Saturday, March 13, 2010
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About GREEN GROUP....
Green Group is one of of the most leading group in the field of saving environment.
Green Group was started by "Priyank Bhanawat & Tanishaa Bhanawat" in year 2009. Presently we are having 25 members.
You can also receive our monthly magazine @ Rs.1999/- per year.
On 20th March,'10 we are going to conduct a campaing in which our group members will go to several houses and will give them tips for saving environment and will also be asking for membership....
About membership-
1.Member ship card alloted to you is only valid for 2.5 years.
2.Member ship fees is Rs.240/- per year or Rs.20/- per month.(First time fees is Rs.260/- or Rs.30/-)
3.you can join and actively participate in this group.
4.For joining contact us.
Contact Information-
E-mail- greengroupmail@gmail.com
Blog- http://www.greengroup2010.blogspot.com/
Ph. no.-08058482582
Green Group was started by "Priyank Bhanawat & Tanishaa Bhanawat" in year 2009. Presently we are having 25 members.
You can also receive our monthly magazine @ Rs.1999/- per year.
On 20th March,'10 we are going to conduct a campaing in which our group members will go to several houses and will give them tips for saving environment and will also be asking for membership....
About membership-
1.Member ship card alloted to you is only valid for 2.5 years.
2.Member ship fees is Rs.240/- per year or Rs.20/- per month.(First time fees is Rs.260/- or Rs.30/-)
3.you can join and actively participate in this group.
4.For joining contact us.
Contact Information-
E-mail- greengroupmail@gmail.com
Blog- http://www.greengroup2010.blogspot.com/
Ph. no.-08058482582
Are you ready to save our environment?
Causes that harm environment....
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the major pollutants in the atmosphere. Major sources of CO2 are fossil fuels burning and deforestation. "The concentrations of CO2 in the air around 1860 before the effects of industrialization were felt, is assumed to have been about 290 parts per million (ppm). In the hundred years and more since then, the concentration has increased by about 30 to 35 ppm that is by 10 percent". (Breuer 67) Industrial countries account for 65% of CO2 emissions with the United States and Soviet Union responsible for 50%. Less developed countries (LDCs), with 80% of the world's people, are responsible for 35% of CO2 emissions but may contribute 50% by 2020. "Carbon dioxide emissions are increasing by 4% a year". (Miller 450)
In 1975, 18 thousand million tons of carbon dioxide (equivalent to 5 thousand million tons of carbon) were released into the atmosphere, but the atmosphere showed an increase of only 8 billion tons (equivalent to 2.2 billion tons of carbon". (Breuer 70) The ocean waters contain about sixty times more CO2 than the atmosphere. If the equilibrium is disturbed by externally increasing the concentration of CO2 in the air, then the oceans would absorb more and more CO2. If the oceans can no longer keep pace, then more CO2 will remain into the atmosphere. As water warms, its ability to absorb CO2 is reduced.
CO2 is a good transmitter of sunlight, but partially restricts infrared radiation going back from the earth into space. This produces the so-called greenhouse effect that prevents a drastic cooling of the Earth during the night. Increasing the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere reinforces this effect and is expected to result in a warming of the Earth's surface. Currently carbon dioxide is responsible for 57% of the global warming trend. Nitrogen oxides contribute most of the atmospheric contaminants.
N0X - nitric oxide (N0) and nitrogen dioxide (N02)
Natural component of the Earth's atmosphere.
Important in the formation of both acid precipitation and photochemical smog (ozone), and causes nitrogen loading.
Comes from the burning of biomass and fossil fuels.
30 to 50 million tons per year from human activities, and natural 10 to 20 million tons per year.
Average residence time in the atmosphere is days.
Has a role in reducing stratospheric ozone.
N20 - nitrous oxide
Natural component of the Earth's atmosphere.
Important in the greenhouse effect and causes nitrogen loading.
Human inputs 6 million tons per year, and 19 million tons per year by nature.
Residence time in the atmosphere about 170 years.
