ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND GLOBAL ISSUES
INTRODUCTION
Environmental pollution means lowering of
environmental quality at local, regional and global
levels, by both natural and man-made processes.
The word pollution is derived from the Latin
word polluere which means to soil or defile.
Pollution is an undersirable change in the physical,
chemical and biological characteristics of air, water
and land that may, can and will adversely affect
human life, or that of other living species, our
developmental activities and socio-cultural life.
It is commonly agreed that pollution is,
without doubt, the outcome of urban, industrial,
technological revolution and speedy exploitation
of natural resources.
DEFINITIONS
Pollution: It may be defined as the release
of substances and energy (In excess of permissible
limit) as waste products of human activities which
result in changes, naturally harmful, within the
natural environment.
Examples - air, soil, water, noise and
radiation pollution.
Pollutant: It can be defined as any form of
energy or matter that causes degradation and
pollution in the existing natural balance of
ecosystems.
Examples - smoke, gases, dust, toxic
chemicals, etc.
TYPES OF POLLUTANTS
Pollutants can be classified in different
aspects such as:
1. On the basis of release in atmosphere - On
this basis pollutants may be classified into two
groups.
(a) Primary pollutants - the pollutants
which are released directly from the sources to the
environment i.e., air, water or land in a harmful
form are called primary pollutants. For example
the agricultural run-off containing pesticides get
mixed in drinking water. Particulate matter,
carbon monoxide Hydrocarbons (HCs), SO2, NO.
(b) Secondary Pollutants - The pollutants
which are modified to harmful form in a medium
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or are formed by some chemical reactions are
called secondary pollutants. For example, plastics
and radioactive wastes, photochemical smogs.
2. On the basis of biodegradability - Pollutants
can be categorized into two groups on the basis of
their nature of degradation:
(a) Biodegradable pollutants - The
pollutants which are capable of being broken
down into simpler substances by the activity of
microbes are called biodegradable pollutants. For
example, papers, wood, fruit and vegetable
remains, etc.
(b) Non-biodegradable pollutants - The
pollutants which are not capable of being broken
down into simpler substances are called non-
biodegradable pollutants. They can harm all the
forms of life. For example, plastic, radioactive
wastes, lead, pesticide, etc.
3. On the basis of state - Depending on the state
in which the pollutants exist under normal
conditions, they are classified into solid, liquid and
gaseous pollutants.
(a) Solid Pollutants - Solid pollutants are
divided into several types based on their sources
such as -
Mining wastes: Huge quantities of mining
wastes are dumped on land surface like metallic
ores, earthen materials, rock and other wastes.
Industrial wastes: A large amount of
bagasse is produced by sugarmills. Copper
smelters and aluminium industries produce
pollutants which are very injurious to vegetation
and soil.
Agricultural waste: Throughout the world,
the use of artificial or chemical fertilizers on land
has increased considerably. Though fertilizers are
generally used to fortify soil, they contaminate the
soil to a certain extent. Sometimes, excessive use
of these fertilizers may have an adverse effect.
(b) Liquid pollutants - On the basis of the
source of pollutants, liquid pollutants may be of
the following types:
Industrial effluents: Chemical pollutants
such as chloride, sulphide, ammoniacal nitrogen,
heavy metals like mercury, zinc, lead, arsenic,
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boron, etc., organic chemical compounds and
radioactive wastes.
Agricultural run-off: Pesticides,
insecticides, herbicides and several other synthetic
compounds used to increase crop yield are
considered agricultural pollutants. DDT
manufacturing units produce acids which have a
corrosive effect.
Urban pollutants: Various types of ions
such as sulphate, nitrate, etc., coming from the
washout of automobile and fossil fuel combustion;
calcium and bicarbonate ions from lime and
chemical fertilizers factory, etc., are considered
urban pollutants.
Natural contaminants: Volcanic dusts,
sediments due to weathering and erosion, debris
caused by landslides, decomposed organic matter
etc. are natural pollutants.
(c) Gaseous pollutants - These can be
classified as primary and secondary. Primary
pollutants include ashes form a volcanic eruption,
carbon monoxide from motor vehicle exhaust, etc.
