AWARENESS ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND POLLUTION CONTROL

TECHNIQUES AMONG ADULTS OF KOTTAYAM TOWN

Anjumol Shaju

B.Ed Student(Physical Science)

Mount Carmel College of Teacher Education for Women,Kottayam

Abstract

A study has been conducted to analyse the awareness of pollution control

of people in Kottayam town. This study covered 135 people and their awareness was checked
by using a questionnaire containing 20 questions. The results revealed that average of them
have awareness regarding the adverse effects of pollution and pollution control techniques.

Introduction

Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment

that causes diverse 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.

A pollutant is a waste material that pollutes air, water or soil. Three factors
determine the severity of a pollutant. They are its chemical nature, the concentration and the
persistence. Air pollution arises due to both natural and human made sources. However,
globally, human made pollutants evolving as a result of combustion, construction, mining,
agriculture and warfare have greater significance.

Motor vehicle emissions are one of the leading causes of air pollution.
China, US, Russia, India, Mexico and Japan are the leaders in automobile emission. Principle
stationary pollution sources include chemical plants, coal-fired power plants,oil refineries,
petrochemical plants, nuclear waste disposal activity, incinerators, large livestock farm, PVC
factories, metal production factories, plastic factories and heavy industries. Agricultural air
pollution arises from contemporary practices which include clear felling and burning of
natural vegetation as well as spraying of pesticides and herbicides.

Pollution prevention or control is needed to preserve precious

environmental resources and to improve the environmental quality. The amount of damage to
a particular medium (air, water, land) varies according to the type of pollutant, the amount of
pollutant disposed of, and the distance from the source of production. But all the pollutants
alter the quality of the environment and render it, to some degree, unfit to preserve normal
life. People are now raising their voice loudly against pollution generating activities. Business
enterprises need to take suitable measures for pollution control not merely to avoid criticisms
against them but also to enjoy other benefits of such measures.

Objectives of the Study

1. To find out whether the adults of Kottayam town are aware of environmental
pollution.
2. To find out whether the adults of Kottayam are aware of various pollution control
techniques.

Methodology

Survey method was adopted for the study. The data was collected from
135 adults living in Kottayam town. A self constructed questionnaire was developed by the
investigator by considering different dimensions to examine whether the people are aware of
pollution in their locality. There were 20 questions to check the awareness of people in this
regard.

Analysis and Interpretation

i. 48.9% people are aware about pollution and they have raised several complaints
regarding pollution and lack of pollution control in their locality. But the fact is that
they have no options other than to dispose plastic and other inorganic wastes in
unscientific ways even though they are aware of the hazards of this improper waste
disposal.
ii. It is found that 58.6% people use organic wastes for farming purposes. This reduces
environmental pollution and helps in producing good yield. Also 43.7% people utilize
compost digs to dispose organic wastes, so that people can use this compost for
agriculture. This is one of the best scientific treatments of organic waste. There are
several other facilities such as rain water harvesting, drainages, toilets, bio-gas plant,
reforestation etc to reduce different types of pollutions.
iii. The survey reveals that 56.4% of the people are aware of the functioning of pollution
control board in their locality. Some people gave complaints regarding pollution in
their locality and the local body took action against pollution. But only a few people
have heard about Swachh Bharat Mission which was launched by the prime
minister of India to wipe-out pollution and pollutants from the country.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that the people living in Kottayam are suffering from different kind of
environmental pollution such as water pollution, noise pollution, air pollution etc. In
some areas, effective remedial measures were taken to avoid these pollutions. But many
places in Kottayam are still polluted even if there are waste management facilities. One
reason is that people are not using these facilities properly and there is also
irresponsibility from local bodies and pollution control board. Pollution can be minimised
by adopting scientific ways of waste disposal and implementing proper pollution control
techniques.

Reference

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/pollution
www.uccee.org/Environmental _Pollution.html
www.importantindia.com/10612/essay-on-environmental-pollution/