LIST OF CONTENTS

1. PROJECT OVERVIEW
2. INTRODUCTION: TYPES OF POLLUTION
I. AIR POLLUTION
II. SOIL POLLUTION
III. WATER POLLUTION
IV. NOISE POLLUTION
V. RADIOACTIVE POLLUTION
VI. THERMAL POLLUTION
3. INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION
4. TYPES OF POLLUTANTS AND THEIR EFFECTS
5. CONSEQUENCES OF INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION
6. LAND DEGRADATION
I. CAUSES
II. EFFECTS
III. SOLUTION
7. CASE STUDY: MAHARASHTRA

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Purpose:
To collect data about industrial pollution and environmental degradation.
Aim:
To study about the ill-effects and consequences of various industrial pollutants and how it
results in environmental degradation.
Methodology:
The required information was collected with the help of computer from the World Wide Web,
as well as from books.
Experience:
Investing in time and energy to bring out a study of the types, causes and consequences of
various industrial pollutants and land degradation, and draw a conclusion.

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 INTRODUCTION: TYPES OF POLLUTION

There are several types of pollution, and while they may come from different sources
and have different consequences, understanding the basics of pollution can help
environmentally conscious individuals minimize their contributions to these dangers. There
are certain basic types of environmental pollution, and each one has detrimental effects on
wildlife, human habitation, and the quality of life in the affected area.
Air Pollution
Air pollution is defined as any contamination of the atmosphere that disturbs the
natural composition and chemistry of the air. This can be in the form of particulate matter
such as dust or excessive gases like carbon dioxide or other vapors that cannot be effectively
removed through natural cycles. Air pollution comes from a wide variety of sources. Some of
the most excessive sources include:

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 Vehicle or manufacturing exhaust
Forest fires, volcanic eruptions, dry
soil erosion, and other natural
sources
Building construction or demolition

Depending on the concentration of air pollutants, several effects can be noticed. Smog
increases, higher rain acidity, crop depletion from inadequate oxygen, higher rates of asthma,
and global warming are all related to increased air pollution.
Water Pollution
Water pollution involves any contaminated water, whether from chemical, particulate,
or bacterial matter that degrades the water’s quality and purity. Water pollution can occur in
oceans, rivers, lakes, and underground reservoirs, and as different water sources flow together
the pollution can spread.

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Causes of water pollution include:
Increased sediment from soil erosion
Improper waste disposal and littering
Leaching of soil pollution into water supplies
Organic material decay in water supplies
The effects of water pollution include decreasing the quantity of drinkable water
available, lowering water supplies for crop irrigation, and impacting fish and wildlife
populations that require water of certain purity for survival.
Soil Pollution
Soil, or land pollution, is contamination of the soil that prevents natural growth and
balance in the land whether it is used for cultivation, habitation, or a wildlife preserve. Some
soil pollution, such as the creation of landfills, is deliberate, while much more is accidental
and can have widespread effects.

Soil pollution sources include:

Hazardous waste and sewage spills
Non-sustainable farming practices, such as the heavy use of inorganic pesticides
Strip mining, deforestation, and other destructive practices
Household dumping and littering

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 Soil contamination can lead to poor growth and reduced crop yields, loss of wildlife
habitat, water and visual pollution, soil erosion, and desertification.

Noise pollution refers to undesirable levels of noises caused by human activity that
disrupt the standard of living in the affected area. Noise pollution can come from:
Traffic
Airports
Railroads
Manufacturing plants
Construction or demolition
Concerts
Effects may include hearing loss, wildlife disturbances, and a general degradation of lifestyle.
Radioactive Pollution
Radioactive pollution is one of the types of pollution that is rare but extremely
detrimental, even deadly, when it occurs. Because of its intensity and the difficulty of
reversing damage, there are strict government regulations to control radioactive pollution.

