CH - 07

C-7
Air and Noise Pollution
Chapte
7 r
Copyright © 2003, 1999, N K Uberoi
7– 1 Environmental Management (2nd Edition) N K Uberoi Excel Books

C-7
Introduction
According to Environment Protection Act (1986), Environment includes water,
air, land and their inter relationship with human beings, other living creatures,
plants and micro-organisms. Pollution refers to the presence of substances in air,
water and land, whether they result from human activity or occur naturally which
have adverse effects on human and on environment. Air pollution is thus the
state of environment in which the outer atmosphere gets contaminated with
gases and other materials in concentration which are harmful to man and
environment. The contamination of air occurs because the contaminants cannot
be absorbed by natural environmental cycles.

C-7
International Efforts in Controlling Air Pollution

Air pollution is a problem at local or national level but sometime it may emanate
in one country and may engulf the neighbouring countries.
It seems that earliest effort at air pollution control was made by the 1957-58
WHO Conference. It is known as “Clean Air Conference”. Later a symposium
was held on Epidemiology of Air Pollution at the regional office of WHO for
Europe in 1966. The 1972 Stockholm Conference was the first major effort to
discuss control of pollution including air pollution.
In 1974 some of the major industrial countries of the world (19 European
countries, Australia, Canada and Japan) convened a meeting for the control of
air pollution. In this meeting two basic principles were evolved:
i. Polluter must pay for pollution, and
ii. Transfrontier air pollution be controlled. Copyright © 2003, 1999, N K Uberoi

C-7
India’s Efforts in Controlling Air Pollution

The Root Cause in India*
Air pollution has been caused by developments that typically occur as countries
become industrialised: growing cities, increasing traffic, rapid economic
development and industrialisation, and higher levels of energy consumption. The
migration of population to urban areas, increase in consumption patterns and
unplanned urban and industrial development have led to the problem of air
pollution. Between 1951 and 1991, the urban population has tripled, from 62.4
million to 217.6 million, and its proportion has increased from 17.3% to 25.7%
1. Increase in Number of Vehicles
2. Increase in Industrial Activity
3. Increase in Power Generation
4. Domestic Pollution
5. Other Sources
6. Air Pollutant Emission Load
7. Vehicular Emissions
8. Ambient Air Quality Copyright © 2003, 1999, N K Uberoi

C-7
Range and mean of annual averages (1990-98) of SPM in various cities
Maximum
Minimum
700
Range and Mean of Annual Average of SPM (mg/m3)
Average
600
500
400 NAAQS industrial area
300
200 NAAQS residential area
100
0
Che Ban Hyd Pondi Nag Pune Mum Cha Ahm Bho Jai How Pat Del Cal Kan
Cont….

C-7
Maximum
120
Minimum
Range and mean of annual average of Sulphur dioxide
Average
100
NAAQS industrial area

80
NAAQS residential area

(mg/m3)
60
40
20
0
Nag Cha Jai Bho Kan Hyd Che Pat Del Ahm Ban Mum Pune Pondi Cal How
Range and mean of annual averages (1990-98) of SO2 in Various Cities Cont….

C-7
Maximum
Range and mean of annual average of Nitrogen dioxide (mg/m3)
250 Minimum
Average
200
150
100
NAAQS industrial area
50 NAAQS residential area
0
Nag Che Kan Cha Bho Ban Pat Jai Ahm Hyd Del Mum Cal Pondi Pune How
Range and mean of annual averages (1990-98) of NO2 in various cities Cont….

C-7
Our Industry Air Polluting Industrial Sectors in India

High Potential Low Potential
Despite these Acts, the Aluminum smelter Pesticides
problem of air pollution Asbestos Pharmaceuticals
Battery manufacturing Glass manufacturing
in India (Urban and Cement plants Boilers for steam generation
Industrial Estates) Copper smelters Sugar
Carbon Black Fermentation industries
continues to remain
Calcium Carbide Dyes and Dye Intermediates
serious. Industry is Coke Oven units Tanneries
second largest source Fertiliser industries Small Furnaces in recycling
Integrated Iron & Steel plants Rubber reclamation
of air pollution after the
Mining Lead, Chromium
transport sector. The Oil refineries Nickel recycling
Industries which are Petrochemicals Plastic recycling
Pulp and Paper Secondary metallurgical, recycling units
categorised as Air Refractories Stone Crushing units
Polluting are listed in Sulphuric Acid plants Textile processing
Table below. Thermal Power plants
Zinc smelters
Foundries
Ferro Alloys

