MODULE 5
POLLUTION
Learning Objectives:
1. Define pollution
2. Identify pollutants in the environment
3. Cite some sources of pollutants
4. Analyze the effects of pollution to the environment and human health
INTRODUCTION
Have you ever ride a jeep and need to cover your face with handkerchief? Have
you experienced passing along the Pasig River and notice its awful smell? Or have you
seen those plastic litters along your way to school? Then you probably know what
pollution is.
LET’S LEARN!
Pollution is defined as the presence in or introduction into the environment of a
substance or thing that has harmful or poisonous effects.
Pollutants, on the other hand, are the substances that cause pollution. They
may come from various sources; natural or human-made. There are three major types
of pollution, namely, air pollution, water pollution, and land pollution.
On average, we take about 2,000 breaths every day. At home, in the workplace,
inside the classroom, on your commute, everywhere we are, we breathe. That’s a lot of
breath! For most of us, breathing is something we don’t think about because it’s not
something we can see. When you can’t see pollutants such as invisible gases or
particles, it’s challenging to know what’s in the air around you. Is that air safe to
breathe?
Air pollution happens when harmful or excessive quantities of substances are
introduced into Earth's atmosphere. Sources of air pollution include gases (such as
ammonia, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxides, methane and
chlorofluorocarbons), particulates (both organic such as spores and pollens, and
inorganic such as soot and dusts), and biological molecules.
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. Both human activity and natural processes can generate
air pollution.
What most people don’t realize is that the World Health Organization estimates
that more than 90% of the world’s population breathes unsafe air. Air pollution kills an
estimated seven million people worldwide every year. This shocking statistic affects
everyone, especially children, the elderly, and asthmatics. So, with that in mind, what
exactly are we breathing?
Major Air Pollutants
Where It Came
Pollutant What Is It Effects
From
Ozone is a gas that The chemicals that Ozone can irritate
is formed when react to form ozone the lining of the
nitrogen oxides come from sources nose, airways and
react with a group such as: motor lungs. People who
of air pollutants vehicle exhaust, oil are exposed to
known as 'reactive refining, printing, enough ozone
organic substances' petrochemicals, might feel some
in the presence of lawn mowing, pain in their ears,
sunlight. aviation, bushfires eyes, nose and
and burning off. throat, and they
Ozone (O3)
The natural amount Motor vehicle might start to
of ozone in the exhaust fumes cough. Chest pains
lower atmosphere produce as much can also occur in
is generally around as 70% of the some people.
0.04 parts per nitrogen oxides and People with asthma
million (ppm), and 50% of the organic might have more
that amount is not chemicals that form attacks and
harmful to human ozone. athletes might find
health. it harder to perform
as well as usual.
Nitrogen Dioxide Nitrogen dioxide is Some nitrogen The main effect of
(NO2) a nasty-smelling dioxide is formed breathing in raised
gas. naturally in the levels of nitrogen
atmosphere by dioxide is the
Nitrogen dioxide is lightning and some increased likelihood
an important air is produced by of respiratory
pollutant because it plants, soil and problems. Nitrogen
contributes to the water. dioxide inflames the
formation of lining of the lungs,
photochemical The major source and it can reduce
smog, which can of nitrogen dioxide immunity to lung
have significant is the burning of infections. This can
impacts on human fossil fuels: coal, oil cause problems
health. and gas. Most of such as wheezing,
the nitrogen dioxide coughing, colds, flu
in cities comes from and bronchitis.
motor vehicle
exhaust (about Increased levels of
80%). nitrogen dioxide
can have significant
impacts on people
with asthma
because it can
cause more
frequent and more
intense attacks.
Children with
asthma and older
people with heart
disease are most at
risk.
Carbon monoxide Natural sources of High levels of
is a gas and is carbon monoxide carbon monoxide
found in air. include volcanoes are poisonous to
and bushfires. humans and,
The natural unfortunately, it
concentration of The main sources cannot be detected
carbon monoxide in of additional carbon by humans as it
air is around 0.2 monoxide are has no taste or
Carbon Monoxide parts per million motor vehicle smell and cannot
(CO) (ppm), and that exhaust and some be seen.
amount is not industrial activities,
harmful to humans. such as making
steel.
