The concept of chemical pollution. General environmental requirements for handling chemicals

The living shell of the Earth is seriously damaged, having violated the ecological balance that has developed over the lifetime of the planet. Pollution environment in our minds, it is associated primarily with the poisoning of water, air, earth, which can directly affect the health and well-being of a person. However, chemical pollution is also fraught with indirect effects. For example, large carbon dioxide emissions affect the climate, which in turn affects food production; changes in the concentrations of biogenic elements (nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, etc.) lead to the death of some populations and the rapid reproduction of others.


Chemical pollution of the environment is due to the following factors:

1) an increase in the concentration of nutrients due to sewage discharges and runoff from fertilizer fields, causing the rapid development of algae and imbalance in existing ecosystems;
2) poisoning of water, soil and air with waste from chemical industries;
3) impact on water and soil of fuel combustion products that reduce air quality and cause acid rain;
4) potential contamination of air, water and soil with radioactive waste generated during the production of nuclear weapons and atomic energy;
5(Emissions of carbon dioxide and ozone-depleting chemicals, which could lead to climate change or the formation of ozone holes.

Mineral pollution:
1) metal compounds (highly toxic - lead, mercury, rare earth - cadmium, selenium, lithium, etc.), as a result of which, when the maximum permissible concentration (MAC) is exceeded, people are affected by hearing, vision, nervous system, cases of paralysis and birth are possible children with various physical and mental anomalies;

2) mineral fertilizers, as a result of which eutrophication is observed in water bodies, that is, the immoderate growth of aquatic vegetation (you have obviously seen a water body with a fetid green slurry more than once).

Pollution with organic substances of industrial origin, which are part of the effluents of the chemical, petrochemical, pulp and paper and other industries. Among such substances are phenol, dioxin, CMC.

Pollution by oil and its derivatives. One ton of oil, spreading over the water surface, can occupy an area of ​​12 km2, and 1 liter of oil can make 1 million liters of water unusable, that is, as much of it as would be enough for a family of 4 people for 20 years. The oil film is a barrier to gas exchange between water and the atmosphere. It prevents the absorption of oxygen and carbon dioxide by water, causing the death of plankton. This film poses a great danger to sea ​​birds and animals. The plumage of birds smeared with oil loses its waterproof properties, which leads to their death.

Organic substances of biological origin are found in domestic and livestock effluents. Once in water bodies, these effluents make the water undrinkable, cause the death of fish, and cause eutrophication.

Pesticides. like heavy metals, moving along the trophic chain: phytoplankton - zooplankton - small fish - large fish, reach such a concentration in the body of the latter that can be fatal to humans.

A fundamental solution to the problem of pollution control aquatic environment(hydrospheres) there would be a complete transition to safe technologies, which would exclude the discharge of any wastewater, as well as the development of technologies with minimal water consumption. But the development and implementation of low-waste technologies are expensive and complex, so the wastewater treatment process, which includes:

1) cleaning and disinfection of domestic and livestock effluents:
2) treatment of wastewater from the consequences of servicing vehicles and agricultural machinery:
3) treatment of wastewater containing petroleum products.

Promising ways to purify water from oil products with the help of microorganisms and plants. Known microorganisms that can feed on hydrocarbons. Experiments carried out using the fungus Candido UpoUtica have shown that small reservoirs can be cleared of oil in 5 days.

