A Gwide to Information on Pollwtion Prevention on the World Wide Web lrfan Patel and Ashok Kumar Department of Civil Engineering, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606

INTRODUCTION The United States of America’s Pollution Prevention Act of

1 9 0 states that pollution should be prevented or reduced at the source whenever feasible. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency further defines pollution prevention as the use of other practices that reduce or eliminate the creation of pollutants through increased efficiency in the use of raw materials, energy, water, or other resources, or protection of natural resources, or protection of natural resources by conservation [l, 2, 31. In a recent editorial, Berger [41 points out that the need for pollution prevention is stronger than ever because of environmental chal- lenges, cost competition, and consumer and shareholder demands.

More specifically, pollution prevention in an industrial envi- ronment means in-plant practices, including, but not limited to:

Process modifications, Feedstock substitutions, Product reformulation, Management practices o r housekeeping alterations, Recycling within industrial processes, Equipment replacement or modifications.

The changes in management practices or housekeeping alter- ations would include maintenance and preventive maintenance, training, inventory control, and improvements in housekeeping.

Pollution prevention and source reduction are used inter- changeably throughout the U.S. and mean the same h g . Meth- ods for achieving waste reduction divide conveniently into two basic types: pollution prevention or source reduction, and recy-

In this paper an attempt has been made to provide informa- tion on online pollution prevention resources. The growth rate of information on the World Wide Web is amazing. It has become very difficult and time consuming to find a particular piece of data in a shott time due to the vast amount of informa- tion on the Net. Although more than 500 sites were reviewed for this paper, only a limited number of sites are included in this review because it is not possible to cover them all. The sites have been organized into the following categories:

cling.

1. General pollution prevention information on Internet

2. 3. 4. 5 . 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

Material substitution Recycling information Green design for the environment State Internet programs Academic resource centers Environment, health and safety Energy conservation Total quality management Water quality Affirmative procurement Life cycle analysis/Life cycle assessment

GENERAL POUUTION PREVENTION INFORMATION 0 Agriculture Compliance Assistance Center

(AgCenter) http://es.epa.gov/oeca/ag/ The AgCenter provides “one-stop shopping” for the agriculture community, offering com- prehensive, easy-to-understand information about compliance-common sense, flexible approaches that are both environmentally pro- tective and agriculturally sound. The Center also provides information on reducing pollu- tion and making good use of the latest pollu- tion prevention technologies.

vhutomotive Service and Repair: Greenlink - http://www.ccar-greenlink.org/ This site offers access to environmental compli- ance and pollution prevention information to those working in the automotive service, repair, and auto body industry.

This site is a source of Internet bookmarks related to P2 and environmental information.

0 Canadian Center for Pollution Prevention (C2P2) - http://c2p2.sarnia.com/exper- tise/index. html The Canadian Center for Pollution Prevention (C2P2) was founded to stimulate the adoption of pollution prevention approaches and to influence changes in behavior. Serving as a cat- alyst for change, the C2P2 disseminates infor- mation so that others include pollution preven-

0 http://es.epa.gov/lin.ks/vicyoung. html

Environmental Progress (Vol.19, No.4) Winter 2000 W9

tion in their decision-making, and helps busi- nesses, governments, and the public find solu- tions that result in pollution prevention action.

0 Center for Neighborhood Technology - http://www.cnt.org/ This site is designed to promote the necessary public policies, new resources, and account- ability to support sustainable, just, and vital urban communities.

0 Central European Environmental Data Request Facility (CEDAR) - http://www. cedar.&ie.ac.at/ This site features environmental information about Central Europe, and serves as a transition point to many other destinations and useful environmental information.

0 Defense Environmental Network & Information Exchange (DENIX) - http://denix.cecer.army.nWdenix/ Public/public. html DENE provides the general public with timely access to environmental legislative, compli- ance, restoration, cleanup, safety & occupation- al health, security, and DOD guidance informa- tion.

