Vital Waste Graphics
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How long does it take for some commonly used products to biodegrade?
Glass bottles, 1 million years and plastic bottles, forever... Plastic Bags
20 TO 1000 YEARS
Batteries Aluminium Cans Tin Cans
Nylon Fabric Leather Shoes
Chewing Gum Wool Socks Cigarette Butts Fruit Peels Paper
1 600 Years
1 500
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1 000
Source: The Coral Reef Alliance & Worldwise
Soil-polluting activities from selected sources
Finland
Sweden
100 %
Emissions of organic water pollutants
Industrial Activities
Denmark
Industrial Waste Disposal Municipal Waste Disposal
Lithuania
50
Germany
Accidents
Others
Austria Hungary
0
Roumania
Bulgaria
Belgium Netherlands
Spain
Liechstenstein
Emissions of organic water pollutants are measured in terms of biochemical oxygen that bacteria in water will consume in breaking down waste.
Source: EEA, 2002
Construction and Demolition
Leachate Leachate is the liquid that forms as water trickles through contaminated areas leaching out the chemicals. For example, the leaching of landfill can result in a leachate containing a cocktail of chemicals. In agricultural areas leaching may concentrate pesticides or fertil- izers and in feedlots bacteria may be leached from the soil. The movement of contaminated leachate may result in hazardous substances entering surface water, groundwater or soil. Air Contamination Air pollution can cause respiratory problems and other adverse health effects as contami- nants are absorbed from the lungs into other parts of the body. Certain air contaminants can also harm animals and humans when they contact the skin. Plants rely on respiration for their growth and can also be affected by expo- sure to contaminants transported in the air.
Feedlot
Manufacturing
Landfill
Agriculture and Forestry
Solvents
Contaminated Groundwater
P ermeable Rock
Leachate
I mp ermeable Rock
Fertilisers & Pesticides
Soil Contamination Contaminants in the soil can harm plants when they take up the contamination through their roots. Ingest- ing, inhaling, or touching contaminated soil, as well as eating plants or animals that have accumulated soil contaminants can adversely impact the health of humans and animals.
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