Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
Following is the November/December 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: 'Dangerous' Waste Left In Cambodia:
Taiwanese Material Contains Mercury
Internet Sites Regarding Hazardous Waste
and Toxic Waste Dumping
International Environment News
Hazardous Waste
Labeling
Acid Rain
Air Pollution
Regulations
Remediation
Water Reuse
Chemicals
Urban and Environmental Planning
Conservation and Forests
Upcoming International Conferences
INFOTERRA Information
Subscribe to EarthLink on the Listserv
'Dangerous' Waste Left In Cambodia:
Taiwanese Material Contains Mercury
By Chhay Sophal, Washington Post, Saturday, December
26, 1998; Page A30
SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia, Dec. 25--Preliminary tests on Taiwanese industrial
waste dumped in Cambodia showed a "very high" and potentially dangerous
concentration of mercury, a Japanese expert said today.
Mineshi Sakamoto, of the Japanese government environmental agency's Minamata
Institute, said he was shocked to see the 3,000 tons of waste from petrochemical
giant Formosa Plastics spread out on open ground near here.
He warned soldiers cleaning up the mess to wear protective clothing provided
despite the intense heat.
"This is the first time I have seen something like this," said Sakamoto,
an expert on mercury contamination sent here by the World Health Organization.
"I am very surprised to see this, and I am very sorry for the people of
Cambodia -- it's an injustice."
News of the waste sparked riots in Sihanoukville last weekend. One person
was killed as protesters sacked offices of officials they blamed for allowing
its import.
Four more died in a panicked exodus of more than 10,000 people fearing
contamination, while the Health Ministry has said the deaths of at least
two residents appeared to be linked to unprotected movement of the waste.
The Environment Ministry's Pollution Control Department made available
a copy of a facsimile from a Singaporean testing laboratory, Matcor Technology
& Services, that said analysis of a sample showed a mercury concentration
of 675 parts per million. [The Associated Press reported that according
to Joyce Fu, a member of the environmentalist Green Formosa Front in Taipei,
Taiwanese regulations call for less than 0.2 parts per million.]
Sakamoto cautioned that the method used to obtain the test results was
not sophisticated enough to determine the exact nature of the contamination
or exactly how dangerous it was. He also said the test results did not
show whether the concentration was uniform over the entire shipment.
Formosa Plastics has said its waste had traces of mercury but had been
certified by Taiwan's Environmental Protection Administration as non-hazardous
and safe for landfill disposal.
Cambodia has demanded that Taiwan take back the waste, but Taipei says Phnom Penh should launch a full inquiry before apportioning blame.
INTERNET SITES CONCERNING HAZARDOUS WASTE
AND TOXIC WASTE DUMPING
This is the official UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Secretariat for
the Basel Convention, and contains introductory information on the Convention,
as well as the text of the Convention, and analysis of it. It also includes:
COP-4 documents, Competent Authorities and Focal Points, Public Information,
Publications List, Rules of Procedure, Ratifications, Subsidiary Bodies,
and Working Documents. NOTE: *Neither Taiwan nor Cambodia is currently
a signatory to this Convention.*
2. Hazardous WasteClean-Up Information
http://clu-in.org/ 
The Hazardous Waste Clean-up Information Web Site provides information
about innovative treatment technologies to the hazardous waste remediation
community. It describes programs, organizations, publications and other
tools for federal and state personnel, consulting engineers, technology
developers and vendors, remediation contractors, researchers, community
groups, and individual citizens. The site was developed by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency but is intended as a forum for all waste remediation
stakeholders.
3. Treatment,
Storage and Disposal of Hazardous Waste
http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/tsd.htm
The U.S. EPA's Office of Solid Waste has this special set of informational
pages where the public may find federal municipal waste standards, federal
hazardous waste standards, as well as information and definitions of different
types of waste.
4. Waste
Cleanup
http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/cleanup.htm
Another set of EPA Office of Solid Waste pages, this site gives information
on regulations, corrective action programs, and other remediation ideas.
