Environmental Pollution and Engineering - Coursework Example

Environmental Pollution and Engineering Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Date Executive Summary Environmental pollution is a global menace that continues to affect human health and the environment in general. Most of the pollution that is experienced in primarily caused by human activities while those that are caused by the natural causes being rare. Engineers have a significant role to play when it comes to addressing the pollution problems. The report will document the various types of pollution which include air, water, soil, radioactive, food, and noise pollution and the how it relevant to engineers as well as their role in addressing the same. The findings of the report document that engineers indeed have a significant role to play when it comes to addressing issues to do with environmental pollution. Some of the recommendations of the report include proper material handling to reduce waste, and the continuous improvement review to track if engineers are indeed taking the environment into consideration during their practice. 1.0 Introduction Pollution is an enemy of the environment. Environmental pollution is one of the biggest challenges facing the world today, and it continues to rise with each passing year. As the rates and occurrence of environmental pollution increases so do the risk of causing irreparable damage to the earth (Environmental Science, 2017). Therefore, engineers need to be concerned with the environment since it is a very crucial component for the life of both humans and animals on earth. Several types of pollution exist which include pollution of the air, water, soil, food, radioactive, and noise. These different types of pollution impact on human life negatively mainly because it results in the spread of diseases (Environmental Science, 2017). Following the adverse effects that are associated with pollution, engineers should take a significant responsibility about the problem and strive to work towards creating new ways of protecting the environment and everything in it. In doing this, engineers could partake in the provision of solutions for the various types of pollution; for example using the current technology to develop methods of protecting the environment from pollution. Thus, the paper will seek to assess the various types of pollution and their relevance to engineers. 2.0 Environmental Pollution and Engineering 2.1 Air Pollution Air pollution can be defined as the mixture of gases and solid particles in the atmosphere. This mixture may comprise of pollen, the chemicals from the factories, car emissions, mold spores, among other factors (Kelishadi, 2012). Air pollution results in detrimental health problems like lung or heart disease, asthmas, among other health complications. 2.1.1 Industry Air Pollution Human activities are the primary causes of air pollution, and they result in higher levels of air pollution as compared to natural sources. Some of the anthropological sources of air pollution include air contamination from the factories, pesticides, and car exhaust (Kelishadi, 2012). The factories often cause air pollution through the emission of fossil fuels (Kelishadi, 2012). These fossil fuel emissions include nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, and methane. Their combustion leads to the creation of toxic pollutants which makes their high emission levels become a concern. In the same light, pesticides also cause air pollution through the pesticide drift (Kelishadi, 2012). This pesticide drift takes place when the pesticide particles that are suspended in the air are carried away by the wind and spreads in other areas which result in pollution. Car exhaust causes pollution since they produce some fumes when the petrol engine burns which spread rapidly in the atmosphere causing its pollution (Kelishadi, 2012). These fumes are rich in detrimental chemicals and substances that are harmful to human health and the environment as well. 2.1.2 Natural Air Pollution Although this is not common, it sometimes happens that pollution may result from natural sources like volcanoes, earthquakes, and thunderstorms. These sources of pollution release sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides which are the ones which lead to pollution. When earthquakes strike, they disrupt the earth which leads to the release of dust particles or even some chemicals depending on the location that it strikes (Kelishadi, 2012). These contaminants are then carried by the wind to different places and levels in the atmosphere which causes pollution. On the other hand, when there is the formation of thunderstorms, they tend to draw in chemicals and other elements of air pollution and take them several miles in the atmosphere (Kelishadi, 2012). This then interferes with the ozone which is a greenhouse gas which then leads to climate change, 2.1.3 Relevance to Engineers In my opinion, engineers play a central role in controlling air pollution especially in providing solutions to curb the same. In doing that, engineers may focus on the health-damaging chemicals that are present in the air through the use of computer models that have their roots in engineering. These models may