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Tallying Emissions

June 1, 2005By Robert P. Newman, PE, DEE

An emission inventory is a key part of an effective corporate strategy for managing greenhouse gases

Now that the Russian Federation has ratified the Kyoto Protocol, mandatory greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction requirements will begin to take effect in those countries that have ratified the treaty.

The Bottom Line Approach

June 1, 2005By David E. Koch

A new process for siting and cleanup analysis promotes successful brownfield redevelopment by combining cost-effective remediation with smart business strategies

"Location, location, location." How often have we heard that mantra from developers describing successful projects? Locations balancing access to their target market and proximity to resources of labor, transportation, or public utilities enhance the financial return on investment.

The Heat is On

June 1, 2005By Mike Studer

Finding the resources to secure our most precious resource -- using thermal imaging cameras to guard water treatment plants

The lack of attacks launched against water treatment plants is by no means an indication that they are invincible. While treatment plants aren't typically seen as high profile targets, they are at risk of infiltration and/or sabotage. Plants, many of which are based in or near residential areas, purify water for vast regions.

Have Lab, Will Travel

May 1, 2005By Jim Norgaard

Using portable high speed gas chromatographs for field monitoring

Even today, first responders, technicians, and professionals who need to monitor or evaluate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the environment have limited choices regarding gas measurement.

Manager's Notebook: Merger Mania Math

May 1, 2005By Richard MacLean

Restructured EHS organizations face the new math: 1+1= ¾

They're baaccckk! "The most vigorous merger market in five years" is what the Wall Street Journal calls the recent wave of corporate restructurings. For officers and directors, these are happy times because a wonderful exit package awaits even those who lose their lofty positions. But, for real people doing real work, the prospects are much grimmer.

Mastering Mold Problems

May 1, 2005By Steven R. Silicato, REM, CIE

The basics of remediating a variety of fungal species in homes and other buildings

Unlike asbestos and lead, the permissible levels of mold are neither clearly defined nor strictly regulated. There are no definitive guidelines for what constitutes a mold-contaminated building, or for that matter, how to treat it.

More Results with Less Infrastructure

May 1, 2005By David Laughlin

A low impact remediation strategy for mobile MTBE plumes

Groundwater impacted by methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) continues to challenge remediation efforts around the country, and it remains a high priority for many companies due to the potential for contamination of potable groundwater supplies. MTBE is a flammable liquid that is used as an additive in unleaded gasoline.

The ABCs of AAI

May 1, 2005By Michael E. Covert, PG

Conducting Phase I environmental site assessments in accordance with EPA's "all appropriate inquiries" regulations

As most environmental professionals who perform or review Phase I environmental site assessments (Phase I ESAs) probably know by now, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) upcoming all appropriate inquiries (AAI) regulations will have a significant impact on how Phase I ESAs are conducted.

X-treme Monitoring in the Field

May 1, 2005By Laura Stupi

Advances in X-ray fluorescence instrumentation continue to push the technology toward better serving environmental consultants

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) instrumentation has become an essential as a tool for expediting and improving site characterization for inorganic contaminants and corrective remediation. On site, it is useful for determining contamination boundaries, monitoring remediation efforts, pre-screening clearance samples of soil and sediment, and eliminating potential downtime from off-site lab testing.

A More Natural Approach

April 1, 2005By Jon E. Kallen

Low impact development finds a place in local government stormwater ordinances

Low Impact Development (LID) is an environmentally sustainable approach to stormwater management that offers an attractive alternative to conventional management techniques. Local and state planners and government officials are becoming more receptive to incorporating LID approaches into stormwater, zoning, and site development ordinances. In 2003, two Virginia jurisdictions in the Chesapeake Bay watershed incorporated LID approaches into their local zoning ordinances, signaling a new trend in overall stormwater management.

Computing Clout

April 1, 2005By Erwin T. Prater

Recent advances in PC-based software capabilities give environmental managers better tools for dealing with an increasing range of problems

Environmental managers face a growing number of responsibilities, from air-quality compliance issues to emergency response planning and accident mitigation. Increased concerns about terrorism have created additional responsibilities.

Fortifying the Last Line of Defense

April 1, 2005By James P. Zeigler, Susan Lovasic

By learning more about chemical protective clothing selection, users can better protect themselves against chemical exposure and flashfire hazards

What factors should you consider when faced with the dual hazards of chemical exposure and flash fire? The simple answer is barrier -- both chemical and thermal barrier. However, as much as we wish that personal protective equipment (PPE) selection could be a simple process, this one word '"barrier'" encompasses a number of both chemical-protective and flash-fire-protective properties that need to be considered during the protective clothing selection process.

Identifying Metrics with Strategic Business Impact

April 1, 2005By Richard MacLean

Step one: Understand the difference between financial and managerial accounting

Everyone wants metrics: first it was the regulatory agencies; now it is a myriad of stakeholders, watchdogs, and investment analysts. As companies struggle to satisfy these external demands, they may be overlooking the true indicators of future competitive performance.

A Time Saving Tool

March 1, 2005By William A. Timmons

Water system modeling can be enhanced by the use of spreadsheets

Computer spreadsheet software provides a powerful means for the planning, preparation, calibration, and use of a water distribution, pumping, or storage system computer model.

AAI Update

March 1, 2005By Jon E. Kallen, Donald F. Allen

Proposed "all appropriate inquiries" rule will have far-reaching effects on real estate due diligence efforts

On January 11, 2002, President George W. Bush signed into law the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act ("SBLR&BRA" or "Brownfields Amendments"). The act amends the innocent landowner defense against liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), which is also known as Superfund, and extends liability protection to new categories of landowner, i.e. the "bona fide prospective purchaser" and "contiguous property" owner.