CPCB’s new guidelines for India’s stone crusher sector a welcome step

CPCB’s new guidelines for India’s stone crusher sector a welcome step

Subject :Environment

Section: Pollution

Context:

• The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) published the Environmental Guidelines for Stone Crushing units

Details:

• The stone crusher sector is responsible for significant fugitive dust emissions and causes severe air pollution.
• The Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority (EPCA) banned the operation of the stone crusher units, along with brick kilns and hot mix plants, under the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
• The guidelines are in alignment with the recommendations made by New Delhi-based non-profit Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).
• Stone-crushing products tend to get airborne under the effect of strong winds and worsen the surrounding air quality. To tackle this, the central board also added measures for product storage as well.

The CPCB guidelines cover various aspects of stone crushing, such as source emissions, product storage, transportation, water consumption and legal compliance. Some of the key features of the guidelines are:

• The stone crushers should obtain consent to establish and consent to operate (CTO) from the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) before starting their operations.
• Stone crushing unit shall comply with emission norms prescribed under the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 and conditions laid down in CTO by concerned SPCB/PCC.
• They should install adequate pollution control devices, such as dust suppression systems, covers, screens and sprinklers, to reduce the dust emissions from crushing, loading and unloading activities.
• They should also store their products in covered areas or silos to prevent wind-blown dust.
• The stone crushers should use water judiciously and ensure its availability and quality and procure their raw material from legal sources and maintain proper records of their transactions.
• A District Level Committee is to be constituted under the chairmanship of the District Magistrate/Deputy Commissioner so that surprise inspections for surveillance of stone-crushing units located under their jurisdiction can be carried out on a regular basis.
• Health surveys of workers should be carried out by the stone crusher on a half-yearly basis.

What is the Issue Associated with Stone Crushing Units?

• Stone-crushing units are one of the major sources of air pollution in India.
• These units produce crushed stones that are used as raw materials for various construction activities.
• However, the process of stone crushing also generates a lot of dust that affects the health of the workers and the surrounding population.
• Moreover, stone mining is also associated with this activity, which further degrades the environment.

What is the Central Pollution Control Board?

• The CPCB is a statutory organisation that was established in September 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
• Further, CPCB was entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
• It is the apex body for environmental protection and pollution control in India. It functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and coordinates with the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and other agencies.
• The CPCB has various divisions that deal with different aspects of pollution control such as air quality management, water quality management, hazardous waste management, environmental assessment, laboratory services, information technology, public participation etc.