GROUP 2 ( 5TH PRESENTER)

ENVIRONMENTAL CARE

Alfayeed Salik (Leader)

Silver Jon Delicano
Princess Micah Donton
Jolhani Maruhom
Datu Nur Mohamad
What is Pollution?
Pollution occurs when pollutants contaminate the natural surroundings; which brings
about changes that affect our normal lifestyles adversely. Pollutants are the key elements
or components of pollution which are generally waste materials of different forms.
Pollution disturbs our ecosystem and the balance in the environment. With modernization
and development in our lives pollution has reached its peak; giving rise to global
warming and human illness.
Pollution occurs in different forms; air, water, soil, radioactive, noise, heat/ thermal
and light. Every form of pollution has two sources of occurrence; the point and the non-
point sources. The point sources are easy to identify, monitor and control, whereas the
non-point sources are hard to control.

Different Types of Pollution and their Causes and Solutions

 Air Pollution - occurs when harmful or excessive quantities of substances

including gases, particles, and biological molecules are introduced into Earth's
atmosphere. It may cause diseases, allergies and even death to humans; it may also
cause harm to other living organisms such as animals and food crops, and may
damage the natural or built environment.

Some specific causes of air pollution:

1. Vehicle Exhaust Fumes.
- The number one source of air pollution in city environments is vehicle exhaust fumes,
which happen to release high amounts of carbon monoxide.
2. Exhaust from Industrial Plants and Factories.
- Similar to exhaust being released from vehicles, heavier machinery located inside big
factories and industrial plants also emit pollutants into the air. Industrial plants can be
found pretty much everywhere in the world, so the spreading of air pollution is basically
global.
3. Construction and Agricultural Activities.
- On a daily basis, dirt and dust is kicked up into the atmosphere from excavating and
demolition type construction activities. Switching the focus to agricultural activities,
ammonia is a frequent byproduct that just so happens to be one of the most dangerous
gases in our environment. There are also plenty of nasty chemicals that get placed into
the atmosphere from pesticides and fertilizers, which are being used at increasingly
higher rates.
4.Household Activities.
- Forget about outdoor pollution. Common household chemicals, notably bleach,
without proper ventilation is a primary source of indoor air pollution. Smoking tobacco
through the use of cigarettes and cigars also releases toxic pollutants into the air. It’s
often easier to think of outdoor pollution as the primary danger on a wide scale level, but
don’t dismiss the little everyday activities that also impact our health.

Air pollution solutions:

1. Minimize the Use of Fossil Fuel Powered Automobiles.
- As a leading contributor to air pollution, it only makes sense that a vehicle-based
solution appears first on this list. One way to do this is by switching to a hybrid vehicle,
or better yet, one that runs on fully electric. Other ways include taking public
transportation, carpooling with friends and colleagues, or even riding a bike to your
destination.
2. Become an Advocate for Clean Energy.
- The most basic solution for air pollution is to move away from fossil fuels, replacing
them with alternative energies like solar, wind and geothermal. These types of energy
sources create much less air pollution.
3. Be Mindful of Energy Consumption.
- When you’re leaving home, be sure to turn off the lights, TV, and any other electronic
appliances. Fossil fuel plants are a major cause of air pollutants, and the less energy you
need, the less we have to rely on those plants to generate electricity.
 Water Pollution - Water pollution occurs when a body of water becomes
contaminated. Water pollution is a very real threat to our survival. It is considered
the world's biggest health risk, threatening not only humans, but also the myriad
other plants and animals that rely on water to live.
Causes:
1. AGRICULTURE
- Agriculture has an impact on water pollution due to the use of chemicals such as
fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides and other chemicals that running off in the water.
2. INDUSTRIES
- Industries produce a lot of waste containing toxic chemicals and pollutants. A huge
amount of the industrial waste is drained in the fresh water which then flows into canals,
rivers and eventually in the sea. Another source of water pollution is the burning of fossil
fuels, causing air pollution like acid rain which then flows to streams, lakes, and other
stretches of water.
3. MARINE DUMPING
- Everyday, garbage such as plastic, paper, aluminum, food, glass, or rubber are
deposited into the sea. These items take weeks to hundreds of years to decompose, and
thus they are a major cause for water pollution.
4. Oil spills
- Of the one million tons of oil discharged into the ocean every year, around five
percent comes from natural sources in the ocean floor, 35 percent comes from regular
shipping operations including illegal tank cleaning and 45 percent comes from municipal
and industrial effluents, that is wastewater, much of it from storm water washing oil from
roadways.

