Interview Preparation CMR/MMR First Class/Second Class Part-5

68. What is greenhouse effect?

The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth’s surface. When the Sun’s energy reaches the Earth’s atmosphere, some of it is reflected back to space and the rest is absorbed and re-radiated by greenhouse gases.

The absorbed energy warms the atmosphere and the surface of the Earth. This process maintains the Earth’s temperature at around 33 degrees Celsius warmer than it would otherwise be, allowing life on Earth to exist.

Enhanced greenhouse effect: The problem we now face is that human activities – particularly burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas), agriculture and land clearing – are increasing the concentrations of greenhouse gases. This is the enhanced greenhouse effect, which is contributing to warming of the Earth.

Greenhouse effect

Step 1: Solar radiation reaches the Earth's atmosphere – some of this is reflected back into space.

Step 2: The rest of the sun's energy is absorbed by the land and the oceans, heating the Earth.

Step 3: Heat radiates from Earth towards space.

Step 4: Some of this heat is trapped by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, keeping the Earth warm enough to sustain life.

Step 5: Human activities such as burning fossil fuels, agriculture and land clearing are increasing the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.

Step 6: This is trapping extra heat, and causing the Earth's temperature to rise.

69. What are green house gases?

Greenhouse gases are those that absorb and emit infrared radiation in the wavelength range emitted by Earth. In order, the most abundant greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere are:

Water vapor (H2O)

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Methane (CH4)

Nitrous oxide (N2O)

Ozone (O3)

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Hydrofluorocarbons (including HCFCs and HFCs)

70. What is climate change?

Climate change, also called global warming, refers to the rise in average surface temperatures on Earth. An overwhelming scientific consensus maintains that climate change is due primarily to the human use of fossil fuels, which releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the air. The gases trap heat within the atmosphere, which can have a range of effects on ecosystems, including rising sea levels, severe weather events, and droughts that render landscapes more susceptible to wildfires.

71. What are the causes of climate change?

The primary cause of climate change is the burning of fossil fuels, such as oil and coal, which emits greenhouse gases into the atmosphere—primarily carbon dioxide.

Other human activities, such as agriculture and deforestation, also contribute to the proliferation of greenhouse gases that cause climate change.

While some quantities of these gases are a naturally occurring and critical part of Earth’s temperature control system, the atmospheric concentration of CO2 did not rise above 300 parts per million between the advent of human civilization roughly 10,000 years ago and 1900. Today it is at about 400 ppm, a level not reached in more than 400,000 years.

72. What are the effects of climate change?

Even small increases in Earth’s temperature caused by climate change can have severe effects. The earth’s average temperature has gone up 1.4° C over the past century and is expected to rise as much as 11.5° C over the next. That might not seem like a lot, but the average temperature during the last Ice Age was about 4º C lower than it is today.

Effects of climate change are:

• Rising sea levels due to the melting of the polar ice caps (again, caused by climate change) contribute to greater storm damage.
• Warming ocean temperatures are associated with stronger and more frequent storms
• Additional rainfall, particularly during severe weather events, leads to flooding and other damage;
• An increase in the incidence and severity of wildfires threatens habitats, homes, and lives.
• Heat waves contribute to human deaths and other consequences.

73. How do you think mining exacerbates the challenge of climate change?

Mining by its nature is antagonistic to climate protection. Mining increase the speed of global warming by the following:

• Deforestation and forest land clearance alters the land use pattern
• Burning of fossil fuel like coal produces Carbon dioxide
• Release of Methane which is a Green House gas
• Coal fire emits huge amount of pollutant in atmosphere

Apart from these mining is associated with several other problems like

• Damages and pollutes ecosystems
• Leave lands barren
• Subsidence
• Bring toxins to surface
• Acid mine drainage
• Harms workers' and residents' health
• Threat to mine workers
• Threats to local populations
• Contaminates water

74. What do you understand by Notified diseases?

Notified Disease is any disease that is required by law to be reported to enforcement agency. The collation of information allows the authorities to monitor and control the disease.

Notified diseases in mines are generally misdiagnosed either due to lack of facilities or expertise. Even if diagnosed due to fear of consequences leading to legalities and compensation, these diseases are usually under reported and hence, the objectives and efforts of enforcement agencies to control these diseases get hampered.

75. What are notified diseases related to mining?

Following diseases have been notified as the diseases connected with mining operations for the purpose of sub-section (1) of Section 25 of the Mines Act, 1952 :-

Silicosis: It is most common occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of airborne dust of silicon dioxide or silica in the crystalline form also known as quartz. It contributes to considerable morbidity and mortality of workers in metalliferrous mines.

Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis: It is fibrotic lung disease caused by inhalation of coal dust among workers employed in coal mines and is responsible for respiratory morbidity and decreased life expectancy.

Asbestosis: It is chronic inflammatory and fibrotic condition of lung caused due to inhalation of asbestos fibers dust. It is characterized by diffused interstitial fibrosis of the lung parenchyma often accompanied by thickening of visceral pleura.

Manganese Poisoning (Nervous type): A person with long term exposure to manganese dust can develop a nervous type of manganese poisoning characterized by muscular rigidity causing inability to walk properly and other neurological symptoms. Chronic manganese poisoning causes behavioral changes which can go unnoticed.

Cancer of lung or the stomach or pleura and peritoneum (i.e. mesothelioma): are associated with exposure to asbestos fibers dust and other carcinogens.

Noise Induced Hearing Loss: It is a cumulative permanent loss of hearing caused by long term exposure to high levels of noise which develops over the years. Contact dermatitis caused by direct contact with chemicals

Pathological manifestations due to Radium or Radioactive substances: The long term exposure to radioactive substances can cause cancers and genetic disorders.

76. Who appoints Certifying surgeons?

Certifying surgeons are appointed by the Central government.

Certifying surgeon may authorise any qualified medical practitioner to exercise any of his powers under Mines Act.

77. What are the conditions of appointment of certifying surgeons?

The owner, agent or manager of a mine or who is directly or indirectly interested in the mines cannot be appointed or authorised to exercise the powers of a certifying surgeon.

78. What are the functions of Certifying Surgeons?

Functions of Certifying Surgeons includes:

• To carry out the examination and certification of adolescents under Mines Act.
• The examination of persons engaged in a mine in dangerous occupations
• The exercise of medical supervision in cases of illness caused due to mining operations

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