Environmental Contaminants Act 1978 (Papua New Guinea)

The Act governs the prevention, abatement and control of environmental contamination, in accordance with the fourth goal of the National Goals and Directive Principles of the Constitution. An environmental contaminant is defined as "(a) any substance whether liquid, solid, gaseous or radio-active, or any form of electromagnetic or thermal energy which, when discharged, emitted or deposited into the environment, causes or may cause, by reason of its properties, characteristics, the volume, amount, and weight and point of its discharge, or other circumstances, a present or future alteration of the environment so as to affect adversely its beneficial use, and (b) any substance, material or matter prescribed to be an environmental contaminant or a hazardous environmental contaminant." 

The Act provides for the appointment of inspectors, analysts and environmental officers. Inspectors are specifically empowered to enter any premises, at any time, in which an industry or trade is being carried on, from which he believes, on reasonable grounds, environmental contaminants are being discharged or emitted, deposited, stored or kept, or from which unreasonable levels of noise are being emitted. A person discharging, emitting or depositing contaminants into the environment may apply for a license for these purposes. However, if the discharge, emission or deposit of the environmental contaminant constitutes a clear, present or major danger to public health, safety or welfare, the immediate cessation thereof may be ordered.