Thesis (M.S.) University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on August 27, 2007) Includes bibliographical references.

There are a large number of chemical facilities that emit toxic chemicals in Michigan, and there is a concern regarding toxic chemical exposure to the residents of Michigan counties. However, it is uncertain whether chemical companies that emit toxic chemicals in Michigan are influenced by county demographic factors in deciding whether to engage in voluntary pollution prevention (P2) activities and whether this decision influences U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (U.S. EPA) Risk-Screening Environmental Indicators (RSEI) scores. Using Bullard's theory of environmental justice, the purpose of this quantitative study was to determine if there was a correlation between chemical-related industry's voluntary P2 participation, U.S. EPA's RSEI scores for chemical-related facilities, and demographic factors in Michigan counties between 2007 through 2011. A cross-sectional design using hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to study potential environmental inequality in 20 Michigan counties. Publically available data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. EPA included demographic data, voluntary P2 participation data, and RSEI scores for 20 counties in Michigan. A statistically insignificant correlation was found between voluntary P2 participation and median annual RSEI scores of Michigan industry; while a statistically significant, inverse correlation was found between median annual RSEI scores and educational attainment. The results from this study can be used by policy makers to promote more effective voluntary P2 policy and to create county-specific public education programs promoting toxic chemical awareness that will lead to positive social change in Michigan.

A study was conducted in two sites: one at an electricity storage facility belonging to the Swaziland Electricity Board (SEB) and the other at a facility that belongs to its treated pole supplier, the Thonkwane wood creosote treatment plant. The drainage system of these sites leads to surface waters in rivers. This is a cause of concern since creosote contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are listed as priority pollutants by the US Environmental Protection Agency. They have toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic effects and as a result they pose a threat to human life and the environment. No previous studies have been done on PAHs in Swaziland. The main objective of this study was to determine the impact of the SEB storage facility and the creosote treatment plant by investigating the extent of PAHs in surrounding environments (soil, sediments and surface waters). Preliminary studies were undertaken on the storage facility and the creosote treatment plant. No PAHs were detected from the pole storage facility; therefore the creosote wood treatment facility was selected as the ideal site at which to conduct the research. Soil samples were collected from depths 15 cm and 60 cm at points around the creosote plant, including effluent discharge points. The samples were extracted by solid-phase micro extraction (SPME) and analysed by GC/MS. The GC/MS, incorporating a solid phase micro extraction step, provided detection limits ranging from 0.12 μg/g to 20.08 μg/g. The pollution patterns in the study site were assessed using cluster analysis and principal component analysis. Most of the 16 US EPA-listed priority pollutants were detected from the creosote wood treatment facility. PAHs such as anthracene, fluorene, naphthalene and fluoranthene were dominant in all the sampling sites. The compounds occurred in very high concentrations (0.64, 0.46, 0.27 and 0.26 mg/kg respectively). These compounds are found in pure creosote as determined in the sample taken from the Thonkwane creosote tank site. The highest concentration of PAHs was observed in the soil samples taken next to the road site. The concentrations of the identified PAHs were above the acceptable minimal level allowed in soil by the US EPA and Swaziland Environment Authority (SEA). The levels of the PAHs are also above the recommended US EPA limit in soil, which is 0.1 mg/kg. The results indicated that significant soil pollution was taking place in some of the sampling sites. The top layer (0, 15 cm) contained many PAHs at high levels whilst the 60 cm layer had a lower number of PAHs which were also in low concentrations. This provided an indication that there is no downward movement of PAHs from the surface layer to underground layers. The potential exists for contamination of surface waters when there is runoff from the project area. This is a cause of concern, since both the creosote treatment plant and areas outside the facility are contaminated. Therefore, the site has to be cleaned up, preferably by using a phytoremediation technique. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)

The purpose of my master thesis is to analyse the incorporation of Directive 96/61/EC concerning integrated pollution prevention and control in the Czech legal order, show the strengths and weaknesses of current regulations and to find some solution. The thesis is composed of chapters, each of them concerning different aspects of integrated pollution prevention and control (hereinafter "IPPC"). Chapter One is introductory and explains origin of environmental protection. Chapter Two concentrates on sources of regulation of IPPC, firstly explain the role of international law in environmental protection. The chapter is subdivided into two parts. Part One presents the evolution of environmental law of the European Union and Part Two focuses on Czech legislation of IPPC. Chapter Three deals with the principles of the IPPC regulations. The fundamental principles are principles of prevention, highest value, sustainable development, integrated protection, best available techniques and participation of public. The basic legal instruments of the IPPC are treated in Chapter Four which is subdivided into three parts. Part One deals with the integrated permit; Part Two describes subjects of regulation of the IPPC and Part Three its obligations. Chapter Five concerning the procedure to issue integrated permits...

