Table of Contents
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S/No |
Title |
Synopsis |
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I. Subject Area : Public Health |
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1 |
Alert on BCM (bromochloromethane) |
The UK Health & Safety Executive has issued a chemical hazard alert notice concerning bromochloromethane (BCM) as its toxicological properties are not accurately reflected in existing occupational health guidelines. |
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II. Subject Area : Environmental Management |
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2 |
Japan upgrades its incineration capacity |
A newly commissioned incineration plant in Japan operates a 'high temperature melting furnace system' that reduces the amount of residues to be disposed of at landfills. |
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3 |
Updated guidance on landfill gas |
The UK Environment Agency is updating technical guidance for the management of landfill gases to assist landfill operators in the interpretation of data with particular emphasis on risk assessment and risk management. It will also cover the management of environmental problems at closed landfill sites and is expected to be completed by Jul 2000. |
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III. Subject Area : Environmental Policy |
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4 |
Tokyo to ban engine idling |
A Tokyo metropolitan government special committee is calling for fines against drivers who fail to turn off their engines while their vehicles are parked within the city precinct. |
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IV. Subject Area : General Environmental News |
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5 |
Most energy-efficient buildings in US recognised |
One hundred of the most energy-efficient office buildings in the United States received the first Energy Star label for buildings from US EPA & DOE. |
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SUMMARY REPORT
Period Covered: 27 Mar 2000 to 2 Apr 2000
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Item 1 |
Alert on BCM (bromochloromethane) |
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Summary |
The UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a chemical hazard alert notice concerning bromochloromethane (BCM), also known as borothene. The alert comes after new research has indicated that the substance's toxicological properties are not accurately reflected in its existing occupational exposure standards, which were established some years ago. An independent committee of experts has been unable to identify a level of exposure which it considers safe and practically achievable, nor can the Health & Safety Commission's Advisory Committee on Toxic Substances arrive at a maximum exposure limit. The occupational exposure standards remain in force for the time being but HSE recommends that personnel handling the substance should limit exposure to as low a level as is reasonably practicable and below the existing standards. |
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Reference |
Hazardous Cargo Bulletin, Feb 2000, Page 9 |
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Item 2 |
Japan upgrades its incineration capacity |
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Summary |
Japan has a population of 125 million and produces approximately 50 million tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW) per year. Currently, about 77% of Japan's MSW is incinerated, 13% recycled and 10% sent to landfill. Given its reliance on incineration, Japan is active in developing new technology that reduces the amount of residues to be disposed of at landfills. A newly commissioned facility operates a 'high temperature melting furnace system' developed by Nippon Steel. Waste is directly melted and the slag is converted into ash and metal for recycling. The metal can be used as counterweights in the construction industry and the ash used in civil engineering and as a construction material. The high-temperature reducing atmosphere acts to facilitate the volatilisation of alkali salts and heavy metals and therefore the ash can be used without further processing. |
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Reference |
Wastes Management, Feb 2000, Page 8 |
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Item 3 |
Updated guidance on landfill gas |
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Summary |
The UK Environment Agency is updating technical guidance for the management of landfill gases in England and Wales. A task force has been appointed to draw on a decade of research in landfill gas management and bring existing guidance up-to-date with the latest technical developments and environmental improvements. Dr Bob Gregory, the taskforce leader, said: "There is a lot known about landfill gas these days but its management is not straight-forward. Too often in the past we have implemented one solution to a waste management problem only to create another. Capping landfillls with impermeable cover materials may help prevent leachate from forming but this can cause landfill gas to migrate to areas outside the landfill, creating a risk to the local environment." The updated guidance will provide advice on the interpretation of data with emphasis on risk assessment and risk management. It will also cover the management of environmental problems at closed landfill sites. The project is expected to be completed by 21 July 2000. |
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Reference |
Wastes Management, Feb 2000, Page 17 |
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Item 4 |
Tokyo to ban engine idling |
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Summary |
A Tokyo metropolitan government special committee is calling for fines against drivers who fail to turn off their engines while their vehicles are parked. The new ordinance will also require parking-lot administrators to ensure that vehicles on their property are not left idling. The ordinance also empowers observers of idling vehicles to inform authorities. In addition, the committee also recommends that diesel-powered vehicles in the capital be equipped with filters to remove diesel particles from exhaust fumes. To impose the filter requirement, companies that own a certain number of diesel-powered vehicles are required to report on the progress of the filter installation, as well as their plans to switch to gasoline-powered vehicles or low-pollution vehicles that the metropolitan government has been advocating. |
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Reference |
http://www.pollutiononline.com/ |
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Item 5 |
Most energy-efficient buildings in US recognised |
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Summary |
One hundred of the most energy-efficient office buildings in the United States received the first Energy Star label for buildings from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Energy (DOE). According to EPA, some of the buildings recognised were engineered and constructed with energy efficiency in mind, while others achieved energy efficiency through renovations such as investments in energy-efficient lighting, machinery, and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning equipment. In 1998, EPA and DOE unveiled the Energy Star label for buildings to recognise and promote excellence in strategic energy management, smart business practices and environmental responsibility. Building managers can use the EPA and DOE's unique online bench-marking tool to compare the energy use of their buildings with others in the market. Buildings scoring 75 or better on the 100-point scale are eligible to receive the Energy Star label. EPA estimated that if all commercial and industrial building owners implemented Energy Star Buildings, they would yield pollution reductions equivalent to those that would be produced by taking 25 million cars off the road. |
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Reference |
http://www.gnet.org/ |