POLLUTION

DEFINITION

Is 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. Is the contamination of the atmosphere by gaseous, liquid, or solid wastes or by-products that can endanger the health and welfare of humans, plants, and animals.

AIR POLLUTANTS

An air pollutant is known as a substance in the air that can cause harm to humans and the environment. Pollutants can be in the form of solid particles, liquid droplets, or gases. In addition, they may be natural or man-made. Pollutants can be classified as primary or secondary.

Primary pollutants are directly emitted from a process Secondary pollutants are not emitted directly. Rather, they form in the air when primary pollutants react or interact.

Major primary pollutants produced by human activity include:

Sulfur oxide (SOx) - produced by volcanoes and in various industrial processes. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) - Can be seen as the brown haze dome above or plume downwind of cities. Carbon monoxide - is a colorless, odorless, non-irritating but very poisonous gas. It is a product by incomplete combustion of fuel. Carbon dioxide (CO2) - a colorless, odorless, non-toxic greenhouse gas associated with ocean acidification, emitted from sources such as combustion, cement production, and respiration. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) - harmful to the ozone layer emitted from products currently banned from use.

HEALTH EFFECTS

The extent to which an individual is harmed by air pollution usually depends on the total exposure to the damaging chemicals, i.e., the duration of exposure and the concentration of the chemicals must be taken into account. Examples of short-term effects include irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, and upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Other symptoms can include headaches, nausea, and allergic reactions. Long-term health effects can include chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart disease, and even damage to the brain, nerves, liver, or kidneys. Continual exposure to air pollution affects the lungs of growing children and may aggravate or complicate medical conditions in the elderly. It is estimated that half a million people die prematurely every year in the United States as a result of smoking cigarettes.

PREVENTION

Prevention is a key to controlling air pollution, It plays an essential role in reducing and preventing air pollution in the environment. Adequate ventilation is also a key to controlling exposure to indoor air pollution. Home and work environments should be monitored for adequate air flow and proper exhaust systems installed. One of the most dangerous air pollutants is cigarette smoke. Restricting smoking is an important key to a healthier environment.

WATER POLLUTION

Contamination of water by foreign matter such as microorganisms, chemicals and industrial or other wastes, or sewage.

MAJOR POLLUTANTS OF WATER

Sewage and other oxygen-demanding wastes.

Untreated sewage discharged into rivers and lakes contain bacteria Large scale accidental discharges of petroleum products are an important cause of pollution along shorelines Some industries dump large amounts of their waste products into the river and streams

Petroleum, especially from oil spills.

Industrial wastes

Fertilizers.

With the demand for more corps due to increase in population, chemical fertilizers were used to promote abundant harvests
Chemicals used to kill pests that destroy our crops Consists of soil and mineral particles washed by the storms and flood water from croplands Come from the wastes of uranium and thorium mining and refining. May also be considered a pollutant when increased temperature in bodies of water.

Pesticides

Sediments

Radio active substances

Heat

LAND POLLUTION

Is the degradation of earths land surfaces often used by human activities and their misuse of land resources.

CAUSES OF LAND POLLUTION:

Increase in urbanization. Construction uses up forestland. More constructions means increase in demand for raw materials like timber. This leads to the exploitation and destruction of forests. There is more demand for water. Reservoirs are built leading to the loss of land. Increase in agricultural land. As the human population grew there was a greater demand for food. This caused more land allocated to agriculture. Forests were cut down for this purpose. Industrial activities. Industrial activities also are a contributing factor to land pollution. For example, in open cast mining, huge holes are dug in the ground and these form dangerously deep mining pools. Heaps of mining waste are left behind and these waste often contain several poisonous substances that will contaminate the soil.

Domestic waste. Every single day, tons and tons of domestic waste is dumped ranging from huge pieces of rubbish such as unused refrigerator to fish bones. If all these wastes are not disposed of properly, the damage they can do to the environment and humankind can be devastating. While waste collected from homes, offices and industries may be recycled or burnt in incinerators, a large amount of rubbish is neither burnt nor recycled but is left in certain areas marked as dumping grounds. We throw away more things today and there is an increase in the quantity of solid waste. This has given rise to problems as new dumping grounds have to be found. Agricultural activities. Besides domestic waste, pesticides and herbicides used by farmers to increase crop yields also

EFFECTS OF LAND POLLUTION

exterminates wild life acid rain kills trees and other plants. vegetation that provides food and shelter is destroyed. it can seriously disrupt the balance of nature, and, in extreme cases, can cause human fatalities. pesticides can damage crops; kill vegetation; and poison birds, animals, and fish

REDUCING LAND POLLUTION

encourage organic farming proper garbage disposal recycle garbage reduce use of herbicides and pesticides Avoid over-packaged items efficient utilization of resources and reducing wastage

END OF THE REPORT

Presented by: Mishael A. Casim Shailame Pananggulon Sarah Jane Puntuan