Environment and health

1. Pollution & Pollutants

• Pollution: When harmful substances are added to the environment, affecting life and nature.

• Pollutant: The actual harmful substance.

Types of Pollutants:

2. Causes of Water & Air Pollution

• Water Pollution:

  • Sewage dumped into rivers

  • Industrial waste

  • Agricultural runoff (fertilizers, pesticides)

• Air Pollution:

  • Smoke from factories/vehicles

  • Burning garbage or fossil fuels

  • Emission of greenhouse gases

3. Effects of Pollutants

• Humans:

  • Respiratory problems, cancers, waterborne diseases

• Environment:

  • Kills aquatic life, acid rain, climate change, deforestation

➡ Be ready to analyze graphs/tables showing pollution levels or health effects.

4. Methods of Controlling Pollution

• Laws against dumping waste

• Proper waste disposal

• Cleaner fuels and energy

• Tree planting to absorb carbon dioxide

• Sewage treatment plants

5. The Water Cycle

(Need to know diagram and key processes!)

Processes:

• Evaporation – Water turns to vapor

• Condensation – Vapor cools, forms clouds

• Transpiration – Plants release water vapor

• Respiration – Animals release water vapor

• Filtration – Ground filters water naturally (important for clean water)

6. Simple Ways to Purify Water at Home

• Boiling – Kills bacteria and parasites

• Chlorine/Bleach – A few drops disinfects water (use household bleach without fragrance or additives)

7. Testing Water for Bacteria

• Use an agar plate (jelly-like substance)

  • Water sample is placed on the plate

  • If bacteria are present, colonies grow

8. Large-Scale Water Purification

Steps in treatment plants:

1. Screening – Removes large debris

2. Sedimentation – Solids settle at the bottom

3. Filtration – Removes small particles

4. Chlorination – Kills germs

9. Impact of Human Activities on Water

• Deforestation = less natural filtration

• Overuse = water shortage

• Dumping waste = polluted rivers/lakes

• Construction = disrupts flow and storage

10. Why Contaminated Water Is Dangerous

• Causes diseases like:

  • Cholera

  • Dysentery

  • Typhoid

  • Gastroenteritis
    ➡ Also poisons crops and affects wildlife

11. Proper vs Improper Sewage Disposal

12. Impact of Improper Sewage Disposal

• Pollutes water sources

• Spreads diseases

• Creates bad odors and insect breeding grounds

• Harms aquatic ecosystems

13. Sewage Treatment: Biological Filter vs Activated Sludge

➡ Microorganisms = the real MVPs here. They break down harmful organic matter into harmless by-products.

14. Pit Latrine Diagram + Functions

Main parts:

• Pit – where the waste collects

• Vent pipe – reduces smell and keeps flies out

• Seat/slab – where you sit or squat

• Superstructure – gives privacy

➡ If you need a labeled diagram, I can make one for you!

15. Importance of Pit Latrine Siting

• Should be far from water sources (like wells)

• Built in clay soil, not sandy soil (prevents waste seepage)

• Placed downhill from homes and water bodies

• Not too close to buildings due to smell and hygiene

16. Use of Pit Latrines in the Caribbean

Advantages:

• Cheap to build

• No need for running water

• Simple maintenance

Disadvantages:

• Can cause groundwater pollution

• Bad odors, fly breeding

• Health hazard if not well-built

➡ Many countries are phasing them out for flush toilets or eco-sanitation systems.

17. Efficiency of Domestic Refuse Disposal Methods

➡ Be able to analyze a chart comparing waste disposal usage vs. population or pollution levels.

18. Landfill Operations

• Waste is layered and compacted

• Covered with soil daily

• Drainage systems for leachate

• Sometimes includes gas collection systems

19. Importance of Landfills in the Caribbean

• Helps manage solid waste

• Controls spread of disease

• Safer than open dumping

• Supports urban waste management

20. Impact of Solid Waste on the Environment

• Pollutes water, land, and air

• Attracts pests and disease

• Takes up space (especially non-biodegradables)

• Can cause flooding if drains are blocked

21. Measures to Control Solid Waste Volume

• Reduce: use less plastic, avoid disposables

• Reuse: old bottles, containers

• Recycle: paper, glass, aluminum, some plastics

➡ Know examples of recyclable materials: cardboard, glass bottles, aluminum cans, PET bottles.

22. Biodegradable vs Non-Biodegradable

23. Data Representation

You should be able to:

• Create bar graphs, pie charts, tables

• Interpret data about pollution levels, waste production, etc.

Example: A chart showing types of waste produced in households — you'd analyze which is most common and suggest control strategies.