Environmental pollution refers to the presence or introduction of harmful substances and pollutants into the natural environment that cause adverse effects on living organisms, ecosystems, and the environment as a whole. It can take many forms, including air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, and noise pollution.

Air pollution is caused by the release of gases and particles into the atmosphere, primarily by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, industrial processes, and transportation. These pollutants can have serious health effects on humans and animals, as well as contribute to climate change.

Water pollution occurs when harmful substances are discharged into bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, and oceans, through industrial and agricultural activities, sewage and wastewater disposal, and oil spills. Water pollution can harm aquatic life, affect water quality and availability, and pose risks to human health.

Soil pollution refers to the contamination of soil by toxic chemicals, such as heavy metals, pesticides, and industrial waste, which can have harmful effects on plant growth and soil fertility, as well as pose risks to human health through exposure to contaminated soil and food.

Noise pollution is caused by excessive or unwanted sound, such as traffic noise, industrial noise, and loud music, which can cause hearing loss, sleep disturbances, and other health effects.

Environmental pollution is a major global problem that requires collective action to address. It is a threat to the health and well-being of all living beings, and efforts are needed to reduce pollution levels and promote sustainable development practices.

Air Pollution:

Air pollution refers to the presence or introduction of harmful substances and pollutants into the atmosphere that cause adverse effects on living organisms, ecosystems, and the environment as a whole. These pollutants can be in the form of gases, particles, or biological molecules.

Sources of air pollution include both human activities and natural phenomena. Human activities that contribute to air pollution include burning fossil fuels, industrial processes, transportation, agriculture(soot), and waste disposal. Natural sources include volcanic eruptions, dust storms, and wildfires, pollens.

Air pollution can have a range of harmful effects on human health, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, as well as negative impacts on crops and ecosystems. The most common air pollutants include particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), and carbon monoxide (CO).

Particulate matter (PM) is a type of air pollutant consisting of tiny particles that can be inhaled into the lungs and cause harm to human health. These particles can be either solid or liquid, and they come in a range of sizes, from coarse particles like dust and pollen to fine particles that are so small they can only be seen with an electron microscope.Fine particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) are particularly harmful as they can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing serious respiratory problems. Coarse particles with a diameter of less than 10 micrometers (PM10) can cause respiratory problems and are less harmful than fine particles.

Particulate matter can come from natural sources such as dust and wildfires, but most of it is generated by human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, industrial processes, and transportation. Some common sources of particulate matter include vehicle exhaust, power plants, and construction sites.

Exposure to particulate matter can cause a range of health problems, including respiratory and cardiovascular disease, and can lead to premature death in vulnerable populations such as the elderly, young children, and people with pre-existing health conditions. To reduce exposure to particulate matter, it is important to take steps such as using air filters in homes and workplaces, reducing car and truck emissions, and avoiding outdoor activities during times of high pollution.

Indoor Air Pollution:

Indoor air pollution refers to the presence of harmful pollutants in the air inside buildings, including homes, offices, schools, and other enclosed spaces. These pollutants can come from a variety of sources, including cooking, heating, cleaning products, tobacco smoke, and building materials.

Common indoor air pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, and radon gas. Exposure to these pollutants can cause a range of health problems, including respiratory and cardiovascular disease, allergies, and asthma.

Indoor air pollution is a significant problem worldwide, particularly in developing countries where people may rely on traditional cooking methods, such as burning wood or charcoal, for heat and cooking. Poor ventilation and inadequate building design can also contribute to indoor air pollution.

To reduce exposure to indoor air pollution, it is important to improve ventilation in buildings, reduce the use of harmful chemicals and tobacco, and use energy-efficient appliances and building materials. Regular cleaning and maintenance of heating and cooling systems can also help to improve indoor air quality.

Major Effects of Air Pollution:

Air pollution has adverse effects on entire ecosystems, including plants, animals, and humans. Haze, a type of visible air pollution similar to smog, can obscure colors and shapes and muffle sounds. The pollution particles eventually fall back to the ground, contaminating bodies of water and soil, which can harm crops and young trees.

Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide particles present in the air can mix with water and oxygen to create acid rain. These pollutants primarily come from motor vehicles and coal-fired power plants. Acid rain damages plants by altering soil composition, affects water quality in rivers, lakes, and streams, and causes decay of buildings and monuments.

