ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Environmental Pollution and Its Control
By Prof. Sunita Hooda, Prof. Geetu Gambhir, Edited by Rafael Streich
Environmental pollution refers to the contamination of the natural environment by harmful substances or activities, leading to adverse effects on human health, ecosystems, and the planet. It includes various types such as air pollution, water pollution, soil contamination, noise pollution, and thermal pollution. Major sources include industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, agricultural chemicals, plastic waste, deforestation, and improper waste disposal. The consequences of unchecked pollution are severe - climate change, biodiversity loss, acid rain, smog, waterborne diseases, soil infertility, and respiratory or cardiovascular illnesses in humans. Controlling environmental pollution requires a combination of policy, technology, and individual responsibility. Governments can implement and enforce environmental regulations such as emission limits, waste management rules, and bans on harmful chemicals. Industries can adopt cleaner production methods, energy-efficient technologies, and pollution control devices like scrubbers and filters. On an individual level, people can reduce their environmental footprint by minimizing plastic use, recycling, conserving water and energy, using public transport, and supporting eco-friendly products. Renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power help reduce dependence on fossil fuels, cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Public awareness campaigns and environmental education are essential to encourage sustainable practices. Together, these efforts can significantly reduce environmental pollution and protect the Earth for future generations. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the causes, effects, and control measures of environmental pollution, emphasizing sustainable solutions. Contents: 1. Introduction, 2. Environmental Pollution and Pollutants, 3. Prevention of Noise Pollution, 4. Sewage Sludge: Treatment and Management, 5. Water Pollution Control, 6. Air Pollution: Causes and Effects, 7. Thermal and Radiation Pollution, 8. Environmental Policy for Agricultural Pollution Control, 9. Wastewater Treatment and Pollution Control.
About the Authors
Prof. Sunita Hooda is a Professor at Acharya Narendra Dev College, University of Delhi, India, with over thirty-three years of teaching and research experience. She holds an M.Tech. and Ph.D. from IIT Delhi, specializing in Polymer Chemistry. Her research focuses on the "Investigation of Synthetic and Natural Polymers in Environmental Monitoring." She also has expertise in fabricating nanocomposites and customizing them for specific applications. Dr. Hooda has successfully led several research projects funded by various organizations and has published around 85 research papers in reputed national and international journals. She has presented her work at over 40 national and international conferences and workshops. Recognized for her excellence in teaching, she received the Best Teacher Award from the Delhi Government. An accomplished author, Dr. Hooda has written six books and contributed ten chapters at school, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels. She has supervised three Ph.D. students and is currently guiding two more. Additionally, she has mentored over seventy undergraduate and postgraduate students in summer projects and internships. Prof. Geetu Gambhir, a distinguished academician and researcher in Organic Chemistry, and has served in the academic community of University of Delhi for over 25 years. Currently a Professor at Acharya Narendra Dev College (DU), she holds a Ph.D., M.Sc., and B.Sc. (Hons) in Chemistry from the University of Delhi. With over 18 years of research experience. Her work focuses on designing biopolymers and organic frameworks integrated with nanometallic oxides for environmental monitoring and the mitigation of antibiotics, steroids, and heavy metal ions from wastewater. She has published 17 papers in reputed journals, presented over 30 conference papers, authored 2 books, and developed 55 e-learning modules for the MHRD's e-PG Pathshala initiative. Dr. Gambhir has mentored over 50 undergraduate students through DBT Star/ELITE projects and serves as an external co-guide for Ph.D. research. She has led student societies, judged science fairs, and organized academic events. Her contributions have earned her awards, including the Teachers Excellence Award (2023) and the International Education Excellence Award (2021).