Toxics reduction in processes. Some practical examples

Toxics reduction aims at reduced releases of toxic substances. Toxics use reduction (TUR) has been advocated as a simple and effective method of reducing toxic pollution. Here we analyse five cases of process modifications given by companies as examples of toxics reduction. All of the companies mentioned environmental legislation as a reason for toxics reduction and three also mentioned legislation aimed at occupational health and safety as a reason. The methods used for process modification are different. Three stressed input substitution and one product reformulation. These four resulted in toxics use reduction. The fifth company modified the hazardous waste process from disposal to treatment of the waste. In two of the three cases where input substitution was performed, the risks shifted from toxic to inflammable. In two of the three cases where occupational health and safety legislation was mentioned as a reason for process modification, the working environment improved after process modification. In all cases there are still environmental and/or occupational risks after modification. In four of the five cases there were increases in costs. To reach toxics reduction, companies should develop a strategy, a program, goals and an evaluating procedure, the latter also intended to evaluate the risks.     

Toxics Use Reduction in the Home: Lessons Learned from Household Exposure Studies

Workers and fence-line communities have been the first to benefit from the substantial reductions in toxic chemical use and byproducts in industrial production resulting from the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA). As TURA motivates reformulation of products as well as retooling of production processes, benefits could extend more broadly to large-scale reductions in everyday exposures for the general population. Household exposure studies, including those conducted by Silent Spring Institute, show that people are exposed to complex mixtures of indoor toxics from building materials and a myriad of consumer products. Pollutants in homes are likely to have multiple health effects because many are classified as endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), with the ability to interfere with the body’s hormone system. Product-related EDCs measured in homes include phthalates, halogenated flame retardants, and alkylphenols. Silent Spring Institute’s chemical analysis of personal care and cleaning products confirms many are potential sources of EDCs, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive toxics use reduction (TUR) approach to reduce those exposures. Toxics use reduction targeted at EDCs in consumer products has the potential to substantially reduce occupational and residential exposures. The lessons that have emerged from household exposure research can inform improved chemicals management policies at the state and national levels, leading to safer products and widespread health and environmental benefits.     

Program assessment at the 20 year mark: experiences of Massachusetts companies and communities with the Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) program

The Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) model is widely cited as an effective blend of mandatory and voluntary components, and is considered a model nation-wide and internationally. There is ample documentation of the reductions in toxic chemical use achieved by Massachusetts facilities under TURA. The present study was designed to gather other information about the experience of these facilities. Through an online survey and telephone interviews, the study investigated how these facilities are achieving toxics use reduction, how TURA affects internal company dynamics, what benefits and difficulties facilities experience, and how their experiences in the program have changed over time. Survey results indicate that the benefits experienced most frequently by facilities subject to TURA requirements are increased management attention to environmental practices; improved worker health and safety; and financial savings. Most frequently cited obstacles to TUR implementation are technical feasibility problems; financial costs; concerns about product quality; and customer requirements. Survey results also indicate that the TUR planning process is most useful in the first and second planning cycles, although most respondents indicated that they sometimes identify useful TUR options in subsequent planning cycles as well. Over all, the results indicate that facilities are continuing to experience significant benefits from the TURA program, while they also continue to face some challenges. These results provide a snapshot of the experience of Massachusetts facilities 20 years since the inception of the TURA program. They also provide baseline information that will be useful for later evaluations of the effects of statutory changes to TURA adopted in 2006 and implemented in subsequent years. The study also included a preliminary assessment of the experience of Massachusetts municipal agencies, community organizations, small business associations and others that receive assistance from the TURA program.     

Business value of toxics reduction and pollution prevention planning

As part of Ontario's Toxics Reduction Strategy, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment provided funding for two years to a partnership of the Ontario Centre for Environmental Technology Advancement (OCETA) and the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) to deliver a Cleaner and Greener Manufacturing Program, which will include the development and delivery of training and technical assistance programs on toxics reduction and pollution prevention (P2). Over the next two years, OCETA and CME will be working with small-to-medium sized manufacturers to demonstrate the business value of toxics reduction and pollution prevention planning to help motivate businesses to move into a greener economy.     

拆船行业的环境污染及防治对策研究

船舶拆解是处置报废船舶最合理的方式,中国拆船行业在拆解规模、机械装备、工艺技术、安全生产、环境保护和工人健康等方面取得了一定成效.但拆船过程引发的环境污染仍不可忽视.对拆船行业的发展情况进行了概述,介绍了拆船行业典型的生产工艺流程,根据废船拆解过程的特点,重点分析了拆船行业生产过程中产生的废水、废气、固体废物以及可能引发的环境风险,结合部分大型拆船厂的实际运行经验,提出了具体的环境防治对策.     