Secondary pollutants include some particles
formed from gaseous primary pollutants and
photochemical smog such as NO2, ozone and
peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN).
Sulphur dioxide: Natural processes which
release sulphur compounds include decomposition
and combustion of organic matter and volcanic
eruptions. The main human activities producing
sulphur dioxide are the smelting of mineral ores
containing sulphur and combustion of fossil fuels.
Particulate matter: Not only the gaseous
pollutants, there are also solid or liquid particles
that may be suspended in the air. Referred to as
particulate matter, these particles range in size
up to 50 micrometers (m) in diameter (there are
1,000,000 m in a metre) and may reduce visibility
and have an adverse effect on health. Examples of
particles in the air include dust, smoke, plant
spores, bacteria. Particles matter may be a primary
pollutant, such as smoke particles, or a secondary
pollutant formed from the chemical reaction of
gaseous pollutants.
Human activities resulting in particulate
matter in the air include mining, burning of fossil
fuels; transportation, agricultural and hazard
reduction burning, the use of incinerators and the
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use of solid fuels for cooking and heating.
Atmospheric particles having diameter 10 m,
generally settle out in less than a day, whereas
particles with diameters 1 m or less can remain
suspended in air for weeks. Suspended particulate
matter in the lower atmosphere (troposphere)
causes and aggravates human respiratory illness,
like asthma, chronic bronchitis, etc. When
accumulated in the upper atmosphere
(stratosphere), particulate matter may significantly
alter the radiation and thermal budgets of the
atmosphere, lowering the temperature at the
earths surface.
Oxides of nitrogen: Are formed mainly from
N2 and O2 during combustion of fossil fuels at high
temperatures in automobile engines. NOx stands
for an indeterminate mixture of NO and NO2.
Nitrogen oxides cause the reddish-brown haze
(brown air) in traffic-congested city air, which
contributes to heart and lung problems and may be
carcinogenic. Nitrogen oxides also contribute to
acid rain because they combine with water droplets
to produce nitric acid (HNO3) and other acids. The
main oxides of nitrogen present in the atmosphere
are nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and
nitrous oxide (N2O). Nitrous oxide occurs in much
smaller quantities than the other two, but is of
interest as it is a powerful greenhouse gas and thus
contributes to global warming.
Carbon monoxide: Carbon monoxide is an
odourless, colourless gas produced by incomplete
oxidation (burning) of fossil fuels. Carbon
monoxide is produced naturally by oxidation in the
oceans and air. In cities, the motor vehicles are by
far the largest human source, although any
combustion process any produce it. It is also
present in Cigarette smoke when in haled reduces
oxygen carrying capacity of blood.
Ozone: Ozone is a faintly blue, gaseous
secondary pollutant. It is formed by chemical
reactions between reactive organic gases and
oxides of nitrogen in the presence of sunlight.
Ozone is one of the irritant secondary pollutants in
photochemical smog and is often used as a
measure of it.
Lead: The major source of lead in the air is
leaded fuel used in motor vehicles, metal mining
and processing facilities. Lead and other metals
like, chromium, nickel, etc., are toxic in nature.
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 Air toxics: Air toxics can enter the Benzene and its derivatives, such as formaldehyde,
atmosphere from a variety of sources. They are are carcinogenic (substance that cause cancer).
present in motor vehicles exhaust, fuel vapour Formaldehyde emitted from indoor sources, such
from service stations, the smoke and exhaust from as newly-manufactured carpeting, causes indoor
wood-burning heaters, and the solvents used for pollution. Some relatively reactive HCs contribute
dry cleaning and spray painting. to the generation of secondary pollutants. HCs are
also generated during the burning of fossil fuels
Hydrocarbons and Volatile Organic
(coal and petroleum). Vocatile Organic
Compounds (VOCs): Are compounds composed of
Compounds (VOCs) are non-methane
hydrogen and carbon. HCs are produced naturally
hydrocarbons and oxygenated hydrocarbons. They
during decomposition of organic matter. Methane
are found in the exhaust fumes emitted from
(CH4), the most abundant hydrocarbon in the
automobiles, biomass burning, agricultural
atmosphere, is evolved from soil microbes
activities etc.
(methanogens) in flooded rice fields and swamps.
