7.3.3. Learning Outcome No. 2: Control environmental pollution 73.3.1 Learning Activities Learning Outcome No. 2: Control Environmental Pollution a ‘Special Instructions 21. Comply with environmental pollution control measures (methods for minimizing or stopping spread and ingestion of airborne particles, gases, fumes and liquid wastes) following standard protocol 2.2. Observe procedures for solid waste management according to environmental management and coordination Act 2.3. Comply with methods for minimizing noise pollution following Personal protective equipment should be used at all times, Group discussions on pollution and their environmental regulations, specific control measures. 7.3.3.2 Information Sheet No7/LO2: Control Environmental Pollution o Introduction This learning outcome covers environmental pollution control measures, procedures for solid waste management according to standard procedure, Environmental Management and Coordination Act 1999 (EMCA) and environmental regulation. Definition of key terms Waste management: Waste management is the collection, transportation, processing or disposal of solid or liquid waste, usually produced by human activities, in order to reduce their effect on human health and natural ecosystems such as lakes, forests and oceans. Control measures: These are activities taken to prevent, reduce or eliminate an environmental hazard that has been identified. In this learning outcome, the control measures that are going to trained on concern solid waste and noise pollution. Environmental Management and Coordination Act 1999 (EMCA): This is the principal framework law on environmental management and conservation in Kenya, First enacted in 1999, it has been amended to align to the 2010 Constitution. The latest amendment to the principal Act was in 2015 Standard Protocol: This is a mandated, statutory or fixed procedure for completing a task or complying with regulations. The procedure may be expressed through a flow chart, or spelled out as text. Standard protocol may be nationally recognized or be part of an organization structure. 314Content/Procedures/Methods/Illustrations 2.1 Environmental pollution control measures compliance following standard protocol Types of pollution Air Pollution Air pollution may result from a quantitative change by increasing the concentration in air of some of the gases, for example Carbon (iv) Oxide or a qualitative change due to introduction of external compounds (synthetic organic substances), or a combination of these two phenomena. The source of these gases may be from anthropogenic activities (fom human activities) or from natural events such as volcanism, respiration of living things or forest fires. Some pollutants in the atmosphere can result from the reaction between many substances to give new highly toxic compounds, for example Sulphur (IV) Oxide can react with water vapor in the atmosphere to give Sulphuric acid 315Table 10. Sources and nature of atmospheric pollutants Nature of Pollutant Source Gas T.Carbon dioxide + Voleanism * Respiration of living things + Fossil fuels carbon monoxide *_ Voleanism . mbustion engin Shydrocarbons * Plants © Bacteria + Combustion engines 4 Organic compounds . jemical industries * Incineration of refuse + Various combustions SSulphur dioxide and [+ Volcanism Sulphur derivations © Sea spray © Bacteria Fossil fuels 6 Nitrate derivatives + Bacteria * Combustion TRadio muchides * atomic power stations + nuclear explosions Particles T Heavy metals + voleanism-meteorites Inorganic compounds 2.Organic compounds Natural or synthetic winds ray erosion various industries combustion engines forest fire chemical industries various industries combustion engines Radionuclide nuclear explosions 316Impacts of air pollution ‘+ Air pollution has effects on health and the nature. The effects of air pollution on natural ecosystems can be felt at different geographical levels, and they can spread to water and land ecosystems in the form of dry or wet deposits. + Over acidification and over fertilization, Sulphur and Nitrogen inputs are responsible for acidification and over fertilization of ecosystems such as forests, rivers, lakes and swamps. ‘+ Necrosis on plants. Necrosis is the death of cells in tissue, High concentration of pollutants can cause death to plants and animal cells, leading to organ failure or death of tissues. ‘Air pollution can cause reduction in plant growth (stunted growth) or reduce the ability of plants to ‘+ Air pollution can also change the chemical composition of the atmosphere, therefore affecting biogeochemical cycles such as the nitrogen cycle, water cycle and carbon eycle. Control Measures Control measures to prevent, reduce or eliminate pollutants in the air are guided by the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act (No 8 of 1999). The regulations to be followed can be found in the Environmental Management Co-ordination (air quality) Regulations of 2014, The air quality regulations of 2014 have different ways in which they ensure air quality standards are fit for humans, animals and plants. The following are measures to ensure safety of workers: +The owner of the facility should inform the workers of the hazards in specific work environment. t diseases and infections. ‘+ Train the