Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
Following is the September/October 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: Fires in Asia Cause Air Hazard
International Environment News
Sustainable Development
Biodiversity
Environmental Management
Chemicals
Pollution Prevention
Air Quality
Climate Change
Upcoming International Conferences
Internet Sites on Air Pollution and on Asia's
Air Problems
INFOTERRA
Information
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FIRES IN ASIA CAUSE AIR HAZARD
Starting in September, the air pollution levels in Southeast Asia became critical. Millions of inhabitants in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Phillippines, as well as in Thailand and Cambodia, were urged to stay indoors as much as possible or to wear protective masks if they found it necessary to go outside. The choking haze in the air was caused by a combination of forest fires set to clear land, and the unusual weather patterns caused by El Ni¤o, which caused a delay in the monsoon rains that usually blanket this part of the world. Many countries offered expertise and firefighting equipment, and the fires are on the way to being brought under control. At its height 10,000 firefighters battled the blazes.
It is estimated that over 45,000 people were treated for chest and lung problems, and that some people died as a result of the smog. Also, in Irian Jaya on the island of New Guinea, over 400 people died as a result of water-borne illnesses and famine resulting from this environmental disaster.
The World Wildlife Fund stated that international cooperation is required to fight the smog. "We need a coordinated international effort to stop the Indonesian fires and to prevent similar recurrence," said W.F. Director-General in a statement. The financial crisis in Southeast Asia has contributed to this problem, and the World Bank offered emergency funding if needed.
As of October 5, the rains have come to Southeast Asia, lifting some of the choking haze and reducing air pollution to normal levels. Unfortunately, these "normal" levels also exceed recognized air pollution standards.
The Washington Post newspaper said the following about the situation: "While the Indonesian forest and brush fires burning uncontrollably on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo are the cause of the most immediate regionwide haze crisis, environmentalists and government analysts here say Malaysia's problem was aggravated by indigenous pollutants, including vehicle emissions, factory smoke and open burning that reduces visibility and causes eye and throat irritation even on "normal" days." (Sunday, October 5, 1997; Page A1)
Please see the "Air Quality" section of this EarthLink for more information on this problem.
INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT NEWS
Sustainable Development
Tilbury, Daniella and K. Turner. "Environmental Education for Sustainability in Europe: Philosophy Into Practice" International Journal of Environmental Education and Information, 16 no. 2 (1997): 123-140.
Growing public concern over the stability of ecosystems and sustainability of existing lifestyles has brought a new focus to environmental education. Now its ultimate purpose is considered to be education for sustainability. This view of education has holism as its philosophical basis. It is concerned with addressing environmental issues within the curriculum from a holistic and interdisciplinary perspective. Studies suggest that EE practices are not grounded in an holistic philosophy. Instead, the environmental work in schools normally adopts a fragmented and subject-based approach to investigation of the environment and its related issues. This paper describes an attempt to develop a European project which addresses these inadequacies in school practices. The project aims to promote a holistic study of specific environmental issues with 16-19 year-old students through interdisciplinary and multi-dimensional investigations. This initiative, funded by the European Commission and the European Education Regional Partnership, aims to promote a holistic study of specific environmental issues within the curriculum.
Sissell, Kara. "Sustainability Concerns Drive Demand for Data." Chemical Week, Aug. 13, 1997: 48-50.
Corporate environmental reports have changed from glossy, presentation-oriented pamphlets in the 1980s to slim, well thought-out sets of graphs charting environmental performance for each company. These reports have become a critical method by which chemical companies communicate their environmental performance and the cost of environmental investments. These types of reports will not suffice for the financial community. Companies must also evaluate the information their stakeholders want and need, especially in multinational companies, since the needs will change depending on the involved country's environmental status. Sustainable development is keeping environmental companies in the public eye, and the diverse nature of the chemical industry means companies will address sustainability in different ways. This article talks about the types of things companies can do to bolster their reporting strategies, and also gives hints on making their reports more universally satisfying.
