CHAPTER TWO

POLLUTION & ITS CONSEQUENCES

THE ENVIRONMENT

 The environment is defined as a

life supporting system consisting
of the air, water, land and all
plants, human beings and
animals living there-in and the
inter-relationships which exist
among these or any of them .
Industrialization, technology and
environment: friends or foe?

 Industry and technology, while

making life easier, more
comfortable and enjoyable,
creating more wealth and job
opportunities, have also, created
and thrown out a lot of unwanted
and toxic substances into the air.
Industrialization, technology and
environment: friends or foe?

 Discussions as to which is the more

important-new technology or a healthy
environment-are senseless as both are
essential for the well being of man.
 Technology, appropriately used, can be a
powerful force for the improvement of the
environment. Therefore, industry,
technology and environment are allies
and not antagonists.
OBJECTIVES OF
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

 The objective of environmental education is to

enlighten the public about the importance of
protecting and conserving the environment and
the need to restrain human activities, which
lead to indiscriminate release of pollutants into
the environment.
 At present, there are many environmental
problems some of which get more complex
from day to day and even, threatening the very
existence of mankind on earth.
POLLUTION AND ITS
CONSEQUENCES
 Pollution is associated with any alteration of
the natural environment producing a condition
that is harmful to living organisms.
 The whole earth is under a severe threat as a
result of pollution.
 The earth is our only “Home”; We will not have
a place to live if we do not stop or control
pollution.
. The major forms of pollution
include:

 Air pollution
 Water pollution
 Soil contamination
 Noise pollution,
THE VICIOUS CYCLE:

MAN PLANT

FISH

LAND

POLLUTANTS
RIVER
EFFECTS ON SOIL AND
MICRO – ORGANISMS
 It may also render the soil
unproductive, depending
upon the rate of application
and characteristics of the
soil surface.
EFFECTS ON SOIL AND
MICRO – ORGANISMS
The soil is greatly
polluted by wrong
disposal of
pollutants.
EFFECTS ON SOIL AND
MICRO – ORGANISMS
 In this wise, not only the
quality of soil is affected,
but also plants and the
living beings that rely on
these plants.
EFFECTS OF HEAVY
METALS
 Heavy metals, such as lead,
 cadmium, arsenic, chromium
can accumulate in soil. This
affects growth of plants on this
contaminated soil.
EFFECTS ON MARINE LIFE:

 Much pollutants are

run – off from land,
municipal and industrial
wastes and this end up in
the oceans and rivers.
EFFECTS ON AIR:

 Air pollution refers to the

presence of foreign substances
in the atmosphere
If the air is contaminated,
everybody is affected because of
the presence of contaminants.
ACID RAIN:

 The combustion process of coal, gasoline

or fuels produce Sulfur oxides (SOx) or
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), when these
emissions react with other compounds in
the atmosphere, Sulfide acid (H2SO4),
Nitric acid (HNO3) or Nitrate acid
(H2NO3) can be formed. These acids
can be adsorbed by aerosols, snow, rain
and fog to form acid rain (of pH less than
3).
CONSEQUENCES OF CLIMATE
CHANGE?
 
 Extreme cases of harsh weather conditions such as frequent storms, flooding,
severe drought and heat waves.

 Rising sea level and rising underground water tables which have caused frequent
flooding and drowning of Islands thus leading to homelessness of inhabitant of
such areas and causing relocation of communities.

 Melting of ice in Polar Regions of the world which has increased the volume of
water in oceans and seas, causing flooding in many coast lands.

 Extinction of some species of organisms that cannot survive under the new
climate condition.
  
 Secondary consequences of climate change are mainly economic problems rising
from agriculture, homeless people, increased health problems, bad businesses and
increased government responsibility towards their citizens.
What is Global Warming

17
GREENHOUSE EFFECT:

 The emission of carbon

dioxide, Nitrogen oxides,
Methane and Ozone
among others will result to
“greenhouse” effect.
OZONE LAYER DEPLETION

 Ozone layer is the patron saint

(protection guard) for the lives on
the earth. The life on the earth
has been protected by the ozone
layer because it absorbs most of
ultraviolet light from the solar
radiation.
Environmental Impacts
 Air Pollution
 Water Pollution
 Contaminated land
 Production of waste
 Use of energy and
resources
 Loss of plants & animals
 Living & working in the
community -
noise/nuisance
Environment

 DOES YOUR JOB

 IMPACT THE
 ENVIRONMENT?

 HOW?
Gas Flaring as a Source of Pollution

 More gas is flared in Nigeria than

anywhere else in the world – in Western
Europe 99 percent of associated gas is
used or re-injected into the ground. The
flaring, or deliberate burning, of natural
gas has been cited as a leading cause of
global warming and a contributing factor
to acid rain
GAS FLARING

 Gas flaring not only wastes a

valuable resource, (expert estimate
about $45 billion had been lost as a
result of gas flaring in Nigeria in the
last 20 years) but is also a major
cause of environmental pollution in
the Niger Delta,
Flare at Kaloa-lu
 Children Watch Gas Flare
in Rumuekpe, Rivers State
Petroleum Product Pipeline
Fire at Ilado near Lagos
CONSEQUENCES OF OIL
AND GAS POLLUTION

