Pollution Control Best Management Practices

Companies are required to take steps necessary to ensure that the Pollution Prevention plan works efficiently. These plans when implemented are considered Best Management Practices
or (BMPs) Examples of these practices include:

• Maintenance procedures
• Employ positive activities and procedures that prevent or reduce pollutants from entering waterways

BMPs can be written plans or devices that physically prohibit discharge of pollutants A sample of products that help companies comply with the requirements of the BMPs:

The Pollution Prevention Act extends to all media including air water
and land. Reducing pollution at the source is the main goal for the P2 act. To clarify the new initiative regarding Pollution Prevention, new industries sprang up to bridge the knowledge gap between the government statues and the proper implementation of the governmental regulations. These professional consultant were advisers to business clients on pollution prevention products.

The governmental response to the global pollution is found in the Pollution
Prevention Act enacted in 1990 through the Environmental Protection Agency.
The EPA has specific mandates considered as the Best Management Practices
to prevent pollution by following specific activities that not only reduce
but eliminate polluting activities.

The purpose and scope of the document seeks to provide the following results

1)Reducing or eliminating waste at the source

(This is done by modifying production processes)

2)Promoting the use of non-toxic or less-toxic substances

3)Implementing conservation techniques

4)Recycling of materials rather than adding these materials to the waste stream

Taking the Pollution Prevention Act from a paper document to implementation
involved strict guidelines that states and municipalities had to follow:
Specialized consultants can provide products and information to
industrial locations to help them develop a comprehensive program to address
the problem. Specific guidelines for spill containment, hazardous material handling and safety
measures may require onsite analysis.

Some of the far reaching activities that are implemented by companies and
municipalities include:

• Wastewater pretreatment
• Septic tank programs
• Watershed
• Groundwater protection programs
• Educational activities targeted at residents
• Technical assistance and compliance assistance provided to local businesses and industries
• Local partnership activities between government agencies
• Specific guidelines and practices of municipal and county facilities

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the standards and procedures
to enforce the activities that would insure a measurable and positive effect on the
quality of the environment.

As better methods of detection of pollution were discovered, the serious consequences of the problem of pollution is ever expanding. The source of pollution was more extensive than first realized. The most difficult sources of pollution were identified and brought to the attention of governmental agencies that educate industries and the public regarding the problem. There are also governmental guidelines that represented the best practices for pollution control.

These strategies include:

Educate local organizations so they are able to meet compliance standards

Improve practices and procedures to ensure continued compliance

Encourage local organizations to move beyond the basic environmental compliance thresholds

Following the guidelines and procedures of Pollution Prevention (P2 ) provides an unexpected benefit to companies and communities.

-Travis Zdrazil

Abatement of Dangerous Contaminants in Aftermath of Disasters

One of the biggest problems we're finding in the aftermath of huge disasters such as the Sumatra earthquake and the Indonesia tsunami, and hurricane Katrina is that these disasters leave huge amounts of dangerous contaminants. The cleanup of all these environmental hazards can take years and cost millions.

One of the critical keys will be the abatement of dangerous contaminants in the aftermath of such disasters and we need to have a plan in place and FEMA needs to make sure that they have trained personnel and first responders ready to take care of the situation. Easier said than done indeed, there is no easy way to get rid of these dangerous contaminants and environmental hazards or industrial pollution and sewage, as they will be everywhere and soak into groundwater.

It gets worse as the bacteria grows and the insects lay eggs. In the case of hurricane Katrina mosquito abatement is a huge issue because each mosquito lays 400 eggs and nothing can stop the cycle because it becomes a perfect spawning ground for the insects.

Without a plan in place for abatement of dangerous contaminants, mosquitoes and other environmental hazards in the aftermath of large natural disasters things can only get worse. And this compounds the problem in that it turns one natural disaster into two. Consider this in 2006.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow

The First Step in Reducing Pollution from Shipping

Pooling together their resources, environmental groups filed a petition today with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), requesting the federal agency to establish pollution rules and regulations for marine vessels. Shockingly, there are no pollution regulations for these large ocean-going marine vessels, and as a consequence, they are emitting a significant amount of global warming pollutants (3% of the world’s CO2).