C-7
Factories Act, 1948

Industries are the main cause for causing pollution. The Factories Act, 1948, as
amended by the Act of 1987, contains provisions for preventing pollution. Section
48 of the Act runs:
In every factory in which, by reasons of the manufacturing process, there is given
off any dust or fume or other impurity of such a nature and to such an extent as
is likely to be injurious or offensive for the workers employed therein, or any dust
in substantial quantities, effective measures shall be taken to prevent its
inhalation and accumulation in any work-room.
In any factory no stationary internal combustion engine shall be operated unless
the exhaust is conducted into the open air, and no other internal combustion
engine shall be operated in any room unless effective measures have been
taken to prevent such accumulation of fumes therefrom as are likely to be
injurious to workers employed in the room.

C-7
Industrial (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951

The Industrial (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951 makes provisions for the
development and regulation of certain industries through licensing. Although we
are now closing the era of industrial licensing, we are yet retaining the power to
permit opening up some industries, particularly, hazardous and polluting
industries, only by a licence. The most important provision is the one which
places burden of proof on the person who violates the conditions of the licence.
Section 28 lays down:
“Where any person prosecuted for contravening any order made under
Section 18 G which prohibits him from doing an act without a permit …..
the burden of proving that he has such authority, permit ….. shall be on
him”.

C-7
Mines and Mineral (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957

The Mines and Mineral (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957 of the natural
resources of the earth which, among other things, includes the preservation of
the quality of air and control of air pollution.

C-7
Water and Air Pollution Boards

With a view to preventing and controlling air pollution, the Air Act (1981)
contemplates for the establishment of Central and State Water Pollution Boards.
Since the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act (1974), a statute
passed earlier, stipulated to establish similar Boards, now these Boards have
been amalgamated and are called Water and Air Pollution Boards.
The Water and Air Pollution Boards are given the status of body corporate
having perpetual success on and a common seal with power to acquire and
dispose of property, to enter into contracts in its name, and to sue and be sued in
the court of law in its name.

C-7
Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981

To counter the problems associated with air pollution, ambient air quality
standards were established, under the Air Act (1981). The Act provides means
for the control and abatement of air pollution. The Act seeks to combat air
pollution by prohibiting the use of polluting fuels and substances, as well as by
regulating appliances that give rise to air pollution. Under the Act establishing or
operating of any industrial plant in the pollution control area requires consent
from state boards. The boards are also expected to test the air in air pollution
control areas, inspect pollution control equipment, and manufacturing processes.
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for major pollutants were
notified by the CPCB in April 1994.
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Rules formulated in 1982, defined
the procedures for conducting meetings of the Pollution Control Boards, the
powers of the presiding officers, decision-making, the quorum, manner in which
the records of the meeting were to be set, etc. Copyright © 2003, 1999, N K Uberoi

C-7
Management of Air Pollution

The poor air quality specially of urban India shows a dismal picture. Legislation
to deal with the problem came only as reactions to serious episodes of
accidental industrial gas leaks like the Bhopal disaster. Whatever little legal
development took place up to the 1990s, it was focussed on stationary sources
of pollution like industries and thermal power plants – and remained almost blind
to air pollution crisis from mobile sources like vehicles.
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act came into being in 1981. The
Act provided for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution. In areas
notified under this act, no industrial pollution causing activity could come up
without the permission of the concerned state pollution Control Board.
EPA (1986) is an umbrella legislation designed to provide a framework for the
Central Government to coordinate activities of various central and state
authorities established under previous laws such as the Water Act and Air Act.
Cont…. Copyright © 2003, 1999, N K Uberoi

C-7
Regulation of Vehicular pollution

Progressive Revision of Emission Standards for Indian Vehicles (1991-2000)
Types of vehicles and pollutants April 1991 standard April 1996 standard April 2000 standard
Petrol vehicles: 2-wheelers
CO (gm/km) 15-35 4.5 2.4
HC (gm/km) 10-12 – –
HC+NOx (gm/km) – 3.6 2.4
Petrol vehicles: 3-wheelers
CO (gm/km) 40 6.8 4.8
HC (gm/km) 15 – –
HC+NOx (gm/km) – 5.40 2.4
Petrol vehicles: cars
CO (gm/km) 14.3-27.1 8.68-12.40 3.16
HC (gm/km) 2.0-2.9 – –
HC+NOx (gm/km) – 3.00-4.36 1.13
Limits for
type approval
Cont….

