Jay water advisory

Category: Environment Health

  • Air pollution

    Air pollution

    Air pollution is when harmful compounds enter the atmosphere and modify their properties and composition.

    Air pollution endangers life on Earth and is caused mainly by the emission of toxic gases into the atmosphere. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills around seven million people worldwide.

    Air pollution is caused majorly by the usage of energy and the manufacture of materials. One of the risk factors for climate change is air pollution.

    Photo by Kelly on Pexels.com

    Types of air pollution

    The United States Environmental Protection Agency US EPA has recognized six classes of air pollution. It includes the following

    • Carbon monoxide
    • Lead
    • Nitrogen Oxides
    • Ground-level ozone
    • Particle pollution
    • Sulfur oxides

    Carbon monoxide

    Carbon monoxide is an odourless and colourless gas. It is made up of one carbon molecule and one oxygen molecule. It is produced by the exhaust of fossil-fuel-powered motors.

    When one breathes in the air with a high concentration of carbon monoxide, the amount of oxygen reaching the bloodstream is reduced because the oxygen is gradually replaced by carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause disorientation, headache, dizziness, nausea and weakness. In extreme cases, (unusually an enclosed area), it can result in unconsciousness and death.

    Lead

    Lead is frequently discharged into the atmosphere as a suspended particle. After some time in the air, lead is known to settle on the earth or ground. Lead is known to be persistent in the environment. This implies that lead can be breathed or consumed. Sources of lead include leaded aviation fuel, waste incinerators, and battery recycling.

    Ingestion or inhalation of the lead causes rapid diffusion in the blood and absorption into the bones. Lead affects the renal function, reproductive system, cardiovascular system, and brain system in children, depending on the extent of exposure.

    Nitrogen oxides

    The majority of nitrogen oxides are generated during burning. Natural sources of nitrogen oxides include lightning strikes and microbiological activity in soils. Nitrogen oxides are a significant contributor to photochemical smog. The reddish-brown colour of photochemical haze is caused by nitrogen oxide.

    Household appliances, such as gas stoves, are typical sources of nitrogen oxides. Excessive nitrogen oxide exposure (such as cooking on a gas burner in a poorly ventilated location) damages the respiratory system. Severe lung illnesses are caused by continuous and sustained exposure.

    Photochemical smog over a city. Source: Bing

    Ground level ozone

    Because it is created by the interaction of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic molecules, ground-level ozone is classified as a secondary pollutant. Ground-level ozone is a significant contributor to photochemical smog.

    Coughing and itching are symptoms of ground-level ozone exposure. It also makes taking a deep breath more difficult. Ground-level ozone reduces photosynthesis by interfering with the plant’s ability to breathe, resulting in a decrease in plant growth rate.

    Particle pollution

    Particle pollution, also known as particulate matter, is the presence of fine particles of solids or liquids in the air. Smoke, dust, and fog are examples of these. Laser cutting, chimneys, air fresheners, cars, stoves, and incense are all sources of particulate matter.

    Particle pollution can impair lung function and even induce heart attacks. When smaller fragments are breathed in, they can enter the lungs and induce lung failure. Larger particles can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat.

    An example of particle pollution. Source: Photo by Kelly on Pexels.com

    Sulfur oxides

    Sulfur oxides trigger acid rain and particle pollution. They might take the shape of solid particles, liquids, or gases. Sulfur oxide is prevalent in the atmosphere mostly as a result of human activity. Sulfur oxides can also be emitted into the environment naturally, such as by volcanoes. High amounts of sulfur oxides can be obtained by human activities such as the combustion of fossil fuels and the smelting of mineral ores.

    Sulfur oxides cause plant leaves to deteriorate, slowing their development. The odour of sulfur oxides is stifling, and exposure can cause nasal discomfort, respiratory difficulties, and heart disease.

    Tips to deal with Air pollution

    With the rise of industries and vehicles on the road, the air remains polluted even when the air quality index is reported to be green. To protect yourself when air pollution occurs, you can do the following:

    1. Wear a nose mask when outdoors.
    2. Run an air purifier when indoors.
    3. Avoid outdoor workouts. You breathe in deeply and heavily when you work out which equates to inhaling more polluted air.
    4. Check daily air pollution levels to choose suitable days for outdoor activities. You can use IQAir to check for the air quality in your environment.

    Ways to reduce air pollution

    One of the most important strategies to minimize air pollution is to limit the amount and pace at which fossil fuels are used. Other methods for reducing air pollution include:

    1. Choose more environmentally friendly ways of transportation.
      • You can opt for an electric vehicle in place of fuel-based vehicles.
      • Walk short distances.
      • Carpool when you are headed in the same direction as people.
    2. Use clean fuels and technologies such as biogas in cooking to reduce air pollution indoors.
    3. Avoid waste burning. Compost your waste instead. Use more recyclables.

    Conclusion

    When dangerous substances enter the atmosphere and change their characteristics and makeup, this is referred to as air pollution. Air pollution threatens life on Earth and is mostly caused by the release of poisonous gases into the atmosphere. Air pollution kills around seven million people globally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

    Air pollution is caused mainly by human activities such as burning fossil fuels. It can also occur due to natural factors such as the eruption of volcanoes.

    Pollutants in the air irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. When exposed to contaminated air for an extended period of time, they may damage respiratory functioning and induce heart failure.

    Using clean cooking technologies, well-maintained automobiles, carpooling, and more environmentally friendly modes of transportation all help to slow the pace of increase in air pollution.

    Using an air purifier indoors and a nose mask outdoors helps to reduce the risk of breathing in polluted air.

