Environmental Guidelines For Stone Crushing Units:
Stone crushing units have long been recognized as major contributors to fugitive dust emissions and severe air pollution.
- In response to the growing concern, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recently published the Environmental Guidelines for Stone Crushing Units.
- The guidelines are in alignment with the recommendations made by New Delhi-based non-profit Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).
Key Guidelines Released By CPCB:
- The CPCB guidelines cover various aspects of stone crushing, such as source emissions, product storage, transportation, water consumption and legal compliance.
- 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 to be constituted under chairmanship of District Magistrate/Deputy Commissioner so that surprise inspections for surveillance of stone crushing units located under their jurisdiction can be carried out on regular basis.
- Health survey of workers should be carried out by the stone crusher on half-yearly basis.
