Pollution Engineering - December 2008 - (Page 15)

discovered that in the past, bacterial activity decreased after a time but the scientists disagree as to why. Some believe that as the carbon food sources ran out, the bacteria simply died off. Some think that the bacteria simply adapted and naturally decreased their activity. While evidence was found to support both theories, a third explanation that was possibly accepted was that as it became too warm, the bacterial activity subsided. EPA: Mercury-Free is Possible There are alternatives to mercury, according to a recently released preliminary assessment of the uses of elemental mercury in a number of products. The EPA released a report in early November that suggests switches, relays, button-cell batteries, non-fever thermometers, and measuring devices, such as thermostats, do not have to contain mercury. Under the Chemical AssessmentandManagement Program, the EPA evaluated the use of elemental mercury in certain products and the availability of effective, economical mercury-free alternatives. The assessment determined that the use of mercury in certain products poses a “high-priority, special concern.” The agency said in a press release it plans to take prompt regulatory and voluntary action to encourage the use of mercury-free alternatives and reduce the use of mercury in products. The agency also announced a searchable database that pulls together publicly available information from various sources to help identify consumer and commercial products that contain mercury and their possible non-mercury alternatives. For more information on the mercury assessment visit www.epa.gov/chemrtk/ hpvis/index.html. For more information on the database visit www.epa.gov/mercury/ database.htm Times: This EPA Isn't Done Yet While voters flocked to the polls, the New York Times editorial staff on Election Day printed an unsigned opinion that noted several changes that the current administration could implement before the next president is sworn in, many of which were environmental. Among the speculated changes was a major shift in EPA enforcement of New Source Review. “In coming weeks, we expect the Environmental Protection Agency to issue a final rule that would weaken a program created by the Clean Air Act, which requires utilities to install modern pollution controls when they upgrade their plants to produce more power,” the article said. “The agency is also expected to issue a final rule that would make it easier for coalfired power plants to locate near national parks,” the editorial also noted. The Times also made reference to a proposal by the Interior Department, awaiting EPA approval, that would ease regulation on waste disposal from mining companies. EPA Raises Air Toxics Bar for Petroleum Refineries The EPA announced in November it was seeking comment on additional options for reducing emissions of air toxic pollutants from petroleum refineries based on information received since a 2007 proposal. Included in the proposal were options for controlling air toxics emissions from storage tanks located at petroleum refineries and revisions to the maximum achievable control technology work practice standards for cooling towers. In addition to reducing 2,250 tons of air toxics each year, the agency proposed to slash 14,600 tons of VOCs with a $3.8 million savings nationwide. The agency accepts public comment on this proposal for 45 days following publication in the Federal Register. CORRECTION Pollution Engineering reported in the September 2008 issue that proposed rules by the E.U. would impact automobiles built in Europe. The numbers we reported were correct but the units were incorrect. Instead of kg per kilometer, the units should be in grams per kilometer. A thank you goes out to our readers for noticing and bringing it to our attention. DECEMBER2008 www.pollutionengineering.com 15 http://www.airgas.com http://www.epa.gov/chemrtk/hpvis/index.html http://www.epa.gov/chemrtk/hpvis/index.html http://www.epa.gov/mercury/database.htm http://www.epa.gov/mercury/database.htm http://www.pollutionengineering.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Pollution Engineering - December 2008

Pollution Engineering - December 2008 Contents The Editor’s Desk PE Events for 2009 EnviroNews Legal Lookout PE Product Listings Consultants/Services Category Listings Alphabetical Supplier Listings Classified Marketplace Advertiser Index State Rules by BLR

Pollution Engineering - December 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.