0 Department of Energy (DOE) EPIC Home Page - http://epic.er.doe.gov/epic/ The DOE EPIC home page provides a database search of DOE documents, P2 Regulations, internet search engines, a P2 Calendar, P2 soh- ware, environmental information sources, material exchange, material substitution, and recycling information.

Earth Systems, Inc. - http://earth systems.org/Environment.html This site provides links to over 650 virtual library environmental sites. Industry associa- tions, recycling projects, P2 project reports, and other environmental documents are also listed.

EnviroLink - http://envirolink. netforchange.com/ EnviroLink is a grassroots non-profit organiza- tion that unites hundreds of organizations and volunteers around the world and serves over 1.5 million people in 130 countries. It offers links to other environmental sites, EnviroNews, a sustainable business network, and other envi- ronmental information.

0 Environmental Law Institute (ELI) - http://www.eli.org/ This site incorporates ELI publications, pro- grams, and policy documents related to envi- ronmental law.

This site is one of the most comprehensive environmental Web sites. Enviro$en$e provides search services, industry sector notebooks, links to DOE, EPA, DOD, Federal, Regional and State Agencies, academia, public interest groups, industry and trade associations, inter-

0 Enviro$en$e Home Page - http://es.epagov/

national resources, vendor information, material exchange and substitution libraries, P2 informa- tion exchange programs, and other valuable P2 resources. Information is constantly updated.

This Web site provides access to a large amount of information. Users may search for environmentally-related information, public information centers, grants and financing, press releases, software, databases and newsletters regarding EPAs policies, regulations, and assis- tance programs.

EPA Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Division - http://www.epa.gov/cpd.html This site provides information on the activities of EPA’s Atmospheric P2 Division. Information on the Energy Star Program, Green Lights Pro- gram, Methane Outreach Program, publica- tions, and software tools are also located at this Web site.

P2 Gems is an Internet search tool for facility planners, engineers, and managers who are looking for technical, process, and materials management information on the Web. The Toxics Use Reduction Institute manages this site.

0 Pacific N W Pollution Prevention Resource Center - http://www.pprc.org/pprc/ This Web site includes an online database of P2 research projects, an online P2 request for pro- posals clearinghouse, P2 technology reviews, a newsletter, and other information for business- es in the Northwest.

0 Pollution Prevention Roundtable - http://www.p2.0rg/ The site provides information on the activities of the National P2 Roundtable, a forum for pro- moting the development, implementation, and evaluation of efforts to avoid, eliminate, or reduce pollution at the source. The site pro- vides information on legislative briefings, upcoming conferences, publications, access to P2 Roundtable yellow pages, links to other state and local Web sites, and information regarding international activities.

Toxics Action Center - http://www. cqs.com/tac.htm The Toxics Action Center (TAC) of New Eng- land is one of the best regional grassroots sup- port organizations in the U.S. The staff of TAC is committed to both helping people with envi- ronmental problems and launching indepen- dent initiatives for pollution reduction and pre- vention.

Waste Minimization National Plan - http://www.epagov/wastemin/ m e Waste Minimization National Plan (mm) Web site provides access to the WMNP and presents descriptions of available tools, pro- grams, and plans available to assist in reducing

0 EFA Home Page - http://www.epa.gov

P2GEMS - ~ ~ ~ P : / / w w w . P ~ ~ ~ x I I s . o ~ ~ /

W10 Winter 2000 Environmental Progress (Vo1.19, No.4)

the presence of persistent, bio-accumulative, and toxic chemicals in hazardous waste. Access to the Waste Minimization Prioritization Tool is also available at this site.

MATERIAL SUBSTmmON OSAGE - Solvents Alternative Guide -

http://cleatLrtiorg SAGE is a comprehensive guide designed to provide pollution prevention information on solvent and process alternatives for parts clean- ing and degreasing.

