Question 11:

Recent years have seen increased national and international Protocols and Regulations
and national Acts and Legislation on the control of many forms of pollution. Discuss the
needs and consequences of observing these regulations with special reference to the
particular industry you are involved in.

Answer :

Introduction:
The modern industrial society has brought many advantages to mankind such as
improved standard of living and affluence. However, industry and machinery use in the
particular industry cause pollution. Pollution can come in various forms, i.e.: air
pollution, noise pollution, water pollution, land pollution etc. Direct pollution of the
environment by harmful gas emissions, waste water discharge and hazardous industrial
dumping (such as PVC, mercury, lead and cadmium) cause untold damages to both air
and ground water, the every basic elements sustaining life forms on Earth. We are finally
told of the harmful effects to the environment when halocarbon refrigerators are lost or
released to the atmosphere after blissfully using them for well over half a century.

Point 1:
With the increased national and international protocols on the control of pollution, the
consequences of it have brought benefit to control the environment and preserve the
balance of the eco-system. Air pollution generally caused by dust created in the
construction work. With the legislation imposed, offenders may be prosecuted and
thereby contractor will control the dusting through damping of the surrounding or carry-
out works in a controllable manner. Government agency such as DOSH has control over
the air pollution caused by construction sites. Stop work order may be issued for bad
performers.

Point 2:
Noise pollution generally comes from machinery for instance piling machine. The
regulations can control that by restricting the working time of the machine. For example,
no night work on the machine. Thereby, no discomfort to nearby residents. Recently,
legislation states that driven piles shall not be used around city area.

Point 3:
Land pollution generally from land clearing (jungle clearing, earthwork) for construction
which may cause erosion or landslide. Therefore, strict control regulation will force
contractor to prevent soil erosion or land slide by temporary protecting the cleared land in
the form of plastic sheet covering the slope or use of sand bags. Recently many landslide
cases along major highway occurred.

Point 4:
Water pollution generally comes from discharge of construction wastes into river thus
causing river to be septic or devoid of any life forms. High pollutants level will lead to an
increase in operational costs of water intake facilities. A survey done by DOE about 10
years ago (1993) found that only 27% out of 116 rivers inspected was unpolluted. This
percentage should be much lower by now.

Point 5:
Heat and light pollution usually happened in urban area. The modern design building
adopt a lot of reflective material to clad the building such as alucobon panel, glass,
metallic colored panel etc. The sun glaze was reflected to the surrounding and cause
additional heat and light the certain area. These has caused discomfort to the
neighborhood resident and also harmful to the wild life such as birds.

Conclusion:
Therefore, it is important for the protocols and regulations as well as the legislation of
Acts to be enforced to preserve the harmony of the environment which suites for life
forms. With good servicing practices like reclamation, recovery and recycling, and public
awareness on the consequences of ozone depletion and global warming, we should be
optimistic that good sense will ultimately prevail to make this planet a safer place for our
children and generations to come.