Sources of radioactive contamination

include:
Nuclear power plant accidents or
leakage
Improper nuclear waste disposal
Uranium mining operations

Radiation pollution can cause birth defects, cancer, sterilization, and other health
problems for human and wildlife populations. It can also sterilize the soil and contribute to
water and air pollution.
Thermal Pollution
Thermal pollution is excess heat that creates undesirable effects over long periods of
time. Many types of thermal pollution are confined to areas near their source, but multiple
sources can have wider impacts over a greater geographic area.

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 Thermal pollution may be caused by:

Power plants
Urban sprawl
Air pollution particulates that trap heat
Deforestation
Loss of temperature moderating water supplies
As temperatures increase, mild climatic changes may be observed, and wildlife
populations may be unable to recover from swift changes.
All types of pollution are interconnected. For example, light pollution requires energy
to be made, which means the electric plant needs to burn more fossil fuels to supply the
electricity. Those fossil fuels contribute to air pollution, which returns to the earth as acid rain
and increases water pollution. The cycle of pollution can go on indefinitely, but once you
understand the different pollution types, how they are created, and the effects they can have,
you can make personal lifestyle changes to combat poor conditions for yourself and others
around you.
INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION
Industrial pollution is pollution which can be directly linked with industry, in contrast
to other pollution sources. This form of pollution is one of the leading causes of pollution
worldwide; in the United States, for example, the Environmental Protective Agency estimates
that up to 50% of the nation's pollution is caused by industry. Because of its size and scope,
industrial pollution is a serious problem for the entire planet, especially in nations which are
rapidly industrializing, like China.

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 This form of pollution dates back to antiquity, but widespread industrial pollution
accelerated rapidly in the 1800s, with the start of the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial
Revolution mechanized means of production, allowing for a much greater volume of
production, and generating a corresponding increase in pollution. The problem was
compounded by the use of fuels like coal, which is notoriously unclean, and a poor
understanding of the causes and consequences of pollution.

There are a number of forms of industrial pollution. One of the most common is water
pollution, caused by dumping of industrial waste into waterways, or improper containment of
waste, which causes leakage into groundwater and waterways. Industrial pollution can also
impact air quality, and it can enter the soil, causing widespread environmental problems.

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 Because of the nature of the global environment, industrial pollution is never limited
to industrial nations. Traces of industrial pollutants have been identified in isolated human,
animal, and plant populations as well.

Industrial pollution hurts the environment in a range of ways, and it has a negative
impact on human lives and health. Pollutants can kill animals and plants, imbalance
ecosystems, degrade air quality radically, damage buildings, and generally degrade quality of
life. Factory workers in areas with uncontrolled industrial pollution are especially vulnerable.

A growing awareness of factory pollution and its consequences has led to tighter
restrictions on pollution all over the world, with nations recognizing that they have an
obligation to protect themselves and their neighbors from pollution. As these countries
industrialize, they add to the global burden of industrial pollution, triggering serious
discussions and arguments about environmental responsibility and a desire to reach a global
agreement on pollution issues.

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 TYPES OF POLLUTANTS AND THEIR ILL-EFFECTS

Modernization and progress have led to our world getting more and more polluted
over the years. Industries, vehicles, increase in the population, and urbanization are some
of the major factors responsible for this pollution. The following industries are among
those that emit a great deal of pollutants into the air: thermal power plants, cement,
steel, refineries, petro chemicals, and mines.

Listed below are the major industrial pollutants, their

sources and effects:

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that is

produced by the incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels
including petrol, diesel, and wood. It is also produced from the
combustion of natural and synthetic products such as cigarettes.
It lowers the amount of oxygen that enters our blood. It can slow
our reflexes and make us confused and sleepy.

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 Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) are gases
that are released mainly from air-
conditioning systems and refrigeration.
When released into the air, CFCs rise to the
stratosphere, where they come in contact
with few other gases, which lead to a
reduction of the ozone layer that protects
the earth from the harmful ultraviolet rays
of the sun.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the principle

greenhouse gas emitted as a result of
human activities such as the burning of
coal, oil, and natural gases.