C-7
Diesel vehicles*
CO (gm/kwh) 14.0 11.2 4.5
HC (gm/kwh) 3.5 2.4 1.1
NOx (gm/kwh) 18.0 14.4 8.0
PM (gm/kwh)*** – – 0.36
PM (gm/kwh)**** – – 0.61
Diesel vehicles**
CO (gm/kwh) 14.0 11.2 4.5
HC (gm/kwh) 3.5 2.4 1.1
NOx 18.0 14.4 8.0
PM (gm/kwh)*** – – 0.36
PM (gm/kwh)**** – – 0.61
Note: *: grass vehicle weight>3.5 tonnes **: grass vehicle weight <3.5 tonnes
***: engines with power exceeding 85kw ****: engines with power equal to or less than 85kw
kwh: kilowatthour gm/km: gramme per kilometre
PM: particulate matter CO: Carbon Monoxide
NO: Nitrous Oxide HC: Hydro Carbon
Cont….

C-7
Comparison of Notified 2000 AD Emission Norms for Diesel Cars in India with the Euro Norms
Country Type diesel cars Effective from (date) CO HC+NOx PM
gm/km g/km g/km
Europe For passenger cars up to 6 seats 1.7.92 (new models) 3.16 1.13 0.18
All except direct injection diesel engines 31.12.92 (all models) __ __ __
Direct injection diesel engines Until 30.6.94 3.16 1.13 0.18
Europe Indirect injection system 1.1.97 1.0 0.7 .08
Direct injection 1.1.97 1.0 0.9 0.1
Direct injection diesel engines 1.10.99 1.0 0.7 0.08
Europe Proposal A 2000 0.64 0.56 0.05

Proposed EU Proposal B 2005 0.50 0.30 0.025
Emission limits Proposal EU Parliament 0.5 0.1 0.04
for passenger cars
for 2000/2005
India Diesel vehicles with reference mass 2000 3.16 1.13 0.18
equal to or less than 1,250 kg* (limits
for conformity of production)
Note: * In Europe this category of weight is classified as light commercial vehicles. Passenger cars are listed
separately. In Europe, after 1994, norms for type approval and conformity of production (COP) are the
same. Figures prior to 1994 are COP figures. Cont….

C-7
Measurement of Emission for vehicles and market

While at one level, emissions standards are weak, at another level, technical
parameters for measuring mass emissions, which have a significant bearing on
actual emission levels, are played around with to make them even weaker. Since
1991, parameters such as cold and warm start emissions and urban driving cycle
for laboratory testing of vehicular emission, have been modified to reduce the
severity of emission standards.
Emission norms – 2000 and 2005
The most serious criticism of the Indian mass emission regulations is that even in
the year 2000 India enforced outdated European emission regulations. India in
2000 enforced the Euro I standards which Europe had enforced way back in
1992-93 and Euro II standards in 2001.
According to official sources in CPCB, EURO III is being considered as one of
Cont….
the possible options for enforcement in 2005.

C-7
Distorted prices of fuels and automobile industry

Cheap diesel prices and extremely lax emission standards for diesel cars make
diesel models very attractive. TELCO, which has ventured into the car market for
the first time, has introduced the 1,400 cc diesel Indica Mint. Threatened by the
TELCO’s entry, Maruti has already introduced the diesel Zen. Premier
Automobiles Ltd. has launched 1,700 cc diesel Fiat Uno, Mercedes Benz, India
Ltd. has added a diesel variant, E250, to its E class series. Mahindra Ford has
flagged off diesel Escort. General Motors India has launched Astra diesel.
Hindustan Motors and Mistubishi have jointly introduced the diesel Lancer.
Crompton and Greaves brought out their diesel three-wheeler — Garuda — in
1996. Afraid of losing its market share, Bajaj, too, has developed a diesel three-
wheeler.
Quality of Petrol – LEAD VS BENZENE
Fuel policies are being implemented without considering the full pollution
implication. The most glaring example is that of changing the fuel composition to
tackle the threat posed by high level of airborne lead.
Indian fuel standards mandate benzene level in unleaded petrol at 5 per cent,
whereas the world standard is 1 per cent. Cont…. Copyright © 2003, 1999, N K Uberoi

