Pollution

Introduction of pollution
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse
change. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or
light. Pollutants, the components of pollution, can be either foreign substances/energies or
naturally occurring contaminants. Pollution is a necessary evil of all development. Due to lack of
development of a culture of pollution control, there has resulted a heavy backlog of gaseous,
liquid and solid pollution in environment. It has to be cleaned. Pollution control is a recent
environmental concern. Pollution is a man-made problem, mainly of effluent countries. The
developed countries have been exploiting every bit of natural resource to convert them into
goods for their comfort, and to export them to needy developing world. In doing so, the
industrialized countries dump lot of materials in their environment which becomes polluted.

Background of pollution
Although environmental pollution can be caused by natural events such as forest fires and
active volcanoes, use of the word pollution generally implies that the contaminants have an
anthropogenic source—that is, a source created by human activities. Pollution has
accompanied humankind ever since groups of people first congregated and remained for a long
time in any one place. Indeed, ancient human settlements are frequently recognized by their
wastes—shell mounds and rubble heaps, for instance. Pollution was not a serious problem as
long as there was enough space available for each individual or group. However, with the
establishment of permanent settlements by great numbers of people, pollution became a
problem, and it has remained one ever since.

Cities of ancient times were often noxious places, fouled by human wastes and debris.
Beginning about 1000 ce, the use of coal for fuel caused considerable air pollution, and the
conversion of coal to coke for iron smelting beginning in the 17th century exacerbated the
problem. In Europe, from the Middle Ages well into the early modern era, unsanitary urban
conditions favoured the outbreak of population-decimating epidemics of disease, from plague
to cholera and typhoid fever. Through the 19th century, water and air pollution and the
accumulation of solid wastes were largely problems of congested urban areas. But, with the
rapid spread of industrialization and the growth of the human population to unprecedented
levels, pollution became a universal problem.

By the middle of the 20th century, an awareness of the need to protect air, water, and land
environments from pollution had developed among the general public. In particular, the
publication in 1962 of Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring focused attention on environmental
damage caused by improper use of pesticides such as DDT and other persistent chemicals that
accumulate in the food chain and disrupt the natural balance of ecosystems on a wide scale. In
response, major pieces of environmental legislation, such as the Clean Air Act (1970) and the
Clean Water Act (1972; United States), were passed in many countries to control and mitigate
environmental pollution.

Pollution in Pakistan
Environmental issues in Pakistan include deforestation, air pollution, water pollution, noise
pollution, climate change, pesticide misuse, soil erosion, natural disasters and
desertification.[1] These are serious environmental problems that Pakistan is
facing, and they are getting worse as the country's economy expands and the population
grows. Little is being done to tackle these issues, because the goals of economic growth and
tackling terrorism within the country supersede the goals of environmental preservation.
Although NGOs and government departments have taken initiatives to stop environmental
degradation. The majority of Pakistan's industrial sectors, for example fishing and agriculture,
which count for more than one fourth of the output and two fifths of employment in
Pakistan,[1] are highly dependent on the country's natural resources. Hence in order to sustain
economic growth there is a high demand on already scarce natural resources. However it is
ironic that what the country depends on for its growth is also what threatens the future welfare
and success of the country. According to the World Bank,[2] 70% of Pakistan's population live in
rural areas and are already stricken by high poverty levels. These people depend on natural
resources to provide income and tend to overuse these resources. This leads to further
degradation of the environment and subsequently increases poverty.