The U.S. EPA's Superfund Program also has much information on this topic,
and is located at: http://www.epa.gov/superfund/
This section of the UNEP Industry and Environment website gives general
and specific information on contaminated land management, and provides
links to publications dealing with industrial waste management.
This website gives the background on a landmark EPA case dealing with toxic waste dumping. The case has also recently reached national prominence and has been made into a movie entitled, "A Civil Action."
EPA New England's webpages dealing with this same toxic waste dumping case. Gives a good background and summary of the circumstances, the case and the settlements reached.
INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT NEWS
Hazardous Waste
Stephens, Sarah and Chea Sotheacheath. "WHO Gives All-clear to Waste Despite Massive Mercury Readings," Phnom Penh Post, Issue 8/1, January 8 - 21, 1999.
"The World Health Organization (WHO) has dismissed fears that people
have been poisoned by mercury, despite scientific confirmation that the
mercury readings from the waste are up to 20,000 times higher than safety
standards. Toxic metals experts and activists are worried that an all-clear
has come too early. Tests carried out by the National Institute for Minamata
Disease on waste at the dump site revealed extraordinarily high levels
of inorganic mercury - up to 3,984 parts per million (ppm) when the recommended
safety level is less than 0.2 ppm."
Labeling
Speer, Lawrence J., "Chemical Manufacturer Says Eco-Labels Having Negative
Impact on Industry," International Environment Reporter 21, no.
23 ( 11 November 1998): 1121-1122.
The chemical industry must contribute to the escalating debate regarding
technical criteria used in eco-labels to guarantee that these labels do
not "replace existing regulations covering the chemical sector." Henri
Lecouls, director of the eco-labels and life cycle analysis division at
French chemical industry leader Elf Atochem, asserts that much of the
criteria for eco-labels is based upon arbitrary bans on particular substances.
Three ISO standards have been developed for establishing labels. One requires
the use of scientific methodology in establishing environmental quality
marks. The second would "seek to standardize the use of 'self proclaimed'
eco-labels not linked to independent authorities." The third would "standardize
the use of established eco-labels by independent authorities."
Acid Rain
Kerr, Richard, "Acid Rain Control: Success on the Cheap," Science 282 (6 November 1998): 1024-1027.
The United States success with controlling acid rain is a model for worldwide
regulation of a wide-ranging pollutant. A flexible, free-market approach
using emissions trading made polluters accountable for end results. It
also provided them with flexibility regarding how they would achieve reduction
standards. This has made the process of reducing acid rain economical.
Agren, Christopher. "Assessing the First Year, "Acid News, No.
3, October, 1998: 15.
The article discusses a study done by MIT (published in 1997) which evaluates
the costs and effectiveness of the acid rain S02 emissions
trading program for 1995. This was the first year of the program, which
was laid out in Title IV of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. The
provisions of Title IV became binding in 1995. Included in the article
is a description of how the emissions trading program works, as well as
trading price of allowances and costs of achieving emission reductions.
The results of the study imply that reduction costs would have been greater
without emissions trading.
Air Pollution
Gan, J., et. al., "Application of Organic Amendments to Reduce Volatile
Pesticide Emissions from Soil," Environmental Science & Technology
32, no. 20 (15 October 1998): 3094-3098.
Because atmospheric emission of volatile pesticides such as soil fumigants
contributes to air pollution, workable strategies for reducing these emissions
are needed. This article discusses a study conducted by the USDA-ARS Soil
Physics and Pesticides Research Unit. The study was done to discover the
potential of applying organic wastes to reduce the emission of methyl
bromide and methyl isothiocyanate. "As certain organic amendments can
suppress soil pathogens on their own, integrating fumigation with organic
waste application may potentially provide complementary pest control activity."
Further field studies would need to be done to evaluate the applicability
and benefits of such integrations.
Hanisch, Carola, "Taking Stock of Green Tax Reform Initiatives,"
Environmental Science & Technology 32, no. 23 (1 December 1998):
540A-544A.
Carbon and energy taxes are becoming popular in many European countries
because of the apparent potential for economic development, and also for
alleviation of unemployment. There are, however, difficulties with establishing
the environmental effects of control measures and determining whether
there are real economic benefits. This article discusses green tax reform
measures in the works in Europe, and the controversy surrounding them.