Thesis describes the latest legislation of integrated pollution prevention and control effective in the Czech Republic after 19 March 2013 including relevant European Union law especially Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control). First two chapters deal with the sources and principles of integrated pollution prevention and control (hereinafter only "IPPC"), focusing on the principle of a comprehensive approach to the environment and its integrated protection, the principle of prevention and on public involvement in the IPPC permit procedure. The fourth chapter explains selected basic terms of IPPC, such as installation, permit and Best Available Techniques (BAT). In the field of BAT thesis deals with the new status of the Reference Document on Best Available Techniques (BREF) in the IPPC permit procedure, with the procedure for the drawing up and reviewing of BREFs, with their structure and with the exchange of information on BAT. The fifth chapter classifies the IPPC permit procedure into the overall process of implementation of the plan and defines its relationship to the environmental medium Acts. The sixth chapter defining the subjects of proceedings evaluates the rules of...

Em um contexto atual de busca pelo desenvolvimento sustentável, surge a necessidade de alteração de mentalidades e práticas. A Produção mais Limpa figura como um dos exemplos de iniciativa compatível com essa demanda. Seu objetivo é que sejam considerados previamente os efeitos negativos dos processos produtivos, fazendo com que seja reduzido o desperdício e a geração de poluentes. Mesmo estando de acordo com as aspirações atuais de busca por uma produção industrial mais sustentável, sua disseminação não ocorreu de forma satisfatória. Esta dissertação visa contribuir para a compreensão das barreiras para a aplicação da Produção mais Limpa, bem como identificar quais fatores devem estar presentes para que se atinja o sucesso na sua adoção, possibilitando a geração de uma proposta de framework. Para atingir os objetivos propostos um instrumento de pesquisa foi criado com base na literatura e entrevistas com profissionais. Com esse instrumento foi executada uma survey com profissionais que possuem envolvimento com a temática de Produção mais Limpa, atingindo-se um total de 185 respondentes. A partir dos resultados da análise de componentes principais, ficou evidenciado que os fatores mais cruciais dizem respeito à organização, estando relacionados com a visão, a cultura, o planejamento estratégico e os subsídios para a implantação da Produção mais Limpa, que constituíram na primeira e segunda componentes da análise. No caso das barreiras, destaca-se a existência de uma visão e cultura organizacional inadequadas (primeira componente), seguido da falta de apoio externo (segunda componente). Também foram encontrados indícios de que pode haver uma má compreensão do conceito de Produção mais Limpa, além de uma educação ambiental inadequada. Ao analisarem-se as medidas que podem ser tomadas para que a Produção mais Limpa tenha sua aplicação de forma mais efetiva, percebe-se que o principal é o reposicionamento do ambiente externo como um forte incentivador da aplicação da Produção mais Limpa, abandonando a posição de destaque ao serem observadas as barreiras. / In t In the present context of pursuit for sustainable development, the need to alter mentalities and practices arises. Cleaner Production is an example of initiative compatible with this demand. Cleaner Production aims at considering beforehand negative effects of the productive process, reducing wastes and pollutant generation. This concept is aligned with current aspirations of pursuing for a more sustainable industrial production, but its dissemination did not occur in a satisfactory way. This dissertation seeks to contribute for comprehension of barriers to Cleaner Production application, as well as identify critical success factors that exist to achieve success in its adoption, making possible the conception of a framework proposal. To reach the proposed objectives a research instrument was created based on literature and interviews with professionals. With this instrument a survey was performed with professionals that work with Cleaner Production; a total of 185 responses were obtained. Results of the Principal Component Analysis made evident that critical factors are related with organization aspects, such as vision, culture, strategic planning and subsides for Cleaner Production implementation, that composed the first and second components. Regarding the barriers, it was emphasized the existence of an inadequate organizational vision and culture (first component), followed by lack of external support (second component). It was also found evidences that a mistaken comprehension of the Cleaner Production concept might exist, as well as an inappropriate environmental education. Considering measures that might be taken in order to disseminate Cleaner Production more effectively, it was noticed that is important to repositioning the external environment, making it a strong support in Cleaner Production applications, leaving behind a position of highlight when barriers are observed.

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Ocean Engineering; and, (M.S.)--Joint Program in Marine Environmental Systems, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 1998. / Includes bibliographic references (p. 79). / by Charles E. Rawson. / M.S.

