Preventing Pollution: Air, Water, Soil, And Noise

Preventing pollution is essential for the health of our planet and all living beings. Air pollution, for instance, is caused by elevated levels of smoke and emissions, which can be reduced by limiting fires in urban areas, switching to electric lawn equipment, and encouraging local businesses and governments to adopt sustainable practices and create incentives for beneficial behaviours. Soil pollution, which is caused by agricultural and industrial activities, can be prevented by proper waste disposal, avoiding the use of harmful chemicals, and promoting soil health through conservation practices. Water pollution is often a consequence of soil pollution, as harmful substances leach into nearby water sources, so protecting soil health is crucial for maintaining clean water supplies. Noise pollution, which is defined by the World Health Organization as noise above 65 decibels, is also detrimental to human health and wildlife, and can be mitigated by reducing noise levels from traffic, construction, and other sources.

How to prevent air, water, soil, and noise pollution

Avoid burning waste, use electric equipment, and plant trees to improve air quality

Burning waste, especially in the open, is a significant contributor to air pollution. The fumes and particulate matter released from these fires contain harmful toxins that severely impact human health. These include respiratory issues, cardiovascular complications, and cognitive impairment, with vulnerable groups like the elderly and children being at greater risk. To improve air quality, it is essential to move towards zero waste burning. This can be achieved by promoting decentralized waste management systems, reducing unsegregated organic waste, and ensuring proper waste collection and disposal through door-to-door services.

Electric equipment can play a crucial role in improving air quality by reducing emissions. Electric vehicles, for instance, can help decrease carbon dioxide levels and mitigate traffic-related issues such as crash injuries, noise, and physical inactivity associated with the widespread use of motor vehicles. Additionally, electric equipment like energy-efficient heat recovery ventilators can improve indoor air quality by diluting and removing airborne pollutants.

Trees are another powerful tool in the fight against air pollution. They directly remove pollutants from the air and improve air quality in their surroundings. In addition, they provide shade, reducing the need for conventional air conditioning and the associated emissions of greenhouse gases. When choosing trees, it is important to select the right species for the local ecosystem, as some trees are more effective at filtering pollutants than others. Initiatives to plant trees and create urban forests, as seen in London, Beijing, and Paris, demonstrate a commitment to harnessing the power of nature to improve air quality.

To further enhance air quality, it is essential to address indoor pollution sources. This can be achieved by eliminating or reducing emissions from individual sources, such as sealing materials containing asbestos or adjusting gas stoves. Increasing natural ventilation by opening windows and doors can also help moderate indoor air temperature and improve air quality by reducing pollutants. Additionally, kitchen and bathroom fans that exhaust outdoors directly remove contaminants and increase the outdoor air ventilation rate.

Prevent soil pollution by reducing the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides

Soil pollution is caused by the presence of harmful chemicals in the soil, which can have detrimental effects on the environment and human health. One major source of soil pollution is the overuse of chemical fertilisers and pesticides in agriculture. These chemicals can contaminate soil and water, leading to a range of negative consequences.

To prevent soil pollution, it is essential to reduce the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Here are some ways to achieve this:

• Adopting Nutrient Management Techniques: Farmers can improve their nutrient management practices by applying nutrients (fertiliser and manure) in the correct amounts, at the right time of year, using the appropriate method, and placing them in the right location. This ensures that nutrients are fully utilised by plants, reducing the risk of excess chemicals leaching into the soil and water bodies.
• Conservation Drainage Practices: Implementing subsurface tile drainage can help manage water movement on and through the soil, reducing the risk of nutrient runoff into nearby waterways.
• Conservation Tillage: Reducing the frequency and intensity of tilling can improve soil health, decrease erosion, and minimise nutrient loss through runoff.
• Livestock Management: Keeping livestock and their waste away from streams helps prevent excess nitrogen and phosphorus from entering water bodies. Fencing off streams, rivers, and lakes can also help restore stream banks.
• Watershed Efforts: Collaboration between farmers, governments, organisations, and other stakeholders across a watershed is crucial to reducing nutrient pollution in water and air.
• Improved Cropping Techniques: Focusing on improving cropping techniques can help prevent the growth of weeds, reducing the need for herbicides and pesticides.
• Bio-pesticides: Using bio-pesticides instead of toxic chemical pesticides can help control pests while minimising environmental harm.
• Reduced Usage: Pesticides and fertilisers should be applied sparingly and only when necessary. This prevents excessive chemical buildup in the soil.

By implementing these strategies, we can reduce the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, thereby minimising soil pollution and its associated negative impacts on the environment and human health.

Properly dispose of household chemicals and trash to avoid contaminating the soil

Soil pollution is caused by the dumping of non-biodegradable waste, industrial waste, harmful chemicals, and domestic trash. The primary contaminants of the land are non-biodegradable wastes such as plastics, which render the soil barren and unsuitable for agriculture due to nutrient depletion. Soil pollution can also be caused by the excessive use of pesticides and fertilisers, which affects soil fertility.