Impact of pollution on Pakistan’s economy

Pakistan's latest economic survey for the nation has drawn attention to the degrading
environment in the country. According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2013-14, poverty,
combined with population growth and increasing urbanisation, is leading to intense pressures
on the environment. The report says that environmental degradation is both a cause and
consequence of poverty and the environment-poverty nexus cannot be ignored if effective and
practical solutions to remedy environmental hazards are to be taken. Experts estimate that
environmental degradation may cost Pakistan’s economy over PKR 365 billion every year. This
accounts from inadequate water supply, lack of access to sanitation and hygiene, agricultural
soil degradation, indoor and urban air pollution, lead exposure, land degradation and
deforestation. In fact, the environment strains faced by Pakistan over the past decades have
become a major challenge for its citizens and the economy. Pollution, of all types, can harm
humans, animals, water supplies, vegetation, agriculture, soil quality and air quality. All of these
are vital to life and if something causes these to become ‘sick' then humans will also be sicker
than they should be and a sick population is damaging to everything that a country and its
people can achieve. So pollution damages the economy of Pakistan just as it damages
everything that Pakistan has and is. The same is true for every other country on the planet.
Current situation in Pakistan regarding to pollution
Pakistan is confronted with a number of severe environmental problems such as degradation of
natural resources, industrial and vehicular pollution, pollution of marine environment,
degradation of human health. Summarizing in monetary terms, the annual cost of
environmental degradation in the country is about 4.3 % of GDP (US $ 4.3 billion). Specific
examples are; air, land and water degradation, drought and desertification, water logging,
forest depletion, loss of biodiversity, vehicular & industrial pollution and climate change.
The growing awareness and concerns about the impacts of environmental pollution have
triggered a number of national and international actions in recent years. SUPARCO has carried
out a several environmental studies, environmental impact assessments, pollutants emission,
transport and transformation, preparation of source inventories, and environmental audits of
industrial units and made policy recommendations for proper management of industrial
pollution. Studies on important global issues such as global warming, ozone depletion, causes
of thick winter fog, acid rain, effects of photochemical oxidants and aerosols characterization
have been published in international journals. SUPARCO also provides environmental
consultancy / services to various users.

Agreeing to a World Bank report, Pakistan faces an environmental cost of Rs. 1 billion a day.
Despite of all governmental paperwork we as a citizen rely on reality, as reality is always bitter.
Let’s throw a look at the World Bank report and current statistics of environment of Pakistan.
Agreeing to a recent study, average air pollution in big cities is approximately 4 times higher
than the World Health Organization (WHO) limits. Water contamination is the contamination of
water bodies like lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers and groundwater. Water pollution occurs when
pollutants are discharged at once or indirectly into water bodies without adequate treatment
to get rid of harmful compounds. Water contamination is one of the major menaces to public
health in Pakistan. Drinking water quality is badly supervised and supervised. Pakistan ranks at
number 80 among 122 nations regarding drinking water quality. Drinking water sources, both
surface and groundwater are contaminated with Coliforms, toxic metals and pesticides
throughout the nation. Various drinking water quality parameters set by WHO are frequently
broken. Access to clear drinking water is limited in developing countries and people may,
consequently, consume contaminated water. In Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K), more than
80% of all illnesses have been ascribed to the use of poor quality water. It is calculated that
water related diseases because an annual national income loss of Rs. 25–58 billion and over
250,000 kids die in Pakistan every year due to diarrheal diseases alone and 20–40% of the
hospital beds in Pakistan are occupied by patients suffering from urine-related diseases, which
are responsible for one-third of all destructions. Just 25.61% (rural 23.5% and 30% urban) of the
population in Pakistan have access to safe and potable water. A recent survey reveals that
estimated costs were $1867 million for water, sanitation and hygiene, $1,167 million in terms
of land erosion and salinization and $2200 million in terms of air pollution. He stated that the
actual monetary value of indemnity to the surroundings and natural resources was even higher.
Pakistan`s last three years budget is not even in billion. That is a very difficult and tricky task for
the government of Pakistan to tackle.

Means/ forms of pollution

Air Pollution -
Air pollution refers to the release of pollutants like toxic gases, biological molecules, and
particulate matter into the atmosphere. The pollutants can be derived from several sources
including both natural processes and human activity. Volcanic eruptions, limnic eruptions,
automobile, and industrial effluents, etc., are some examples of air pollution sources. Carbon
monoxide, carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, aerosol sprays, etc., are some examples of air
pollutants. Such pollution can be highly detrimental to the health and well-being of all life forms
on earth.

Light Pollution -
The pollution of the night environment by anthropogenic light is known as light pollution. This
type of pollution is caused by an excessive lighting of the streets, flood lights used in stadiums,
lights used in an industrial area, etc. The negative effects of light pollution include the spoilage
of the aesthetic environment of a place, creating disturbances in the ecosystem, and also
harming the health of living creatures.