Tobacco smoke is
one of the main
indoor sources of
carbon monoxide.
Sulfur Dioxide Sulfur dioxide is a About 99% of the Sulfur dioxide
(SO2) gas. It is invisible sulfur dioxide in air affects human
and has a nasty, comes from human health when it is
sharp smell. It sources. The main breathed in. It
reacts easily with source of sulfur irritates the nose,
other substances to dioxide in the air is throat, and airways
form harmful industrial activity to cause coughing,
compounds, such that processes wheezing,
as sulfuric acid, materials that shortness of breath,
sulfurous acid and contain sulfur, eg; or a tight feeling
sulfate particles. the generation of around the chest.
electricity from coal, The effects of sulfur
oil or gas that dioxide are felt very
contains sulfur. quickly and most
Some mineral ores people would feel
also contain sulfur, the worst
and sulfur dioxide is symptoms in 10 or
released when they 15 minutes after
are processed. In breathing it in.
addition, industrial
activities that burn Those most at risk
fossil fuels of developing
containing sulfur problems if they are
can be important exposed to sulfur
sources of sulfur dioxide are people
dioxide. with asthma or
similar conditions.
Sulfur dioxide is
also present in
motor vehicle
emissions, as the
result of fuel
combustion.
Particulate Matter Airborne particles Some particles are Studies have linked
(PM) are sometimes emitted directly into exposure to particle
referred to as the air from a pollution to a
'particulate matter' variety of sources number of health
or 'PM'. They that are either problems including
include dust, dirt, natural or related to respiratory illnesses
soot, smoke, and human activity. (such as asthma
liquid droplets. Natural sources and bronchitis) and
Some particles are include bushfires, cardiovascular
large enough or dust storms, disease. In
dark enough to be pollens and sea addition, the
seen as soot or spray. Those chemical
smoke, while others related to human components of
are so small they activity include some particles,
can only be motor vehicle particularly
detected emissions, combustion
individually with a industrial processes products, have
microscope. (eg; electricity been shown to
generation, cause cancer.
Particles can be incinerators and These effects are
classified on the stone crushing), often more
basis of their size, unpaved roads and pronounced for
referred to as their wood heaters. vulnerable groups,
'aerodynamic such as the very
young and the
diameter'. 'Coarse elderly.
particles' are those
between 10 and 2.5 Particle pollution is
micrometres (µm) the major cause of
in diameter; 'fine reduced visibility.
particles' are This can be a
smaller than 2.5 serious safety issue
µm; and 'ultrafine on roads and in
particles' are traffic tunnels and
smaller than 0.1 can also affect our
µm. For enjoyment of the
comparison, the natural landscape.
diameter of a
human hair is 70
µm and this is
seven times the
diameter of the
largest 'coarse
particles'.
Lead (Pb) Lead is a naturally Mining and metal Lead is a health
occurring heavy manufacturing are hazard. It is stored
metal that is found the largest sources in your bones and
in the Earth’s crust. of lead emissions in teeth, and may
Lead can be Australia. However, damage parts of
released into soil, there are many your body,
air and water other sources, including your liver,
through soil including: waste kidneys and brain.
erosion, volcanic incinerators; battery
eruptions, sea recycling; the Exposure to lead
spray and production of lead can affect the
bushfires. The fishing sinkers; health of children,
natural cement, plaster and unborn babies and
concentration of concrete adults.
lead in the air is manufacturing;
less than 0.1 ceramic products Once in the body,
microgram per such as garden lead circulates in
cubic meter. pots; iron and steel; the blood. The
petroleum and coal amount of lead in a
products; paper, person's blood
glass and metal gives an indication
products; motor of how much lead
vehicles and their has recently been
parts; wood breathed in or
products; and yarn swallowed. These
and fabric for measurements are
making clothes and
curtains. called blood lead
levels. The results
of a blood lead
level test will
usually be put in
terms of how many
micrograms of lead
there are in each
decilitre of blood
(i.e. micrograms
per deciliter).
A single exposure,
like eating a
leaded-paint flake
the size of a five
cent piece, can
increase blood-lead
levels for several
weeks. Some of
this lead will remain
in the body for life.
