Abstract

Environmental pollution comprises an important and challenging topic in respiratory medicine. Their diagnosis, treatment and most prominently their prevention have major public health implications. The present day environment crisis demands a change in attitude in order that initiatives can be taken to rescue the environment from destruction. Industrialized nations have a big share in the present day environment problems.

In developing countries, environmental protection is still a luxury they can hardly afford. Some are finally becoming aware of the environment abuse, but large population, pollution unplanned industrialization and foreign debts have kept them off the environment conservation process.

The situation may improve only when people realize that there are certain rules that they must go by to protect the environment. In UK the "British Clean Air Act" was introduced in 1956. In the USA, a similar low was adopted in 1970. We should strictly abide by the "Environment Conservation Act 1995" and the "Environment Conservation Rules 1997". Side by side, awareness programs should be taken up by the Government and non-government organizations through mass media, especially Radio and Television. Concerted efforts should be organized involving multi-discipline peoples like Scientists. Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers and Journalists etc. Without control of environmental pollution, present situation will be worse in near future and will push the world towards a comer, making the proposition uncertain whether or not it will remain habitable for coming generations.