FRM/EDPD/654

C A R I B B E A N E X A M I N A T I O N S

SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE®

SCHOOL BASED ASSESSMENT

COVER SHEET FOR HUMAN AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY

NAME OF CENTRE: ST. ROSE’S HIGH CENTRE CODE: 090046 YEAR OF EXAM: 2024
NAME OF CANDIDATE: CAMBRIDGE, AKILAH ADERO RUNI CANDIDATE’S REGISTRATION NUMBER: 0900460270

Teacher’s
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Mark
1 Background/Overview of Issue (2 marks) 2

2 Problem Statement (2 marks) 1

3 Research Objective (2 marks) 2

4 Methodology (8 marks) 8

5 Presentation of Data (5 marks) 5

6 Analysis and Interpretation of Data (5 marks) 5

7 Conclusion (2 marks) 2

8 Recommendations (4 marks) 4

9 Reflection (6 marks) 6

10 Overall Presentation (4 marks) 4

TOTAL (40 marks) 39

Teacher’s Signature*:______________ Date: 19-MAR-2024

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 CARIBBEAN SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE
SCHOOL-BASED ASSESSMENT
HUMAN AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY

Name of Candidate : Akilah Cambridge

Candidate Number: 0900460270

Centre Number: 090046

Name of Teacher: Miss Rodhika Dhanraj

Territory: Guyana

Year of Examination: 2024

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The researchers are immensely thankful to God for providing us with strength and guidance

throughout their journey in completing this School- Based Assessment. To the dedicated teacher,

for her knowledge and support have been invaluable. Additionally, gratitude is extended to our

loving parents, for their unwavering encouragement which have been our foundation. The

researchers are truly blessed to have their collective influence in their lives.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT...............................................................................................................2
TITLE..............................................................................................................................................4
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM........................................................................................................5
OBJECTIVES..................................................................................................................................6
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................7
METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION............................................................................................8
PRESENTATION OF DATA.........................................................................................................9
ANALYSIS OF DATA.................................................................................................................14
DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS......................................................................................................15
LIMITATIONS..............................................................................................................................17
RECOMMENDATIONS...............................................................................................................18
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................19
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................20
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................22

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 TITLE

An investigation into the multifaceted environmental consequences of pollution on communities

in Guyana.

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 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Pollution levels have risen alarmingly as a result of the rapid industrialization, urbanization, and

modernization processes, endangering communities all over Guyana and the world. Although

pollution has been shown to have negative impacts on the environment, there is still a crucial

information gap regarding the complex and diverse ways that these effects have an impact on

communities. The researchers aim to find out the impacts of pollution on communities in Guyana

in this study.

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 OBJECTIVES

The following objective to be achieved in this study:

 To discuss sustainable practices that individuals can adopt for responsible waste disposal
and reducing environmental harm.

 To analyze and identify the primary factors contributing to pollution in the community,
providing insights into potential solutions or mitigation strategies.

 To determine the pollutants that are the primary cause of pollution in the community.

 To examine the community's awareness of proper waste disposal and propose strategies
to enhance education on responsible waste management practices.

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 INTRODUCTION

An estimated 9 million fatalities and significant economic losses were attributed to

