When we study environmental regulation in India, a major focus is on industries that have a disproportionately large impact on air and water quality. The government identifies these industries, categorises them, and then monitors them through specialised systems. Let’s understand this: Highly Polluting Industries (HPIs) The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has…
Electronic waste (e-waste) is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world, and also one of the most dangerous, because it mixes:→ hazardous substances→ heavy metals→ toxic chemicals→ plastics & flame retardants……with valuable metals such as gold, silver, copper, platinum. What is E-Waste? E-waste includes discarded or end-of-life:→ electronics→ electrical equipment (EEE)→ appliances (TVs,…
Introduction Heavy metals are among the most dangerous environmental pollutants because they:➡️Persist in the environment➡️Do not biologically degrade➡️Accumulate in living organisms➡️Move up the food chain (biomagnification) Even at very low concentrations, they can cause severe and irreversible health effects. What Are Heavy Metals? Heavy metals are metallic elements with densities higher than water and with…
To understand hazardous waste, remember one principle: Not all waste is equally harmful, but hazardous waste is dangerous because of its chemical nature. What Is Hazardous Waste? A hazardous substance is any material present or released into the environment that can:→ Harm public health→ Damage ecosystems A substance becomes hazardous if it exhibits any ONE…
To understand solid waste, imagine everything we throw away—from kitchen leftovers to demolished concrete. If it is solid and discarded, it becomes solid waste. What Are Solid Wastes? Solid waste includes:→ Garbage→ Construction debris→ Sludge from treatment plants→ Other discarded materials They originate from:→ Industries→ Commercial establishments→ Mining activities→ Agriculture→ Households A major category is…
Let us begin with a very simple idea: Plastic itself is not the villain.The mismanagement of plastic is the real problem. And when this mismanaged plastic accumulates in the environment, we call it plastic pollution. What Is Plastic Pollution? Plastic pollution means the accumulation of plastic objects and particles—like bottles, bags, or microplastic fragments—in the…
What is Radioactivity? Radioactivity is a natural property of certain unstable atoms.When the nucleus of such an atom becomes unstable, it starts breaking down or disintegrating on its own. During this breakdown, it emits: These emissions together are what we call nuclear radiation. Two Types of Radiation Radiations are grouped into: What is Radioactive Pollution?…
Imagine you are trying to study, and suddenly someone starts drilling upstairs. You feel annoyed, irritated, even mentally disturbed. This unpleasant and unwanted sound is what we call Noise. What is Noise? Noise is simply a sound that the human ear does not want to hear. It may cause:→ Annoyance→ Irritation→ Stress→ Even physical pain…
The world’s oceans face pollution from oil spills, waste dumping, ballast water, plastic, toxic chemicals, and invasive species.To address these issues, global efforts evolved through international conventions and organisations.Three major frameworks guide marine pollution control: Let’s understand them: Convention on the Dumping of Wastes at Sea (London Convention, 1972) This was the first international agreement…
Controlling water pollution involves a combination of biological, physical, chemical, and ecosystem-based strategies. Let’s explore them. 1. Bioremediation Bioremediation means using living organisms (bacteria, fungi, plants) to break down or remove contaminants from soil and water. Microorganisms can even be genetically engineered to degrade pollutants more effectively. Two major types exist: A. In-situ Bioremediation (“On-site”—treatment…
