Importance of Waste Management – It is important to dispose of wastes safely and scientifically. This is because waste can result in the spread of many diseases.
Importance of Waste Management
Waste on Lands
There are dangers of spreading many diseases when wastes get accumulated on land and water bodies. The following table shows the lists of common diseases spread by various insects and organisms:
| Insect/Organism/Animal | Diseases Spread |
|---|---|
| Housefly | Typhoid, diarrhea, dysentery, cholera |
| Sandfly | Kala-azar, sandfly fever |
| Tsetse fly | Sleeping sickness |
| Mosquitoes | Malaria, yellow fever, chikungunya, dengue |
| Rodents | Plague, salmonellosis |
| Dog | Rabies, hydrated diseases |
Wastes in Water
Industrialization and urbanization pollute water in the following ways:
- Sewage has pathogenic agents. A pathogen is a microorganism that can cause disease.
- Effluents discharged by water include metal salts and complex organic chemicals.
- Fertilizers and pesticides can pollute water resources.
- Radioactive substances can affect reproductive organs in humans and can cause several diseases, cancer and genetic disorders.
YOU MAY READ
Waste Management-I
Waste refers to any discarded material which no longer remains useful. According to the Environment Protection Act, 1990, waste is any substance that constitutes a scrap material, or effluent, or an unwanted surplus that arises out of the application of any process. Read more
Waste Management-II
If wastes are allowed to accumulate and are not disposed of carefully, then they will not only affect our environment but will also affect our health. When accumulated wastes are left open and unattended, they begin to decompose. Read more