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Source: Sustainable Industries.com

When handling hazardous chemicals, what is the best way to communicate their dangers?

The Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals is a new worldwide initiative for the standardized classification of hazardous chemicals and a communication system to convey information regarding their proper use and handling.

Currently many systems for the classification and labeling exist between and within countries. This is costly for companies working with different systems, difficult for governments to regulate, and dangerous for workers handling the chemicals who may find a system unfamiliar or confusing. The goals of implementing GHS are: reduce costs, streamline regulatory procedures, increase safety through a universal set of rules for classifying hazards, and use of the same format and content for labels and safety data sheets.
Continue reading In Harmony?

Source: Environmental Protection OnLine.com

Researchers have found a low-grade cotton from West Texas that might be able to clean oil spills more effectively and more eco-friendly than other methods currently in use. According to the study, one pound of the cotton can soak up more than 30 pounds of oil.

In a new study, researchers used unprocessed raw cottons to soak up oil, becoming one of the first studies to collect data on cotton and oil spills. Seshadri Ramkumar, the lead author of the study, said that he and his colleagues found that low-micronaine cotton is the most effective type of cotton at soaking up oil. Because this type of cotton is low-quality, it could also prove to be a cheaper option for cleaning up oil spills.

“In this region, about 10 percent of the cotton grown in West Texas is low micronaire,” said Ramkumar. “It doesn’t take a dye well, so it gets discounted. However, because low-micronaire cotton is less mature, it shrinks, and you are able to pack more fiber into a given area. The strength here is that the low-micronaire cotton absorbs the most crude oil. The oil is not only stuck to surface, the oil gets absorbed into the fiber.”

Barley straw and polypropylene wool have also been tested by other scientists for oil spills, but Ramkumar said those fibers still left big gaps in research, leaving room for improvements. This low-grade cotton proves to be significant in oil cleanup because it picks up oil by both absorption and adsorption, which makes the oil stick to the outer surface of the cotton.

Source: Environmental Daily Advisor (BLR) by Kelly Lagana

“When liquid mercury is spilled, it forms droplets that can accumulate in very small spaces and then emit vapors into the air. Mercury vapor in the air is odorless, colorless, and very toxic. Therefore, all mercury spills, regardless of quantity, should be treated seriously.”

Mercury spills less than or equal to the amount in a thermometer. EPA recommends that the following procedures be followed to clean up mercury spills less than or equal to the amount in a thermometer:

• Remove everyone, including pets, from the area in which cleanup will take place. Do not allow assistance from children.
• IF you are using powdered sulfur, sprinkle it over the spill area at this time. Powdered sulfur may be purchased from laboratory, chemical supply and hazardous materials response supply manufacturers. Please note that powdered sulfur may stain fabrics a dark color. Users should understand the product and how to use it, and should not breathe in the powder.  The sulfur does two things:
  • It makes the mercury easier to see, since there is a color change from yellow to brown.
  • It keeps the mercury from vaporizing.

Continue reading Tips for Safe Mercury Cleanup

Source: Environmental Protection News.com

The compliance date is May 10, 2013, by which farms covered by the rule must prepare or amend and implement their plans.

The compliance date has arrived for certain farms to prepare or amend and implement Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans. EPA’’ SPCC rule includes requirements for oil spill prevention, preparedness, and response to prevent oil discharges to navigable waters and adjoining shorelines, and the rule requires specific facilities to implement these plans.

The plans will help farms prevent oil spills and control a spill if one does occur. EPA’s Oil Information Center (800-424-9346) can answer questions about the agency’s SPCC program, and its SPCC for Agriculture web page links to numerous information sources.

SPCC applies to a farm that:

• Stores, transfers, uses, or consumes oil or oil products — such as diesel fuel, gasoline, lube oil, hydraulic oil, adjuvant oil, crop oil, vegetable oil or animal fat; and
• Stores more than 1,320 U.S. gallons in total of all aboveground containers (only count containers with 55 gallons or greater storage capacity) or more than 42,000 gallons in completely buried containers; and
• Could reasonably be expected to discharge oil to navigable waters of the United States or adjoining shorelines, such as lakes, rivers, and streams.

Source: Andrew Bender, Contributor Forbes.com

One hotel in Reno, Nevada is not like the others, but not for the reasons you’d expect. Sure, the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino’s two 19-story towers are unique, as are the 2.1 million square foot (195,000 sqm) interior, 1,635 guest rooms, 43,000 square-foot (3,995 sqm) spa, Tuscan-themed decor and larger-than-life casinos, restaurants and nightclubs.

This difference is one you can’t see: how it’s heated. Water from a geothermal aquifer 4,400 feet (1.34 kilometers) underground powers the Peppermill’s massive heating and hot water systems, saving a cool $2 million annually versus its former, conventional power source, natural gas.

Geothermal expert Dr. Jim Combs of Geo Hills Associates calls the Peppermill “the only resort in the United States whose heating source is totally provided from geothermal energy produced on the immediate property.” Going green has earned the Peppermill commendations from far and wide, including the U.S. Congress.
Continue reading Reno Hotel Gambles On Green Energy And Saves $2 Million Per Year

Source: USGBC Nevada Chapter Newsletter
Over the past decade, the City of Las Vegas has made significant progress in clean energy, water conservation, recycling, green building, and alternative transportation that have resulted in positive impacts to the environment, economy, and community. As a result, the City is on track to reduce City energy costs more than $6 million annually, putting it on the course to achieving its goal of being America’s first net-zero city.

In 2008, the Mayor and City Council to resolved to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions and construct new City buildings and facilities to LEED standards. Since then, the City performed the following actions, already saving the City more than $4 million: Continue reading Sustainability in ACTION at the City of Las Vegas

FY 2014 Request Focuses on Transforming the Way EPA Does Business

WASHINGTON – Today the Obama Administration proposed a Fiscal Year 2014 (FY 2014) budget of $8.153 billion for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This request is $296 million below the EPA’s budget for Fiscal Year 2012.

“EPA’s FY 2014 budget reflects our firm commitment to keeping American communities across our country healthy and clean, while also taking into consideration the difficult fiscal situation and the declining resources of state, local and tribal programs,” said EPA Acting Administrator Bob Perciasepe. “Our request takes a balanced approach to funding the agency, including increased investments in more efficient technologies as well as necessary program eliminations or reductions.”

EPA’s FY 2014 request will allow EPA to continue its progress in addressing climate change; protecting the nation’s air, waters, and lands; supporting sustainable water infrastructure; and assuring the safety of chemicals. EPA will continue to lay the groundwork to transform the way it does business, ensuring the best use of human and financial resources, while continuing to achieve the agency’s mission effectively and efficiently.
Continue reading EPA’s FY 2014 Budget Proposal Maintains the Strength of Federal, State, and Tribal Core Environmental and Human Health Protections