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The article presents some of the previous highlighted issues featured in the journal "Pollution Engineering." One of which concerns air, water treatment, waste handling, and noise pollution. It also highlighted the rapid growth of environmental issues, such as consolidations in the pollution control industry. Moreover, highlighted bills that were passed and implemented are also presented, including the Clean Air Extension, the Federal Pesticide Control Act, and the Safe Drinking Water Act.

The article offers updates related to environmental protection initiatives in the U.S. President Barack Obama and his administration has expressed their intention to strengthen air pollution and mercury policies for the optimization of environmental enforcement. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed implementation of the 1997 8-Hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality standards. The McIlvaine Co. reveals that the $6 billion stimulus package for water industry is expected to improve and expand water infrastructure projects which includes clean and purified water.

The article discusses issues related to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) use of cost figures when calculating the benefit versus the cost of a proposed rule or to establishing standards. A study conducted by the Associated Press revealed that the EPA has lowered the cost of a proposed rule by almost $1 million over the last five years in their calculations. According to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the EPA overstepped its authority by implementing the cap-and-trade rule for sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide.

The article discusses the significance of the Pollution Prevention Act establish by the Environmental Protection Agency in 1990. According to the article, the act is the national policy created to prevent or reduce pollution at the source whatever feasible. The Congress states that the U.S. emits millions of tons of pollution annually and spends tens of billions of dollars per year controlling it. When the law is enacted, it further admitted that there had been a lack of attention to source reduction historically, but that it was fundamentally more desirable than waste management and pollution control.

The article offers information on how to help ensure accuracy and stability of protocol gases in the U.S. Ten tips are suggested in preventing problems with calibration gases. The first tip suggests reviewing the Environmental Protection Agency list of approved Protocol Gas Verification Program vendors. Furthermore, it implies to make sure that gases are within the expiration dates, as well as to ask the vendors to make gases directly traceable to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) or the national measurement institute (NMi) gases. It was believed that proper planning and handling of protocol gases could potentially save costs. INSET: Seven Tips for Understanding and Implementing the EPA's….

The article focuses on the emissions trading programs. Emission trading is a regulatory approach to control emissions by providing economic incentives to attain reductions. These programs have been implemented worldwide to achieve clean air goals while providing industry with the best economic decisions. In addition, these programs determine the clean air goal, establish an emission cap for a given area or industry to achieve the clean air goal and allow each member of the regulatory community to decide the most economical way to meet their collective obligations.

The article focuses on stormwater management in the U.S. Stormwater management is the mechanism for controlling stormwater runoff for the purposes of reducing downstream erosion, water quality degradation, and flooding and mitigating the adverse effects of changes in land use on the aquatic environment. One common stormwater management practice used in the country is detention pond. The ponds serve to reduce discharge rates and improve water quality through the storage and settling of particulate matter.

Discusses the evolution of the processes involved in environmental site remediation since the 1970s. Consideration of how stakeholders have an increased knowledge of contaminant behaviors and hazards; Adaptation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) accelerated remediation concepts; Requirements for the treatment, storage, and disposal of Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); Removal of volatile organics during in situ soil venting; Process of phytoremediation. INSET: Removing the Surprise Factor.

The article highlights the impact of the changes to Environmental Protection Agency's (EPAs) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for lead in the U.S. It states that proximity of the sampler to source emissions and populations, meteorological conditions and background conditions must be considered to assess the potential risks of airborne lead. It notes that the changes in federal regulations will require majority of facilities to reassess their monitoring programs to ensure compliance.

The article reports on the claim of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that scientists are wrong about perchlorate causing health risks and that it is not necessary to treat it. The agency ruled out that perchlorate will not result in health risk reduction for persons served by public-water systems. Opponents of the decision argue that EPA's decision was driven by pressures from the Pentagon. Meanwhile, two companies have been fined by EPA for failure to comply with a provision of the Clean Air Act.

