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6.8 Pollution - Air , Water , Sound and Radiation . Effects of Pollution on Health . Preventive
and Safety Measures from Pollution

Pollution

Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change . It
can take the form of chemical substances or energy , such as noise , heat or light . Pollutants can be either
foreign substances / energies or naturally occurring contaminants . The industrial and commercial waste ,
agriculture practices , everyday human activities and most notably , modes of transportation - all cause
pollution . Remnants of pollution are found invariably everywhere . With so much pollution in air , water
and on land it is virtually impossible to sustain life . Fast expanding industrialization , exploding
population , and escalating urbanization are mainly responsible for pollution across the globe . The
developed and the developing countries both suffer badly from its effects . Even with growing awareness
about it and frequent campaigns against it , the situation is getting worse every day .

Being the basic cause of environmental degradation , pollution has very dangerous and hazardous
effects on the environment which depletes the natural balance of the environment . The environment is
degraded due to the addition of pollutants in the natural resources of the environment such as air , water
or soil . It is wide spread . Pollutants do not recognize international boundaries . Now , chemicals used
thousands of kilometers away from the pristine expanses of the Arctic and Antarctic can be found in the
blood of some native animals there . Since we share everything on Earth with every living thing on the
planet , what happens in one area affects everything too , no matter how far away . Pollution or the
introduction of different forms of waste materials in our environment has negative effects to the
ecosystem we rely on . According to the latest reports , pollution is causing mutation and fertility problems
for all living species including the humans .

Air pollution

The atmosphere is a complex dynamic natural gaseous system that is essential to support life on
planet Earth . Stratospheric ozone depletion due to air pollution has long been recognized as a threat to
human health as well as to the Earth's ecosystems . Along with land and water , air pollution is also
increasing at a fast rate . Indoor air pollution and urban air quality are listed as two of the World's Worst
Toxic Pollution Problems in the 2008. Air pollution is defined as the introduction into the atmosphere of
chemicals , particulates , or biological materials that cause discomfort , disease , or death to humans ,
damage other living organisms such as food crops , or damage the natural environment or built
environment .

The process did not begin just yesterday but millions of years ago when combustion of fossil fuels
occurred . Today , to describe air pollution , we use three terms : smog ( smoke plus fog ) , smaze ( a
mixture of smoke and haze ) , and smoke . Most of our air pollutants come from burning of oil , gasoline ,
coal , and refuse . The major sources of these contaminants are autos , trucks , buses , mills , and factories
, chemical plants , heating equipment , power generators , refuse incinerators , ships , locomotives , and
petroleum refineries . Added to these are thermal plants , nuclear explosions , sky - scrapping apartments
and buildings , wild conflagrations , incredibly increasing human population , rising standards of living ,
and many other things . All of them release in the atmosphere millions of tons of such poisonous gases as
carbon monoxide , hydrocarbons , nitrogen oxides , sulphur oxides , and particulate matter and particles .
Another dangerous and rapidly increasing air pollutant is lead , 90 percent of which originates from
automobile emissions .

The damage caused to human health , plant and animal life by air pollution is far greater than
caused by water and land pollution . Pollutants like the hydrocarbons and various particulates such as
cadmium and asbestos fibers are suspected of helping induce lung cancer and emphysema ( a respiratory
disease in which the air sacs of the lungs get enlarged , and the tubes leading to them become rigid ) ,
occurring mostly to people in industrial areas . Everyday industrial processes - grinding , sweeping ,
pulverizing - discharge dust or mists into the atmosphere . The workers inside factories might in some way
be protected against these health hazards but people outside are not . Apart from this , smog ( smoke plus
fog ) causing thermal inversion is becoming very common these days . This condition occurs when a layer
of stagnant , warm air establishes itself over an area , preventing the cooler , pollution - laden air below

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from rising and mixing with the upper layers . Thus , the pollutants are trapped close to the earth . Smog
irritates the respiratory system and eyes , and causes damage to the metal , paint and other substances .

