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CHAPTER 9 Pollution in the World

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Page 1: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

CHAPTER 9 Pollution in the World

Page 2: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Learning Outcomes

You Will Learn:

• what air, water and land pollution are

• what noise pollution is (Special/Express stream only)

• about the causes and extent of pollution

• about the measures taken to reduce pollution

• about Singapore’s approaches to environmental

protection

Page 3: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Lead-in: Cough! Yuk!

(Suggested Answers)

1. In the first photograph, the fire produces smoke that

pollutes the air. It has also destroyed the habitats of many

plants and animals. In the second photograph, the improper disposal of rubbish has polluted and choked the

water channel, possibly causing the water to stagnate

and allowing pests like mosquitoes to breed.

2. Human activities can be the causes of these environmental damages. In the first photograph, people

may have set fire to agricultural plantations and forests to

clear the land. Such a scenario is common in countries

like Indonesia. However, it is also possible that the fire is caused by natural events like hot weather and drought. In

the second photograph, people have irresponsibly

disposed of their rubbish and caused water pollution.

Page 4: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Lead-in: Haze Blues Extension Activity

Smog is increasingly enveloping the city of Hong

Kong. Sometimes the air quality is so bad that visibility

declines to only a few metres. What could have

caused the smog to occur and what consequences

does it have on people and the environment?

Smog covering the city of Hong Kong

Page 5: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Pollution and Waste • Pollution is the introduction of substances into the

environment such that it results in unpleasant or

damaging effects on people, animals, plants

and buildings. Human activities and natural

events cause pollution.

• Waste refers to materials that are useless and no

longer wanted. Households, agricultural and

industrial activities generate waste.

Page 6: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Pollution and Waste • One type of pollution can often lead to other

types of pollution.

• For example, air pollution from mobile and

stationary sources, like motor vehicles and

factories, lead to the formation of acid rain

which eventually causes water pollution.

Air pollution can lead

to water pollution.

Page 7: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Air Pollution

• Air pollution occurs when substances such as

dust, smoke or harmful gases are released into

the environment.

• Smog, a serious form of air pollution, forms when

air pollutants like dust and smoke particles

combine with water vapour and toxic gases.

• Smog is common in industrialised areas of China,

India and some eastern European countries.

‘Brown-air’ smog over Sao Paulo, Brazil. Nitrogen dioxide gives the smog its

brown colour.

Page 8: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Air Pollution

Causes of air pollution Natural causes of air pollution • Volcanic eruptions

• Forest fires

High temperatures and low rainfall can create dry conditions which

spark forest fires.

Large amounts of ash, smoke and gases are released into the air

during a volcanic eruption.

Page 9: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Air Pollution

Causes of air pollution Human causes of air pollution • Industries

• Motor vehicles

• Construction work Vehicle emissions,contain harmful gases like carbon

monoxide and nitrogen oxides.

Manufacturing industries emit large amounts of dust and

smoke into the air. Construction work pollutes the air

with dust and smoke particles.

Page 10: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Air Pollution

Extent of air pollution • Air pollutants can be carried by winds from their

source to other places, regions and countries.

• For example, smoke carried by winds from burning

forests in Indonesia often causes haze in the

Southeast Asian region.

Haze observed over the Straits of

Malacca and Peninsular Malaysia.

Page 11: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Air Pollution Extent of air pollution Health problems • Dust and smoke can irritate throats and eyes and

cause breathing difficulties for people. • People can develop respiratory problems such as

bronchitis and asthma due to prolonged exposure to dust and smoke.

• Air pollutants such as nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide can cause severe health problems and increase the risk of developing lung and heart diseases.

Toronto, Canada, covered in smog

Page 12: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Air Pollution Extent of air pollution Traffic hazards • When countries experience haze, visibility

conditions deteriorate and airports may have to suspend operations and ground flights.

• Bad visibility conditions caused by haze may make driving inconvenient and dangerous.

Environmental problems • Acid rain is rain that is many times more acidic

than normal rain due to the sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides present in the air.

• Acid rain destroys forests, kills aquatic life and corrodes buildings.

• It is a common problem in places that are heavily industrialised.

Page 13: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Water Pollution

• Water pollution occurs when pollutants are

discharged directly into water bodies such as rivers,

lakes and seas.

• It also occurs when air and land pollutants are blown

by wind or washed by rain into water bodies.

Urban settlements discharge many forms of pollutants into canals, drains and sewer pipes which eventually find their way into the rivers and seas. Sources of pollutants include factories, sewage treatment plants, runoff of chemicals from agricultural plantations and live-stock farms.

Page 14: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Water Pollution

Causes of water pollution Improper disposal of sewage • Sewage refers to solid or liquid waste that is

produced by households or industries. It contains

human waste, detergent and chemicals.

• When untreated sewage is discharged into rivers

and seas, water pollution occurs.