The article presents the 10 top considerations and cautions necessary when conducting Phase I environmental site assessments (ESAs) to meet the standards required by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) in the U.S. It discusses the purpose of performing ESA, the considerations with respect to vapor intrusion and the interrelationships between Phase I ESAs and vapor intrusion, and between their respective practice standards. The cost of vapor intrusion screenings is discoursed.

The article reports on the installation of continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS) in a refinery in Texas. CEMS is a system that measure on a continuous basis emissions released by a source. Due to the governing compliance determinations in regards to emissions and highly reactive volatile organic compounds (HRVOCs), the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) required more monitoring systems. With the decision of TCEQ, the refinery chose to meet that requirement by streamlining all monitoring systems required for environmental regulatory compliance.

The article focuses on the establishment of a new maximum achievable control technology (MACT) standard set by the Environmental Protection Agency for chemical manufacturers in the U.S. The author discuss the importance of making new system for chemical companies to meet the new MACT standards and installation of several equipment to upgrade the current system used by chemical companies. Moreover, he talks about the options in complying with the standards as well as the proposals for installing a venturi or hydrop scubber in wet electrostatic precipitator.

The article provides advice to business enterprises and industries in the U.S. on how to prepare a hazardous waste manifest. If there is no state-specific manifest form required by either the destination state or the generation state, the federal Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest Form may be used. Tips on filling up the various items in the form are presented. Treatment storage and disposal facility (TSDF) personnel must confirm the receipt of the waste indicated in the manifest. Each shipment should have at least four copies of the manifest.

The article reports on how the United States Army National Guard has integrated a federally mandated environmental management system (eMS) into daily operations. For the Army Guard, eMS has to do with mission readiness and national security. Thus, every soldier, civilian and contract employee in the Army National Guard has to be well versed on the effects of their tasks and to be committed to the mitigation of pollution, continuous improvement, and compliance with environmental regulations and laws.

This article deals with the questions related to potential toxicity of nanosized particles and structures, and whether their transport, potential transformation and fate in the environment could harm ecosystems. According to some researchers, the very qualities and properties that make nanosized particles so commercially attractive could make them potentially harmful under some circumstances. For example, the increased surface reactivity of nanosized particles suggests that they exhibit greater biological activity when compared with conventional bulk materials per given mass when taken up by living organisms, assuming the particles are solid. This enhanced biological activity can he beneficial, as in the case of nanosized materials being used as a drug delivery device designed to penetrate cellular barriers, or not beneficial if the biological activity translate to enhanced toxicity that compromises cellular activity or induces some other unwanted effect. United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics has focused its ongoing review of nanomaterials consisting of chemical substances under the Toxic Substances Control Act and is perhaps farther along in considering the regulatory implications of nanotechnology than other EPA program offices.

Talks about strategies of the U.S. government for controlling air pollution. Provisions of the 1970 Clean Air Act; Impact of the usage of exhaust air management systems on motorcycle emissions; Initiative of the government to regulate lawn and garden equipments.

Discusses the proposed regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that will reduce toxic pollution of surface water annually. Consideration of the 1972 Federal Water Pollution Control Act regarding technology-based wastewater discharge regulation; How the Natural Resources Defense Council sued EPA for not meeting regulatory guidelines for promulgating other industry effluent standards; Status of the 200 Standard Industrial Classification Codes corresponding to the MP&M facilities.

The article discusses the essentials of implementing good waste strategies that are based on convenience, minimization, communication and planning that could have positive effect to industries. It includes the proper waste collection and segregation through satellite accumulation. Another is the search for waste minimization opportunities available, including the used of bulk fluids. Also, is the need to discuss with workers how a change will increase their safety and protect the environment. It concludes that making waste collection convenient is the basic step to safely managing wastes and keeping costs down.