Solution:
1. Plastic waste reduction
- 80% of plastic in our oceans is from land sources. In order to reduce the amount of
plastic entering our ocean, we need to both reduce our use of plastic globally, and to
improve plastic waste management.
2. Garbage Disposal
- Even though most homes have a garbage disposal system in the sink, it is better to use
it as rarely as possible. This system can break down solid objects, but those items are
harmful to the water supply. It is better to throw them in the trash can when possible.
3. Use water wisely
- Do not keep the tap running when not in use. Also, you can reduce the amount of
water you use in washing and bathing. If we all do this, we can significantly prevent
water shortages and reduce the amount of dirty water that needs treatment. Do not throw
chemicals, oils, paints and medicines down the sink drain, or the toilet. Work to educate
your friends, family, and the community about water safety and water pollution.

 Soil pollution or Soil contamination - is the contamination of soil with harmful

substances that can adversely affect the quality of the soil and the health of those
living on it. Polluted soil can harm humans by making contact with the soil or
consuming vegetation produce from contaminated soils. Children are even more
susceptible to the harms of soil pollution since they spend most of their time
playing in close contact with the soil

Causes:
1. Industrial Activity
- Industrial activity has been the biggest contributor to the problem in the last century,
especially since the amount of mining and manufacturing has increased. Most industries
are dependent on extracting minerals from the Earth. Whether it is iron ore or coal, the by
products are contaminated and they are not disposed off in a manner that can be
considered safe.
2. Agricultural Activities
- Chemical utilization has gone up tremendously since technology provided us with
modern pesticides and fertilizers. They are full of chemicals that are not produced in
nature and cannot be broken down by it. As a result, they seep into the ground after they
mix with water and slowly reduce the fertility of the soil.
3. Accidental Oil Spills
- Oil leaks can happen during storage and transport of chemicals. This can be seen at
most of the fuel stations. The chemicals present in the fuel deteriorates the quality of soil
and make them unsuitable for cultivation. These chemicals can enter into the
groundwater through soil and make the water undrinkable.
4. Acid Rain
- Acid rain is caused when pollutants present in the air mixes up with the rain and fall
back on the ground. The polluted water could dissolve away some of the important
nutrients found in soil and change the structure of the soil.
5. WASTE DISPOSAL
- Finally, a growing cause for concern is how we dispose of our waste. Every human
produces a certain amount of personal waste products by way or urine and feces. While
much of it moves into the sewer the system, there is also a large amount that is dumped
directly into landfills in the form of diapers. Even the sewer system ends at the landfill,
where the biological waste pollutes the soil and water.

Solution:
1. Proper waste disposal
- Be it for industrial or household waste, efficient waste disposal is one of the most
effective ways of curbing land pollution. This especially applies to toxic and hazardous
waste disposal.
2. Sustainable forest management
- Conservation of the forests is key. Without the protection of the trees, the land
becomes dry and starts to erode. Therefore, sustainable forestry or logging is crucial to
saving the soil from pollution.
3. Cleanup
- Environmental remediation consists of removing pollution from the soil, groundwater
or surface water. Bioremediation (microbes) and phytoremediation (plants) can be used to
convert the pollutants into harmless products.
4. The "3 R's" Rule & Education
- Reducing the use of non-biodegradable products will lower plastic pollution and
eventually have an impact on land pollution. This is why it is very important to reuse and
recycle every possible item. Education should also play a major role in efforts to protect
the environment from land pollution.
  Radioactive pollution is highly dangerous when it occurs. It can occur due to
nuclear plant malfunctions, improper nuclear waste disposal, accidents, etc. It
causes cancer, infertility, blindness, defects at the time of birth; can sterilise soil
and affect air and water.

