Types of Pollution and Legislations

Air Pollution: Air pollution is the introduction of particulates, biological materials, or other harmful
materials into the Earth's atmosphere, possibly causing disease, death to humans, damage to other
living organisms such as food crops, or the natural or built environment.
The atmosphere is a complex natural gaseous system that is essential to support life on planet Earth.
Stratospheric ozone depletion due to air pollution has long been recognized as a threat to human
health as well as to the Earth's ecosystems.
Indoor air pollution (tackled by Airlog) and urban air quality are listed as two of the worlds worst
toxic pollution problems in the 2008 Blacksmith Institute World's Worst Polluted Places report.[1]
According to the 2014 WHO report, in 2012 the air pollution caused the deaths of around 7 million
people worldwide.
Common gaseous pollutants include carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
and nitrogen oxides produced by industry and motor vehicles. Photochemical ozone and smog are
created as nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons react to sunlight. Particulate matter or fine dust is
characterized by their micrometre size PM10 to PM2.5.
Legislations:
The Government of India enacted the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 to
arrest the deterioration in air quality. The Act prescribes the various functions of the CPCB at
the apex level and SPCB at the state level.


The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981 empowers the CPCB to perform the
functions of the SPCB for all UTs. The same act also provides that CPCB may delegate all or
any of its powers and functions of a State Board in a UT under the said Acts to such person or
body of persons as the Central Government may specify. For Delhi, the CPCB has delegated
all its powers and functions as a State Board in respect of the UT of Delhi to a committee of
officials as specified by the Central Government in March, 1991. It empowered the central
board- the CPCB to create and enforce air quality standards.
DPSP: Art 48A: The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to
safeguard the forests and wild life of the country.
Meanwhile, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 was created in order to prioritize
environmental protection and degradation. The act highlights the responsibility of the Central
government to control the sources and effects of pollution providing for both executive and
legislative functions. This is augmented by the National Environment Policy, 2006 which
built on the existing environmental policies to guide regulatory reform; programs and projects
for environmental conservation; and review and enactment of legislations by Central, State
and Local Government
National Environmental Tribunal Act, 1995 was recently updated into the National Green
Tribunal Bill, 2009 recently passed in Parliament. The bill provides the judicial function not
afforded by the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. It aims to set up environment courts in
the country, replacing the National Environmental Appellate Authority (NEAA) in the
settling of environment- and public health-related conflicts.
For vehicles and motorization, the Motor Vehicles Bill, 1988 amended in 2007 regulates of
transport and traffic systems in cities. The 2007 amendment set better regulation strategies
with in urban territories. The Auto Fuel Policy, 2002 recognized the need for the quick
adoption of emission norms and the updated information on air quality. The National Urban
Transport Policy, 2006 centralizes legislation concerning urban transport. The policy seeks to
coordinate and hold accountable the several agencies and institutions related with urban
transport as well as promote clean transport taking into account economic and social
activities.
National Tariff Policy, 2006 which encourages the use of renewable energy by the use of
preferential tariffs with regards to conventional energy sources by distribution companies
Water Pollution: Water pollution is a major global problem which requires ongoing evaluation and
revision of water resource policy at all levels (international down to individual aquifers and wells). It
has been suggested that it is the leading worldwide cause of deaths and diseases, and that it accounts
for the deaths of more than 14,000 people daily. An estimated of 580 people in India die of water
pollution related illness every day. Around 90% the water in the cities of China is polluted, and as of
2007, half a billion Chinese had no access to safe drinking water. In addition to the acute problems of
water pollution in developing countries, developed countries continue to struggle with pollution
problems as well. In the most recent national report on water quality in the United States, 45 percent
of assessed stream miles, 47% of assessed lake acres, and 32 percent of assessed bays and estuarine
square miles were classified as polluted. The head of Chinas national development agency in 2007
said 1/4
th
the length of China's seven main rivers were so poisoned the water harmed the skin.
Water is typically referred to as polluted when it is impaired by anthropogenic contaminants(by the
discharge of wastewater from commercial and industrial waste (intentionally or through spills) into
surface waters; discharges of untreated domestic sewage, and chemical contaminants, such as
chlorine, from treated sewage; release of waste and contaminants into surface runoff flowing to
surface waters (including urban runoff and agricultural runoff, which may contain chemical fertilizers
and pesticides); waste disposal and leaching into groundwater; eutrophication and littering) and either
does not support a human use, such as drinking water, or undergoes a marked shift in its ability to
support its constituent biotic communities, such as fish. Natural phenomena such as volcanoes, algae
blooms, storms, and earthquakes also cause major changes in water quality and the ecological status
of water.
Legislations:
THE WATER (PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF POLLUTION) ACT, 1974 AND ITS
AMENDMENTS: The purpose of this act is to provide for the prevention and control of
water pollution and the maintenance or restoring wholesomeness of water for the
establishment, with a view to carrying out the purpose of aforesaid of Boards for the
prevention and control of water pollution, for conferring on and assigning to such Boards
powers and functions relating thereto and for matters connected therewith.
THE WATER (PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF POLLUTION) CESS ACT, 1977: This
law provides for the levy and collection of a Cess on water consumed by persons carrying on
certain industries and by local authorities, with a view to augment the resources of the Central
and State Boards for the prevention and control of water pollution constituted under the Water
(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974

