Arsenic pollution has become a severe environmental problem in India. Enumerate its various source, also discuss the consequences and measures to tackle it.
Arsenic is a heavy inorganic metal pollutant that causes great damage to humans and various other ecosystems.
Sources:
- Iron and steel smelting plants.
- Car plants.
- Mining sites due to leaching.
- Electronic plants as arsenic is used in circuits and semiconductors.
- Asbestos plants and factories.
- Nuclear power plants – used in fuel rods.
- Flyash of thermal power plants.
Consequences:
- Affects respiratory system of humans and leads to Asthma, Lung inflammation, etc.
- Contact with skin, eyes, etc causes rashes, dermatitis, and inflammation.
- World Health Organisation recommends that concentration of Arsenic should be below 50 parts per million, above this concentration it becomes dangerous to human health.
- Affect agricultural yield adversely and causes diseases in bovines leading to infertility.
Way forward:
- Arsenic filters, made up of charcoal and electrostatic precipitators need to be used at point sources.
- CPCB to mandate SOP for arsenic control and promote awareness.
National air quality index to also monitor it and report on it regularly.
Originally written on
July 5, 2023
and last modified on
October 27, 2024.