0 Coating Applications Research Laboratory (CARL) - http://www.ecn.purdue.edu/ C M W W CARL allows Midwest manufacturers to test state-of-the-art pollution prevention technolo- gies under the guidance of personnel expert in their application. Supervised use of this facility will give you a “level playing field opportunity to determine which of the available products or processes meets your manufacturing and mar- ket requirements.

0 Environmental Stewardship - Pollution Pre- vention - L.os Alamos National Laboratory (PW) Material Substitution Resource List - https://nicext.lanLgov/ This Web site provides information on material substitution alternatives and links to over 26 material substitution related sites on the Inter- net.

Information on substitutes for synthetic chemi- cals is available on this site.

0 ILSR - http://www.ilsr.org/

RECYCUNG IN- 0 Global Recycling Network - http://grn.com/

This site provides recycling-related information to buyers and sellers of recyclable commodi- ties.

http://www.metrokc.gov/ov/procut.e/green/ indexhtm The King County Recycled Procurement Pro- gram lists resources for buyers, information on construction and landscaping materials, office products, automotive products, product perfor- mance summaries, and other environmental links.

Recycler’s World was established as a world- trading site for information related to secondary and recyclable commodities, by-products, and used and/or surplus items and materials.

gm/

Kilng County Recycled Procurement p1.ogram -

Recycler’s World - http://www.recycle.net/

GREEN DESIGN FOR THE ENViRONMENT 0 Carnegie Mellon University Green Design

Initiative Home Page - http://www.ce. cmu.edu/GreenDesign/

This site provides access to research, publica- tion lists, and education programs in green design, and information on its partnerships.

0 Pacific Northwest Laboratory’s Design for

The PPRC is a nonprofit organization that works to protect public health, safety, and the environment by supporting projects that pre- vent pollution and eliminate or reduce the use of toxic chemicals. The database includes over 300 P2 projects, and its Request for Proposals (RFP) Clearinghouse provides information about P2 projects. The site also offers search engines, up-to-date newsletters, conference schedules, and abstracts on research projects.

0 UC Berkeley Center for Green Design and Man~&xtdng - http://greenm@g.me.berke- ley.ddgreen/Home/Index. html Research, publications, contacts and green design software are available at this site.

Wvhnment paSe - http://pp~.pdgOV/

STATE INlERNET PROGRAM Alabama DEM - http://www.aderastat.e.dus/

0 Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment - http://www.coloradop2.

0 Delaware DNREC - http://www.dnrec. org/

state.de.us/dnrec2000/ Florida DEP - http://www.&p.Stat.e.aUS

0 Georgia Department of Natural Resources, P2 Assistance Division - http://www.

0 Indiana Department of Environmental Man- agement - http://www.state.in.us/idem/

0 Office of P2 & Technical Assistance, Illinois

0 Kansas State University Pollution Prevention Institute - http://www. oznet.ksudddp-nrgy/

0 Kentucky P2 Center (KPPC) - http:// www.kppc.org/

georghet.org/dnr/p2ad/

HWRIC - http://www.~.UiUC.dd

Louisiana DEQ - http://www.deq.Stat.e.la.W/ 0 Maine DEP Pollution Prevention Program -

http://www.state.me.us/ 0 Massachusetts Department of Environmen-

tal Protection - http://www.magnet.state. ma.us/dep/dephome.htm

0 Massachusetts Offlce of Technical Assistance

0 Michigan DEQ, Environmental Assistance Division - http://www.deq.state.mi.us/W

0 Minnesota Technical Assistance Program - http://wwwl.m.ddmtap/

0 New Hampshire Department of Environ- mental Services - http://www.des. Stat.e.nkUS/

- http://128.11.42.63/0ta/

Environmental Progress (Vo1.19, No.4) Winter 2000 W11

0 New Jersey Technical Assistance Program for Industrial Pollution Prevention - http://www.njit.edu/njtap/

0 New York Department of Environmental Conservation - http://www.dec.state. ny.us/website/pobtion/prevent.html

0 North Carolina Waste Reduction Resource Center - http://wrrc.pZpays.oqg/

0 Oregon Department of Environmental Qual- ity, P2 Division - http://www.deq. state.or.us

0 South Carolina Department of Health & Envjronmental Control - http://www.state.

0 Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation - http://www.state.tn. us/environment/