Table 1. Sources and effects of air pollutants on humans, environment and property
Possible Sources
Environment
Pollutant Natural Anthropogenic Effects o Human
and property
Sulphur dioxide (SO2) Volcanoes (67%) Combustion of fossil Respiratory illness Acid rain
A chemical compound fuel (coal, heavy Visibility impairment Aesthetic
produced by volcanoes fuel oil) in thermal damage
and in various industrial power plants, Aggravate existing
process and is also a office, factories. heart and lung
precursor to particulates diseases
Paper industry
in the atmosphere.
Extravation and
distribution of fossil
fuels
Smelting of metals
(sulfide ores to
produce copper,
lead and zinc)
Petroleum refining
Combustion process
in diesel, petrol,
natural gas driven
vehicles.
Oxides of nitrogen Lightning High temperature Irritates the nose and Precursor of
(NOx) Forest fires combustion throat ozone formed
They are a generic term (Internal Increase susceptibility in the
for a group of highly Bacterial activity of combustion troposphere.
soil to respiratory
reactive gases that engines, fossil fuel infections Form
contain nitrogen and fired power atmospheric
oxygen in varying stations, industrial). fine
amounts. NOx are Burning of biomass particulate
emitted as nitrogen and fossil fuels. matter
oxide (NO) which is burden as a
rapidly oxidized to more result of
toxic nitrogen dioxide oxidation to
(NO2). Nitrogen dioxide form nitrate
(NO2) is a reddish-brown aerosol.
toxic gas with a
characteristic sharp,
bitting odor and is a
prominent air pollutant.
F-9, MAIN ROAD, KATWARIA SARAI, NEW DELHI-16 MOB: 9711713852 3
Respirable suspended
particulate matter
(PM10, size 10 m,
coarse fraction PM10 -
PM2.5). Also called
thoracic fraction.
Particulate matter (PM)
is a complex mixture of
suspended solid and
liquid particle in semi-
equilibrium with
surrounding gases. The
major constituents of
RSPM are organic and
elemental carbon,
metal/elements like
silicon, magnesium, iron,
ions like sulphates,
nitrates, ammonium etc.
PM10 can settle in the
bronchi and lungs and
cause health problems.
Particulate matter 2.5
(PM 2.5, size 2.5 m,
fine fraction size up to
2.5 m, respirable
fraction).
Air bone particles
smaller than 2.5 m
called fine particles.
Composed mainly of
carbonaceous materials
(organic and elemental),
inorganic compounds
(sulfate, nitrate, and
ammonium), and trace
metals compounds (iron,
aluminium nickel,
copper, zinc, and lead).
Pose the greatest
problems, PM 2.5, tend
to penetrate into the gas
exchange regions of the
lung, and very small
particles (<100
nanometers) may pass
through the lungs to
affect other organs. The
smallest particles,
however, less than 100
nm (nanoparticles) can
get into the bloodstream
and affect the
cardiovascular system.
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Coarse particles are Road traffic Cardiopulmonary Visibility
produced by the emissions problems. reduction
mechanical break-up particularly from Asthma, bronchitis,
of larger solid diesel vehicles. and pneumonia in
particles. Industrial elder people.
Wind blown dust combustion plants
such as road dust, fly some public power
ash, soot, generation.
agricultural
Commercial and
processes.
residential
Physical process of combustion.
crushing, grinding
and abrasion of Non-combustion
processes (e.g.
surface
quarrying).
photochemically.
Produced particles, Agricultural
such as those found activities
in urban haze.
Pollen grains, mould
spores, and plant
and parts.
Non-combustible
materials released
when burning fossil
fuels.
Fine particles are Vehicular emission. Oxidative stress Aesthetic
largely formed from Industrial Respiratory symptoms damage
gases. combustion plants such as irritation of Visibility
Ultrafine particles for some public the airways, coughing, reduction
are formed by power generation. or difficulty in
nucleation, which is breathing
Commercial and
the initial stage in residential Decreased lung
which gas becomes a combustion. function
particle. These
particles can grow up Aggravated asthma
to a size of 1 m Chronic bronchitis.
either through
Irregular heartbeat,
condensation, when
cardiopulmonary
additional gas
disorders
condensates
(coagulation). Premature death in
people with heat or
lung disease.