If the air is not cleaned and cleared of the pollutants , damage to the earth's biosphere , human
and animal life is going to be enormous and irreversible . Numerous processes and devices are now
available to control air pollution as described below :

 Reduce the emission of pollutants by process change technique . Alteration of : ( a ) mixing

process ( reducing density and speed of materialn leaking into the air by modifying the quantum of
components mixed or the rate of mixing ) , ( b ) the shape of pollutants ( e.g. using pulverized coal
which gives out less soot than solid coal ) , ( c ) the chemical content of fuels ( switching from high
sulphur to low sulphur fuel ) , and ( d ) the efficiency of the equipment ( reducing overloading of
transport equipment ) .

 Use anti - pollution devices such as settling devices that remove solid particles from gases ; louvers ,
baffles , filters , centrifugal guides and electrostatic precipitators too accomplish the same job .

 Reduce internal combustion in the automobiles by using battery operated engines as far as
possible . This process has several difficulties but a hybrid automobile that combines a small gasoline
engine with an electric motor has been developed and road - tested . Use a push or electric lawnmower
rather than a gas - powered one .

 Replace coal and oil as domestic and industrial fuel by electricity to minimize pollution .

 Plant trees and increase vegetation , develop green belts between industrial and residential
areas , as measures of self - cleaning of the air and the atmosphere .

 Bring out strict laws and enforce them with strong hand , making it compulsory for the
industries to follow them in letter and spirit in order to bring down the level of air pollution . Complete
technological change is expensive , and the installation of pollution controls on industry costs huge
amounts of money but in the interest of the humanity it has to be done .

 Keep your car maintenance up - to - date but minimize your trips to the town or market so as to
conserve gasoline and bring down emission of gases .

 Don't smoke and persuade others to follow suit .

Water Pollution

Water pollution is the introduction of chemical , biological and physical matter into large bodies of
water that degrade the quality of life that lives in it and consumes it . The major sources of water pollution
are chemical , steel , textile , paper , sugar , wine , fertilizer , and several other kind of factories , refineries
, waste treatment facilities , mining , pesticides , herbicides and fertilizers , human sewage , oil spills ,
failing septic systems , soap from washing your car , oil and antifreeze leaking from cars , household
chemicals , and animal waste . Disposing of domestic waste , or industrial residue , animal excreta , and
discarded materials through drains and water channel badly contaminates water resources like lakes ,
rivers , canals , wells , ponds , etc. , used by humans . In the United States alone , 1.2 trillion gallons of
sewage , storm - water and industrial waste are discharged into U.S. waters every year , and every year
almost 25 % of U.S. beaches are closed at least once because of water pollution .

Every day the situation is getting alarming . Notably , water pollution adversely affects water bio -
diversity ; it leaves the water unfit for human consumption , gives free allowance to the parasites like the
mosquitoes to breed unhampered , and deposits silt on the river beds creating navigational bottlenecks .
Contaminated water makes humans liable to contract diseases like cholera , jaundice , diarrhea ,
dysentery , typhoid , polio , frequent stomach upsets , etc. Infants and children are far more vulnerable to
water - borne diseases than adults .

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Once committed and determined , it should not be too difficult for people to prevent water pollution
by taking effective such measures as suggested below :

 Stop ( a ) dumping of waste in the water resources ( rivers , lakes , canals , oceans ) ; ( b ) prohibit new
activities ( such as building of offshore jetports ) ; and ( c ) stop dredging and dismemberment of
wetlands .

 Impress upon people to consume water for drinking , washing and irrigating purposes economically .

 Encourage more and more people to use underground water ( from wells , tube wells , bore wells ) and
water supplied by public water system .

 Purify the surface water ( rain water ) from lakes , ponds , rivers , canals , reservoirs etc. , by chemical
means ( precipitation using alum and lime , using germicides such as potassium permanganate ,
bleaching powder to permissible limits ) , by physical methods ( boiling , distillation ) , and mechanical
techniques such as filtration before consumption .

 Prevent water contamination by humans and animals at all places and all times .

 Public or private agencies must make causal and periodic checks on the water being supplied to people
at homes , in educational institutions , offices , public places , restaurants , railway stations , in the
trains , at bus stands , etc. , and take necessary action where the norms and standards of safe water
are being violated .