Land resources protection
The role of soil - a thin film covering part of the land, the thickness of which ranges from 1.5-2 cm to 2 m, is described in detail in the paragraph "Chemistry and Agriculture". Here we will consider the factors that reduce soil fertility, and the factors that cause land pollution.
Erosion (from Latin erodere - corrosive) lowers soil fertility. This is a phenomenon that has brought and is bringing terrible misfortunes to humanity. It takes thousands of years to form a fertile soil layer, it can be destroyed in 15-20 years, and with strong hurricanes and downpours - in a few days or hours. There are two main types of erosion - water and wind. Fighting them includes set of events:

Afforestation;
agricultural practices, such as the creation of long-term cultivated pastures, snow retention, the application of organic (but not mineral) fertilizers;

Soil protection system of agriculture, which consists in non-moldboard plowing and leaving stubble on the soil surface;
creation and implementation of conservation agriculture, which prevents technical erosion, which occurs as a result of the direct destruction of the soil layer by technical means, mainly wheels and caterpillars of machines;
prevention of soil pollution by the remains of building parts (panels, blocks, bricks, ash, slag), oil and oil products, substances entering the city from the atmosphere (compounds I m 1 of lead, arsenic, mercury, copper, etc.);
correct application of fertilizers and pesticides. About 20%, and sometimes all 50% of fertilizers are not absorbed by plants and remain in the soil as a heavy burden for its biocenosis. Pesticides can get into the soil and disrupt the trophic relationships that have developed in it.

Chemical pollution of the environment and protection from chemical pollution

Contents Introduction Sources of chemical pollution. Sources of chemical pollution. Impact of chemicals on the environment. Impact of chemicals on the environment. Measures taken to minimize the risk of using chemical products. Measures taken to minimize the risk of using chemical products. Bibliography. Bibliography.


Introduction The development of modern industry and services, the use of the biosphere and its resources, leads to increasing human interference in the material processes occurring on the planet. The human habitat is filled with synthetic, dangerous for organisms. Cosmetics, medicines, food products contain harmful chemical components. And transport and the chemical industry pollute the atmosphere. Thus, we pollute the environment, which then has a harmful effect on all living organisms. Therefore, it is necessary to do everything necessary to reduce environmental pollution.


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Transport as a source of chemical pollution. The second place in terms of environmental pollution is occupied by transport, especially automobiles. Fuel combustion by vehicles increases the concentrations of CO2, hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and particulate matter in the atmosphere. Cars account for 25% of the fuel burned. The second place in terms of environmental pollution is occupied by transport, especially automobiles. Fuel combustion by vehicles increases the concentrations of CO2, hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and particulate matter in the atmosphere. Cars account for 25% of the fuel burned. Imagine that during the period of operation equal to 6 years, the car emits into the atmosphere: 9 tons of CO2, 0.9 tons. CO, 0.25t. NO and 80kg. hydrocarbons. Imagine that during the period of operation equal to 6 years, the car emits into the atmosphere: 9 tons of CO2, 0.9 tons. CO, 0.25t. NO and 80kg. hydrocarbons.


Energy objects Most a large number of waste is associated with the production of energy, on the consumption of which all economic activity is based. Due to the burning of fossil fuels, in order to obtain energy, a huge stream of emissions is released into the atmosphere. Now in the atmosphere there are gases that were previously absent in it - chlorofluorocarbons. The consequences of the accumulation of pollutants in the atmosphere are: the greenhouse effect, the destruction of the ozone layer, acid precipitation.


Chemical industry as a source of pollution. Most of the organic products used or produced in the chemical industry are made from basic petrochemical products. During the processing of crude oil or natural gas, both gaseous wastes and wastes dissolved in water and discharged into the sewer are generated. These include wastes that cannot be further processed. Gaseous emissions from distillation and cracking plants during oil refining mainly contain hydrocarbons, ammonia, nitrogen oxides.


Part of the waste is burned in flares before being released into the atmosphere, resulting in combustion products. There are also uncontrolled emissions caused by leaks, violations technological process, accidents and evaporation of gaseous substances from the technological water supply system and from wastewater. Of all types of chemical industries, the greatest pollution is caused by those where varnishes and paints are made or used. They are made on the basis of alkyd materials and contain a solvent. 350 thousand tons of substances are emitted per year, which include varnishes and paints.




