Envirobytes - Archive

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EnviroBytes, a Summary of Issues and Events for week ending December 17, 2010

RECYCLEMANIA'S 2011 CAMPUS RECYCLING COMPETITION STARTS IN FEBRUARY

RecycleMania, the EPA WasteWise program-sponsored competition will begin in February. Colleges and universities can register to reduce, reuse and recycle the most campus waste in a 10-week period. Last year, 607 participating campuses collectively recycled or composted more than 84.5 million pounds of waste during the 10 weeks. Registration is free and can be completed online on the Forms page. To register, go to How Schools can register for Recyclemania. For information on the WasteWise program, go to EPA WasteWise program.

IT'S OFFICIAL: SACCHARIN REMOVED FROM HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES LISTING

The sweeter than sugar artificial sweetener Saccharin has been removed from the agency's list of hazardous substances to human health. Labeled a potentially cancer-causing substance in the 1980s, and later cleared through scientific reevaluation in the 1990s, EPA has now deemed fit to remove it from the list of potential human carcinogens. For more information, go to https://www.epa.gov/waste/hazard/wastetypes/wasteid/saccharin/index.htm.

FREDERICK, MD BENEFITS FROM FORT DETRICK SUPERFUND SITE CLEANUP AGREEMENT

EPA announced on Dec. 17 that it has signed an inter-agency agreement with the Department of Defense outlining the remediation of the Fort Detrick Area B Groundwater Superfund Site in Frederick, Md. The agreement ensures that under EPA oversight, cleanup actions at this Army testing and disposal area for chemical, biological, and radiological material will proceed with the protection of the community in mind. For more information on the history and status of the cleanup, visit: https://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/super/sites/MDD985397249/index.htm

EPA DELIVERS REPORT ON 15 YEARS OF ACID RAIN REDUCTIONS

EPA released a report showing the Acid Rain program's 15 years of success in dramatically reducing sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions, saving lives and ecosystems. An analysis in 2010 estimates annual public health benefits of the program at more than $120 billion, about 40 times the estimated cost. For some of the major accomplishments of the program, go to https://www.epa.gov/airmarkets/progress/ARP09.html

EPA EXPANDS AIR MONITORING TO PROTECT AMERICA'S AT-RISK GROUPS FROM LEAD POISONING'S EFFECTS

On Dec. 15, EPA announced its intention to expand the nation's air quality monitoring network to protect Americans from lead exposure. Lead monitoring requirements near industrial facilities will be strengthened and multi-pollutant air quality monitoring in large urban areas will be required. States have one year from the publication date of this rule to have the new monitors in place. Monitors will continue to be placed at airports emitting at least one ton of lead per year and 15 airports emitting less than one ton of lead per year will be monitored for a year to determine impact to area air quality. For more information, go to https://www.epa.gov/air/lead

HEALTHY WATERS BLOG CURRENT HIGHLIGHT

Happy H2O Holidays! Tell us what you're doing to make your holidays a little greener! Get some tips on how to have a more water-efficient holiday and a greener festive season! visit the Healthy Waters Web site at http://blog.epa.gov/healthywaters/

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