Environmental Compliance Handbook, Volume 4: Sustainability and Future Environmental Regulations

Description

Environmental laws and regulations are extremely complex and difficult to understand. In order to comply with them, they need to be explained in layperson’s terms. This handbook identifies many changes in regulations and recommends ways to apply and implement them. Containing the latest environmental information, this volume goes beyond environmental regulations in two fundamental aspects: sustainability and preparation for future requirements before mandates are enacted. Structured as a “step-by-step how-to” book, readers will find real-life examples for the most important aspects of evaluating sustainability initiatives and preparing for new and revised environmental regulations. Features: Explores all sustainability related concepts and regulations and the requirement of any control permits available up to date. Answers in depth all practical questions that arise when working on compliance projects for future requirements. Addresses a wider spectrum of sustainability issues that go beyond chemical-based contamination and environmental regulations and examines the impacts of climate change. Includes many real-life examples and case studies from industry and institutions that comply with sustainability regulations. It is global in coverage and very useful to companies that plan to expand operations outside their country and are interested in future regulations. Cover Half Title Title Copyright Dedication Contents Preface Acknowledgments About the Author Acronyms, Elements, Symbols, Molecules and Units of Measure Chapter 1 Overview and Themes 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Major Themes of This Book 1.2.1 Theme 1: No Matter Where You Are, It’s All the Same 1.2.2 Theme 2: Understanding Nature 1.2.3 Theme 3: The Science of Contamination 1.2.4 Theme 4: Contaminant Risks Are Not Equal 1.2.5 Theme 5: The Cost of Cleaning up the Environment 1.2.6 Theme 6: Protecting the Air, Water, Land, and Living Organisms 1.2.7 Theme 7: The Heart of Sustainability and Future Environmental Regulations 1.3. Summary References Chapter 2 History of Sustainability 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Framing and Acceptance of Sustainability 2.3 Donora, Pennsylvania, 1948 Air Pollution Incident 2.4 Geography and Climate 2.5 Overview of Environmental Regulations of the United States 2.6 The Birth of the Environmental Movement and Regulations in the United States 2.7 Formation of National Policy and the Environmental Protection Agency 2.8 Environmental Laws of the United States 2.9 National Environmental Protection Act 2.10 Environmental Justice 2.11 Environmental Enforcement 2.12 Summary of the History of Environmental Regulations and Sustainability of the United States References Chapter 3 The Science of Contamination 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Defining Contamination 3.3 Release of Contamination into the Environment 3.4 Fate and Transport of Contaminants 3.4.1 VOCs 3.4.2 PAHs 3.4.3 PCBs 3.4.4 SVOCs 3.4.5 Heavy Metals 3.4.5.1 Pesticides and Herbicides 3.4.5.2 Dioxins 3.4.5.3 Fertilizers 3.4.5.4 Cyanide 3.4.5.5 Asbestos 3.4.5.6 Acids and Bases 3.4.5.7 Radioactive Compounds 3.4.5.8 Greenhouse Gases 3.4.5.9 Carbon Dioxide 3.4.5.10 Carbon Monoxide 3.4.5.11 Ozone 3.4.5.12 Sulfur Dioxide 3.4.5.13 Particulate Matter 3.4.5.14 Bacteria, Parasites, and Viruses 3.4.5.15 Invasive Species 3.4.5.16 Polyfluoroalkyl Substances 3.4.5.17 Emerging Contaminants 3.5 Summary and Conclusion References Chapter 4 Environmental Risk of Contaminants 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Groundwater Contaminant Risk Factor 4.3 Soil Contaminant Risk Factor 4.4 Air Contaminant Risk Factor 4.5 Discussion and Implications 4.6 Summary and Conclusion References Chapter 5 Nature’s Feedback to Contamination 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Subsurface