A small exposure to
lead however, does
not always result in
symptoms of lead
poisoning in either
adults or children.
However, lead can
gradually build up
in the body to
cause health
problems if
exposure
continues.
Volatile Organic Volatile organic Organic chemicals VOCs can cause
Compounds compounds (VOCs) are widely used as eye, nose, and
(VOCs) are emitted as ingredients in throat irritation,
gases from certain household headaches, loss of
solids or liquids. products. Paints, coordination and
VOCs include a varnishes and wax nausea, damage to
variety of all contain organic liver, kidney and
chemicals, some of solvents, as do central nervous
which may have many cleaning, system. Some
short- and long- disinfecting, organics can cause
term adverse health cosmetic, cancer in animals;
effects. degreasing, and some are
hobby products. suspected or
Concentrations of known to cause
many VOCs are Fuels are made up cancer in humans.
consistently higher of organic
indoors (up to ten chemicals. All of The ability of
times higher) than these products can organic chemicals
outdoors. VOCs are release organic to cause health
emitted by a wide compounds while effects varies
array of products you are using them, greatly from those
numbering in the and, to some that are highly
thousands. degree, when they toxic, to those with
are stored. no known health
effect.
As with other
pollutants, the
extent and nature
of the health effect
will depend on
many factors
including level of
exposure and
length of time
exposed.
Particulate matter has been making rounds in local and international news. In the
Southeast Asia, the average PM2.5 concentration is 21 μg/m3 annually, over twice the
recommended value. The Philippines’ annual PM2.5 concentration rests at 18.4 μg/m3,
according to the 2016 WHO report. This value is approximately 80% higher than the
safe levels indicated by WHO. Aside from national data, WHO also collected data from
the major cities of participating countries.
Aside from the air we breathe, water is also essential to life. It need not be spelt
out exactly how important it is. Yet water pollution is one of the most serious ecological
threats we face today. What is it?
Water pollution happens when toxic substances enter water bodies such as
lakes, rivers, oceans and so on, getting dissolved in them, lying suspended in the water
or depositing on the bed. This degrades the quality of water.
Not only does this spell disaster for aquatic ecosystems, the pollutants also seep
through and reach the groundwater, which might end up in our households as
contaminated water we use in our daily activities, including drinking.
Water pollution can be caused in a number of ways, one of the most polluting
being city sewage and industrial waste discharge. Indirect sources of water pollution
include contaminants that enter the water supply from soils or groundwater systems and
from the atmosphere via rain. Soil and groundwater contain the residue of human
agricultural practices and improperly disposed of industrial wastes.
Water pollutants can be of varying kinds: organic, inorganic, radioactive and so
on. In fact, the list of possible water contaminants is just too vast to be listed here. The
largest contributors of water pollution are runoffs and plastics.
Runoff is water from rain, melted snow, or irrigation that is not absorbed and
held by the soil, but runs over the ground and through loose soil. As runoff moves, it
picks up and carries pollution. It can then deposit the pollution into ponds, lakes, coastal
waters, and underground sources of drinking water. Runoff can be a problem in farming
lands, cities, suburbs, and industrial areas.
Algal bloom happens when colonies of algae — simple plants that live in the
sea and freshwater — grow out of control. It can produce toxic or harmful effects on
people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals and birds. One of the factors that contribute to
algal blooms is eutrophication.
Eutrophication (also called distrophication or hypertrophication) happens when
a body of water becomes overly enriched with minerals and nutrients which induce
excessive growth of algae. It is often induced by the discharge of nitrate or phosphate-
containing detergents, fertilizers, or sewage into an aquatic system.
Probably the most recognizable major type of pollution when you walk around is
land pollution. Land pollution, also known as soil pollution, happens when the land
becomes contaminated with toxic and harmful substances such as heavy metals, mine
tailings, pesticides, and plastics. It can also happen when humans alter the natural state
of the land, like converting it into subdivisions.
Sources of soil pollution can be direct, for example, from dumping toxic
chemicals directly on to a site, or indirect, for example where toxic chemicals leach
through the soil from particulates that have settled from air pollution from a nearby coal-
fired power plant.
