Need for Pollution Control

Why pollution control is needed: Pollution prevention or control is needed to preserve precious environmental resources and improve environmental quality, so that these resources can be used for the benefit of mankind and to improve people's health and well-being.

• The amount of damage to a particular medium (air, water or land) depends on the type of pollutant, the amount disposed of, and the distance from the source.
• But all pollutants alter the quality of the environment and, to some degree, make it unfit to sustain normal life.
• People are now raising their voices loudly against pollution-generating activities, and business enterprises cannot remain unaffected by environmental destruction. They must take pollution-control measures not only to avoid criticism but also to enjoy other benefits.

Reasons that make a case for pollution control:

• (i) Reduction of health hazards: There is growing evidence that diseases such as cancer, heart attacks and lung complications are caused by pollutants. Pollution control checks the seriousness of such diseases and supports healthy life.
• (ii) Reduced risk of liability: An enterprise may be held liable to pay compensation to people affected by the toxicity of the gaseous, liquid and solid wastes it releases. Installing pollution-control devices is therefore sound business policy that reduces this risk.
• (iii) Cost savings: An effective pollution-control programme saves operating costs. Improper production technology creates greater waste, which raises the cost of waste disposal and of cleaning the plant — costs that control measures reduce. …