The article discusses the new protocol for gas verification by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It explores on the necessity of the regulation to be mandated in every gas vendor to supply products that is at least ±2 percent accurate from the tag value of the cylinder contents, however, the user needs of the EPA protocol gas has to make a contract with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Moreover, it notes on how the program works including a payment for the participation of gas manufacturers and vendors in the Protocol Gas Verification Program (PGVP).

The article discusses the role of technology in treating high-volume stationary diesel emission in the U.S. It discusses the environmental issues such as the diesel emission of cargo ships wherein the development of emission tests and discoveries in electrofluidics resulted to the treatment of the emission. It cites the aid of electrofluidics wherein a conducted test revealed reduction rates on the diesel emission among several bays in the U.S. Moreover, it asserts that the demonstration test among ports such as in Long Beach, California showed consistent high removal of emissions.

The article offers information about Environmental Protection Agency's clean fuels programs in the U.S. It revealed that the scheme exceeded expectation in their ability to reduce ozone pollutants and other air toxics. Data collected between 1995 and 2005 show that emission reductions were significantly greater than the regulatory requirements which was attributed to reformulated gasoline (RFG) and anti-dumping programs EPA instituted. Topics tackled on the report include gasoline sulfur decreases, RFG nitrogen oxide reductions exceed requirements, RFG toxics reductions exceed requirements and conventional gasoline NOx.

The article focuses on the enforcement actions of the Environmental Protection Agency against several companies in New England. Such actions depict the importance of understanding and compliance of the federal regulations concerning the handling and disposal of toxic substances. The companies are said to be sent for disposal or recycling waste materials that are contaminated with Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) because they failed to test the waste. It is inferred that waste materials containing PCBs must be properly characterized and tested before sending out for disposal to avoid harm to people and the environment. Such action is said to be advantageous, since testing is believed to be easy and inexpensive. Enforcement actions are being enumerated in the article.

The article reports on the lawsuit filed by several U.S. states against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Over a dozen states have joined in a case against the agency, which seeks to demand the agency to lower the allowed soot levels from smokestacks and exhaust pipes. According to Eliot Spitzer, New York attorney-general, the states were responding to studies that showed the fine material from soot contributes to premature death, asthma attacks and chronic respiratory disease, leading to higher health costs. Furthermore, the states want to reduce the limit by 1 microgram or 2 micrograms of soot allowed per cubic foot of air.

The article reports on the proposal of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding toxic air reduction in the country. EPA has proposed an amendment to the air toxics standards general provisions section to invite industrial facilities to reduce air toxic emissions and change their designation as a primary source. In addition, the proposed amendment would allow a major source to become an area source at any time by limiting its potential to emit hazardous air pollutants to below the major source thresholds.

The article reports on the plan of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to gather data on air emissions on 6,000 animal feeding operations (AFO's) in the U.S. According to Granta Y. Nakayama, EPA assistant administrator, the AFO's agreements would ensure air compliance faster than its enforcement action. The AFO's would pay penalty based on the number of animals maintained at the operation and must comply with regulations such as Clean Air Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act and Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.

The article reports that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving into two so-called green buildings. Living up to its core mission to protect human health and the environment, the agency is moving its operations and more than 1,600 employees in two state-of-the-science, environment-friendly buildings in Arlington, Virginia. The agency insisted on making large and small innovations during the design and planning stages. EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson said the agency is heeding President George W. Bush's call to green the nation's building practices. The buildings have received the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification.

The article reports on the proposal of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to lower standards for particulate matter (PM). The proposed modifications will substantially tighten short-term exposure to high levels of fine PM by almost 50%. Inhalable PM 24-hour standard is also being proposed for reduction to 70 micrograms per cubic meter. Research has demonstrated a link between PM and various cardiovascular and respiratory problems. The Clean Air Act mandates the EPA to undertake a periodic review of air quality standards. Particle standards were last updated in 1997.