Exposure to air pollution can cause health problems in animals similar to those in humans. Air pollution has been linked to birth defects, diseases, and reduced reproductive rates in animals.

Global Warming:

Global warming is a phenomenon caused by both natural and anthropogenic air pollution, which leads to an increase in air and ocean temperatures worldwide. This temperature rise is due, in part, to an increase in the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which trap heat energy and prevent it from escaping into space.

Carbon dioxide, emitted primarily by burning fossil fuels such as coal, gasoline, and natural gas, is the most significant greenhouse gas causing global warming. Human reliance on fossil fuels to power cars, planes, and factories has resulted in air pollution with carbon dioxide.

Other greenhouse gases emitted by natural and artificial sources include methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases. Methane is a major emission from coal plants and agricultural processes, while nitrous oxide is commonly emitted by industrial factories, agriculture, and the burning of fossil fuels in vehicles. Fluorinated gases, such as hydrofluorocarbons, are often used by industry as a substitute for ozone-depleting gases like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which have been banned in many countries.

To combat global warming, many countries worldwide have taken steps to reduce or limit greenhouse gas emissions. The Kyoto Protocol, an agreement between 183 countries, was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997 with the aim of reducing carbon dioxide emissions. However, the United States has not signed this treaty.

Managing Air Pollution:

Particulate control methods include mechanical collectors such as dust cyclones and multicyclones, electrostatic precipitators (ESPs), and particulate scrubbers. ESPs use an induced electrostatic charge to remove particles from a flowing gas, such as air. They are highly efficient at removing fine particulates such as dust and smoke while minimally impeding gas flow. Wet scrubbers are another pollution control technology that use a variety of devices to remove pollutants from gas streams. They bring the polluted gas stream into contact with a scrubbing liquid through spraying, forcing it through a pool of liquid, or other contact methods to remove the pollutants.

Methods for NOx control include low NOx burners, selective catalytic reduction (SCR), selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR), NOx scrubbers, exhaust gas recirculation, and catalytic converters (also used for VOC control).

To control acid gas/SO2 emissions, several methods are used, including wet scrubbers, dry scrubbers, and flue-gas desulfurization. Wet scrubbers and dry scrubbers use different techniques to remove acidic pollutants from flue gases. Flue-gas desulfurization is a technology that removes SO2 from flue gases using a chemical process.

To abate volatile organic compounds (VOCs), various methods can be used, including adsorption systems that utilize activated carbon like Fluidized Bed Concentrator, flares, thermal oxidizers, catalytic converters, biofilters, absorption (scrubbing), cryogenic condensers, and vapor recovery systems.

Water Pollution:

Water pollution refers to the contamination of water bodies such as rivers, lakes, oceans, and groundwater with harmful substances. The sources of water pollution include industrial waste, agricultural runoff, sewage discharge, oil spills, and accidental leaks of chemicals. The consequences of water pollution can be severe and can cause harm to aquatic life, animals, and humans who come into contact with contaminated water.

Water pollution is a significant environmental concern and poses a threat to human health and biodiversity. Exposure to polluted water can lead to a range of health problems such as skin irritation, gastrointestinal illness, and even cancer. It can also impact aquatic ecosystems, reducing the availability of food sources for aquatic animals and affecting their breeding and migration patterns.

Preventing water pollution is essential to ensure the health of our environment and protect public health. Measures such as improved wastewater treatment, reducing the use of harmful chemicals, proper disposal of hazardous waste, and conservation of water resources can help prevent water pollution. Effective policies and regulations are also necessary to hold industries and individuals accountable for their role in polluting water bodies. Overall, addressing water pollution requires a concerted effort by governments, industries, and individuals to protect and preserve our precious water resources.

Waste Management:

Waste management refers to the processes and techniques used to handle and dispose of waste materials in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. It involves the collection, transportation, processing, recycling, and disposal of waste materials generated by human activities.

Effective waste management is essential for maintaining a healthy and sustainable environment. The improper disposal of waste can cause pollution and pose a threat to human health and the environment. The different types of waste materials include municipal waste, industrial waste, hazardous waste, biomedical waste, and e-waste.