C-7
State Level Planning

Though urban air pollution has emerged as a serious problem in the last decade,
the government’s efforts to deal with the problem are very localised.
Some state governments, particularly in severely polluted cities like Delhi,
Mumbai and Calcutta, have begun looking into this critical issue. Due to
increased public awareness and judicial intervention in response to public
interest litigation, state governments have become a little more active only in the
last two to three years to frame action plans.
Industrial pollution
The government has approached the problem of industrial pollution at two levels
— by setting emission standards for industries and through land-use plans to
segregate industries from residential areas. But enforcement has encountered
serious problems. The effort of government agencies, prompted in most cases
by legal action, has been to order the closure of polluting companies. But, after
many such orders, the effectiveness of this strategy is yet to be assessed. Cont….

C-7
Thermal power plants

Thermal power plants have emerged as one of the major polluters in urban India.
Reportedly, more than 40 of the approximately 70 plants in the country have not
been complying with the standards and are spewing out as much as 40 million
tonnes of fly ash every year.
An Innovative Management
An appropriate approach for management of air pollution would be to tackle the
individual pollutant in a way that is practical and sustainable. Let us take the
case of controlling carbon emission by studying carbon cycle. The concentration
of CO2 in the atmosphere is the outcome of a natural cycle, the carbon cycle.
Carbon is continuously released into the atmosphere and is continuously
reabsorbed. Prior to industrialisation rates of release and absorption were
approximately in balance but now human intervention has changed this balance
towards net release.
Finally, substitution of conventional energy sources (fossil fuels) by non-
conventional sources (solar, wind, hydro, biomass) would be the answer for
managing air pollution. Copyright © 2003, 1999, N K Uberoi

C-7
Noise Pollution
Noise pollution affects the health physiologically, psychologically and in
behaviour sense; with excessive noise, human beings become more irritable. It
is estimated that noisy conditions result in lower efficiency and increased errors
by the workers.
Sources of Noise
i. Industry;
ii. Road traffic;
iii. Trains;
iv. Aircraft;
v. Construction work;
vi. Loud speakers.
Control of Noise Pollution
i. Devising noise control devices;
ii. Creating noise free zones;
iii. Legal means. Copyright © 2003, 1999, N K Uberoi

C-7
Legal Means
Under Indian legal system, unlike many countries of world, there exists no law
that deals exclusively with noise control. However, there are provisions for noise
control in various other Acts:
 Police Act of 1861
 Railway Act of 1890
 Aircraft Act of 1934
 Motor Vehicle Act of 1939
 Factory Act of 1948
 Air Act of 1981
 EPA of 1986

C-7
The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000

Whereas the increasing ambient noise levels in public places from various
sources, inter alia, industrial activity, construction activity, generator sets,
loudspeakers, public address system, music systems, vehicular horns and other
mechanical devices have deleterious effect on human health and the
psychological well-being of the people; it is considered necessary to regulate and
control noise producing and generating sources with the objective of maintaining
the ambient air quality standards in respect of noise.
Cont….

C-7
Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Cl. (ii) of sub-section (2)
of Sec. 3, sub-section (1) and Cl. (b) of subsection (2) of Sec. 6 and Sec. 25 of
the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986) read with rule 5 of the
Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, the Central Government hereby makes
the following rules for the regulation and control of noise producing and
generating sources, namely:
1. Short title and commencement
2. Definitions
3. Ambient air quality standards in respect of noise for different
areas/zones
4. Responsibility as to enforcement of noise pollution control measures
5. Restrictions on the use of loudspeakers/public address system
6. Consequences of any violation in silence zone/area
7. Complaints to be made to the authority
8. Power to prohibit continuance of music sound or noise Cont….