A sign warns people that the

river is polluted with sewage.

Page 15: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Water Pollution

Causes of water pollution Improper disposal of sewage • Industrial waste contains large amounts of toxic

chemicals. Heavy water pollution occurs when

untreated industrial waste is irresponsibly

discharged into water bodies.

• Sewage is treated at sewage treatment plants to

remove its waste products before it is released into

water bodies.

Sewage treatment process

Some substances in detergents, sprays and even body lotions and shampoo are non-biodegradable and cannot be removed by sewage treatment processes.

Page 16: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Water Pollution

Causes of water pollution Oil spills • Oil spills occur when the hull of an oil tanker is torn

by sharp rocks or when a tanker collides with another ship, causing the oil it is carrying to spill into the sea.

• In 1989, the Exxon Valdez oil tanker went off course, hit rocks, and released large amounts of oil into Alaska’s Prince William Sound. This accident cost some US$2.1 billion to clean up.

• In 2002, the oil tanker Prestige sank off the coast of Spain and over two years leaked twice as much oil as the Exxon Valdez.

Page 17: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Water Pollution

Causes of water pollution • However, much more oil is released from other

smaller, day-to-day and less visible activities.

• Current studies have shown that most ocean oil

pollution comes from activities on land.

• These include normal operation of offshore wells,

washing oil tankers, loading and unloading of oil

tankers at ports, and leaks from oil pipelines,

refineries and storage tanks.

Page 18: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Water Pollution

Extent of water pollution Endangering plant and animal species • In an oil spill, sea birds cloaked with oil will freeze to

death as their feathers cannot insulate air to protect

them from the cold.

• The oil also clogs the birds’ feathers and makes

them unable to fly or float on water. They will drown

as a result.

Page 19: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Water Pollution

Extent of water pollution Endangering plant and animal species • Household waste contains excess nitrogen and

phosphorus which encourage the growth of algae on river and ocean surfaces.

• With the algae covering the water surface, sunlight cannot penetrate and reach the aquatic plants beneath the water surface, causing them to die as photosynthesis cannot occur.

• As a result, aquatic and marine animals that depend on these plants for food will be affected.

Algae covering the

surface of a river

Page 20: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Water Pollution

Extent of water pollution Negative impact on human health • Chemicals and toxic metals contaminate shellfish beds, kill

spawning fish and accumulate in the tissues of bottom marine

feeders.

• These chemicals and toxins can be passed on in the food chain and eventually reach us when we consume the

contaminated animals.

• People, especially in poor developing countries, can suffer

from cholera and typhoid when they drink contaminated water.

Page 21: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Water Pollution

Extent of water pollution Economic loss • Oil spills threaten the fishing industry and fishermen’s

livelihood. • Oil spills can also pollute beaches and affect tourism. • Cleaning up oil spills requires an international effort and

is a very expensive task. Scientists have estimated that no more than 15 percent of the oil from a major oil spill is recovered in a cleanup operation.

• The cheapest way and the most effective approach is to prevent oil pollution.

Beach pollution in Beirut, Lebanon

Page 22: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Land Pollution

• Land pollution occurs when waste is not disposed of

properly on land, or when chemicals are used

excessively on farms.

• Improper disposal of waste and the excessive use

of chemical fertilisers and pesticides are some

causes of land pollution.

A landfill. It is important is to realise that we can never truly throw anything away. Waste often ends up somewhere and can cause land and other forms of pollution.

Page 23: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Land Pollution

Causes of land pollution Improper disposal of waste • With the increase in the world population, more

goods and services are consumed and more waste

is produced.

• Without proper waste disposal management, the

rubbish is often left at public places or illegal

dumping grounds.

A slum in Smokey Mountains, the Philippines Proper waste disposal management

Page 24: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Land Pollution

Causes of land pollution

Excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides

• When chemical fertilisers and pesticides are used to

improve soil fertility or to eliminate pests, the soil

gets contaminated.

• In addition, these chemicals also pollute

groundwater and may find their way into rivers and

cause water pollution.

A man spraying pesticide over some crops

Page 25: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Land Pollution

Extent of land pollution Negative impact on human health • Improper disposal of waste attracts pests which

spread germs and diseases.

• Farmers exposed to large amounts of pesticides risk

developing cancer and liver failure.

Poisoning of animals • Pesticides and chemicals may pass on into the food

chain and affect the reproductive systems and

survival of some animals.

The American Bald Eagle is now endangered

because of the use of pesticides like DDT.

Page 26: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Measures Taken to Reduce Pollution

International efforts • Pollution can become a regional problem. Therefore,

governments and international organisations like the

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) need to

work together to resolve the problems associated with

pollution.

• For example, after the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, many

countries have made it compulsory for oil tankers to

have double hulls to prevent oil spills.

