Module Code and Title:       ENM304          Environmental Hazards Management

 

Programme(s):                      BSc Environmental Management

 

Credit Value:                         12

 

Module Tutor(s):                   GP Sharma (Coordinator)

Deki Phuntsho Yonten

Nima Wangmo

 

General objective(s) of the module:

 

This module introduces students to the major causes, effects, and control measures for various types of environmental hazards, and how these impact the environment and the health and well-being of humans. An overview of biological and chemical hazards is given. Students will also have an opportunity to familiarize themselves with local and regional risk reduction measures and pollution standards and regulations. This module will also provide students with an in-depth insight and understanding of issues related to the anthropogenic greenhouse effect, climate change and global warming. Air pollution is covered in detail, while major land and water pollution issues are also briefly reviewed. The module further delves into sociological and technological hazards to the environment. Finally, the module gives an overview of natural hazards, their potential to cause environmental disasters, and options for pre-planning for them or mitigating their effects.

 

Learning outcomes – Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

 

• Describe types of biological hazards and common risk reduction measures thereof.
• Describe types of chemical hazards, their various sources, and risk reduction measures thereof.

·         Discuss major sources of air pollution.

·         Choose appropriate control measures for important air pollutants.

• Describe environmental and health issues of various air pollutants and the role humans play in generation of these pollutants.
• Express and defend an opinion on issues related to climate change and global warming.
• Identify possible solutions for prevention, mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
• Recall local, regional and international air and water quality standards.
• Assess and monitor air quality at a basic level.

·         Explain the net result of inadequately managed man-made hazards and how they typically cost the most in terms of human suffering, loss of life and long-term damage to a country's economy and productive capacity.

·         Identify common natural hazards.

·         Describe how human activities can increases susceptibility to natural disasters.

·         Evaluate options for pre-planning for and mitigation of natural hazards.

 

Skills to be developed:

 

·         Students will be able to design and carry out simple surveys.

 

Learning and teaching approaches used:

 

The module will be conducted over 15 teaching weeks as follows:

·         3 hrs/wk lecture & discussions.

·         1 hr/wk practical on incorporating pollution measurement studies. Students will practice basic air quality testing, including gathering dust records using a dust sampler machine and other testing kits. Students will also need to carry out a basic survey pertaining to hazard occurrence and preparedness, or mitigation measures.

·         4 hrs/wk of independent study.

 

Assessment:

 

Semester-End Examination (SE):            40%

Continuous Assessment (CA):     60%

CA Assessment	Weight	Assessment Detail
Individual presentation	15%	Creation of brochure and sensitization plan for pre-planning  and mitigation of natural hazards (e.g flood, earthquake)
Poster presentation	15%	Group (2 students) poster on air pollution and climate change causes, effects, and mitigation measures
Practical reports	10%	Analysis report from air quality testing using dust sampler
Midterm Exam	20%

 

Pre-requisite knowledge: CLM101 Introduction to Climate and Weather Studies, ENM202 Water Resources Management, ENM203 Agriculture and Land Management

 

Subject matter:

 

              I.        Overview of environmental hazards

a.    Concept of risk, risk assessment, and risk management

b.    Types of environmental hazards

            II.        Biological hazards

a.    Infectious diseases: common types and examples, risk reduction thereof

b.    Non-transmissible diseases: genetic and lifestyle based, risk reduction thereof

           III.        Chemical hazards

a.    Types and categories (e.g. toxic, carcinogens, teratogens)

b.    Potential effects on health of humans and ecosystems

c.    Common sources, mobility, and mitigation measures

          IV.        Air Pollution

a.    Nature of the atmosphere: composition and function

b.    Natural and anthropogenic sources of atmospheric pollutants

c.    Significance, transport and dispersion of pollutants

d.    Local, regional & global air pollutants

e.    Historical development of temperature and climate on earth

f.     Sources and sinks of greenhouse gases

g.    Factors contributing to increasing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

h.    Recent scientific data favouring the theory that anthropogenic activities are key responsible for the enhanced greenhouse effect

i.      Impact of global warming/the enhanced greenhouse effect

j.      Strategies for prevention, mitigation and adaptation to global climate change (including carbon budgeting and the Kyoto Protocol)

k.    Stratospheric ozone depletion

l.      Acid deposition, photochemical smog & ozone depletion

m.   Health effects of air pollution

n.    Atmospheric pollutants control measures

o.    Air quality standards & regulations (local, regional & international)

p.    Indoor air pollution: health effect on human and environment

            V.        Review of land and water pollution

a.    Brief review of types, causes, impacts, and mitigation measures for land pollution

b.    Brief review of types, causes, impacts, and mitigation measures for water pollution

