Pollution
The national planning policy framework (NPPF) defines pollution as: 'Anything that affects the quality of land, air, water or soils, which might lead to an adverse impact on human health, the natural environment or general amenity. Pollution can arise from a range of emissions, including smoke, fumes, gases, dust, steam, odour, noise and light.'
CIRIA's Delivering green infrastructure along linear assets. Scoping study (phase 1) defines pollution as: 'A change in the physical, chemical, radiological or biological quality of a resource (air, land or water) caused by humans or their activities that is injurious to the existing, intended or potential uses of the resource.'
Water for life and livelihoods, River basin management plans, Glossary, Published by the Environment Agency in 2016, defines diffuse pollution as: ‘Pollution from widespread activities with no one discrete source, e.g. pesticides, urban run-off etc. Pollution resulting from scattering or dispersed sources that are collectively significant but to which effects are difficult to attribute individually.’
NB On 20 May 2019, the British Safety Council launched a campaign to have air pollution recognised as an occupational health hazard for construction workers and others who work outdoors. Ref https://www.britsafe.org/about-us/press-releases/2019/it-s-time-to-recognise-air-pollution-as-an-occupational-health-hazard/
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Air quality.
- Brownfield land.
- Climate-altering pollutants.
- Construction dust.
- Contaminated land.
- COSHH.
- Deleterious materials.
- Diffuse pollution.
- Fertilizer groundwater pollution.
- Greenhouse gas.
- Hazardous substances.
- Indoor air quality.
- Light pollution.
- Methane and other gasses from the ground.
- Miasma theory.
- Natural pollutant.
- Planning (Hazardous Substances) Act 1990.
- Point source pollution.
- Pollution Prevention Guidelines (PPGs).
- Ozone depleting substance.
- Noise pollution.
- Radon.
- Smog.
- Solid and liquid contaminants risk assessments.
- Sources of external pollution.
- Specific pollutant.
- Water pollution.
Featured articles and news
A briefing on fall protection systems for designers
A legal requirement and an ethical must.
CIOB Ireland launches manifesto for 2024 General Election
A vision for a sustainable, high-quality built environment that benefits all members of society.
Local leaders gain new powers to support local high streets
High Street Rental Auctions to be introduced from December.
Infrastructure sector posts second gain for October
With a boost for housebuilder and commercial developer contract awards.
Sustainable construction design teams survey
Shaping the Future of Sustainable Design: Your Voice Matters.
COP29; impacts of construction and updates
Amid criticism, open letters and calls for reform.
The properties of conservation rooflights
Things to consider when choosing the right product.
Adapting to meet changing needs.
London Build: A festival of construction
Co-located with the London Build Fire & Security Expo.
Tasked with locating groups of 10,000 homes with opportunity.
Delivering radical reform in the UK energy market
What are the benefits, barriers and underlying principles.
Information Management Initiative IMI
Building sector-transforming capabilities in emerging technologies.
Recent study of UK households reveals chilling home truths
Poor insulation, EPC knowledge and lack of understanding as to what retrofit might offer.
Embodied Carbon in the Built Environment
Overview, regulations, detail calculations and much more.
Why the construction sector must embrace workplace mental health support
Let’s talk; more importantly now, than ever.
Ensuring the trustworthiness of AI systems
A key growth area, including impacts for construction.