Download Land Pollution, Water Pollution

PART 3: SHE ELEMENTS
TITLE
Prepared by:
3.6 Land & Water Pollution
Learning Objectives

To define what is water
and land pollution.
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To discuss the
importance of clean
water as a determinant
of health and the
nature and extent of
waterborne disease.

To outline the
various
approaches to
prevention of
related
environmental
health problems.

To list the major
sources of water
and land
contamination.
Define: Pollution
Water

contamination of
water resources by
harmful wastes.
Land

is the degradation of
Earth's land surfaces
often caused by
human activities and
their misuse of land
resources.
Major Sources of Contamination
Water
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Land
Oil spillage
Surface runoff
Waste water
Sewage
Eutrophication
Direct discharge
Acidification
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Factories / Industries
Household chemicals
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Industrial
Mining
Pesticides / Herbicides
Construction
Waste disposal
Fertilizers
Leachate
Sewage sludge
Household
Deforestation
Effects of Water Pollution
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Poisonous drinking water
Poisonous food animals (due to these organisms
having bioaccumulated toxins from the environment over
their life spans )
Pollution affects the chemistry of water (acidity,
temperature)
The concentration of bacteria and viruses in
polluted water causes increase in solids suspended in
the water body, which, in turn, leads to health problems.
Carcinogenic pollutants found in polluted water might
cause cancer.
Reducing Water Pollution
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Wash your car far away from any stormwater drains
Don’t throw trash, chemicals or solvents into sewer drains
Inspect your septic system every 3-5 years
Avoid using pesticides and fertilizers that can run off into
water systems
Use non-toxic cleaning materials
Clean up oil and other liquid spills and sweep it up
Don’t wash paint brushes or chemical waste in the sink
Effects of Land Pollution
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Exterminates (kill) wild life.
Acid rain kills trees and other plants.
Vegetation that provides food and shelter is destroyed.
It can seriously disrupt the balance of nature and in
extreme cases, can cause human fatalities.
Pesticides can damage crops, kill vegetation, and
poison birds, animals, and fish.
Skin problems are often diagnosed due to land
pollution.
Reducing Land Pollution
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Encourage organic farming
Proper garbage disposal
Recycle garbage
Reduce use of herbicides and pesticides
Avoid over packaged items
Efficient utilization of resources and reducing wastage