Nuclear disaster
In both the cases, splitting of a big nucleus of an atom (nuclear fission) and joining of a smaller nuclei into a bigger nucleus (nuclear fusion) a large amount of energy is released. Nuclear weapons are, in fact, a curse for human beings. The world has already experienced the disaster caused by nuclear bombs dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki during the Second World War. However, it is just one aspect of nuclear development. We can also use nuclear energy for constructive purposes. Nuclear energy has been developed by many countries of the world. It can be used both for peaceful as well as destructive purposes. It can be used for the production of electricity or for making atom bombs.
Our world has already suffered from the disaster caused by atom bombs. On 6th August 1945, an atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in Japan which devastated the entire town killing 66,000 people and injuring nearly 60,000. Another atom bomb was dropped on Nagasaki which killed nearly 39,000 people
and injured more than 25,000. Nuclear weapons are far more destructive than other weapons.
Since nuclear weapons contain radioactive elements, they radiate ionizing nuclear radiations. The nuclear radiations have high energy due to which they convert the molecules of living cells into charged particles called ions. These ions are chemically very reactive and disrupt cell membranes, reduce effectiveness of enzymes or even damage genes and chromosomes, thereby causing serious illness like leukaemia and cancer which cannot be cured easily.
Nuclear radiations keep on showing their impact for a long period of time.
What should be done to save the humanity from nuclear radiations?
* Nuclear power plants should be built away from the towns or cities.
* Nuclear power plants should not be built in earthquake-prone areas.
* Waste materials of the plants should be disposed off properly.
*In case of emission of nuclear radiation people should stay inside their houses.
Chemical Disaster
A large number of chemicals are used in manufacturing of insecticides, drugs, paints, leather. etc. Its misuse can cause much destruction. Chemical weapons developed by many countries are also posing a great threat to human beings, Chemical disasters are also caused by industrial accidents..
We cannot forget the Bhopal Gas Tragedy which killed many people and left many more permanently disabled. Accidental leakage of the deadly poisonous gas called Methyl Iso Cyanate (MIC) occurred in the Union Carbide Factory at Bhopal in December 1984. The pollution of air by the leakage of highly toxic (highly poisonous) MIC gas killed thousands of men and animals living in the vicinity of the Union Carbide Plant. It also caused serious damage to the health of many more by disrupting their normal body functions and causing genetic changes, which can be carried to the future generation. The Bhopal Gas Tragedy is perhaps the most devastating incident of highly toxic chemical pollution in the world so far. The biggest problem in the post-accident management of such grave chemical pollution is that medical experts and health scientists do not know exactly what damage to the body functions and genetic factors have taken place, which can be transferred to the coming generations. This type of chemical pollution is very dangerous because it produces undesirable hereditary changes in men and animals which can lead to the malformation of future generations.
Smog
Mixture of smoke and fog is called smog. Use of chemicals in factories and vehicles also releases various harmful gases. These harmful gases are also becoming a problem for developed as well as underdeveloped nations Between December 5 and 9, 1952, a thick cloud of smog blanketed London and caused the death of about four thousand people.
USA has been facing great difficulty caused by smog. The smog in the United States results from a chemical reaction that occurs when certain polluting gases mix with sunlight. This type of warm photochemical smog, which is more dangerous. Smog is unhealthy. It makes the eyes watery and irritable. Breathing smog causes coughing, painful breathing and shortness of breath. It also reduces the amount of oxygen in a person’s blood. Most of the metropolitan cities of India are also facing the problem of smog and air pollution. Many road accidents are also caused by smog.
How to cope with chemical disasters and air pollution?
- The industries which use hazardous chemicals or produce such chemicals should be set away from towns or cities.
- The government should make regular inspection to check out various measures taken by the factory owners to avoid chemical disaster.
- The pollution caused by vehicles and fossil fuels should be checked.
Biological Disaster
Biological disasters are perhaps the most devastating disasters. Biological disaster spreads through the organism that is developed in the rform of bacteria or germs. The bacteria or virus or germs can be used to kill innocent human beings. A single suicidal terrorist spraying a few drops of smallpox virus or a liquid solution of Ebola or even plague in a crowded city or into the ventilation system of a large building can cause a biological disaster.
The World Health Organization warned Western governments in October 2001 to be alert and prepared for possible attacks by biological or chemical weapons. The warning related to anthrax or botulism-the toxin that comes from a bacterium and causes paralysis or smallpox. A study by doctors at the John Hopkins School of Public Health in the USA, published in 2000 suggested that at least 10 nations had a capacity of producing biological weapons.
In October 2001, there was a danger of anthrax germs being used as a biological weapon. Of the five people confirmed to have contracted inhalation anthrax, four died.
Measures to check biological disaster
- The international legal prohibition against biological warfare should be strengthened.
- Cities or towns should have enough hospitals, doctors, police forces and civil defence units to cope with such attacks.
- Countries should have reliable intelligence, effective and efficient export and import control mechanism, and proper vaccination system.