Do not permit permissible pollution

In many industrial areas, the surrounding atmosphere is filled with smell/odor of chemicals.  The residents in the area bear this and only when accidents take place, these residents and media complain about presence of chemicals, smell, health problems, etc. Otherwise, there will not be much coverage about the problems. 

Though, these pollutants are present below the AAQ limits, still they are a nuisance to the residents. Workmen may be exposed to pollutants below TLV because these limits are for occupational workers, and they are working knowingly that they have to work with chemicals. But, why the residents should bear the brunt even to a minor extent. 

Plants should be designed for effective 100% scrubbing and neutralization of all pollutants and discharge stacks are designed for release at highest level wherein the dispersion does not lead to even nuisance pollution. If this is not done, in the long run, industries may face the ire from local residents, NGOs, media, etc leading to restrictions/closure of their plants. 

In addition, industries should spend a part of their profits towards CSR activities to improve the life of local residents by providing facilities for drinking water, roads, schools, community centers, etc and educate them for leading a healthy life.

Gas leak smelled 80 miles away

A gas well leak through a quarter inch hole in the valve spread 80 miles down causing throat irritation and rotten egg smell. It is estimated that 135,000 cubic feet gas leaked before it was noticed and arrested. It is reported that the smell is due to high level sulfur compounds in the mercaptans collected in the gas at the well.
The reason for spread of gas so far is stated as "combination of a light south wind and an inversion of cold air trapped below low clouds with warmer atmosphere above the clouds prevented the gas dispersing upward and caused the gas to be closer to the ground, spreading the gas so far north".
Normally, when software models are used for particular weather conditions, we get dispersion distances which appear to be on higher side. "Experts" in the field too question such results stating that they are illogical. But, this incident is warning to users, emergency responders and regulators to be conservative on distance of impact and take protective measures in the area falling under this.

Grayling gas leak smelled 80 miles away

http://www.petoskeynews.com/gaylord/news/ght-n-gasleak-122811,0,693297.story