Causes of Radioactive Pollution

1. The use of nuclear weapons as weapons of mass destruction (WMD)
The use of nuclear missiles and atomic bombs, a form of nuclear energy, in the Second
World War not only explains cause but also the damaging nature of radioactive pollution
or contamination. The effects of those two strikes in Hiroshima and Nagasaki that
prompted the end of the war in 1945 have been seen to date with children born with
complications such mental retardation as well as conditions such as autism and other
disorders. The number of cancer cases present in the two towns is more than those of the
rest of Japan.
2. Use of radio isotopes
Since most of the raw sewage is untreated before release, once released, the isotope
combines with other compounds and elements in water. This is the same water that
people fetch for domestic use. Moreover, fishes use the same water to survive.
Consumption of these fish and from contaminated water sources means potential intake
of radiation.
3. Mining
Mining mostly involves the excavation of the mineral ores which are then broken into
smaller manageable pieces. Radium and Uranium, for instance, are naturally occurring in
the environment and are equally radioactive. Hence, mining increases the natural
geological processes by moving these materials from underneath the earth to the surface.
Other minerals with a hint of radiation are thorium, plutonium, radon, potassium, carbon
and phosphorus.
5. Spillage of radioactive chemicals
There have been instances of spillages over oceans when ships hit glaciers or coral
reefs and end up releasing chemicals on waterways and in the atmosphere. The majority
of these chemicals including petroleum products have a significant level of radiation
which can be detrimental to the environment.
6. Tests on radiation
Radiation has been seen to have a lot of interesting properties which has promoted a lot
of scientists to conduct tests to learn more about it. It is one of the key elements in the
cure and treatment of cancer.
Chemotherapy, a cancer curative health initiative uses radiation to prevent further growth
of the cancer cells as well as keep the immune system strong. Despite this, scientists have
been exposed to radiation leading to their deaths or to complications.
7. Cosmic rays
These come from outer space to our planet with intense radiation as their nature,
therefore, causing radioactive pollution. Gamma rays, for example, are said to have the
highest level of radiation and yet, depending on their intensity, some are not visible to the
human eye. The quantity with which the rays hit the earth depends on the altitude of the
earth and the geographical location.

Solutions of Radioactive Pollution

1. Proper method of disposing radioactive waste
Radioactive waste still has some level of radiation. Accordingly, it cannot be disposed in
the same way as normal waste. It cannot be incinerated or buried. Since there is
likelihood of seepage, this waste should be stored in heavy and thick concrete containers.
Another option is to dilute the radiation since storage may not be possible. Since there are
no easy ways of disposing of radioactive material, professional assistance should always
be sought.
2. Proper labeling
It is necessary for any material with radioactive content to be labeled and the necessary
precautions advised on the content of the label. The reason for this is because radiation
can enter the body by a mere touch of radioactive material. Containers with such
elements should be well labeled in order for one to use protective gear when handling
them.
3. Banning of nuclear tests
It has already been proven that nuclear power has a lot of latent power that is very
destructive. Nevertheless, the tests done to perfect the energy contribute greatly to the
overall presence of radioactive substances. Moreover, these tests though done in the
deserts end up escaping from one ecosystem to another eventually affecting the lives of
many people.
4. Alternative energy sources
The evolution and use of nuclear power was not a bad thing initially. However,
considering the damage and threats it has on the environment, it is high time for its use to
be discontinued and for the world to perhaps focus on alternative and environmentally
friendly energy sources – like renewable sources of energy namely Solar, hydro-electric
and wind power.The use of radioactivity to generate energy in nuclear power plants, for
example, leads to the production of more radiation to the atmosphere considering the
waste released from the various processes and combustion.
5. Proper storage
It is mandatory for containers carrying radioactive material to be stored properly. For
starters, such substances should be stored in radiation proof containers to ensure no
seeping or leakage during handling. Proper storage means no harm and can minimize
cases of accidental leakage.
6. Reusing
Since it is not easy to store or dispose the waste, it can be recycled and used for other
purposes like in another reactor as fuel thereby protecting the environment.

