Overview

The course “Environmental Pollution and Human Health” is a Core Course in B.Sc. Environmental Science under the Choice Based Credit System (CBSE). The course would also be useful as one of the compulsory subject for all students of the undergraduate streams, e.g. arts, science, commerce and other biomedical sciences. The course is specially designed to supplement and enhance the understanding of students about different dimensions of aspects of environmental contamination, which have adverse effects on human health. It will emphasize understanding mechanisms of pollutants impacting human health by developing an understanding of different types of contaminants, their sources and mitigation measures. The objectives of this course are to give the target students/audience an understanding of :

Conception and significance of the variable factors causing deterioration of the environment
Monitoring and controlling measures of air, water, noise, radioactive and thermal pollution
Significance of Environment and Human Health
Utilization of the latest scientific and mechanical technologies to control the environmental deterioration
Biotechnological interventions and pollution control
The significance of implementing a worldwide eco-energy policy to tackle global warming and climate change problems
Environmental legislation, regulations and other policy mechanisms

Syllabus

COURSE LAYOUT Week 1 • Global Warming • Nuclear Pollution • Acid Rain • Ozone depletion Week 2 • Noise Pollution – I • Noise Pollution – II • Soil Pollution • Marine Pollution Week 3 • Prevention of pollution • Photochemical Smog • Pollution case studies – I Air Pollution and Industrial Disaster • Pollution case studies – II Water and Soil Pollution Week 4 • Nuclear accidents and holocaust • Water Pollution • Air Pollution • Thermal Pollution Week 5 • Climate Change • Solid waste Management • Wasteland reclamation • Desertification Week 6 • Role of women and child in environmental protection • Role of Individuals in conservation of natural resources • Value Education • Human rights and the Environment Week 7 • Concept of sustainable development • Environmental ethics • Environmental and Ethical issues of GMOs • Biocides and heavy metals: Impact on Aquatic life Week 8 • Need for public awareness in Environmental Studies • Environmental and Human Health – HIV/AIDS • Role of Information Technology in Environmental and human health • Resettlement and rehabilitation of people- its problems and concerns Week 9 • Concept of Food Security • Biotechnology in Pollution control • Biodegradation and Bioremediation • Radioactive Pollution: waste management and control Week 10 • Problems in enforcement of environmental legislation • Salient features of Biomedical waste (management and handling) rules (1998) • Salient features of Noise pollution (regulations and control) rules (2000) • Salient features of Municipal solid wastes (management and handling) rules (2000) Week 11 • Salient features of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act (1974) • Salient features of The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act (1987) • Salient features of the Environmental (Protection) Act (1986) • Salient features of Hazardous waste management and handling rules (1989)