How to prevent Environmental Pollution?

One of the greatest problems that the world is facing today is of pollution, which is increasing day by day. Pollution is basically the introduction of contaminants into our environment that causes some adverse changes, thereby depleting or harming our natural environment. Pollution can either be in the form of chemical substance like toxic waste and harmful gasses or energy such as noise, heat or light. Pollution is the result of exponential growth and development in the nation without keeping in consideration our environment and taking proper health hazard preventive measure in industries and other pollution-causing devices such as automobile etc. By some means or the other, these pollutants hamper the quality of human life and tend to create an imbalance in our environment. Pollutants, the main components of pollution, can be either foreign substances/energies or naturally occurring contaminants.

It would not be wrong to say that pollution is the introduction of contaminants into our environment which may cause instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to our natural ecosystem that includes physical systems, resources, and living organisms. Pollutants, the elements of pollution as said earlier can be foreign substances or energies, or naturally occurring.  When these pollutants are naturally occurring, they can be considered as contaminants when they exceed certain natural levels and reach a level where they cause harm to our ecosystem. In the case of foreign particles, these can be particulate emissions or smoke emission from burning of fuels.

Environmental Pollution

Our environment basically has a threat from two types of pollution natural and man-made. Natural pollution, as then name specifies occurs naturally and does not cause excessive harm to our ecosystem and our lives due to its regeneration ability. On the other hand, the man-made pollution is a result of reckless human activities and is really hard to get rid of. The main causes of man-made pollution are human population and excessive technological growth. By the development of new technologies, human demands for the natural resources are increasing day by day. And it's very obvious that new technologies would also bring along some respective side effects besides their advantages which are mostly in the form of pollutants hampering our environment.

Pollution is a growing problem and is one of the main concern for humanity today in all parts of the world. Pollution is not a problem that came suddenly; it's because of human greed and inability to appreciate what they possess. Pollution has been a part of our life for many years. We must be really wise in managing our resources, and take positive action towards preserving them and preventing any forms of pollution to the environment and to make the world a better place to live. Environmental pollution is generally divided into six different types:

• Air Pollution
• Water Pollution
• Land Pollution
• Noise Pollution
• Radioactive Pollution
• Thermal Pollution

Effects of Pollution on Human Life

Pollution in our ecosystem can be very harmful to our environment, which in turn shows adverse effects on humans also. Adverse air quality can kill many organisms including humans if the level of the pollutant in air exceeds certain acceptable levels. Ozone pollution causes difficulty in breathing and can be a cause of many respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, throat inflammation, chest pain, and congestion. Water pollution which is caused by various toxic industrial wastes and people utilizing river water for improper reasons in an improper way causes approximately 14,000 deaths per day, mostly due to contamination of drinking water by untreated sewage in developing countries through the other cause is also prominent yet not fatal. It has been estimated that about 700 million people in Indian do not have an access to a proper toilet, and about 1,000 Indian children die of diarrhoea every day. The water of rivers and seas is being constantly polluted all over the world by various dangerous chemical and biological wastes. Various industries tend to discharge very harmful wastewaters into many rivers and sea thereby polluting them chemically. The water of the Ganges River has become extremely polluted and contains all sorts of dangerous bacteria because of biological wastes, so it is not the only industrialization that can be blamed for this. It is really very strange that a large number of the Indians regards this water as holy and still goes on polluting it. Some people even drink this water for salvation. There is no doubt that the fish that grow in such waters are poisonous too and consumption of that fish is dangerous too.

There are many other reasons also for pollution. Oil spills can cause skin irritations and rashes. Noise pollution arising from loud music, horns, traffic noise and industrial noises can cause hearing loss, high blood pressure, stress, and sleep disturbance. Air pollution is also a major concern and is a result of many natural and man-made causes. Smoke arising from industries contains toxic wastes extremely harmful for humans; older people are majorly exposed to diseases induced by air pollution. Those with heart or lung disorders are additionally under risk. Children and infants are also under serious risk from this type of pollution. Chemical and radioactive substances can cause cancer and as well as birth defects in human as well as animals.

The garbage in open emitting foul smell, untreated industrial waste lying in open, the decaying plants and animals also cause air pollution. Doctors advise the patients having lungs trouble to settle in some rural places because the air of villages is pure and free from the population and such kind of things. This type of pollution not only produces irritation due to the foul smell but is also a cause of many diseases and home for many disease-producing mosquitoes and flies.

If the air that we breathe, the water that we drink and the soil which produces crops, vegetables and fruits for us, all becomes polluted, then our chances of good healthy living become very small. Environment pollution is a serious menace to human existence which if not taken care of immediately would arise as a great threat to human existence in coming years.  Realizing the danger of pollution there is a serious need for some action.

Ways to Prevent Environment Pollution

The menace of pollution is rising day by day and is affecting humans in many ways. We cannot go back and cure for the things that we have done wrong but of course, we can take steps to make things better and to further prevent the degradation of our environment. This is a cause about which every country of this world is concerned and is also affecting them all. Environmental pollution is an exceptionally major global concern because of the harmful effects of pollution on the human health as well as the environment. Environmental pollution comes in various forms, such as air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, etc. making arrangements for preventing the onset of pollution in any area, i.e. be it on air, water or land can be the starting step and the simplest preventive solution to this huge problem. This may need a sincere effort to adopt good practices or habits by the people and the proper implementation of appropriate government laws and the strict compliance with these regulations, especially by potential industrial pollutants.