0 Texas Natural Resources Conservation Com- mission (TNRCC) - http://www.tnrcc. State.tX.US/

0 Vermont Agency of Natural Resources - http://www.anr.state.vt.us/

0 Vjrginia DEQ, Office of Pollution Prevention - http://www.deq.state.va.us/pZ/home- page.html

0 Washington Department of Ecology, Haz- ardous Waste & Toxics Reduction Program

sc.us

- http://www.ecy.Wa.gOV/

ACADEMIC RESOURCE CENTERS 0 The National Pollution Prevention Center

(NPPC) for Higher Education - http:// www.umich.edu/-nppcpub/index. html This site provides educational material to univer- sities, professionals, and the public. The NPPC actively collects, develops, and disseminates pol- lution prevention educational materials.

ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, AND SAFEN 0 DOE’S Safety & Health Technical Informa-

tion Services - http://tis.eh.doe.gov/ portal/home. htm This Web site provides accurate and current information regarding MSDS sheets, EPA Chem- ical Fact Sheets, and other topics related to materials, health, and safety.

0 Environmental Indicators Web site - http://www.ep~gov//~~cato~/~&x. html This site provides information on a variety of data, offering a picture of the environmental status of a state, county, or region within the United States using EPA data. Indicators include air quality, water quality, hazardous waste management, use of toxic chemicals, and pesti- cides. Information on frequently asked ques- tions, environmental progress, and indicator reports and links to EPA National Program offices, and other data sources are available through this site.

0 Vermont SIRI (Safety Information Resources on the Internet) - http://hazardcom/ This Web site provides access to material safety data sheets, and a wide variety of occupational and environmental safety and health information.

Information on OSHA standards, programs and services, compliance assistance programs, and technical information can be found at this site, which also contains links to other health and safety sites on the Internet.

.Right To Know Network (RTK NET) - http://www.rtk.net/ RTK NET was established to empower citizen involvement in community and government decision-making. It provides free access to databases, text files, and other information on the environment, housing and sustainable development. In addition to information on upcoming conferences, newsletters, training sessions and job opportunities, the site pro- vides links to other related Web sites.

0 http://www.osha.gov/

More information on other sites covering this topic can be found in the Winter 1 B issue ofEnvironmental Progress El. ENERGY CONSERVATION

0 Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC), National Renewable Energy Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy - http://www.

The AFDC collects operating information from vehicles running on alternative fuels sponsored by the Alternative Motor Fuels Act , analyzes the data, and makes it available to the public. Data is also available for the Bio-fuels Informa- tion Center and the Clean Cities program.

0 Ames Laboratorv Environmental Technolo-

afdC.nrel.gov/

0

gy Developme& (ETD) - http://www.etd.

As part of the US Department of Energy, Ames Laboratory ETD is developing technological solutions to the problems of contamination resulting from nuclear weapons production. Features of this site include a library and Inter- net “Green” Pages. Climate Wise - http://www.epa.gov/ o p p e i n e t / o p p e / c l . htm This site provides information on EPAs Climate Wise program, a government-industry partner- ship that helps businesses improve energy effi- ciency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

ameslab.gov/

0 The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) - http://www.epri.com/ EPRI conducts research and development activ- ities and P2 initiatives for the electric utility industry.

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0 Energy Effklency and Renewable Energy Network (DOE) - http://www.eren.

Offers hundreds of pages of information from the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. This online library of resources offers news and archives about conservation tech- niques and developments in the world of energy.

0 Energy Inhmation AdmMstraton (DOE) - http://www.eia.doe.gov/ This site provides information on energy prices, consumption information, and forecasting for a variety of fuel groups.