pollution in 2015, making it a serious but often ignored danger to world health (Landrigan et al.,
2018). Pollution is the introduction of harmful materials into the environment. These harmful
materials are called pollutants. Over the past 100 years, pollution has grown, particularly because
it is brought on by vehicular exhausts, industrial emissions, and harmful chemicals. The fastest-
growing low- and middle-income nations have seen the biggest increases in pollution (Lelieveld
et al., 2015).
There are four main types of pollution, namely: land pollution, air pollution, water
pollution, and noise pollution. Air pollution refers to the release of harmful contaminants into the
earth’s atmosphere. A multitude of factors contribute to air pollution such as chemicals, toxic
gases, and particulates, however, the main contributor is the burning of fossil fuels (Bernstein et
al., 2004).
Water pollution is said to occur when toxic pollutants and particulate matter are
introduced into water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and seas. Deaths and diseases are caused
worldwide due to water pollution and approximately 14000 people die every day due to water
pollution (Nazir, 2018).
Soil pollution, also called soil contamination, refers to the degradation of land due to the
presence of chemicals or other man-made substances in the soil. Inorganic pollutants are released
into the environment due to activities of mining, industry, transportation, and urban activities.
Compared to the salts of alkali metals, which depend on the element and its speciation, the
interactions between toxic heavy metals and metalloids and soil components are stronger (Saha
et al., 2017).
Noise pollution refers to the excessive amount of noise in the surroundings that disrupt
the natural balance. Usually, it is man-made, though certain natural calamities like volcanoes can
contribute to noise pollution. Pollutants can be natural, such as volcanic ash. They can also be
created by human activity, such as trash or runoff produced by factories. Rapid urbanization and
lifestyle changes have made loud noises ubiquitous and accepted as a normal part of existence
(Gupta et al., 2018). Pollutants damage the quality of air, water, and land.

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 METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION

In this School Based Assessment, primary and secondary data collection will be utilized.
Obtaining data directly from an initial source is known as primary data collection. This implies
that the researchers will be the ones collecting data themselves using a questionnaire that they
designed with questions relevant to their topic. A questionnaire is a research tool featuring a
series of questions used to collect useful information from respondents. These instruments
include either written or oral questions and comprise an interview-style format. Questionnaires
may be qualitative or quantitative and can be conducted online, by phone, on paper, or face-to-
face, and questions don’t necessarily have to be administered with a researcher present. This is
an appropriate way for gathering the data because it can swiftly and effectively gather
information from a substantial amount of people. The secondary data obtained will be in the
form of articles related to the topic. Secondary data is the data that has already been collected
through primary sources and made readily available for researchers to use for their research.
Since the results of this data gathering may be compared to and validated with those of primary
data collection, it is suitable.

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 PRESENTATION OF DATA

Table 1. Main Type of Pollutants Affecting Communities

TYPE OF POLLUTANT NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS
Paper 1
Cardboard 0
Metals 1
Cans 1
Plastics 20
Other 1
Table 1. Showing the main type of pollutants affecting communities

Chart Showing the Main Types of Pollutants Affecting Communi-

ties
25

20
20
Number of Respondents

15

10

1 1 1 1
0
0
Paper Cardboard Metals Cans Plastics Other

Type of Polluntant

Figure 1. Bar graph showing the main types of pollutants affecting communities

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Table 2. The Main Factors Contributing to Pollution in Communities
MAIN FACTORS PERCENTAGE OF AGREEMENT (%)
Dumping of garbage 45.8
Construction 4.2
Littering 50
Urbanization 0
Table 2. Showing the main factors contributing to pollution in communities

Chart Showing the Main Factors Contributing to Pollution in

Communities

Urbanization 0
Factor Contributing to Pollution

Littering 50

Construction 4.2

Dumping of garbage 45.8

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Percentage of Agreement (%)

Figure 2. Graph showing the main factors contributing to pollution in communities

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Table 3. The Frequency of Household Waste Disposal
FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE IN AGREEMENT (%)
Daily 54.2
Weekly 41.7
Monthly 4.2
Table 3. Showing the frequency of waste disposal in households

Chart Showing The Frequency of Household Waste Disposal

4.2

Daily Weekly

41.7 Monthly
54.2

Figure 3. Pie chart showing the frequency of waste disposal in households

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Table 4. Type of Disposal Used by Individuals
TYPE OF DISPOSAL NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS
Recycling 5
Composting 2
Burning 9
Burying 1
Other 7
Table 4. Showing the types of waste disposal used by individuals

Chart Showing How Garbage is Disposed of by Individuals

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9
9

8
7
7
Number of Respondents

6
5
5

3
2
2
1
1

0
Recycling Composting Burning Burying Other

Type of Disposal

Figure 4. Bar graph showing the types of garbage disposal used by individuals.

