definition of disaster (1)

8/10/2019 Definition of Disaster (1)

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DEFINITION OF DISASTER

Disaster is a sudden, calamitous event bringing great damage, loss, destruction anddevastation to life and property. WHO defines Disaster as "any occurrence, that causesdamage, ecological disruption, loss of human life, deterioration of health andhealth

services, on a scale sufficient to warrant an extraordinary response from outside theaffected community or area”

The damage caused by disasters is immeasurable and varies with the geographical

location, climate and the type of the earth surface/degree of vulnerability. Thisinfluences the mental, socio-economic, political and cultural state of the affected area.Generally, disaster has the following effects in the concerned areas:

1. It completely disrupts the normal day to day life.

2. It negatively influences the emergency systems.

3. Normal needs and processes like flood, shelter, health, etc. are affected anddeteriorate depending on the intensity and severity of the disaster.

It may also be termed as “a serious disruption of the functioning of society, causing widespread human, material or environmental losses which exceed the ability of theaffected society to cope using its own resources”

Thus, a disaster may have the following main features:

Unpredictability Unfamiliarity Speed Urgency Uncertainty Threat

COMPONENTS OF DISASTER

Risk is a measure of the expected losses due to a hazardous event of a particular magnitudeoccurring in a given area over a specific time period. Risk is a function of the probability ofparticular occurrences and the losses each would cause. The level of risk depends on:

Nature of the Hazard

Vulnerability of the elements which are affected



Economic value of those elements

Vulnerability is defined as “the extent to which a community, structure, service,

and/or geographic area is likely to be damaged or disrupted by the impact of particular

hazard, on account of their nature, construction and proximity to hazardous terrain or adisaster prone area”

Hazards are defined as “Phenomena that pose a threat to people, structures, or

economic assets and which may cause a disaster. They could be either manmade or naturallyoccurring in our environment.”

The extent of damage in a disaster depends on: 1. The impact, intensity and characteristics of the phenomenon and 2. How people, environment and infrastructures are affected by that phenomenon

This relationship can be written as an equation:

DISASTER RISK = HAZARD + VULNERABILITY

TYPES OF DISASTER

1. Natural

2.Man Made

NATURAL DISASTER:

A natural disaster is a major adverse event resulting from natural processes of the Earth;

examples include floods, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, and other geologic

processes. A natural disaster can cause loss of life or property damage, and typically leaves

some economic damage in its wake, the severity of which depends on the affected

population's resilience, or ability to recover

TYPES OF NATURAL DISASTER

Earthquake

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disaster



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_hazard



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcanic_eruption



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthquake



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Earthquake is an unexpected and rapid shaking of earth due to the breakage and shifting of underneath

layers of Earth. Earthquake strikes all of a sudden at any time of day or night and quite violently. It gives no

prior warning. If it happens in a populated area, the earthquake can cause great loss to human lifeand

property

Earthquakes are sudden slippages or movements in aportion of the earth's crust accompanied by a series of vibrations. Aftershocks of similar or lesser intensity can follow the main quake.

Earthquakes can occur at any time of the year. An earthquake isgenerally considered to be the most destructive and frightening of allforces of nature.

(i) Causes

Earthquakes are natural ways of releasing energy by earth. An earthquake occurs in certainpockets of the earth which has geological faults. Such areas have already been identified .

ii) Effects

Structural damage

Earthquakes may cause physical damage to the buildings, roads, dams and monuments .High rise buildings or building built on weak foundations are especially susceptible toearthquake damage. Household articles including electronic goods and furniture getdamaged. Human and livestock deaths or serious injuries from collapsing of building arecommon followed by outbreak of epidemics like cholera, diarrhoea, and infectious diseases.

Utilities such as water supply, sewerage, communication lines, power-lines, transportationnetwork, and railways get damaged.

Management

The effects can be minimized if some of the following measures are taken:-

Design of buildings

The buildings should be designed especially in earthquake prone areas in such a mannerthat they can withstand the stress of earthquake. Physical characteristics of soil should beanalysed in order to ensure the strength to withstand the earthquake. Bureau of Indian

Standards has formulated building designs and guidelines for constructions that withstandagainst earthquakes. Generally building design is approved by the concerned municipalauthorities according to build by laws and safety requirements. Training of the builders,architects, contractors, designers, house owners and government officials is important.