The article reports on the proposed cleanup of the Great Lakes. An accord among local, state and federal officials proposed a $20 billion budget over a 15-year period for the project cleanup. The project proposes to restore wetlands and critical natural habitats, upgrade municipal sewerage systems, control invasive species, and remediate environmental toxic hot spots, tainted wetlands and tributaries. The proposal stemmed from a decision of the Environmental Protection Agency in 2005 to form a venture to coordinate the cleanup.

The article reports on the non-participation of the U.S. from the first annual climate conference held in Montreal, Quebec. The meeting is an offshoot of the Kyoto Protocols implementation that began in February 2005. In 1997, the U.S. Congress rejected the accord, and the Bush administration is steadfast in its resolve not to resubmit it to congress. The Kyoto accord mandates member countries to reduce emission of six greenhouse gases to pre-set levels in 35 countries come 2012. The U.S. however assented to enter into exploratory talks anent future courses of action.

The article offers practical steps for manufacturing facilities to avoid having to obtain a stormwater permit in the United States. It discusses the main purpose of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) stormwater management program. Manufacturing facilities should demonstrate to EPA or the state agencies that their activities do not actually impact the stormwater quality. The EPA's no-exposure exclusion is applicable to industrial facilities located in states or territories where EPA is the permitting authority. The article discusses how to determine if a manufacturing facility is truly qualified for no-exposure with respect to stormwater.

The article reports on Corning's diesel particulate filter (DPF) technology. The company had introduced the first cellular ceramic particulate filters to eliminate soot from diesel engine emissions in 1978. DPFs were considered a luxury then but the situation changed when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a rule in 2000 which required significant reductions in emissions from heavy-duty vehicle engines by 2007. In order to meet the drastic increase in demand, Corning invested substantial sums in research and in new manufacturing capabilities.

The article reports on developments regarding environmental laws and regulations in various U.S. states. The Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment is seeking the approval of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its New Source Review rules. Connecticut authorities are pursuing plans to restrict greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles by adopting California's Low-Emission Vehicle II program. The Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources has hiked penalties for late updates on yearly manure management plans.

The article elucidates on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) policy entitled "Policy Regarding Acceptance of New Commitments to the High Production Volume (HPV) Challenge Program," which focuses on how companies can commit to sponsor one of the remaining orphan chemicals which currently have no sponsors under the HPV Chemical Challenge Program. For producers of orphan chemicals, the failure to sponsor such chemicals will cause the issuance of final and effective Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 8(a) and 8(d) rules. Failure to submit the information required could trigger EPA to initiate enforcement action. After the review of submitted data, EPA may take steps to regulate a particular chemical if needed.

The results of a survey of environmental consultants which was conducted by the Milford, Connecticut.-based Environmental Data Resources Inc., the 2005 Environmental Site Assessment Industry Benchmark Report revealed that three out of four consultants who conduct Phase I environmental site assessments (ESA) for commercial property transactions expect that the Environmental Protection Agency's impending rule will require a greater level of effort than current industry practices. The report indicated that a growing awareness of the impact environmental issues can have on property values, some banks, commercial real estate developers are demanding broader scopes for their Phase I ESA often requesting services like asbestos and lead-based paint screenings. The demand for Phase I environmental site assessment services is on the rise, but turnaround times are shrinking, according to the report. The survey indicates the need for best practices and the need to identify trends in the environmental site assessment industry.

The staff of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made recommendations for the agency management to revise the current particulate matter standards for fine particles and the inhalable portion of coarse particles, based on evidence that suggests to EPA scientists that more protection is needed than is provided under current air standards. The air quality standards for PM under the Clean Air Act were first established in 1971. The agency significantly changed the standards in 1987, when they changed the indicator of the standards to regulate inhalable particles smaller than, or equal to, 10 micrometers in diameter. In 1997, EPA again revised the PM standards and established a separate standard for fine particles. EPA released its second draft staff paper on the assessment of PM standards in January 2005 which recommends changing EPA's health-based standards for coarse particles to avoid double-regulating fine particles.