 Noise pollution, also known as environmental noise or sound pollution, is the

propagation of noise with harmful impact on the activity of human or animal life.
Noise pollution can cause hypertension, high stress levels, tinnitus, hearing loss,
sleep disturbances, and other harmful effects.
Causes:
1. Industrialization
- Most of the industries use big machines which are capable of producing large amount
of noise. Apart from that, various equipment like compressors, generators, exhaust fans,
grinding mills also participate in producing big noise. Therefore, you must have seen
workers in these factories and industries wearing ear plugs to minimize the effect of
noise.
2. Social Events
- Noise is at its peak in most of the social events. Whether it is marriage, parties, pub,
disc or place of worship, people normally flout rules set by the local administration and
create nuisance in the area. People play songs on full volume and dance till midnight
which makes the condition of people living nearby pretty worse.
3. Transportation
- Large number of vehicles on roads, airplanes flying over houses, underground trains
produce heavy noise and people get it difficult to get accustomed to that. The high noise
leads to a situation wherein a normal person loses the ability to hear properly.
4. Construction Activities
- Under construction activities like mining, construction of bridges, dams, buildings,
stations, roads, flyovers take place in almost every part of the world. These construction
activities take place everyday as we need more buildings, bridges to accommodate more
people and to reduce traffic congestion. The down point is that this construction
equipment is too noisy.

Solutions:
1. Turn off the electronic or reduce the volume.
- Game systems, computers, Hi-fi systems, and televisions can contribute to noise
pollution when on high volumes. The solution is to turn them off when not in use and
also keep them on moderate volume to reduce noise pollution. Besides, by turning them
off you’ll also be saving electricity costs.
2. Use Earplugs
- Use of earplugs or earmuffs can bring down loud noises to manageable level.
Earplugs are small inserts that fit into out ear canal. And earmuffs fit over the entire outer
ear to form an air seal keeping ears safe from loud noises.
3. Stay away from noisy area
- Noise producing industries, airports, vehicles should be far from residential areas as it
very dangerous for infants and senior citizens.
4. Tree Plantation
- Planting bushes and trees in and around sound generating sources is another effective
solution for noise pollution. Dense shrubs and trees block sound passage, thus avoiding
disturbance to the surrounding areas.
5. Close the windows
- By simply closing the windows, we can reduce the amount of noise entering into our
homes and buildings. It keeps away unwanted sound. The best thing to do is to only open
windows during the quitter times of the day.
  Thermal/heat pollution is due to the excess heat in the environment creating
unwanted changes over long time periods; due to huge number of industrial
plants, deforestation and air pollution. It increases the earth’s temperature, causing
drastic climatic changes and extinction of wildlife.