Victor, David G. "Strategies for Cutting Carbon," Nature, Vol.
395, No. 6705, October 29, 1998: 837.
There is little argument that the earth is getting warmer, at least partially
as a result of human activities such as industry. The main culprit is
carbon dioxide (CO2) which results from the burning of fossil
fuels for energy. The author of this article examines the findings of
another article appearing in the same issue (Hoffert, et. al., "Energy
Implications of Future Stabilization of Atmospheric CO2 Content,"
p.881-884) which calls for a large increase in carbon-free energy sources
(such as solar, nuclear and wind power) in order to stabilize CO2
concentrations in the atmosphere. The author feels that there may be other
options besides carbon-free power that need to be explored. However, there
are many uncertainties concerning new technologies and climate predictions,
which makes choosing the best solutions difficult.
Regulations
Hogue, Cheryl." Countries Set Deadline for Elaborating Rules On Trading,
Emission Offset Projects Abroad," International Environment Reporter,
Vol. 21, No. 24, November 25, 1998: 1151.
During the fourth Conference of the Parties (COP-4) to the 1992 United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (held in Buenos Aires,
Argentina), representatives decided that rules for international trading
of greenhouse gas emissions, and for generating allowances through sponsorship
of offset projects abroad, must be completed by late 2000. The decision
was reached November 14th, after 24 hours of continuous negotiations.
The decision calls for countries to establish rules on emissions trading
and creation of the Clean Development Mechanism (a clearinghouse for emission
offset projects sponsored by public or private entities from industrialized
nations in developing countries). It also calls for joint implementation
(sponsorship of emission offset projects by an industrialized nation in
another industrialized nation) of projects. Criteria for eligible Clean
Development Mechanism and joint implementation projects, as well as emission
offset benchmarks, must also be established. The proposed review on whether
existing international environmental agreements adequately address climate
change was excluded from the final decision. This was viewed as a loss
for industrialized nations, and as a victory for developing countries,
who feared it would lead to binding limits on greenhouse gas emissions.
Media, William J. "A Call for More Science in EPA Regulations, " Science,
Vol. 282, No. 5386, (October 2, 1998): 45.
This editorial examines the need for a more scientific basis in developing
environmental regulations. The author expresses the view that there is
a serious lack of credible, peer-reviewed science involved in formulating
regulations which leads to "environmental policy that is at best overly
stringent and at worst ineffective." A stronger scientific basis becomes
more critical as the cost of prevention and remediation of contaminants
continues to increase. The author feels that there is a need to draw upon
a variety of scientific disciplines and calls for a scientific program
that "draws upon the best of the science institutions around the country,
public and private...this program must be conducted as a collaboration
across our national research system."
Remediation
Bremle , Gudrun and Per Larsson "PCB Concentration in Fish in a River
System after Remediation of Contaminated Sediment," Environmental
Science and Technology, Vol. 32, No. 22 (November 15, 1998): 3491.
The article discusses a 1996 study of PCB concentrations in fish and
water along a river, after remediation of PCB-containing sediment in a
lake within the river system was completed. A similar study was conducted
in 1991, prior to remediation, and results between the 1991 and 1996 studies
are compared. PCB levels in the lake water decreased sharply in 1996,
compared to 1991, and concentrations in fish were also much lower. The
recorded gradient of PCB concentrations in fish from the lake and downstream
was probably due to PCBs remaining in the sediment that originated in
the lake and still resided in the river. PCB levels in fish taken from
two upstream locations decreased between the two years studied. This is
probably due to a decline in background PCB exposure. The results of the
study suggest that changes in background PCB exposure need to be considered
when evaluating the success of multi-year remediation projects.
Water Reuse
Cole, Stephen. "Reclaimed Wastewater Continues Flow Toward Tap," Environmental
Science & Technology, Vol. 32, No. 21 (November 1, 1998): 496A.