Explains how companies in the U.S. can avoid being required to have a Title V permit according to the Clean Air Act amendments of 1990. Extensive amounts of record keeping and semi- and annual reporting and certifications required in a Title V permit; Strategies for reducing emissions to levels below the limits that require a Title V permit.

Reports that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to provide $1.6 million in grants for diesel engine retrofit projects. EPA Clean Diesel Campaign grants; Wide variety of projects, including construction, agriculture and port equipment, waste haulers, locomotives, fire trucks and ambulances; Grant recipients located in large and small communities across the country.

Focuses on the policy statement purposely for environmental management systems (EMS) issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Definition of EMS according to EPA; Initiatives aimed at testing EMS to achieve superior environmental performance; Potential benefits associated with EMS.

Offers ways to use U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) web site, www.epa.gov. Interpretation of EPA regulations; Obtaining of copies of EPA's compliance audit protocols; EPA's Enforcement and Compliance History Online; EPA's Self Audit Policy; Official policy on the Environmental Management System; Links on EPA's web site.

Focuses on the issuance of Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) in the search for public comments on disposal options for waste containing low concentrations of radioactivity by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S. Indication on disposal of low-activity radioactive waste; Discussion of the variety of disposal alternatives; Association of the achievable regulatory solution.

Reports on the reorganization of Science Advisory Board (SAB) of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S. Indication of the environmental decisions to protect human health and the environment; Importance of EPA to adjust and realign the SAB's structure and function; Inclusion of the benefits on reorganization.

Focuses on various environmental activities of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Information on the RCRA Brownfields Prevention Program of the EPA; Action of the EPA on the case of subsurface hydrocarbon contamination caused by the operation of the Texas Refinery; Action of EPA on the case of the University of Virginia as a suspected lead contaminated facility; Information on EPA's Brownfields Technology Support Center program; On-line database of EPA.

Discusses the proposals from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to lower reporting thresholds under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act's (EPCRA) Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) for persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) chemicals. Required PBT release reports by plants; Hopes for an increased reporting requirements for 14 chemicals; Importance of educating the public about toxic pollution. INSET: Regulatory Options for Lower Reporting Thresholds.

Reports on the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) decision to delay the release of an Internet database designed to provide computer access to facility-specific data. EPA's compilation of a comprehensive collection of data on regulated facilities in a database called Envirofacts Data Warehouse; Importance and aim of the EPA's Sector Facility Indexing Project.

Reports on the increasing number of environmental fines and penalties imposed against companies in the United States in 1997, according to data from Environmental Protection Agency. Combined amount of criminal and civil penalties for the year; Breakdown of all criminal enforcement cases.

The article discusses several state rules in the U.S. It says that the proposed amendment on watersupply regulation in Alabama addresses the new groundwater facilities' physical requirements. It adds that Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed two bills for the mercury management in thermostats and vehicles. It mentions that an operating permit from federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was issued to Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility in Virginia that limits nitrogen waste.

The article offers news briefs related to environmental finance in the U.S. in 2009. The Arkansas State Plant Board was granted 226,593 dollars by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Pueblo Nation of Santa Ana was awarded 85,000 dollars to offer continued support for their water pollution control programs. Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma has been awarded 200,000 dollars to continue enforcing a Lead-Based Paint Program sanctioned by the EPA.

The article reports on the announcement of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the next steps on two hazardous waste rules issued under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). It notes that the proposal will address the definition of solid waste and emission-comparable fuel. Moreover, it mentions that the rules will have an impact on facility operations and RCRA compliance costs.

The author reflects on the changes made to the environmental regulation in the U.S. He mentions that as carbon emission became the main issue in the Congress, sooner there will be requirements to monitor and tally all carbon emissions from a facility, new rules for mining companies and electric utilities and a discharge limit of water. He states that these changes to environmental regulation will soon lead affected industries to go after Congressional Committee or a federal agency.