The United States has implemented the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 which requires all oil tankers to have double hulls by 2015. The European Union has also voted to ban single hull

oil tankers from their waters by 2010.

Page 27: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Measures Taken to Reduce Pollution

International efforts • The United Nations organised the Earth Summit in

1992 and 2002 for world leaders to commit their

countries to sustainable development.

• Sustainable development is development that

meets the needs of present generations without

compromising the ability of future generations to

meet their own needs.

Beijing, China

Page 28: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Measures Taken to Reduce Pollution

National efforts Enforcing laws and regulations • Laws are enacted and enforced to monitor, reduce

and prevent different forms of pollution.

Using alternative sources of energy • ‘Clean’ energy which does not release harmful

pollutants into the environment can be utilised.

Examples are solar and wind energy and

hydroelectricity.

Windmills in Spain

Page 29: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Measures Taken to Reduce Pollution

National efforts Using advanced technology • Sewage treatment plants can be built to treat waste

water before releasing it into the environment. Developing proper waste disposal methods • There are two methods to carefully manage the

disposal of waste — landfill and incineration. For example, Singapore has built the Pulau Semakau Landfill to manage solid waste. However, landfills are expensive to build and maintain and not a long-term sustainable solution to solid waste management.

Page 30: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Measures Taken to Reduce Pollution

National efforts Developing proper waste disposal methods • By 2009, Singapore will have five incineration plants

to burn solid waste. Although incineration plants can produce electricity and reduce the volume of waste, they still emit air pollutants and are very costly to build.

• The government, under the Singapore Green Plan 2012, has decided to reduce the amount of solid waste generated. This is done by reducing waste going through incineration plants and landfills and by promoting waste recycling and minimisation.

Page 31: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Measures Taken to Reduce Pollution

National efforts Educating the public • An effective method to reduce pollution is to

encourage people and industries to cut down on waste production.

This can be done through public talks and campaigns aimed at informing people about the harmful effects of generating excessive waste.

Environmental conservation concepts like the 3Rs — Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, can

be promoted through public education.

Page 32: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Measures Taken to Reduce Pollution

Individual efforts • As individuals, we can help protect the environment

by adopting practices which reduce waste.

Go ‘green’

Ride bicycles, take public transport, recycle old newspapers

Page 33: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Measures Taken to Reduce Pollution

Individual efforts • We should be informed about national and international plans

for environmental conservation so that we can do our part to

help. • We can help protect and conserve the environment by

reducing, reusing and recycling waste.

• It is important to realise that the best and cheapest way to

deal with waste and pollution is to produce less pollutants and

to practise the 3Rs for most of the materials we use.

Be informed and get involved.

Page 34: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Noise Pollution

• Noise pollution occurs when unwanted sounds are

added to the environment by vehicles, industries,

household gadgets or even loud music.

• Noise pollution affects our quality of life.

Special/Express stream only

The different degrees of loudness of noise are measured in decibels. Noise above 130 decibels hurts the ears and damages hearing.

Page 35: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Noise Pollution

Causes of noise pollution • Traffic is a common cause of noise pollution,

especially in urban areas.

Special/Express stream only

An airplane taking off from a runway produces noise of about 120 decibels.

Vehicles on a busy street creates about 60 to 90 decibels of noise.

Page 36: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Noise Pollution

Causes of noise pollution • Construction and other human activities contribute

to noise pollution.

Special/Express stream only

Drilling, piling, knocking and

use of heavy machinery. Cheering spectators in

a stadium.

Page 37: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Noise Pollution

Extent of noise pollution • Noise pollution degrades our quality of life and has

a negative impact on our health.

• Long-term exposure to noise pollution potentially:

1. damages our hearing ability,

2. increases our heart rate, anxiety and stress

levels, leading to high blood pressure and

3. affects our school and work performance.

Special/Express stream only

Prolonged exposure to noise raises our blood pressure, heart rate,

anxiety and stress levels.

Page 38: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Noise Pollution

Measures to reduce noise pollution National efforts • Laws and regulations can be enforced to regulate

the acceptable noise levels produced by vehicles,

workplaces, industries and construction sites.

• Various noise reduction methods like erecting

sound barriers, planting trees and shrubs, covering

walls with sound-proofing materials and installing

mufflers in vehicle engines can be used to reduce

noise pollution.

Special/Express stream only

Mufflers can be installed in noisy

equipment or in vehicles to absorb noise.

Page 39: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Noise Pollution

Measures to reduce noise pollution Individual efforts • We can reduce noise pollution by minimising the

amount of noise we create through our daily activities.

• For instance, to show consideration for our neighbours and to make our environment a pleasant one, we can listen to music using headphones at night instead of playing loud music from speakers.

Special/Express stream only

Page 40: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Environmental Protection in Singapore

Environmental planning in Singapore • The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources

(MEWR) is responsible for the state of environmental

cleanliness in Singapore.

