Chapter 19: Hazardous Chemicals: Pollution & Prevention Sustainability, Stewardship, and Sound Science

Hazardous Materials Are one or more of the following: Ignitable Reactive Corrosive Toxic

Mercury and Lead They are heavy metals which can cause Mental impairment

Halogenated Hydrocarbons Organic compounds with a halogen (bromine, iodine, ect.) replacing a hydrogen Used as pesticides Used to make plastic Resistant to biodegradation

Chlorinated Hydrocarbons Chlorinated hydrocarbons Are synthetic organic compounds Dioxin Mainly caused by burning PVC pipe (medical waste) Linked to cancer. Also an endocrine disruptor. Recall Alligators …

Love Canal, NY Problem first discovered in 1978 The government allowed housing to be build over the toxic waste dump First national emergency in the US because of toxic waste Led to the superfund legislation. Superfund sites: $ comes from taxes on chemical industries 50% of the $ spent on legal costs Love Canal, New York

National Priorities list Includes sites that are: The greatest threat to health and the environment Toxic waste generated by households should be handled by toxic waste pick ups and public education.

Toxicology & Chemical Hazards –Dose –Food Chains

A History of MISmanagement –Land disposal –Injection –Scope of the Problem

Cleaning Up the Mess –Water –Superfund (NOT superFUN) Sites –LUST and others

Broader Issues –Environmental Justice (Grace) –Prevention Sustainability

Toxicology & Chemical Hazards Dose Response & Threshold Threshold Level The Nature of Chemical Hazards: HAZMATs Sources of Chemical Entering the Environment Better Living Through... ? –Toxics Release Inventory

Toxicology & Chemical Hazards (con’t) The Threat from Toxic Chemicals –Heavy Metals –Organic Compounds Dirty Dozen PERC MTBE

Toxicology & Chemical Hazards (con’t) Involvement with Food Chains Minamata

A History of Mismanagement Methods of Land Disposal –Deep-Well Injection –Surface Impoundments –Landfills –Midnight Dumping & Orphan Sites

A History of Mismanagement (con’t) Scope of the Mismanagement Problems Occidental?

Cleaning Up the Mess Ensuring Safe Drinking Water Groundwater Remediation

Cleaning Up the Mess (con’t) Superfund for Toxic Sites –Setting Priorities –Cleanup Technology Bioremediation Plant Food?

Cleaning Up the Mess (con’t) –Brownfields –Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (LUST) Underground storage tank (UST)

Managing Current Hazardous Wastes The Clean Air & Water Acts The Resource Conservation Act (RCRA)

Managing Current Hazardous Wastes (con’t) Reduction of Accidents & Accidental Exposures –Department of Transportation Regulations –Worker Protection: OSHA Act & the “Workers Right to Know” –Community Protection & Emergency Preparedness: SARA, Title III EPCRA Rules –The Toxic Substances Control Act REACH

Broader Issues Environmental Justice & Hazardous Wastes Federal Response International EJ Pollution Prevention for a Sustainable Society Green Chemistry You, the Consummer

Revisiting the Themes Sustainability Stewardship Science Ecosystem Capital Policy & Politics Globalization

The End