PollutionWATER, NOISE AND AIR

By Sunil Jose

What is pollution ?• Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into an

environment that causes instability, disorder, harm or

discomfort to the ecosystem i.e. physical systems or

living organisms. Pollution can take the form of

chemical substances, or energy, such as noise, heat,

or light energy.

• Pollutants, the elements of pollution, can be

foreign substances or energies, or naturally

occurring; when naturally occurring, they are

considered contaminants when they exceed

natural levels. Pollution is often classed as point

source or nonpoint source pollution.

AIR POLLUTION

1. Air Pollution

• Air pollution occurs when gases, dust particles,

fumes (or smoke) or odour are introduced into

the atmosphere in a way that makes it harmful

to humans, animals and plant. This is because

the air becomes dirty (contaminated or

unclean).

• Anything additional gas, particles or odours that are introduced into the air (either by nature or human activity) to destroy this natural balance can be called air pollution. • Things that pollute the air are called pollutants.• Examples• nitrogen oxides,• carbon monoxides,• hydrocarbons, • sulphur oxides (usually from factories),• sand or dust particles, and organic compounds that

can evaporate and enter the atmosphere.

1.1 Causes of air pollution • Industries and Manufacturing

• Manufacturing companies that have long tube called chimneys

erected high into the air, with lots of smoke and fumes coming

out of it. Waste incinerators, manufacturing industries and

power plants emit high levels of carbon monoxide, organic

compounds, and chemicals into the air. This happen almost

everywhere that people live. Petroleum refineries also release

lots of hydrocarbons into the air

Burning Fossil Fuels

• Cars and heavy duty trucks, train, shipping vessels

and airplanes all burn lots of fossil fuels to work.

This is a major cause of pollution, and one that is

very difficult to manage. This is because humans

rely heavily on vehicles and engines for

transporting people, good and services.

Household and Farming Chemicals

• Crop dusting, fumigating homes, household

cleaning products or painting supplies, over the

counter insect/pest killers, fertilizer dust emit

harmful chemicals into air and cause pollution. In

many case, when we use these chemicals at home

or offices with no or little ventilation, we may fall ill

if we breathe them.

• http://earthjournalism.net/resources/air-pollution-outdoor

• The World Health Organization has a large collection

of information that can help journalists who are

reporting on outdoor air pollution.

• This includes a detailed fact-sheet and air quality

guidelines for various pollutants in all world regions,

which are available in Arabic, Chinese, English,

French, Russian and Spanish.

• Other useful sources include the Air Pollution and

Climate Secretariat, an alliance of four Swedish

environmental organizations, and Earthwire, which

is tracks news stories about air pollution.

WATER POLLUTION

2. Water pollution• Water pollution occurs when pollutants (particles,

chemicals or substances that make water contaminated) are

discharged directly or indirectly into water bodies without

enough treatment to get rid of harmful compounds.

Pollutants get into water mainly by human causes or

factors. Any change or modification in the physical,

chemical and biological properties of water that will have a

detrimental consequence on living things is water pollution

2.2 Types of water pollution

• Water comes from many sources. This means they

can be polluted in many scenarios. Let's see a few

types of water pollution:

• Nutrients Pollution

• Some wastewater, fertilizers and sewage contain

high levels of nutrients. If they end up in water

bodies, they encourage algae and weed growth in

the water. This will make the water undrinkable, and

even clog filters. Too much algae will also use up all

the oxygen in the water, and other water organisms

in the water will die out of oxygen from starvation.

Surface water pollution

• Surface water includes natural water found on the

earth's surface, like rivers, lakes, lagoons and

oceans. Any kind of activity that pollutes these

surface waters can be called surface water

pollution.

• Oxygen Depleting

• Water bodies have micro-organisms. These include

aerobic and anaerobic organisms. When to much

biodegradable matter (things that easily decay) end up

in water, it encourages more microorganism growth,

and they use up more oxygen in the water. If oxygen is

depleted, aerobic organisms die, and anaerobic

organism grow more to produce harmful toxins such as

ammonia and sulfides

• Ground water pollution

• When humans apply pesticides and chemicals to

soils, they are washed deep into the ground by rain

water. This gets to underground water.

• This means when we dig wells and bore holes to

get water from underground, it needs to be

checked for ground water pollution

• Microbiological

• In many communities in the world, people drink

untreated water (straight from a river or stream).

Sometimes there is natural pollution caused by

microorganisms like viruses, bacteria and protozoa. This

natural pollution can cause fishes and other water life to

die. They can also cause serious illness to humans who

drink from such waters. This is called microbiological

pollution.

