Environmental Impacts of Waste Disposal

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary effect of hazardous chemicals in soil on plants?

Harm to plants when they take up the contamination through their roots (correct)

Increase in plant growth

Increase in soil fertility

Change in plant color

What is the result of surface water contamination due to waste in water bodies?

Negative change in the chemical composition of the water (correct)

Decrease in water pH

Increase in water temperature

Increase in water clarity

What is the best approach to address solid waste according to the solid waste management hierarchy?

Recycling

Waste Combustion with energy recovery

Landfilling

Source reduction or waste prevention (correct)

What is the effect of uncollected solid waste on water bodies?

Contamination of the water body or the ground water source Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of direct dumping of untreated waste in rivers, seas, and lakes?

Accumulation of toxic substances in the food chain Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the negative change in the chemical composition of water due to waste?

Water pollution Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be disposed of as waste and turning them into new products?

Recycling Signup and view all the answers

What can happen to humans who eat plants and animals that have been in contact with polluted soils?

Negative impact on their health Signup and view all the answers

What is hazardous waste characterized by?

Having toxic substances, being corrosive, highly inflammable, or explosive Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern regarding hospital waste?

It is highly infectious and a threat to human health Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a source of solid waste?

Industrial processes Signup and view all the answers

What is waste generation primarily concerned with?

The amount of waste generated in a certain time frame Signup and view all the answers

According to the NSWMC, what was the estimated average per capita waste generation in 2016?

0.40 kilograms per day Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor contributing to the increase in waste generation?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the projected waste generation based on?

Per capita rate of waste generation and population growth Signup and view all the answers

What is the main concern regarding waste generation in urban areas?

It is rapidly increasing due to industrialization Signup and view all the answers

What is a recommended strategy to promote active participation in Solid Waste Management activities?

Integrating Ecological Solid Waste Management in school curricula Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential health risk associated with organic domestic waste?

It creates conditions favorable to the survival of microbial pathogens Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential health risk associated with improperly operated waste treatment and disposal sites?

Infections and diseases spread by insects and rodents Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential health risk associated with recycling if proper precautions are not taken?

Injuries and exposure to infectious items Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential health risk associated with the release of certain chemicals into the environment?

Disease or death Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential health risk associated with direct contact with waste?

Skin and blood infections Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential health risk associated with the handling of heavy waste containers?

Bone and muscle disorders Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Health Risks of Solid Waste

Infecting wounds resulting from contact with sharp objects contaminated with waste.
Poisoning and chemical burns from contact with hazardous chemical waste mixed with general waste.
Burns and injuries from occupational accidents at waste disposal sites or methane gas explosions at landfill sites.

Effects on Vegetation

Uncollected waste obstructing water runoff, contaminating water bodies or groundwater sources.
Direct dumping of untreated waste in rivers, seas, and lakes, accumulating toxic substances in the food chain.
Hazardous chemicals in soil harming plants that absorb them through their roots.

Effects on the Environment

Surface Water Contamination

Waste in water bodies changing the chemical composition of the water, affecting ecosystems and harming animals that drink from polluted water.

Soil Contamination

Hazardous chemicals in soil harming plants and humans who eat plants and animals that have been in contact with polluted soil.

Solid Waste Management Hierarchy

The four-tier hierarchy ranks the most preferable ways to address solid waste: source reduction or waste prevention, reuse, recycling, energy recovery from combustion.

Education and Public Awareness

Continuing education and public awareness building is necessary to inculcate the right attitude among people to participate in solid waste management activities and practices.
Integrating Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) in school curricula is highly recommended.

Effects on Human Health

Organic domestic waste fermenting, creating conditions favorable to microbial pathogens.
Microbial pathogens causing diseases.
Hospital and medical waste requiring special attention due to health hazards.
Waste treatment and disposal sites creating health hazards for nearby communities.

Diseases and Death

Certain chemicals, if released untreated, can be highly toxic and lead to disease or death.
Infections from direct contact with waste, and from infected wounds and insects.
Accidents causing bone and muscle disorders from handling heavy containers.

Hazardous Waste

Wastes containing toxic substances that can be corrosive, highly inflammable, or explosive, with varying effects depending on chemical levels.

Hospital Waste

Waste generated during diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of humans or animals, requiring scientific and discriminative management to prevent health risks.

Sources of Solid Waste

Residential, industrial, commercial, institutional, construction and demolition areas, municipal services, treatment plants and sites, agriculture, and biomedical sources.

Waste Generation and Collection Systems

Waste generation refers to the compilation of waste from smaller to bigger areas, and the amount of waste generated in a certain time frame.
Factors contributing to waste generation include population increase, improvement of living standards, rapid economic growth, and industrialization.

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Description

This quiz covers the various environmental impacts of waste disposal, including health hazards and effects on vegetation.