0 EPIC (Energy Pollution Prevention Informa- tion Cleariaghouse) - http://epic.er.doe. gov.epic.htm The purpose of EPIC is to facilitate the exchange of U.S. DOE pollution prevention information between DOE sites, state and local governments, and private industries. It includes a fde listing of DOE-specific P2 information and a calendar of upcoming DOE-sponsored con- ferences, meetings, and training events related to pollution prevention.

DOE) - http://www.em.doe.gov/index4. html This site features information and links to envi- ronmental management and pollution preven- tion at DOE.

0 Office of Industrial Technologies (OIT) Home Page (DOE) - http://www.oit.

OIT is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. It creates partnerships among industry, trade groups, government agencies, and other organizations to research, develop, and deliver advanced energy efficiency, renewable energy, and pollution prevention technologies for industrial customers.

0 Office of Industrial Technologies (OIT) Chemicals - Industry of the Future - http://www.oit,doe.gov As part of OIT’s Industries of the Future strate- gy, the Chemicals Industry Team was estab- lished as a partnership between OIT and the US. chemical industry to maximize economic, energy, and environmental benefits through research and development of innovative tech- nologies.

doe.gov/

0 of&e of EnvironmentalMaMgement (OEM-

doe.gOV/

TOTAL Q U A W MANAGEMENT / IS0 l4WO 0 DOE’S Environmental Management Home

Page - http://www.em.doe.gov/index4. html The site provides waste management, environ- mental restoration, nuclear material, cross cut- ting, and other environmental management information.

0 EPA Standards Network (IS0 14000) - http://es.epa.gov/partnediso/imxhtml The Web site provides information on I S 0 Environmental Management Standards and their potential impact in the United States.

0 NIST’s Global Standards Program (GSP) -

0

http://ts.~t,g0v/ts/h~/210/216/2 16.

NIST promotes the economic growth of U.S. industry by helping develop and apply technol- ogy. General I S 0 14000 information is provided. Exploring IS0 14000 - http://www.

A primer to I S 0 14000, this site includes fea- tures such as frequently asked questions and full text articles. The site covers IS0 14000 in- depth and touches on IS0 3ooo as well.

htm

mgmtl4k.com/

More information on sites covering IS0 14000 can be found in the Fall 1 9 7 &we OfEnVironmenta l Progress La.

WATER 6NJAI.W 0 The Water Environment Federation (WEF) -

http://www.wef.org/ The WEF provides information on searches, links, catalogs, events, missions and other activ- ities as they relate to water issues.

0 Water Online - http://www.wateronline. com/ This site supplies information on water-related manufacturing markets, discussion forums, engineering technology, resource libraries, and associations.

This site provides information on water effi- ciency and conservation, books, conferences, and links to other water-related Web sites.

0 Waterwlser - http://www.waterwher.org/

AFFlRMArmE PROCUREMENT 0 Affirmative Procurement - http://www.

e p a e o v / ~ ~ ~ / n o n - h w / p ~ e /

This Web site provides a list of guidelines and resources to assist federal, state, and local agen- cies and others that wish to purchase and use products containing recovered materials.

0 Army Acquisition Pollution Prevention Sup port Offlce - http://www.aappso.com/ The Army Acquisition Pollution Prevention Support Office, commonly referred to as AAPP- SO, is located at Headquarters, U.S. Army Mate- rial Command, in Alexandria, Virginia. AAPPSO has staff responsible for pollution prevention as it applies to the material acquisition process and the entire equipment life cycle.

indexhtm

UFE CYCLE ANALYSIS/UFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT (LCA) ECOSITE - http://www.~~ite.CO.Uk/

This Web site provides information on recent events in LCA, case studies, and downloadable copies of software.

Environmental Progress (Vol. 19, No.4) Winter 2000 W13

0 European Network for Strategic Life Cycle Assessment Research and Development (LCANET) - http://www.leidenuniv. nl/interfac/cdlcanet/hp22. htm LCANET is a concerted action in the Environ- ment and Climate Program for establishing a European Network for Strategic Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) Research and Development. This network describes the state-of-the-art of LCA methodology and provides input to the EU Environment and Climate Research and Devel- opment Program.

