2.6  Principles of pollution management

  • Explain the differences between a hazard, a contaminant and a pollutant.

  • A hazard is anything that harms our health. A contaminant is something introduced to the environment (air and water) that may or may not pose a significant health risk. A pollutant is a contaminant introduced into the environment that adversely affects animal and human life.

There are two main approaches to pollution management:

  • Pollution prevention: focuses on stopping pollution being produced in the first place, or reducing any waste generation at the source.
  • Pollution control: those measures taken to control pollution and wastes after they have been generated or produced.

2.5.2  Pollution sources and categories

2.6.1  Principles of pollution prevention