Impact on individual individuals and populations Chemical substances, depending on their properties and structure, affect organisms in different ways. Chemical substances, depending on the properties and structure, affect organisms in different ways. 1 Molecular biological effects. 1 Molecular biological effects. 2 Metabolic disorders. 2 Metabolic disorders. 3 Mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. 3 Mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. 4 Impact on the behavior of organisms. 4 Impact on the behavior of organisms.




Measures to prevent industrial emissions 1 Designing production with minimal emissions. 1 Designing production with minimal emissions. 2 Compliance with the technological mode of production. 2 Compliance with the technological mode of production. 3 Sealing equipment when working with chemical compounds. 3 Sealing equipment when working with chemical compounds. 4 Provide measures to prevent accidents. 4 Provide measures to prevent accidents. 5 Combating shipping losses. 5 Combating shipping losses. 6 Recycling, waste disposal. 6 Recycling, waste disposal. 7 Wastewater treatment. 7 Wastewater treatment.


Used literature 1 Ecological chemistry: Per. with him. / Edited by F. Korte (1996) 2 Ecological problems: what is happening, who is to blame and what to do? Textbook / Ed. Prof. V. I. Danilova. 3 Environmental Science / Nebel B. 4 Our environment / Revel P., Revel C..

Topic: "Pollution of the natural environment, sources and measures to combat and protect the natural environment"

INTRODUCTION………………………………….……………………………...

1. The concept of "pollution of the natural environment" and its main types………

2. Sources of environmental pollution…………………………….

3. Measures to combat pollution of the natural environment and methods of protecting the natural environment………………………………………………………………

CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………….

BIBLIOGRAPHY…………………………...

INTRODUCTION

Relevance of the research topic is that at present anthropogenic pollution of the natural environment has acquired a huge scale. This led to serious environmental, economic, social consequences for society, which manifests itself in the deterioration of the natural environment, the need for significant financial investments for its restoration, and a sharp decrease in life expectancy compared to developed countries.

The relevance of the research topic is also caused by the need to develop organizational and legal measures to ensure the protection of the natural environment from pollution: environmental control, observation, economic measures.

Purpose of the study : to study the problems of pollution of the natural environment, as well as to consider the sources of its pollution, measures to combat and protect the natural environment.

To achieve this goal, it is necessary to solve the following tasks:

1. Define the concept of "environmental pollution" and its main types;

2. Consider the main sources of environmental pollution;

3. Analyze measures to combat pollution of the natural environment and methods for protecting the natural environment.

1. The concept of "environmental pollution" and its main types

Pollution of the natural environment - the introduction into the environment or the emergence in it of new (uncharacteristic for it) physical, chemical or biological agents, or the excess of the natural long-term average concentration of the same agents in the period under consideration. There are natural and anthropogenic pollution.

Under environmental pollution author Snakin V.V. understands “changes in the properties of the environment (chemical, mechanical, physical, biological and related informational) occurring as a result of natural or artificial processes and leading to a deterioration in the functions of the environment in relation to any biological or technological object” 1 .

Using various elements of the environment in their activities, a person changes its quality. Often these changes are expressed in an unfavorable form of pollution 2 .

Environmental pollution is the entry into it harmful substances that can cause damage to human health, inorganic nature, flora and fauna, or become an obstacle in one or another human activity. Of course, pollution caused by human activities (they are called anthropogenic) must be distinguished from natural pollution. Usually, when talking about pollution, they mean exactly anthropogenic pollution and evaluate it by comparing the power of natural and anthropogenic sources of pollution 3 .

Due to the large amounts of human waste entering the environment, the ability of the environment to self-purify is at the limit. A significant part of these wastes is alien to the natural environment: they are either toxic to microorganisms that decompose complex organic substances and turn them into simple inorganic compounds, or they are not decomposed at all and therefore accumulate in various parts of the environment. Even those substances that are familiar to the environment, entering it in too large quantities, can change its quality and affect ecological systems.

Pollution of the environment is the introduction of new physical, chemical and biological agents that are not characteristic of it or the excess of their natural level.