With the shipping industry’s growth, emissions are predicted to double by 2020 and triple by 2030. Regulations are needed to take ‘the wind out of the sails’ of this rapid pollution increase. Thee large ships currently are responsible for the transportation of approximately 90 percent of the world's consumer goods. They burn what is known as bunker fuel. Compared to diesel by trucks and buses, this petroleum-based fuel is 1,000 times dirtier.

The resources for innovation exist and they need to be put into use. It is crucial that the shipping industry works to increase fuel efficiency and use cleaner fuels. If ships are not willing to go green on their own, the EPA needs to establish pollution rules that will pressure the shipping industries to change their practices. The EPA has remained far too inactive on this important issue by extending deadlines for the regulations. This slow response will only allow for more damage to be done by the unchecked levels of pollution from carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and black carbon (or soot). The petition filed by EarthJustice on behalf of Oceana, Friends of the Earth, and the Center for Biological Diversity, addresses their concern over global warming and its adverse effects on both the public and environmental health.

For more information:

http://www.oceana.org/north-america/media-center/press-releases/press_release/0/694/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Melissa_Anselmo

Canvas Bags to Stop Plastic Bag Pollution

The Earth has been facing immense pollution from our garbage and consumption. The latest deadly pollution is plastic bags that fill up the landfills. With plastic bags becoming a growing concern, canvas bags has become the new way to help stop the pollution.

With plastic bag pollution being a rising concern, many shoppers need to start using canvas bags in order to stop the pollution. There's a Youtube music video by Tim Minchin that was released a year ago that sings about canvas bags for shoppers. It did a good job in spreading awareness and the music video was a hit.

Plastic bag pollution is very deadly and takes hundreds of years to break down. Even if the component is broken done, the deadly chemicals will go into the ground and water system. By reducing the usage of plastic bag, Earth can recuperate. That's why canvas bags should be used world wide to help reduce the pollution.

It is our generation to stop the pollution and start using canvas bags as the solution. With global warming going out of hand from gas exhaustion, we don't need any more problems especially plastic bags that are harmful when broken down naturally. These broken down elements cause sickness and destruction to the air, soil and water system.

Use canvas bags starting today as a way to stop the plastic pollution that is becoming a major threat to the environment. Our lives are threatened ever more from the growing usage of plastic bags. It is time you bring a canvas bag to shopping the next time you go to a supermarket.

Tony Andrews is a NY writer. He loves games, animes and movies. With plastic bags becoming a new threat, it is wise to carry canvas bags whenever you go shopping to help Earth and yourself.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_D_Andrews

Don't Be A Victim of Dirty Air

Indoor air pollution is one risk that you can do something about. Can be bad, but doesn't have to be, is easy to manage once you understand where it comes from. The World Health Organization reports that in 23 countries 10% of deaths are due to just two environmental risk factors: unsafe water, including poor sanitation and hygiene; and indoor air pollution due to solid fuel use for cooking. According to the EPA, Indoor air pollution is one of the five most urgent environmental problems facing the United States and among the 13 top environmental problems analyzed. Because of these reports, indoor air is now receiving a great amount of attention. Here are some Facts: Indoor air pollution may exist at levels 2 to 5 times more than outdoors, mostly toxic gases or particles that can harm your health.

The elderly, the very young, pregnant women, and those with allergies, asthma and other respiratory ailments are often the first to notice these problems. Homes and offices has been studied extensively in recent years--with sometimes alarming conclusions that have led the building industry to rethink many aspects of design and choice of materials. General Accounting Office has called indoor air pollution "one of the most serious environmental risks to human health,'' yet no agency has authority to control pollutants in indoor air. It has been estimated that 15% of indoor air pollution comes directly from the humans inhabiting the building; the remainder is from non-human sources. That's because everything from pets to gas appliances to paint and cleaning products contributes to this fact. The effects can be costly in the work place too. Building-related illnesses, and "sick building syndrome" have received increased attention over the last several years.