• Suspended Matter

• Some pollutants (substances, particles and

chemicals) do not easily dissolve in water. This kind

of material is called particulate matter. Some

suspended pollutants later settle under the water

body. This can harm and even kill aquatic life that

live at the floor of water bodies

• Chemical Water Pollution

• Many industries and farmers work with chemicals

that end up in water. These include chemicals that

are used to control weeds, insects and pests.

Metals and solvents from industries can pollute

water bodies. These are poisonous to many forms

of aquatic life and may slow their development,

make them infertile and kill them.

• Oil Spillage

• Oil spills usually have only a localized affect on

wildlife but can spread for miles. The oil can cause

the death of many fish and stick to the feathers of

seabirds causing them to lose the ability to fly.

2.3.Causes of water pollution• Industrial waste• Sulphur• Asbestos• Lead and Mercury• Nitrates & Phosphates• Oils

• Septic Tanks• Ocean and marine dumping• Oil Pollution• Underground storage and tube leakages.• Atmospheric

2.4. Effect of water pollution• Death of aquatic (water) animals

• Disruption of food-chains

• Diseases

• Destruction of ecosystems

• http://earthjournalism.net/resources/water-pollution

Sources of news, contacts and story ideas include

Circle of Blue, an international network of journalists,

scientists and communicators who share information

publish Water News, which is updated daily online.

• Other good sources of information for journalists

include the many different UN agencies whose

work relates in some way to water. UN Water exists

to improve links between these agencies. Its

website includes factsheets and other information

for journalists.

NOISE POLLUTIONS

3.Noise Pollution• Sound is essential to our daily lives, but noise is not.

Noise is generally used as an unwanted sound, or sound

which produces unpleasant effects and discomfort on

the ears. Sound becomes unwanted when it either

interferes with normal activities such as sleeping,

conversation, or disrupts or diminishes one’s quality of

life. Not all noise can be called noise pollution. If it does

not happen regularly, it may be termed as 'Nuisance'

Noise (or sound) is measured in the units of decibels

and is denoted by the dB. Noise which is more than

115 dB is intolerant. The industrial limit of sound in

the industries must be 75 dB according to the World

Health Organization.

Foundations and Agencies• EPA- Environmental Protection Agency• TCN- Technical Committee on Noise• HORN- Halt Outrageous Railroad Noise

3.1.Causes of Noise Pollution

• Rail noise.• Aircraft noise.• Construction site.• Factory machinery.• Power tools / lighting.• Transportation systems.• Construction equipment.• Audio entertainment system

3.2 Effects of Noise Pollution• Deafness.• Decrease in the efficiency in working.• Fatigue caused is another effect of noise.• Too much of noise disturbs the rhythms of working,

thereby affecting the concentration required for doing a work.• Noise of traffic or the loud speakers or different

types of horns divert the attention, thus causing harm in the working standard.• Noise pollution acts as a stress invigorator,

increasing the stress levels among people.

• People can be victims of certain diseases like blood

pressure, mental illness.

• Noise pollution indirectly affects the vegetation. Plants

require cool & peaceful environment to grow. Noise

pollution causes poor quality of crops.

• Animals are susceptible to noise pollution as well. It

damages the nervous system of the animals.

• Noise indirectly weakens the edifice of buildings, bridges

and monuments. It creates waves, which can be very

dangerous and harmful and put the building in danger

condition

The Air (Prevention and control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Rules,

1995.• These regulations are enacted for prevention and

control of pollution in air. These are applicable to all

places of work including factories covered under

the Factories Act 1948. The Central and State

Pollution Control Boards are the enforcing agencies.

Some of the duties of these authorities include:

• grant No Objection Certificate to industries

• setting standards for industrial pollution in the

ambient air

• monitoring, analysis and conducting investigations

regarding air pollution.

The enforcement is carried out by the State Pollution

Control Boards through qualified engineers and

scientists.

• The occupiers of factories are required to ensure

that amount of pollutants released in the ambient

air do not exceed the permissible limits prescribed

under the statutes. However, there are no

provisions relating to monitoring and control of

airborne concentration of pollutants at the source

as well as in the work room. The statutes also do

not prescribe the precautions to be taken to protect

workers against harmful airborne substance.

The Water(Protection and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Water

(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Rules 1995.

• These Rules are enacted for prevention and control

of pollution in water courses. These are applicable

to all places of work including factories covered

under the Factories Act. The Central and State

Pollution Control Boards are the enforcing agencies.