Vulnerability and Vulnerability Map Development 5.3 Methods 5.4 Demonstrating the Significance of Vulnerability Mapping 5.4.1 Site 1—Low-­Vulnerability Site 5.4.2 Site 2—High­Vulnerability Site 5.4.3 Site Comparison Analysis 5.5 Summary and Conclusion References Chapter 6 Environmental Investigations 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Types and Description of Subsurface Environmental Investigations, Studies, Plans, or Reports 6.2.1 Phase I Environmental Site Assessment 6.2.2 Health and Safety 6.2.3 Demolition 6.2.4 Phase II Environmental Site Assessment 6.2.5 Geophysical Investigation 6.2.6 Ecological and Human Health Risk Assessment 6.2.7 Feasibility Study 6.2.8 Remedial Investigation 6.2.9 Natural Resource Damage Assessment 6.2.10 Environmental Impact Statement 6.2.11 Remedial Action Plan 6.2.12 Completion Evaluation Study 6.2.13 Summary of Environmental Investigations 6.3 Common Environmental Sampling Methods 6.3.1 Soil Sampling and Description 6.3.1.1 Surface Sampling 6.3.1.2 Excavating Test Pits 6.3.1.3 Drilling Using a Hand Auger 6.3.1.4 Mechanical Drilling Methods 6.3.1.5 High­Resolution Sampling 6.3.1.6 Sample Containers 6.3.1.7 Documentation 6.3.2 Groundwater Sampling Methods 6.3.2.1 Installing a Monitoring Well 6.3.2.2 Groundwater Sampling 6.3.3 Sediment Sampling 6.3.4 Surface Water Sampling 6.3.5 Air Sampling 6.3.5.1 Indoor Air Sampling 6.3.5.2 Outdoor Air Sampling 6.4 Summary and Conclusion References Chapter 7 Repairing Nature 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Remediation Overview 7.3 Remediation Criteria 7.4 Common Soil Remediation Technologies 7.4.1 Soil Excavation 7.4.2 Bioremediation 7.4.3 Monitored Natural Attenuation 7.4.4 Mechanical Soil Aeration 7.4.5 Capping 7.4.6 Land Use Restrictions 7.4.7 Soil Vapor Extraction 7.4.8 Phytoremediation 7.4.9 Soil Washing 7.4.10 In Situ Thermal Treatment 7.4.11 Ex Situ Thermal Treatment 7.4.12 Electrokinetics 7.4.13 Solidification/Stabilization 7.4.14 Fracturing 7.4.15 Vitrification 7.4.16 Chemical Oxidation 7.4.17 Chemical Dehalogenation 7.4.18 Summary of Soil Remediation Technologies 7.5 Common Groundwater Remediation Technologies 7.5.1 Groundwater Pump and Treat 7.5.2 In Situ Soil Flushing 7.5.3 Air Sparging 7.5.4 Permeable Reactive Barriers 7.5.5 Injection of Biological Agents 7.5.6 Injection of Chemical Agents 7.5.7 Monitored Natural Attenuation 7.5.8 Institutional Controls 7.5.9 Multiphase Extraction 7.5.10 Summary of Groundwater Remediation Technologies 7.6 Sediment Remediation 7.6.1 Source Control 7.6.2 Excavation 7.6.3 Dredging 7.6.4 Bioremediation 7.6.5 Capping 7.6.6 Natural Attenuation 7.6.7 Summary of Sediment Remediation Technologies 7.7 Surface Water Remediation 7.7.1 Source Control 7.7.2 Engineered Wetlands 7.7.3 Direct Removal 7.7.4 Summary of Surface Water Remediation 7.8 Air Remediation 7.9 Cost of Remediation 7.10 Summary and Conclusion References Chapter 8 Climate Change and Its Influence on Sustainability 8.1 Introduction to Climate Change 8.2 Defining Climate 8.3 History of Climate Science and Greenhouse Gases 8.4 Climate Change Regulatory History 8.4.1 Global Climate Protection Act 8.4.2 Kyoto Protocol 8.4.3 Paris Climate Agreement 8.4.4 The Clean Air Act 8.4.5 Energy Policy Act 8.4.6 Summary of Climate and GHG Regulations in the United States 8.5 Global Involvement 8.5.1 GHG Protocol 8.5.2 Future Potential GHG Regulations 8.6 High­Altitude Ozone 8.7 Acid Rain and Smog­Forming Air Pollution 8.8 Sustainability Measures to Lower GHG Emissions at the Individual Level 8.9 Summary of Climate Change References Chapter 9 Protecting the Air 9.1 Introduction to Air Pollution Regulations 9.2 Controlling Factors 9.3 Clean Air Act 9.3.1 Criteria Pollutants and NAAQS Standards 9.3.2 Hazardous Air Pollutants 9.3.3 National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants 9.3.4 Stationary Sources 9.3.4.1 Major Sources 9.3.4.2 Minor Sources and Synthetic Minor Sources 9.3.4.3 Area Source 