Know All About Environmental and Health Pollutant Claims

The recent tragedy of BP oil spill made huge news splashes all over the world. But the pay-outs were made mainly because it had escalated through the media, and it was all that the world could talk about. Every day we see so many such environmental standard violations.

Companies fail to follow the environmental norms and standard operating procedures, and quietly dispose of hazardous materials in unsafe ways. They don’t treat their emissions and thus, the air pollution that follows affects the lives of many.

Laws in UK

The UK government is very strict about environmental safety and public health matters. The air pollution legislation laws clearly ban the various activities causing air pollution, and have defined strict norms for companies dealing with hazardous materials.

These norms include standards for products like air conditioners and refrigerators, and standard operating procedures for companies like leather tanneries, oil and gas, and so on. If people in any way are being affected by any such pollutants that are being emitted as a result of a company’s negligence, it can be sued for compensation.

Air pollution - Causes

Air pollutants can even affect the water and the air around us, causing us to contract various kinds of illnesses. Such illnesses are usually very serious, and are very painful, as they destroy the lungs. The major causes of air pollution are as follows

• Release of toxic materials into the air as a result of industrial emissions
  
• Release of harmful sulphur, lead and nitrogen containing compounds into the air by vehicles that have not undergone air pollution checks.
  
• Use of lead containing petrol, diesel and other fuels
  
• Release of CFCs into the air by air conditioners that don’t meet the environmental standards
  
• Burning of plastics and other toxic materials in the open
  

Air pollutants are highly dangerous. They react with the oxygen in the air which we need for Breathing, and form harmful compounds. When we inhale these compounds, our lungs and other parts of the respiratory system react with them, thus making the blood in our body impure, and our lungs inflamed.

If unchecked for a long time, we could contract serious respiratory or cardiac illnesses. If you feel that you have contracted illnesses due to environmental air pollutant emissions, you are eligible to make claims.

Making claims

These claims are especially meant for people working in hazardous environments – like people working in asbestos companies, construction sites, chemical plants, factories, mines, and so on. Sometimes, your employers may not be following standard operating procedures as prescribed by law.

This may cause you to develop some serious respiratory or cardiac problems. If you work in such an environment, and your body is showing symptoms, it is best to have them tested for air pollutant poisoning. You can then claim compensation for the medical expenses that you have to bear.