general strategies to control pollution Flashcards
what are the general strategies for controlling pollution
1) critical pathway analysis
2) critical group monitoring
3) emission control strategies
what is the purpose of a critical pathway
to predict the movement of a potential pollutant in the environment to assess the severity and location of the pollutant that may occur
after a critical pathway analysis, when may no further action be taken
- if the pollutant is diluted or dispersed
- if the pollutant is carried to locations where impacts would be acceptable
when should action be taken after assessing the critical pathway
- if the pollutant is or becomes concentrated
- if the pollutant is heading to important or sensitive locations
what property factors may be included in critical pathway analysis
- state of matter
- density
- solubility in water or lipids
- chemical stability
what features of the environment may be considered in critical pathway analysis
- wind and water currents
- geology
- PH
- oxygen availability
- temperatures
when is CPA most likely to be used
to monitor the dispersal of radioactive waste discharges, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants
why is critical pathway analysis so beneficial
- predicting the pollution pathways means environmental monitoring can focus on sites most at risk of pollution with no need for sampling sites that wont be polluted
define critical pathway analysis
to predict pollutant mobility and inform monitoring programs
define critical group monitoring
to identify members of the public most at risk
what is a critical group
members of the public which are most at risk to the pollutant due to their lifestyle
what is critical group monitoring used for
monitor exposure and assess potential risks before health impacts occur- if an unacceptable risk is identified then emissions can be controlled to reduce further exposure
outline how emission location can increase severity
- the severity of pollutants is affected by the location where the discharges are released
- severity may increase if
1) marine discharges are where water currents will dilute and disperse emissions
2) emissions downwind of urban areas
3) discharges above a permeable rock above an aquifer
4) concentrations will increase in valleys
outline how changes in emission timing can impact severity
1) tidal timings- emissions into tidal rivers when the tide is coming in will be carried upstream, emissions, when tide is going out, will be carried out to sea where it will disperse
2) temp inversions- emissions during a temperature inversion are less likely to disperse so will become concentrated
what are the principles of pollution control
1) polluter pays principle- when the individuals who caused the pollution have an obligation to prevent it when the cost of preventing the damage is less than the actual cost of the damage
2) the precautionary principle - assumes that waste will cause pollution if released until research proves that it is unlikely to do so, takes the approach that if a problem is not understood t is not an excuse not reduce responsibility
