Abstract
This paper describes the limitations in the government's attempts to control pollution from lead-smelting units in Calcutta, and how most businesses installed inappropriate and ineffective pollution control equipment when required to reduce emissions. It also describes what can be learnt from this not only in terms of setting standards but also in ensuring that these can be met by small as well as large firms at costs they can afford. This suggests a broader role for government agencies involved in pollution control that includes information dissemination on how businesses could comply with environmental legislation and the costs and benefits of different pollution control or reduction options. In this case, the most cost-effective solutions were not necessarily the cheapest and the industry owners were not made aware of the reduction in costs and wastes that some of the pollution control options brought.