Ellul, Anthony, "Integrating Sustainable Principles in the Development of Tourist Projects," Naturopa, #84, 1997, 5.
Tourism is rapidly becoming the world's number one industry, with new
destinations competing with traditional ones for their share of international
tourists. This is leading to increased pressures for these new sites to
provide the necessary infrastructure to meet the demand, while other sites
develop new attractions in order to stay competitive. Increased development
often places additional pressures on the environment and natural resources.
Attention must be payed to the protection of the environment when developing
tourism infrastructures, in order to insure their success. This article
reviews a number of criteria to be used when ascertaining the sustainability
of a tourism site. The criteria include planning (including impact assessments),
design (including adopting traditional architectural features in the design,
and developing measures to save energy and treat waste water), marketing
(strategies to attract tourists and make them more conscious of the destination
that they are visiting) and operation (taking measures to ensure the minimum
environmental impact of the development).
Sinha, Rajiv K. "The State of Biodiversity in India: Some Conservation Strategies." International Journal of Environmental Education and Information, 16 no. 2 (1997): 159-176.
India is a country of rich biodiversity and is the seat of origin of several of the Earth's crop plants. Unfortunately, Indian biodiversity is also threatened with destruction due to population pressures and ill-conceived developmental activities. The Government of India has become aware of the situation and has created wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and "biosphere reserves" for in situ conservation of biodiversity and scientific organizations (gene banks) for ex situ conservation.
Nash, J. Madeleine. "The Fish Crisis." Time, 11 August 1997, 65-67.
Commercial overfishing is actually threatening to exhaust some species of fish. Increasing technology makes it easier to find and catch large amounts of fish at one time. Some nets can catch up to 130 tons of fish at a time. Along with depleting that species of fish, it also disrupts other fish and sealife caught in the area. Measures are being taken to protect the fish, such as U.S. legislation and an unratified UN treaty, but it may take consumer action to force politicians to follow through. "The Worldwide Fund for Nature and Unilever, one of the world's largest purveyors of frozen seafood, have launched a joint venture that in 1998 will start putting labels on fish and fish products caught in environmentally responsible ways."
Grime, J.P., "Biodiversity and the Ecosystem Function: The Debate Deepens." Science 277 no.5330 (29 August 1997): 1260-1261.
Grime discusses the ecological debate addressing the effect of biodiversity on an ecosystem. The US and the UK are experimenting with the effects of the loss of diversity in ecosystems. High biodiversity does not appear to guarantee ecological preservation just as the lack of diversity does not seem to promise ecological disaster. "So far, neither evolutionary theory nor empirical studies have presented convincing evidence that species diversity and ecosystem function are consistently and causally connected."
Lovei, Gabor L., "Biodiversity: Global Change through Invasion." Nature 288 no. 6643 (14 August 1997): 627.
The transfer of species from one ecosystem to a foreign one is a regular occurrence particularly in areas having a high volume of trade. These "invasions" cause changes in the local biota which could have global implications. In some cases, invading species are responsible for more environmental degradation than pollution or acid rain. Isolation has produced global biodiversity. Invasion contributes to a decrease in biodiversity, an essential element in the prevalence of life.
Martin, Jay G. "Developing Global Environmental Management Programs." Natural Resources and Environment 11 No. 3 (Winter 1997): 33-36; 63.
Until recently, the problem of environmental control has been considered a U.S. problem. The Superfund law (CERCLA, 1980) is an example of the expensive trials made by the U.S. towards a cleaner environment. In the last few years, people throughout the world have become more aware of environmental issues, through environmental disasters and new policies of worldwide organizations such as the World Bank. Partially because of this, and also because of the internationalization of feeling about responsibility for the environment, governments around the world have been enacting environmental laws and participating in international treaties and conventions for the protection of the environment. However, each region of the world, and indeed each country, has a different set of issues when developing environmental management programs, and this impacts any global management programs as well. This article sets out the advantages of environmental management standards such as ISO 14000, and also important steps in global environmental management systems. This is looked at from a government point of view as well as that of companies.