1700 (285 parts per billion), 1990 (310 parts per billion), 2030 (340 parts per billion).
Comes from nitrogen based fertilizers, deforestation, and biomass burning.
Sulfur and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Sulfur dioxide is produced by combustion of sulfur-containing fuels, such as coal and fuel oils. Also, in the process of producing sulfuric acid and in metallurgical process involving ores that contain sulfur. Sulfur oxides can injure man, plants and materials. At sufficiently high concentrations, sulfur dioxide irritates the upper respiratory tract of human beings because potential effect of sulfur dioxide is to make breathing more difficult by causing the finer air tubes of the lung to constrict. "Power plants and factories emit 90% to 95% of the sulfur dioxide and 57% of the nitrogen oxides in the United States. Almost 60% of the SO2 emissions are released by tall smoke stakes, enabling the emissions to travel long distances". (Miller 494) As emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitric oxide from stationary sources are transported long distances by winds, they form secondary pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, nitric acid vapor, and droplets containing solutions of sulfuric acid, sulfate, and nitrate salts. These chemicals descend to the earth's surface in wet form as rain or snow and in dry form as a gases fog, dew, or solid particles. This is known as acid deposition or acid rain.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
CFCs are lowering the average concentration of ozone in the stratosphere. "Since 1978 the use of CFCs in aerosol cans has been banned in the United States, Canada, and most Scandinavian countries. Aerosols are still the largest use, accounting for 25% of global CFC use". (Miller 448) Spray cans, discarded or leaking refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, and the burning plastic foam products release the CFCs into the atmosphere. Depending on the type, CFCs stay in the atmosphere from 22 to 111 years. Chlorofluorocarbons move up to the stratosphere gradually over several decades. Under high energy ultra violet (UV) radiation, they break down and release chlorine atoms, which speed up the breakdown of ozone (O3) into oxygen gas (O2).
Chlorofluorocarbons, also known as Freons, are greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Photochemical air pollution is commonly referred to as "smog". Smog, a contraction of the words smoke and fog, has been caused throughout recorded history by water condensing on smoke particles, usually from burning coal. With the introduction of petroleum to replace coal economies in countries, photochemical smog has become predominant in many cities, which are located in sunny, warm, and dry climates with many motor vehicles. The worst episodes of photochemical smog tend to occur in summer.
Smog
Photochemical smog is also appearing in regions of the tropics and subtropics where savanna grasses are periodically burned. Smog's unpleasant properties result from the irradiation by sunlight of hydrocarbons caused primarily by unburned gasoline emitted by automobiles and other combustion sources. The products of photochemical reactions includes organic particles, ozone, aldehydes, ketones, peroxyacetyl nitrate, organic acids, and other oxidants. Ozone is a gas created by nitrogen dioxide or nitric oxide when exposed to sunlight. Ozone causes eye irritation, impaired lung function, and damage to trees and crops. Another form of smog is called industrial smog.
This smog is created by burning coal and heavy oil that contain sulfur impurities in power plants, industrial plants, etc... The smog consists mostly of a mixture of sulfur dioxide and fog. Suspended droplets of sulfuric acid are formed from some of the sulfur dioxide, and a variety of suspended solid particles. This smog is common during the winter in cities such as London, Chicago, Pittsburgh. When these cities burned large amounts of coal and heavy oil without control of the output, large-scale problems were witnessed. In 1952 London, England, 4,000 people died as a result of this form of fog. Today coal and heavy oil are burned only in large boilers and with reasonably good control or tall smokestacks so that industrial smog is less of a problem. However, some countries such as China, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and some other eastern European countries, still burn large quantities of coal without using adequate controls.
Pollution Damage to Plants
With the destruction and burning of the rain forests more and more CO2 is being released into the atmosphere. Trees play an important role in producing oxygen from carbon dioxide. "A 115 year old Beech tree exposes about 200,000 leaves with a total surface to 1200 square meters. During the course of one sunny day such a tree inhales 9,400 liters of carbon dioxide to produce 12 kilograms of carbohydrate, thus liberating 9,400 liters of oxygen. Through this mechanism about 45,000 liters of air are regenerated which is sufficient for the respiration of 2 to 3 people". (Breuer 1) This process is called photosynthesis which all plants go though but some yield more and some less oxygen. As long as no more wood is burnt than is reproduced by the forests, no change in atmospheric CO2 concentration will result.
Pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ozone and peroxyacl nitrates (PANs), cause direct damage to leaves of crop plants and trees when they enter leaf pores (stomates). Chronic exposure of leaves and needles to air pollutants can also break down the waxy coating that helps prevent excessive water loss and damage from diseases, pests, drought and frost. "In the midwestern United States crop losses of wheat, corn, soybeans, and peanuts from damage by ozone and acid deposition amount to about $5 billion a year".
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the major pollutants in the atmosphere. Major sources of CO2 are fossil fuels burning and deforestation. "The concentrations of CO2 in the air around 1860 before the effects of industrialization were felt, is assumed to have been about 290 parts per million (ppm). In the hundred years and more since then, the concentration has increased by about 30 to 35 ppm that is by 10 percent". (Breuer 67) Industrial countries account for 65% of CO2 emissions with the United States and Soviet Union responsible for 50%. Less developed countries (LDCs), with 80% of the world's people, are responsible for 35% of CO2 emissions but may contribute 50% by 2020. "Carbon dioxide emissions are increasing by 4% a year". (Miller 450)
In 1975, 18 thousand million tons of carbon dioxide (equivalent to 5 thousand million tons of carbon) were released into the atmosphere, but the atmosphere showed an increase of only 8 billion tons (equivalent to 2.2 billion tons of carbon". (Breuer 70) The ocean waters contain about sixty times more CO2 than the atmosphere. If the equilibrium is disturbed by externally increasing the concentration of CO2 in the air, then the oceans would absorb more and more CO2. If the oceans can no longer keep pace, then more CO2 will remain into the atmosphere. As water warms, its ability to absorb CO2 is reduced.
CO2 is a good transmitter of sunlight, but partially restricts infrared radiation going back from the earth into space. This produces the so-called greenhouse effect that prevents a drastic cooling of the Earth during the night. Increasing the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere reinforces this effect and is expected to result in a warming of the Earth's surface. Currently carbon dioxide is responsible for 57% of the global warming trend. Nitrogen oxides contribute most of the atmospheric contaminants.
N0X - nitric oxide (N0) and nitrogen dioxide (N02)
Natural component of the Earth's atmosphere.
Important in the formation of both acid precipitation and photochemical smog (ozone), and causes nitrogen loading.
Comes from the burning of biomass and fossil fuels.
30 to 50 million tons per year from human activities, and natural 10 to 20 million tons per year.
Average residence time in the atmosphere is days.
Has a role in reducing stratospheric ozone.
N20 - nitrous oxide
Natural component of the Earth's atmosphere.
Important in the greenhouse effect and causes nitrogen loading.
Human inputs 6 million tons per year, and 19 million tons per year by nature.
Residence time in the atmosphere about 170 years.
1700 (285 parts per billion), 1990 (310 parts per billion), 2030 (340 parts per billion).
Comes from nitrogen based fertilizers, deforestation, and biomass burning.
