9.1. Environmental Pollution

Environmental pollution results from ‘the release of substances and energy from waste products of human activities. There are many types of pollution. They are classified on the basis of the medium through which pollutants are transported and diffused. Pollution can be classified into (i) air pollution, (ii) water pollution, (iii) land pollution and (iv) noise pollution.

Environmental pollution is essentially the contamination of natural resources due to human activities. It occurs when harmful substances are introduced into the environment, leading to negative health and ecological consequences. Pollution is categorized based on the medium, namely air, water, land, and noise, helping us understand its various forms and impacts.

Imagine a beautiful lake. If people throw waste into it or factories dump chemicals, the water becomes dirty and unsafe. Just like this lake, our atmosphere and land can also get 'dirty' through various pollutants, impacting all forms of life.

Indiscriminate use of water by increasing population and industrial expansion has led to degradation of the quality of water considerably. Surface water available from rivers, canals, lakes, etc. is never pure. It contains small quantities of suspended particles, organic and inorganic substances. When concentration of these substances increases, the water becomes polluted, and hence becomes unfit for use.

Water pollution is primarily caused by the misuse of water resources due to population growth and industrial activities. Natural water bodies, like rivers and lakes, are often mixed with harmful materials, making their water unsafe for drinking and other uses. The more these substances accumulate, the worse the pollution becomes, often overpowering nature’s ability to cleanse itself.

Think of a sponge soaking up water. Initially, it can absorb some dirt, but if you keep adding more dirt without cleaning it out, it gets overwhelmed and loses its function. Similarly, rivers can initially handle some pollution, but too much dirt makes them 'sick.'

Pollutants from human activities are the real causes of concern. Human beings pollute water through industrial, agricultural and cultural activities. Among these activities, industry is the most significant contributor. Toxic effluents from industries and agricultural runoff are primary sources of water contamination.

While natural events like rainfall and erosion can lead to water pollution, human actions are the most pressing threat. Industries discharge harmful chemicals into water bodies, while agricultural practices can lead to fertilizers and pesticides washing into rivers. These contaminants not only affect water quality but can also harm aquatic life and pose risks to human health.

Visualize a farmer who sprays a lot of pesticides on crops. After heavy rainfall, those chemicals wash off into nearby streams and rivers. It's like spilling coffee on a clean table—it stains and contaminates everything it touches, much like how pollutants disrupt natural water systems.

Water pollution is a source of various water-borne diseases. The diseases commonly caused due to contaminated water include diarrhoea, intestinal worms, hepatitis, etc. The World Health Organization shows that about one-fourth of the communicable diseases in India are water-borne.

The consequences of polluted water can be severe, resulting in a host of diseases which impact health, especially in vulnerable populations. In India, a significant portion of diseases resulting in illness and death can be traced back to contaminated water. Understanding this helps us appreciate the importance of maintaining clean water sources for public health.

Think of clean water as medicine. When you drink clean water, it keeps you healthy; however, when you're exposed to dirty water, it's like taking a poison that makes you sick. Just as we need medicine for good health, we need clean water to prevent disease.

Table 9.1: Types and Sources of Pollution

• Air Pollution: Oxides of sulphur (SO2, SO3), Oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, ammonia, lead, etc.
• Water Pollution: Odour, dissolved and suspended solids, ammonium, nitrate, toxic effluents from industries, etc.
• Land Pollution: Human and animal excreta, untreated industrial waste, pesticides, etc.
• Noise Pollution: High levels of noise from industries, transportation, and advertisements.

Pollution can take many forms, and each type affects our environment differently. Air pollution involves harmful gases and particles released into the atmosphere, water pollution contaminates our water bodies with chemicals and waste, land pollution involves degrading the soil through waste disposal and chemicals, while noise pollution stems from urban and industrial activities disrupting community living.

Imagine sitting in a crowded room—each type of pollution is like a different annoying sound. Air pollution is like smelly smoke from a fire, water pollution is like dirty water splashed on you, land pollution is when waste gets everywhere, and noise pollution feels like a constant loud party that never stops, making it hard to focus.

Major water polluting industries are leather, pulp and paper, textiles and chemicals. The main polluted stretches in the Ganga and Yamuna rivers include industrial pollution, domestic wastes, and agricultural runoff, which lead to significant health issues for those relying on these water sources.

The Ganga and Yamuna rivers, crucial to India's cultural and economic life, are heavily polluted due to various sources. Industries near these rivers discharge hazardous waste, leading to unsafe drinking water and health problems for millions. Additionally, untreated sewage from cities further contaminates these water bodies.

Consider these rivers like lifelines for the people living nearby. If those lifelines become clogged with waste, just as a clear stream can be obstructed by trash, it makes it difficult for people to rely on them for drinking and farming.

The Union Government has launched the ‘Namami Gange Programme’ to improve the conditions of the Ganga river through developing sewerage treatment systems, monitoring industrial effluents, and cleaning the river surface.

Recognizing the severe pollution of rivers, the government initiated efforts to restore them. This includes cleaning efforts, improving sewage systems, and raising public awareness about pollution prevention. These programs are crucial in ensuring that future generations inherit cleaner water sources.

Imagine a community coming together to clean up a park that has been littered with trash. Each person's effort helps restore the park, just like how government programs aimed to unite efforts for a cleaner river, leading to healthier ecosystems and communities.

Air pollution is taken as an addition of contaminants, like dust, fumes, gas, fog, odour, smoke, or vapour to the air which may be harmful to flora and fauna and property. Each year, air pollution causes numerous health issues including respiratory, nervous, and circulatory diseases.

Air pollution involves introducing harmful substances into the atmosphere, affecting not only human health but also plants and wildlife. Poor air quality can lead to respiratory illnesses, heart disease, and drinking problems, making it a critical environmental concern.

Just as smoking leads to a buildup of harmful substances in the lungs, air pollution leads to toxins accumulating in our environment, making it harder for both humans and animals to breathe and live healthily.

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