Environmental Pollution

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and definitions related to environmental pollution.

Pollution

The alteration of the biological, thermal, physical, or radioactive properties of any medium in a way that poses a hazard to human health or the health, safety, or welfare of living species.

Xenobiotic

Any foreign chemical substance that is found in an organism or the environment at higher concentrations than permissible limits.

Primary Source Pollution

Pollution caused from a stationary location or fixed facility where pollutants are discharged.

Non-point Source Pollution

Pollution that cannot be easily traced back to a single source.

Air Quality Index (AQI)

An overall scheme that transforms the values of air pollution parameters into a single index number to communicate air quality levels.

PM2.5

Particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller, significant for its impact on health.

Dispersion

The process by which pollutants spread out in the air away from their source.

Degradation

The breakdown of substances into simpler, less harmful forms through natural processes.

Biological Pollutants

Pathogenic organisms that contaminate the environment and can cause adverse health effects.

Chemical Pollutants

Substances like acids and gases that can pollute the environment and harm health.

Public Health Impacts

Health issues caused by poor air quality, such as respiratory diseases and cardiovascular diseases.

Noise Pollution

Unwanted or harmful sound that adversely affects human health and the environment.

Biomedical Waste

Solid and liquid waste generated during diagnosis, treatment, or immunization that is hazardous to health.

Segregation of Waste

The process of separating different types of waste to ensure proper disposal and treatment.

Incineration

A waste treatment process that involves the combustion of organic substances contained in waste materials.

Autoclaving

A sterilization method that uses steam under pressure to kill microorganisms.

Soil Pollution

The presence of toxic chemicals or waste in the soil that degrades its quality and affects health.

Water Quality Parameters

Characteristics measured to assess the quality of water, such as pH, turbidity, and dissolved solids.