Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
Following is the July/August edition of EarthLink, a bi-monthly
current awareness newsletter produced by INFOTERRA/USA. EarthLink provides
information on international environmental activities, publications and
news of interest to EPA staff and other environment professionals.
Sections:
Article: EPA Releases Final Air Quality Standards
International Environment News
Air Quality
Climate Change
Forests
Water Pollution
Compliance and Enforcement
Toxic Waste
Recycling
Sustainable Development
Upcoming International Conferences
Internet Sites on Air Pollution
Standards
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EPA RELEASES FINAL AIR QUALITY STANDARDS
EPA's final air quality standards are the first update in 20 years for ozone (smog) and the first in ten years for particulate matter (soot). The updated standards will protect 125 million Americans from the health hazards of air pollution.
According to the EPA, these public health protections will provide for both cleaner air and the nation's continued economic progress. They will encourage innovation, cooperation and the development of new technologies for pollution reduction.
The Law
Passed by Congress in 1970 under President Nixon, the Clean Air Act was expanded, with its central public health approach reaffirmed, under Presidents Carter and Bush. The new law creates opportunity for more public health protection under the Clean Air Act. The Act requires the EPA to review public health standards for six major air pollutants every five years, update standards, if necessary, and to consider only the public health, not costs of compliance, when setting air quality standards.
Health Concerns
The scientific review conducted by the EPA determined that the existing standards were not adequately protectiveof public health, particularly for ozone and particulate matter. The updated standards are designed to address these significant health issues.
Implementation
Central to updated standards is an Implementation Package which is intended
to provide a flexible and cost-effective means for communities and businesses
to achieve clean air. EPA's implementation package has four basic features,
all of which can be carried out under the Clean Air Act:
(1) Continue progress toward cleaner air by keeping current ozone standards
and plans in place until they are achieved.
(2) Provide new tools for areas to address regional sources of pollution.
Chief among these is a trading plan for emissions from utilities that
will address violations downwind and will provide cost-effective pollution
reductions by achieving the bulk of reductions from major sources, rather
than small businesses.
(3) Areas that achieve early reductions through these approaches will
be classified as "transitional" areas to avoid potentially burdensome
planning and pollution reduction requirements.
(4) Initiate a new round of review of particulate matter science, to
be completed before areas are designated as non-attainment and before
any pollution controls would be required.
Please see the EPA homepage for more information at http://www.epa.gov
Moulin, Cyril, et al., "Control of Atmospheric Export of Dust from North
Africa by the North Atlantic Oscillation," Nature 387 (12 June 1997) :
691-694.
All year long, massive airborne plumes of desert dust from the Sahara and surrounding regions are exported to the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The mass of African dust transported in the atmosphere is large-about one billion tonnes per year- and it has been suggested that the wind-blown dusts have a substantial influence on the regional radiative budget. Here the authors use daily satellite observations of airborne dusts to obtain an 11-year regional-scale analysis of dust transport out of Africa.
Abelson, Philip, "Proposed Air Pollutant Standards," Science 277, no. 5322 (4 July 1997): 15.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) intention to tighten National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone and fine particles has encountered widespread opposition. According to the author, the eventual cost of implementing the EPA proposal would be many hundreds of billions of dollars. He believes more scientific information is needed, and proposes a research program to characterize airborne particles as to their size and chemistry, and to understand the mechanisms by which airborne particles of various size and chemical composition can cause disease. He argues that "a useful program could be conducted for $250 million and would have a much higher probability of leading to positive health benefits than would multi-hundred-billion-dollar regulatory edicts."
Thompson, L.G., "Tropical Climate Instability: The Last Glacial Cycle from a Qinghai-Tibetan Ice Core," Science 276, no. 5320 (20 June 1997): 1821-1825.
An ice core record from the Guliya ice cap on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau provides evidence of regional climatic conditions over the last glacial cycle. 36Cl data suggest that the deepest 20 meters of the core may be more than 500,000 years old. The 18O Change across Termination I is ~5.4 per mil, similar to that in the Huascarán (Peru) and polar ice cores. Three Guliya interstadials (Stages 3, 5a, and 5c) are marked by increases in 18O values similar to that of the Holocene and Eemian (~124,000 years ago). The similarity of this pattern to that of CH4 records from polar ice cores indicates that global CH4 levels and the tropical hydrological cycle are linked. The Late Glacial Stage record contains numerous 200-year oscillations in 18O values and in dust, H4+, and NO3- levels.