Consider the main types of pollution:

    Physical (thermal, noise, electromagnetic, light, radioactive);

    Chemical (heavy metals, pesticides, plastics and other chemicals);

    Biological (biogenic, microbiological, genetic);

    Informational (information noise, false information, anxiety factors 1 .

Any chemical pollution is the appearance of a chemical in a place not intended for it. Pollution arising from human activity is the main factor in its harmful impact on the natural environment.

Chemical pollutants can cause acute poisoning, chronic diseases, and also have carcinogenic and mutagenic effects. For example, heavy metals can accumulate in plant and animal tissues, causing a toxic effect. In addition to heavy metals, especially dangerous pollutants are chlordioxins, which are formed from chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons used in the production of herbicides. Sources of environmental pollution with dioxins are also by-products of the pulp and paper industry, waste from the metallurgical industry, and exhaust gases from internal combustion engines. These substances are very toxic to humans and animals even at low concentrations and cause damage to the liver, kidneys, and immune system 1 .

Along with pollution of the environment with synthetic substances new to it, great damage to nature and human health can be caused by interference in the natural cycles of substances due to active industrial and agricultural activities, as well as the formation of household waste.

2. Sources of environmental pollution

The atmosphere (air environment), hydrosphere (water environment) and lithosphere (solid surface) of the Earth are exposed to pollution. Consider the types of sources of environmental pollution, taking into account the place of pollution.

Table 1. Sources of environmental pollution 1

Place

pollution

Main sources of pollution

Major harmful substances

Atmosphere

Industry

Transport

Thermal power plants

Oxides of carbon, sulfur, nitrogen

organic compounds

industrial dust

Hydrosphere

Wastewater

oil leaks

Motor transport

Heavy metals

Oil products

Lithosphere

Waste from industry and agriculture

Overuse of Fertilizers

plastics

Heavy metals

The source of environmental pollution is human economic activity (industry, agriculture, transport). In cities, the largest share of pollution comes from transport (70-80%). Among industrial enterprises, metallurgical enterprises are considered the most "dirty" - 93.4%. They are followed by energy enterprises - first of all, thermal power plants - 27%, 9% - fall on the enterprises of the chemical industry, 12% - oil and 7% of the gas industry.

Although the chemical industry is not the main source of pollution (Fig. 1), it is characterized by emissions that are most dangerous for the environment, humans, animals and plants (Fig. 2) 2 .

Rice. 1. Atmospheric pollution by various industries

Fig.2. Environmental pollution with hazardous waste. The main share of hazardous waste is generated by the products of the chemical industry.

The term "hazardous waste" is applied to any kind of waste that may harm health or the environment when stored, transported, processed or disposed of. These include toxic substances, flammable wastes, corrosive wastes and other reactive substances 1 .

Natural waters can be contaminated with pesticides and dioxins, as well as oil. Oil decomposition products are toxic, and the oil film, which isolates water from air, leads to the death of living organisms (primarily plankton) in the water. The strongest pollutants of the environment are industrial waste, household waste. Every year, more than 20 tons of waste falls on one inhabitant of the Earth. Of these, dioxins are considered especially dangerous. By the Decree of the Government of November 5, 1995, a federal target program on dioxins was adopted. It includes the following block of questions: development of standards for the content of dioxins in emissions and discharges from industrial enterprises and waste incineration plants; development of standards for the content of dioxins in soil, drinking water, in the air; assessment of the scale and degree of contamination of open regions of Russia with dioxins; development of technologies and methods for the neutralization of dioxins and others, which to some extent should lead to a decrease in environmental pollution by this toxicant.

During the period of economic reforms, the organizational and legal forms of agriculture were transformed. However, due to the lack of financial resources, agricultural enterprises of various forms of ownership do not carry out environmental protection measures on livestock farms, uncontrollably use mineral fertilizers and agrochemicals, which initially accumulate in the soil, and then, together with rain flows, enter the rivers, polluting agricultural products and the natural environment. . In our opinion, it is necessary to strengthen control over the activities of rural producers, to more actively apply measures of administrative, criminal, civil liability to legal entities and individuals who do not carry out environmental protection measures 1 .