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Table 5. Whether There is a Need for Increased Awareness and Education on Proper Waste
Disposal Methods
NEED FOR AWARENESS AND PERCENTAGE OF AGREEMENT (%)
EDUCATION
Yes 70.8
No 29.2
Table 5. Showing whether there is a need for increased awareness and education on proper
waste disposal methods

Chart Showing Whether There is a Need for Awareness and

Education on Proper Waste Disposal

29.2

Yes No

70.8

Figure 5. Pie chart showing whether there is a need for increased awareness and education on
proper waste disposal methods

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 ANALYSIS OF DATA

In Figure 1, the main types of pollutants affecting communities are presented in the bar
graph. Twenty (20) of the total respondents selected plastics as the major pollutant. This pollutant
gained the majority with a total of 83.3% of the votes. Cardboard, however, did not garner any of
the votes. The remaining pollutants stated in the questionnaire i.e. paper, cans, and metals each
gained one (1) vote from the respondents. Additionally, one respondent would have selected
‘other.’
The main factors contributing to pollution in communities are presented in the horizontal
column graph in Figure 4. 50% of the respondents selected littering as the main factor
contributing to pollution in the communities. Dumping of garbage garnered 45.8% of the votes
and came in a close second to littering with a minute difference of 4.2%. Furthermore,
construction accumulated a total of 4.2% of the votes. Finally, urbanization acquired 0% as it
was not selected by any of the respondents.
The frequency at which individuals dispose of their household waste is represented in
Figure 3. The majority of respondents selected ‘daily’ which totaled up to 54.2% of the responses
collected via the questionnaire. Disposal of household waste weekly comes to a close second
gaining 41.7% of the total responses. Additionally, only 4.2% of the respondents would have
selected monthly as to how often they dispose of their household waste.
Figure 4 depicts a horizontal column graph that displays different methods of waste
disposal used in the community. Nine (9) of the twenty-four (24) respondents stated their method
of disposal was ‘Burning of garbage.’ This method procured the largest number of responses.
Five (5) of the respondents selected ‘Recycling’ as their main form of disposing of household
waste, while two (2) selected composting as their preferred method. Additionally, one (1)
respondent chose burying as their favored method. This method of household garbage disposal
garnered the least number of responses. Finally, seven (7) persons would have selected ‘Other’ as
their preferred method of household waste collection which included waste management
services.
In Figure 5, which references whether there is a need for increased awareness and
education on proper waste disposal methods, it can be seen that the majority of respondents
agreed that yes, there is a need for an increase in awareness and education on the topic. The pie
chart shows that 70.8% of the respondents agreed while 29.2% disagreed, meaning the majority
of respondents selected “Yes.”

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 DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

The primary categories of pollutants impacting communities are shown in Figure 1, with plastics
being the most commonly selected by respondents. Plastic pollution is a global issue due to its
prevalence in both terrestrial and marine habitats (Zhang et al., 2020). Inappropriate disposal of
used or abandoned plastic waste contaminates the ecosystem. Up to five trillion plastic bags are
used annually, and one million plastic bottles are purchased globally every minute. Roughly half
of all plastic produced is designed to be used just once before being thrown away. Currently,
each year, we generate 400 million tons of plastic garbage. Less than 10% of the seven billion
tons of plastic garbage produced worldwide to date has been recycled. Plastic is therefore
considered to be the primary contaminant harming numerous communities in Guyana and across
the world. Other pollutants, such as cardboard, metals, cans, paper, etc., are similarly dangerous
to communities even if they are not as prevalent as plastics.
Figure 2 lists the primary causes of pollution in local communities. 50% of the replies would
have come from littering. The main cause of environmental contamination is human littering
(S.B & A., 2020). The act of carelessly discarding or abandoning waste materials in public
spaces is known as littering. As litter decomposes, chemicals and microparticles are released.
These compounds can cause a wide range of problems because they aren't found in nature. One
example of this would be formaldehyde and arsenic found in cigarette butts. When these
pollutants seep into the ground and freshwater sources, they become harmful to both humans and
animals. 60% of water contamination is caused by rubbish. Garbage dumping would have
received 45.8% of the total responses. .. Illegal dumping can damage not just our soil but also
animals, state waterways (groundwater, streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, etc.), and our air quality, as
open burning operations can cause harm to these areas. Out of all the votes cast, only 4.2% were
for construction. The construction business releases air pollutants, just like other industrial
sectors. It is well known that air pollution poses serious harm to human health and the
environment on a worldwide scale. For instance, different-sized particulate matter can result in
several health problems and early mortality. According to projections made in 2017, air pollution
killed around 4.9 million people globally, or 8.7% of the world's population (Wieser et al., 2021).
The frequency at which people dispose of their domestic waste is depicted in Figure 3. 54.2% of
respondents said they would use it daily, 41.7% said it is weekly, and 4.2% said it is monthly. To
safeguard the environment and the general public's health, waste must be properly gathered,
stored, and disposed of (Yoada et al., 2014).
Figure 4 displays the disposal techniques people employ to get rid of their home waste. Of the
twenty-four (24) responders, nine (9) said that burning was their technique of choice. Burning
waste is the most popular way to dispose of waste, but open burning of household waste—food,
glass, textiles, metals, and plastics—often occurs in developing nations and releases harmful
pollutants like fine particulate matter and black carbon (BC), which worsen urban air quality.