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Ozone (O3) A pale blue Ozone is present in Tropospheric ozone Tropospheric ozone Ozone
gas, soluble in water and the stratosphere (about 10 km above causes: cracking in
non-polar solvents with zone (between about the earth surface) is Lung function deficits car tires,
specific sharp odor 10 and 50 km above harmful. It is gaskets, O-
somewhat resembling the troposphere) of formed by the Respiratory illness rings is
chlorine bleach. the atmosphere as reaction of sunlight Premature death, caused by
Ozone is a secondary ozone layer. This with air, containing asthma, bronchitis, attack of
pollutant formed in the ozone protects us hydrocarbons and heart attack, and other ozone on any
atmosphere by reaction from UV radiations. nitrogen oxides cardiopulmponary polymer
between oxides of emitted by car problems. possessing
nitrogen and volatile engines, industrial Ground-level ozone and olefinic or
organic compounds operations, pollution which double bonds
(VOCs) in the presence chemical solvents to interferes with within its
of sunlight. Peak O3 form ozone. photosynthesis and chain
levels occur typically Electronic stunts overall growth of structure,
during the warmer times equipment such as some plant species. Ozone
of the year. photocopiers. present in the
upper
troposphere
acts as a
greenhouse
gas,
absorbing
some of the
infrared
energy
emitted by
the earth.
Lead Food (lead is Waste incineration Lead is rapidly
A bright silvery soft, absorbed by plants) Metal processing absorbed into the
dense, ductile, highly bloodstream and is
Paint industry believed to have
malleable, bluish-white
metal that has poor Lead solder in food adverse effects on the
electrical conductivity cans, breast milk, central nervous
and is highly resistant to drinking water, system, the
corrosion. cosmetics, ceramic cardiovascular
pottery, burning of system, kidneys, and
firewood or the immune system.
kerosene, Causes blood
indigenous disorders like anemia,
remedies, tobacco increase in blood
and tobacco pressure.
products,
contaminated Potent neurotoxin
drinking water, that accumulates both
toys, industrial in soft tissues both in
effluents, lead acid soft tissues and the
batteries, bones.
ammunition, paints Causes nephropathy,
and varnishes, and colic-like
water pipes. abdominal pains.
Automobile Weakness in fingers,
exhaust. wrists, or ankles.
Miscarriage and
reduction of fertility in
males, delayed
puberty in girls.
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Carbon monoxide (CO) Produced during
Also called carbonous
oxide, is a colorless,
odorless and tasteless
gas which is slightly
lighter than air. It is
highly toxic to humans
and animals in higher
quantities. Mainly
formed by incomplete
combustion of carbon
containing fuels.
Volcanic activity
Forest and bushfires.
Permanently reduce
the cognitive capacity
of children.
Exhaust of internal This gas enters the
normal animal combustion blood stream through
metabolism (by the engines, especially lungs and combines
action of of vehicles with with hemoglobin
hemeoxygenase 1 petrol engines. forming
and 2 on the heme Burning of carbon carboxyhemogl-obin.
from hemoglobin fuels. This condition is
breakdown and known as anoxemia,
products Organic combustion which inhibits bloods
carboxyhemo-globin in waste oxygen carrying
in normal persons) in incineration. capacity to organs and
low quantities and Power station tissues.
has some normal processes. Persons with heart
biological functions
Iron smelting. disease are sensitive
(signalling molecule). to CO poisoning and
Burning of crop
may experience chest
residues.
pain if they breath the
gas while exercising.
Adverse effects on the
fetus of a pregnant
woman.
Infants, elederly
persons, and
individuals with
repiratory diseases
are also particularly
sensitive.
Anti-inflammatories,
vasodialators and
encouragers of
neovascular growth.

Ammonia (NH3) Putrefaction of Farms. Irritation to skin, eyes, Odour.

