16) The environment and pollution
Environmental pollution has been a huge concern since many centuries even in a number of developed nations which were characterized by old civilizations and well settled societies that were later on modified by industrialization and modernization that brought in the need for effective waste disposal and implementation of appropriate and effective measures to reduce the extent of land, water, noise, air and countryside pollution. Noise pollution and air pollution became a major concern only after a few decades following the industrial revolution and attention was given to resolve these issues only after major incidents were witnessed across many places in the world such as the London Smog incident in 1952 that necessitated the country’s parliament to take immediate action and pass legislations (Clay & Bassett, 1999, pp. 731-740). River pollution on the other hand also became a great concern at a much later stage when most of the inland rivers had been contaminated with industrial effluents, sewage discharge and untreated wastes. Though the major rivers such as the Thames have become much less polluted and support many fishes after massive efforts that have been taken over the years, other smaller and less popular rivers in interior parts of UK are still being polluted (Farmer, 1997, p. 105). A more detailed introspection of the measures taken by UK is warranted to understand the effects of parliamentary legislations in prohibiting environmental pollution.
Controlling Air Pollution
Air pollution in UK has been a major concern since many decades and a continuous problem owing to the extent of industrial contaminants, air borne particulate matter and dust. The Dutch Expert committee on Occupational Safety (2010, pp. 20- 74) performed a detailed examination of the level of endotoxins in the air borne atmosphere in various parts of UK. This committee recommended a 90 EU/m3 exposure level to ensure that people do not suffer from respiratory tract diseases due to inhalation of endotoxins though patients with respiratory tract illness, those with asthma and smokers were part of the high risk group.
Controlling Water Pollution
Water pollution is another area that has required massive inputs and efforts in the UK. In earlier days, emissions of chemicals and industrial effluents into nearby water bodies were common practise. Due to this, inland rivers and lakes were greatly polluted and contaminated also making them unfit for water borne fishery and marine harvesting. River catchment management and maintaining water quality took utmost priority during the later half of the twenty first century and a number of regulations were formed to ensure that the water is not polluted further and steps were taken to recycle the wastes and contaminants to improve existing water quality.
Ground water abstraction, mineral extraction, waste water management for discharge and effluents have posed a huge concern to UK and are now being handled by the river catchment management. The control of Pollution Act in 1974 began to tighten the quality of river water through stringent regulation of water polluting activities and polluting industries.