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areas (Krecl & colleagues, 2021). Seven people would have selected "other," and all of them
would have said that they disposed of rubbish in a wasteful manner administrative support. Many
people choose to use these services over other options since they are more handy in cities like
Georgetown, and Guyana. Furthermore, five (5) people indicated that recycling was their
primary means of getting rid of waste. Recycling prevents the discharge of various greenhouse
gases and contaminates water while also saving electricity. Recovered material lowers the
quantity of solid waste generated. Recycling helps to reduce the pollution caused by the
extraction and production of virgin resources. Of the respondents, two (2) chose composting.
Composting is the controlled conversion of organic waste and biodegradable materials into stable
products with the aid of microorganisms. Groundwater pollution can be avoided in part through
the composting process.
Applying composting increases soil organic matter content and agricultural productivity because
the materials have been broken down into compost that is home to organisms that support plant
development and provide enough nutrients. This helps to ensure food security to a great extent.
In addition to being used as fertilizer, compost can be utilized for bioremediation, plant disease
management, weed control, pollution prevention, erosion control, landscaping, and wetland
restoration. Furthermore, composting increases soil biodiversity and reduces the environmental
risks associated with synthetic fertilizers (Ayilara et al., 2020). Lastly, one (1) person would have
chosen burial as their preferred way to get rid of household waste.
Burying waste not only results in pollution of the air and water but also necessitates the use of
more costly fossil fuels for transportation, adding to the pollution and other problems. When
buried in a landfill, the typical plastic garbage bag produces contaminants during its 1,000-year
disintegration period.
Figure 5 illustrates respondents' opinions on the need for greater knowledge and instruction on
appropriate waste disposal techniques. Of the respondents, 70.8% agreed and 29.2% disagreed.
Public education about pollution cultivates the knowledge and mindset required to challenge our
preconceived notions about the subject. Public service organizations, the media in all its forms,
and the words and deeds of public servants at all levels of government are all contributing to the
increased frequency and impact of the public's need for better pollution control. The public, to
whom this commitment is owed, and the individuals and organizations in charge of pollution
control must communicate openly, honestly, and thoroughly. This fact calls for an unprecedented
rise in control operations.

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 LIMITATIONS

In this School Based Assessment, the researchers would have come across some limitations
which include:
Resource constraints: Conducting thorough research and investigations can require
significant resources, including funding, equipment, and personnel. Limited resources may
affect the scope and depth of the study.
Time constraints: Investigating the multifaceted environmental consequences of pollution is a
complex process that may require a significant amount of time. Time constraints can limit the
extent to which researchers can explore various aspects of the issue.
Limited data can hinder the accuracy of the investigation.

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 RECOMMENDATIONS

Reducing and preventing pollution requires a combination of individual, community, and

governmental efforts. Here are some recommendations to stop pollution:
1. Reduce, reuse, and recycle by minimizing waste by using reusable products, and
recycling materials such as paper, glass, plastics, and metals to reduce the need for new
resources.
2. Conserve energy by using energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs. Turn off lights,
electronics, and appliances when not in use and opt for renewable energy sources such as
solar or wind power.
3. Dispose of waste properly and avoid littering.

