Search

Issues are presented concerning the reluctance of the US government to sign the Kyoto Protocol because of fears of economic recession. The effect of the Kyoto Protocol on developing and developed countries is discussed.

There are mixed views on the success of the Environmental Protection Agency's Project XL, (eXcellence and Leadership).

The traditional environmental risk assessment and management model has come under attack for being divorced from reality and not taking into account the interests of all shareholders. Critics say the traditional approach to risk assessment and management relies much on assumption-laden mathematical estimates and is too narrowly focused. The over-reliance on scientific data and calculations results in lesser emphasis given to the business and political aspects of the process.

The introduction of energy reducing programs into office buildings will not only cut pollution but can save money for industry.

The Clean Air Act amendments of 1990, Section 112(r) requires facilities to file risk management programs (RMP) with the Environmental Protection Agency not later than June 21, 1999. The RMPs, which are required for the purpose of protecting the American public and environment from chemical accidents, are composed of three parts: hazard assessment, prevention program and emergency response programs. Some of the facilities affected are the following: propane retailers and users; drinking water and municipal treatment works; electric and gas plants; chemical and petroleum refineries.

The enactment of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1987 by 24 industrialized countries has spurred the development of alternative chemicals and products that are environmentally friendly. However, problems such as the growing chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) black market remain. Evidence has also shown that the damage to the ozone layer is far more extensive than initially projected. In response, the Montreal protocol sped up its phase-out targets for some ozone-depleting chemicals such as CFCs, halons, and methyl chloroforms.

Buildings and work areas with poor air quality greatly affect worker productivity and can cause the so-called sick building syndrome characterized by nausea, dizziness, muscle pain and other symptoms. The problem has been addressed by employees on a daily basis while waiting for the indoor quality standard revisions by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers. Five main sources of indoor air quality problems include inadequate ventilation, contamination from the inside, contamination from the outside, microbial or biological contamination and contamination from the building fabric.

Employers should recognize the need for proper selection, maintenance and use of fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishers are one of the most effective emergency defense against fires and knowledge on their proper use is very important. The OSHA standards oblige employers to provide employees with various readily accessible fire exinguishers depending on the type of workplace environment and the degree of potential hazard. The standards also require proper employee education on the proper use of fire extinguishers.

The US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) air quality and emissions report for 1994 reveals the decreasing levels of six important air pollutants. The report also disclosed an increasing compliance with health standards for smog. However, smog and particulate matter remain as major health hazards. The EPA plans to revise its standards for particulate and ozone pollution in compliance with the Clean Air Act requirements.

Interested parties, including the EPA and the insurance industry, agree that the Superfund program needs improvement. Legislators have been debating on several issues concerning Superfund such as cleanup costs, cleanup delays, degree of cleanup and choice of protection between human health or the environment. Liability for the costs to clean up Superfund sites, however, is the biggest issue, particularly for financially troubled small businesses and municipalities.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration that sick-building syndrome is one of the growing health problems in the country. Most sick-building problems are caused by poor indoor air quality and the entry of contaminants. To reduce the health problems associated with sick-building syndrome, companies should oversee the design, installation and operation of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems. They should also monitor the entry of contaminants and maintain a continuous flow of fresh air in buildings.

The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 required both the OSHA and the EPA to create provisions to prevent unintentional chemical releases. The OSHA is tasked with protecting workers from chemical incidents at facilities that contain toxic, flammable or explosive substances while the EPA must protect public health and the environment. The OSHA has implemented its process-safety management standard while the EPA has imposed its risk-management planning rule.

Laboratory conditions often subject people to unsafe or unhealthy stresses. Factors that may affect the health of laboratory workers include performing repetitive tasks, using vibrating tools and carrying or handling heavy objects. Researchers are also subjected to stress due to strained postures while working with microscopes. In addition, they may not be adequately protected by their laboratory suits.

The Canadian healthcare system may provide a model of efficient healthcare administration. It operates through a publicly-funded comprehensive insurance system free at the point of use. Provincial governments purchase insurance that covers all necessary medical services. Lower costs in Canda are sustained by fewer administrative costs. However, Canada is combatting increasing costs through increased community care and health-promotion schemes.

The possibility that the electromagnetic fields from cellular phones could cause cancer is greatly concerning those who use them, although research has shown that human cells exposed to such fields showed no abnormalities. Many believe that radio frequencies are inconclusive and it is a fact that cases of brain cancer have risen over 20% during the past 20 years. More research is being called for by the AAAS and the EPA.