The author looks at the growing possibility of reuse of municipal wastewater
as a source for drinking water in communities where water is scarce. The
wastewater would be highly treated and added to natural drinking water
supplies. There has been public opposition to the plans being considered
in some major urban areas (such as San Diego, CA and Tampa, FL). This
article examines a report produced by the National Research Council (NRC)
which gave support to both sides of the issue, and analyzes the report's
scientific and technological claims. The author promulgates the idea that
as public discomfort with the idea of reusing wastewater wanes, there
will be more and more use of it in the public drinking water supply.
Chemicals
Ashford, Nicholas A. and Claudia S. Miller. "Low-Level Chemical Exposures:
A Challenge for Science and Policy." Environmental Science & Technology,
Vol. 32, No. 21 (November 1, 1998): 508A.
In the past, low-level exposure to chemicals was thought to be non-hazardous
to humans, but as evidence mounts that this type of exposure is harmful,
many believe we need to change our thinking and our policies. The authors
examine the types of problems seemingly due to low-level exposure to chemicals,
and note that there is no targeted organ or tissue. Instead, whole systems
within the body are affected. The authors also remark that the time elapsing
between stages of disease of this nature is often long enough to break
the obvious connection with chemicals once noticeable. Because of these
uncertainties and difficulties, the authors recommend a Precautionary
Principle approach, whereby the science and policy regarding this issue
is arrived at through preventive action in the face of uncertainty. In
other words, err on the side of caution. The authors emphasize education,
conviction, and communication as major ways in which to help clear up
confusion about this issue and how to handle it in the future.
Urban and Environmental Planning
O'Meara, Molly. "How Mid-Sized Cities Can Avoid Strangulation." World
Watch, Vol. 11, No. 5 (November/December 1998): 8-15.
In this very informative article, the author emphasizes that "mid-size"
cities (those ranging in size from 500,000 to 5 million people) are proliferating
at an even faster rate than "mega-cities" (those with populations of 10
million and up). These cities face special problems in overcoming traffic,
pollution, chaotic development, and psychological stress. The author compares
and contrasts two cities in which these problems have been largely overcome,
Curitiba, Brazil, and Portland, Oregon, USA. She discusses the setting
of urban growth boundaries and other planning techniques that have allowed
the cities to grow and still be viewed as "livable."
Conservation and Forests
Menotti, Victor. "Globalization and the Acceleration of Forest Destruction
Since Rio," The Ecologist, Vol. 28, No. 6 (November/December
1998): 354.
When world leaders convened for the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, they agreed
on one unifying theme - that the present economic model must be changed
to a new one that provides for the needs of all species. At the same time,
trade ministers were meeting in Geneva to put the finishing touches on
a trade agreement (GATT) that would expand global trade, and have far
reaching impacts on exploitation of natural resources. Globalization of
world trade and markets has lead to increasing pressures on world forests,
as corporations gain increasing control over natural resources and consumer
markets, and governments forge more free-trade agreements and attract
foreign investment by rolling back environmental regulations and other
non-tariff barriers. This article examines the impact of globalization
of the logging industry on forest resources, and presents overviews of
the current situation in six countries (the United States, Canada, Mexico,
Brazil, Chile, and Indonesia).
Armesto, J.J., R. Rozzi, C. Smith-Ramírez, and M.T.K. Arroyo.
"Conservation Targets in South American Temperate Forests." Science
Vol. 282, No. 5392 (13 November 1998): 1271-2.
"Latin American countries presently rely on the expansion and strengthening of their National Parks and Reserves (NPR) systems as the "safest" investment in conservation. Consistent with this view, nature conservation organizations are seeking to double the land area protected in each nation from the current average of 5%. This effort aims to prevent massive loss of biodiversity as a result of global land use. Here [the authors] assess whether an initiative of the kind will lead to more effective biodiversity preservation in the confined and endangered temperate forests of southern South America."
UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES
Notices regarding the following international conferences have been sent
to INFOTERRA during the last few months. Notification is received through
the mail and over the Internet. The list below is not comprehensive; INFOTERRA
maintains a fairly large file of conference announcements. If you have
any questions about the conferences listed below, or would like to consult
our conferences file, please contact the INFOTERRA office (202) 566-0544
or send an email request to: library-infoterra@epa.gov.
