Overview of Global Challenges and Risks they Pose July 22, 2012 Environmental Issues and Risk

INTRODUCTION In this seminar we will briefly summarize the following environmental issues and associated risks:  Air Pollution  Water Resources (freshwater)  Energy  Solid/Hazardous Waste During the presentation we will also reflect on different perspectives related to using risk assessment

AIR POLLUTION Clean Air Act of 1970 (CAA) –Amendments in 1977, 1990 –Sets ambient standards –Establishes control methods and timetables to meet those standards. Types of air pollution –Criteria Pollutants (Primary and secondary) Primary: sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and lead. Secondary: ozone, sulfuric acid and nitric acid Sources of air pollution –What are the sources of air pollution?

AIR POLLUTION Health effects of air pollution –Respiratory affects; general irritant; death Environmental effects of air pollution –Increased temperature, acid rain, contaminant transport Under the CAA, EPA established: –National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) –National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs) –National Emission Inventory

AIR POLLUTION Vehicle Emissions: –Cars, trucks, and buses release nearly half of the pollutants. –Vehicle exhaust emits VOCs, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. –Reduction methods include: Emission-control methods for new vehicles Gasoline additives such as methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) Inspection and maintenance programs CAFE standards – Corporate Average Fuel Economy sets standards for fuel economy (mpg) for vehicles.

AIR POLLUTION Use of Risk Assessments in Air Pollution Issues?

AIR POLLUTION Use risk assessment in dealing with air pollution: Citing a new factory Permit application and renewals Deciding to regulate pollutants Personal decisions related to daily lives –Where you live –Travel

WATER RESOURCES (FRESHWATER) Freshwater on Earth –3% of water on planet is fresh –1% available for use Water quantity –Overdrawing of surface water –Over pumping –Redistribution of water Water quality –Pollution: Chemicals, nutrients, sediment. –Causes of pollution Overdevelopment, deforestation, agricultural use

WATER RESOURCES (FRESHWATER) Water-Related Environmental Issues regulated under: –The Clean Water Act of 1972 (CWA) Regulates: –1) Discharges of pollutants (Point and Nonpoint sources) –2) Water Quality Standards Two basic control strategies: –Reduce/remove sources –Treat water before release to remove/render harmless pollutants Water Quality Standards –Established under the National Recommended Water Quality Criteria »Lists 167 criteria pollutants (mostly chemicals but some conditions such as pH and hardness) –Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Regulates 94 contaminants Stricter standards than CWA pollutants

WATER RESOURCES (FRESHWATER) Use of Risk Assessments in Water Issues?

WATER RESOURCES (FRESHWATER) Use of risk assessment in dealing with water resource issues: Dam construction –Ecological risk; possible human health risks if diverting water Water withdrawal and discharge –Ecological and human health risks Building permits –Runoff pollution; ecological risk; human health risks Drinking water regulations –Regulation of contaminants; human heath risks

ENERGY RESOURCES Non-renewable resources (petroleum) –Finite resource; pollution from harvesting; pollution from burning –Consumption is not sustainable Renewable resources –Solar, wind, hydro, nuclear –Challenges with utilization Cost efficiency/technology, scale of use, and politics

ENERGY RESOURCES Use of Risk Assessments in Energy Issues?

ENERGY RESOURCES Use of risk assessment in dealing with energy resource challenges: Extraction of petroleum –Human health and ecological risks Risks associated with alternative sources Are there global and economic risks of action or in- action? –What are they and how are they viewed?

SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE Solid and Hazardous Waste: –Solid Waste: includes garbage/trash from households and small businesses which is collected by local governments. Definition: Any material that is discarded/abandoned (40 CFR 261.2) –Hazardous Waste: Definition: Solid waste that: –Is listed under Subpart D –Exhibits characteristics of Hazardous Waste (Ignitability, Corrosivity, Reactivity, Toxicity). –Cause, or significantly contribute to, an increase in mortality or an increase in serious or irreversible, or incapacitating reversible illness. –Or poses a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when it is improperly treated, stored, transported, disposed of, or otherwise managed.

SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE Federal Laws: –Early Laws: Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1965 Resource Recovery Act of 1970 –Two Main Laws: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1976 –Regulates active facilities in disposal and management of hazardous waste –Amendment to RCRA: Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984 Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) or Superfund Act. –Manages the remediation of contaminated properties –Amended in 1986: Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA).

SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE In the early 1970s, there were 3 primary land disposal methods: 1) deep- well injections, 2) surface impoundments, and 3) landfills. All three are still used today. Challenges with managing waste –Quantity, consumption, citing of landfills, NIMBY Cradle to grave management of hazardous waste Link to water pollution Responsibility of business and individuals

SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE Use of Risk Assessment in Solid/Hazardous Waste?

SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE Use of risk assessment in dealing with solid and hazardous waste issues: Development and use of a new chemical or product –Commercial and residential use –Use life and Disposal Building a new landfill –Ecological risk (affect on wildlife and other resources) –Are there human health risks? Assessment of a commercial property for development –Phase I – IV Environmental Site Assessments Cleanup of hazardous waste sites –Human health and ecological risks

Additional Federal Laws The EPA website lists several other federal laws that we didn’t cover that also utilize risk assessments: 1.Endangered Species Act (ESA) 2.Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) 3.Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) 4.Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) 5.Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

Endangered Species Endangered Species Act (ESA) –Purpose: “…program for the conservation of threatened and endangered plants and animals and the habitats in which they are found.” –Three Phases: Listing, Critical Habitat, Recovery Plan. Listing: This is the phase where animals/plant species (or subspecies) are determined to be threatened or endangered and listed as such. Critical Habitat: This is the phase where the current home range of the animal/plant is determined, and also the area needed by this species to recovery. Recovery Plan: This is the phase where a plan is developed to aid in the recovery of the species. –How can Risk Assessments be used in these areas?

CONCLUSION There are many environmental issues that are of concern There are risks associated with both action and in- action Risk assessment can be used several ways in coming up with solutions Interpreting risk assessments can be different depending on how they are used

Environmental Issues and Risk Questions?