Noise Pollution -
When the environment is filled with unnecessary or unpleasant sounds that are harmful to
animals and plants, it is called noise pollution. Transport vehicles, machinery, industries, loud
music, people yelling, etc., are some of the most common sources of noise pollution. This type
of pollution on the long-term can give rise to chronic diseases like cardiovascular diseases. The
psychological health of people can also be affected by noise.
Plastic Pollution -
As the name suggests, plastic pollution is caused by plastic accumulation in the environment.
Plastic, a nonbiodegradable substance, is extremely harmful to all life on earth. Every year,
thousands of animals lose their lives due to plastic pollution. Ingestion of plastics or
entanglement in plastic objects kill these animals. Most of the plastic waste generated in
the world end up in the oceans where they cause great harm to the marine ecosystem.

Thermal Pollution –
An induced change in the temperature of large volumes of water causes thermal pollution. This
type of pollution leads to the degradation of water quality as the warm water does not
provide ideal living conditions for aquatic flora and fauna. For example, when water used as a
coolant in power plants or that used in industries is released into a natural water body, the
warm or hot water mixes with the rest of the water to raise the overall temperature of the
aquatic ecosystem. Higher temperatures also alter the composition of dissolved elements in
water. The flora and fauna living in the area that was earlier adapted to a particular
temperature range can be killed by this abrupt change in the water temperature. Thus, aquatic
life experiences a thermal shock due to thermal pollution.

Visual Pollution -
Everyone loves to see clean and green spaces and beautiful vistas. When human activity installs
ugly barriers to this vision of open and clutter-free landscapes, it is called visual pollution. The
installation of billboards, open storage of trash, networks of electric wires crisscrossing each
other above the street, etc., create visual pollution. This type of pollution generates distraction,
eye fatigues, diversity in opinions, and other psychological problems.

Water Pollution –
In simple terms, the contamination of water bodies likes lakes, rivers, ponds, aquifers, etc., by
pollutants is called water pollution. Like air pollution, water pollution is one of the most
harmful types of pollution. It can have extremely disastrous consequences for all living beings
using the contaminated water. A major volume of the all the pollutants produced on land end
up in water bodies. Toxic wastes released by industries, pathogens released in sewage, harmful
chemicals present in agricultural runoffs, etc., are some of the top water pollutants. The
contamination of water can lead to epidemics and even pandemics that can wipe out the
population of an entire species or even more than one species. Thus, water pollution has a
highly adverse impact on the environment, society, and economy of a place.
Radioactive Contamination -
When radioactive substances are present in areas where their presence is undesirable or
unintended, it results in a type of pollution called radioactive contamination. Such substances
are highly toxic to all life on earth. Radioactive substances trigger mutations in the genetic
material of living organisms, leading to different types of cancers. Exposure to such toxins can
also adversely impact the different systems of the body. Death or disfiguration are common
effects of exposure to radioactive waste. Irresponsible management of such wastes or
radioactive disasters are the common causes of radioactive contamination.

Soil Contamination
When the soil of an area is contaminated, it leads to soil pollution or land degradation. The soil
is essential to the growth of all plants including crops. Thus, a degradation in the soil
quality translates to lower yields and poor health of crops grown on such soil. Industrial and
agricultural chemicals are the common pollutants contaminating the soil.

Littering:
When waste products generated by humans is not disposed of properly, it is called littering.
Here, waste can include anything that is discarded by humans after use like bottles, glass,
packaging material, electronic waste, metal waste, etc. Some of these pollutants like
electronics, batteries, tires, etc., are hazardous to the health of the environment. When
chemicals from such wastes leach into the soil or enter the water bodies, they cause soil
contamination and water pollution. Finally, these chemicals enter the bodies of organisms to
cause disease and death.