Some of the precautionary measures in the event of an earthquake are asfollows:

Move out in the open;



Keep calm, do not rush and panic, never use lift, keep away from windows, mirrorsand furniture;

Stand under strong beams that may not fall or creep under the dining table or a strong

bed;

If you are under a building and unable to move, cover your head and body with yourarms, pillows, blankets to protect yourself from falling objects;

If in a multi storey building stay on the same floor. Do not use elevators or run towardsthe staircase;

If travelling stop the vehicle away from building, walls, bridge, trees, electricity polesand wires;

Check for structural damage and clear the blockage;

Check for injuries. Apply first aid. Help others;

If your home is badly damaged by earthquake, come out immediately. Collect allemergency supplies like food, water, first aid kit, medicines, flash light or torch, candles,matchbox, clothes etc; if possible;

Keep away from buildings especially old and tall ones, electricity poles, wires andwalls.

Impact

Earthquake losses, like those of other disasters, tend to cause morefinancial losses in industrialized countries and, as the developed

countries have better early warning systems and life saving means,more injuries and deaths occur in undeveloped countries .Deaths and injuries from earthquakes vary according to the type ofhousing available, time of day of occurrence, and population density.Common injuries include cuts, broken bones, crush injuries, anddehydration from being trapped in rubble. Stress reactions are alsocommon. Morbidity and mortality can occur during the actual quake,the delayed collapse of unsound structures, or clean-up activity

(a) Floods

Floods are sudden and temporary inundation of a large area as an overflowing of rivers or

reservoirs.

(i) Causes

Floods are caused by rains, high winds, cyclones, tsunami, melting snow or dam burst.Flood can happen gradually or can happen suddenly due to heavy rains, breach of the

water storage and control structures, spillover. Siltation of the rivers and reservoirs, and

this can enhance the incidence and magnitude of floods.



a. Heavy rainfall

b. Heavy siltation of the river bed reduces

the water carrying capacity of therivers/stream.

c. Blockage in the drains lead to floodingof the area.

d. Landslides blocking the flow of thestream.

e. Construction of dams and reservoirs

f. In areas prone to cyclone, strong winds Accompanied by heavy down pouralong with storm surge leads toFlooding.

(ii) Effects

Casualties

Human and livestock death due to drowning, serious injuries and outbreak of epidemics

like diarrhea, cholera, jaundice or viral infections are common problems faced in floodaffected areas. Even wells, other source of drinking water get submerged resulting in acute

shortage of safe drinking water during floods. Consequently often people are forced todrink the contaminated floodwater, which may cause serious diseases.

• Structural damage

During floods mud huts and buildings built on weak foundations collapse endangering

human lives and property. Damage may also be cause to roads, rail, dams, monuments,crops and cattle. Floods may uproot trees and may cause landslides and soil erosion.

Material loss

Household articles including eatables, electronic goods, beds, clothes, furniture get

submerged in water and get spoilt all materials mounted on ground e.g. food stock,

equipment, vehicles, livestock, machinery, salt pan and fishing boats can be submerged

and spoilt.

Utilities damage



Utilities such as water supply, sewerage, communication lines, power-lines, transportationnetwork and railways are put at risk.

Crop loss

Apart from the loss of human and cattle life, floods cause severe devastation of standing

agricultural crops. Floods water spoils the stored food-grains or harvested crop. Floods

may affect soil characteristics and may turn them infertile due to the erosion of the top soil

or in coastal areas agricultural lands may turn saline due to flooding by sea water.

Flood control

Flood control can be achieved through various means. The floodwater can be reduced byreducing the run-off water through afforestation. Forests promote rainwater percolation in

the ground, thus recharging the groundwater and reducing the run-off water. Construction

of dams also reduces flood water through storage. Dams can store water, which can not be accommodated in the river downstream may cause floods. Water can be released in acontrolled manner from the dam. Desilting, deepening and increasing embankment increasethe capacity of a river/channel/drain.

Impact

Flood effects can be local, impacting a neighbourhood or community,or very large, affecting entire river basins and multiple communities.Except for flash floods, flooding causes few deaths. Widespread andlong-lasting detrimental effects include mass homelessness,disruption of communications and health care systems, and heavyloss of business, livestock, crops, and grain, particularly in denselypopulated, low lying areas like that of the Awash Valley. Thefrequent repetition of flooding means a constant or even increasingdrain on the economy for rural as well as urban populations.