Scott, Alex, "ISO 14000: Europe's Top Standard," Chemical Week, September 24, 1997, 84.
More and more European chemical companies are favoring ISO 14000 over the European Commission's Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (Emas) as evidenced by the commission's recent decision to re-write Emas so that it conforms more closely with the ISO 14000 format. At present, about 10% of Europe's chemical companies are ISO 14000-registered. However, the number of companies making preparations toward ISO 14000 is steadily increasing. Since ISO 14000 is becoming a world-wide standard, many companies are modifying their own programs to fit in with the standard. European businesses are moving over to ISO 14000 on a case-by-case basis, based on site and customer requirements.
White, R.F., R.G. Feldman, I.I. Eviator, et. al., "Hazardous Waste and Neurobehavioral Effects: A Developmental Perspective," Environmental Research 73 Numbers 1/2(1997): 113.
The article discusses the results of three clinical case studies of individuals who were exposedto trichloroethylene (TCE) and other solvents. The exposure occurred via contamination of drinking water from hazardous waste site effluents. The three groups were given a variety of clinical tests and the neurobehavioral effects observed are discussed. The findings suggest that relatively low-level environmental exposure to solvents can be associated with significant neurobehavioral effects. Additionally, exposure to these solvents seems to adversely affect the central nervous system. The findings also suggest that the younger a person is when exposed, the greater the range is of neuropsychological effects observed.
"When Pollution Prevention Meets the Bottom Line." Environmental Science & Technology 31 no.9 (September 1997): 418A-422A.
Companies do not readily adopt pollution prevention techniques even if they promise to save the company money in addition to reducing waste production. Some environmentalists believe that EPA regulations discourage companies "from implementing...holistic, innovative ideas at their plants." Others believe waste reduction is not a priority for many businesses. The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) chose a Texas chemical plant as a primary site to evaluate plant processes and pollution prevention opportunities and identify points of resistance by the company. "...Pollution prevention opportunities may not be sufficiently compelling as a business matter to insure their voluntary implementation."
Rodgers, Peter H. and Katherine P. Yarbrough. "EPA's RFG and Anti-Dumping Program." Natural Resources and Environment, 11 No. 3 (Winter 1997): 20-24.
Recently, the EPA has put forth a number of initiatives for reduction of air pollution, notably the tougher ozone and particulate matter standards announced in late 1996. This article describes the controversy that has erupted over EPA's reformulated gasoline (RFG) and anti-dumping program to reduce polluting auto emissions. Congress attacked this program almost as soon as it was introduced, and only recently has its future existence been assured. The story of the transition to reformulated gasoline (RFG) offers important lessons about the efficacy of new programs of this kind, and also of the many forces that may effect the scope and implementation of such programs.
"Special Report: Tenth Anniversary of Montreal Protocol Occasion to Cite Evidence of Success, Renew Call for Further International Cooperation." International Environmental Reporter, 3 September 1997: 840-852.
On January 1, 1989, the environmental treaty, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer came into force. Under this accord, governments pledged to lessen their use of certain ozone-destroying chemicals, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) andhalons. Participating countries are preparing to celebrate the treaty's 10th anniversary in September. The International Environmental Reporter's Special Report takes a look at the accomplishments of the Protocol as well as the problems that still need to be addressed.
"An Asian Pea-Souper, " The Economist, September 27, 1997, 40.
Kuala Lumpur, like most of Southeast Asia, has been blanketed by a thick smog that is causing serious health problems to inhabitants. Kuala Lumpur has been only moderately affected so far, compared to many other areas where the air pollutants index (API) has exceeded the 800 mark. A similar (though less serious) incident of this type occurred in 1994. The source of the smog is forest fires, set by farmers using "slash and burn" techniques, and by plantation owners, clearing the land for use in producing palm oil, or paper and pulp. Although this method is against the law, enforcement is lax. Additionally, the smog also contains lead, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide and particulates from industries and motor vehicles. The smog may even worsen and no relief is expected until November, when the annual monsoon rains arrive. The economic costs of this disaster, in addition to the health effects, have yet to be computed.