• The National Environment Agency (NEA), a statutory board

under the MEWR, protects and enhances Singapore’s clean

living environment by monitoring, reducing and preventing

environmental pollution, through waste management, waste

recycling and energy conservation.

• The NEA also ensures a high standard of public health,

cleanliness and hygiene in Singapore.

Page 41: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Environmental Protection in Singapore

Environmental planning in Singapore • The Singapore Green Plan (SGP2012) lays out the goals

and objectives of environmental sustainability in

Singapore for the next decade.

• The SGP is reviewed and revised every three years to

ensure its relevance.

Page 42: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Environmental Protection in Singapore

Environmental planning in Singapore Key environmental protection efforts: Clean land • Efficient and effective waste disposal and reduction

methods are developed to ensure Singapore’s residential, commercial and industrial areas remain waste and rubbish free. Waste in Singapore is mainly incinerated and the ash remains buried in landfills.

• By 2012, under the SGP2012, Singapore aims to: 1. increase overall recycling rate from 44 percent to 60 percent, 2. extend the lifespan of Pulau Semakau Landfill to 50 years and strive for ‘zero’ landfill and 3. reduce the need for new incineration plants to one every ten to 15 years.

Page 43: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Environmental Protection in Singapore

Key environmental protection efforts: Clean land • Why do you think Singapore aims for ‘zero’ landfill? Do you

think it is possible for Singapore to achieve ‘zero’ landfill?

Why?

• The Tuas South Incineration Plant and Pulau Semakau

Landfill were built at an exorbitant cost of $900 million and

$610 million respectively.

• The substantial cost incurred in building new incineration

plants and landfills has discouraged the use of such facilities

as a sustainable solution to waste disposal management in

Singapore.

Page 44: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Environmental Protection in Singapore

Key environmental protection efforts: Clean land • As such, the MEWR has adopted waste minimisation

policies to reduce the volume of solid waste going

through our incinerators.

• These waste management policies have seen modest

success and our overall recycling rates have gone up,

from 40 percent in 2000 to 49 percent in 2005.

Page 45: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Environmental Protection in Singapore

Key environmental protection efforts: Clean air • The SGP2012 aims to reduce air pollution by

encouraging industries and individuals to reduce

energy consumption and use less polluting fuels like

natural gas in power stations and vehicles.

• Singapore has increasingly used natural gas to

generate electricity in all its power stations. In 1999,

natural gas stood at about 20 percent of fuel

composition of the total electricity generated. In 2004,

the number rose to about 69 percent.

• A major review of the entire transportation system is

also underway to encourage more people to use

public transport in the future.

Page 46: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Environmental Protection in Singapore

Key environmental protection efforts: Clean

water

• Through the efforts of the Public Utilities Board

(PUB), Singaporeans can obtain adequate

supply of clean water at an affordable cost.

Our drinking water quality is excellent and meets the Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality

set by the World Health Organisation.

Page 47: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Environmental Protection in Singapore

Environmental planning in Singapore Building partnerships • Singapore believes in building partnerships with other

countries and international organisations to share

experiences and work together to resolve

environmental problems.

• For example, Singapore has signed many major

international environmental agreements like the

Montreal Protocol, Basel Convention, Stockholm

Convention, Rotterdam Convention and the Kyoto

Protocol.

Page 48: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Environmental Protection in Singapore

Environmental planning in Singapore Building partnerships • Apart from foreign partners, Singapore also actively

engages other local governmental and non-

governmental organisations (NGOs) such as nature

societies and environmental clubs, in environmental

issues and protection.

Page 49: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Environmental Protection in Singapore

Keeping Singapore clean and green • As a result of our efforts to protect the environment, Singapore has

earned the distinction of being a ‘Clean and Green City’.

• As Singapore continues to grow, we must ensure that our

environment is not compromised and damaged at the expense of

economic growth.

• For our environmental efforts to truly succeed, everyone of us

living in this city must play a part in environment conservation and

protection.

Grey or Green? It’s your choice.

Page 50: Eliminate Pollution and save our Future Generations

Copyright © 2006-2011 Marshall Cavendish International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Skills Builder: Suggested Answers

1. When the people of Bhopal breathed in the toxic gases,

they coughed, vomited and their eyes became

inflamed. Some of the people were not able to

communicate with each other. Some lost their sight.

Many people also lost consciousness.

2. An accident like the Bhopal disaster could happen in

Singapore if we are not vigilant in protecting our

environment. To prevent such an accident from

occurring, the government needs to enforce stringent

laws to regulate the manufacturing process of toxic

chemicals like pesticides. In addition, the

manufacturing factories of toxic chemicals should be

located away from residential and commercial areas.

3. No. In an event of a disaster, many people living near

the pesticide factory will lose their lives and experience

severe health damage.