This reduces the risk of floods. Some precautionary measures are as follows –

• Build houses away from flood prone area.

• Keep yourself alert and updated to weather and flood forecasting information.

• In case evacuation warnings are issued, immediately go to the shelters provided.

• When you are moving to a shelter, move your valuable articles to safer elevated places so that they are not destroyed by flood water.

• Store extra food, such as rice, pulses etc. for emergency.

• Do not touch any loose electric wire to avoid electrocution.



• Do not spread rumours or listen to them.

• Make provision for adults and children who need special diet.

• After the flood is over, get yourself and your family members inoculated againstdiseasesand seek medical care for injured and sick.

• Clear the house and dwellings of debris.

• Report any loss to the revenue authorities.

(b) Drought

Drought is an event that results from lower than normal expected rainfall over a season or

period. The low rainfall is insufficient to meet the needs of human beings, plants, animalsand agriculture. Short fall in rain results in drying of rivers, lakes, reservoirs and drying ofwells due to excessive withdrawal and poor recharge of ground water and loss of crop

yield due to shortage of water are some of the main indicators of drought.

(i) Causes

Drought occurs due to shortage of rainfall. As per Meteorological Department if rainfall isdeficient by more than 10% of the annual average rainfall, the condition is said to be that ofdrought. The severity of drought is determined by the extent of deviation of rainfall fromthe average. In the recent past frequency of periods of drought have increasing due to

deforestation and environmental degradation.

(ii) Effects

Drought has severe effects on agriculture. To start with drought affects mostly rainfed

crops and subsequently the irrigated crops. The herdsman, landless labours, subsistencefarmers, women, children and farm animals are most affected.

• Crop failure or food shortage leading to large scale starvation and death.

• Affects dairy activities, timber and fisheries.

• Increases unemployment.

• Depletion of ground water.

• Increases energy consumption for pumping water from deep aquifers.



• Reduces energy production in hydro-electric power plants.

• Loss of biodiversity; and reduced landscape quality.

• Causes health problems, increased poverty, reduced quality of life and social unrestleading to migration.

Impact of Droughts on Built and Natural Environments

Primary (Immediate) Effects

• Water supplies are overtaxed and finally dry up• Loss of crops• Loss of livestock and other animals, and• Loss of water for hygienic use and drinking.

Secondary (Resulting) Effects of Drought

• Migration in search of better grazing lands

• Famine • Permanent changes of settlement, social, and living

patterns.

• Major ecological changes (scrub growth, flash flooding and increased wind erosion of soils)

• Desertification.

Tsunamis

Definition: A tsunami is a series of waves generated by an undersea disturbance such as an earthquake. From the area of thedisturbance, the waves will travel outward in all directions, much like

the ripples caused by throwing a rock into a pond. As the waves

approach the shallow coastal waters, they appear normal and speed

decreases. Then as the tsunami nears coastline, it may grow to agreat height and smash into the shore, causing such destruction.

Tsunamis (pronounced soo-ná-mees), also known as seismic sea

waves (mistakenly called “tidal waves”), are a series of enormous

waves created by an underwater disturbance such as an

earthquake, landslide, volcanic eruption, or meteorite. A tsunami canmove hundreds of miles per hour in the open ocean and smash into

land with waves as high as 100 feet or more.

Protective Measures

Guidelines for what you should do if a tsunami is likely in your area:



• Turn on your radio to learn if there is a tsunami warning

• Move inland to higher ground immediately and stay there.

• If there is noticeable recession in water away from the shoreline this is nature's tsunami warning and it should beheeded. You should move away immediately

Guidelines for the period following a tsunami:

• Stay away from flooded and damaged areas until officials

say it is safe to return.

• Stay away from debris in the water; it may pose a safety

hazard to boats and people.

Epidemic

An epidemic is the occurrence of a number of cases of a disease inexcess of the usual occurrence for a given place and time.

A threatened (or potential) epidemic is said to exist when the

circumstances are such that the epidemic occurrence of a specific

disease may reasonably be anticipated.