workers on the potential hazards of any hazardous substance to which they are exposed, and the safety precautions to be taken to prevent any harm to their health. ‘+ Ensure that measurements of pollutants are carried out by a laboratory designated by Environment Management Authority in order to determine compliance with the prevailing allowed levels of exposure ‘+ Ensure that record of measurements carried out, are reported to the Authority on a quality basis ‘+ Take exposure reduction measures Ambient air quality limits Ambient air quality standards, means these ambient air quality standards which are required to protect the human health and allow adequate margin of safety. Under the Environmental Management and Coordination Act, limits have been set for the following gases, Sulphur oxides, Oxides of Nitrogen, Nitrogen Dioxide, Suspended particulate, Respirable particulate matter, carbon monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, hydrogen Sulphide and Ozone among others. 3172.2 Procedures for solid waste management observed according to environmental management and coordination Act Solid waste is discarded material that is disposal and is considered garbage. Refuse and sludge from wastewater can be in solid, semi-solid, liquid or contained in gaseous material. Types of Solid Waste Domestic Waste Domestic waste is also referred to as garbage, refuse, or trash. It consists mainly of biodegradable waste which is food and kitchen waste, green waste paper and non- biodegradable such as plastics, glass bottles, cans, metals and wrapping materials. Waste Tires These are tires that have reached their end due to wear or damage and cannot be recycled or reused. The bulk of the tires are informally collected and often illegally burnt in open to recover steel for recycling, Construction and Demolition Waste This type is generated as a result of construction works, remodeling or demolition. It comprises debris, steel, timber, iron sheets, tiles and ceramics among others. Industrial waste This is waste produced by industrial activities which includes any material that is rendered useless during manufacturing process industries produce both hazardous and non- hazardous waste. They include chemical solvents, paints, sand paper and paper products, industrial by products, metals, municipal solid waste and radioactive waste. Bio-Medical Waste Bio medical waste refers to waste generated in health facilities, research institutions or during immunization of human beings and animals. It is classified into; infectious waste sharps, pharmaceutical wastes, chemical waste and pathologi pose risks to human health Sewage Sludge This is a sediment material that accumulates over time. In the sewage treatment plants and ponds. Sewage sludge that is contaminated by heavy metals from industrial effluent can severely contaminate agricultural land to which it is applied. E-Waste This is waste generated from electrical and electronic equipment (EEEs) becoming obsolete e-waste comprises of heavy metal components and materials used in the manufacture of electronic goods. They include; mercury, brominated flame retardants and cadmium, which are considered hazardous. waste, Biomedical waste Procedure for solid waste management Waste Generation Most of the waste is generated at household, market places, cities, town, institutions and industrial zones. The waste generator should endeavor to minimize waste by reducing, reusing, refusing, returning waste or by adopting cleaner production technologies. Waste should be segregated at the source; this can be made possible by county governments providing coded bags and bins. 318Waste Collection Collection centers or transfer stations should be established at strategic areas within a town, These collection areas should be properly managed and maintained with frequent and ‘timely collection of waste to avoid scattering into undesignated areas. Adequate measures should be put in place to manage any leachate from the waste receptacle and collection Waste transportation This involves transportation of various segregated solid waste types. Waste transportation trucks should be closed and suitable for the transportation of various types of waste to waste treatment facilities and landfills. These transportation vehicles should be lincensed to be operated by NEMA. Waste treatment a) Reeycling This is the processing of waste materials. Into a new product of similar chemical composition. Recycling prevents wastage of potentially usefull materials, reduce the consumption of raw materials and ultimately reduces pollution. b) Composting Composting is the biological decomposition of biodegradable solid waste under controlled aerobic conditions to produce compost. Compost is used as an organic fertilizer in agricultural production. ©) Thermal treatment of waste This is the combustion of waste at specific temperatures with or without air supply as part of the process and includes waste incineration, gasification and pyrolysis. This process reduces the volume of waste and inert any hazardous components. Waste Disposal Disposal refers to the depositing or burial of waste in land, The sanitary landfills should be filled with systems to collect leachate and methane gas. There should be frequent spreading, compacting and covering of waste with soil or any other appropriate covering material so as to avoid environmental pollution and scavenging birds. 