Page 71 - ICSE GEOGRAPHY

carrying many people or large quantities or any source of ignition comes into contact
of goods and substances that can cause
direct or indirect damage to the public and
environment surrounding the site of the
accident. Th e eff ects of these accidents are
multiplied when several of the same or
diff erent types of vehicles are involved, or
when vehicles hit buildings sheltering people
or containing substances that are dangerous
to humans and to the environment.
Terrorism
Terrorism is an act of violence by humans
towards other human lives with the intent of
furthering political or social objectives. Th e
threat of terrorism aff ects all communities
around the world. Terrorists, both domestic
and international, have demonstrated that
they have the knowledge and capability to
strike anywhere in the world.
Industrial and Technological Disasters
Th ese are much larger in scale and are the
result of technological failures or industrial
accidents. Such disasters aff ect the local
population and may even cover a much larger
area. Industrial disasters occur due to the
accidental leakage of water or air pollutants.
Many of the chemicals are extremely toxic
and carcinogenic which aff ect the human
population in an adverse way. Some people
die instantly while others are crippled for
their whole lives in the form of blindness,
paralysis and many other physical disorders.
Fire Accidents
Accidents that are caused due to fi re are quite
common. Fire results in heavy damage of
both life and property. Th e loss of life is even
higher in a crowded building. Fire is caused
when a naked fl ame, cigarette, electric spark
carcinogenic: having the potential to cause cancer
grazier: a person who rears or fattens cattle or sheep for market
with any infl ammable material. Th ese can be
intentional or unintentional, for example,
graziers and gatherers of various forest
products start small fi res to obtain good
grazing grass as well as to facilitate gathering
of minor forest produce. In case a fi re breaks
out in a building, some safety measures that
should be followed are given below.
• Immediately pull the nearest fi re alarm
pull station as you exit the building.
• When evacuating the building, ensure to
put your hands on each door before you
open it, to determine whether it is hot or
cold. If it is hot, there might be fire on the
other side and you should not open that
door. Find another exit.
• If there is smoke in the air, keep close
to the ground, especially your head, to
reduce inhalation.
• Once away and clear from danger, call and
inform the concerned authorities about the
fire.
• Go to a safe area and await further
instructions from the emergency personnel.
Impact of Man-made Disasters
• Death of humans and livestock may
occur due to burning or serious injuries
from fi re. In rural areas, oft en the entire
harvested crop that has been securely
stored may catch fi re and burn to ashes
resulting in heavy losses to the owners.
• Th e industrial premises and close
surroundings are at a high risk in the event
of an industrial accident. Employees and
residents of nearby localities as well as
their livestock and crops are immediately
aff ected by industrial chemicals.
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