Light Pollution Class Notes

LIGHT POLLUTION Light pollution is defined as any adverse effect as a result of manmade light. It is the presence of unwanted, inappropriate, or excessive artificial lighting that interferes with biological rhythm. In a descriptive sense, light pollution refers to any poorly implemented lighting during the day or night and can be found as an issue throughout the levels of our societies. Although this type of pollution can exist throughout the day, its effects are mostly felt during the night with the contrast of darkness. Sources of Light Pollution: There are many sources of light pollution. Light pollution is caused by unnecessary anthropogenic use of artificial light. Several sources of light pollution include overpopulation, light from cars and other motor vehicles, advertising display, games, and place of entertainment and buildings. Effects of Light Pollution: With respect to adverse health effects, light pollution can lead to sleep disorders, headaches, fatigue, stress, obesity, and anxiety. There are also effects of glare on aging eyes. It can cause discomfort and distraction and adversely affect the quality of life of many people. Excessive light on the human body causes a variety of adverse health effects and decreases in sexual function and increase in anxiety. Light pollution poses a serious threat to nocturnal wildlife, having negative impacts on plant and animal physiology. It impacts the ecological dynamics. Nighttime light may interfere with the ability of moths and other insects to navigate. It can also have a negative impact on insect development and reproduction. Lighting is responsible for at least one-fourth of all electricity consumption worldwide. Night blooming flowers that depend on moths may be affected by night lighting. Lights on tall structures can disorient migrating birds. Seabirds are also disoriented by lights as they leave their nests and fly out to sea. How to Control Light Pollution: Light pollution could be effectively controlled by some measures which include: Reduce the use of decorating lights. Minimize the use of lights. Automatic systems to turn off street lights. Awareness towards light pollution (Have all information and facts about light pollution). RADIATION POLLUTION Radiation is the process by which energy is transferred from one place to another by electromagnetic waves. Radiation plays a primary role in determining the temperature distribution or thermal structure in the atmosphere. Radiation pollution is one of the most serious issues, which is harmful to life. It is potent enough to cause damage to tissues and DNA. Sources of Radioactive Pollution: A. Natural Sources: Occurring freely in nature. Radioactive minerals: Radiation from the earth, such as radium, uranium, thorium, and radon are the minerals naturally occurring in nature. Cosmic Rays: High energy particles reach earth's surface as a result of cosmic radiations. B. Manmade Sources: The radiation is released in the atmosphere during mining and purification of thorium and other radioactive elements. Producing nuclear weapons. Nuclear reactors and nuclear fuel cause pollution by radioactive radiation. C. Other Sources: Some of the radioactive elements are used in experimental laboratories for scientific research. X-rays are also proof to have harmful effects. Effects of Radioactive Pollution: It causes mutation in DNA leading to genetic disorders. Mutation in adults may cause cancer or other abnormalities and mutation in egg cells leads to the birth of defective babies. When bone marrow is exposed to radiation, the person suffers from leukemia (blood cancer). It burns the skin, causing skin cancer. It damages the fetus when the mother is exposed to radiation. How to Control Radioactive Pollution: Manmade radiations can be checked at the source. Enough precaution and care should be taken while using and disposing of radioactive materials. Storage of nuclear waste after sufficient pre-treatment should be done in a suitable shield container buried about 500 meters deep below the earth's surface. Accident-proof nuclear reactors are to be designed. Nuclear weapons and nuclear tests should be banned.