 Wash your car far away from any storm - water drains , and don't throw trash , chemicals or solvents
into sewer drains

 Avoid using pesticides and fertilizers that can run off into water systems

Sound ( Noise ) Pollution

Noise is an unwanted sound , and noise pollution a type of energy pollution in which distracting ,
irritating , or damaging sounds are freely audible . This energy is emitted by a vibrating - devices ( bodies )
and on reaching the ear causes the sensation of hearing through nerves . Sounds produced by all vibrating
bodies are not audible . The frequency limits of audibility are from 20 HZ to 20,000 HZ .. In acoustics ( the
science of sound ) , noise is defined as any undesired sound .

As with other forms of energy pollution ( such as heat and light pollution ) , so with noise pollution
contaminants are not physical particles , but rather waves that interfere with naturally - occurring waves of
a similar type in the same environment . Sound is measured in decibels . The O decibel ( db ) threshold of
hearing indicates a sound we cannot hear ( though a dog can ) . The softest sound we can hear is about 1
db , while a sound of 10 db has ten times the intensity of 0 dh ; 20 decibels is 100 times as loud as 0 db ;
and 30 db is 1000 times as loud as 0 db The progression , therefore , is not numerical but logarithmic .

People react differently to noise , but , in general , a sound level of 80 db , such as produced by the
ringing of an alarm clock , is distinctly annoying , 120 db noise is dangerous , and 140 db sound produces
intense pain . However , the db scale does not account for tones being registered the frequencies of the
sound waves . Scientists have attempted to develop techniques to weigh such sound factors obtain an
accurate representation of the ways noise affects human beings . One weighing scale takes into
consideration the fact that high - pitched tones are more annoying than low - pitched ones . The db - A
scale gives less weight to the low tones in indicating the db level . Sample noise readings in db - A scale
are : rustling leaves 20db , a window air - conditioner - 55 , ordinary speech - 60 , heavy city traffic - 90 ,
jet airliner at 500 feet - 115 , and jet airliner at takeoff - 140 , shotgun blast - 150 and canon ( at short
range ) - 160. In noise level , a rock band approaches that of jet plane on takeoff . If our ears are exposed
for long periods to a noise of 80 to 85 decibels , some hearing loss will occur .

Barking dogs , loud music , vehicles , aircraft and rail transport , air conditioners , factories ,
amplified music and construction work , honking ' automobile horns , roaring supersonic jets , blaring

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loudspeakers , hi - fi audio music in the restaurants , thumping jackhammers in the factories , whirring
power lawn movers , shrieking and squeaking machines , etc. , are potential sources of noise pollution
endangering human health , Mechanical ventilators , exhaust fans , typewriters , activity in the music room
, loud conversation of the people , spectators watching a football match in a stadium etc. , also , in their
own way , add to the noise pollution .

Noise pollution causes disturbances in our health and behavior in several ways including deafness
causing lack of sleep , irritability , indigestion , heartburn , high blood pressure , ulcers , and heart
disease . Just one noise explosion from a passing truck drastically alters our endocrinal , neurological , and
cardiovascular functions in many individuals . If this is prolonged or remains frequent , the physiological
disturbances become chronic and contribute to mental illness .

Sometimes , even low levels of noise are irritating and can be frustrating , and high volumes can be
annoying . Natural sounds are less irritating than those we find uncontrollable but intermittent sounds such
as a tap dripping water can be more irritating than the sound of falling rain . Noise more than 50db can be
very difficult to hear and interpret and cause problems such as partial deafness . Very high levels of noise
can wake people from their sleep with a jerk and keep them awake or disturb their sleep pattern . This
could make them irritable and tired the next day . Noise produces an abrupt rise in blood pressure that can
bring on headaches . It also causes stress , leading to attacks of nervous tension .

Effective preventive measures against noise menace include the following :

 Strong legislations to check unpalatable noise .

 Dissemination of right information to the public on noise and its harmful effects

 Harnessing technology to produce , as far as possible , noiseless machines such as fans , compressors ,
diesel engines etc.

 Banning playing of very loud music in restaurants , public places , in the crowded streets .

 Allowing no hi - beam horns on automobiles . .