O conceito de prevenção da poluição, já abordado em estudos sobre efluentes e outros tipos de resíduos, deve se estender também à questão das embalagens utilizadas em indústrias. Isto porque, com o aumento na complexidade dos processos produtivos, as embalagens passaram a ser empregadas também para abrigar componentes durante a fabricação e o transporte, e não mais apenas para conter o produto final; assim, sua utilização pode acarretar a geração de grandes quantidades de resíduos, caso o princípio da prevenção não seja adotado. É neste quadro que o presente trabalho se insere: inicialmente, apresenta considerações relativas às embalagens e à evolução dos conceitos do gerenciamento de resíduos, destacando a presença da prevenção da poluição em norma ISO 14001 e em dispositivos legais do Brasil e de países da Comunidade Econômica Européia.Através de estudo de caso realizado em uma empresa montadora de motores localizada em São Carlos (SP), foram identificados procedimentos adequados à prevenção da poluição por embalagens de uso industrial, como a utilização de embalagens retornáveis; observou-se, no entanto, a geração de resíduos a partir de acessórios que acompanham as embalagens, como filmes e cintas plásticas. Por fim, a partir da escolha de um modelo de motor produzido na empresa, foram analisadas as embalagens cujos componentes estão envolvidos em sua fabricação; com os dados obtidos, foram propostos e determinados índices de desempenho relativos à ocorrência de descartes de acessórios em termos quantitativos e qualitativos, segundo o tipo de material / The increasing complexity of the production processes ended up leading to an increasing need for packages of several shapes and materials. They are nowadays used not only for finished products, but also during fabrication and transportation phases, in order to protect raw materials, components and semi-finished products. Thus, the use of packages may also result in the generation of waste during production processes. The historically-new trend of priorizing pollution-prevention activities must, of course include all the packaging used in the industry. However, studies of the possibilities of pollution prevention have been concentrated on the waste originated directly from the production processes (effluents, metal scrap). At same time, studies on the pollution prevention applied to packaging have been focused on the packaging of consumer goods. There's a need for researches on packaging-related waste generated indirectly by production processes. More specifically, one must evaluate the possibilities and results of the application of pollution prevention concepts to this kind of waste, so that it can be dealt with in a proper way, and the industrial sector be informed about the new waste management paradigm. Starting with basic packaging-related definitions, and a description of the evolution of solid waste management concepts, from disposal to pollution prevention, this work, through a case study, identifies procedures directed towards waste prevention e proposes some performance indicators, related to the amount of waste generated in the fabrication of one unit of product. It also presents and establishes a comparison between brazilian and european environmental laws

Background: Three billion individuals worldwide rely on biomass fuel (crops, dung, wood) for cooking and heating, mostly in the developing world. Incomplete combustion of these biomass fuels in inefficient cookstoves leads to high levels of household air pollution (HAP). Health conditions resulting from HAP are responsible for approximately 1.6 million premature deaths each year. Of the diseases associated with HAP exposure, lower respiratory infections (LRIs) are the leading cause of death for children under five worldwide. There is a great need to understand the etiology of HAP-associated LRIs to inform health interventions and to improve treatments. Ultimately, however, the only way to prevent the disease burden from HAP is to stop exposure. Policies and programs to promote the use of clean fuels for cooking are a pivotal prevention strategy. Methods: All three studies draw from an established cohort in Ghana. The Ghana Randomized Air Pollution and Health Study (GRAPHS), was a cookstove intervention trial in Kintampo, Ghana. Participants were randomized to a more efficient biomass cookstove arm, a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stove arm, or the traditional cookstove arm (baseline). The principal outcome of GRAPHS was childhood pneumonia. The first chapter utilizes banked nasal swabs from GRAPHS to assess the relationship between HAP exposures and a panel of known respiratory pathogens. In the second chapter we leverage data on stove use during GRAPHS, and then follow a sub cohort 6 months prior to and 6 months after the GRAPHS termination date. We employ a novel construct, suspended use, to understand the factors associated with people stopping LPG use. The third chapter tests a new randomized intervention on a subset of the GRAPHS participants. We provide free cookstoves, and allocate participants to one of four arms: a behavior change intervention, an intervention where LPG fuel is directly delivered to their home, a dual intervention of behavior change and fuel delivery, or a control arm. We track their stove use to identify the most effective intervention on sustained use. Results: In Chapter 1, we find that the traditional cookstove users had a higher mean number of microbial species than the LPG (LPG: 2.71, 3-stone: 3.34, p<0.0001, n = 260). This difference was driven by increased bacterial (p<0.0001) rather than viral species presence (non-significant). Adjusted exposure-response analyses, however, produced null results. Chapter 2 identifies several factors associated with reduced or suspended LPG use of intervention cookstoves, including: experience of burns, types of food made, and access to biomass fuels. Finally, in Chapter 3 results show increased use for all three intervention arms, the largest for the direct delivery arm with an increased weekly use of 4.7 minutes per week (p<0.001). Conclusions: Transition away from traditional biomass stoves is projected to curb the health effects of HAP by mitigating exposure, but the full benefits of newer clean cookstove technologies can only be realized if use of these new stoves is absolute and sustained. This work enhances our understanding of the etiology of HAP-associated pneumonia, the drivers of clean cookstove suspension, and informs policies designed to promote clean cookstove sustained use, thus reducing the burden of disease associated with exposure. We recommend future use of the suspended use paradigm in research to inform future household energy interventions. Additionally, we encourage policymakers to incorporate health behavior change theory and approaches in cookstove intervention and promotion efforts.

Graduation date: 1997