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Environmental engineering

Environmental engineering is the application of science and engineering principles to minimise the adverse effects of human activities on the environment (pollution of air, water, and/or land resources), and to provide healthful water, air and land for human habitation and for other organisms. Although it is widely considered impossible to eliminate all negative impact, it is thought human effects can be decreased and controlled through public education, conservation, regulations, and the application of good engineering practices (set up of processes, and facilities).

Development of environmental engineering

Two of the principal environmental problems are

"Pollutants" may be chemical, biological, thermal, radioactive, or even mechanical. Environmental engineering emphasizes several areas: process engineering, environmental chemistry, water and wastewater treatment (sanitary engineering), waste reduction, and pollution prevention. It is a synthesis, incorporating elements from civil engineering, chemical engineering, public health, mechanical engineering, chemistry, biology and geology.