THE ENVIRONMENT (PROTECTION ACT, 1986): The Act was enacted to provide for
the protection and improvement of environment and for matters connected therewith. this act
defined environment which includes water, air, and land and the inter-relationship which
exists among and between water, air and land, and human beings, other living creatures,
plants, micro-organisms and property. It also defined a hazardous substance as any
substance or preparation which, by reason of its chemical or physics-chemical properties, or
handling, is liable to cause harm to human beings, other living creatures, plants,
microorganisms, property or the environment.
National Environmental Tribunals Act of 1995
NATIONAL APPELLATE AUTHORITY ACT OF 1997
HAZARDOUS WASTE (MANAGEMENT AND HANDLING) RULES, July 1989
Noise pollution: Noise pollution is the disturbing or excessive noise that may harm the activity or
balance of human or animal life. The source of most outdoor noise worldwide is mainly caused by
machines and transportation systems, motor vehicles, aircraft, and trains. Outdoor noise is
summarized by the word environmental noise. Poor urban planning may give rise to noise pollution,
since side-by-side industrial and residential buildings can result in noise pollution in the residential
areas.
Indoor noise can be caused by machines, building activities, and music performances, especially in
some workplaces. There is no great difference whether noise-induced hearing loss is brought about by
outside (e.g. trains) or inside (e.g. music) noise. High noise levels can contribute to cardiovascular
effects in humans, a rise in blood pressure, and an increase in stress and vasoconstriction, and an
increased incidence of coronary artery disease.
Legislations:
The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000: he State Government may
categorize the areas into industrial, commercial, residential or silence areas/zones for the
purpose of implementation of noise standards for different areas; take measures for abatement
of noise including noise emanating from vehicular movements and ensure that the existing
noise levels do not exceed the ambient air quality standards specified under these rules. All
development authorities, local bodies and other concerned authorities while planning
developmental activity or carrying out functions relating to town and country planning shall
take into consideration all aspects of noise pollution as a parameter of quality of life to avoid
noise menace and to achieve the objective of maintaining the ambient air quality standards in
respect of noise. An area comprising not less than 100 metres around hospitals, educational
institutions and courts may be declared as silence area/zone for the purpose of these rules.
The noise levels in any area/zone shall not exceed the ambient air quality standards in respect
of noise. A loud speaker or a public address system shall not be used except after obtaining
written permission from the authority. A loud speaker or a public address system shall not be
used at night (between 10.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m.) except in closed premises for communication
within, e.g. auditoria, conference rooms, community halls and banquet halls. A person may, if
the noise level exceeds the ambient noise standards by 10 dB(A) or more given in the
corresponding columns against any area/zone, make a complaint to the authority.

Land pollution: The term land pollution cannot be defined due the comprehensiveness involved with
the same. Land pollution may be explained as de-spoilation of the landscape human being
survives on. It may be also be defined as any physical activity or chemical alteration to land which
causes its use to change and render it incapable of beneficial use without treatment. Alternatively, it
is the misuse, disuse and contamination of land.
Majorly caused due to dumping and improper disposal of industrial and domestic waste along
with semi-solid waste resulting from agriculture
Municipal solid waste is another major reason for pollution
Exposure to radioactive substances
Deforestation
Legislations:
Forest Conservation Act 1980-addresses deforestation
Environmental Protection Act