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.