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 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the investigation into the environmental consequences of pollution in Guyana has
revealed significant impacts on both the environment and the communities. The pollution has led
to the degradation of natural resources, such as water bodies and forests, which are vital for the
livelihoods of the local population. Additionally, the pollution has had detrimental effects on the
health of the community members, leading to respiratory issues, skin diseases, and other health
complications.
Furthermore, community engagement and education programs can raise awareness about the
impacts of pollution and empower individuals to take proactive measures.

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 REFERENCES

Ayilara, M., Olanrewaju, O., Babalola, O., & Odeyemi, O. (2020). Waste Management through

Composting: Challenges and Potentials. Sustainability, 12(11), 4456. MDPI.

https://doi.org/10.3390/su12114456

Bernstein, J. A., Alexis, N., Barnes, C., Bernstein, I. L., Nel, A., Peden, D., Diaz-Sanchez, D.,

Tarlo, S. M., Williams, P. B., & Bernstein, J. A. (2004). Health effects of air pollution.

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 114(5), 1116–1123.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2004.08.030

Gupta, A., Gupta, A., Jain, K., & Gupta, S. (2018). Noise Pollution and Impact on Children's

Health. The Indian Journal of Pediatrics, 85(4), 300–306.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-017-2579-7

Krecl, P., de Lima, C. H., Dal Bosco, T. C., Targino, A. C., Hashimoto, E. M., & Oukawa, G. Y.

(2021). Open waste burning causes fast and sharp changes in particulate concentrations in

peripheral neighborhoods. Science of the Total Environment, 765, 142736.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142736

Landrigan, P. J., Fuller, R., Hu, H., Caravanos, J., Cropper, M. L., Hanrahan, D., Sandilya, K.,

Chiles, T. C., Kumar, P., & Suk, W. A. (2018). Pollution and Global Health – An Agenda

for Prevention. Environmental Health Perspectives, 126(8), 084501.

https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp3141

Lelieveld, J., Evans, J. S., Fnais, M., Giannadaki, D., & Pozzer, A. (2015). The contribution of

outdoor air pollution sources to premature mortality on a global scale. Nature, 525(7569),

367–371. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature15371

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Nazir, F. (2018, August). (PDF) Factors Affecting Water Pollution. ResearchGate.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326930223_Factors_Effecting_Water_Pollution

S.B, O., & A.A, A. (2020). PLASTIC POLLUTION: CAUSES, EFFECTS AND

PREVENTIONS. International Journal of Engineering Applied Sciences and

Technology, 04(12), 85–95. https://doi.org/10.33564/ijeast.2020.v04i12.011

Saha, J. K., Selladurai, R., Coumar, M. V., Dotaniya, M. L., Kundu, S., & Patra, A. K. (2017).

Major Inorganic Pollutants Affecting Soil and Crop Quality. Environmental Chemistry

for a Sustainable World, 75–104. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-4274-4_4

Wieser, A. A., Scherz, M., Passer, A., & Kreiner, H. (2021). Challenges of a Healthy Built

Environment: Air Pollution in Construction Industry. Sustainability, 13(18), 10469.

https://doi.org/10.3390/su131810469

Yoada, R. M., Chirawurah, D., & Adongo, P. B. (2014). Domestic waste disposal practice and

perceptions of private sector waste management in urban Accra. BMC Public Health,

14(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-697

Zhang, D., Ng, E. L., Hu, W., Wang, H., Galaviz, P., Yang, H., Sun, W., Li, C., Ma, X., Fu, B.,

Zhao, P., Zhang, F., Jin, S., Zhou, M., Du, L., Peng, C., Zhang, X., Xu, Z., Xi, B., & Liu,

X. (2020). Plastic pollution in croplands threatens long‐term food security. Global

Change Biology, 26(6), 3356–3367. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.15043

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 APPENDIX
SAMPLE QUESTIONNAIRE

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ANSWERED QUESTIONNAIRE

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