0 EcoDS (Environmentally Conscious Decision Support System) - http://shogun.vuse.van- derbilt.edu/usjapan/ecods.htm EcoDS is a decision support tool for a cost-risk evaluation of environmentally conscious alter- natives using streamlined LCA.

CONCLUSION This paper presents more than 50 Web sites, based on a

review of over 500. Information on these Web sites related to pollution prevention methodologies, tools, software, databases etc., is included to assist in your initial selection. The Web site addresses included in this paper represent the most current information available. However, the contact URL is subject to change as Web sites come and go, publications change owner- ship, or as s& leave existing positions.

UTERANRE CIlED 1. Thedore, L and C. M. Young, Pollution Prmtion, Van

Nostrand Reinhold, New York, NY (1%2). 2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Pollution Pre-

vention 1997: A National Progress Repo?t, Ofice of Pollu- tion Prevention and Toxics, U.S. EPA, Washington, DC (1337).

3. Mulholland, K.L and J.A. Dyer, Pollution Prevention: Methodoloa, Technologies, and Practices, AIChE, New York, NY (1%).

4. Berger, S.A., “Pollution Prevention: The Need is Stronger Than Ever,” Environmenml. Progress, 19 (0, S3 (2000).

5. Kumar, R, A. Kumar, and N. Shah, “A Guide to Work- place Environmental Health and Safety: Internet Sites and Databases on CDs,” Environmental Progress, 18 (4), W7- w12 (1999).

6.Kumar R. and A. Kumar, “Introduction to WWW.IS014001.COM,” Environmental Progress, 16 (31, F13-Fl5 (197).

As a subscriber to Environmental Progress, principal of an environmental engineering consulting fm, and peer-reviewer, I am ever v igh t of the cost vs. performance effectiveness of con- ventional vs. innovative technologies as they are communicated to the public through such excellent journals as Environmental Progress. However, a repetitive criticism of many articles in peer- reviewed journals and U.S. EPA technology transfer publications, as well as conference papers and seminar presentations that address case histories, is an author’s failure to communicate the unit cost for application of the process or technology. Without such information, the reader has no clue as to the worth of the process or technology for other potential applications. This is one of the first deficiencies I notice when reviewing a manu- script or published article, because technologies that cost more than other alternatives are not hkely to be selected by those vest- ed with the decision for expending the funds to solve the target- ed problem.

A case in point is the paper “In-Site Ozonation of Contami- nated Groundwater,” (pp. 183) in the Fall 2000 issue of Environ- mental Progress The item is potentially relevant to those of us in the business of site remediation associated with all kinds of cont- aminants, ranging from recalcitrant volatile organics like methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) to dioxins and PCBs. A scan of the abstract and twice paging through the article revealed not a sin- gle $$ to tell the reader how much the described process cost- capital or annual operating and maintenance costs.

As a practicing professional engineer for >30 yrs, attempting to “turn the tide” is most frustrating, no matter how many edi- tors, conference program development chairs, or academicians I interface with over time. Thus, I appeal to you as a professional in the technical publishing business that reaches thousands of environmental practitioners, and based on your e-mail address, an academic faculty member, to require authors and students to include relevant cost data in every paper that addresses an appli- cation of technology, whether projected from bench scale labe ratory tests or from full scale application data. This will increase the value of the journal to its readership and enhance the dis- semination of worthwhile information to interested profession- als. I also appeal to you to encourage your colleagues to embed this aspect of technical writing into the minds of your students as a routine practice to carry forward throughout their careers.

Respectfully submitted,

John C. Petura, RE, DEE, QEP President Institute of Professional Environmental Practice www.ipep.org

President Applied Environmental Management, Inc. 16 Chester County Commons Malvern, PA 19355 610-251-0450 fax 610-251-0711 jpetura@aem-inc.com

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