Policies: regarding to pollution in Pakistan

Environmental Policy:
The Government of Pakistan believes in the world of opportunities for the present generation
without compromising on the potential of future generations to come across their
developmental needs. Environmental degradation is fundamentally related to poverty in
Pakistan. Roughly less than one-fourth of the country’s population, similar in most developing
countries, is poor and directly hooked on natural resources for their livelihood whether
agriculture, hunting, forestry, fisheries, etc. Poverty combined with a rapidly increasing
population and growing urbanization, is leading to intense pressures on the surroundings. The
environment-poverty nexus cannot be ignored if effective and pragmatic answers to remedy
environmental hazards are to be considered. In Pakistan, as elsewhere, environment
degradation is both a movement and a result of poverty. A delicate and damaged resource base
is a major cause of poverty as agriculture yields are lower on degraded land, forests are
depleted and access to vital livelihood resources declines. The declension of the environment
continues to affect the livelihood and health, thus increasing the exposure of poor to disaster
and environmental-related disputes. Environmental degradation, air and water contamination,
ozone layer depletion, deforestation, desertification, vanishing biodiversity and land
degradation have resulted in climate change and ecological imbalance. Experts estimate that
environmental degradation may cost Pakistan’s economy over Rs.365 billion every year, of
which inadequate water supply, sanitation and hygiene accounts for Rs.112 billion, agricultural
soil degradation Rs.70 billion, indoor pollution Rs.67 billion, urban air pollution Rs.65 billion,
lead exposure Rs.45 billion and land degradation and deforestation Rs.6 billion. Some other
environmental experts believe that the environmental degradation cost must have increased
Beyond Rs.450 billion.

Challenges to environment in Pakistan:

Water and air pollution causing widespread diseases, Adaptation to the impact of climate
change for energy, water and food securities, Preparedness for adaptation/mitigation due to
climate change and to avail opportunities under Clean Development Mechanism (CDM),
Preparedness for an effective disaster management so as to avoid damage to the environment,
Watershed degradation and deforestation, Management of solid, liquid, hazardous waste,
Green economy-improved human well-being and social equity while significantly reducing
environmental risks and ecological scarcities initiatives and its impact on Pakistan. Linking
natural resource based livelihoods to production of ecosystem services, the green economy can
help reduce poverty and enhance environmental sustainability, Implementation of planned
initiative with efficacy to increase forest cover and biodiversity, Reducing land degradation,
Effluent treatment at source to avoid discharge of polluted industrial and domestic sewage to
fresh water bodies and marine environment, Increasing energy efficiency with focus on
conservations measures, Rapid urbanization and industrialization leading to serious
environmental concerns: natural resources depletion resulting from accelerated economic
and social transformation.

Causes of Environmental Damages:

The most important cases of environmental damage burden identified are (i) Illness and
premature mortality caused by air pollution amounting to about 50% of the total damage, cost;
(ii) Diarrheal diseases and typhoid, due to inadequate water supply, sanitation and hygiene
contribute about 30%of the total damage cost; and (iii) Reduced agricultural productivity, due
to soil degradation, contributes about 20% of the entire amount. Rapid degradation of
environment in Pakistan and the enduring poverty can be ascribed to a number of key
elements, including the gross lack of environmental consciousness and training.

Strategies to Achieve Environment protection:

Achieving targets, particularly those relating to environmental sustainability under Goal 7,
Implementation of the Action Plan of National Climate Change Policy and adequate sharing of
responsibilities at all levels, In the wake of 18th Amendment, review and Amendments in
environmental regulation in consultation with federal and provincial Environmental Protection
Agencies, civil society and private sector in order to better implement the policies, Involvement
of private sector and NGOs under public-private partnership for effective and efficient
conservation and management of natural resources, Establishing National Multilateral
Environmental (MEAS) Secretariat (Islamabad), Establishment of Clean Development
Mechanism Cell (Islamabad), Establishment of National Bio-safety Centre (NBC) Project
(Islamabad), Sustainable Land Management Project, Phase-1 (Islamabad), Development and
Implementation of Water and Sanitation Management Information System in Pakistan
(Islamabad), Establishment of Centre for Sustainable Organization (Islamabad), Establishment
of Geometric Centre for Climate change and Sustainable Development 2012-2015 (Islamabad)
and Indoor Air Quality in Buildings (Islamabad).