Motor transport is a strong pollutant of the environment. Vehicle emissions are a mixture of substances that are very harmful to health. However, today there is no single body involved in the development and implementation of comprehensive programs for environmental safety in relation to the field of road transport, there is no methodology for organizing traffic, developed taking into account environmental requirements. During the period of market reforms in Russia, the number of non-state enterprises increased, which, in pursuit of obtaining large incomes, do not pay attention to environmental protection measures. There is no single package of normative legal acts regulating environmental relations, which should provide for liability for environmental offenses in the field of road transport.

In addition to the accumulation of toxic and harmful substances in the soil as a result of human activity, damage to the lands is caused by the burial and dumping of industrial and domestic wastes 1 .

Water pollutants are also organic waste. Their oxidation consumes an additional amount of oxygen. If the oxygen content is too low, the normal life of most aquatic organisms becomes impossible. Aerobic bacteria that need oxygen also die, and bacteria develop instead that use sulfur compounds for their vital activity. A sign of the appearance of such bacteria is the smell of hydrogen sulfide - one of the products of their vital activity.

As a result, we can say that one of the main environmental pollutants is agricultural production. Significant masses of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus are artificially introduced into the system of circulation of chemical elements in the form of mineral fertilizers. Their excess, not assimilated by plants, is actively involved in water migration. The accumulation of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds in natural water bodies causes increased growth of aquatic vegetation, overgrowth of water bodies and pollution of them with dead plant residues and decomposition products. In addition, the abnormally high content of soluble nitrogen compounds in the soil leads to an increase in the concentration of this element in agricultural food and drinking water. It can cause serious illness in humans.

3. Measures to combat pollution of the natural environment and methods of protecting the natural environment

The main measures to combat air pollution are strict control of emissions of harmful substances. Toxic starting products are replaced by non-toxic ones, the transition to closed cycles is practiced, and gas cleaning and dust collection methods are being improved. Of great importance is the optimization of the location of enterprises to reduce transport emissions, as well as the competent application of economic sanctions.

International cooperation plays an important role in protecting the environment from chemical pollution. So, for example, in the 1970s, a decrease in the concentration of O3 was found in the ozone layer, which protects our planet from the dangerous effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun. In 1974, it was established that ozone is destroyed by the action of atomic chlorine. One of the main sources of chlorine entering the atmosphere are chlorofluoro derivatives of hydrocarbons (freons, freons) used in aerosol cans, refrigerators and air conditioners. The destruction of the ozone layer occurs, perhaps, not only under the influence of these substances. However, steps have been taken to reduce their production and use. In 1985, many countries agreed to protect the ozone layer. Exchange of information and joint research into changes in atmospheric ozone concentrations continue 1 .

Carrying out measures to prevent the ingress of pollutants into water bodies includes the establishment of coastal protective strips and water protection zones, the rejection of poisonous chlorine-containing pesticides, and the reduction of discharges from industrial enterprises through the use of closed cycles. Reducing the risk of oil pollution is possible by improving the reliability of tankers 1 .

To prevent pollution of the Earth's surface, preventive measures are needed - to prevent contamination of soils with industrial and domestic sewage, solid domestic and industrial wastes, and sanitary cleaning of the soil and the territory of populated areas where such violations have been identified.

The most effective solution to the problem of environmental pollution would be non-waste production that does not have sewage, gas emissions and solid waste. However, waste-free production today and in the foreseeable future is fundamentally impossible, for its implementation it is necessary to create a cyclic system of matter and energy flows that is uniform for the entire planet. If the loss of matter, at least theoretically, can still be prevented, then the environmental problems of energy will still remain. Thermal pollution cannot be avoided in principle, and so-called clean energy sources, such as wind farms, still damage the environment 2 .