assist the engineers to estimate how the choices of energy impact the air. This will guide in the choosing of efficient measures that will help to curb this form of pollution 2.2 Water Pollution Water pollution is said to have taken place when various substances build up in various water bodies to the extent that they pose the risk of causing problems both to people and animals (Harrison, 2001). Some of the sources of water pollution include sewage, oil tankers, and the agricultural activities. Untreated sewage may possess some nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen, pathogens like protozoa and bacteria, and solids which include organic matter (Harrison, 2001). The same case to agricultural residues and fertilizers; they contain most of these nutrients and solids. The excess nutrients may then the discharge into the marine ecosystem through the through the sewage or rain or any other form of running water. The increased nutrient levels may lead to eutrophication which is the excessive growth of the marine plant life (Harrison, 2001). Water pollution may also be caused by oil spills from the oil tankers which is catastrophic to the marine life. Since oil cannot dissolve in water, it remains suspended and blocks the oxygen and light from getting to the marine animals and plants which put them at risk of dying (Harrison, 2001). 2.2.1 Relevance to Engineers Engineers have significant roles to play when it comes to addressing the challenges of water management like sanitation, providing irrigation water, access to clean water, and offering the protection against floods in my view. However, I think that engineers are faced with the challenge of giving solutions that will balance environmental protection and the reliance of humans on ecosystems, it is still their role to offer engineering and ecosystem-based solutions concerning water management while at the same time satisfy the human needs. 2.3 Soil Pollution The primary reason why the soil gets contaminated is because of waste. The waste may be from nature like dead plants or humans such as chemicals. The use of chemicals has increased tremendously because of the fertilizers and pesticides that technology has provided (Righi, Lucialli, & Bruzzi, 2005). They then sip into the ground after they get mixed with water which in turn reduces soil fertility. Some of these chemicals also damage the soil composition which makes it easy for them to get eroded. Also, the plants may absorb these chemicals, and when they die and decompose, they result in soil pollution as they become a part of the land as well (Righi, Lucialli, & Bruzzi, 2005). Another source is waste where industrial waste leads to contamination which adds up to the soil pollution (Righi, Lucialli, & Bruzzi, 2005). 2.3.1 Relevance to Engineers From my perspective engineers can practice the techniques of green forest management which will make them become more sensitive to the impacts of their projects on the environment and more so in mitigating effects of soil pollution. Engineers will need to have the plans for mitigating the impacts of their activities on the environment before undertaking projects. Also, engineers may evaluate the probability of utilizing recycled materials which reduce waste deposited in the soil. 2.4 Food Pollution Food pollution is associated with the presence of toxic chemicals or biological contaminants in food substances whether they are naturally present or have been added as additives (Kelishadi, 2012). Food pollution impacts humans through causing some detrimental food illnesses or the development of some adverse health conditions like metabolism or hormonal problems (Kelishadi, 2012). Food pollution may be as a result of various sources like microorganisms and chemicals which may mix with the food either during the stages of growing, processing, or packing (Kelishadi, 2012). 2.4.1 Relevance to Engineers I think the he food engineers would play a more significant role here than other specialized engineers. These engineers may address issues to do with food pollution in the various stages of food processing. Therefore, in addressing food pollution, the engineers may provide the necessary knowledge transfer that is essential to the production and commercialization of the food services and products. 2.5 Radioactive Pollution Radioactive pollution is concerned with the release of the radioactive substances into either the water, air or on earth either by design or by accident (Righi, Lucialli, & Bruzzi, 2005). Some of the sources of radioactive pollution include the detonation or testing of a nuclear weapon, the accidental release of the radioactive material from the nuclear power plants, or the nuclear fuel cycle. Also, some of the natural sources of radioactive pollution like the radon gas from the ground may also occur although rarely. This type of pollution is harmful to human health as it may cause cancer or other genetic problems (Righi, Lucialli, & Bruzzi, 2005). 2.5.1 Relevance to Engineers I think engineers are required to be careful of the sources of energy they use through the exploration of the biomedical, psychological, technical, and moral dimensions of the problem of radioactive pollution. As the engineering body, they then need to take part in the creation of policies which are based on the nuclear guardianship principles. 