The waste management process begins with the collection of waste materials, which can be done through various means such as curbside collection, drop-off centers, and recycling centers. The collected waste is then transported to a processing facility, where it is sorted and separated based on its type and composition. The next step is to recycle or recover useful materials from the waste through techniques such as composting, incineration, and recycling.

Proper waste management also involves the safe disposal of hazardous waste, which can be harmful to human health and the environment. Hazardous waste is typically disposed of in specialized facilities that are designed to minimize the risk of contamination and exposure to harmful substances.

In conclusion, effective waste management is crucial for promoting environmental sustainability and protecting public health. It requires a comprehensive approach that involves the efficient collection, transportation, processing, recycling, and disposal of waste materials. Governments, industries, and individuals all have a role to play in ensuring that waste is managed in a safe and responsible manner.

Solid Waste:

Solid waste refers to any non-liquid waste materials generated by human activities, such as discarded items, refuse, and debris. This includes a wide range of materials, such as household garbage, construction waste, industrial byproducts, and electronic waste. Solid waste can be classified into different categories, such as organic waste (e.g., food waste), combustibles (e.g., paper, wood), non-combustibles (e.g., metal, glass), hazardous waste (e.g., medical waste), and bulky waste (e.g., tree branches, tires). Improper disposal of solid waste can lead to serious health and environmental problems, such as pollution of air, water, and soil, as well as the spread of diseases.

Solid waste can be classified into various categories based on their characteristics and properties. These include:

• Organic waste: This type of waste includes biodegradable materials such as food waste, leftovers, and agricultural waste.
• Dead animals: The remains of dead animals, such as cows, buffaloes, and dogs, are also considered solid waste.
• Combustibles: Materials that can be burned, such as paper, wood, and dried leaves, are classified as combustible waste. These materials typically have high organic content and low moisture levels.
• Non-combustibles: Non-combustible waste includes items such as metal, tin cans, bottles, and other materials that cannot be burned.
• Ashes: Ashes are the residue left over from fires, particularly those used for cooking.
• Bulky waste: Waste items that are large or bulky, such as tree branches and used tires, fall under the category of bulky waste.
• Hazardous waste: This category includes waste materials that are potentially harmful to human health and the environment, such as medical waste, batteries, and chemicals.
• Construction waste: Waste generated during construction or demolition activities, such as roofing materials and broken concrete, is classified as construction waste.

India is the largest waste generator in the world, and it is expected that its waste generation will double by 2050.

The country’s water bodies and rivers, including the Ganga, are heavily polluted due to the massive amount of waste that is dumped into them.

The Ganga is listed as one of the top 10 most polluted rivers in the world, and it contributes to 90% of the ocean plastic pollution.

India faces a daunting challenge of managing both legacy and new waste, which has been a persistent issue for decades.

Despite significant investment in waste-to-energy plants, only a small fraction of the 92 large WTE plants in the country are operational, and they run at suboptimal capacity.

The government at all levels has been unable to address this issue effectively.

There is a need for a national mission to identify what needs to be done, what has been done incorrectly, and to ensure correct execution of the plan. State governments have invested an estimated Rs 10,000 crore in such plants so far.

Solid waste management can be categorized into four main components: generation, storage and collection, transportation, and disposal.

Generation: The first stage of solid waste management is the generation of waste, which occurs when materials are no longer useful to their owners and are discarded.

Storage and Collection: After materials have been discarded, they are stored temporarily until collection. It is important to have an effective storage system in place, and municipal corporations in India have been directed by the government to undertake door-to-door collection of solid waste. In addition, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has provided two different dustbins (blue and green) to segregate different kinds of waste, with the green bin for wet waste and the blue bin for solid dry waste. This ensures that waste is properly segregated and can be managed more efficiently.

Plastic Waste:

Plastic, a type of polymer, was once celebrated as one of humanity’s most significant inventions due to its many benefits, such as its easy availability, low cost, lightweight, and moldability into various shapes. Moreover, it was known for being durable and resistant to degradation. However, this characteristic has now become a major environmental concern because there is no effective way to dispose of it, and it may take thousands of years to degrade, even if incinerated. As a result, plastic is hazardous to the environment.

