ENVIRONMENTAL

POLLUTION
ILDE B. DELORIA
Course Lecturer
WHAT IS POLLUTANT?
UN (1997) defines pollutant as a
substance that is present in
concentrations that may harm
organisms (humans, plants and
animals) or exceed an
environmental quality standard.
The term is frequently used
synonymously with contaminant.
CLASSIFICATION
OF POLLUTANT?
The materials that cause pollution are of two types:

1. Persistent pollutants. Those pollutants which

remain consistent in the environment for a long period
of time without any change in its original form are
called persistent pollutants. For example pesticides,
nuclear wastes, and plastics etc.
2. Non-persistent pollutant. These pollutants are the
opposite of persistent pollutant and break down in the
simple form. If this process of breaking down is done
by living organisms, then such pollutants are referred
to as biodegradable pollutants.
CLASSIFICATION
OF POLLUTANT?
From another perspective, pollutants can be classified
as follows:
1. Primary pollutants. Primary pollutants are those
which remain in the form in which they were added to
the environment for ex. DDT, plastic, etc.
2. Secondary pollutants. Secondary pollutants are
formed due to interaction of primary pollutants
amongst themselves viz. PAN by the interaction of NOx
and Hydrocarbons.
CLASSIFICATION
OF POLLUTANT?
According to their existence in nature:

1. Quantitative pollutants. These substances are

already present in the atmosphere but they become
pollutant when their concentration level reaches to a
particular level which is above a threshold limit.
2. Qualitative pollutants. These are man-made
pollutants
eg. Fungicides, herbicides
etc.
CLASSIFICATION
OF POLLUTANT?
According to origin:
1. Man-made pollutants
2. Natural pollutants
CLASSIFICATION
OF POLLUTANT?
According to the nature of disposal:
1. Biodegradable pollutants are the ones that can be
broken down and processed by living organisms,
including organic waste products, phosphates, and
inorganic salts.
2. Non-biodegradable pollutants are the ones that
cannot be decomposed by living organisms and
therefore persist in the ecosphere for extremely long
periods of time.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANT?
 Pollutants don’t recognize boundaries, i.e. they
are transboundary;
 Many of them can’t be degraded by living
organisms and therefore stay in the ecosphere
for many years; and
 They destroy biota and habitat.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the
environment that cause harm or discomfort to humans
or other living organisms, or that damage the
environment” which can come “in the form of chemical
substances, or energy such as noise, heat or light
(Mitchell and Sweeney, 2018).

Another definition of environment pollution is the

addition of contaminants into the natural environment
that causes detrimental effects to nature, natural
resources and mankind (Jain, 2019).
HISTORY OF POLLUTION

Pollution had been known to exist for

a very long time but the technological
progress starting with the onset of
industrial revolution during the 19 th
century led to greater problems
affecting the environment.
Environmental pollution is a problem
both in developed and developing
countries.
POLLUTION IN THE PHILIPPINES
In the 2015 report of The Lancelet Commission on
pollution and health, 16.4% of all deaths in the
Philippines were attributed to the pollution in the
air, water and soil. The commission provides data
related to the health and economic costs of pollution
for 190 countries (Global Alliance on Health and
Pollution,
However, one positive outcome from the COVID-19 pandemic was the
improvement of the Philippines’ air quality. Before the pandemic,
Before the lockdown, the Philippines ranked 57th out of 98 countries
in IQAir ’s “World most polluted countries,” as PM2.5 was recorded at
an average of 17.6 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3) in 2019, an
increase from 14.6 μg/m3 in 2018.
PHILIPPINE ENVIRONMENTAL
LAWS
 Republic Act 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste
Management Act of 2000)

The law aims to adopt a systematic, comprehensive

and ecological solid waste management program that
shall ensure the protection of public health and
environment. It ensures proper segregation, collection,
storage, treatment and disposal of solid waste through
the formulation and adaptation of best eco-waste
products.
PHILIPPINE ENVIRONMENTAL
LAWS
 Republic Act 9275 (Philippine Clean Water Act
of 2004)
The law aims to protect the country's water bodies
from pollution from land-based sources (industries
and commercial establishments, agriculture and
community/household activities). It provides for
comprehensive and integrated strategy to prevent
and minimize pollution through a multi-sectoral and
participatory approach involving all the
stakeholders.
PHILIPPINE ENVIRONMENTAL
LAWS
 Republic Act 8749 (Philippine Clean Air Act of
1999)
The law aims to achieve and maintain clean air that
meets the National Air Quality guideline values for
criteria pollutants, throughout the Philippines, while
minimizing the possible associated impacts to the
economy.
PHILIPPINE ENVIRONMENTAL
LAWS
 Republic Act 6969 (Toxic Substances,
Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of
1990)
The law aims to regulate restrict or prohibit the
importation, manufacture, processing, sale,
distribution, use and disposal of chemical
substances and mixtures the present unreasonable
risk to human health.
It likewise prohibits the entry, even in transit, of
hazardous and nuclear wastes and their disposal
into the Philippine territorial limits for whatever
purpose; and to provide advancement and facilitate
research and studies on toxic chemicals.
PHILIPPINE ENVIRONMENTAL
LAWS
 Presidential Decree 1586 (Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) of 1978)
The Environment Impact Assessment System was
formally established in 1978 with the enactment of
Presidential Decree no. 1586 to facilitate the
attainment and maintenance of rational and orderly
balance between socio-economic development and
environmental protection. EIA is a planning and
management tool that will help government,
decision makers, the proponents and the affected
community address the negative consequences or
risks on the environment. The process assures
implementation of environment-friendly projects.