A compound of nitrogen nitrogenous animals Fertilizers industry. throat, and lungs and
and hydrogen, a and vegetable cause coughing.
matter. Ammonia Industrial sites that
colourless gas with a
store ammonia or Burns.
characteristic pungent and ammonium salts
are also found in use it as a Lung damage and
colour. Contributes
small quantities in refrigerant can death may occur after
significantly to the
rainwater, fertile soil release high levels if exposure to very high
nutritional needs of
and in seawater. the chemical leaks concentrations of
terrestrial organisms by
or is spilled. ammonia.
serving as a precursor to During volcanic
food and fertilizers, and erruption.
either directly or
The kidneys secrete
indirectly, is also a
NH3 to neutralize
building block for the
excess acid.
synthesis of many
pharmaceuticals.

Benzene (C6H6) Volcanoes. Combustion of fuel Hematotoxic,

A colourless, sweet Forest fires. (automotive fuel), nerotoxic,
smelling liquid. It is wood and leukemogenic,

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generated whenever
carbon-rich materials
undergo incomplete
combustion.
Polyaromatic
hydrocarbons (BaP)
(Particulate phase only)
A five-ring polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbon
whose metabolites are
mutagenic and highly
carcinogenic.
Arsenic (As)
A solid layered, a ruffled
analogue of graphite,
metallic gray in color
and is a semiconductor.
It is a potent poison
(IARC) recognizes arsenic
and group I carcinogen.
F-9, MAIN ROAD, KATWARIA SARAI, NEW DELHI-16 MOB: 9711713852
stationary fossil carcinogenic effects.
fuel, other Chronic exposure to
aromatics. benzene may cause
Evaporation (fuel chromosomal
storage containers, damage, immune
during refueling. suppression, aplastic
Industrial emission. anemia,
myelodysplastic
Coke oven. syndrome, leukemia,
Perchlorethylene is non-Hodgkins
emitted from some lymphoma, and
dry cleaning cancer of the lung and
facilities. nasopharynx.
Tobacco smoke, Effects the
wood smoke. reproductive system,
developing fetus and
Glues, paints,
fertility in men, low
furniture wax, and
birth weights, delayed
detergents.
bone formation, and
bone marrow
damage.
Coal tar (after a Incomplete Mutagenic and highly
forest fire), combustion of fuels carcinogenic (skin,
Eruption of (processing of coal lung, and bladder
volcanoes. and crude oil). cancer in humans and
Combustion of in animals)
natural gas Skin rash or eye
irritation
Road transport
Industrial plant Bronchitis
Tobacco smoke
Coal tar
Automobile exhaust
fumes (especially
diesel engines), in
all smoke resulting
from the
combustion of
organic material.
Charboiled food,
burnt toast, cooked
meat producers, in
burnt foods such as
coffee.
Volcanic ash, Smelting of metals, Epigenetic changes.
weathering of the Combustion of fuels Multi-system organ
arsenic-containing (especially of low failure.
mineral and ores as grade brown coal).
well as ground Arsenic poisoning.
water. Use of pesticides.
Food, water, soil and Wood preservation
air. glass production
nonferrous metal
alloys, Electronic
semiconductor
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Nickel (Ni)
A silvery-white lustrous
corrosion-resistant
metal with a slight
golden tinge.
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs)
Noise
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manufacturing.
Coke oven
emissions
associated with the
smelter industry.
Urease (an enzyme Combustion of fossil Nickel sulfide fume Explosive in
which assists in the fuels. and dust is believed to air.
hydrolysis of urea) Nickel plating. be carcinogenic.
contains nickel. Allergy, dermatitis.
Metallurgical
Sensitivity to nickel
processes.
may also be present in
patients with
pompholyx.
Other Pollutants Not Included in NAAQS List
Respiration by Fossile fuels burning Breathlessness, Greenhouse
animals and plants. for cooking, heating headache, chest effect and
and in power plant congestion. climate
furnaces. Indirect effect due to change.
increase in
temperature during
green-house effect.
Air conditioners, Indirect effects Depletion of
refrigerators, through depletion of stratospheric
Foam insulations ozone in stratosphere ozone.
which protests human
Extinguishers from harmful UV
Solvent cleaners radiation. Enhanced
UV radiations cause
Aerosol propellents
skin cancer, cataracts
Supersonic aircraft etc.
factories Auditory problems
industries Speech interference
Transport Annoyance
Religious activities Loss in efficiency
Physiological
disorders
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