The Pollutant release and transfer Register contains information and data on release of 91 pollutants into the natural environment. The PRTR provides the location, the quantity as well as the source of pollution.
The selection of the pollutants which are part of the PRTR has been based on their negative influence on the living world and natural environment. For the purpose of better understanding of the PRTR role, this text provides detailed explanations and definitions of the key elements arising from the PRTR.
The beginnings of the anthropogenic pollution of the planet Earth have been closely connected to the very development of mankind. The human-caused pollution dates back to the early use of fire, thousands of years ago. However, the anthropogenic pollution of the Earth produces more serious impact on the natural environment and other living world only in the last two centuries. The growth of the world population, supported by the industrial revolution, has significantly contributed for the anthropogenic pollution to have major impact on the entire planet Earth. Apart from the technological advancements, the industrial revolution has also enabled mass consumption of oil and its derivatives as primary fuel used for economic development. Therefore, the environmental pollution has been one of the biggest problems that our world is facing with and which, unfortunately, grows bigger with every passing year, whereas the damages caused on the Earth and the living world remain hard to get recovered.
By its definition, pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause harm or discomfort to humans and other living organisms, or that damage the natural environment, taking the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light. The components of pollution can be either naturally occurring contaminants or energy, but are considered contaminants when in excess of the acceptable natural levels. Thus, the pollution means introduction of substances into the air, water and soil, which violate the common biochemical and physical processes of the natural environment and which have negative impact on the living world.
Briefly, the environmental pollution occurs when the environment cannot process and neutralize the harmful by-products resulting from human activities (such as poisonous gas emissions) in due course, without any structural or functional damage to its system.
Actually, “due course” may mean lasting for long years of time, when the nature will attempt to decompose the pollutants; such an example is the fact that the complete decomposition of the radioactive contaminants may take thousands of years. The general conclusion would be that the pollution occurs, on one hand, because the natural environment does not know how to decompose the unnaturally generated elements (example, anthropogenic pollutants), and, on the other hand, there is a lack of knowledge on the part of humans on how to decompose these pollutants, or simply, find it hard investing in it.
By its definition, a pollutant is a substance or a group of substances introduced into the environment that has undesired effects, or adversely affects the usefulness of the resources. In short, the pollutants (contaminants) are the primary cause of the environmental pollution. Pollutants come in solid, liquid and gaseous form. In 1990, there were over 65 000 different chemical substances in the marketplace, being defined as potential environmental pollutants that can cause environmental pollution i.e. to be released into the water, the air and the soil. Today, these figures are significantly higher.
General characteristics of the environmental pollutants are as follows:
The PRTR encompasses 91 pollutants, which are grouped into 7 contaminant groups, as described below:
Molecular formula: As
CAS number: 7440-38-2
Boiling Point: 818°C
Melting Point: sublimes at 613°C
Pure arsenic is a grey-colored metal. It has crystalline appearance and is odorless. Arsenic is usually found in the environment combined with one or more other elements, such as oxygen, chlorine and Sulphur. Arsenic compounds are found in the natural environment in very small quantities.
Arsenic is used for wood preservation, glass production, bronzing and pyrotechniques.
Highest levels of arsenic release occur as a result of manmade activities, primarily as by-products of the smelting process for metals such as copper, lead and zinc. Second major source of arsenic emission, caused by human activities, is the combustion of coal. Drainage water from mines can also be a significant source of arsenic contamination of groundwater.
Long-term exposure to arsenic can cause health effects on the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system, heart and kidneys. Certain arsenic compounds can cause cancer and genetic disorders. Arsenic is toxic for the water ecosystems as well.