2.6 Noise Pollution Noise pollution occurs when there is excessive sound which may result in a temporary disruption of the natural balance. This pollution has become very rampant in our environment such that it becomes difficult to escape from it (Briggs, 2003). The lack of proper urban planning is what has led to the noise pollution by far. The large machinery used in industrial operations have also been on the forefront in causing noise pollution. The busy life in the cities where there is a lot of hooting and activities have also mainly resulted in this pollution (Briggs, 2003). 2.6.1 Relevance to Engineers In my opinion, engineers can take part in championing for low levels of noise pollution through adopting ‘greener’ engineering. They may use the relevant technology in developing structures to curb noise pollution like quiter engines, noise impedance walls, among others. They may also participate in the development of noise abatement regulations and stipulate how engineering will do that. 3.0 Challenges During Study One of the problems that I encountered during the study is finding the accurate and reliable information that I could use as a source for the report. The internet is filled with very many sources and distinguishing them was a challenge. However, I resolved to outline the study objectives and the research question so that I could focus my resources only to those that would assist me in the fulfillment of the objectives and answering the research question. 4.0 Lessons Learnt I have learned the broad and detrimental impacts that different types of pollution have on the environment and the potential that it has of damaging or health. More so, I have learned that by ignoring these pollution issues, we put our present and future generations at risk of living in a contaminated environment. Therefore, I now know that engineers have the technological, knowledge, and skills of addressing the issue of pollution and they need to do that now rather than later. 5.0 Recommendations When undertaking engineering activities, engineers need to always take into consideration how their activities can cause minimum environmental impact and more so prevents or minimizes the risk of any type of pollution. One of the considerations that engineers can have may include issues to do with facilities planning (Rao, 2007). I think that engineers may also take to view some continuous improvements with the aim of having near zero effects on the environment. Although it is nearly impossible to achieve a system that is perfect, the continuous improvement would play a significant role in trying to make the engineering practice better and more environmentally sensitive. Since engineers handle a lot of materials in their engineering activities, it is their role to ensure that the waste generated from these materials are at their very minimum while ensuring that there is an optimal workflow in the professional undertakings (Rao, 2007). Since waste is one of the sources o various types of pollution, minimizing it will help significantly in minimizing environmental pollution. 6.0 Competencies I would have demonstrated my knowledge of the contextual factors which affects the engineering discipline. I would do this to identify and understand the linkages between environment and the engineering systems. This involves impacting a positive role in the sustainable development initiative through reducing adverse environmental impacts during engineering practice. I would also demonstrate effective written communication which would assist me in preparing quality engineering documents like reports and investigations. 7.0 Conclusion Environmental pollution is one of the biggest challenges that the world is facing today. Pollution leads to various detrimental impacts on the environment and the human health as well. Various types of pollution exist which have been discussed in the report including noise, air, water, radioactive, food, and soil pollution. In all of these types of pollution, engineers have a role to play in addressing them in their various capacities. Therefore, despite the particular field of engineering, it is the role of the engineers to come together and protect the environment that they are all a part of. 8.0 References Briggs, D. (2003). Environmental pollution and the global burden of disease. British Medical Bulletin, 68(1), 1-24. Environmental Science. (2017). Environmental-engineering. Retrieved 21st March 2017 http://www.environmentalscience.org/environmental-engineering Harrison, R. M. (2001). Pollution: causes, effects and control. Royal Society of Chemistry. Kelishadi, R. (2012). Environmental pollution: health effects and operational implications for pollutants removal. Journal of environmental and public health. Vol. 2012 (2012), Article ID 341637, http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/341637 Rao, C. S. (2007). Environmental pollution control engineering. New Age International. Righi, S., Lucialli, P., & Bruzzi, L. (2005). Health and environmental impacts of a fertilizer plant–Part I: Assessment of radioactive pollution. Journal of environmental radioactivity, 82(2): 167-182. Read More