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Lead is present in petrol, diesel, lead batteries, paints, hair dye products, etc. Lead affects
children in particular. It can cause nervous system damage and digestive problems and, in
some cases, cause cancer.

Ozone occurs naturally in the upper layers

of the atmosphere. This important gas
shields the earth from the harmful
ultraviolet rays of the sun. However, at the
ground level, it is a pollutant with highly
toxic effects. Vehicles and industries are
the major source of ground-level ozone
emissions. Ozone makes our eyes itch,
burn, and water. It lowers our resistance to
colds and pneumonia.

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 Nitrogen oxide causes smog
and acid rain. It is produced
from burning fuels including
petrol, diesel, and coal.
Nitrogen oxides can make
children susceptible to
respiratory diseases in
winters.

Suspended particulate matter (SPM)

consists of solids in the air in the form of
smoke, dust, and vapor that can remain
suspended for extended periods and is also
the main source of haze which reduces
visibility. The finer of these particles, when
breathed in can lodge in our lungs and
cause lung damage and respiratory
problems.

Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is a gas

produced from burning coal, mainly in
thermal power plants. Some industrial
processes, such as production of paper
and smelting of metals, produce
sulphur dioxide. It is a major
contributor to smog and acid rain.
Sulfur dioxide can lead to lung
diseases

CONSEQUENCES OF INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION

Pollution is far from something that is merely unsightly. All over the world,
industrial pollution has raised a number of alarms.

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There are a number of serious health
consequences that can result from unchecked
pollution. The inhalation of gases released by
industries can cause breathing difficulties and are
poisonous in large quantities if the air supply is
restricted. Many chemicals or substances used in
factories have put people working in these places
at an increased risk for developing certain types
of cancers. Health hazards from asbestos dust
have also been recognized in many workers.

Some harmful gases combine with moisture in the earth’s atmosphere and produce acids
which return to the earth in raindrops. This acid harms not only the fish in rivers but plants
and trees as it is drawn up from the earth. It eats away at buildings too. These problems are
particularly severe in some of the industrialized regions.

Some of the gases are thought to be making the world warmer and certain gases in the
atmosphere like carbon dioxide (which we exhale) trap the sun’s rays and warm the planet.
These gases exist naturally but they are also produced when fossil fuels are burnt.

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 The amount of oil and gas burned has steadily increased over the last few decades as a
result of rapid industrialization, giving off more and more of these harmful gases. This means
that more of the sun’s heat is trapped in the atmosphere causing the temperature of the planet
to rise. Scientists fear that ice from the poles and from mountains will start to melt which will
cause a rise in the sea level and a flooding of coastal areas. The climate may also change, arid
regions becoming drier and tropical regions wetter.

LAND DEGRADATION

Land degradation is a concept in which the value of the biophysical environment is

affected by one or more combination of human-induced processes acting upon the land.
Natural hazards are excluded as a cause; however human activities can indirectly affect
phenomena such as floods and bushfires. It is estimated that up to 40% of the world's
agricultural land is seriously degraded.

Causes

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Land degradation is a global problem, mainly related to agricultural. The major causes
include:

Land clearance, such as clear cutting and deforestation

Agricultural depletion of soil nutrients through poor farming practices
Livestock including overgrazing
Urban conversion
Irrigation and over drafting
Land pollution including industrial waste
Vehicle Off-roading
Weeds

Effects

The main outcome of land degradation is a substantial reduction in the productivity of

the land. The major stresses on vulnerable land include:
Accelerated soil erosion by wind and water
Soil acidification or alkalinization
Salination
Destruction of soil structure including loss of organic matter
Derelict soil
Severe land degradation affects a significant portion of the earth's arable lands,
decreasing the wealth and economic development of nations. Land degradation cancels out
gains advanced by improved crop yields and reduced population growth. As the land resource
base becomes less productive, food security is compromised and competition for dwindling
resources increases, the seeds of famine and potential conflict are sown.