 Using acoustics to ceilings and walls of the classrooms ( acceptable noise level for classrooms is 40 db
or less ) , gymnasium , cinema halls , and indoor training halls to reduce reverberations .

 Keeping young children away from the noisy areas and scenes .

Radiation

Radiation is energy that comes from a source and travels through space and may be able to
penetrate various materials . In dictionary radiation is defined as the emission of energy as
electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles , especially high - energy particles which cause
ionization . Radiation is the emission and propagation of energy in the form of waves , rays or particles . It
is mainly of three types :

 Non - ionizing radiation : This is the release of energy from the lower energy region of the
electromagnetic spectrum . and includes light , radio , microwaves , infrared ( heat ) , and
ultraviolet light .

 Ionizing radiation : This is radiation with sufficient energy to remove an electron from an atomic
orbital , forming an ion . Ionizing radiation includes X - ray , gamma rays , alpha particles , and beta
particles . It is produced by unstable atoms . Unstable atoms differ from stable atoms because
unstable atoms have an excess of energy or mass or both . Radiation can also be produced by high
- voltage devices ( e.g. , x - ray machines ) .

 Neutrons : These are particles found in the atomic nucleus . When they break off the nucleus ,
they have energy and act as radiation .
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Typical examples of radiation include : ( a ) a burning candle emits radiation in the form of heat and
light ( b ) the Sun emits radiation in the form of light , heat , and particles ; ( c ) Uranium - 238 decaying
into Thorium - 234 emits radiation in the form of alpha particles ; and ( d ) electrons dropping from one
energy state to a lower state emit radiation in the form of a photon .

Radiation and radioactivity are two misunderstood concepts . Hence , difference must be made
between the two , Radiation is the release of energy , whether it takes the form of waves or particles ,
Radioactivity refers to the decay or splitting of an atomic nucleus . A radioactive material releases
radiation when it decays . Examples of decay include alpha decay , beta decay , gamma decay , neutron
release , and spontaneous fission . All radioactive isotopes release radiation , but not all radiation comes
from radioactivity .

Types of Radiation ( from decay )

Radiation typically is categorized into four types : alpha radiation , beta radiation , gamma radiation
, and x radiation . Neutron radiation is also encountered in nuclear power plants and high - altitude flight
and emitted from some industrial radioactive sources .

 Alpha radiation : Alpha radiation is a heavy , very short - range particle and is actually an ejected
helium nucleus . Characteristically , it is able to penetrate neither clothing nor human skin . Alpha -
emitting materials can be harmful to humans if the materials are inhaled , swallowed , or absorbed
through open wounds . Instruments cannot detect alpha radiation through even a thin layer of water ,
dust , paper , or other material , because alpha radiation is not penetrating . Alpha radiation travels
only a short distance ( a few inches ) in air , but is not an external hazard . Its emitters include radium ,
radon , uranium , thorium .

 Beta Radiation . It is a light , short - range particle and is actually an ejected unit electron . Beta
radiation may travel several feet in air and is moderately penetrating . It can penetrate human skin to
the " germinal layer , " where new skin cells are produced . If high levels of beta - emitting
contaminants are allowed to remain on the skin for a prolonged period of time , they may cause skin
injury . Beta - emitting contaminants may be harmful if deposited internally . Some beta emitters ,
difficult - to - detect beta emitters are strontium - 90 , carbon - 14 , tritium , and sulfur - 35 .

 Gamma and X Radiation . These are highly penetrating electromagnetic radiations . Typically ,
Gamma radiation or x rays are able to travel many feet in air and many inches in human tissue . They
readily penetrate most materials and are sometimes called " penetrating " radiation . X rays are like
gamma rays . X - rays , too , are penetrating radiation . Sealed radioactive sources and machines that
emit gamma radiation and X rays respectively constitute mainly an external hazard to humans ,
Gamma radiation and X - rays are electromagnetic radiation like visible light , radio waves , and
ultraviolet light . These electromagnetic radiations differ only in the amount of energy they have .
Gamma rays . and X - rays are the most energetic of these . Gamma radiation and / or characteristic X
- rays frequently accompany the emission of alpha and beta radiation during radioactive decay . Some
gamma emitters are iodine - 131 , cesium - 137 , cobalt - 60 , radium - 226 , and technetium - 99m .