Sulfur and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Sulfur dioxide is produced by combustion of sulfur-containing fuels, such as coal and fuel oils. Also, in the process of producing sulfuric acid and in metallurgical process involving ores that contain sulfur. Sulfur oxides can injure man, plants and materials. At sufficiently high concentrations, sulfur dioxide irritates the upper respiratory tract of human beings because potential effect of sulfur dioxide is to make breathing more difficult by causing the finer air tubes of the lung to constrict. "Power plants and factories emit 90% to 95% of the sulfur dioxide and 57% of the nitrogen oxides in the United States. Almost 60% of the SO2 emissions are released by tall smoke stakes, enabling the emissions to travel long distances". (Miller 494) As emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitric oxide from stationary sources are transported long distances by winds, they form secondary pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, nitric acid vapor, and droplets containing solutions of sulfuric acid, sulfate, and nitrate salts. These chemicals descend to the earth's surface in wet form as rain or snow and in dry form as a gases fog, dew, or solid particles. This is known as acid deposition or acid rain.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
CFCs are lowering the average concentration of ozone in the stratosphere. "Since 1978 the use of CFCs in aerosol cans has been banned in the United States, Canada, and most Scandinavian countries. Aerosols are still the largest use, accounting for 25% of global CFC use". (Miller 448) Spray cans, discarded or leaking refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, and the burning plastic foam products release the CFCs into the atmosphere. Depending on the type, CFCs stay in the atmosphere from 22 to 111 years. Chlorofluorocarbons move up to the stratosphere gradually over several decades. Under high energy ultra violet (UV) radiation, they break down and release chlorine atoms, which speed up the breakdown of ozone (O3) into oxygen gas (O2).
Chlorofluorocarbons, also known as Freons, are greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Photochemical air pollution is commonly referred to as "smog". Smog, a contraction of the words smoke and fog, has been caused throughout recorded history by water condensing on smoke particles, usually from burning coal. With the introduction of petroleum to replace coal economies in countries, photochemical smog has become predominant in many cities, which are located in sunny, warm, and dry climates with many motor vehicles. The worst episodes of photochemical smog tend to occur in summer.
Smog
Photochemical smog is also appearing in regions of the tropics and subtropics where savanna grasses are periodically burned. Smog's unpleasant properties result from the irradiation by sunlight of hydrocarbons caused primarily by unburned gasoline emitted by automobiles and other combustion sources. The products of photochemical reactions includes organic particles, ozone, aldehydes, ketones, peroxyacetyl nitrate, organic acids, and other oxidants. Ozone is a gas created by nitrogen dioxide or nitric oxide when exposed to sunlight. Ozone causes eye irritation, impaired lung function, and damage to trees and crops. Another form of smog is called industrial smog.
This smog is created by burning coal and heavy oil that contain sulfur impurities in power plants, industrial plants, etc... The smog consists mostly of a mixture of sulfur dioxide and fog. Suspended droplets of sulfuric acid are formed from some of the sulfur dioxide, and a variety of suspended solid particles. This smog is common during the winter in cities such as London, Chicago, Pittsburgh. When these cities burned large amounts of coal and heavy oil without control of the output, large-scale problems were witnessed. In 1952 London, England, 4,000 people died as a result of this form of fog. Today coal and heavy oil are burned only in large boilers and with reasonably good control or tall smokestacks so that industrial smog is less of a problem. However, some countries such as China, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and some other eastern European countries, still burn large quantities of coal without using adequate controls.
Pollution Damage to Plants
With the destruction and burning of the rain forests more and more CO2 is being released into the atmosphere. Trees play an important role in producing oxygen from carbon dioxide. "A 115 year old Beech tree exposes about 200,000 leaves with a total surface to 1200 square meters. During the course of one sunny day such a tree inhales 9,400 liters of carbon dioxide to produce 12 kilograms of carbohydrate, thus liberating 9,400 liters of oxygen. Through this mechanism about 45,000 liters of air are regenerated which is sufficient for the respiration of 2 to 3 people". (Breuer 1) This process is called photosynthesis which all plants go though but some yield more and some less oxygen. As long as no more wood is burnt than is reproduced by the forests, no change in atmospheric CO2 concentration will result.
Pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ozone and peroxyacl nitrates (PANs), cause direct damage to leaves of crop plants and trees when they enter leaf pores (stomates). Chronic exposure of leaves and needles to air pollutants can also break down the waxy coating that helps prevent excessive water loss and damage from diseases, pests, drought and frost. "In the midwestern United States crop losses of wheat, corn, soybeans, and peanuts from damage by ozone and acid deposition amount to about $5 billion a year".
It's effects....
Environmental Pollution Effects on Humans
We know that pollution causes not only physical disabilities but also psychological and behavioral disorders in people.
