Environmental Engineering-I

CEN 343

Polluted place surrounding residential area

and management
Name:Md Shohag Sarkar
: 21306055
Serial No : 21
Section : B

Date of submission:05.11.2023
Medical Waste:
Medical waste is healthcare waste that that may be contaminated
by blood, body fluids or other potentially infectious materials
and is often referred to as regulated medical waste.

Key facts
The total amount of waste generated by health-care activities,
about 85% is general, non-hazardous waste.
 The remaining 15% is considered hazardous material that
may be infectious, toxic or radioactive.
 Every year an estimated 16 billion injections are
administered worldwide, but not all of the needles and
syringes are properly disposed of afterwards.
  Open burning and incineration of health care wastes can,
under some circumstances, result in the emission of
dioxins, furans, and particulate matter.
Measures to ensure the safe and environmentally sound
management of health care wastes can prevent adverse health
and environmental impacts from such waste including the
unintended release of chemical or biological hazards, including
drug-resistant microorganisms, into the environment thus
protecting the health of patients, health workers, and the general
public.

Risk of particular polluted place:

Treatment and disposal of healthcare waste may pose health
risks indirectly through the release of pathogens and toxic
pollutants into the environment.
 The disposal of untreated health care wastes in landfills can
lead to the contamination of drinking, surface, and ground
waters if those landfills are not properly constructed.
 The treatment of health care wastes with chemical
disinfectants can result in the release of chemical
substances into the environment if those substances are not
handled, stored and disposed in an environmentally sound
manner.
 Incineration of waste has been widely practice, but
inadequate incineration or the incineration of unsuitable
materials results in the release of pollutants into the air and
in the generation of ash residue. Incinerated materials
containing or treated with chlorine can generate dioxins and
furans, which are human carcinogens and have been
 associated with a range of adverse health effects.
Incineration of heavy metals or materials with high metal
content (in particular lead, mercury and cadmium) can lead
to the spread of toxic metals in the environment.

The solution:
The management of health-care waste requires increased
attention and diligence to avoid adverse health outcomes
associated with poor practice, including exposure to infectious
agents and toxic substances.
Key elements in improving health-care waste management are:

 promoting practices that reduce the volume of wastes

generated and ensure proposer waste segregation;
 developing strategies and systems along with strong
oversight and regulation to incrementally improve waste
segregation, destruction and disposal practices with the
ultimate aim of meeting national and international
standards;
 Where feasible, favouring the safe and environmentally
sound treatment of hazardous health care wastes ( by
autoclaving, microwaving, steam treatment integrated with
internal mixing, and chemical treatment) over medical
waste incineration;
 Building a comprehensive system, addressing
responsibilities, resource allocation, handling and disposal.
This is a long-term process, sustained by gradual
improvements;
 Raising awareness of the risks related to health-care waste,
and of safe practices; and
 Selecting safe and environmentally-friendly management
options, to protect people from hazards when collecting,
handling, storing, transporting, treating or disposing of
wasteGovernment commitment and support is needed for
universal, long-term improvement, although immediate
action can be taken locally.

Light Pollution:
Light pollution is the human-made alternation of outdoor
light levels from those occurring natural.

Risk of particular polluted place:

Most environmental pollution on Earth comes from humans
and their inventions. Take, for example, the automobile or
that miraculous human-made material, plastic. Today,
automobile emissions are a major source of
air pollution contributing to climate change, and plastics fill
our ocean, creating a significant health hazard to marine
animals.

1. That Earthly Sky Glow:

Light pollution is a global issue. This became glaringly
obvious when the World Atlas of Night Sky Brightness.

2. Is it Time to Get Up:

Artificial light can wreak havoc on natural body rhythms in
both humans and animals.

3. Animals are Lost and Confused:

Studies show that light pollution is also impacting animal
behaviors, such as migration patterns, wake-sleep habits,
and habitat formation. Because of light pollution, sea turtles
and birds guided by moonlight during migration get
confused, lose their way, and often die.

4. Visual discomfort:
There are three other kinds of light pollution: glare, clutter,
and light trespass. Glare is excessive brightness that can
cause visual discomfort (for example, when driving).

The way forward:

All around us, this unintended pollutant is taking a silent
toll. Each year, thousands of migrating birds and shorebirds
are killed because of unnecessary artificial light at night. 1.
1.Turn Off Lights When Not in Use.
2. Use Fewer Lights When Inside. ...
3. Keep the Blinds and Drapes Closed at Night. ...
4. Avoid Driving at Night. ...
5. Turn Off All Lights When Going to Sleep. ...
6. When Going Outside, Point Your Lights Towards the
Ground.
7. Use LED Light
8. The Use of Automated Street Lights
9. Use of Motion Sensors on Important Outdoor Lights.

Radioactive waste
Radioactive (or nuclear) waste is a byproduct from nuclear
reactors, fuel processing plants, hospitals and research
facilities. Radioactive waste is also generated while
decommissioning and dismantling nuclear reactors and
other nuclear facilities.
 Here are some of the problems associated with
radioactive pollution in the environment:

Radioactive Waste Disposal :

The improper disposal of radioactive waste, such as nuclear
waste from power plants and research facilities, can lead to
the long-term contamination of the environment.
Diseases:
You might not be aware, but cancer is the most dominant
radiation-related disease. It has developed over the years
and poses a significant risk to global health.

Loss of Biodiversity: Radioactive contamination can lead to a

reduction in biodiversity in contaminated areas, as some species
may be more sensitive to radiation than others. This can disrupt
ecosystems and harm wildlife populations.

Harm to Ecosystems: Radioactive pollution can harm

ecosystems by affecting plants, animals, and microorganisms.
Exposure to ionizing radiation can damage the DNA of living
organisms, leading to genetic mutations and reduced
reproductive capacity.

Soil Contamination: Radioactive pollutants can contaminate

soil, making it unsuitable for agriculture and affecting plant
growth. This can result in a reduction in crop yields and food
chain contamination.
Water Pollution: Radioactive materials can contaminate water
bodies, affecting aquatic life and potentially entering the food
chain. This contamination can persist for a long time, posing a
threat to both the aquatic environment and human health.

Solutions to mitigate the impact of radioactive

pollution on the environment:

1. Proper Method of Disposing of Radioactive Waste:

Radioactive waste still has some level of radiation and shouldn’t
be disposed of in the same way as regular waste. It shouldn’t be
incinerated or buried. Instead, it should be stored in heavy and
thick concrete containers to avoid any chances of seepage.
2.Public Education and Awareness:
Educate the public and local communities about the risks and
safety measures associated with radioactive materials and
facilities. This can help build awareness and preparedness for
potential accidents.
3.Monitoring and Surveillance:
Early detection can lead to quicker response and containment.
4. Proper Labeling:
It is also necessary to label any material with radioactive content
and provide the necessary precautions on the label’s content.
This is because radiation can enter the body by a mere touch of
radioactive material. Containers with such elements should be
well labeled to make one use protective gear when handling
them.

4. Alternative Energy Sources:

The evolution and use of nuclear power was not a bad thing
initially. However, considering the damage and threats it has on
the environment, it is high time for its use to be discontinued
and for the world to perhaps focus on alternative and
environmentally friendly energy sources.

6. Reusing:
Since it is not easy to store or dispose of waste, it can be
recycled and used for other purposes, thereby protecting the
environment.

7. Precautions at the Personal Level:

There may be the possibility of contamination if one owns a
house located near a nuclear power plant. In that case, it is
recommended to check the level of radon gas in your building.