9.3.4.4 Air Permitting Process for Stationary Sources 9.3.4.5 Air Pollutant Capture from Stationary Sources 9.3.4.6 Compliance Testing of Air Emissions 9.3.4.7 Demonstrating Air Permit Compliance 9.3.5 Mobile Sources 9.3.6 Acid Rain Reduction 9.3.7 Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change 9.3.8 Upper Atmospheric Ozone 9.3.9 Enforcement 9.3.10 Summary of the Clean Air Act References Chapter 10 Protecting the Water 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Clean Water Act 10.2.1 Point Source Surface Water Discharge 10.2.2 Stormwater 10.2.3 Wetlands 10.2.4 Pollution Prevention and Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures 10.2.5 Summary of the Clean Water Act 10.3 Safe Drinking Water Act 10.3.1 Introduction 10.3.2 Maximum Contaminant Levels 10.3.3 National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations 10.3.4 Lead and Copper Rule 10.3.5 Corrosion Control 10.3.6 Summary of the Safe Drinking Water Act 10.4 Summary of Water Regulations References Chapter 11 Protecting the Land 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Resource, Conservation, and Recovery Act 11.2.1 Subtitle D—Non­Hazardous Waste 11.2.2 Subtitle C—Hazardous Waste 11.2.2.1 Characteristic Hazardous Waste 11.2.2.2 Listed Hazardous Waste 11.2.2.3 Universal Hazardous Waste 11.2.2.4 Used Oil 11.2.2.5 Contained­In Policy and Derived­From Rule 11.2.2.6 Land Disposal Restrictions 11.2.2.7 Analytical Methods 11.2.2.8 Hazardous Waste Manifests 11.2.3 Subtitle I­Petroleum Underground Storage Tanks 11.2.4 Summary of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act 11.3. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act 11.3.1 Introduction 11.3.2 Potential Responsible Parties 11.3.3 CERCLA History 11.3.3.1 Times Beach 11.3.3.2 Love Canal 11.3.3.3 Valley of the Drums 11.3.3.4 Wells G and H Superfund Site in Woburn, Massachusetts 11.3.3.5 Ciba­Geigy and Reich Farm Site in Toms River, New Jersey 11.3.3.6 PG&E Hinkley Site in California 11.3.3.7 Summary of CERCLA History 11.3.4 Site Scoring 11.3.5 Remediation Criteria 11.3.6 Summary of Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act 11.4 Summary of Land Regulations References Chapter 12 Protecting Living Organisms and Historic and Cultural Sites 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Environmental Laws of the United States with Sustainability Implications 12.2.1 Toxic Substance Control Act 12.2.2 Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act and Emergency Planning and Community Right­to­Know Act 12.2.3 Pollution Prevention Act 12.2.4 Brownfield Revitalization Act 12.2.5 Lacey Act of 1900 12.2.6 Antiquities Act of 1906 12.2.7 Migratory Bird Treaty Act 1916 12.2.8 National Parks Act of 1916 12.2.9 National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 12.2.10 Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 12.2.11 Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1968 12.2.12 Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 12.2.13 Marine Protection Act of 1972 12.2.14 Endangered Species Act of 1973 12.2.15 Fisheries Conservation and Management Act of 1976 12.2.16 National Forest Management Act of 1976 12.2.17 Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 12.2.18 Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 12.2.19 Global Climate Protection Act of 1987 12.2.20 Ocean Dumping Act of 1988 12.2.21 Oil Spill Prevention Act of 1990 12.2.22 Energy Policy Act of 1992 and 2005 12.2.23 Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 12.2.24 Marine Mammal Protection Act of 2015 12.3 Summary of United States Environmental Regulations that Protect the Biosphere and Sustainability Relevance References Chapter 13 Environmental Regulations and Pollution of the World 13.1 Introduction 13.2 Global Assessments and Standards 13.2.1 Air 13.2.2 Water 13.2.3 Land 13.2.4 Summary of Global Assessments and Standards 13.3 Antarctica 13.3.1 Pollution In Antarctica 13.3.2 Environmental