Benson, Larry, et al., "Nearly Synchronous Climate Change in the Northern Hemisphere during the Last Glacial Termination,"Nature 388 (17 July 1997): 263-265.
The climate of the North Atlantic region underwent a series of abrupt cold/warm oscillations when the ice sheets of the Northern Hemisphere retreated during the last glacial termination. Evidence for these oscillations has been found in Greenland ice cores. The geographical extent of many of these oscillations is not well known, but the last major cold event seems to have been global in extent. Here the authors present evidence of four major oscillations in the hydrological balance of the Owens basin, California, that occurred at approximately the same time as cold events recorded in Greenland ice, with transitions between climate regimes in the two regions taking place within a few hundred years of each other. The authors observations support recent climate simulations which indicate that cooling of the North Atlantic Ocean results in cooling of the North Pacific Ocean which, in turn, leads to a drier climate in western North America.
"Warm Words: Agreement May Yet Emerge Between Industrialists and Environmentalists
Over What to do About Global Warming," The Economist, June 14, 1997: 89.
Environmentalists and industrialists are beginning to find some common ground in light of new research on ways to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions more cost-effectively. Representatives of industrialized nations will gather in Kyoto to set new targets for the reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions, and three areas of agreement between "greens" and "sceptics" have been identified that may lead to a better chance of success in Kyoto. The first, "no regrets policies", allows those from both sides to focus on the scope of policies which are either cheap to implement, or worth implementing whether or not global warming is a real problem. The second area is "tradeable budgets," which allows any new targets adopted at Kyoto be imposed via a system of "internationally tradeable budgets or permits." Each country would get a certain budget to emit greenhouse-gases, part of which could then be sold on an open market. A third area of agreement centers on the need for governments to spend more on research into renewable sources of energy, to reduce the use of fossil fuels.
Loeb, Penny, "Shear Madness," U.S. News and World Report, August 11, 1997: 26.
The southern mountains of West Virginia hold large quantities of low-sulfur coal. This type of coal burns more efficiently and produces fewer pollutants than other types of coal. As the demand for electricity rises, so does the demand and value of low-sulfur coal. This fact, coupled with the state's lax environmental regulations and laws, draws mining companies to the area, and has resulted in a dramatic increase in the "mountaintop removal" method of mining. The tops of mountains are literally removed in order to access the coal below. Debris from the removal is discarded into the valleys between mountains. The environmental damage is severe, ranging from polluted waters, increased flood risk (due to drastic changes in the landscape) to negative impacts on wildlife. Damage to surrounding communities near the blast sites is severe, with an increase in property damage and contaminated drinking water. Environmentalists predict that in two decades, half of these mountain peaks will have disappeared if this practice continues unabated.
Nicholls, K.W., "Predicted Reduction in Basal Melt Rates of an Antarctic Ice Shelf in a Warmer Climate," Nature 388 (31 July 1997): 460-462.
Oceanographic measurements from Antarctic ice shelves have confirmed that dense sea water resulting from sea-ice formation flows into the sub-ice-shelf cavity. Here Nicholls presents temperature measurements which show a strong seasonality in the inflow of so-called High Salinity Shelf Water (HSSW). This seasonality results from intense wintertime production of sea ice, and the author argues that the seasonal springtime warming can be used as an analogue for climate warming. For the present mode of oceanographic circulation, the implication is that warmer winters would cause a reduction in the flux of HSSW beneath the ice shelf. The resultant cooling in the sub-ice cavity would lead, in turn, to a reduction in the total melting at the ice shelf's base. A moderate warming of the climate could thus lead to a basal thickening of the Falconer-Ronne Ice Shelf, perhaps increasing its longevity.
Miffed, Anne S., "Resurgent Forests Can Be Greenhouse Gas Sponges," Science 277, no 5324 (18 July 1997): 315-316.
