Answer:
(a) Radioactive wastes are those which release radioactive emissions ( emissions) from their molecules. They often have a long half-life, e.g., 28 years in case ofstrontium-90 and 30 years for caesium-137. They persist in the soil for a long period, enter plants mid horn human beings as well as animals P-32 and I-125 get concentrated in slime, sludge and microorganisms, pass into fish and other aquatic life and from there to humans.
A lot of radioactive and other gases form mushroom type cloud. Radioactive wastes are produced from a number of sources as:
? Nuclear testing laboratories.
? Minor leakage from nuclear power plants.
? Wastes from uranium mines.
? As natural minor components of ores and coal.
? Spillage from radioisotopes used in research and medicine.
? Spent fuel of atomic reactors.
The radioactive particles are carried to all places polluting air, water, soil and food chains. Many plants are killed even at low level of radioactivity Young and recently divided cells are more easily damaged. Loss of nails and hairs, subcutaneous bleeding, damage to all organs, tumours, cancers, shorter life span, are hurmful effects of radioactive pollution.
(b) Defunct ships and e-wastes contribute to solid wastes. Defunct ships are broken down for scrap metal in developing countries like India. These defunct ships are the source of toxicants like asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, tributyl tin, lead, mercury, etc. The workers get exposed to these chemicals and coastal area in the vicinity of ship breaking yard gets polluted. Computers and other electronic goods are responsible for electronic wastes or e-wastes. Such wastes can only be buried in land fills or incinerated. Developed countries export the e-wastes to developing countries where metals like copper, iron, silicon, nickel and gold are recovered from e-wastes by recycling process. In the process, workers get exposed to these harmful toxic substances.
(c) Muncipal solid wastes include domestic/kitchen wastes, market wastes, sweepings, wastes from commercial complexes, rubbish, hospitals, slaughter houses, livestock/poultry wastes and trash like waste metals e.g., cans, plastic, pet bottles, polyethylene carry bags etc. Hospital wastes include vials, plastic and glass bottles, syringes, needles, organic wastes, chemicals and a lot of pathogen carriers. Hospital and domestic wastes are thus a source of variety of pathogens. Muncipal wastes are partly degradable and partly non degradable. Burning reduces the volume of wastes although it is generally not burnt to completion and open dumps often serve as breeding ground for rats and flies.
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