On average, each of us breathes more than 3,000 gallons of air each day. You could go days without food and hours without water, but you would last only a few minutes without air. Breathing gives us life and we must have air to survive, but polluted air could reduce our life expectancy.
In 2012 ambient (outdoor) air pollution in both cities and rural areas was estimated to cause seven million premature deaths worldwide per year. This mortality was due to exposure to small particulate matter of ten microns or less in diameter (PM10), which causes cardiovascular and respiratory disease, and cancers. (World Health Organisation, http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2014/air-pollution/en/)
Air pollution is not only harmful to human life, it can damage trees, crops, plants, lakes and animals. Air pollution also damages buildings, monuments and statues. It reduces how far you can see in national parks and cities, and can even interfere with aviation.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), air pollution is contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any chemical, physical or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere. Household combustion devices, motor vehicles, industrial facilities and forest fires are common sources of air pollution.
In T&T the Air Pollution Rules 2014, became law in 2015. The Air Pollution Rules sets limits for pollutants that may be released into the ambient air by various sources in order to protect public health and the environment.
An air pollutant is described as any substance released into the atmosphere above a specific quantity, concentration or level, or which otherwise has an impact on the atmosphere or climate. These levels are specifically outlined in various schedules associated with the Air Pollution Rules.
Schedules one and two of the Air Pollution Rules list the maximum permissible levels of the parameters and substances which are not to be exceeded. Any emission arising from an activity identified in schedule three of the Air Pollution Rules is also considered an air pollutant. (Visit the EMA's website at www.ema.co.tt for a full listing of these schedules)
The Air Pollution Rules requires any person/organisation that operates a facility from which an air pollutant is released or conducts any activity listed in schedule three, to register with the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) as a source of air pollution. The Source Emitter Registration (SER) process requires the owner or operator of a facility from which an air pollutant is known or proposed to be emitted, to submit an application to the EMA.
The SER process establishes an inventory of the types, quantities and locations of pollutants and their sources throughout the country. This information helps the Government to strategically manage air pollution and thereby achieve its objective of safeguarding Ambient Air Quality and protecting public health from the adverse effects of air pollution.
The EMA may also require some facilities to apply for and obtain an Air Pollution Permit, which outlines specific conditions for the release of air pollutants in keeping with Ambient Air Quality and Stack Release Limits. Failure to comply with the rules will result in enforcement action by the EMA.
Activities that are exempt from the Air Pollution Rules include planned outdoor fires (eg slash and burn for agricultural purposes). Under the Agricultural Fires Act (Ch. 63:02) a permit, obtainable from the nearest fire station, is required to light outdoor fires during fire season (ie December 1 to June 30 of the following year). Failure to obtain a permit carries a fine of $1,500 and six months imprisonment. The Air Pollution Rules also does not apply to indoor air quality at the workplace as this is governed by the Occupational Safety and Health Act (Ch 88:08).
The establishment of the Air Pollution Rules is a great milestone for T&T and allows for continued improvement of our environment. It is your duty to ensure you comply with the law to ensure your facility is in compliance with the Air Pollution Rules towards ensuring a safer T&T. You also have a right to report air pollution concerns to the EMA.Air pollution is everyone's concern and we have a duty to ensure we comply with the Air Pollution Rules and report on matters related to the legislation.
To file a complaint on relevant air quality related matters please contact the EMA at 285-4362 ext. 4111/12.