Everyone can help in environmental conservation through self-education and by adopting some good and healthy practices which prevent further depletion of our ecosystem. It is also important to raise awareness about the significance of environmental issues, their dire consequences and what can be done and make masses aware of the fact that what will happen if we do not start to conserve now. One person alone cannot save the planet’s biodiversity, but each individual’s effort to encourage nature’s wealth must not be underestimated. Hence it is not a bad idea to think that if I start rest would also follow, because the environment is something important for one and all, rich or poor, young or old. Every action of an individual in this regard has an effect- be it good, neutral or bad- on the environment. Nature is already providing humans with what they need. Whatever we do to it gets back to us. By becoming aware and doing the right action, we choose to be part of the solution which is the need of the hour. Some other ways are:

• Prevention and Controlling Air Pollution: Pollution in the air is the major source of contamination in our environment. There is a very urgent need to control this. Burning of leaves and crop in farmlands has already been banned by the government. There are several regulations set by the government for industries also, but the need is there to follow them also. Development of renewable sources should be promoted to reduce the burning of fuels. In industries, proper chimneys should be installed and waste gases before leaving the chimney should be made to pass through filters to prevent the toxins to enter our air. Also, there is a need to promote CNG using vehicles and to reduce the burning of petrol and diesel. Vehicles should be regularly checked for pollution emission and more use of public transport should be promoted.
• Prevention and Control of Water Pollution: Water is the core of a healthy ecosystem. The prevention and control of water pollution should consider reasonable development and utilization of regional water resources and the water cycle. The protection of drinking water source to safeguard the quantity and quality of water is very important for healthy living. To prevent water pollution sewerage treatment plants should be set up and bathing and washing on the banks of the river should be discouraged. Besides this industrial waste should not be dumped in rivers and those doing so should be penalized. Sewerage treatment plants must be established in the towns to ensure a minimum treatment of 90% of sewage (secondary treatment) and primary or secondary class sewerage treatment plants should be built in 80% of the central towns. Sludge disposal facilities should be installed for the need of sewerage treatment. In places where there is a need, small wastewater treatment facilities should be used to extract and treat sewerage directly to provide water for cleaning, irrigation, and municipal purpose. The pipes and network should be designed and built for the treatment of rainfall. Industries should be checked regularly to ensure proper disposal of chemical waste by them.
• Solid Waste Management: Waste management, reduction, recycles and safe treatment is few measures for an effective ecosystem. Effective measures as substitution of coal, control of one-shot products, simplifying commodity package, provision of pretreated vegetable to the urban area and advocating healthy consumption, must be taken to cut the production of industrial solid wastes, commercial garbage, and domestic refuse at the source and promote recycling. 90% of industrial solid waste should be reused by the process of industrial restructuring, improved the existing reuse system for coal ash and metallurgical residues and the provision of the treatment facilities. Further improvement for reuse shall be pursuit. A strict management system for hazardous waste should be developed to realize 100% safe treatment and disposal. The hazardous waste that cannot be treated on-site should be collected and treated in central treatment and disposal facilities. If needed new landfill site for solid hazardous waste management should be built. A centralized treatment facility for the treatment of medical waste should be provided. Supervision shall be tightened to prevent hazardous waste from being mixed with urban domestic refuse and serious punishment should be imposed in case of violation.
• Prevention and Control of Industrial Pollution: One of the major sources of pollution in the environment is the industries. Industries pollute the environment in every possible way. High noise level from industry leads to noise pollution, smoke arising is the cause of air pollution and waste contributes to solid and water pollution.
  The aim of the prevention and control of industrial pollution should be to substantially cut the harmful discharge from the industries. The primary approach may include implementation of total discharge quantity control program, application of life-cycle control and recycle economy, readjusting the industrial structure and layout, improvement of environmental management within the enterprise, the popularization of advanced technology, elimination of the outmoded technique and closing the enterprises with heavy pollution. It should be continued to control over pollution especially, the fugitive emission of air pollutants. More and more usage of green fuel and non-conventional sources should be promoted and subsidies should be given to those opting for it. Regular checks should be maintained and those found guilty should be immediately stopped from such practices.
• Noise Pollution: Noise in our atmosphere is also a source of pollution and may cause many health problems and temporary or permanent hearing impairments. In order to prevent noise pollution control over the noise caused by transportation, construction, machinery and social activity must be tightened. The motorway planning should give full consideration of traffic noise, at the proper sections, noise-deafening wall, noise-deafening structure and low-noise road surface and all motor rules should be effectively brought to follow by one and all. The large vehicles that enter the city limits during the night should be under strict control in the driving routes, pollution level, and speed. No blow from any kind of automobiles should be permitted within the school and hospital vicinity and no whistle from the train should be allowed in the sensitive areas of the cities. Residence along sections of the railway should not be planned and passed by the urban development authorities. Proper noise prevention guidelines should be issued and followed strictly by all.