Environment Management

1. Environment Management Air Pollution

2. Air Pollution • DEFINITIONS • According to The Environmental Protection Act, 1986, “Environment” includes Water, Air, Land and their inter-relationships with human beings, other living creatures, plants and micro-organisms. • “Air Pollution” is the state of the environment in which the outer ambient atmosphere contains gases and other materials in concentrations harmful to man and the environment. • The atmosphere is being polluted by discharge of “emissions” from: • a) Industrial plants; • b) Domestic sources; • c) Mobile vehicles; and • d) Thermal Power plants. • Both in developed and developing countries, the urban areas in particular, are exposed to high levels of SPM, SOx, NOx, CO, Hydrocarbons and other toxic substances which cause serious hazard to public health and hygiene. • There are “standards” laid down and legislation enacted against pollution. Managers must be aware of these laws and ensure that they remain within the legal limits. Dr. B. K. Mukherjee

3. Air Pollution (contd.) • The Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 defines “Air Pollutant” as any “solid, liquid or gaseous substance (including Noise) present in the atmosphere in such concentrations as may be, or tend to be, injurious to human beings, other living creatures, plants, property or environment.” • “Air Pollution” means the presence in the atmosphere of any ‘Air Pollutant’. • “Emission” is defined as “any solid/liquid/gaseous substance coming out or • discharged from any chimney/duct/any other outlet.” • INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS • Air pollution is problem at local or national level, but sometimes it may emanate in one country and may engulf neighbouring countries. • Earliest efforts were at 1957-58 WHO “Clean Air Conference”, and later at the Stockholm Conference in 1972. • In 1974, some major industrial countries of the world (19 European countries+Australia, Canada, Japan) convened a meeting where two basic principles were evolved: • “Polluter pays”, i.e, Polluter must pay for ill-effects of pollution; and • Concept of “Transfrontier control of Air Pollution”, i.e, welfare and protection of health of living beings of not just one state but of the whole world. Dr. B. K. Mukherjee

4. Legal framework in India • INDIA’S EFFORTS AT CONTROL OF AIR POLLUTION • Big cities are facing problems due to concentration of industries, power plants and vehicular emissions. The Air (P&CP) Act, 1981 was enacted pursuant to the Stockholm Conference, but certain laws and Acts were present evenearlier: • The Factories Act, 1948 • Sec.48 deals with dust, fumes, harmful gases, humidity, etc. (hazardous working conditions) and contains provisions for regulation of temperature, lighting, exhaust, ventilation, etc. • Sec.37 is meant to regulate air pollution and explosive/inflammable conditions by prescribing safety steps to be followed, especially in the case of repairs/welding in enclosed tanks and vessels, etc. • The Factories (Amendment) Act, 1987relates to “hazardous processes”. • The First Schedule lists 17 industries involving hazardous processes, including • metallurgical, chemical, drugs and pharmaceutical industries, foundries, coal, paper & pulp, fertilizer, cement, petroleum, rubber, paints, leather tanning and electroplating. • The Act lays down detailed provisions for all safety measures to be taken against dangerous fumes, gases, vapours or dust emanating from a process, especially entry into tanks, vessels or confined spaces (Sec.36). • Sec.5 of the Act deals with regulation of prospecting and mining operations. Dr. B. K. Mukherjee

5. Legal framework (contd.) • The Industrial (Development & Regulation) Act, 1951contains provisions for development and regulation of certain types of industries through licensing, especially hazardous and polluting industries. • The Mines & Minerals (Regulation & Development) Act, 1957relates to natural resources of the earth and preservation of quality of air, control of air pollution, etc. • The Air (P & CP) Act, 1981: Herein various provisions, restrictions and standards have been prescribed. • Under the Air (P&CP) Amendment Act, 1987, harsher penalties have also been prescribed. • The Motor Vehicles Act & Rules, 1988: • Emission standards of Petrol and Diesel driven vehicles (Euro/Bharat I/II/III norms) have been set; • Manufacture of 2-stroke engines discontinued and old commercial vehicles to be scrapped; • Catalytic converters and Lead-free petrol introduced all over the country; • CNG, LPG and low-sulphur Diesel promoted as green fuels for vehicles. Dr. B. K. Mukherjee

6. Exponential curve (Logarithmic progression) Intensity dB Noise Pollution ‘Noise’ is unwanted, unpleasant sound. It is measured in decibels (dB), which follows a logarithmic (and not arithmetic) progression, hence an exponential curve. This means the intensity of 2 dB is 10 times the intensity of 1 dB; 3 dB = 10 times 2 dB = 100 times 1 dB, and so on. Example of Sound Intensities 20 dB = whisper 60 dB = normal conversation 100 dB = conversation in running train/factory 120 dB = thunder 140 dB = painful and irritating noise 150 dB = jet aircraft taking off • This is what constitutes “Noise Pollution” (anything above 100 dB). • Attitude and “Annoyance thresholds” are also determining factors (age, • personal preferences, etc), hence Noise pollution is subjective; • Noise pollution affects health physiologically, psychologically and • behaviourally, especially in children, older people and animals/pets. Dr. B. K. Mukherjee

7. Noise Pollution (contd.) • SOURCES OF NOISE • a) Industry (Sheet metal/fabrication), b) Road traffic, c) Trains, d) Aircraft, • e) Construction activity (Pneumatic drills/tools), f) Loudspeakers, etc. • CONTROL OF NOISE POLLUTION • By using noise control devices, insulation, silencers/mufflers, etc; • Proper preventive maintenance of equipment and machines; • Creating “Noise-free zones”, eg. near Hospitals, Schools, etc. (Mumbai High Court); • By legal means. • LEGAL FRAMEWORK • The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988makes it mandatory for vehicles to have: • Silencers to conform to noise standards; • Only BIS-approved ‘Horns’, except for Ambulances, Police and Fire-fighting vehicles; • Indian Penal Code (Sec.268)contains provisions to regulate the use of loudspeakers beyond certain hours and penalise the creation of loud noise by firecrackers, etc. • However, it is seen that the political will to tackle this problem of Noise pollution is often lacking. Dr. B. K. Mukherjee