Question

How do industries pollute the environment?

Answer 1

Industries have majorly contributed to the development and economic growth of India but they also significantly contributed to the pollution of air, water, land and noise pollution. This has massively led to the degradation of the environment.

Water Pollution

• Due to discharge of effluents, organic and inorganic industrial wastes into rivers, lakes have led to the increase in water pollution.
• Rubber, plastics, chemical with carbon, synthetic chemicals, fertilisers, mercury pesticides, heavy metals like lead, salts, acids, detergents, dyes are released into water bodies causing pollution of water resources.
• The main industries releasing pollutants into water are electroplating industries, tanneries, petroleum refineries, dyeing, textile industries, chemical industries, pulp and paper industries.
• Major solid wastes in India are steel and iron slags, phospo-gypsum, fly ash.
• Water and soil pollution are closely connected.
• Garbage, salts, packaging, industrial effluents, harmful chemicals pollute the soil and make it useless.
• Groundwater also gets contaminated when rain water percolates to the soil carrying the pollutants.

Noise Pollution

• The negative impacts of noise pollution on humans are different physiological effects, increasing blood pressure, increased heart rate, causes hearing impairment, causes irritation and anger.
• A lot of noise is generated by pneumatic and electrical drills, saws, generators, factory equipment, machineries, construction activities, industrial activities.
• Unwanted sound is a major source of stress and irritation.

Air Pollution

• Air pollution adversely impacts the atmosphere, plants, animals and humans.
• Bhopal Gas tragedy is one of the worst air pollution in the history of India.
• Air pollution has long term effects and is very hazardous.
• Air pollution is caused by the presence of a high proportion of undesirable gases such as carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere.
• Airborne particulate materials contain both liquid and solid particles like mist, sprays, dust and smoke.
• Smoke is emitted from small and big factories by burning fossil fuels, smelting plants, refineries, brick kilns, paper and chemical factories.

Thermal Pollution

• When hot water is drained from thermal plants and factories into rivers, ponds before cooling, thermal pollution of water takes place.
• Wastes from nuclear weapon production facilities, waste from nuclear power plants causes many problems such as miscarriages, birth defects, cancer.