Environment and Disaster Management › Pollution

Chemicals, noise, light and soil pollution

Pollution that is not air, water or waste: pesticides, the ozone layer, light and contaminated soil. Environmental pollution is part of the GS3 syllabus.

Foundation note: The four chemicals conventions, and India's noise limits

Showing 1 of 3 articles, those that changed from 1 July to 30 September 2026.Show all

Lead and toxic sites near schools

Prelims and Mains

Lead is a neurotoxin that lowers IQ and attention in children, and in Indian cities much of the exposure comes from informal recycling of lead batteries near where children live and study.

What changed

29 Jul 2026BriefA Center for Global Development report mapped schools against documented toxic sites in 17 countries. Over 90 per cent of New Delhi's private schools lie within 5 km of one, the highest of any capital. The Hindu, 29 Jul 2026: Urban Indian private schools at risk of proximity to toxic lead sites: report (opens in a new tab)