Regulations of Antarctica 13.3.3 Summary of Environmental Regulations in Antarctica 13.4 Oceans 13.4.1 Ocean Pollution 13.4.2 Environmental Regulations of the Ocean 13.4.3 Summary of Environmental Regulations of the Oceans 13.5 Evaluating Environmental Regulations of the World 13.5.1 Evaluating and Ranking Each Country’s Regulatory Effectiveness 13.5.2 Environmental Challenges of Each Country 13.6 Summary and Conclusion References Chapter 14 Global­Level Sustainability Actions 14.1 Introduction 14.2 Defining Sustainability 14.3 Global Challenges That Sustainability Must Overcome 14.3.1 Power and Responsibility 14.3.2 Economic 14.3.3 Religion 14.4 United Nations Global Sustainability Goals 14.5 Cohesive Policy Actions from the Global Community 14.5.1 Building a Global Community 14.5.2 Cohesive Environmental Policy, Regulations, and Enforcement 14.5.3 Controlling the Human Population 14.5.4 Modifying the Human Diet 14.5.5 Financial Fairness and Equity Distribution 14.5.6 Modifying Business Models 14.5.7 Improving Our Relationship with Nature 14.5.8 Addressing Climate Change 14.6 Coordinating and Prioritizing Sustainability Initiatives at the Global Level 14.6.1 Science­Based Regulation Improvements 14.6.2 Modify Environmental Enforcement Emphasis and Policy 14.6.3 Ecological Restoration and Preservation 14.6.4 Managing Natural Resources 14.6.5 Improving Water Quality 14.6.6 Improving the Quality of the Oceans 14.6.7 Modifying Agriculture Practices 14.6.8 Limits on Herbicide and Pesticide Use 14.6.9 Controlling the Use of Fertilizers 14.6.10 Forest Management 14.6.11 Cooking Fuels 14.6.12 Urban Air Quality 14.6.13 Banning Harmful Chemicals 14.6.14 Emerging Contaminants 14.6.15 Addressing Invasive Species 14.6.16 Limiting Species Extinction 14.6.17 Improving Pollution Prevention 14.6.18 Urban Land Use 14.6.19 Noise Pollution 14.6.20 Household Waste 14.6.21 Non­Point Source Pollution 14.6.22 Consumer Products and Packaging 14.6.23 Sustainability Legislation 14.6.24 Measuring Sustainability Progress 14.6.25 Summary of New or Improved Regulations 14.7 Summary and Conclusion References Chapter 15 National­Level Sustainability Actions 15.1 Introduction 15.2 Improving Urban Areas 15.2.1 Geologic Vulnerability 15.2.2 Physical Chemistry of Pollutants 15.2.3 Informed Urban Development 15.2.4 Improving Our Relationship with Nature 15.2.5 Infrastructure Upgrades 15.3 Expanding Environmental Regulations 15.3.1 Modify Environmental Enforcement Emphasis and Policy 15.3.2 Science­Based Regulation Improvements 15.3.3 Regulating Agriculture 15.3.4 Improving Urban Air Quality 15.3.5 Banning Harmful Chemicals 15.3.6 Dealing with Emerging Contaminants 15.3.7 Addressing Invasive Species 15.3.8 Improving Pollution Prevention 15.3.9 Improving Urban Land Use 15.3.10 Regulating Noise Pollution 15.3.11 Improving Household Waste Regulation 15.3.12 Non­Point Source Pollution Improvements 15.3.13 Sustainability Regulations 15.3.14 Consumer Products and Packaging Improvements 15.3.15 Addressing Public Lands 15.3.16 Households 15.3.17 Climate Change 15.3.18 Summary of Expanding Environmental Regulations 15.4 Summary and Conclusion References Chapter 16 Individual Sustainability Actions 16.1 Introduction 16.2 Informed Urban Development 16.3 Pollution Prevention at the Local and Parcel Level 16.3.1 Implementing Pollution Prevention Techniques—Point Sources 16.3.1.1 Step 1: Establishing Objectives and Gathering Background Data 16.3.1.2 Step 2: Inventory of Hazardous Substances 16.3.1.3 Step 3: Assessing CRFs 16.3.1.4 Step 4: Preliminary Assessment of Geologic Vulnerability 16.3.1.5 Step 5: Preventing Pollution through ESPM Methods 16.3.1.6 Step 6: Assessing Results 16.3.1.7 Financial Incentives 16.3.2 Non­Point Source Pollution Prevention 16.3.3 Controlling Non­Point Sources of Pollution 16.4 Building and Maintaining a Sustainability Model 16.5 Sustainability at the Individual Level 16.6 Summary and Conclusion References Index