The spread of infectious disease depends upon preexisting levels ofthe disease, ecological changes resulting from disaster, populationdisplacement, and changes in the density of population, disruption of

public utilities, interruption of basic public health services,

compromising the sanitation and hygiene. The probability that

epidemics of infectious diseases will occur is proportional to the

population density and displacement. An epidemic can occur in

susceptible populations in the presence or impeding introduction of adisease agent compounded by the presence of a mechanism that

facilitates large-scale transmission (For example, Contamination of

water supply or increment of vector population).

In general, many natural and/or man made disasters that affect or

disrupt one or more parts of the public health infrastructure,

including the sanitation systems, potable water supplies, nutrition

stores, primary health care access (including routine immunization program), vector control programs, and established systematic

surveillance mechanisms, can trigger infectious disease outbreaks.

Impact:



Displaced populations suffer high rate of disease due to stress of

migration, crowding, and unsanitary conditions of relocation sites.Morbidity and mortality can result from diarrheal diseases,

respiratory diseases, and malnutrition. Mortality exceeding a baseline of one death per 10,000 people per day is the index of

concern.

The public health importance of an epidemic disease results fromthe number of persons at risk, risk of fatal cases or sequelae, speedof spread, disruption of social life and economic losses, possible

contamination of water supply, food chains, local animal reservoirs

and vectors, the risk of new epidemic situation and difficulty and cost

associated with prevention and control.

Quick response is essential because epidemics, which result inhuman and economic losses and political difficulties, often rise

rapidly. An epidemic or threatened epidemic can become anemergency when the following characteristics of the events are

present. Not all of the characteristics need to be present and each

must be assessed with regard to relative importance equally:

Risk of introduction to and spread of the disease in the

population;

Large number of cases may reasonably be expected to

occur ;

Disease involved is of such severity as to lead to serious

disability or death;

Risk of social or economic disruption resulting from the

presence of the disease;

Authorities are unable to cope adequately with the situation

due to insufficient technical or professional, organizational

experiences, and necessary supplies or equipment (eg.

Drugs, vaccines, laboratory diagnostic materials, vectorcontrol materials, etc.);

Risk of international transmission.

Landslide



The term’ landslide’ includes all varieties of

mass movements of hill slopes and can bedefined as the downward and outward

movement of slope forming materialscomposed of rocks, soils etc.

Causes of Landslide

There are several causes of landslide. Someof the major causes are as follows:

1. Geological Weak material: Weaknessin the composition and structure of

rock or soil may also cause landslides.

2. Erosion: Erosion of slope toe due to

cutting down of vegetation,

construction of roads might increase

the vulnerability of the terrain to slidedown.

3. Intense rainfall: Storms that produce

intense rainfall for periods as short asseveral hours or have a more

moderate intensity lasting several days

have triggered abundant landslides.Heavy melting of snow in the hilly

terrains also results in landslide.

4. Human Excavation of slope and its toe,

loading of slope/toe, draw down in

reservoir, mining, deforestation,irrigation, vibration/blast, Water

leakage from services.

5. Earthquake shaking has triggered

landslides in many differenttopographic and geologic settings.

Rock falls, soil slides and rockslides

from steep slopes involving relativelythin or shallow dis-aggregated soils or

rock, or both have been the most

abundant types of landslides triggered by historical earthquakes.



6. Volcanic eruption Deposition of loose

volcanic ash on hillsides commonly isfollowed by accelerated erosion and

frequent mud or debris flows triggered by intense rainfall.

MAN MADE DISASTER

Fires

Fires are events of burning something. They are often destructive taking up toll of lifeand

property. It is observed that more people die in a fire than in a cyclone, earthquake, floods

and other natural disasters combined. Fires are a great threat to forests and wild life because they spread speedily and cause tremendous damage in a short time. In cities fires

break out in home, jhuggis, buildings specially godowns and factories. Fire can spread to

a large area. Many people may die of burns and asphyxiation. It may also cause

(i) Causes

During summer months such fires results in casualties and enormous economic losses.

There are numerous causes of fires. Some important ones are given here-

• Throwing burning matchsticks or cigarettes irresponsibility.

• Heating sources can cause fire in houses e.g. clothes may catch fire while cooking on

kerosene stove or gas stove.

• Cooking accidents are a major cause of fire at home. Fire can result due to unattended

cooking.

• A short circuit in an electric wiring can cause fire. Overheating of electric appliances,

poor wiring connections, use of sub-standard quality appliances can also result in a

fire.

• Rubbish and waste materials often lying on roadsides or near houses may catch fire

when people throw burning matchstick or cigarette butt.

• Storage and transportation of inflammable material or explosive chemicals without

proper precautions may cause fires.

• Forest fires may result from human negligence or carelessness.



your move.

• Do not be rash and do not try to overtake unnecessarily.

• The best way to be safe on roads is to follow “lane driving”

• While driving avoid sudden acceleration and deceleration.

• Replace the worn tyres and faulty headlamps.

• Check the tyre pressure, radiator water, brake oil and fuel frequently.

• Dip your beam whenever you spot an oncoming vehicle.

• Follow the maintenance schedule prescribed by the manufacturer.

• Overcome impatience, anger and intoxication during driving. Road rage is dangerous.

• In case a mishap occurs stay calm.

• In case of fire, try to get out as early as possible and do not worry about the baggage.

Rail accident

The most common type of rail accident is derailment due to human error, sabotage or

natural landslide in a hilly track, or fire. Rail accidents lead to large number of casualties

and material damage. Indian Railways incur heavy loss due to such accidents every year.

Some of the common safety measures are:-

• At railway crossings pay attention to the signal and the swing barrier. Do not get underneath and try to get across.

• In case of a unmanned crossing, get down from the vehicle and look at either sides of the track before crossing.

• Do not stop the train on a bridge or tunnel where evacuation is not possible.

• Do not carry inflammable material in a train.

• Do not lean out of a moving train.

• Do not smoke in train.

• Do not pull the emergency cord unnecessarily.



(iii) Air accidents

Air accidents may occur due to technical problems, fire, poor landing and take-off, weather

conditions, hijacking, bombing etc

. Some of the common safety measures are:

• Pay attention to the flight crew safety demonstration.

• Carefully read the safety card in the pocket.

• Know where is the nearest emergency exit and learn how to open it.

• Always keep your seatbelt fastened when seated.

• Stay calm, listen to the crew members and follow their instructions.

• Before you try to open any emergency door yourself, look outside the window. If you

see a fire outside the door, do not open it or the flame may spread into the cabin. Try

to use an alternate route for escape.

• Remember, smoke rises. So try to stay down if there is smoke in the cabin.

• If you have a cloth, put it over your nose and mouth.

Pollution: is undesirable state of the natural environment being

contaminated with harmful substances as a consequence of humanactivities. Pollution is the contamination of the air, water, or earth by

harmful or potentially harmful substances.

2.9.1. Air pollution:

Air pollution is the presence in the air of substances put there by

the acts of man in concentrations sufficient to interfere with health,comfort, or safety, or with full use and enjoyment of property.The term is often used to identify undesirable substances produced

by human activity. Air pollution usually designates the collection of

substances that adversely affect human health, animals, and plants;

deteriorates structures; interferes with commerce; or interferes withthe enjoyment of life



The causes of air pollution

Air pollution can be caused by many industrial and domestic activities.

Traffic

Traffic fumes from cars, buses, lorries and other vehicles are the main cause of air

pollution. Southwark has several 'Commuter Corridors' that support a constant flow of

heavy traffic to and from central London. Recent measures such as the introduction of

cleaner fuels and catalytic converters help to control the emissions, but further solutions

are needed

Industrial activities

There are very few industrial areas in Southwark. However activities such as vehicle

spraying, printing/processing and petrol filling stations are regulated for their emissions

by the council.

Construction sites

Construction works both demolition and building causes the release of dust and solvent

pollution. The council has produced an environmental code to control construction

operations. The Environmental Code of Construction Practice will soon be made

available online.

Energy usage

The increasing number of offices, working environments and residential properties in

Southwark also involves an increase in emissions from those buildings. This problem will

be addressed through the 'sustainability assessment' criteria introduced by the new

Southwark Plan.Domestic smoke

The recent trend for open fireplaces has raised the issue of domestic smoke. Southwark is

a Smoke Control Area. This means that coal, wood and oil cannot be burned in

Southwark unless a) they can be burned without producing smoke i.e. using smokeless

fuels, or b) you have an 'exempted fireplace'. You can download a list of approved

smokeless fuels and exempted fireplaces.