Recent evidence suggests that forests store much more carbon than had been thought. Previous estimates indicated that they take up about as much carbon dioxide while photosynthesizing as they give off when respiring- resulting in little net carbon outflow into or out of forests. But new results indicate that forests, and the carbon they sequester, have been undervalued. Earlier studies neglected to include the huge amount of carbon stored in peat and other organic matter in soils- now estimated to account for about two-thirds of the total sequestered, primarily in high-latitude forests. In addition, many forests are expanding, which also helps draw carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and lock it away in organic matter.
Pifher, Mark, "The Clean Water Act: Cooperative Federalism?," Natural Resources & Environment, Summer 1997: 34.
Although Congress has the power to regulate activities affecting interstate waters, it is suggested that under the present scheme of the Act, federal authority over areas that have traditionally been state-controlled activities (such as pollution control and use of water resources) has increased beyond what is required to achieve the goals of the Clean Water Act (CWA). The author does not favor one over the other, but proposes that a more appropriate course may lie somewhere in the middle. Tension between various government levels concerning certain provisions of the Act is on the increase. The article examines these provisions and suggests that the embodiment of "cooperative federalism" in future CWA legislation and regulation lies with the state's ability to reassert their authority.
Baxter, Murdoch S., Fernando Carvalho, Iolanda Osvath, and David Kinley III, "Marine Science: Joining Forces for the Environment." IAEA Bulletin, Vol. 39, No. 1, 1997: 9-20.
Marine ecosystems are vital to global food supplies. The importance of
the oceans and seas to economic well-being and environmental balance is
acknowledged. But in a rapidly changing and industrializing world with
a growing population, what is being done to preserve this unique resource
for generations to come? The Marine Environment Laboratory (MEL) in Monaco
is among the foremost specialized marine science establishments in the
world, at the forefront of efforts to understand, preserve, and protect
the marine environment. This article offers a global perspective on inter-agency
co-operation concerning pollution of the marine environment. Included
are overviews of MEL's work, and highlights of specific activities related
to environmental assessment of the Black Sea, and pesticides in the marine
environment.
Jaroff, Leon, "Water Hazard? Finnish Scientists Link Chlorine to Cancer
in Rats," Time, June 30, 1997: 60.
Chlorine has long been used on a large scale for purifying water, including
swimming pools and drinking water supplies, but new studies now raise
questions about its safety. Scientists in Finland report that laboratory
rats develop cancer when exposed to a compound called MX (produced when
chlorine reacts with organic material in the water) in large quantities.
Chlorine has also been cited by environmentalists as an ozone destroying
substance. A recent editorial in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute
the highest levels of MX in U.S. drinking waters results in an additional
lifetime cancer risk of 2 in 1 million, and warns against abandoning the
use of chlorine in drinking water too quickly. However, it also encouraged
further investigations into the effects of MX.
Satchell, Michael, "The Cell From Hell," U.S. News and World Report, July 28, 1997: 26.
Pfiesteria, an alga that thrives on pollutants and kills fish with a toxin more powerful than cyanide, has killed millions of fish in North Carolina since it's discovery in 1991. Outbreaks of pfiesteria, and other algal blooms are on the increase nationwide. Pfiesteria poses a threat to marine life and those who work in the marine environment (fisherman, divers, etc) alike. Cases of pfiesteria poisoning have been found in humans who have been exposed to the algae. Scientists see these increases as a dire warning of the decline of many of the nations's bays and estuaries. A large increase in development of coastal areas, farm runoff and industrial wastewater has increased the amount of pollutants in the water, which leads to an increase of toxic algal blooms, which feed on the pollutants. Solutions to the problem include better water treatment, control of farm runoff and better protection of estuaries.
Hawkins, George S., "Compliance and Enforcement Changes in Congress and EPA," Natural Resources & Environment, Spring 1997: 42.
The article addresses the future of EPA's enforcement and compliance activities. The author identifies key principles of "enforcement first", "risk analysis/cost benefit", "costs to small parties", which have prompted both criticism and action in Washington, and examines these in detail. The article then discusses recent experimental changes implemented by EPA's Region 1 administrator (which the author feels encompasses the above principles) in an effort to achieve a balance between EPA's enforcement activities, and those of risk analysis and assistance actions. Lastly, the article reviews the pros and cons about the consequences of these principles. The author concludes that EPA must move beyond just achieving a balance between enforcement and assistance tools, by examining ways to integrate these activities "as part of a unified effort," thereby changing the way the agency does business in the future.
