EPA acknowledges Governor Pataki and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation for their plan to reduce emissions from construction vehicles being used in the reconstruction of lower Manhattan.
Since the rebuilding of lower Manhattan will include new construction projects, New York will take steps to reduce harmful emissions from non-road diesel engines through the use of cleaner fuels and best available retrofit technology. EPA believes that the successful implementation of this clean diesel approach can serve as a model for other construction projects across the country.
EPA is working to significantly reduce pollution from diesel engines and has established a voluntary diesel retrofit program that will address emissions from the existing fleet of diesel engines. This program is an incentive-based voluntary program designed to reduce emissions from existing diesel vehicles and equipment by the installation of pollution-reducing technology. With this program, New York will require that ultra low sulfur diesel fuel and the best available retrofit technology be installed on all non-road construction equipment used in state fleets and contracts operating at the World Trade Center site.
This initiative fits into the goals and objectives of the Diesel Retrofit
program. For more information about EPA's Diesel Retrofit program, see:
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/retrofit.
RESULTS OF "ECYCLING" PILOT PROJECT IN MID-ATLANTIC REGION ANNOUNCED
EPA and state environmental agencies in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region have announced the results of the "eCycling" pilot project, the nation's first collaboration between multi-state government agencies and the electronics industry to offer citizens and small business opportunities to reuse and recycle old computer equipment, televisions and other electronic products.
eCycling, launched in October 2001, evaluates different methods of collecting end-of-life electronics, compiles data about the costs of collecting, transporting and processing electronics and helps define the roles and responsibilities of government, consumers, electronics manufacturers, retailers, and recyclers in recycling. Using funds so far totaling at least half a million dollars from EPA, the Mid-Atlantic states, manufacturers and members of the Electronic Industries Alliance, eCycling has collected over 2,100 tons of used electronics from Mid-Atlantic residents, and prevented over 21,000 cathode ray tubes (CRTs) in televisions from entering the region's landfills and incinerators. CRTs are a source of the hazardous substance lead. Electronic equipment collected during the 45 eCycling equipment drop-off events in 31 counties and cities included televisions, monitors, computers, printers, keyboards and scanners. Manufacturers participating in eCycling include Panasonic, Sharp, Sony, Canon, Hewlett Packard, JVC, Kodak, Philips Consumer Electronics -- North America and Thomson Multimedia. Electronics recyclers who helped to transport, recycle and refurbish three million pounds of eCycling electronics were Envirocycle Inc. of Hallstead, Pa.; Elemental Inc. of Philadelphia; and Waste Management Inc. ¡ Recycle America of San Leandro, Calif. All of the recyclers certified that the equipment was recycled safely and will not be dismantled or managed overseas.
The EPA lead in eCycling is the Agency's Region III office in Philadelphia,
which oversees the Mid-Atlantic states of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania,
Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. The Electronic Industries
Alliance, headquartered in Arlington, Va., is a partnership of electronic
and high-tech associations and companies whose mission is promoting the
market development and competitiveness of the U.S. high-tech industry
through domestic and international policy efforts. For more information, go
to the eCycling website at: http://www.epa.gov/reg3wcmd/eCyclingwaste.htm.
EPA RELEASES GUIDE TO CLEAN UP MOLD IN HOMES
The publication "A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home" provides information to homeowners and renters on how to clean up residential mold problems and how to prevent mold growth.
"Molds have the potential to cause health problems and allergic reactions such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes and skin rash," said EPA Administrator Christie Whitman. "If you already have a problem, act quickly, mold damages what it grows on, the longer it grows the more damage it can cause."
Molds are part of the natural environment that help to break down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees. Even though molds are usually not a problem indoors, they have the potential to cause problems if spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Molds produce tiny spores to reproduce that can grow on wood, paper, carpet and foods. When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed. If mold is a problem in a home, the homeowner should clean up the mold promptly and fix the water problem. It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24- to 48-hours to prevent mold growth.
The guide is available at: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/moldresources.html.
FLORIDA WOMAN CONVICTED IN MICHIGAN ON HAZARDOUS WASTE CHARGES
Johan March Heward of Rotunda West, Fla., was convicted on Sept. 25 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in Detroit on charges that she illegally transported, stored and disposed of hazardous waste in violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
The defendant inherited the assets of the Utility Enameling Corp., a Detroit parts cleaning and coating company that ceased operation in 1990. The assets included property in Detroit where approximately 100-125 55-gallon drums containing waste solvents, acids and paints were stored. Between April 1995 and November 1995, Heward illegally stored and transported the drums to New York, where they were abandoned in a shopping center parking lot.
Abandoning drums of hazardous waste in public areas creates a potentially serious health hazard. When sentenced, the defendant faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $1 million.
The case was investigated by EPA's Criminal Investigation Division and the
FBI, with the assistance of EPA's National Enforcement Investigations
Center. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's office in Detroit.
CALL FOR PAPERS
The Multi-State Working Group on Environmental Management Systems and the
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality announce a Call for Papers for its
6th Annual Learning Together Workshop on Environmental Innovation &
Environmental Management Systems (EMS). The workshop draws EMS practioners
from around the country as well as internationally and seeks to promote
environmental performance in the state-federal system through incentives and
involvement of the private and public sector. Authors are encouraged to
submit abstracts to speak at the workshop scheduled for June 2-3, 2003 at
the Adams Mark Hotel, San Antonio, Texas. Deadline for abstract submission
is October 25, 2002 deadline. A complete Call for Papers and abstract
submittal system may be found on-line at http://www.mswg.org.
UPCOMING DEADLINES
CLEAN AIR ACT (CAA)
- October 21, 2002 - Existing and new pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities subject to the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants for pharmaceuticals must comply with 40 CFR 63, subpart GGG.
- October 22, 2002 - Existing sources subject to organic hazardous air pollutant emission controls under 40 CFR 63, subpart H, for equipment leaks from Groups II and IV chemical process units must submit a semiannual report to EPA.
CLEAN WATER ACT (CWA)
- October 28, 2002 - Owners and operators of industrial facilities in EPA Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, or 10 subject to the terms and conditions of EPA's NPDES storm water multi-sector general permit must submit compliance monitoring results from the second year of the permit to EPA.