Risk forecasting and evaluating model of Environmental pollution accident

Environmental risk(ER) factors come from ER source and they are controlled by the primary control mechanism (PCM) of environmental risk, due to the self failures or the effects of external environment risk trigger mechanism, the PCM could not work regularly any more, then, the ER factors will release environmental space, and an ER field is formed up. The forming of ER field does not mean that any environmental pollution accident(EPA) will break out; only the ER receptors are exposed in the ER field and damaged seriously,the potential ER really turns into an actual EPA. Researching on the general laws of evolving from environmental risk to EPA, this paper bring forwards a relevant concept model of risk forecasting and evaluating of EPA. This model provides some scientific methods for risk evaluation, prevention and emergency response of EPA. This model not only enriches and develops the theory system of environment safety and emergency response, but also acts as an instruction for public safety, enterprise‘ s safety management and emergency response of the accident.     

垃圾焚烧飞灰熔渣的健康风险评价与豁免管理

通过对垃圾焚烧飞灰在环境中迁移转化过程的分析,对取自上海的垃圾焚烧飞灰及其处理后的熔渣进行了健康风险评价.结果表明上海原灰对儿童与成人的暴露危险指数分别为84.79和38.76,远大于可接受的风险水平(1),因此上海原灰对人体健康有较大的非致癌风险;而经过高温熔融处理之后的飞灰熔渣对儿童与成人的暴露危险指数分别为0.160和0 073 3,危险指数在可接受的范围之内,对环境和人体健康造成的危害较小,可以进行豁免,可按照一般废物进行管理.     

基于DPSIR概念模型的土壤环境成效评估方法研究

土壤环境质量关系到农产品质量安全和人居环境健康。对优质土壤实施严格保护、对受污染土壤实施风险管控或治理与修复,构成了土壤污染防治的主体任务。为科学评价土壤污染防治成效,及时采取应对措施,切实维护土壤环境安全,文章在系统总结国内外关于指标概念框架、指标筛选方法等环境成效评估方法基础上,采用DPSIR(驱动力-压力-状态-影响-响应)概念模型,基于可统计、可分解、可考核的原则,构建了可应用于地市和县级行政区土壤污染防治成效评价的指标体系。     

管路复合环境试验风险评估与预防措施技术研究

目的增强新一代运载火箭液体推进剂增压及输送管路低温振动试验的风险抵抗能力,降低风险发生概率,提升管路在低温+内压+振动等复合环境试验的有效性及安全性。方法以项目风险管理相关知识为理论基础,分解试验系统各组成部分的风险因素,并加以辨识,评估各风险因素的危害成因及危害后果,在此分析的基础上,提出有效降低风险的改进方法与措施。结果通过风险的辨识、评估及预防方法与措施,在满足试验需求的基础上优化了试验系统,加强了应对此类试验风险的能力,对试验设备进行了有效改进,降低了风险发生概率,为新一代运载火箭增压输送管路地面复合环境试验的成功奠定了坚实的基础。结论对风险管理在新一代运载火箭增压管路环境模拟试验中的应用进行了研究,风险控制可以有效地降低试验中存在的各种风险的发生概率,包括风险的辨识、分析及项目的风险管理,不仅可以对人员、设备及产品的安全性提供更可靠的保障,也可以提升环境模拟试验的效率。     

新冠肺炎疫情防控对环境与健康工作的若干启示

新冠肺炎疫情发生以来,全国上下万众一心,采取了一系列防控举措,坚决遏制疫情蔓延扩散,取得了积极成效。保障公众健康是生态环境保护的根本目的,环境与健康工作作为公共卫生管理的重要内容之一,在很多方面同疫情防控工作具有共性,我们需要从本次疫情防控工作中汲取经验和教训,提高应对环境与健康问题的能力和水平。本文分析了开展环境与健康工作的重要意义,梳理总结了环境与健康工作应在此次疫情防控工作中借鉴的宝贵经验,并有针对性地提出了下一步加强环境与健康工作的几点建议。     

Local governments reduce costs through pollution prevention

The Pollution Prevention 1997: A National Progress Report identifies pollution prevention initiatives as potentially the most effective for reducing risks to human health and the environment, as well as the most cost-effective method of environmental protection. So it is no surprise that much of the implementation of pollution prevention by local governments has been driven due to the cost savings it provides. Pollution prevention initiatives have been proven to reduce costs, improve efficiency, reduce risk, reduce liability, and provide a safer work environment. However, as many local governments have experienced budget and resource reductions, their pollution prevention programs have been impacted. Local governments, working to continue pollution prevention initiatives in spite of declining budgets, have had to change their approaches, be creative, and innovate. Montgomery County, Maryland has implemented a number of pollution prevention strategies for its own County operations. The linkages established between cost savings they achieve and environmental benefits provided have been used to continue to expand the County's pollution prevention efforts. This paper provides an overview of the pollution prevention measures and approaches that have been implemented in Montgomery County for its internal operations.     

