What common factor is assessed in both point sources and non-point sources of pollution?

The common factor assessed in both point sources and non-point sources of pollution is their impact on environmental quality. Point sources refer to identifiable and discrete sources of pollution, such as a pipe discharging waste into a river. Non-point sources, on the other hand, are diffuse and cannot be traced back to a single point, such as agricultural runoff.

Both types of pollution are analyzed for their effects on air, water, and soil quality, as well as their potential risks to human health and the ecosystem. Understanding how these sources affect environmental quality is crucial for developing regulatory measures and remediation strategies. While financial liabilities, historical significance, and architectural characteristics may be relevant in different contexts, they do not specifically address how these sources influence the environment in terms of pollution. Thus, the primary focus on environmental quality provides the basis for assessing the consequences of both point and non-point sources of pollution.