Causes of Thermal Pollution

1. Water as Cooling Agent in Power, Manufacturing and Industrial plants:
Production and Manufacturing plants are biggest source of thermal pollution. These
plants draw water from nearby source to keep machines cool and then release back to the
source with higher temperature. When heated water returns to the river or ocean, the
water temperature rises sharply. When oxygen levels are altered in the water, this can
also degrade the quality and longevity of life in wildlife that lives underwater. This
process can also wipe away streamside vegetation, which constantly depends on constant
levels of oxygen and temperature. By altering these natural environments, industries are
essentially helping decrease the quality of life for these marines based life forms and can
ultimately destroy habitats if they are not controlled and careful about their practices.
2. Soil Erosion: Soil erosion is another major factor that causes thermal pollution.
Consistent soil erosion causes water bodies to rise, making them more exposed to
sunlight. The high temperature could prove fatal for aquatic biomes as it may give rise to
anaerobic conditions.
3. Deforestation: Trees and plants prevent sunlight from falling directly on lakes, ponds
or rivers. When deforestation takes place, these water bodies are directly exposed to
sunlight, thus absorbing more heat and raising its temperature. Deforestation is also a
main cause of the higher concentrations of greenhouse gases i.e. global warming in the
atmosphere.
4. Runoff from Paved Surfaces: Urban runoff discharged to surface waters from paved
surfaces like roads and parking lots can make water warmer. During summer seasons, the
pavement gets quite hot, which creates warm runoff that gets into the sewer systems and
water bodies.
5. Natural Causes: Natural causes like volcanoes and geothermal activity under the
oceans and seas can trigger warm lava to raise the temperature of water bodies.
Lightening can also introduce massive amount of heat into the oceans. This means that
the overall temperature of the water source will rise, having significant impacts on
the environment.
Solution:
1. Recycle used water.
Whether on a small scale in your own home or on a larger scale at a local power plant,
reusing water that has been heated for some other purpose already can go a long way
toward cutting back on thermal pollution. For example, at a power plant, when water is
heated from the cooling process, this water can be transferred to a generator or some
other device and used to provider power and heat for other buildings. In your home,
recycling your used water may be as simple as watering your plants with it, but it can still
make a big difference in the long run.
2. Plant more Trees
Planting trees anywhere is great for the environment, but when you work to plant trees
along shorelines, you’re helping cut back on erosion. Erosion can cause water pollution
and can also lead to raising the temperature of the water due to storm runoff. As well,
having more trees along the shoreline can help improve the ecosystem in the area overall
and can cut back on air pollution, too. There’s no reason not to plant trees, so it can be a
big help for your local water sources to organize a group to work on this activism task.
3. Spread awareness.
Hand out flyers, give talks and demonstrations, and even just tell your friends and family
about your cause. There’s no need to go over the top and be rude or unpleasant about it;
just make sure everyone who knows you or comes into contact with you takes away
something useful in terms of knowledge about thermal water pollution. And if you’re
trying to get some things changed locally where you live, be sure you reach out to
companies, government officials, and other organizations that may be willing to help you.
4. Use Cooling Powers
Power plants that use water as a coolant for their operations can look into using cooling
towers that may help the thermal pollution situation. Simply put, a cooling tower allows
the heated water to cool back down to the temperature of the water in nature before it is
returned to its original source. This keeps it from raising the ambient water temperature at
all, and it prevents the problem of thermal pollution in the environment altogether—at
least where it’s caused by power plant operations.
5. Use other cooling agents.
These power plants can also look into other sources of cooling, such as other cooling
agents and other methods as well. It can take a lot of activism to get an established power
plant to change their cooling methods or agents, but when you work hard on something
like this, chances are good your voice will eventually be heard. Don’t be afraid to stand
up and try to get some changes made when you can.

 Light pollution, also known as photopollution - is excessive, misdirected, or

obtrusive artificial (usually outdoor) light. Too much light pollution has
consequences: it washes out starlight in the night sky, interferes with astronomical
research, disrupts ecosystems, has adverse health effects and wastes energy.

Causes:
1. Car Lights and Street Lights
- Roadway lightings are the biggest contributors to light pollution, especially in major
cities and on the highways. This encompasses the hundreds of kilometers of powerful
streetlights that remain lit the whole night on a daily basis.
2. Airports, Bus Stands and Train Stations, and Public Centers
- Public centers such as city parks, bus and train stations, and airports are commonly lit
by powerful lights which are not shielded from the spillover and glare effects thus
producing a lot of light to the skies and unintended surrounding places.
3. Night Sports Stadiums
- The floodlights used in sports stadiums and grounds specialized for major sports
events frequently contribute to light pollution since the lights used are very powerful and
end up disrupting the natural illumination at night. Also, the glares from the lights are
reflected upwards, therefore, brightening the skies at night. These are particularly the big
lights focused on the stadium and the surrounding areas.
4. Overpopulation
- That is really a zoning issue. Too many businesses, or too many residences, grouped
in one area can cause light pollution of many kinds.

Solution:
1.Minimizing the use of lights.
- Switching off unnecessary lights can hugely help in reducing light pollution. This is
the cheapest, easiest and most effective method of dealing with the problem. It can be
achieved by turning off lights when about to sleep or whenever there is no activity going
on outside is the house. If the concern is security, then lights should only be put on if
there is a security alarm.
2. Reduce the use decorative lighting
- Festivities and celebration periods often leads to the excessive use of decorative
lighting kept on all day and night. The use of decorative lighting during festive seasons
should thus be lessened to reduce the brightening of the skies. As an alternative,
environmentally friendly candles should be used for the celebration periods. Furthermore,
it will also help in conserving energy.
3. Tell your friends, family, and neighbours about light pollution
- The best way to start helping is to spread the word about light pollution is to start
talking about it.

https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/pollutiontypes.php
https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-and-effects-of-thermal-pollution.php
https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/radioactive-pollution-causes-effects-
solutions.php