Theory question 207
Environmental Hazards and Conservation(a) What is environmental pollution? (b) Describe four causes of environmental pollution. (c) Outline three ways in which environmental pollution can be controlled.
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(a) Environmental pollution is the release of harmful substances or energy (noise, heat) into the air, water or land so that the environment becomes unsafe or unhealthy for living things.
(b) Industrial gases and effluents from factories; exhaust fumes from vehicles and generators; oil spillage and gas flaring in oil areas; poor disposal of refuse and sewage; burning of bush, firewood and coal; overuse of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides washed into water; noise from loudspeakers and machines; mining waste.
(c) Laws to limit emissions and dumping, with enforcement; anti-pollution devices on factories and vehicles; treating industrial waste and sewage before discharge; proper refuse collection and recycling; environmental impact assessment before projects; public education.
Name a source and its effect for each cause.