Environmental issues are apparently at the forefront of the new administration's list of priorities. Pres Bill Clinton's pronouncement that the US should be a leader, not a footdragger, in the struggle to save the global environment bodes well for the environment. This is further buttressed by the designation of Carol M. Browner, a prominent environmentalist, as head of the EPA and the strong environmental positions of Vice Pres Al Gore. Fifteen environmental issues are expected to be tackled under the new administration in 1993.

The growing popularity of recycling in the US has caused solid-waste management strategies to concentrate on looking for markets for recycled products. In an effort to find new markets, several states enacted laws granting incentives and tax credits to businesses which use these materials and which plan to set up facilities for this purpose. Others simply resorted to direct intervention and forced industries to utilize recycled materials by passing recycled-content laws.

The adoption of environmentally-sound policies by corporations has resulted in increased savings and profits for them. Among the corporations with environmentally responsible practices are McDonald's Corp and Walt Disney Co. McDonald's environmental waste-reduction measures include making its paper napkins smaller and using corrugated boxes made of 35% recycled materials. Walt Disney, on the other hand, uses fuels for its vehicles which give off clean exhausts and also has facilities for the treatment of waste-water which is used in turn for irrigation purposes.

EPA Safety, Health and Environmental Management Dir Julius Jimeno believes that maintaining the professional development and technical skills of his program officers is paramount to the effective implementation of EPA's internal health and safety programs. He thinks that his staff has achieved these competencies that resulted in the government agency's low injury and illness rate. Jimeno also attributes this to the robust and comprehensive audit program his department is using to assess the safety, health and environmental compliance programs of each EPA facility.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is on the verge of finalizing its dioxin reassessment after announcing the chemical's carcinogenic properties for the first time in 1985. The EPA has now become more certain that dioxin can actually cause cancer in human beings. In addition, the reassessment hints that baseline exposure to dioxins can be detrimental to an individual's health. The agency will formulate regulations to control waste incinerator dioxin emissions, which are responsible for 95% of the environment's dioxin content.

Hotels that exert effort to protect the environment are increasingly being patronized by equally environmentally conscious travelers. Among the environmental protection measures taken by these hotels are recycling, using energy-efficient lighting and installing water-saving shower heads and plumbing fixtures. They also embark on retrofits and upgrades to conserve energy and improve profit margins.

Certain chemicals that produce estrogen-like effects have been found to affect the reproductive capacity of both animals and humans. These chemicals including plastics can destroy biological processes and even cause reproductive cancers. These contaminants include pesticides such as DDT, DDT's metabolite DDE, kepone and heptachlor. The government must require that new chemicals be withheld from public use until they pass rigorous safety tests.

The White House is undergoing an extensive renovation project that aims to cut energy use by 30-50%. The move is in line with the administration's commitment to become both energy-efficient and environmentally-responsive. According to White House sources, the renovation project will entail about 90 architects, environmental engineers, scientists, energy specialists and other environmental designers.

The Endangered Species Act is due for reauthorization in Congress. It is one of the most successful acts passed and one of the most controversial. Reauthorization hearings are already being held in some states. A bill introduced by Rep Gerry Studds and supported by environmentalists streamlines the act, encourages ecosystem protection and provides conservation incentives. A bill introduced by Rep Billy Tauzin, supported by industries, utilities and trade groups, aims for protection of natural resources alongside economic growth and respect for private property.

Executives are being urged to lead their employees towards a sense of responsibility for the planet. Their main attributes should include being accessible, being committed and being accountable for their company's green policies. If there is an environmental accident they may need courage to face the public. To encourage the greening of US industry there are many awards available, such as America's Corporation Conscience Award, Keep America Beautiful National Awards and Honour for Environmental Achievement.

The EPA launched the Energy Star Program which would involve computer manufacturers in designing and producing energy-efficient computers. To support the program, Pres Clinton ordered the federal government, considered the largest computer buyer in the world, to buy only energy-efficient computers. With the purchase of the energy-efficient computers the federal government can expect to save an estimated $40 million annually in computer electricity use. In addition to this, the said computers will also lower the emiision of dangerous gases that are responsible for the greenhouse effect.

Focuses on the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Project XL, an innovative program that would give industry flexibility and prevent pollution. Three key elements of an XL project; Five phases of the development of XL projects; Number of XL projects in the implementation and evaluation stage; Proponents and opponents of the program. INSETS: What does it take to become an XL project?;Two sides of the coin..

