Environmental Studies(ES)

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Lesson 29: Environmental protection acts

The air (prevention and control of pollution) act

The government passed this act in 1981 to clean up out air by controlling pollution. It states that sources of air pollution such as industry, vehicles, power plants, etc., are not permitted to release particulate matter, lead, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or other toxic substances beyond a prescribed level. To ensure this, pollution control boards (PCBs) have been set up by government to measure pollution levels in the atmosphere and at certain sources by testing the air. This is measured in parts per million or in milligrams or micrograms per cubic meter.

The Government passed this act in 1981 to clean up our air by controlling pollution. It states sources of air pollution as –

• Industry, vehicles, power plants etc are releasing, particulate matter, lead, No & other organic compounds & toxic substances.
  
• The particulate matter & gases that are released by industry & by cars, buses & two wheelers is measured by using air - sampling equipment.
  
• The Act is created ‘to take appropriate steps for preservation of natural resources of earth which among other things include the level of air pollution.

Objectives:

1. To provide for the prevention, control and abatement of air pollution.
   
2. To provide for the establishment of central and State Boards with a view to implement the Act.
   
3. To confer the boards the power to implement the provisions of the Act & assign to the boards functions relating to pollution.

Measures:

1. Use cars only when absolutely necessary, walk or cycle as much as possible instead of using fossil fuel - powered vehicles.
   
2. Use public transport as far as possible, as more people can travel in a single large vehicle rather than using multiple small vehicles.
   
3. Share a vehicle space with relatives & friends, carpools minimize the use of fossil fuels.
   
4. Do not use air fresheners, other aerosols & sprays which contain CFCs that delete the O3 layer.
   
5. Do not smoke in public place.
   
6. Coughing can spread bacteria and viruses.
   
7. Use a handkerchief to prevent droplet infection which is air borne and it endangers the health of other people.

Individual’s responsibility to control air pollution:

1. Filling a letter when polluting vehicle is seen or when industry is polluting air.
   
2. Use cars only when absolutely necessary; walk or cycle as much as possible instead of using fossil fuel-powered vehicles.
   
3. Use public transport as far as possible, as more people can travel in a single large vehicle rather than using multiple small vehicles which add to pollution.
   
4. Share a vehicle space with relatives and friends; carpools
   
5. Minimize the use of fossil fuels.
   
6. Do not use air fresheners and other aerosols and sprays which contain CFCs that deplete the ozone layer.
   
7. Do not smoke in a public place.
   
8. Coughing can spread bacteria and viruses. Use a handkerchief to prevent droplet infection which is airborne, as it endangers the health of other people.
   
9. It is a citizen’s duty to report to the local authorities such as the collector, the PCB, and the press about offences made by a polluter so that action can be taken against the offender.