Soil Pollution Law

There is a significant difference between the pollution of soil and pollution of air or water. When the sources of air and water pollution are identified and halted, they return to pre-pollution status rather rapidly, but the same cannot be said about soil pollution. Preventing the pollutant sources of the soil does not ensure that the soil returns to its original status but rather remains contaminated for a very long period of time, even centuries, obviously depending upon the type of pollutant.

Sources Of Soil Pollution

• Industrial discharges greatly contribute to soil pollution directly and indirectly. One method is by direct discharge to the soil and another through deposition of industrial air pollutants like mercury. Certain agricultural activities, like using pesticides and insecticides, also contribute to soil pollution.

The Need To Prevent Soil Pollution

• Soil pollution is a grave problem since it contaminates and brings down a yield of crops, affects the food supply and also becomes a source of pollution to surface and ground water. Hence, awareness was created to check the pollution of soil through laws by various countries.

Soil Pollution Law

• The United States Government has framed laws in an attempt to tackle increasing soil pollution and effectively reduce environmental risks in general and human health in particular. When the law is enforced, it will be applied to all activities of soil investigation including risk assessment, treatment and remediation of contaminated sites. In fact, it is modeled on the United States super fund statutes, sources say.

Laws In Other Countries

• The Belgium Government has also framed soil pollution law which clearly gives a detailed description of the person responsible for the clean up operations and the liable for the costs thereof. The law clearly draws a line between the period when the soil has been polluted before the implementation of the law or after and gives priority to historical pollution, which means that they will be sanitized only when they cause a serious threat.

Significance Of Soil Pollution Law

• Pollution of surface soil is by both biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials which cause a multitude of problems such as the clogging of drains, acting as a barrier to the movement of water and increased microbial activities. Underground soil is also polluted through chemicals from industrial wastes and decomposed materials of sanitary wastes. The ecological balance is greatly affected due to soil pollution, and so it is imperative to form and implement soil pollution laws.