Harmful Effects of Radiation

The sun is a major source of cosmic radiation , or radiation originating from space . Airline flights
and skiing at high altitudes are activities that will increase exposure to this cosmic radiation . Many
buildings also emit ionizing radiation simply because the materials that were used to build them , such as
clay bricks and granite , are naturally radioactive . The greatest harm to human health comes from nuclear
radiation and radioactivity .

Atoms with unstable nuclei are said to be radioactive . In order to reach stability , these atoms give
off , or emit , the excess energy or mass . These emissions are called radiation . The kinds of radiation are
electromagnetic ( like light ) and particulate ( i.e. , mass given off with the energy of motion ) . Gamma
radiation and X - rays are examples of electromagnetic radiation . Gamma radiation originates in the
nucleus while X - rays come from the electronic part of the atom . Beta and alpha radiation are examples
of particulate radiation . Some atomic nuclei are not stable , that is , radioactive , and during the
spontaneous changes that take place within the nucleus , various forms of radiation ( such as alpha ,
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gamma , etc. ) are emitted and when human being is exposed to such radiation , individuals can develop
some problems .

Radiation pollution or nuclear pollution is a term that refers to pollution caused by radioactive
materials . Whether it is natural or human made ( such as nuclear power stations ) , radiation causes
problems in humans as well as in ecosystems . Ionizing radiation has sufficient energy to affect the atoms
in living cells and thereby damage their genetic material ( DNA ) . Fortunately , the cells in our bodies are
extremely efficient at repairing this damage . However , if the damage is not repaired correctly , a cell may
die or eventually become cancerous . Exposure to very high levels of radiation , such as being close to an
atomic blast , can cause acute health effects such as skin burns and acute radiation syndrome ( " radiation
sickness " ) . It can also result in long - term health effects such as cancer and cardiovascular disease .
Exposure to low levels of radiation encountered in the environment does not cause immediate health
effects , but is a minor contributor to our overall cancer risk .

The typical effects of radiation on various organs and systems of the body can be enumerated as
under :

 Hair : The losing of hair quickly and in clumps occurs with radiation exposure at 200 rems or higher .

 Brain : Since brain cells do not reproduce , they won't be damaged directly la unless the exposure is
5,000 rems kills nerve cells and small blood vessels , and can cause seizures and greater . Like the
heart , radiation immediate death . Prenatal exposure to ionizing radiation may induce w brain damage
in foetuses following an acute dose exceeding 100 mSv between weeks 8-15 of pregnancy and 200
mSv between weeks 16-25 of pregnancy . Before week 8 or after week 25 of pregnancy human studies
have not shown radiation risk to fetal brain development

 Thyroid : The certain body parts are more specifically affected by o exposure to different types of
radiation sources . The thyroid gland is susceptible to radioactive iodine . In sufficient amounts ,
radioactive iodine can destroy all or part of the thyroid . By taking potassium iodide , one can reduce
the effects of exposure .

 Blood system : When a person is exposed to around 100 rems , the blood's lymphocyte cell count will
be reduced , leaving the victim more susceptible to infection . This is often referred to as mild radiation
sickness . Early symptoms of radiation sickness mimic those of flu and may go Vive unnoticed unless a
blood count is done . Data from atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagaski show that symptoms may
persist for up to 10 years and may also have an increased long - term risk for leukemia and
lymphoma .

 Heart : Intense exposure to radioactive material at 1,000 to 5,000 rems Sup would do immediate
damage to small blood vessels and probably cause mod heart failure and death directly .

 Gastrointestinal Tract : Radiation damage to the intestinal tract lining will cause nausea , bloody
vomiting and diarrhea . This occurs when the victim's exposure is 200 rems or more . The radiation will
begin to destroy the cells in the body that divide rapidly . These including blood , GI tract , reproductive
ad nor and hair cells , and harms their DNA and RNA of surviving cells .

 Reproductive Tract : Because reproductive tract cells divide rapidly , these areas of the body can be
damaged at rem levels as low as 200. Long term , some radiation sickness victims will become sterile .