"When the Smoke Clears in Asia," The Economist, October 4, 1997, 43.
Southeast Asia has enjoyed a brief respite from the dense smog that has enveloped the area for weeks. However it is only temporary as the fires that are producing most of the smog continue to burn. Even the monsoon rains expected in November may not extinguish all the fires, many of which are peat fires burning deep beneath the ground. The long-term damage of the smog has yet to be fully determined, but the impact on human health and the region's ecologies and economies is sure to be severe. The numbers of people seeking medical help has increased dramatically. The smog also contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, a carcinogen whose effects may not be felt for years. The fires are destroying the soil, which in turn puts forests, and wildlife at risk. Economic losses, due to lost productivity and a reduction in tourism are already being felt. Indonesia's government has called the smog a "natural disaster" even though it is man-made, caused by Indonesia's "slash and burn" ground clearing practices, and failure to enforce laws that outlawed these methods in 1995. The refusal of Indonesia to accept responsibility has many of its neighboring countries worried about a repeat of this disaster in the future.
"Motor Vehicles: Honda Aims to Meet U.S. EPA with Cuts in Emissions from General-Purpose Vehicles." International Environmental Reporter, 17 September 1997: 885.
Officials for Honda Motor Company in Tokyo announced they plan to reduce exhaust emissions from their power generators and all-purpose engines by the end of 1999. This would be two years ahead of the EPA deadline and would require technological changes on about 90 percent of their engine models. Honda spokespeople say they have doubled the research and development budget (to about $42 million) to implement the project.
Skelton, Renee. "Clearing the Air." The Amicus Journal 19, no. 2 (summer 1997): 27-30.
This article profiles Joel Schwartz, one of the most "eminent epidemiologists and biostatisticians in the United States today," according to author Renee Skelton. Formerly of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Schwartz is now a professor at Harvard School of Public Health. While at the EPA, he pushed for the phaseout of lead from gasoline. He also conducted studies to prove that tiny airborne particles were actually more damaging to human health than larger particles. These studies have forced a reevaluation of air pollution standards. Schwartz won the MacArthur Fellowship in 1991 for his work on lead and particles. Next, he will focus on water pollution issues.
Taylor, Martin. "Greenhouse Gases and the Nuclear Fuel Cycle: What Emissions?" IAEA Bulletin, 39 No. 2 (June 1997): 34-37.
This paper is a report of the results of the Uranium Institute's (UI) study of the claims that although nuclear power did not emit any greenhouse gases, it emitted enough carbon dioxide (CO2 ) through certain stages in the nuclear fuel cycle to be significant. It gives a background of the nuclear fuel cycle and cites studies of CO2 emissions in relation to the nuclear fuel process. The article also points out the flaws in the studies which show significant emissions possibilities. The article also compares nuclear fuel with other energy sources and also specifically looks at methane emissions from uranium mining as a possible source for emissions. The article sets out to prove that the allegations that there are significant CO2 emissions from the nuclear cycle are untrue.
"New Meaning to the Term Down Under," The Economist, September 27, 1997, 41.
The tiny island-states of Tuvalu, Nauru, Kiribati, the Cook Islands and Niue fear that unless something is done to curb greenhouse gases, they could disappear as sea levels rise. The island nations accuse Australia of contributing to this problem by its refusal to cut the amount of greenhouse gases it releases into the atmosphere. These concerns were publicized during the South Pacific Forum, where these nations decided to put pressure on Australia and proposed a world-wide cut of greenhouse gases by 20% of 1990 emission levels by 2005, a much higher percentage the proposed by the EU (15% by 2010). Australia has rejected the proposal, arguing that these fears are "exaggerated" and that many jobs could be lost by such drastic reductions. A statement recognizing the inland-states concerns, while conceding that different reduction levels for different countries are needed, was reluctantly agreed to be the island nations.