Some of the duties of the enforcement authorities

include:

• providing technical guidance

• monitoring, analysis and conducting investigations

regarding water pollution

• setting standards for industrial effluents in water.

• The enforcement is carried out by state boards

through the qualified engineers and scientists

appointed for that purpose.

•

• As per the requirement of this statutes the

occupier of the factories are required to ensure

that amount of effluents in the water let out do

not exceed the permissible limits. However, there

are no provisions relating to control of harmful

substances during use, handling and

transportation as well as safety precautions to be

taken in order to protect workers against exposure

to these substances.

POWER OF POLLUTIONBHOPAL GAS TRAGEDY

A CASE STUDY

BACKGROUND• In 1969, Union Carbide India Ltd. (Parent Co. UCC -

50.9% stake) set up a small plant in Bhopal, capital city of

M.P. to formulate pesticides.

• Bhopal facility was part of India’s Green Revolution

aimed to increase productivity of crops.

• Until 1979,the UCIL used to import MIC (Methyl

Isocynate) from the parent co. in U.S.

• After 1979,it decided to manufacture its own MIC.

• Organic ,volatile, flammable & poisonous chemical used in

pesticide production.

• Little lighter than water but twice as heavy as air

• Ability to react with many substances: water, acids, metals, small

deposits of corrosive materials that accumulate in pipes, tanks &

valves.

• Highly toxic to humans & short term exposure can cause death,

respiratory diseases, ophthalmic problems, neurological

disorders etc.

GREATEST INDUSTRIAL DISASTER IN HISTORY

• On the night of Dec 3,1984, a dangerous chemical reaction occurred into

UCIL factory when a large amount of water seeped into the MIC storage

tank.

• The leak was identified but staff inadequacies prevented any containment.

• Result: About 40 tons of MIC poured out of the tank for nearly 2 hours &

escaped into the air, spreading within 8 hours downwind over the city of

nearly 9 lakh.

• Thousands of people were killed in their sleep & lakhs remain injured or

affected. Most seriously affected were the densely populated nearby slum

colonies around the plant near the Bhopal Rly. Station.

SAFETY & MAINTENANCE STANDARDS• Different for Bhopal plant & West Virginia (U.S.) plant. No

computerized data loggers.

• Unreliable temp.& pressure gauges.

• No effective warning system.

• Gas leaks detected by workers reporting tearing & burning

sensation in their eyes.

• Inadequate safety & maintenance procedures.

• Several minor accidents reported earlier.

• Most technicians poorly trained & inexperienced.

LAXITY OF INDIAN RULES & REGULATIONS

• UCIL was able to operate its deteriorating plant because

industrial safety & environmental laws & regulations were

lacking making state of M.P. or the Indian Govt. indirectly

responsible for the tragedy.

NEGLIGENCE OF UNION CARBIDE

• Co. made no effort to communicate the risk to the public.

• No emergency response plans practiced.

• When MIC was released , the co. insisted there was no leak.

Public alarm was not sounded until hours later.

• UCIL provided misleading information on treatment for the

toxic effects of MIC, resulting in inadequate treatment by

local doctors.

• UCC never publicly accepted liability for the Bhopal

catastrophe.

STRATEGY OF UNION CARBIDE

• Strategy for negotiation focused on a fixed settlement

(supreme court-Oct 1991,$470 million) that would allow

them to walk away from Bhopal & its victims.

• UCC fought hard to ensure the legal battle took place in

India & lawsuits filed in U.S. courts were rejected on the

basis that the disaster occurred in the plant in India, the

victims were Indian & UCIL-which ran the plant was a

subsidiary of UCC.

• UCC was able to delay the legal process in India.

LEGAL STANDING • Following the disaster, Govt. of India passed the Bhopal Gas Leak

Disaster (Processing of claims) Act,1985.

• The act gave power to the central govt. to represent all claimants in

appropriate forums, appoint a welfare commissioner & other staff & to

discharge duties connected with hearing of the claims & distribution of

compensation.

• Indian Supreme Court ordered the dismissal of all civil & criminal

charges against Carbide & its officers & gave them immunity from future

prosecution.

• The Supreme Court felt ,the victims needed immediate relief, not

further legal delay.

LEGAL STANDING (contd.)

• International law at present plays no role in a Bhopal scenario.

• A change in Govt. prompted the court case to be reopened.

• Criminal proceedings against UCC & Warren Andersen (chairman

of UCC at the time of catastrophe) have been pending since 1992

in India.

• UCC continues to maintain that all personal injury & related

claims were settled in 1989 & have refused to respond to any

summons from the Indian Court.

• UCC has been deemed fugitive/absconder.