Safer alternatives assessment: the Massachusetts process as a model for state governments

In 2006 the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute conducted a study to determine if states could identify safer alternatives to five chemicals of concern. The chemicals investigated included di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), formaldehyde, hexavalent chromium, lead and perchloroethylene. First, the Institute developed a methodology for assessing alternatives to these five chemicals that allowed it to quickly determine priority uses and alternatives to assess and to research the pertinent decision criteria, which included performance, technical, financial environmental and human health parameters. The methodology included important feedback from stakeholders in the state, which helped to focus and enhance the value of the work. Second, the Institute implemented the methodology over a ten month period. Based on the activities conducted by the Institute, safer alternatives were identified for each of the priority uses associated with the five chemicals studied. This report summarizes the methodology employed and provides examples of the results for one of the five chemicals, namely DEHP. The experience of the Institute and the information contained in this report indicates that alternatives assessment was a useful approach to organizing and evaluating information about chemicals and alternatives.     

系统动力学模型在城市发展规划环评中的应用

鉴于作为评价对象的城市社会经济环境复合系统具有多目标、多要素、动态关联等突出的系统动力学特征,选择和应用系统动力学方法开展城市发展规划环评在理论上具有可行性和技术优势.作为典型资源型城市的山西省临汾市正面临转变发展方式和加快环境治理的紧迫要求,本文依托该市转型发展规划环评工作,在全面识别和剖析城市发展要素、现状问题及其成因基础上,以经济发展、产业结构、节能减排和环境改善为重点研究了规划要素间的动态反馈关系,以此构建城市转型发展规划环评SD模型,并对4个规划替代方案进行模拟和评价.结果显示,在环境目标刚性约束下所有替代方案均不能实现人均GDP翻番的较高经济增长目标,其中以较强环境约束为特征的“方案III”具有最好的环境与经济综合效果.据此评价建议临汾市应在确保实现环境改善目标的前提下主动放缓工业增长速度,同时加快以“煤焦铁电”为代表的主导产业结构调整并继续加大节能减排力度,全面提高城市可持续发展能力.