Environmental Pollution

STUDY ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION OF MY VILLAGE

Environment pollution is the highest nuance to the human race on this planet today. It means adding impurities to the environment. The environment consists of earth, water, air, plants and animals. If we pollute them, then the existence of man and nature will be hampered. Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat and light. Pollutants, the components of pollution, can be either foreign substances or naturally occurring contaminants. Pollution is often classed as point source and non-point source pollution. One of the greatest problems that the world is facing today is that of environmental pollution, increasing year by year and causing grave damage to earth.

Major pollutions and their causes:

Land Pollution – Wastes collated at Earth’s surface, garbage on roads, industrial debris, pesticides, insecticides, etc. Unwanted wastes lying and being decomposed release harmful gases and lead to pollution.

Water Pollution – Wastes disposed of in rivers, oceans act as pollutant in water bodies. Raw sewage, oil spills, chemical refuse, etc. create poisonous water and hence lead to water pollution.

Air pollution – Burning of fossil fuels, release of gases from vehicles release mono-oxide, carbon-di-oxide, industrial pollution, nuclear radiations etc. lead to air pollution.

Noise Pollution – Vehicle horns, loud music, construction machinery sounds, and other human activities create noise. This affects humans and animals, their natural vegetation and create Noise Pollution.

Thermal Pollution – Manufacturing activities lead to rise in the temperature of water and land. This affects marine and plant life. Such activities lead to thermal pollution.

Developmental activities such as construction, transportation and manufacturing not only depletes the natural resources but also produces large amounts of wastes that lead to air, water, soil. Untreated or improperly treated waste is a major cause of pollution of rivers and environmental degradation causing ill health and loss of crop productivity. Human activities directly or indirectly affect the environment adversely. Automobiles emits oxides of nitrogen, sulphur, carbon which pollute the atmosphere. Domestic sewage and run off from the agricultural fields laden with pesticides and fertilizers pollutes water bodies.

This study is to find out the environmental pollution and its adverse effects faced by a local village. This study was conducted through questionnaire and interviews. The study enlighten me that pollution is causing great sufferings to the people i chose. The response of the questionnaire showed that 80% people of the people are affected by all types of pollution in one way or another. Main problem pointed out by the people are burning of plastic wastes. Some also mentioned the health problems caused by the pollution. 75% of the people are affected by water pollution and 30% in t so not have enough fresh water for their household purpose. Interesting fact is that people who uses their own well suffers pollution caused by improper septic tanks. Old household may be having pits instead of septic tank which causes trouble for them and the neighbors. Most of the people agree that they throw plastic waste outside to the soil and they complain about soil pollution themselves.

The interview was also very informative about their problems. They didn't fail to complain about the sound pollution caused by the public festivals and announcements. The loud speakers cause a great level of disturbance to the people. Another group testimony that the farmers are using fertilizers and pesticide which is causing them regular pollution and health problems. The people using ponds and rivers as their water source complain about the waste dumped into the water bodies. The farmers knew about bio fertilizers but they are not willing to use it because of it slow results. Also people agreed that even though all these are their troubles it is not practical to avoid plastic.

The remedies for these pollution causing problems are,

• Do not throw industrial, farm or other waste and sewage into rivers.
• Boil water before drinking.
• Recycling of waste
• City water should be treated properly.
• Dead bodies should not be thrown in water bodies.
• Trees should be planted along the rivers.
• Awareness should be created among the people.
• Sewage treatment before dumping wastes.
• Spraying of pesticides must be reduced.
• Using of compost instead of fertilizers.
• Reduce combustion of fuels as the fumes result in acid rain when combined with rain that pollute the soil.
• Reduce use of plastic.
• Do not litter.
• Use dustbin

We are aware with the different types of pollutants and their impact on our environment. These pollutants affect humans, animals, plants and atmosphere. Their effects are indeed many and wide-ranging. The excessive levels of pollutants cause a lot of damage to human and animal health. For example air pollution reduces the lung functioning, cause irritation of mouth, throat, eyes and nose, asthma, respiratory symptoms like coughing and wheezing. We are observing a regular increment in the temperature and express the concern for global warming. But is that enough to stop the pollution? Are we providing a fresh and clean atmosphere to our future generation? Answer is ‘NO’. The problem of pollution is not the single instance; it is the group collaboration of instances.  One person cannot stop it but it can pass to another one and trying to prevent at the best level. If we cannot stop it completely at least we can try to cut pollution down to a size the environment can handle.

          Reference

* http://www.journals.elsevier.com
* http://www.sciencedirect.com>journal
* www.sustainablebabysteps.com