Poisons in Our Environment and Way Forward

Abstract

Pakistan environmental protection act defines hazardous substance and hazardous waste (PEPA, 1997) and based on the same a contaminated site may be described as an area which because of its hazardous contaminants (toxic, explosive, flammable, corrosive, radioactive or other characteristics) cause or is likely to cause, directly or in combination with others matters, an adverse environmental effect. Some other national environmental legislations in other countries, reflect somewhat similar broad perception. A contaminated land, according to UK environment protection act 1990 (UK EPA 1990) is, "Any land which appears to the Local Authority in whose area it is situated to be in such a condition, by reason of substances in, on or under the land, that - significant harm is being caused or there is a significant possibility of such harm being caused; or pollution of controlled waters is being, or is likely to be, caused". "Harm" means harm to the health of living organisms or other interference with the ecological systems of which they form part and, in the case of man, includes harm to his property. (UK EPA 1990)). The availability, classification and distribution of contaminants and the hazards that present, differ significantly with location (ACE, 2013). Contaminants comprise of industrial solvents, metals, petroleum by-products, radiological substances, pesticides, leftover from manufacturing processes, along with determined naturally occurring materials such as asbestos. Land contamination has harmful impacts on animal and human wellbeing, on natural environment (such as air and water) as well as inhibits economic growth and the liveliness of local inhabitants (ACE, 2013).