We are discussing the effects of air pollution and specific air pollutants in more detail in the Air Pollutants article.
The following pollution effects on humans have been reported:
Air Pollution Effects
Reduced lung functioning
Irritation of eyes, nose, mouth and throat
Asthma attacks
Respiratory symptoms such as coughing and wheezing
Air Pollution in Philippines Photo: Jim D Stitch
Increased respiratory disease such as bronchitis
Reduced energy levels
Headaches and dizziness
Disruption of endocrine, reproductive and immune systems
Neurobehavioral disorders
Cardiovascular problems
Cancer
Premature death
We discuss effects of air pollution in more detail here.
Water Pollution Effects (3)
Waterborne diseases caused by polluted drinking water:
Typhoid
Amoebiasis
Giardiasis
Ascariasis
Hookworm
Waterborne diseases caused by polluted beach water:
Rashes, ear ache, pink eye
Respiratory infections
Hepatitis, encephalitis, gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, vomiting, and stomach aches
Conditions related to water polluted by chemicals (such as pesticides, hydrocarbons, persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals etc):
Water Pollution, California Photo: Caleb Coppola
Cancer, incl. prostate cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Hormonal problems that can disrupt reproductive and developmental processes
Damage to the nervous system
Liver and kidney damage
Damage to the DNA
Exposure to mercury (heavy metal):
In the womb: may cause neurological problems including slower reflexes, learning deficits, delayed or incomplete mental development, autism and brain damage
In adults: Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, and even death
Other notes:
Water pollution may also result from interactions between water and contaminated soil, as well as from deposition of air contaminants (such as acid rain)
Damage to people may be caused by fish foods coming from polluted water (a well known example is high mercury levels in fish)
Damage to people may be caused by vegetable crops grown / washed with polluted water (author’s own conclusion)
Soil Pollution Effects (4)
Causes cancers including leukaemia
Lead in soil is especially hazardous for young children causing developmental damage to the brain
Mercury can increase the risk of kidney damage; cyclodienes can lead to liver toxicity
Causes neuromuscular blockage as well as depression of the central nervous system
Also causes headaches, nausea, fatigue, eye irritation and skin rash
Other notes:
Contact with contaminated soil may be direct (from using parks, schools etc) or indirect (by inhaling soil contaminants which have vaporized)
Soil pollution may also result from secondary contamination of water supplies and from deposition of air contaminants (for example, via acid rain)
Contamination of crops grown in polluted soil brings up problems with food security
Since it is closely linked to water pollution, many effects of soil contamination appear to be similar to the ones caused by water contamination
We know that pollution causes not only physical disabilities but also psychological and behavioral disorders in people.
We are discussing the effects of air pollution and specific air pollutants in more detail in the Air Pollutants article.
The following pollution effects on humans have been reported:
Air Pollution Effects
Reduced lung functioning
Irritation of eyes, nose, mouth and throat
Asthma attacks
Respiratory symptoms such as coughing and wheezing
Air Pollution in Philippines Photo: Jim D Stitch
Increased respiratory disease such as bronchitis
Reduced energy levels
Headaches and dizziness
Disruption of endocrine, reproductive and immune systems
Neurobehavioral disorders
Cardiovascular problems
Cancer
Premature death
We discuss effects of air pollution in more detail here.