          VI.        Technological hazards 

a.    Industries and transportation: impacts and measures

b.    Technological hazards from the information revolution; impacts on environment

         VII.        Sociological hazards

a.    Crime, civil disorder, impacts and measures to protect life and properties and managing environment.

b.    Impacts of sociological hazards affect economy, ecosystems and livelihood.

        VIII.        Natural hazards

a.    Definitions

b.    Potentially hazardous natural phenomena: atmospheric, seismic, geologic, hydrologic, volcanic, weather-related; acute vs. long-term

c.    Anthropogenic activities exposing susceptibility/vulnerabilities to natural phenomena

d.    Mitigation efforts and sustainable development to minimize effects of natural hazards

e.    Hazards management and development planning (Integrated Development Planning for Natural Hazard Management)

 

Essential Readings:

 

1.    Datta, SK. (2006). Soil Conservation and Land Management, Published by International Book Distributors, Dehradun, India.

2.    Department of Regional Development and Environment Executive Secretariat for Economic and Social Affairs Organization of American States. (1991). Primer on Natural Hazard Management in Integrated Regional Development Planning: Ch 1. Incorporating Natural Hazard Management into the Development and Planning Process. https://www.oas.org/dsd/publications/Unit/oea66e/ch01.htm

3.    Gyelyong Tshokhang (2012). Waste Prevention and Management Regulation. Printed at Phama Printers and Publisher, Bhutan.

4.    Miller, G.T., and Spoolman, S.E. (2014). Environmental Science 14th Ed. New Delhi: Cengage Learning.

5.    Murnaghan, N. and Stocking, M. (2001). Handbook for the Field Assessment of Land Degradation, Earthscan Publication Ltd, London.

6.    National Environment Commission (2010).  Strategy for Air Quality Assessment and Management in Bhutan, Published by NEC, Thimphu.

7.    Prasad, S.N. (2008). Environmental Hazards: Challenges and Management. Pointer Publishers.

8.    Quarrie, J. (1992). Earth Summit ’92, The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. Rio de Janerio., Published by the Regency Press, London.

 

Additional Readings:

 

1. Barrow, C.J. (2012). Environmental Management for Sustainable Development, 2nd Edition, Routledge, London, New York.

2.    Boubel, R.W., Fox, D. L & Turner, B. (1994). Fundamentals of Air Pollution. Elsevier Science & Technology. USA.

3.    Carson, R. (2002). Silent Spring, 40^th Anniversary edition, Houghton Mifin, Publication, Boston.

4.    Cunningham, W. P. (2009). Principles of Environmental Science: Inquiry and Application, Published by Tata McGraw Hill, New Delhi

5.    Gupta, A. (2002). Environment pollution: Developed Countries vs Less Developed Countries, International Book distributors, Dehradun. India.

6.    Harrision, R. M (Ed.). (2001): Pollution: Causes, Effects and Control. Royal Society of Chemistry

7.    Hill, M. (2004). Understanding Environmental Pollution. Cambridge University Press

8.    Ives, J.D. and Messerli, B. (1989). The Himalayan Dilemma: Reconciling Development and Conservation. Routelage.

9.    National Environment Commission. (2008). Bhutan National Adaptation Programme of Action. Printed by Phama Printers, Thimphu

10.  National Environment Commission. (2012). Waste Prevention and Management Act of Bhutan, Gyelyong Tshokhang, Thimphu, Bhutan.

11.  Shyam, S. (2006). Air Pollution and its Impacts on Plant Growth. Eastern Book Corporation.

12.  Sherubtse Colllege. (1994). Bhutan and its Natural Resources, Workshop’s Proceedings, printed at Ramprintograph, New Delhi.

13.  Smith, K. (2013). Environmental Hazards: Assessing Risk and Reducing Disaster, 6^th Ed. Routelage.

14.  Viessman, W. Jr.  & Hammer M.J. (2005). Water Supply and Pollution Control. Pearson Education.

                           

Date last updated: May 30, 2015