Sources and Effects
To prevent or minimize environmental pollution, we need to know the main sources responsible for it. The gases to which we are exposed daily are oxides of sulfur and nitrogen produced through the combustion of petrol and diesel, and they get mixed up with the moisture present in the atmosphere. These extremely harmful gases are present in the air, mainly in dust particles and smoke, and they enter into our body as we breathe in; they further enter into the lungs.
Gradually, they get absorbed by the lungs, and it leads to difficulty in breathing, irritation of the eyes, inflammation of the skin and also causes cardiovascular diseases and respiratory diseases like Bronchitis, Asthma and Lung cancer; in case of exposure to coal and sulfur particles, especially in and around industrial areas.
Due to the burning of paper, coal and metallurgical operations taking place in the chemical industries, gases like carbon dioxide and oxides of sulfur and nitrogen are the main cause for the production of mist and smog and play a major role in producing โAcid Rainsโ which pollute all the water bodies, forests and lands directly and also affect human beings, animals and birds by contaminating all the necessary resources thus, making it difficult and harmful for all lifeforms to breathe in clean air.
How to Reduce Environmental Pollution?
1. Use Solar Energy, Wind Energy, and Hydro Electricity
We can utilize these sources of energy to minimize the usage of Electricity. The usage of LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas), Petrol, Coal and Diesel can be reduced by replacing it with Biogas and Producer gas. If you want to learn more about zero waste or zero waste, check for online resources.
2. Transport System
We can practically contribute to reducing air pollution to a major extent by the usage of bicycles and Public Transport instead of Cars and Motorbikes. The Chlorofluorocarbons responsible for depleting the ozone layer are mostly present in the deodorant cans we regularly use.
These can be replaced by perfumes that work with an atomizer. By keeping our surroundings clean and promoting greenery i.e. by planting trees in and around our houses and in our locality, we can play a simple but effective role in reducing the environmental pollution. Fluorescent bulbs could be utilized instead of regular neon lamps or sodium vapor lamps.
3. ย Newspapers and Aluminium can be recycled and reused
3. ย Newspapers and Aluminium can be recycled and reused
This can help to reduce pollution of the land. The wet ย Garbage can be dumped into a soil pit and could be transformed into Compost and manure, and we could further grow vegetables, fruits and flowers at the comfort of our own home using Terrace Farming techniques.
4. Regarding Water Pollution, EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
These agencies keep a check on the by-products and residual gases, and residual wastes dumped into the oceans, lakes and rivers. The EPA takes the responsibility to take necessary measures to reduce contamination of the Chemical Industries and Power plants cause.
Gases like Carbon monoxide, Nitrogen dioxide, Lead (which cause damage to the nervous system) are vent out in the air after their effect is minimized. Metals like mercury, Beryllium, Asbestos, Benzene and Uranium, and carbon dioxide play a major role in the rise of global temperature. Their usage on a major scale is being prohibited.
The gases which lead to global warming are carbon dioxide and Methane, which further cause untimely rains and prolonged summers and other environmental changes. Thus, we can practically reduce global warming by prohibiting the burning of plastic and wood and recycling and reusing them. A practical way to replace polythene and plastic is by adopting paper bags for our daily chores.
5. Indoor Pollution
It is unknown to many of us that respiratory problemsโ main cause can be reduced by adding decorative and floral plants in our balconies and Living rooms and keeping the windows and doors of our houses closed during the daytime. This would reduce the exposure to the outer atmosphere and lead to more oxygen right in our living rooms and balconies.
We must prevent water from getting stagnant in and around our house and locality as it is the prime reason for the growth of thousands of mosquitoes and other insects to breed. The usage of pesticides also leads to the contamination of soil and further leads to unhygienic and hazardous land, and as a result, infectious and contagious diseases are spread.
Mother Earth belongs to all of us, and the contribution we must make to protect it for the coming generations should start right from us. So, let us be responsible for the protection of our environment. Let us gift our future generations with an environment that is far purer and cleaner compared to ours. Let us be an example to our children by following these practical ways and taking some preventive measures to minimize environmental pollution.