Water Pollution Effects (3)
Waterborne diseases caused by polluted drinking water:
Typhoid
Amoebiasis
Giardiasis
Ascariasis
Hookworm
Waterborne diseases caused by polluted beach water:
Rashes, ear ache, pink eye
Respiratory infections
Hepatitis, encephalitis, gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, vomiting, and stomach aches
Conditions related to water polluted by chemicals (such as pesticides, hydrocarbons, persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals etc):
Water Pollution, California Photo: Caleb Coppola
Cancer, incl. prostate cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Hormonal problems that can disrupt reproductive and developmental processes
Damage to the nervous system
Liver and kidney damage
Damage to the DNA
Exposure to mercury (heavy metal):
In the womb: may cause neurological problems including slower reflexes, learning deficits, delayed or incomplete mental development, autism and brain damage
In adults: Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, and even death
Other notes:
Water pollution may also result from interactions between water and contaminated soil, as well as from deposition of air contaminants (such as acid rain)
Damage to people may be caused by fish foods coming from polluted water (a well known example is high mercury levels in fish)
Damage to people may be caused by vegetable crops grown / washed with polluted water (author’s own conclusion)
Soil Pollution Effects (4)
Causes cancers including leukaemia
Lead in soil is especially hazardous for young children causing developmental damage to the brain
Mercury can increase the risk of kidney damage; cyclodienes can lead to liver toxicity
Causes neuromuscular blockage as well as depression of the central nervous system
Also causes headaches, nausea, fatigue, eye irritation and skin rash
Other notes:
Contact with contaminated soil may be direct (from using parks, schools etc) or indirect (by inhaling soil contaminants which have vaporized)
Soil pollution may also result from secondary contamination of water supplies and from deposition of air contaminants (for example, via acid rain)
Contamination of crops grown in polluted soil brings up problems with food security
Since it is closely linked to water pollution, many effects of soil contamination appear to be similar to the ones caused by water contamination
What you can do???
Yet this seemingly difficult situation should not deter environmental protection advocates to pursue their dream of a more pollution free world. Kudos to Greenpeace and all similar organizations all over the world bearing for us the torch of campaign on environmental issues
Everyone can of course help through self education and good practice of a healthy living. Engaged others by raising awareness about the significance of environmental issues, their consequences and what can be done.
Every action or inaction of man in regard to her or his surroundings has an effect, good, neutral or bad, on the environment.. Let us, therefore, do our part and choose to practice good habits. What comes to mind now to serve as a reminder includes the following:
1.Stop smoking or at least follow the “No Smoking” sign.
2.Use unleaded gasoline in your cars
3.Keep your car properly maintained to keep it in good running condition to avoid smoke emissions
4.Never use open fires to dispose of wastes
5.Have a proper waste disposal system especially for toxic wastes
6.Take very good care of your pets and their wastes.
7.Never throw, run or drain or dispose into the water, air, or land any substance in solid, liquid or gaseous form that shall cause pollution.
8.Do not cause loud noises and unwanted sounds to avoid noise pollution.
9.Do not litter in public places. Anti-litter campaigns can educate the populace.
10.Industries should use fuel with lower sulphur content
11.Industries should monitor their air emissions regularly and take measures to ensure compliance with the prescribed emission standards.
12.Industries should strictly follow applicable government regulations on pollution control
13.Organic waste should be dumped in places far from residential areas
14.Inorganic materials such as metals, glass and plastic, but also paper, can be reclaimed and recycled
Everyone can of course help through self education and good practice of a healthy living. Engaged others by raising awareness about the significance of environmental issues, their consequences and what can be done.
Every action or inaction of man in regard to her or his surroundings has an effect, good, neutral or bad, on the environment.. Let us, therefore, do our part and choose to practice good habits. What comes to mind now to serve as a reminder includes the following:
1.Stop smoking or at least follow the “No Smoking” sign.
2.Use unleaded gasoline in your cars
3.Keep your car properly maintained to keep it in good running condition to avoid smoke emissions
4.Never use open fires to dispose of wastes
5.Have a proper waste disposal system especially for toxic wastes
6.Take very good care of your pets and their wastes.
7.Never throw, run or drain or dispose into the water, air, or land any substance in solid, liquid or gaseous form that shall cause pollution.
8.Do not cause loud noises and unwanted sounds to avoid noise pollution.
9.Do not litter in public places. Anti-litter campaigns can educate the populace.
10.Industries should use fuel with lower sulphur content
11.Industries should monitor their air emissions regularly and take measures to ensure compliance with the prescribed emission standards.
12.Industries should strictly follow applicable government regulations on pollution control
13.Organic waste should be dumped in places far from residential areas
14.Inorganic materials such as metals, glass and plastic, but also paper, can be reclaimed and recycled
Save environment,Save earth