1. Partnerships in Water Resources Management: The Focus for the Next
Millennium
Greenwich, Nova Scotia, Canada
June 22-25, 1999
The 52nd annual conference will be held in June . Sub-topics
include: Community Involvement in Water Resources Management, Agricultural/Aquacultural
Interests in Water Resource Management, Wetlands, Water Education, Economic
Value of Water, Water Use and Conservation, Data Management Issues, Coastal
and Estuarine Waters, Geographic Information System Applications to Water
Management, Water Quality Concerns in Canada, and Climate Change and Water.
Contact: John Cline, P.O Box 448, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, B0P 1X0 CANADA.
Phone: (902) 542-4002 (Fax & Voice); Email: jcline@glinx.com,
URL: http://www.glinx.com/users/jcline/
2. Canadian Conference on Energy Efficiency
Ottawa Conference Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA
May 18 - 20, 1999
The conference will feature more than 50 exhibitors demonstrating the
latest technological developments, as well as innovative services and
programs targeted at industry, households and institutions. "Participants
from both the public and private sectors can share new ideas to improve
energy efficiency programs and technologies, while expanding their contacts
in the field," said Ralph Goodale, Natural Resources Minister. Contact:
Pierre D'Amour; Tel: (514) 393-1378; Fax: (514) 875-7505; Email: pdamour@marcon.qc.ca
OR Emmanuelle Géhin; Tel: (514) 393-1378; Fax: (514) 875-7505;
Email: egehin@marcon.qc.ca
3. Sixth Conference of the International Water and Resource Economics
Consortium
Hawaii, USA
June 29-July 3, 1999
Main topic will be: Water and Environmental Resource Management: Focus
on Asia and the Pacific. Contact Prof. Ujjayant Chakravorty, Agricultural
and Resource Economics, Gilmore 112, 3050 Maile Way, University of Hawaii,
Honolulu, HI 96822; Tel: (808) 956-7279; FAX:(808) 956-2807; Email: unc@hawaii.edu
4. 9th Annual West Coast Conference on Contaminated Soils and Water
Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach Resort Hotel, Oxnard,California
March 8 - 11, 1999
URL: http://www.aehs.com/conferences/westcoast/index.htm
Sponsored by the Association for the Environmental Health of Soils and
the Navy Facilities Engineering Service Center (NFESC), the Ninth West
Coast Conference on Contaminated Soils and Waters offers attendees an
opportunity to exchange findings, ideas and recommendations in a professional
setting. The strong and diverse technical program has been developed to
meet the changing needs of the environmental field. Platform and poster
sessions feature research, case studies, and the presentation of new programs.
Exhibitions augment the conference program and bring applied technology
to attendees. Focused day and evening workshops provide attendees with
practical information for immediate application. Contact: Barbara Indermitte,
Conference Coordinator; Phone: 413-549-5170; Email: bknowles@aehs.com
5.Third Annual Canadian Pollution Prevention Roundtable: Innovations
in Pollution Prevention
Vancouver, British Columbia
April 22-23, 1999
This conference will discuss: 1) opportunities for Canadian and International
cooperation, 2) successful efforts that have produced results, and 3)
how to broaden the impact of pollution prevention programs. Sponsored
by the Canadian Centre for Pollution Prevention (C2P2). Contact: C2P2
at 1-800-667-9790; Email: c2p2@sarnia.com
6. International Conference on Applied Geologic Remote Sensing
Hotel Vancouver
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
1-3 March 1999
URL: http://www.erim-int.com/CONF/13th_geo/13thgeo.html
This international conference primarily focuses on geologic remote sensing
and digital integration of information, with special emphasis on mineral
and hydrocarbon exploration, operations support, and environmental and
engineering projects. Contact: EI/Geologic Conference, P.O. Box 134008,
Ann Arbor, MI 48113-4008 USA; Tel.:734-994-1200, ext. 3234; Fax: 734-994-5123;
Email: wallman@erim-int.com
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