油基钻井液施工条件下井场HSE风险与防控

针对油基钻井液钻井施工特点,分析了作业过程中存在的火灾、燃爆、滑跌等安全风险,以及使用油基钻井液可能导致的环境污染和职业健康危害。结合现场实践,提出了油基钻井液钻井施工作业现场安全生产、环境保护和职业健康风险的防控对策,值得行业内油气勘探开发公司和工程服务公司借鉴。     

Cleaner production as a means for effective environmental management

Cleaner production is a strategy to prevent emissions at the source and to initiate a continuous preventive improvement of environmental performance of organizations. In terms of Cleaner production the focus of management should be on prevention rather than on cure in avoiding environmental problems. The inclusion of commitment to prevention in the environmental policy is one prerequisite of the standard ISO 14001. But how can a formalized environmental management system help to start a process of continuous improvement and voluntary self regulation? We conclude from our experience that Cleaner production and ISO 14001 go well together and support each other in helping an organization to really decrease its environmental effect. Analysing environmental management systems introduced on the basis of Cleaner production projects demonstrates, that Cleaner production supplies management and employees with systematic tools to decrease the environmental impact and at the same time save costs from inefficient use of materials and energy and motivates the organization as well by creating awareness throughout the enterprise.     

汞污染地块风险全生命周期管控技术体系研究

风险全周期管理是推进汞污染地块风险管控,有效实现地块安全可控的重要方式.在《关于汞的水俣公约》全球履约背景下,为有效提升汞污染地块的风险预防与管控能力,该文对汞污染地块风险管控技术体系进行了深入研究.在深入分析污染地块健康风险全生命周期特征的基础上,围绕地块风险源头-暴露途径-环境受体3个核心风险要素,并结合国内外技术研发与工程示范经验,构建出适用于此类污染地块的风险全周期分类管控技术体系.该体系根据土壤与地下水风险管控标准评价地块污染水平,并结合地块敏感目标和暴露途径等暴露情景对地块进行分类管控决策.通过对工程修复、风险管控、制度控制等进行多技术有机耦合,可实现对汞污染地块全方位、多角度、系统化的风险管理,即在风险产生、风险发展与风险消褪的各个环节,分别施以源头预防、过程控制及长期管理措施,有效遏制地块新增风险的基础上,实现污染地块风险的安全可控.该技术体系存在如下特征:1)基于风险的管理决策可以反映地块管理的科学内涵;2)分类风险管控策略可以有效节约成本,实现最大的管控净效益;3)以全生命周期管理为基本理念,实现“源头-过程-末端”的全流程风险控制.     

突发环境污染风险的分区防范研究

随着经济迅猛发展,突发重大环境污染事件呈现频发趋势。这往往给人民群众的生命、健康及财产造成巨大的损失和严重的环境破坏。合理的风险防范对策在一定程度上可以大大减小环境污染的风险及可能造成的损失。结合环境风险的理论与实践,系统地提出区域突发环境污染风险的防范体系和分区防范策略。以上海市闵行区为例,开展区域突发环境污染风险分区,并在此基础上提出不同分区突发环境污染风险的防范措施与对策,以期降低风险、减少损失。     