2.3 Methods for minimizing noise pollution with compliance following environmental regulations Noise pollution or sound pollution is the transmission of sound in levels that have harmful impacts on the functioning of humans and animals. High sound frequency can be from activities of human beings or be caused by natural events such as volcanic explosions. Sound intensity is measured in decibels (4B). ‘Types of Noise Pollution Industrial Noise This is high intensity sound caused by machinery, such as generators, turbines and shredders from industry process. Noise from mechanical saws and drills is unbearable and 319protective equipment for workers is needed. Industry noise does not only affect only workers but also those who are close to the factory may suffer the effects. ‘Transportation Noise Transport noise mainly is from traffic from road, rail and aircraft. With increase in population, there has been an increase in the number of vehicles on roads, like motorcycles, cars, and buses, trucks, and diesel engines vehicles. This has aggravated the noise pollution problem. Noise pollution from aircrafts can be experienced by staff who work in airports and military airbases and those living nearby. This type of noise poltution is usually experienced in urban areas where traffic is high. Neighborhood Noise This type of noise includes disturbance from household electronics and community activities. Common source of this type of noise pollution include TVs, loudspeakers and musical instruments. Community activities carried out in neighborhoods such as parties, cultural functions and wedding and burial ceremonies. Methods of Minimi Source Control This involves reducing the transmission of sound from the source. This includes modifications such as acoustic treatment to machine surface, design changes to factory facilities, limiting operations to a certain time. ‘Transmission path intervention This involves containing the source inside @ sound insulate, enclosure, construction of a noise barrier or provision of sound absorbing materials along the path of travelling sound. Receptor control The protection of the receiver by changing the work schedule or provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as ear plugs when operating noisy machinery. It may also include the dissipation and deflection of sound that it may not reach humans and animals, Machinery Maintenance Proper oiling and maintenance of machinery will reduce noise from machines that are rusty or will avoid friction from moving parts of a machine, Maintenance of vehicles will reduce noise produce by automobiles. 1g Noise Pollution 320Conclusion At the end of this learning outcome, the trainee should have gained knowledge on; types of pollution, environmental pollution, control measures, types of solid wastes, procedures for solid waste management, different types of noise pollution and methods for minimizing noise pollution. The trainee will also have clear understanding of the control measure applied in Kenya in accordance to the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act (EMCA) and other guiding regulations. Further Reading O Air Quality Regulations (2014) Environmental Management and Coordination Act (1999) 3 Self-Assessment Written assessment 1. Which of the following is an example of solid waste? a) Bio-medical waste b) Carbon Dioxide ©) Vibrations 4d) Noise from house electronics 2, Which of the following is NOT an impact of air pollution? a) Over-fertilization b) Stunted growth ©) Improve health 4) Acidification 3. Which of the following is a type of noise pollution? a) Sewage sludge b) Waste tires ©) Industrial @) E-waste 4, Identify which is not a source of air pollution from the option below a) Audio-Visual equipment b) Carbon dioxide ©) Sulphur oxides @) Voleanism 5. Which one of the following ways can be used to minimize noise pollution? a) Recycling b) Source control 321©) Composting 4d) Thermal treatment 6. Which one of the following is the principal Act that guides Environmental ‘management in Kenya? a) Water Act b) County government by laws ©) Environmental Management Co-ordination Act ) Air quality regulation 2014 7. Define the following terms i, Sewage Sludge ii, Necrosis 8, List four methods of minimizing noise pollution Practical Assessment 1. Identify a waste solution source from an institution or area near, wher up with practical measures to control the solid waste pollution 2. Write a report on the effects of air pollution on biogeochemical cycles, you live and 73. -4 Tools, Equipment, Supplies and Materials ‘+ Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act 1999 ‘+ The Environmental management and Co-ordination (Air Quality) regulations, 2014 African Forest Forum (2019). Basic Science of climate change. A compendium for technical training in African Forestry, Page 32-34 Government of Kenya (2014). The Environmental management and Co-ordination (Air Quality) Regulations, Government Press. Nairobi. Kenya Government of Kenya (2015). The National solid Waste Management Strategy, Government Press. Nairobi. Kenya htp://mjcetenvsci-blogspot.com/2013/1 I/noise-pollution-causes-ypes-effects.html?m=I 322