Environmental Legislation Regulations LECTURER HAFIZ AFFAN ABID M

Environmental Legislation & Regulations LECTURER HAFIZ AFFAN ABID, M. SC

Who governs environmental laws and policies? US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The governing body for major statues or laws National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)-1969: establishes policies, set goals and facilitate the implementation of such policies NEPA requires federal agencies to assess environmental impact of implementing their major program (Work with NASA & Army)

Positive Aspects of Regulations Protection of the Environment

Concerns about Regulations Structured so costs excessive compared to benefits. Command-control Uneven application of regulations Lack properly structured incentives Generate inefficiencies Paper work, costs Duplicative (Federal, State, etc)

Environmental Regulations Clean Air Act (CAA)-1970 Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)-1974 Clean Water Act (CWA)-1977 Federal Insecticide, Fungicide & Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) -1972 Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) -1996

Clean Air Act (CAA) To protect and enhance air quality To promote the public health and welfare End of pipe approach Reducing the amount of contaminants produced MACT (Maximum allowable control technology) standards §Maximum degree of reduction in emission of hazardous pollutants §Installation of air pollution control equipment §Industrial process changes §Material substituents §Worker training

Hazardous Air pollutants ØAn air pollutant to which no ambient air quality standard is applicable and which causes and contributes to ……. An increase in serious irreversible illness. ØBenzene Øchromium ØCadmium ØVinyl chloride ØArsenic Øberyllium

Clean Air Act (CAA) Permits §Pollutants released, how much may be released, steps to reduce pollution Mobile sources §Smog forming volatile compounds, nitrogen compounds, carbon monoxide §Gasoline contain detergent, refineries reduce Sulphur in diesel fuels, § gasoline stations must have vapor recovery nozzels to reduce vapors formation during filling Acid rain §Burning coal in industrial applications Global climate protection §Reduction of CFCs, replacement of ozone friendly substituents

National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) Primary standards provide public health protection, including protecting the health of "sensitive" populations such as asthmatics, children, and the elderly. Secondary standards provide public welfare protection, including protection against decreased visibility and damage to animals, crops, vegetation, and buildings.

Clean Air Act Particulate matter It is the sum of all solid and liquid particles suspended in air many of which are hazardous. This complex mixture includes both organic and inorganic particles, such as dust, pollen, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets. PM 2. 5 These are known to produce respiratory and cardiovascular illness. Short for "Particulate Matter, 2. 5 micrometers or less" "PM 2. 5 particles are air pollutants with a diameter of 2. 5 micrometers or less, small enough to invade even the smallest airways. PM 10 Particles less than or equal to 10 micrometers in diameter are so small that they can get into the lungs, potentially causing serious health problems. Ten micrometers is less than the width of a single human hair. Coarse dust particles (PM 10) are 2. 5 to 10 micrometers in diameter.

Safe Drinking Water Act Protect nation’s sources of drinking water Protect public health through treatment techniques MCL’s: Maximum Contaminant Level Protect underground sources of drinking water Well Head protection areas

Clean Water Act (1972) Water Pollution Control Restore & maintain chemical, physical and biological integrity of the nation’s waters Community sewers NPS pollution control (TMDL’s!!!) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA) Hazardous Waste Underground tanks Control Solid Waste Regulation of facilities which burn waste

Comprehensive Environment Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) Also known as the Superfund Establish a Hazardous Substance Superfund Establish regulations controlling hazardous waste sites Provide liability for hazardous waste release from inactive sites

Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA)-1986 Revise and extends CERCLA Emergency planning & preparedness, community right-to-know reporting and toxic chemical release reporting Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Regulates the use and safety of pesticides products and features Classification and certification of pesticide by specific use Evaluation of risk posed by pesticides (Required for registration) Restriction of use of pesticides harmful to the environment Enforcement of requirements through inspections, labeling, notices and state regulations Groundwater management plan

Additional Regulations Wild and Scenic Rivers Act -establishes wild and scenic river system Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) - balanced preservation & development in coastal areas Endangered Species Act - conserve endangered and threatened species

Additional Regulations Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act - regulates dumping of all types of materials into ocean Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) - sets up toxic substances program - EPA can require manufacturers to collect data on effects of their substance National Historic Prevention Act -preserve, restore and maintain cultural resources

Additional Regulations Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) -1970 Oil Pollution Act (OPA)-1990 Endangered Species Act (ESA)-1973