To date, the only way to significantly reduce environmental pollution is low-waste technologies. Currently, low-waste industries are being created, in which emissions of harmful substances do not exceed the maximum permissible concentrations (MPC), and waste does not lead to irreversible changes in nature. The complex processing of raw materials, the combination of several industries, the use of solid waste for the manufacture of building materials 3 are used.

There are the following main ways to reduce environmental pollution: waste-free production, low-waste production, complex processing of raw materials, new technologies and materials. New technologies and materials are being created, environmentally friendly fuels, new energy sources that reduce environmental pollution 1 .

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, I would like to say that environmental pollution has a history almost as long as the history of mankind itself. Long time primitive differed little from other animal species and in an ecological sense was in balance with the environment. In addition, the human population was small.

Over time, as a result of the development of the biological organization of people, their mental abilities, the human race stood out among other species: the first species of living beings arose, the impact of which on all living things is a potential threat to the balance in nature.

At all stages of its development, man was closely connected with the outside world. But since the emergence of a highly industrial society, the dangerous human intervention in nature has increased dramatically, the scope of this interference has expanded, it has begun to express various manifestations and now threatens to become a global danger to humanity. Man has to intervene more and more in the economy of the biosphere - that part of our planet in which life exists. The Earth's biosphere is currently undergoing increasing anthropogenic impact.

In conclusion, it should be noted that in the context of the expected growth in production volumes, constantly increasing vehicle emissions, without the adoption of effective environmental measures, the negative trend in environmental pollution levels may become even more aggravated.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

    Ardashkin, I.B. Social ecology. Distance learning: tutorial/ I.B. Ardashkin. - Tomsk: Publishing House of TPU, 2009. - 116 p.

    Types and scale of the negative impact of man and industry on the natural environment // Nature Management: Textbook / Ed. E.A. Arustamova. - M., 2008. - S.80-87.

    Markovich, Danilo Zh. Social ecology: Monograph / D. Zh. Markovich. - M.: Publishing House of the Russian University of Friendship of Peoples, 2007. - 436 p.

    Problems of Social Ecology: Collection scientific papers. - Kemerovo: Publishing house KuzPI, 2007. - 99 p.

    Snakin V.V. Ecology and protection of nature: Dictionary-reference book. - M.: Academy, 2008. p. 17.

    Social ecology: theoretical and applied aspects: textbook / ed. ed. V. G. Raskin. - Kemerovo: Publishing House of the Kuzbass State University, 2006. - 135 p.

    The modern world and its impact on the environment // Life safety / Ed. E.A. Arustamov. – M., 2008. – P.47-59.

Chemical pollution of the environment is due to the following factors :

  1. an increase in the concentration of nutrients due to sewage discharges and runoff from fertilizer fields, causing rapid development of algae and imbalance in existing ecosystems;
  2. poisoning of water, soil and air with waste from chemical industries;
  3. impacts on water and soil from fuel combustion products that reduce air quality and cause acid rain;
  4. potential contamination of air, water and soil with radioactive waste generated during the production of nuclear weapons and atomic energy;
  5. emissions of carbon dioxide and ozone-depleting chemicals, which could lead to climate change or the formation of ozone holes.

Air pollution

The main source of air pollution are enterprises of ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, thermal power plants and motor transport. Air emissions contain oxides of carbon, nitrogen and sulfur, hydrocarbons, metal compounds and dust.

When released into the atmosphere, carbon constantly changes from organic to inorganic compounds and vice versa. This is manifested both in the process of photosynthesis - the formation of organic compounds from CO 2 and water in plants under the influence of light, and in the breathing of humans and animals - oxygen in the air during breathing passes into CO 2, which returns to the atmosphere.

Combustion of fuel, resulting in the formation of huge amounts of CO 2 and dust, has negative impact on the carbon cycle in nature, creating the so-called. "greenhouse effect", which in turn can lead to a change in the Earth's climate due to "global warming".

