Social Science (087) — CBSE Class 10 board question

Measures to Reduce Industrial Pollution:

1. Water Pollution Control:

• Minimise use of water in processing by reusing and recycling it in successive stages.
• Harvest rainwater to meet water requirements.
• Treat hot water and effluents before releasing them into rivers and ponds through three stages:
• Primary – mechanical means (screening, grinding, flocculation, sedimentation)
• Secondary – biological process
• Tertiary – biological, chemical and physical processes including recycling of wastewater.

1. Air Pollution Control:

• Fit smoke stacks with electrostatic precipitators, fabric filters, scrubbers and inertial separators to reduce particulate matter.
• Use oil or gas instead of coal to reduce smoke.

1. Noise Pollution Control:

• Fit generators with silencers; use noise-absorbing materials and earplugs.
• Redesign machinery to reduce noise.

1. Groundwater Protection:

• Overdrawing of groundwater by industries must be legally regulated.

Source: Control of Environmental Degradation, Chapter 6

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• Examiners expect categorised points (water, air, noise, groundwater) since the question is 5 marks — roughly 5 distinct measures.
• The three-phase treatment (primary, secondary, tertiary) is a frequently asked detail; always name all three with a brief description.
• Avoid writing about causes of pollution — the question asks only for measures/steps to reduce it.
• NTPC example can be added as a case study if you have space, but the core points above are sufficient for full marks.