8.5  Preventing and controlling pollution

In this final section we look at some important principles that should be applied when attempting to prevent or control pollution. Pollution prevention means avoiding or minimising the generation of wastes that produce pollutants, thereby restricting their release into the environment. Pollution control focuses on measures taken after wastes have been produced to limit the damage they may cause. It is often more difficult and expensive to control pollution after it has been released into the environment.

  • Which do you think is better - pollution prevention or pollution control?

  • Pollution prevention is better. It is better to try and prevent pollution from being created in the first place and it is more difficult and expensive to control pollution after it has been created. However, if pollution has been created, it should be controlled.

8.4  Human exposure to pollution

8.5.1  Prevention