Environmental Ethics

Author(s): S M Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

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power plants. Plutonium 239 is one of deadliest poisons. A thousandth of a grain will kill any one. In spite of advancement of technology and best precautions there are accidents in nuclear power plants which require considerable effort and preparation to control. The radiation emissions can result in catastrophe. The burnt nuclear fuel remain radio active for long periods. There is not yet safer method for its safe disposal. It is being dumped in sea in sealed containers which may be corroded and the contents be leaked out. There are other forms of radiation also viz. radio waves, micro waves, infra-red waves, X-rays etc. Their intensity is increasing as the consumption levels of emmiting gadgets radios, phones, mobiles, TVs, ovens etc. are rising. If humans are exposed to dose of 100-200 rads, it will cause fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of hair etc. Beyond 400-500 rads it will impair bone marrow function, essential to produce materials needed by human body to fight infections. In an experiment honey bees were put under high tension electric transmission lines and it was observed that bees became very violent. There will te same effect or human beings, animals and other insects. There are many delayed effects of radiation which occur months or years after exposure. There is overwhelming evidence that exposure to radiation increase incidence of cancer. Radiation is affecting not only percent generation but also the future generation by altering the genetic materials in sperm cells and egg cells and mutations. As a result infants may be borne deformed. With rising population and consumerism there are more and more nuclear power plants and other such appliances and radiation threat is increasing. There is also so much stockpile of nuclear warheads with many nations that if by mistake or under impulsive reaction by individuals controlling them, they are triggered, then it will be the end of the world. These need to be dismantled and neutralised
Impact of Chemical industries :
Likewise more and more chemical and consumer goods industries are coming up. There are about 70,000 different
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