C-7
Noise Pollution Schedule

(See rule 3(1) and 4(1))
Ambient Air Quality Standards in respect of Noise
Area Code Category of Area/Zone Limits in dB(A) Leq*
Day Time Night Time
A. Industrial area 75 70
B. Commercial area 65 55
C. Residential area 55 45
D. Silence zone 50 40
Note: 1. Day time shall mean from 6.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m.
2. Night time shall mean from 10.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m.
3. Silence zone is defined as an area comprising not less than 100 metres around hospitals,
educational institutions and courts. The silence zones are zones which are declared as such by the
competent authority.
4. Mixed categories of areas may be declared as one of the four above mentioned categories by the
competent authority.
*dB (A) Leq denotes the time weighted average of the level of sound in decibels on scale A which is
relatable to human hearing.
A “decibel” is a unit in which noise is measured.
“A” in dB (A) Leq, denotes the frequency weighting in the measurement of noise and corresponds of
frequency response characteristics of the human ear.
Leq. It is an energy mean of the noise level over a specified period.

CH - 07

Caricato da

Informazioni sul documento

Descrizione originale:

Titolo originale

Copyright

Formati disponibili

Condividi questo documento

Condividi o incorpora il documento

Opzioni di condivisione

Hai trovato utile questo documento?

Questo contenuto è inappropriato?

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

CH - 07

Caricato da

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

C-7

Air and Noise Pollution

Copyright © 2003, 1999, N K Uberoi

7– 1 Environmental Management (2nd Edition) N K Uberoi Excel Books

Copyright © 2003, 1999, N K Uberoi

7– 2 Environmental Management (2nd Edition) N K Uberoi Excel Books

International Efforts in Controlling Air Pollution

7– 3 Environmental Management (2nd Edition) N K Uberoi Excel Books

India’s Efforts in Controlling Air Pollution

7– 4 Environmental Management (2nd Edition) N K Uberoi Excel Books

Range and mean of annual averages (1990-98) of SPM in various cities

400 NAAQS industrial area

200 NAAQS residential area

Copyright © 2003, 1999, N K Uberoi

7– 5 Environmental Management (2nd Edition) N K Uberoi Excel Books

NAAQS industrial area

NAAQS residential area

Copyright © 2003, 1999, N K Uberoi

7– 6 Environmental Management (2nd Edition) N K Uberoi Excel Books

50 NAAQS residential area

Copyright © 2003, 1999, N K Uberoi

7– 7 Environmental Management (2nd Edition) N K Uberoi Excel Books

Our Industry Air Polluting Industrial Sectors in India

Copyright © 2003, 1999, N K Uberoi

7– 8 Environmental Management (2nd Edition) N K Uberoi Excel Books

Factories Act, 1948

7– 9 Environmental Management (2nd Edition) N K Uberoi Excel Books

Industrial (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951

7– 10 Environmental Management (2nd Edition) N K Uberoi Excel Books

Mines and Mineral (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957

Copyright © 2003, 1999, N K Uberoi

7– 11 Environmental Management (2nd Edition) N K Uberoi Excel Books

Water and Air Pollution Boards

Copyright © 2003, 1999, N K Uberoi

7– 12 Environmental Management (2nd Edition) N K Uberoi Excel Books

Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981

7– 13 Environmental Management (2nd Edition) N K Uberoi Excel Books

Management of Air Pollution

7– 14 Environmental Management (2nd Edition) N K Uberoi Excel Books

Regulation of Vehicular pollution

Copyright © 2003, 1999, N K Uberoi

7– 15 Environmental Management (2nd Edition) N K Uberoi Excel Books

Copyright © 2003, 1999, N K Uberoi

7– 16 Environmental Management (2nd Edition) N K Uberoi Excel Books

Europe Proposal A 2000 0.64 0.56 0.05

Copyright © 2003, 1999, N K Uberoi

7– 17 Environmental Management (2nd Edition) N K Uberoi Excel Books

Measurement of Emission for vehicles and market

7– 18 Environmental Management (2nd Edition) N K Uberoi Excel Books

Distorted prices of fuels and automobile industry

7– 19 Environmental Management (2nd Edition) N K Uberoi Excel Books

State Level Planning

Copyright © 2003, 1999, N K Uberoi

7– 20 Environmental Management (2nd Edition) N K Uberoi Excel Books

Thermal power plants

7– 21 Environmental Management (2nd Edition) N K Uberoi Excel Books

7– 22 Environmental Management (2nd Edition) N K Uberoi Excel Books

Copyright © 2003, 1999, N K Uberoi

7– 23 Environmental Management (2nd Edition) N K Uberoi Excel Books

The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000

Copyright © 2003, 1999, N K Uberoi

7– 24 Environmental Management (2nd Edition) N K Uberoi Excel Books