Yoganathan Also known as ‘Tree man of India,’ Yoganathan is a
Coimbatore bus driver who has planted around three lakh saplings over the past 30
years. He has contributed over 40% of his salary to contribute to the purpose of
protecting the environment.
• Mike Pandey Mike Pandey is a film-maker who specializes in environment and
wildlife films. His movie, ‘Vanishing Giants’ played a crucial role in banning the
harsh and outdated techniques for capturing elephants. He also played an important
role in creating awareness about the Whale Shark and its conversation.
• Kinkri Devi is a famous activist and environmentalist of India who waged a war on
the illegal quarrying and mining in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Kinkri Devi was a
sweeper who lived in deplorable conditions, however, she made continuous efforts to
protect the environment.
• M. C. Mehta as a public interest attorney, Mehta filed several petitions which
brought about monumental changes for the Indian environment. M. C. Mehta played
a key role in curbing the industrial pollution which was polluting the Ganges and
corroding the Taj Mahal.
• M. S. Swaminathan Known as the ‘Father of India’s Green Revolution.
Swaminathan worked on agricultural research and plant genetics. His work led to the
production of a high-technology invention in the wheat crops which paved the way
for the Indian Green Revolution.

26. References
• http://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/pollution
• http://eschooltoday.com/pollution/air-pollution/causes-of-air-
pollution.html
• http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1890/1051-
0761(1998)008%5B0559:NPOSWW%5D2.0.CO;2/full
• http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dep/air/aq/health-and-env-effects-
air-pollutions.pdf

27. Thank You…..