Sources include attached garages, new carpets and furniture, water leaks and condensation, chemical storage, poorly operating heaters, and is worsened by inadequate ventilation. It also comes from a variety of man-made and natural sources including combustion, cleaning agents, and a variety of other substances such as paints, residual chemicals in carpets, and adhesives. Other range of household products that contain potentially harmful substances includes personal care items and candles particularly scented ones, so does cooking and heating with solid fuels on open fires or traditional stoves.

To eliminate indoor air pollution, there must be a good source of fresh air and sufficient air movement. Good ventilation is crucial to maintaining low levels of indoor air pollution as well as installing air purification system for the entire home.

http://www.Ecoquest-world.com

Management Principles of The Environment

The surrounding influences which are now included in the meaning of 'the environment' are the air that we breathe, the water we drink or swim in, our homes, numbers of people, traffic, noise, streets, stores, parks, countryside, seashore, wildlife, factories, farming and mining. It has become the practice in geography to refer to the physical environment when referring to natural features, the human environment when referring to cultural and social conditions and the built environment when referring to urban and industrial issues.

Because it is now apparent that mankind its their own environment by the decisions it makes regarding land use and industrial growth, it is apparent that man has a choice in the type of environment he inhabits. There are areas where action can be taken, such as in planning and rural uses, in conservation, flood control and in resources, all these issues collectively referred to as environmental management.

Government agencies, which seek to control pollution, are seen as the most widespread type of environmental management bodies. All types of pollution can be seen as examples of environmental damage. Various levels of environmental damage can be identified from that which is seen as a local concern and that which is a global concern. Environmental contamination, highlighted by such things as plastic bottles left on beaches to the occasional high levels of noise such as that from aircraft, are seen as the least harmful form of damage to the environment.

An environmental hazard where the pollution level puts organic life at risk of permanent destruction is more serious. Environmental pollution where an organic life is destroyed temporarily in a certain area, such as an oil spill, is more serious again but occurs more frequently. Environmental disaster involving widespread and heavy loss of life is becoming a menacing threat. The recognition of these dynamic environmental issues has led to the creation of many government agencies. The first UN conference on the environment in 1972 issued a 26-principle Declaration which declared the protection and enhancement of the environment to have become an imperative goal for mankind.

As the world population continues to increase the, environmental management to control pollution is becoming increasingly necessary. Unless ecological principles, conservation, resource management and population checks are widely adopted, the environment may degrade to the point of collapse, perhaps in the near future. Because the environment is a well structured system, with varying pathways and alternatives with great flexibility, any approach to instability will be difficult to detect and failure will appear suddenly.

Environmental determination is the belief that all human activity can be explained by environmental laws and controls. It was developed during the 19th century. Environmental determinism is seen as deviation from the mainstream of geographical thought, which views geography as a scientific approach to the describing and mapping regions of the Earth.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Environment Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

Read this Article if You Want to Stop Pollution

Do you want to stop pollution? One of the best things you can do to stop pollution is to stop polluting yourself and look in your mirror. Recycle your trash when you can and keep your car tuned up so that it runs efficiently. You could also keep your home immaculate as an example and try not to waste water. You could teach your children about the environment and teach them not to litter. You should be doing all these things already. One thing you can do is volunteer after civic events to work on the trash clean-up crew with your kids, this will teach them to be good stewards and not to pollute.

There are many things you can do to help. Sometimes people go out of their way to tell everyone else what to do yet drive a car with leaky rings which spews out smoke or tell everyone else to conserve fuel while they waste water as it runs down the driveway and into to the gutter and down the street it goes. There is so much you can do and if we all do a little, we all prevent a lot of pollution.

If we are really to be good stewards of our Earth then we must walk the talk and commit to looking into the mirror and asking ourselves; “Am I doing all I can to curb pollution” then and only then can we stop pollution. So do all you can and pass the word on and eventually everyone will make it a habit and there will not be anymore pollution to speak of. Think on this.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow