Pollution
Pollution:
One of the greatest problems that the world is facing today is that of environmental pollution, increasing with every passing year and causing grave and irreparable damage to the earth. Environmental pollution consists of five basic types of pollution, namely, air, water, soil, noise and light.
Chaitanya Sravanthi has extended its arms towards many social issues which are causing ill effects in poor either directly or indirectly. As a doctor Ms. Shirin Rahman has more concern about people’s health, as a women she cares about the women, as a human being she loves her people and finally as a social activist she fights against social issues. From the past few years Ms. Shirin Rahman is fighting against the pollution caused by the Visakhapatnam port. Conducted many rallies, spoke to Port higher officials regarding steps to reduce the pollution levels, met delegates of the Parliamentary Standing committee on environment and finally filed a case against port to reduce the pollution levels.
Pollution caused by the Vizag port is fast becoming a matter of worry for the city people. It is true that due to the presence of various PSUs and the Port, the city gets its brand identity. The port also provides livelihood to many and is the back bone of the city’s economic activity. As per the data obtained from the pollution control board authorities through an RTI filed by Chaitanya Sravanthi, it was revealed that though the volume of handling dusty cargo like iron, ore and coal at the port has come down over the years, there has been no change in the pollution levels in and around the port area.
How Ports are causing pollution?
People living in and around port and harbor areas are growing increasingly concerned over air pollution in their communities. Ships release 70% of their emissions within 400 kilometers of land with the wind carrying them shoreward.
Ships spend a sizeable proportion of time moored in harbors and ports. Merchant vessels, for example, spend around 100 days a year at berth. There they have to keep their IT systems, air conditioning, lighting, and sanitation running. To that end, their auxiliary engines are constantly in operation. They are therefore producing emissions the whole time. Add to that another source of pollution – onboard waste incineration, which includes dioxins and other heavy metals.
Ship-generated emissions are often the chief source of air pollution – particularly particulate matter – in the highly populated economic hubs where ports are located. Thousands, even millions, of people may be affected. Emissions from berthed cruise and cargo ships to be the biggest cause of its air pollution.
WHO ARE MOSTLY AFFECTED BY THE PORT POLLUTION?
People live in and around port area are mostly affected by the port pollution. In the previous, the radius of the port pollution is limited to 5km radius but now it is increased to 15 km radius. Due to this most of the people who are living near to the port are suffering from various diseases caused by this air pollution. Woman and children are facing high risk. The children who are studying near port area are frequently suffering from the cough, and other pollution related diseases. Evidence of increasing air pollution is seen in lung cancer, asthma, allergies, and various breathing problems along with severe and irreparable damage to flora and fauna.
Chaitanya Sravanthi is demanding port trust to reduce the pollution levels by taking required steps and to set up health clinics and camps to regular health checkups and medical facilities to the affected. The coal dust pollution causing respiratory disorders among people living in the port area and their treatment should be taken care of by the port. The port management should provide free treatment, and job training to youth in the affected areas.
A small statistical fact on port pollution
Lung infection caused by air pollution near port area are
In the year 2009-215 lung infections was noted in 2010 it was 194 cases, in 2011it was-229 cases, in 2012 it was -179 cases and in 2013 it was-149 cases.