Protection against Radiation

Radiation is part of our life . Background radiation coming primarily from natural minerals , is
around us all the time . Fortunately , there are very few situations where an average person is exposed to
uncontrolled sources of radiation above background . Nevertheless , it is wise to be prepared and know
what to do if such a situation arises . One of the best ways to be prepared is to understand the radiation
protection principles of time , distance and shielding . During a radiological emergency ( a large release of
radioactive material into the environment ) , we can use these principles to help protect ourselves and our
families .

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Time , distance , and shielding actions minimize your exposure to radiation in much the same way
as they would to protect you against overexposure to the sun :

Time : For people who are exposed to radiation in addition to natural background radiation ,
limiting or minimizing the exposure time reduces the dose from the radiation source .

Distance : Just as the heat from a fire reduces as you move further away , the dose of radiation
decreases dramatically as you increase your distance from the source .

Shielding : Barriers of lead , concrete , or water provide protection from penetrating gamma rays
and X - rays . This is why certain radioactive materials are stored under water or in concrete or lead - lined
rooms , and why dentists place a lead blanket on patients receiving x - rays of their teeth . Hence ,
inserting the proper shield between you and a radiation source will greatly reduce or eliminate the dose
you receive .

Effects of Pollution on Health

Pollution is a worldwide problem and its potential to influence the physiology of human populations
is great . Since we share everything on Earth with every living thing on the planet , what happens in one
area affects everything too , no matter how far away . Pollution is nothing but introduction of different
forms of waste materials in our environment , which creates a variety of negative effects , so detrimental
to the ecosystem we rely on . As a matter of fact , determining the effects of pollutants on human
physiology and growth is difficult as it requires fairly large numbers of subjects who are not purposely
exposed but for whom exposure can be measured . These effects of pollutants and the mechanisms of
effect require further study to understand and , it is hoped , to blunt or block any detrimental effects on
human health and wellbeing . And yet , irrespective of it form , pollution impacts human health in thousand
ways . The most serious negative effects to health come from ever - increasing air and water pollution , the
effects of which can be seen in the form of global warming , contaminated seafood , increased cases of
lung and heart diseases .

Air Pollution Effects

Air is the very breath of life and what we breathe has a direct effect on our health .

 Breathing polluted air puts all of us at a higher risk for asthma and other respiratory disorders and
diseases .

 When exposed to ground ozone for 6 to 7 hours , lung functioning gets decreased and people
begin to suffer from respiratory inflammation .

 Air pollutants are mostly carcinogens and living in a polluted area can put people at risk of
Cancer .

 Coughing and wheezing are common symptoms observed on city folks on account of very high
level of air pollution resulting from industrial and vehicular smoke .

 Damages to the immune , endocrine and reproductive systems are also observed .

 High levels of particle pollution have been associated with higher incidence of heart disease and
cardiac disorders .

 The burning of fossil fuels and the release of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are causing the
Earth to become warmer .

 The toxic chemicals released into the air settle into plants and water resources . Animals eat the
contaminated plants and drink the water . The en poison then travels up the food chain - to us .

Water Pollution Effects

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Water is vital to our survival next to air . We need clean water to drink , to irrigate our crops and
the fish we eat live in the waters . We play in rivers , lakes and streams - we live near bodies of water . It is
a precious resource that can easily be polluted and the contamination can be transferred to us and affect
our health .

 Diseases such as amoebiasis , typhoid and hookworm are caused by polluted drinking water .

 Water polluted by chemicals such as heavy metals , lead , pesticides and hydrocarbon can cause
hormonal and reproductive problems , damage to the nervous system , liver and kidney damage and
cancer- to name a few . Being exposed to mercury causes Parkinson's disease , Alzheimer's , heart
disease and death .

 A polluted beach water causes rashes , hepatitis , gastroenteritis , diarrhea , encephalitis , stomach
aches and vomiting .

 Water pollution affects marine life which is one of our food sources . Remember the stories of
contaminated shellfish and how those who ate them died ?