"Polychlorinated Biphenyls: U.S. Appeals Court Overturns Rule Allowing
Imports of PCB's into United States." International Environmental Reporter,
23 July 1997: 715-716.
"A U.S. federal appeals court July 7 struck down the Environmental Protection Agency's rule allowing the importation of polychlorinated biphenyls into the United States for disposal (Sierra Club v. EPA, CA 9, No. 96-70223, 7/7/97)." According to the court, the Toxic Substances Control Act not only bars manufacturing of PCB's, which have been linked to cancer and birth defects, but also bans the importation of PCB's. The EPA claimed that allowing PCB's to be imported and destroyed in incinerators in the U.S. is safer than letting them accumulate in other countries. The EPA has the right to appeal.
Karliner, Joshua, and Alba Morales and Dara O'Rourke. "The Barons of Bromide: The Corporate Forces Behind Toxic Poisoning & Ozone Depletion." The Ecologist, 27 no. 3 (May/June 1997):90-98.
Methyl bromide is a chemical used to kill soil pests but is a highly-toxic chemical to people. It is also an ozone depleter. A group of farmers, environmentalists, labor unions, scientists, public health professionals and others are currently fighting for methyl bromide to be phased-out internationally and replaced by sustainable agricultural practices. But methyl bromide manufacturers and lobbyists are resisting.
"Recycling: Japan Considering Project to Promote Recycling, Reuse of Goods with China, Russia." International Environmental Reporter, 11 June 1997: 587.
Japan is considering a project to construct recycling and reuse factories in China and Russia for products exported from Japan. Many different industrial products would be targeted such as computers and cars and the factories would use new energy sources. Research still needs to be carried out to be sure it's economically feasible and that China and Russia would accept the plan.
"Sustainable Development: Climate Change, Fresh Water, Forests Top Leaders' Concerns at Earth Summit + 5." International Environmental Reporter, 25 June 1997: 602-604.
The Earth Summit + 5, held on June 23, focused on climate change, fresh water issues and forest preservation. Industrialized nations who have not proposed a plan to cut their greenhouse gas emissions were urged to do so by British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The European Union plans to cut its emissions to 15 percent below 1990 levels by 2010. "French President Jacques Chirac proposed that within the next 10 years, every village in the developing world...have its own well or access to drinking water." He also said that within a decade the number of urban homes without access to drinking water and sanitation should be cut in half. Barbara Bramble of the National Wildlife Federation said that the United States faults in the area of greenhouse gas production and responsibility make it likely that at the Earth Summit +5 meeting the "shared responsibility" feeling was severely lacking.
Frey, Bodil. "Save and Avoid: Negawatt." Acid News No.2 (June 1997): 14-15.
Saving energy that may otherwise have been used unnecessarily is called
"Negawatt." This concept is being used and tested in Sacramento, California
to make up for the closing of the nuclear power plant there. About 5.5
per cent of the city's consumption of electricity has turned out to be
sheer waste, so everybody is being encouraged to buy energy-saving lamps."
There are certain incentives given to households and companies who try
to cut down on waste. Some places in Germany have begun hiring contract
companies to implement plans to cut energy spending.
UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES
Fourth International Conference on "Oxidation Technologies for Water and Air Remediation(AOTs-4)" and the Third International Conference on TiO2 Photocatalytic Purification and Treatment of Water and Air (TiO2-- Third Conference)
Orlando, Florida
September 23-26, 1997
These conferences cover the research, development, demonstration, and commercialization of Air Oxidation Technologies on a global level. For more information contact:
Hussain Al-Ekabi, Ph.D.
Chairman
c/o Science and Technology Integration
The University of Western Ontario Research Park
100 Collip Circle, Suite 110
London, Ontario N6G 4X8
CANADA
Phone: (519) 858-5055
Fax: (519) 858-5056
Email: sti.ekabi@info.london.on.ca
Marcuba '97
Fourth Congress on Marine Sciences
Cooperation in Marine Sciences for Sustainable Resource Management
16-20 September, 1997
Havana International Conference Center
Havana, CUBA
This meeting is expected to bring together scientists and managers involved in marine sciences, services, and technologies, as well as educators, businessmen, policy-makers and anyone interested in promoting and integrating marine scientific research with sustainable development. Sponsored by the National Oceanographic Committee (CON), the Cuban Society of Marine Sciences, Cuba's National Aquarium, the Fishing Research Center, the Marine Research Center, Institute of Oceanology, GEOCUBA Business Group, and the Center for Environmental Engineering and Management of Bays (CIMAB).