我国土壤环境保护标准体系优化研究与建议

我国现行土壤环境保护标准体系是在以GB 15618—1995《土壤环境质量标准》为核心标准的基础上逐步形成的,是根据当时我国土壤环境研究水平并结合土壤环境管理要求而制定,在一定历史时期对我国土壤污染防治和环境管理具有重要作用.但是,随着我国经济社会发展和土壤环境问题日益复杂化,该标准逐渐暴露出土壤类型和污染物控制项目覆盖面不全,与其他相关标准有部分重复、衔接性差,以及在实际工作中适用性差等问题.因而,以该标准为核心的整个土壤环境保护标准体系在完整性、系统性、协调性和适用性等方面存在不足.在系统梳理我国现行土壤环境保护标准体系构成及存在问题,分析其他国家和地方土壤环境管理制度、制订方法和相关标准的基础上,结合我国土壤环境特点和土壤环境管理需求,提出进一步完善我国土壤环境保护标准体系的框架结构优化方案,主要由土壤环境质量标准体系(土壤环境背景值、土壤污染风险筛选值、土壤修复目标值和耕地质量等级划分)、土壤环境污染防控标准体系、土壤相关配套标准体系和土壤环境基础标准体系四大类标准体系组成.此外,基于人体健康和生态安全的污染物土壤环境基准是土壤环境风险评价系列标准制订的基础.作为环境管理的基础手段,优化的土壤环境保护标准体系可为《土壤污染防治行动计划》的实施和《土壤环境保护法》的制订提供有力的技术支持.根据土壤环境具有地域性强、差异性大的特点,建议尽快出台《土壤环境保护法》,明确国家标准与地方标准各自的定位与关联,推动制订地方土壤环境保护标准,国家则应集中开展土壤环境基准、标准制订技术规范等相关研究,为土壤环境保护标准体系的完善提供基础技术支撑.      

The experiences of four corporate officials managing compliance with the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act

The Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA), one of the original pollution prevention laws, has faced repeated repeal attempts and budget cuts. Yet the Massachusetts toxics use data and other analyses have provided firm indications that the law has actually worked. Though the program has survived it is notable that an approach that both saves money and reduces pollution has been reduced and not expanded. This paper does not attempt to answer the question of why the strategies of TURA have not seen wider application, but offers four stories to illustrate what happens when they are properly applied. The experience of corporate officials who had to comply with TURA, related at a symposium on the occasion of the law’s 20th anniversary, shed light on how a strong pollution prevention law can benefit regulated companies as well as the environment and worker and public health, and provide suggestions, in addition to data and surveys, that TURA-like sets of governance tools should receive wider consideration.     

电子废弃物拆解场多氯联苯含量及健康风险评价

选择我国典型的电子废弃物拆解场为研究对象,以拆解场各环境介质中PCBs浓度全面调查为基础,采用美国环境保护署(US EPA)人体健康评价模型,结合问卷调查和实际测量修正暴露参数,对浙江台州拆解区人群(成人)进行健康风险评价.结果表明:拆解场大气和土壤中PCBs各同系物的浓度显著高于其他介质,经调查表明可能与拆解场直接焚烧、湿法酸洗工艺有关.多种暴露途径所导致拆解场成人PCBs污染总致癌风险为2.80×10-3,总非致癌风险为1.64×10-3,均超过了US EPA、ICRP等推荐的可接受的风险水平,其中经口暴露的致癌、非致癌风险最大,其次是呼吸暴露.进行敏感性分析表明:无论何种暴露途径,体重(BW)、呼吸速率(IR)、实测参数食物摄食(IR)、皮肤接触表面积(SA)和污染物实测浓度的致癌风险、非致癌风险绝对敏感性都较大.在健康风险评价时,需要对研究区人群暴露参数进行实地调查实测,以降低评价结果的不确定性.     

PM_(2.5)的来源、危害及防治措施研究

随着民众环保意识的增强,公众对空气环境质量越来越关注,要求也日益提高。由于空气污染物中的PM2.5对人体健康产生严重的危害性,近年来,成为政府和社会各界关注的环境热点问题。PM2.5是形成灰霾的罪魁祸首。PM2.5不仅能降低能见度,还能导致多种健康危害。它粒径小、组份复杂、有毒,影响大气环境质量,并危及人体健康。就PM2.5的来源与危害进行了详细介绍。针对中国具体国情,从环境监管、源头控制、防治机构、产业布局等几个方面提出了控制途径和防治措施。     

Employee participation and cleaner technology: learning processes in environmental teams

The approach to pollution prevention in Danish industries in the late-1980s and in the beginning of the 1990s met criticism, because the cleaner technology projects focused too narrowly on technical solutions implemented by experts. The objective of the project “Employee Participation in the Implementation of Cleaner Technology” was to develop a more active role for employees in the environmental activities of companies. Based on practical experiments in five Danish firms within different industrial sectors, the project concluded that employee participation can have a strong effect on changing working routines, affecting behaviour and increasing environmental consciousness. The project found that the firms' employees had a comprehensive understanding of environmental problems and solutions, including health and safety aspects. Furthermore, the employees in the environmental teams were able to improve the firms' environmental activities (e.g. setting up environmental policies, targets and action plans, implementing new procedures and technologies).