Environmental management plan:

A site-specific environmental management program (EMP) will be developed and implemented
for each installation to be repaired or rehabilitated. Monitoring. The facility level monitoring
will be taken away at the base of the WMP and EMP (Environmental and Medical Waste
Management Plan) of each facility. Monitoring checklists will be developed on the base of these
Plans, to be filled periodically. The district level monitoring will be taken out with the help of
Monitoring and Evaluation Assistants (MEAs) who already conduct monitoring of the DoH`s
(Department of Health) health maintenance facilities in their several territories. In summation
of the above, the Executive District Officer (Health) and his/her staff will also conduct random
monitoring of the EMWMP (Environmental and Medical Waste Management Plan) in
healthcare facilities. The MWMFP (Medical Waste Management Focal Point) will also take out
random visits of the healthcare facilities in the Province to monitor the Plan implementation.
Implimentations of these policies:
Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997: The Punjab Environmental Protection Act, 1997
(the Act) is the basic legislative tool empowering the government to frame regulations for the
protection of the environment (the ‘environment’ has been defined in the Act as: (a) air, water
and land; (b) all layers of the atmosphere; (c) all organic and inorganic matter and living
organisms; (d) the ecosystem and ecological relationships; (e) buildings, structures, roads,
facilities and works; (f) all social and economic conditions affecting community life; and (g) the
interrelationships between any of the factors specified in sub-clauses ‘a’ to ‘f’). The Act is
applicable to a wide scope of subjects and extends to socioeconomic aspects, land acquisition,
air, water, land, marine and noise pollution, as easily as the treatment of hazardous waste. The
release or emission of any effluent, waste, air pollutant or noise in an amount, concentration or
level in excess of the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) specified by the
Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) has been forbidden under the Act, and
penalties have been ordered for those infringing the provisions of the Act. The abilities of the
federal and provincial Environmental Protection Agencies (EPAs), built under the Pakistan
Environmental Protection Ordinance 1983,5 have also been considerably enhanced under this
legislation and they have been granted the power to direct inquiries into potential breaches of
environmental law either of their own accord, or upon the registration of a charge. The demand
for environmental assessment is set away in Section 12 (1) of the Act. Below this subdivision, no
project involving construction activities or any alteration in the physical environment can be
undertaken unless an initial environmental examination (IEE) or an environmental impact
assessment (EIA) is taken, and approval is received from the federal or relevant provincial EPA.
Section 12 (6) of the Act says that the supply is applicable solely to such categories of projects
as may be ordered. The necessity of carrying on an environmental appraisal of the proposed
project emanates from this Act. The present Plan broadly addresses the requirements
presented in the Act.
Suggestions:

1) Planting trees

No need to go all out and run reforestation campaigns and tree plantation drives. All you need
to do is, fight your laziness and plant trees in your own house and encourage your friends and
family to do the same. Plant trees whenever and wherever convenient, in order to increase
oxygen and reduce carbon dioxide from our environment and eventually lessen pollution.

2) Shop at environment-friendly stores

You don’t need to tire yourself each time you need to go grocery shopping, by thinking of a way
to reduce your plastic bag usage. Instead, find just one store that doesn’t use plastic bags or
buy just one paper bag to take with you wherever you go. It’ll just be a one-time hassle and will
save the world from an insane amount of pollution in the long run.

3) Use eco-friendly products

Just like the one-time hassle of buying a paper bag or finding a store that doesn’t use plastic
bags, find products that suit you and are also eco-friendly. It’ll cause no inconvenience in the
long run and will save the world from high amounts of toxic pollution.

4) Throw away litter even if it isn’t yours

It is really not time consuming to pick up and throwing away trash from roads or in front of your
house or any other path you cross during the day. So, why not do it? Just because you didn’t
litter doesn’t mean it isn’t your duty as a responsible citizen to keep planet Earth clean!

5) Reuse items

There is no harm in reusing something, for instance a disposable cup, if it’s in perfect condition.
It’ll reduce pollution and to top it off help you save money!