 The extent of human damage

attributable to gas flaring is unclear
but doctors have found an unusually
high incidence of asthma, bronchitis,
and skin and breathing problems in
communities in oil-producing areas.
Showing Building Roof
Affected By Acid Rain.
OIL SPILLAGE IN NIGERIA:

 Oil spillage is a major environmental

problem in Nigeria. Between 1976 and
1996, Nigeria recorded a total of 4835 oil
spill incidents. This resulted in loss of
1,896,960 barrels of oil to the
environment
CONSEQUENCES OF OIL SPILLAGE

 Oil spillage has led to very serious

pollution and destruction of flora, fauna
and resort centres, pollution of drinkable
water, destruction of properties and lives
along the Nigeria coast. Oil spillage has
also caused regional crisis in the Niger
Chief Jonathan Wanyanwu in front of his
Devastated Cassava and Raffia Palm Field
in Rukpokwu (March 2004
SPILLAGE
SPILLAGE
Environmental Damage from an Oil Spill in
the Niger Delta. Residents say the spill is
more than 10 years old.
SPILLAGE
abandon Wellhead
Leaking.
Factors responsible for oil spillage

 Corrosion of oil pipes and tanks.

 Most pipelines from the flow station are
obsolete.
 Oil pipes ought to be replaced 15 to 20 years
but most pipelines in use are for 20 to 25 years
old.
 Sabotage is another cause of oil spillage in the
country.
 Destroying of pipelines in an effort to steal oil
from them.
SPILL EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES:

 Emergency response procedures is intended to

accomplish the following in the event of an on-site spill;
 Protect all employees from any injuries or undue health
exposure;
 Prevent and minimize property damage to the facility
and surrounding communities;
 Prevent or minimize environmental impact;
 Recover spilled products when feasible;
 Contain all spills on site and minimize spill size
quantity;
 Ensure proper and timely reporting to all agencies as
applicable.
SPILL CONTROL MEASURES

 USE OF DISPERSANTS
 USE OF ABSOBERS
 USE OF OIL BOOMS
Environmental Impacts
 Effects of air pollution include:
 climate change (‘greenhouse effect’)
 acid rain formation
 depletion of ozone in upper
atmosphere
 effects on human health from
particulates and VOCs (volatile
organic compounds- e.g. solvents)
PRINCIPAL SOURCES OF
AIR POLLUTION
 The principal man made sources of air
pollution are:
 industry
 transport (vehicles contribute to more
than 50% of air pollution in cities)
 domestic heating
 Remember - Air Pollution is a concern
because we must breathe the same air that
we are polluting.
Water Pollution - onshore
Water Pollution - offshore
SOURCES OF WATER
POLLUTION
 Oil accounts for a large proportion of
all water pollution and as little as one
litre of oil can pollute a million litres of
water. Oil may come from accidental
spillages, leaking pipes and tanks and
irresponsible disposal of waste oil,
particularly car engines.
Where does contaminated
water go?

 To the nearest stream or river?

 Where does that lead?
 A lake or ocean?
 Who will be eating fish or shellfish
caught in that water?
 Or drinking that water?
POLLUTION PREVENTION:

 Pollution prevention is any action

which reduces or eliminates the
creation of pollutants or waste at
the source, achieved through
activities which promote,
encourage or require changes in
the basic behavioural change of
individuals and organizations.
POLLUTION PREVENTION:

 Pollution prevention could be achieved

by the use of processes, practices,
materials or products that avoid, reduce
or control pollution, which may include
recycling, treatment, process changes,
control mechanism, efficient use of
resources and material substitution.
BENEFITS OF POLLUTION PREVENTION

 The potential benefits of prevention of pollution

include:
 The reduction of adverse environmental
impacts,
 Protect public health and the environment
 improved efficiency and reduced costs.
 Enhance company’s image in the community
WHAT IS NOT POLLUTION PREVENTION:

 There are a number of measures that are

applied only after wastes are generated. They
are not, therefore, not correctly categorized as
pollution prevention. They are waste handling
not pollution prevention, since they are applied
after the waste has been created.
 Off-site reccyling
 Waste treatment
 Concentrating hazardous or toxic waste to
reduce hazard
 Transfering waste from one point to another
Organisations that introduced
sound pollution prevention
measures
 Compaq introduced paperless order system
in there purchasing department, key was
able to save several pages of paper for each
transaction.
 Reynolds metal replace on solvent base ink
with water based ink in their packaging
plant.
 This help eliminated to spend $30 million
for pollution control.


Sound pollution prevention
measures

 Polaroid stopped using mercury in

their process, because they could not
recycle.
 In the process they devised an
alternative, they did not only eliminate
dangerous chemicals, but created the
recyclable battery.
ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES:

 Environmental statues, unlike criminal

law, do not require proof of criminal
intent. As a result , employees, corporate
officers , or Environmental Managers can
be found guilty, even if they did not know
their actions would result in a violation of
the law. Corporations can be held liable
for the acts of their employees.
 Conclusions

 Most pollution incidents can be prevented

 By following basic pollution prevention guidelines,
the risk of pollution can be minimised
 Every employee has their part to play in protecting
the environment
 By thinking about what you are doing, you can make
a difference