Preventive and Safety Measures from Pollution

Pollution of all sorts has to be controlled and prevented at all costs so as to save human health and
life on the whole from getting jeopardized . Both the efforts and the measures to be taken to arrest the
increasing pollution have to be concerted i.e. that individuals , societies , organizations ( business ,
industrial , religious and social ) , institutions ( schools , colleges , universities ) , and the governmental
machinery have to put their heads together to plan , adopt and implement such schemes and program at
local , national and international levels as would help to stem the tide of deteriorating and degrading
ecological environment and health conditions . Preservation of physical , chemical and biological integrity
of the ecosystem , with maximum protection of public health and the environment has to be the
immediate concern as well as the focus of all concerned .

The following preventive measures , when effectively taken , can go a long way accomplishing the
task of taking pollution bull by the horns .

Air Quality . At the outset , it is important to take such strong steps as would help reduce pollution from
mobile and stationary sources . The aim also should be to reduce vehicular pollution , including
inspection and maintenance of emission controls . Changes in engine design and fuel types and
development of more energy - efficient transportation systems ; regulation and reduction of pollution
from stationary sources ; regulation and reduction of ambient toxic - air pollutants ; and measures to
reduce transboundary air pollutants , such as ozone and those that cause acid deposition , would ensure
quality air .

Energy . The government should formulate and whole - heartedly support environmentally sound
policies that reduce energy growth rates , Temphasize energy conservation and encourage the use of
renewable To resources with emphasis on conserving energy and using energy - efficient technologies as
well as on environmentally sound use of energy resources , with consideration of the entire cycle of
energy production ; predominant reliance on renewable resources ; policies that limit reliance on nuclear
fission . Action would also be needed by appropriate levels of government to encourage the use of
renewable resources and energy conservation through funding for research and development , financial
incentives , rate - setting policies and mandatory standards ; mandatory energy - conservation
measures , including thermal standards for building efficiency , new appliance standards and standards
for new automobiles with no relaxation of auto - emission control requirements ; reduction of energy
demand and minimizing the need for new generating capacity ; maintaining deregulation of oil and
natural gas prices ; assistance for low - income individuals when energy policies impact the poor .

Land Use . Effort is needed to promote policies that manage land as a finite ( limited ) resource and that
incorporate principles of stewardship . It should include placing utmost stress on land - use planning that
reflects conservation and wise management of resources ; identification and regulation of areas of critical
concern : reclamation of lands damaged by surface mining , waste disposal , overgrazing , timber
harvesting , farming and other activities ; review of environmental , social and economic impacts of major
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public and private developments ; review of federally funded projects by all government levels ; and so
on .

Water Resources . Strong measures are also required to protect surface water , groundwater and
drinking water . Added to this would be to formulate such water resource program and policies as would
reflect the interrelationships of water quantity , ground - water and surface water and that address the
potential depletion or pollution of water supplies , measures to reduce water pollution from direct point -
source discharges and from indirect nonpoint sources ; policies to achieve water quality essential for
maintaining species populations and diversity . Another important step would be to protect lakes ,
estuaries , wetlands and in rain stream flows ; and stringent controls to protect the quality of current and
potential drinking - water supplies , including protection of watersheds for surface supplies and of
recharge areas for groundwater .

Waste Management . There is a need to promote policies to reduce the generation and promote the
reuse and recycling of solid and hazardous waste . This would include policies to ensure safe treatment ,
transportation , storage and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes in order to protect public health and
air , water and land resources ; planning and decision - making processes that recognize suitable solid
and hazardous wastes as potential resources ; policies for the management of civilian and military high-
and low - level radioactive wastes to protect public health , and air , water and land resources .
Establishment of processes and proposals for treatment , storage , disposal and transportation of
radioactive wastes ; and safe transport , storage and disposal of radioactive wastes is an essential
element of the campaign .

Nuclear Issues . It is of utmost importance to give priority to maximum protection of public health and
safety as well as the environment . There is need to oppose " increased reliance on nuclear fission " but
at the same time recognize its place in the nation's energy mix . Storage of high - level waste should be a
national concern and would require a firm national policy to deal with nuclear issues in a befitting manner
. Transportation of nuclear wastes and defusing those wastes should be essential in the interest of the
humanity and the nation .