To avoid contaminating the soil, it is important to properly dispose of household chemicals and trash. Many household products, such as cleaning solutions, paint thinners, bug spray, pesticides, and acids/bases found in cleaning products, are deemed "hazardous waste" by governments. These wastes can pose a danger to your family, pets, and the environment. Hazardous waste should not be mixed with regular garbage and should not be thrown out with the rest of the trash. This is because toxic chemicals can leak and contaminate the groundwater, which is the community's water supply.

To properly dispose of household hazardous waste, you can:

• Use the entirety of the material. For example, instead of disposing of salt down the toilet, sprinkle it on your porch or sidewalk during a freezing day to prevent these surfaces from becoming slippery.
• Give away unused products to someone who can use them. For example, schools and community groups may take donations of paint.
• Check with your local environmental, health, or solid waste agency for information on household hazardous waste management options in your area. Many communities organize collection events or have permanent facilities where residents can drop off their household hazardous waste.
• Take your household chemicals to a household hazardous waste (HHW) facility in your community.
• Request special disposal from your residential trash hauler. Some companies offer collection of hazardous household waste for a small fee.

Avoid noise above 75 decibels, especially in cities, to prevent noise pollution

Noise pollution is an issue that primarily affects those living in cities, where there are many sources of unwanted noise, such as traffic, construction, and appliances. These sources of noise pollution can have a detrimental impact on human health, including hearing loss and a disruption to sleep. To prevent noise pollution, it is important to avoid noise above 75 decibels, especially in urban areas.

Noise above 75 decibels can be harmful to both children and adults, according to the World Health Organization. For context, everyday sounds such as traffic noise or a lawnmower can reach around 90 decibels. Sounds above 105 decibels, such as a car horn or a power saw, can be safely listened to for eight hours or more only if ear protection is worn. Noise-induced hearing loss can occur from prolonged exposure to loud noise, so it is important to take steps to protect your hearing.

To avoid noise above 75 decibels, especially in cities, there are several measures that can be taken. Firstly, individuals can use hearing protection, such as earplugs or earmuffs, to reduce the amount of noise entering the ears. These can be effective when used correctly, reducing noise by up to 30 decibels. This can be especially useful when using public transportation or when in close proximity to loud noises, such as those from construction sites.

Additionally, cities can implement noise barriers or use noise-absorbing materials in buildings and on roads to reduce the impact of noise on nearby residents. For example, noise barriers have been erected alongside highways in some cities to reduce the impact of traffic noise on nearby neighbourhoods. In the home, double-glazed windows and soundproofed rooms can help to reduce noise levels.

Another way to prevent noise pollution is to address the sources of loud noise directly. For example, instead of using leaf blowers or lawnmowers, which can produce noise levels above 100 decibels, cities could encourage the use of brooms and rakes, which produce far less noise. Similarly, electric vehicles, which are far quieter than traditional cars, could be incentivized to reduce noise pollution from traffic.

Encourage local businesses and governments to adopt sustainable practices

Local businesses and governments can adopt sustainable practices to prevent air, water, soil, and noise pollution. Here are some detailed suggestions:

For governments:

• Implement policies that reduce pollution at its source, such as requiring the use of lead-free gasoline or asbestos-free vehicle brake linings. Provide guidance on desirable technologies through best-practice manuals and make polluting technologies more expensive to use than less polluting alternatives.
• Encourage the use of public transportation to reduce emissions from private motor vehicles, which can also decrease traffic injuries, noise, and physical inactivity.
• Support the transition to a circular economy, focusing on green growth and sustainable practices. This includes reducing industrial emissions and protecting natural resources like coasts, seas, and oceans.
• Prioritize environmental conservation and protection, aiming to reduce environmental noise pollution, plastic production, and sustainable soil and land use.
• Develop and enforce regulations for the safe management of toxic chemicals, as well as monitoring guidelines to prevent water contamination.
• Invest in retrofitting existing industries and power plants to reduce pollution.
• Encourage recycling and the use of biodegradable products to minimize waste.
• Implement the Zero Pollution Action Plan, which includes improving water quality by reducing waste, plastic litter, and microplastics, as well as improving soil quality by reducing nutrient losses and chemical pesticide use.

For local businesses:

• Minimize the use of toxic and long-lasting pesticides, especially near water bodies, to prevent seepage into groundwater and surface waters.
• Adopt sustainable practices to reduce industrial emissions and wastewater discharge, ensuring that wastewater is treated properly before release to prevent chemical contamination of water bodies.
• Encourage the use of biodegradable products and recycling within the organization and among suppliers and partners.
• Invest in technologies that reduce air pollution, such as catalytic converters for vehicle fleets.
• Promote remote work and flexible schedules to reduce the number of private motor vehicles on the road, thereby decreasing emissions and noise pollution.

Frequently asked questions