The release of dust into the atmosphere has the opposite effect - the dustiness of the atmosphere delays the radiation of the Sun, which can cause a decrease in temperature on Earth, the so-called. "Second Ice Age".

Due to the roasting of sulfide ores at non-ferrous metallurgy enterprises, as well as the operation of thermal power plants, a huge amount of SO 2 enters the atmosphere. An increase in SO 2, as well as other non-metal oxides, in the atmosphere causes the formation of a so-called. "acid doges" (Fig. 1), which have a detrimental effect on the planet's water resources, causing the death of their inhabitants, destroys building materials and architectural monuments.

Rice. 1 Acid precipitation and its impact on the ecosystem.

The components of car exhaust gases (CO, SO 2, nitrogen oxides, heavy metals) cause great harm to the flora and fauna of the planet, and can also cause the formation of photochemical smog, the formation of which can be represented as follows:

2NO + O 2 \u003d 2NO 2 (oxidation of NO emitted with exhaust gases)

NO 2 + O 2 \u003d NO + O 3 (decay of NO 2 under the action of UV radiation from the sun)

The resulting ozone can react with hydrocarbons in the atmosphere, resulting in smog.

The combustion of fuel, waste, as well as the work of the metallurgical industry are the main sources of air pollution with heavy metals, such as Zn, Co, Ni, U, Sn, Ge, Pb, Be, V, Hg, Mo, As, etc.

Let us consider the negative impact of the presence of heavy metals in the atmosphere on the human body and the environment using lead as an example, since this metal has cumulative (accumulative) properties. Lead has an impact on enzyme systems and metabolism, it can accumulate not only in the human body, but also in marine sediments and fresh water.

Lead causes extensive pathological changes in nervous system, blood, vessels, actively affects protein synthesis, energy metabolism of the cell and its genetic apparatus, suppresses blood formation; violates protein and carbohydrate metabolism, is able to replace calcium in the bones. Lead compounds can cause mutations and DNA repairs.

Water pollution

The amount of oxygen dissolved in water is one of the most important indicators of water quality, since it is necessary for the life of the inhabitants of water bodies. With an excessive presence of organic substances in the water, the amount of dissolved oxygen decreases, resulting in the death of fish and other inhabitants of water bodies, the water acquires a putrid odor (the process of decomposition of organic substances instead of aerobic bacteria is carried out by anaerobic bacteria, resulting in the release of CH 4, NH 3, H 2S and PH 3).

Mineral fertilizers dissolved in water, washed off from the soil surface (nitrates, phosphates, etc.), cause great harm to water resources, causing the rapid development of weeds and algae, which leads to clogging of water bodies and their death.

Industrial wastewater, containing a huge amount of substances toxic to the inhabitants of water bodies, also has Negative influence on the planet's water resources.

Soil pollution

The main problem received by man as a result of soil pollution is its erosion, i.e. destruction of the fertile layer.

The use of mineral nitrogen fertilizers greatly pollutes the soil, since nitrates accumulate not only in soils, but also in plants, which leads to a deterioration in the quality of agricultural products grown and their negative effect on human and animal health. The irrational use of pesticides also has a negative impact on the soil, among which organochlorine compounds (polychloropinene, DDT) cause the greatest harm.

Various industrial enterprises, as well as transport routes, to varying degrees, have a harmful effect on the soil, by polluting it with heavy metals (Pd, Cd, Cu, Zn, Hg, Bi), chalcogens (Se, Te, etc.) and halogens (F, Vg and others).

environmental protection- a system of measures aimed at ensuring favorable and safe conditions for the environment and human life. The most important environmental factors are atmospheric air, air of dwellings, water, soil. environmental protection provides for the preservation and restoration natural resources in order to prevent direct and indirect negative impact of the results of human activities on nature and human health.