Bonfires and fireworks

Garden bonfires and fireworks generate smoke particles and pollutants. Instead of

burning your garden waste, turn it into compost. Garden waste that's too woody to

compost can be disposed of at Southwark's recycle and re-use centres.

Water pollution

Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies

(e.g. lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers and groundwater ). Water pollution occurs whenpollutants are

http://www.southwark.gov.uk/downloads/download/1992/approved_smokeless_fuels_and_exempted_fireplaces




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directly or indirectly discharged into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful

compounds.

Water pollution affects plants and organisms living in these bodies of water . In almost all cases

the effect is damaging not only to individual species and populations, but also to thenatural biological communities.

The main causes for water pollution are :

Disposal of waste:

This waste includes sewage, garbage and liquid waste from factories and homes.

Wastages from chemical factories contain many toxic or poisonous chemicals. These are

discharged into rivers. The river-water becomes poisonous for fish and other aquatic

animals and plants.

Chemical fertilizers and pesticides:

Farmers use fertilizers for growth, and pesticides to kill insects that damage crops.

Fertilizers and pesticides which are good for plants, may be harmful to human beings and

animals. Many of these chemicals get dissolved in rainwater which flows into ponds,

canals, rivers and seas.

Disposal of human excreta and animal dung:

The rain washes away human excreta and animal dung into rivers, ponds and

lakes. Drinking this polluted water may cause several water-borne diseases such as

diarrhea, dysentery, jaundice, typhoid and cholera. Polluted river-water can cause

diseases to the whole population.

Sewage from domestic households, factories and commercial buildings Sewage that is

treated in water treatment plants is often disposed into the sea. Sewage can be more

problematic when people flush chemicals and pharmaceutical substances down thetoilet.

Dumping solid wastes and littering by humans in rivers, lakes and oceans. Littering

items include cardboard, Styrofoam, aluminum, plastic and glass.

Industrial waste from factories, which use freshwater to carry waste from the plantinto rivers, contaminates waters with pollutants such as asbestos, lead, mercury and

petrochemicals.

Oil Pollution caused by oil spills from tankers and oil from ship travel. Oil does not

dissolve in water and forms a thick sludge.

Burning fossil fuels into the air causes the formation of acidic particles in the

atmosphere. When these particles mix with water vapor, the result is acid rain.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_treatment



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodies_of_water



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Species



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An increase in water temperature is caused by global warming and thermal plants that

use lakes and rivers to cool down mechanical equipment.

Effects of Water Pollution

Groundwater contamination from pesticides causes

reproductive damage withinwildlife in ecosystems.

Sewage, fertilizer, and agricultural run-off contain organic materials that whendischarged into waters, increase the growth of algae, which causes the depletion of

oxygen. The low oxygen levels are not able to support most indigenous organisms in

the area and therefore upset the natural ecological balance in rivers and lakes.

Swimming in and drinking contaminated water causes skin rashes and health

problems like cancer, reproductive problems, typhoid fever and stomach sickness in

humans. Which is why it’s very important to make sure that your water is cleanand safe to drink.

Industrial chemicals and agricultural pesticides that end up in aquatic environments

can accumulate in fish that are later eaten by humans. Fish are easily poisoned with

metals that are also later consumed by humans. Mercury is particularly poisonous

to small children and women. Mercury has been found to interfere with the

development of the nervous system in fetuses and young children.

Ecosystems are destroyed by the rising temperature in the water, as coral reefsare

affected by the bleaching effect due to warmer temperatures. Additionally, thewarm

water forces indigenous water species to seek cooler water in other areas, causing an

ecological damaging shift of the affected area.

Human-produced litter of items such as plastic bags and 6-pack rings can get aquatic

animals caught and killed from suffocation. Water pollution causes flooding due to the accumulation of solid waste and soil

erosion in streams and rivers.

Oil spills in the water causes animal to die when they ingest it or encounter it. Oil

does not dissolve in water so it causes suffocation in fish and birds.

Water pollution has been extensively documented as a contributor to health problems inhumans and marine animal ecosystems. It has a huge impact on our lives, and if we do

our part by not throwing trash or chemicals into our water supplies and drains, we can

contribute to the improvement of aquatic life and of our health in general.

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