ENV552: Lecture 4 (Topic 1) Hazardous Waste Pollution
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ENV552:Lecture 4 (Topic1) Hazardouswaste pollution r These'materialsthreaten workers through occupationalexposure and the generalpublic r pose substantial or potential threats to public in their homes,corrmunities, and general health or the environmentand generally environment. exhibits one or moreof these characteristics: r Exposureto these materials can occur . ignitable " near the site of generation " oxidizirtg " along the path of its transportation . corrosive " near their ultimate disposal sites . toxic . radioactive \=.-.....- r Hazardousmaterials . manufacturing,"tidr"t (e-g. waste acids, r Sources .. contaminatedsludges and complex . industrialand manufacturingprocesses chemicals) . commercialand institutiDnalsectors " biomedicalwastesfrom hospitals . households . spent photolinishing chemicals " waste pesticides " PCBs . motor oil r HouseholdHazardous Waste (HHW) l e-Waste " Paintsand solvents " from the assembly of electrical or . Automotivewastes (motor oil, antifreeze) electronic appliances that consist of " Pesticides cornponents such as accumulators, . Mercury-containingwastes mercury-svuitches,glass from cathode-ray Gheln0grtoelell,switches, f luo rescent tubes and other activated glass or lightinq,etc) polychlorinated biphenyl-capacitors, or contaminatedwith cadmium, . ElectronicsG_S!rcUlers, televisions, cell mercury, ' phones) lead, nickel,chromium, copper,lithium, silver, polychlorinated . Aerosols Propanecylinders manganese or / biphenyl. " Caustics/ Cleaningagents . Refriqerant-containing appliances SemesterJuty-October 201 0 ENV552:Lecture 4 (Topic1) ) representcomponent of waste from the Radioactivepollution followingappliances than can no longerbe used: r Radioactivity is a form of radiation (a form of " Television,Radio, Air-Condition energythat travels through space). Computer, Printer " r Someelements in this wodd are naturally " PhotostatMachine, Facsimile Machine radioactivewhile some others are made to be. WashingMachine, Refrigerator, OvenlMicrowave r Radioactivityis emitted when a radioactive VideoCamera RecordlRecording (VCR) elernentbecome unstable and begin to decay " in the attempt to regain their molecular " StereolAudioDevice, Electronic Game stability. Device 3!endaflourlight, Digital Clock,Telbphone S:-..--- r Thereare commonly three types of radiation, ) Whenan elementdecays, it emits energyand namely: \ snrall particles. Alpha particles, can be blocked by a piece of r lf it's still radioactive,-lt will repeat the paperand human skin- process, until it finally regains its molecular . Betaparticles can penetratethrough skin, stabilityand stop decaying. while can be blocked by some pieces of glassand metal. r l he time that it takes for half way of decaying process is cailed half-life, and this differs for . Gammarays can penetrateeasily to human each radioactiveelement. skin and damage cells on its way through, reachingfar, and can onlybe blocked by a verythick, strong, massivepiece of concrete. r Types of radioactive waste . > Sources Low level waste . nuclearpower plants lntermediate level waste . High level waste " nuclearweapons " medical . uraniummining . NORM- coal,oil & gas SernestrrrJuly-October 2A1 O 2 ENV552:Lecture 4 (Topic1) r Effects Lightpollution . Exposureto high levelsof radioactive waste may cause serious harm or death ) lt is defined as "anyadverse (or bad) effectas a result of man-madelights." . may cause cancer in the animal. r Usually,this meanstoo much light. lonizing radiation causesdeletions in chromosomes. Birthdefects may be inducedin the unborn child r biologicalinjury differs accordingto the radioisotope r Lightpollution is mainlycaused lighting systemsthat are misdirected,excessive, inefficientor unnecessary. r Mostlight pollutionis foundin urban settingswhere artificial light sources are numerous >There are five kinds of light pollution: EqE . Sky glow " Light trespass . FiE Over-illumination " Clutter . Clare @ Sel rr*ster July-October 201 0 ENV552:Lecture 4 (Topic1) Effects on animals Effects on humans > confuse animal navigation r sleep problems > alter competitive interactions r Reducesobservation of animals stars > change predator-prey relations r Economiccosts > influenceanimal physiology Visualpollution r Visual pollution is an aestheticissue, r The term is used broadly to cover referring to the impactsof pollution that impair one's abilityto enjoy a vista or view. " visibility- limits on the abilityto view distantobjects r unattractive or unnaturalvisual elements of a vista that a person might not want to look at. " visualcluftei - structuresthat intrude upon otherwise"pretty" scenes " graffitiand other visual defacement Examples r Buildings r Roadways r advertisements r Roadsigns r Landfills r Graffiti r Houses r Olerhead powerlines r Automobiles ) Utility poles > Weeds r Traffic signs ) Litter r Highways SemesterJuly-October 201 0 FNV552:Lecture 4 (Topic1) r Visualpollution is the most irritating one among the others since it is able to be realizedmore easily.And it is also the more common. r-==:-===-.- Semester Juiy-October201 0 5.