In the context of scientific and technological progress and the intensification of industrial production, the problems environmental protection have become one of the most important national tasks, the solution of which is inextricably linked with the protection of human health. For many years, the processes of environmental degradation were reversible. affected only limited areas, individual areas and were not of a global nature, therefore, effective measures to protect the human environment were practically not taken. In the last 20-30 years, irreversible changes in the natural environment or dangerous phenomena have begun to appear in various regions of the Earth. In connection with the massive pollution of the environment, the issues of its protection from regional, intrastate have grown into an international, global problem. All developed countries have environmental protection one of the most important aspects of humanity's struggle for survival.

The advanced industrial countries have developed a number of key organizational and scientific and technical measures to environmental protection. They are as follows: identification and assessment of the main chemical, physical and biological factors that adversely affect the health and performance of the population, in order to develop the necessary strategy to reduce the negative role of these factors; assessment of the potential impact of toxic substances polluting the environment in order to establish the necessary risk criteria for public health; development of effective programs to prevent possible industrial accidents and measures to reduce the harmful effects of accidental emissions on the environment. In addition, of particular importance in environmental protection acquires the establishment of the degree of danger of environmental pollution for the gene pool, in terms of the carcinogenicity of some toxic substances contained in industrial emissions and waste. To assess the degree of risk of mass diseases caused by pathogens contained in the environment, systematic epidemiological studies are needed.

When dealing with issues related to environmental protection, it should be borne in mind that a person from birth and throughout his life is exposed to various factors (contact with chemicals in everyday life, at work, the use of drugs, the ingestion of chemical additives contained in food products, and etc.). Additional exposure to harmful substances entering the environment, in particular with industrial waste, can have a negative impact on human health.

Among environmental pollutants (biological, physical, chemical and radioactive), one of the first places is occupied by chemical compounds. More than 5 million chemical compounds are known, of which over 60 thousand are in constant use. Worldwide production chemical compounds increases by 2 1/2 times every 10 years. The most dangerous is the entry into the environment of organochlorine compounds of pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals, asbestos.

The most effective measure environmental protection from these compounds are the development and implementation of waste-free or low-waste technological processes, as well as the neutralization of waste or their processing for recycling. Another important direction environmental protection is a change in the approach to the principles of location of various industries, the replacement of the most harmful and stable substances with less harmful and less stable ones. Mutual influence of different industrial and page - x. objects is becoming more and more significant, and the social and economic damage from accidents caused by the proximity of various enterprises may exceed the benefits associated with the proximity of the resource base or transport facilities. In order for the tasks of placing objects to be optimally solved, it is necessary to cooperate with specialists of different profiles who are able to predict the adverse effects of diverse factors, use mathematical modeling methods. Quite often, due to meteorological conditions, territories remote from the direct source of harmful emissions are polluted.

In many countries since the late 70s. centers for environmental protection, integrating world experience, exploring the role of previously unknown factors that harm the environment and public health.

The most important role in the implementation of the planned state policy in the field of environmental protection belongs to hygienic science (see. Hygiene). In our country, research in this area is conducted by more than 70 institutions (hygienic institutes, departments of communal hygiene of medical institutes, institutes for the improvement of doctors). The head of the problem "Scientific foundations of environmental hygiene" is the Research Institute of General and Communal Hygiene. A.N. Sysina.

The scientific basis for regulating adverse environmental factors has been developed and implemented, standards have been established for many hundreds of chemicals in the air of the working area, water in reservoirs, atmospheric air in populated areas, soil, food products; Permissible levels of exposure to a number of physical factors have been established - noise, vibration, electromagnetic radiation (see. Hygienic standards), methods and criteria for monitoring the quality of the environment for some microbiological indicators are substantiated. Research continues to study the combined and complex effects of harmful substances, the development of calculation and express methods for their normalization.

Bibliography: Environmental Hygiene, ed. g.I. Sidorenko, M., 1985; Sidorenko g.I. and Mozhaev E.A. Sanitary state of the environment and public health, M., 1987.