6. Pollution
(i) Types and sources of pollution; major pollutants.
- Air: Vehicular, industrial, burning garbage, brick kilns.
- Water: Household detergents, sewage, industrial waste, oil spills.
- Thermal pollution.
- Soil: Industrial waste, urban commercial and domestic waste, chemical fertilizers.
- Biomedical waste โ used and discarded needles, syringes, soiled dressings etc.
- Radiation: X-rays; radioactive fallout from nuclear plants.
- Noise: Motor Vehicles, Industrial establishments, Construction Sites, Loudspeakers etc.
(ii) Biodegradable and Non-biodegradable wastes. Biodegradable wastes: meaning and example; paper, vegetable peels, etc. Non-biodegradable wastes: meaning and example; plastics, glass, Styrofoam etc. Pesticides like DDT etc.
(iii) Effects of pollution on climate, environment, human health and other organisms; control measures.
- Brief explanation of: Greenhouse effect and Global warming, Acid rain, Ozone layer depletion.
- Measures to control pollution: Use of unleaded petrol / CNG in automobiles; Switching of engines at traffic signal lights; Social forestry; Setting of sewage treatment plants; Ban on polythene and plastics; Organic farming; Euro Bharat vehicular standard. (A brief idea of the above measures)
- A brief mention of "Swachh Bharat Abhiyan"- A national campaign for Clean India.