We often assume that land degradation only affects soil fertility. However, the effects
of land degradation often more significantly affect receiving water courses (rivers, wetlands
and lakes) since soil, along with nutrients and contaminants associated with soil, are
delivered in large quantities to environments that respond detrimentally to their input. Land

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degradation therefore has potentially disastrous effects on lakes and reservoirs that are
designed to alleviate flooding, provide irrigation, and generate hydroelectricity.
Solution
The problem of land degradation can be overcome by land improvement. Land
improvement or land amelioration is making land more usable by humans. In terms of
agriculture amelioration includes:
 Hydrological improvement (drainage, irrigation, leaching of saline soils, landslide and
flood control)
 Soil improvement (fertilization, establishment of proper chemical balance).
 Soil stabilization/erosion control
 Road construction
 Afforestation, as a means for both water conservation and land protection

Uncontrolled land utilization expanded the above traditional categories with actions for
combating soil degradation:
 Combating desertification
 Polluted land reclamation
 Land rehabilitation after industrial or mining usage

CASE STUDY: ANDHRA PRADESH

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ACTS & RULES IMPLEMENTED BY ANDHRA PRADESH POLLLUTION
CONTROL BOARD

1. Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 amended in 1978 again
amended in 1988.
2. Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977, amended in 1991
3. Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, amended in 1987
4. Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
5. Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling & Transboundary Movement)
Rules, 1989 amended in 2008
6. Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 amended in 1992.
7. Bio-Medical Wastes (Management & Handling) Rules, 1998, amended in 2003.
8. Plastic Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2011.
9. Municipal Solid Wastes (Management & Handling) Rules, 2000
10. e-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011

General Activities of the Board

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 Inventorisation of polluting industries in the state and ensuring their compliance
to the pollution control norms
 Monitoring of highly polluting industries
 Monitoring of water quality and ambient air quality within the state
 Management of Hazardous, Biomedical, Plastic and Municipal Waste
 Monitoring and Management of Environmental quality in critically polluted areas
 Issuance of various environmental permits like:
 Consent for Establishment.
 Consent for Operation
 Authorization for hazardous waste management.
 Authorization for Biomedical waste management.
 Authorization for Municipal solid waste management.
 Authrorization for e-waste management.
 Registration of units under plastic waste management.
 Permission for import of Non ferrous metal scrap.
 The Registration for the industries recycling hazardous wastes implementing
Environmentally Sound Technology.
 Generation and dissemination of data related to environmental quality
through regular monitoring and surveillance;
 Encouraging and promoting environmental research by academicians and
institutions;
 Building environmental awareness for the community; and
 Addressing public grievances through re-ddressal of environmental problems.
Action plan submitted by the Board
 Draft Action plan of APPCB submitted in July 2010.
 The Steering Committee of CPCB, New Delhi on CEPI reviewed the draft
Action Plan and gave certain suggestions / comments.
 APPCB prepared comprehensive action plan for improvement of Environment
of Visakhapatnam and submitted in the Month of November-2010

Local area committee

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  As per the suggestion of CPCB, the Board constituted a local committee with
the experts and stake holders for monitoring the implementation of action plan
under CEPI programme vide Proceedings dated 16/04/2011.
 The committee is regularly inspecting the industries, and regularly reviewing
the progress. A.P. Pollution Control Board is stipulating stringent standards to
the industries located in bowl area.
Online monitoring by APPCB
 A.P. Pollution control board has installed 2 continuous Ambient Air Quality
Monitoring (CAAQM) stations at GVMC and at APPIC, Industrial estate,
Kancharlapalem within the bowl area.
 A.P. Pollution control board has installed 2 continuous online noise
monitoring station at Siripuram Junction in bowl area and the other one at
Zoo park.

LINKS

1. http://www.wlfoet5.demon.co.uk/
2. http://www.wisegeek.com/
3. http://www.edugreen.teri.res.in/
4. http://www.rainwaterharvesting.org/Crisis/Industrial-pollution.htm#
5. http://library.thinkquest.org/
6. http://www.cartoonstock.com/
7. http://www.google.com/
8. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

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