Solid Waste  It includes garbage, construction debris, sludge from waste treatment plants and other discarded solid materials coming from industrial, commercial, mining, and agricultural operations and from household and public activities. Issues Waste Segregation at Source: Limited awareness and lack … Continue reading →

Sources Single-use plastics: Plastic bags, straws, cutlery, cups, and packaging materials are excessively used and often discarded irresponsibly. Sachets: The widespread use of sachets for packaging various products like shampoos, condiments, and even drinking water contributes significantly to plastic waste. … Continue reading →

Health Sector Healthcare Sector: It comprises hospitals, medical devices, clinical trials, outsourcing, telemedicine, medical tourism, health insurance and medical equipment. India’s healthcare delivery system is categorised into two major components – public and private. Public Sector: It comprises limited secondary … Continue reading →

Reasons Traffic: Congested roads, honking vehicles, and two-wheelers are significant contributors to noise pollution in Indian cities. Construction Activities: Construction sites with heavy machinery, drilling, and blasting generate substantial noise, especially in urban areas. Industries: Factories and industrial processes can … Continue reading →

Measuring Pollution Load in Water Dissolved oxygen (DO): Refers to the level of free oxygen present in water. Optimum DO content in water is important for the survival of aquatic organisms Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD): It represents the amount of … Continue reading →

Digital Healthcare Definition Digital health refers to the use of technology, such as apps, telemedicine, electronic health records (EHR), and wearable devices, to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. Government Initiatives Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM): Launched in 2021, ABDM … Continue reading →

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) What is it? Launched in 2018 to provide health insurance coverage to the economically weaker sections of India.  The scheme aims to offer financial protection to around 100 million families (500 million … Continue reading →

Definition – Acid rain is a type of precipitation that contains high levels of sulfuric acid and nitric acid, which are formed when sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) released into the atmosphere from human activities such as burning … Continue reading →

Types of Air Pollutants  Primary Pollutants: Persistent in the form in which they are added to the environment, E.g. DDT etc. Secondary Pollutants: Formed by interaction among the primary pollutants. E.g. Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) is formed by the interaction of … Continue reading →

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Antimicrobial resistance is the resistance acquired by any microorganism (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, etc.) against antimicrobial drugs (such as antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, antimalarials, and anthelmintics) that are used to treat infections. Causes: Overuse and misuse of antibiotics … Continue reading →