  • Environmental Impact Assessment

    Environmental Impact Assessment

    An environmental impact assessment (EIA) evaluates the damaging effects of a plan, policy, program, or actual project on the environment before the decision is made to move forward with the suggested action. 

    Before deciding whether to proceed with a planned action, a plan, policy, program, or an actual project, it’s a must to undergo an environmental assessment. 

    SEA, strategic environmental assessment uses the same principles as EIA, environmental impact assessment. SEA covers a more broad area and is less detailed than EIA.

    Strategic environmental assessments consider the environment and other sustainable factors like the economy or society. It is a tool for environmental management that is used in the approval and decision-making processes for projects.

    Figure 1: Difference between EIA and SEA. Source: Grid Arendal

    Environmental Impact Assessment aims to provide the decision-makers and planners for a project with an in-depth understanding of the overall effects the environment is expected to have. This information in turn helps the planners whether to go ahead with the project or give it up.

    An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is an EIA but on a more comprehensive and detailed scale. EIA just helps the decision-makers to decide whether or not to select a particular project or not. EIS has all the details of an EIA and also feedback from people who would be direct or indirect beneficiaries of the project.

    An EIS also entails alternatives to the proposed project, policy, program or plan and has the details of their environmental impact.

    The EIS is a more detailed EIA, whereas the SEA is a more comprehensive, but not necessarily detailed, EIA. EIA will provide you with a basic understanding of the environmental impact of your program or plan. SEA will tell you what it is doing to the environment as well as the impact on the economy and people’s lives in that area. EIS will inform you of the environmental impact of your program, consumer opinions, proposed alternatives, and their environmental impact.

    EIA and SEA can be performed in our regular day-to-day activities. If you were making an order at a restaurant and you have a budget you don’t plan to exceed but you still wish to treat yourself to something nice. Your budget as a determining factor makes it SEA. If you were a detailed and analytical person (like me) that goes as far as considering how the food was made and the amount of waste generated while making the food and use that knowledge to choose what food on the menu you would go for, that is EIA. The belief is that the lesser the amount of that food consumed, the lesser waste is generated for that restaurant. The lesser the negative impact it has on the environment.

    EIS is also useful in everyday situations. If you went to the grocery store to buy milk and didn’t have a specific brand in mind, you’d probably ask for recommendations from someone who works there or someone who buys similarly to you. You will compare the various brands to find the best quality at the lowest price. The expiry date of the milk (for fresh milk) and the contents of the milk are two things you’d look out for. If you consider things like milk packaging to determine which best protects environmental health, all of the following procedures could be considered EIS.

    Conclusion

    Environmental Impact Assessment evaluates the damaging effects of a plan, policy, program, or actual project on the environment before the decision is made to move forward with the suggested action. 

    Strategic Environmental Assessment covers the same scope as EIA and also considers other scopes such as the economic or social impact of such a project. SEA is usually broader but less detail-oriented compared to an EIA.

    Environmental Impact Statement is a more detailed EIA. It contains information such as consumer feedback, alternative projects and their environmental impact.

    EIA, SEA, and EIS assist in making more informed and near-perfect environmental decisions. Incorporating them into our daily lives can help us make better decisions while also caring for the environment.

  • Flood control

    Flood control

    Flooding can occur due to rainwater accumulation in an already saturated area, storm surges, or rapid melting of snow. Flooding is a common phenomenon in lowlands and floodplains, especially during rainy seasons, but it can occur anywhere. A snowmelt flood is a type of flood in which melted snow is the primary source of water.

    Snowmelt flood. Source: Google.

    Types of flooding.

    1. Flash floods. This is usually associated with unexpected and heavy rain. It usually lasts less than 6 hours. It happens mainly because the amount of rainfall is greater than what the ground can handle in a given amount of time. Flash floods can also occur as a result of rapidly melting snow or a hurricane. This type of flood is a disaster flood because it involves a large volume of water moving at high velocity, easily sweeping anything in its path.
    2. River floods. This primarily impacts lowlands and floodplains. When it rains for an extended period of time, the amount of water in the river rises to the point where it overflows its banks. Planting trees along the river’s path and channelizing the river could reduce the likelihood of a river flood.
    3. Coastal floods. This is caused by a sudden increase in sea levels, such as during a storm surge. The seawater occupies normally dry ground around it.
    4. Groundwater flood. It is an elevation of the existing water table above the rock or soil beneath, causing water to flow to the ground surface. This is caused by constant rainfall. It may occur days to months after the rainfall has occurred.
    5. Drain and sewer flood. A blockage in the drainage system is the most common cause of a drain and sewer flood. It could also happen in the case of a combined sewer if there is heavy rain for an extended period of time.
    Figure 2: Drain and sewer flood. Source: Drain and sewer services.

    Tips to reduce the probability of flooding

    Flooding can occur on any type of land. Although some areas are more prone to flooding than others, a combination of the following measures could reduce the risk or severity of flooding in an area.

    1. Having a functional drainage system or a clearly defined water path.
    2. Planting trees or other vegetation.
    3. Collecting rainwater from the roof and transferring it to the nearest drainage.
    4. When building a house, make sure the ground around it slopes away from it.
    5. Plants should be kept at least 1.5 meters away. Trees should be kept at least 5 meters away.
    6. Put a halt to indiscriminate waste disposal. Improperly disposed of waste always finds its way into drains and clogs them.
    7. As soon as possible, clear any clogged drains and repair any busted pipes in or around the house.
    8. In areas where groundwater flooding occurs, use a waterproof membrane before beginning any work to prevent water from rising continuously.
    9. Use a water repellent to coat the lower portion of the external walls to prevent water seepage.
    10. Keep outer drains at least 3m away from buildings.
    Figure 3: Vegetation along the river path to reduce the risk of river flooding. Source: Google.
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