What did the Air Act amend in 1987 to include?

The Air Act of 1987 was a significant amendment to the original Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1981. The principal focus of the amendment was to broaden the definition of pollution, leading to the inclusion of noise as a pollutant.

Noise pollution had increasingly become a concern due to its adverse effects on human health and environmental quality. By incorporating noise into the definition of pollutants, the Act recognized the necessity of regulating sound levels, which can affect both physical and mental well-being.

This inclusion reflects a growing awareness of the various forms of pollution and their impacts beyond just the chemical and particulate contaminants that were initially the focus of air quality legislation. By addressing noise pollution through legal frameworks, the amendment allowed for more comprehensive strategies to mitigate its effects, thus safeguarding public health and enhancing the quality of the environment.

In contrast, while water, soil, and light pollution are significant environmental issues, they were not specifically included under the purview of this particular amendment to the Air Act. The focus on noise indicates a targeted approach to addressing a burgeoning issue in urbanized and industrialized settings.