Pollution Control and Prevention

Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural

environment that cause adverse change. Pollution can take the form of any
substance (solid, liquid, or gas) or energy (such as radioactivity, heat, sound, or
light). Pollution affects the quality of life more than one can imagine. It works in
mysterious ways, sometimes which cannot be seen by the naked eye.
Pollution control is the process of reducing or eliminating the
release of pollutants into the environment. It is regulated by various
environmental agencies which establish pollutant discharge limits for air, water,
and land. Specific means of pollution control might include refuse disposal
systems such as sanitary landfills, emission control systems for
automobiles, sedimentation tanks in sewerage systems, the electrostatic
precipitation of impurities from industrial gas, or the practice of recycling. For
full treatment of major areas of pollution control, see air pollution
control, wastewater treatment, solid-waste management, and hazardous-waste
management. Ultimately the control of pollution involves a number of social
decisions which must be taken in favour of human life and environment.
Pollution control does not mean an abandonment of existing productive human
activities but their reordering so as to guarantee that their side effects do not
outweigh their advantages. It is apparent that pollution control, regardless of the
advanced state of its technology, will become a reality only when people
demand it and only when nations are willing to agree on appropriate
international standards. Initially the focus of pollution control was on cleaning
up the pollutants after they were generated. Though there was some
improvement brought about by this in the quality of the environment, such
regulations sometimes just caused the pollution to be shifted from one
environmental medium to another. As this was realized, it made more sense to
follow the path of pollution prevention rather than pollution control. Pollution
prevention includes all practices that reduce, eliminate or prevent pollution at its
source. This is also known as source reduction.

Pollution control measures for air pollution:

 Activated carbon is one of the most popular forms of air pollution control.
This type of control involves the use of a pollution filter, carbon, to reduce the
amount of pollutants that are allowed to escape into the air. When in use, these
filters absorb pollutants helping to cleanse the air of any possible toxins.
 Change in Fuel: This technique involves the use of less polluting fuel to
reduce air pollution. Use of low sulphur fuel instead of high sulphur fuel by
electric utilities is an example of this method.
 Use of oil with low ash content or natural gas for a dryer at an asphalt plant to
reduce particulate matter is another example of this method. Introduction of
compressed natural gas, propane, ethanol and oxygenated fuels for automobiles
have helped in the reduction of air pollutants.
 Nuclear power plants are relatively pollution free when compared to the coal
fired power plants. However, they have been subjects of controversy in their
overall environmental impact.

Pollution control measures for water pollution:

1. Use Phosphate-Free Detergent and Dish Cleaner:
You can further cut down on water pollution by using just enough of these
cleaners to do the job. Phosphates aren’t the only harmful chemicals in cleaners.
Phosphates lead to algae blooms and kill fish and other aquatic animals by
reducing the oxygen in the water. 

2. Dispose of Medical Waste Properly:

Never flush medicines down the toilet, and never dump them in the nearest
pond or creek. The drugs tend to accumulate in the water, and in fish and other
wildlife. Hormones and other compounds end up causing a variety of health
problems in fish and birds and contaminate drinking water that people and
livestock use.

3. Do Not Pour Fat and Grease Down the Drain:

Grease, fat, and used cooking oil should be disposed of in the trash or kept in a
“fat jar” for disposal with other solid waste. Your pipes might clog and cause
sewer pipes to clog and back up into yards and basements. The waste also
contaminates local bodies of water.
Pollution Prevention means eliminating and reducing the amount and toxicity of
potentially harmful substances at their sources, prior to generation, treatment,
off-site recycling or disposal. The general theory behind pollution prevention is
that if less hazardous waste is produced there is less danger to people and the
environment. Pollution prevention practices not only reduce waste, but also
improve safety and decrease disposal costs.  There are three general pollution
prevention strategies:
Source Reduction
Source reduction is any activity that reduces or eliminates the amount of
waste produced. Anyone working with hazardous materials may accomplish
this by good materials management, substitution of less hazardous materials,
and good operating procedures.
Good materials management means purchasing only the amount of chemicals
actually needed—purchasing in bulk quantities in order to save on the unit
price is often not economical when the disposal costs of excess chemicals are
factored in. Good operating procedures include planning procedures to reduce
the amount of waste, good housekeeping, labeling all chemical containers,
and handling and storing chemicals with spill prevention in mind.
 
Recycling
Recycling is any activity that uses unwanted materials for another purpose.
The MU chemical redistribution program is an example of recycling.
 
Treatment
Treatment is any activity that changes unwanted materials into a product that
is less hazardous. Many treatment procedures require government permits
unless conducted as part of the experimental process.  Before treating
unwanted hazardous materials, contact EHS for guidance to make sure the
procedures comply with government regulations.

 Pollution prevention approaches include:

 increasing efficiency in energy use;

 use of environmentally benign fuel sources.

In the agricultural sector, Pollution Prevention approaches include:

  Reducing the use of water and chemical inputs;
 Adoption of less environmentally harmful pesticides or cultivation of
crop strains with natural resistance to pests; and
 Protection of sensitive areas.

In the industrial sector, examples of Pollution Prevention practices include:

 Modifying a production process to produce less waste

 Using non-toxic or less toxic chemicals as cleaners, degreasers and other
maintenance chemicals
 Implementing water and energy conservation practices
 Reusing materials such as drums and pallets rather than disposing of them
as waste.

In homes and schools examples of Pollution Prevention practices include:

 Using reusable water bottles instead of throw-away

 Automatically turning off lights when not in use
 Repairing leaky faucets and hoses
 Switching to "green" cleaners