Christiansen, J.N., et. al., "Climate and Ocean Dynamics and the Lead Isotopic Records in the Pacific Ferromanganese Crusts." Science 277 no.5328 (5 August 1997): 913-918.
"As hydrogenous iron-manganese crusts grow, at rates of millimeters per million years, they record changes in the lead isotopic composition of ambient seawater. Time-resolved lead isotopic data for cut slabs of two central Pacific iron-manganese crusts that have been growingsince about 50 million years ago were measured in situ by laser ablation, multiple-collector, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The lead isotopic compositions have remained remarkably uniform over the past 30 million years, but the record of small variations corresponds with other paleoceanographic indicators of climate change, including weathering and glaciation. This implies that despite the short residence time of lead in the oceans, global mechanisms may influence lead isotopic compositions in the central Pacific, far from continental outputs, because of changes in weathering, ocean circulation, and degree of mixing. Thus lead isotopic data could be used to probe climate-driven changes in ocean circulation through time."
Crutzen, Paul, et.al., "Atmospheric Chemistry: Ozone Clouds over the Atlantic." Nature 288 no.6643 (14 August 1997): 625.
Scientists are beginning to research tropospheric ozone in the world's tropical and subtropical regions. In the stratosphere, ozone acts as a filter against solar ultraviolet radiation. In the troposphere, ozone and ultraviolet radiation produce hydroxyl radicals which remove nearly all atmospheric gases emitted by human and natural activities. Measurements taken in the tropical Atlantic reveal that tropospheric ozone concentrations have increased, while those in the stratosphere have decreased. In this region, extremely high concentrations of ozone are moving from the stratosphere into the troposphere. In contrast, there are extremely low concentrations of ozone in the lower troposphere in the tropical Pacific due to hydroxyl-forming reactions and a nearly zero ozone concentration is found in the upper troposphere. More research is needed to understand tropospheric ozone in tropical and subtropical regions.
Murphy, Eugene, et.al., "Climate Change: Icy Message from the Antarctic." Nature 389 no.6646 (4 September 1997): 20-21.
Changes in polar sea-ice have implications for the global ecosystem. Sea-ice effects ocean circulation and is an essential element in the Earth's climate system. Scientists note that the "final reduction" in the whale population occurred at the same time as the decrease of Antarctic sea ice. It is possible that these events caused dramatic changes in the rest of the ecosystem. Since research has shown that rapid ecological changes do take place, scientists and politicians are faced with the challenge of coping with these changes and not trying to maintain the status quo.
UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES
1. North American Conference on the Monarch Butterfly
Morelia Convention Center, Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico
November 10-14, 1997
The main objectives of this meeting are to contribute to the understanding of the migratory phenomenon of the Monarch Butterfly and of the requirements for its conservation along its entire migratory route from tri-national and multidisciplinary perspectives; to provide a forum for dialogue among individuals, institutions and groups from the NAFTA countries and toidentify and propose actions which permit the conservation of the Monarch Butterfly in a sustainable development framework. For more information, please call Irene Pisanty at 514-350-4300; e-mail: ipisanty@ccemtl.org. CEC Website: http://www.cec.org
Registration Form (http://cec.org/english/new/regstre.cfm?format=2)
Call for papers (http://cec.org/english/new/calle.cfm?format=2)
2. 3rd International Conference on Wildlife Management in Amazonia
Santa Cruz, Bolivia.
3-7 December, 1997
This important meeting will be held in Santa Cruz, Bolivia between 3-7 December, 1997 and is being co-organized by the School of Agricultural Science of the Universidad Autonoma "Gabriel Ren Moreno", the Natural History Museum "Noel Kempff Mercado", and theTropical Conservation and Development Program of the University of Florida. This event will be a forum for practitioners, students, researchers and other professionals from all parts of Central and South America to evaluate approaches, share knowledge and exchange ideas about wildlife and fisheries, conservation and management, biodiversity, the environment, and sustainable evelopment, along with other themes intimately linked with Amazonian wildlife.