In contrast to biodegradable waste, such as paper, food peels, and leaves, which can be broken down by bacteria and other living organisms, plastic waste is non-biodegradable and can persist in the environment for hundreds or even thousands of years. The accumulation of plastic waste in the environment is responsible for plastic pollution, which can be classified as primary plastics, such as cigarette butts and bottle caps, or secondary plastics, resulting from the degradation of primary ones. According to a recent study by the Un-Plastic Collective, India produces 46 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, of which 40% remains uncollected and 43% is used for packaging, much of which is single-use plastic.

Plastic is introduced into the ocean through various channels, such as fragments of common microplastics, plastic threads from synthetic fibers, foam food items, microbeads from soaps and cosmetics, building and construction activities, fishing, and coastal tourism. The Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans contain substantial amounts of plastic, particularly in the form of polyethylene and polypropylene. The ingestion of these plastics by marine animals can lead to their death, and humans can also contract various illnesses by consuming seafood contaminated with plastic.

Merchant vessels discharge a variety of waste, including cargo, sewage, and medical equipment, into the ocean. Unfortunately, this waste often contains plastic, contributing to plastic pollution in the ocean.

Although there are various sources of plastic pollution in the ocean, discarded fishing gear, such as nets and traps, is the largest contributor.

Additionally, plastic litter from the mainland, including food wrappers, containers, bottles and caps, plastic bags, straws, and stirrers, enters the ocean primarily through storm-water runoff.

Plastic Waste Management Rule 2021

The 2021 rules aim to phase out single-use plastics, which are defined as plastic items intended for one-time use before being disposed of or recycled.

Under the rules, certain single-use plastic items will be banned for manufacture, use, sale, import, and handling on a nationwide basis in India.

Multi-layered packaging, commonly used in e-commerce and delivery services, will also be subject to the provisions, with an exemption for packaging used for imported goods.

The rules will apply to waste generators, local bodies, Gram Panchayats, manufacturers, importers, producers, brand-owners, and plastic waste processors (such as recyclers and co-processors).

Both thermoset plastic and thermoplastic will be covered by the rules.

However, the rules do not apply to products made of compostable plastic material, including carrying bags.

The draft plan for reducing plastic pollution will be implemented in three stages, beginning this year and ending in mid-2022.

Stage I involves introducing rules for the minimum thickness of non-woven plastic carry bags. Each sheet of the bag should not be less than 60 GSM per square metre or 240 microns in thickness. Virgin or recycled plastic bags should not be less than 120 microns in thickness.

In Stage II, six categories of single-use plastic, including earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, and polystyrene (thermocol) for decoration, will be banned for sale, use, manufacture, stocking, import, and distribution.

Stage III will see the list of banned items expanded to include single-use plastic plates, cups, glasses, cutlery (forks, spoons, knives), straws, trays, wrapping and packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, cigarette packets, plastic/PVC banners less than 100 microns in thickness, and stirrers.

Local bodies and state pollution control boards will be responsible for enforcing and implementing these rules.

Reasons for Introduction of changes:

According to a report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in 2018-19, India generated approximately 3.3 million metric tonnes of plastic waste.

This waste represents about 5-6% of the total solid waste produced in the country, which ranges from 55-65 million tonnes of municipal solid waste.

The state of Goa has the highest per capita plastic waste generation rate in the country, with 60 grams per capita per day, almost double the rate of Delhi (37 grams per capita per day).

As India’s wealth and affluence have increased, so too has the generation of plastic waste. However, the country lacks systematic efforts to mitigate the risks associated with plastic waste, despite the Plastic Waste Management legislation of 2011 and subsequent changes.

An Insightful Way:

In order to effectively manage plastic waste, it is important to increase knowledge and awareness among all those involved in its production and handling.

This includes brand owners, consumers, recyclers, and regulatory authorities. The first step is to accurately inventory the total amount of plastic waste generated through proper calculations.

The second step involves identifying opportunities to reduce the use of plastic. Thirdly, brand owners and manufacturers must understand what will happen to plastic packaging materials once their purpose has been served.

Finally, as consumers, we must ensure that all plastic waste leaving our homes is properly segregated and not contaminated with food waste.