Discusses various aspects of government policies regarding environmental risk assessment and management in the United States as of April 1999. Background on government's approach to environmental risk assessment; Commission on Risk Assessment and Risk Management's release of its report evaluating the government approach to environmental risk assessment in January 1997.

Focuses on the risk management program of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Facilities affected by the regulation; Development of a plan addressing chemical emergencies; Classification of requirements according to compliance programs. INSETS: Grassroots emergency planning.;It's a matter of national security.;For more info....

Looks at the efforts of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in developing provisions to prevent unintentional chemical releases. What the Clean Air Act Amendments required of the OSHA and EPA; OSHA's emphasis on hazard analysis in the workplace; Focus on off-site assessment by the EPA; Comparison of the resulting standards of both agencies. INSET: How do the OSHA and EPA standards compare?..

Reports developments related to environmental protection as of November 2000. Includes comparison of carbon dioxide emissions between 1998 and 1999; Finalization of regulations for public access to risk management plans at industrial facilities; Rate of deforestation in tropical countries.

Focuses on the United States Department of Energy's decision to stop selling scrap metals from nuclear weapons facilities. Health threats from possible radioactive contamination; Acceleration of a program to collect some types of commercially owned, radioactive sources that are no longer in use.

Focuses on the United States Food and Drug Administration and the cellular phone industry's joint investigation of the health effects of cellular phones. Examination of health risks of radio frequency emissions from cellular phones; Identification of scientific questions that deserve attention.

Focuses on the Executive Order of United States President Bill Clinton to expand the federal protection of oceans and coastlines. Creation of an Ocean Conservative Zones; Development of a national system of marine protected areas; Establishment of a moratorium on offshore oil and gas leasing.

Reports on a proposed voluntary program aimed at reducing the leaks of smog-causing vapors from above-ground petroleum product refinery storage tanks in the United States. Tanks' release of volatile organic compound emissions; Emissions' violation of clean air regulations; Contact information.

Reports on the increase in the United States Environmental Protection Agency's proposed budget for the 2001 fiscal year. Allocation of $7.3 billion for the agency's operating programs; Budget increases for clean water and air programs, food quality protection and soil cleanup operations; Contact information.

Reports that the United States and Mexico have signed an agreement to disclose information about their respective waste sites within 60 miles of the US/Mexico border. Provision of citizens with access to the information; Agreement's coverage of radioactive waste disposal sites; Goal to reduce tension in border states.

Reports on the United States Environmental Protection Agency's plans to crackdown on the emissions from electric power-plants and industrial facilities in a number of states. Agency action on a petition filed by states asking for relief from nitrogen oxide emissions that blow across state lines.

Reports on the availability of a free software from the United States Environmental Protection Agency to help companies prepare their Tier II reports under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. Deadline of submission of the Tier II reports; On-site chemicals that require material safety data sheets; Address of the Web site.

Reports on the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Printers Simplified Total Environmental Partnership's awarding of grants to the printing industry. Testing of ways to reduce government oversight on facilities; Aiding of states in the collection of data to measure the programs' success; Contact information.

Reports on the United States Environmental Protection Agency proposal that would require tougher standards to clean up polluted rivers, lakes and estuaries. Proposed revision of the amount of pollution a body of water can receive; Proposed responsibilities of states; Good news for industry and consumers.

Reports on the public hearing to be conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about a new relocation policy for residents and businesses near hazardous waste sites. Need for more public comment on National Priority List Superfund sites; Conditions for permanent relocation.

Reports that the computer systems of the United States Environmental Protection Agency are 100 percent Year 2000 (Y2K) compliant. Effect of Y2K bug; Findings of the President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion.

Presents the two reports of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. `1996 Toxics Release Inventory Public Data Release--10 years of Right-to-Know: Industry Sector Analyses'; `Draft Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks'; Availability of the reports.

Cites the five documents from the United States Environmental Protection Agency's High Production Volume Challenge designed to help chemical companies compile basic toxicity information for chemicals manufactured in excess of one million pounds in the United States. Availability on the Internet; Commitment of the companies that will participate in the program.

Focuses on the United States Environmental Protection Agency's pilot project which is investigating ways to implement alternative standards for managing hazardous waste at university laboratories. Goal to prevent the setting up of a regulatory approach; Testing of an environmental management plan; Evaluation of the small-scale treatment of laboratory byproducts.

Presents regulations on the disposal of waste generated by the cleanup of Superfund sites, released by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as of February 1999. Procurement of permits for treating,storing and disposing of waste; Creation of a `staging pile' during the cleanup; Exclusion of dredge material from the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.