Abstract
Society has to find ways and means to resolve the conflict between increase in production on the one hand and preservation of the environment on the other, when considering inter-generational equity with respect to environmental quality. The aim of pollution control when dealing with air pollutants is to keep the level of pollutants below the absorptive capacity of the environment. This paper deals with the various policy instruments that are available to control industrial air pollutants. The criteria used in selecting the appropriate policy instruments are efficiency, acceptability, equity and flexibility. Based on these criteria, the author is of the view that marketable pollution permits stand well above other policy instruments in controlling industrial air pollutants in both developed and developing countries.