Contact: Argelia Fernández, Secretaria Ejecutiva
IV Congreso de Ciencias del Mar
Calle 18-A No. 4114 e/41 y 47
Playa, Ciudad de la Habana
CUBA
Phone: (537) 29-6014
Fax: (537) 24-9987
Email: argelia@cidea.unepnet.inf.cu
4th Conference on the Renewal of Environmental Education in Europe
Centre des Congres "le Manege," Chambery, France
September 18-20, 1997
Organized by ESIGEC, Universite de Savoie, France, the under-title of the conference is: "multidisciplinary and international co-operation in environmental education." The conference will touch on all aspects of environmental education, including engineering, economics, modeling, computer-aided education, European programs, etc.
Contact: Herve Boileau
AUDES (PU2) 97, ESIGEC, Universite de Savoie, Campue Technolac
73376 Le Bourget du Lac, France.
Phone: 33 (0) 479758812
Fax: 33 (0) 479758772
Email: Herve.Boileau@uiv-savoie.fr.
Asia-Pacific Initiative For Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency
Jakarta Convention Center, Indonesia
October 14-16, 1997
The conference objectives are to identify opportunities for renewable and efficiency in the region and to examine models of successful projects in Asia and world-wide.
Contact: ADA Ltd
5/F, 3 Wood Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Fax: 852-2574-1997
Email: altdev@hk.super.net
First International Europe-American Conference on Sustainable Management 1997
University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
October 20-24, 1997
The conference topic will be environmental impacts of industrialization and creating conditions for effective sustainable management in industrializing countries.
Contact: Mrs. Nicolette Hilarius, Conference Secretary
Fax: 31-58-212-6928
Email: hilarius@cs.utwente.nl
.
Lacar '97
7th International Conference on Lakes Conservation and Management
San Martin de los Andes, Argentina
October 27-31, 1997
The objective of the conference is to bring together concerns of scientists, decision makers, water resources managers, and the community for sound environmental management and conservation of freshwater resources.
Contact: Comision Organizadora Lacar '97
San Martin 450, piso 4, Of. 406
(1004) Buenos Aires, Argentina
Phone: (54) 1-348-8368
Fax: (54) 1-348-8367
Email: lacar97@sernah.gov.ar.
First Asia-Pacific Roundtable on Cleaner Production
November 12-14, 1997
Queen Sirikit Convention Center
Bangkok, Thailand
This roundtable will serve as a regional discussion of the ways in which cleaner production (CP) programs in the Asia-Pacific region can work together to better promote CP implementation. Regional cooperation can improve knowledge about effective strategies and increase consensus that environmental protection can be achieved with economic development.
Contact: Dr. Yuwaree In-na
Phaholyothin Road
Phayathai, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Phone: 662-619-2215
Fax: 662-619-2216
Email: yuwaree.i@pcd.go.th
INTERNET SITES ON AIR POLLUTION STANDARDS
AIRlinks Homepage
http://www.epa.gov/airlinks/
Air Pollution Hot Topics, including the recent and significant new information on the health effects of ozone and particulate matter (PM) has become available since the last review of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). As a result, EPA issued new, updated ozone and PM standards on July 16, 1997. In all, the standards will protect 125 million Americans, including 35 million children, from the health hazards of air pollution.
Handbook of Air Pollution Control Engineering and Technology
http://www.crcpress.com/prods/l1106.htm
The Handbook of Air Pollution Control Engineering and Technology provides essential information for professionals attempting to reduce and/or eliminate air pollution problems. This invaluable reference not only contains general information on air pollution but also examines the technical aspects of air pollution control equipment. It provides fundamental information as well as practical applications and is well-referenced to assist the reader in further research.
Office of Air and Radiation (EPA) Resource Page
http://www.epa.gov/oar/offices.html
This page provides links to multiple valuable tools and contact information for each state in the U.S. It gives the address, fax, and phone number of the local agencies for air pollution.