Conference Home Page - http://www.tcd.ufl.edu/tcd/congres3
Contact: Larry Cullen Jr. at the Instituto de Pesquisas Ecologicas (IPCA) and Tropical Conservation and Development Program, University of Florida. Phone: 352-846-5272. Email: lcjipe@grove.ufl.edu;
3. The Second Monroe Wall Symposium on Natural Products, Biodiversity,
and Biotechnology: Building Novel Alliances
Instituto de Estudios Avancados (IDEA)Conference Center; Caracas, Venezuela
7-10 January, 1998
This symposium will include the international community of molecular biologists,
pharmaceutical and natural products chemists, food chemists and biologists,
ethnobotanists, microbial ecologists, entrepreneurs, and bioethicists
for four days of lectures and informal discussions on new molecular technologies
and their application to biodiversity prospecting, molecular screen design,
natural products chemistry, and ethnobotany. The formulation of economically
viable and ethical strategies for the commercialization of products from
biodiversity will be emphasized.
For more information please contact: Keith Wilson, Office of Continuing
Professional Education, Cook College, Rutgers University, P.O. Box 231,
New Brunswick, NJ 08903-0231. Phone: 732-932-9271, Fax: 732-932-1187,
Email: ocpe@aesop.rutgers.edu;
WWW: http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~meton/Monroe_Wall.html
4. 2nd Conference on Natural Environment and Human Health
Conference Centre on Villanyi Rd. (H-1114 Budapest, Villanyi ut 11-13.)
Budapest, Hungary
January 22-23, 1998
The main topics of the conference will be as follows: Universe and Man
(from ebb and flow phenomenon to radiation); Earth and People (from caves
to biometeorology); Flora, Fauna and People (from allergology to zoonosis);
Cure with the Help of the Nature (from medicalhydrology phytotherapy).
For more information please contact: Professional coordinator: Dr. Istvan
Zimmermann; Technical organiser: Ms. Eniko Gasko. Instant Congr-Ex Ltd.
H-1052 Budapest, Semmelweis u. 10., H-1364 Budapest 4, P.O. Box 210. Phone:
(36-1)118-1036, Fax: (36-1)118-3418, E-mail: instantc@mail.datanet.hu;
5. Second International Marine Environmental Modeling Seminar
Inter Nor Lillehammer Hotel, Lillehammer, Norway
3-5 March, 1998
The purpose of this seminar is to provide a forum for science, industrial,
environmental, and legislative representatives to achieve an understanding
of the state of the art in environmental modeling, and to exchange technical
information. Of special interest are applications with an international
perspective. For more information please contact: May Kristin Ditlevsen,
Seminar Secretariat. Phone: 47-73-59-12-12, Fax: 47-73-59-70-51; Email:
may.ditlevsen@chem.sintef.no.
6. Emerging Solutions to VOC and Air Toxics Control
Clearwater, Florida
4-6 March 1998
Sponsored by the Air and Waste Management Association, this specialty
conference will cover the regulatory and technical aspects of the use
of emerging solutions to VOC and air toxics control. The emphasis of the
conference will be on the development, application, and compliance issues
associated with technologies for control of VOC and air toxics emissions
to meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act Amendments. The objective
of the conference is to bring together environmental managers, industrial
and government scientists and engineers, academic researchers, technology
developers, regulators, and users of control technologies in a forum to
present and exchange practical ideas and information on improved methods
for controlling emissions. For more information please contact: Member
Services, A&WMA, 1-800-270-3444; fax: (412) 2323450,
INTERNET SITES on Air Pollution and on Asia's problems
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 wellreferenced 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.
Southeast Asia Headlines
Yahoo News
http://headlines.yahoo.com/Current_Events/southeast_asia_smog/
The Economist
http://www.economist.com
