MEE 5801 CSU The Impact of Industrial & Hazardous Waste on Human Populations Essay

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MEE 5801

Columbia Southern University

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Unit I Journal

Instructions

Please describe experiences you have had where an environmental law or laws had a positive impact on your life. On the other hand, if you feel that environmental laws have been overbearing, please explain why.

Your journal entry must be at least 200 words in length. No references or citations are necessary.


Unit I Essay

Instructions

This unit has presented the impact of industrial waste on human populations. It has presented an appraisal of the laws enacted to reduce the impacts of environmental hazards on human populations as well as a determination of the impact of toxic substances on human populations. The essay assignment is an opportunity for you to share how much you have learned in this unit.

For this assignment, please write an essay that examines the impact of industrial and hazardous waste on human populations. You should address the following elements:

  • an appraisal of a minimum of two laws that aim to reduce the impacts of environmental hazards on human populations, and
  • a determination of the impact of toxic substances on human populations.

In your paper, limit the number of words devoted to direct quotations of references. The vast majority of your paper should be paraphrasing of sources and inclusion of your own thoughts on the laws that you present.

Your essay must be at least three pages in length. You must include a cover page and reference page, which do not count toward the minimum page requirement. You must include an introduction to your essay.

You should utilize at least the two required unit resources (the Apollonio et al. and Bergeson articles) at a minimum. Ensure you follow APA guidelines for this assignment, and adhere to guidelines when creating citations and references since outside sources are used for this assignment.

Resources

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UNIT I STUDY GUIDE Introduction to Industrial and Hazardous Waste Management Course Learning Outcomes for Unit I Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to: 6. Assess the impact of industrial and hazardous waste on human populations. 6.1 Appraise laws to reduce impacts of environmental hazards on human populations. 6.2 Determine the impact of toxic substances on human populations. Course/Unit Learning Outcomes 6.1 6.2 Learning Activity Unit Lesson Article: “Realist Review of Policy Intervention Studies Aimed at Reducing Exposures to Environmental Hazards in the United States” Unit I Essay Unit Lesson Article: “Resetting the TSCA Inventory: Why This Is Important” Unit I Essay Required Unit Resources In order to access the following resources, click the links below. Apollonio, D. E., Wolfe, N., & Bero, L. A. (2016). Realist review of policy intervention studies aimed at reducing exposures to environmental hazards in the United States. BMC Public Health, 16(1), 1–15. Retrieved from https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direc t=true&db=asn&AN=117563620&site=ehost-live&scope=site Bergeson, L. L. (2017). Resetting the TSCA inventory: Why this is important. Environmental Quality Management, 27(1), 121–126. Retrieved from https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direc t=true&db=bsu&AN=127191157&site=ehost-live&scope=site Unit Lesson Introduction Welcome! This graduate class serves to strengthen your knowledge of industrial and hazardous waste management. If you are already working in the industrial and hazardous waste discipline, it serves to broaden and deepen your knowledge base. If you are working in a related discipline, it exposes you to new material that can help at your current job or provide you with knowledge to enable a transition into the industrial and hazardous waste field. Regarding the discipline of industrial and hazardous waste, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is one of the main purveyors of information about the topic. It is by far the main governmental agency providing guidance on industrial and hazardous waste. In the Guide for Industrial Waste Management, the document describes facility siting, characterizing waste, working with the public, monitoring chemicals, and considering property closures (EPA, 2016). MEE 5801, Industrial and Hazardous Waste Management 1 It is important to recognize that not all industrial wastes are hazardous. If a waste is xdetermined to be UNIT STUDY GUIDE hazardous, then a much larger set of rules must be followed. Solid and hazardous Titlewastes were initially defined by the passage of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), often pronounced as rickrah. This seminal U.S. law was passed in 1976. It defined hazardous waste as: A solid waste is a hazardous waste if it is specifically listed as a known hazardous waste or meets the characteristics of a hazardous waste. Listed wastes are wastes from common manufacturing and industrial processes, specific industries and can be generated from discarded commercial products. Characteristic wastes are wastes that exhibit any one or more of the following characteristic properties: ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity or toxicity. (EPA, 2015a, para. 1) Impact of Industrial and Hazardous Waste on Human Populations Industrial and hazardous waste has a large impact on human populations. Obvious impacts include those to human health. Less obvious are impacts to the environment. When flora and fauna are affected by hazardous waste, the impact is felt by humans. There are laws to reduce impacts of environmental hazards on human populations. Though RCRA, as mentioned above, is the main U.S. law most often associated with solid and hazardous waste, other federal laws also apply to industrial and hazardous waste. The most common of these circumjacent laws are as follows.   The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) specifically regulates chemicals and maintains a database of their toxicity. TSCA will be discussed in more detail later. The Clean Water Act (CWA) regulates activities that impact surface waters of the United States. For instance, if an industrial waste treatment facility discharges its treated effluent to a river or lake, then CWA regulations must be followed, and permits must be obtained (EPA, 2013b). MEE 5801, Industrial and Hazardous Waste Management 2 UNIT x STUDY GUIDE Title Smoke stacks from industrial businesses cause atmospheric air pollution. (Esolex, n.d.)  The Clean Air Act (CAA) regulates atmospheric discharges such as industrial facilities that have smoke stacks. One of the main items promulgated by the EPA under the CAA are the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)—often pronounced as nakz. The NAAQS is a list of air quality concentrations that cannot be exceeded at monitoring locations. The chemicals include nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, and lead. If a region of the country has been recognized by the EPA as a nonattainment area, then the region does not meet one or more of the criteria in the NAAQS. If a new industrial facility is planned within the region, then its output of air pollution must result in lower concentrations of the chemicals that are in nonattainment. How can a company possibly build under such strict conditions? The solution is that other polluting facilities in the region can close or be modernized with the overall impact (including the impact of the new facility), resulting in less air pollution than before (EPA, 2013a). Drums of unknown wastes floating in a body of water is a form of pollution (Botas, n.d.) MEE 5801, Industrial and Hazardous Waste Management 3   UNIT STUDY GUIDE Continuing with the discussion of relevant laws, the Safe Drinking Water Actx (SDWA) regulates drinking-water sources. Drinking water sources are typically groundwater Titleor surface water sources. Regarding groundwater sources, the SDWA, through the EPA, requires water companies that utilize groundwater to identify a groundwater protection area (GWPA). A GWPA is a protected surface region to ensure that the groundwater aquifer is not contaminated. For instance, industrial activities (including agriculture, mining, trains, or roads) are limited within the area. For surface water sources such as lakes, there are limits and regular monitoring of the point sources (e.g., industrial discharge) and nonpoint sources (e.g., diffuse agricultural runoff) of contamination that enters the lake (EPA, 2015b). Though not the least or the last, the other main law impacting industrial and hazardous waste is the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). It is also known as Superfund. This law specifically governs past practices of industrial wastes. It was passed in 1980 with the realization that the 1976 RCRA only governs current practices. Back in 1980 (and still today), there were many sites contaminated with hazardous wastes. Since the contamination occurred prior to 1976, there were not strong laws regulating industrial and hazardous wastes. Thus, CERCLA was passed and funded with hundreds of millions of dollars to clean up existing hazardous waste sites. Over the years, CERCLA continues to be taxpayer funded, but it is supplemented by industry taxes and by the principally responsible parties (PRP)—a CERCLA term. The primary parties responsible for the waste sites are determined through lawsuits. As might be expected, many of the polluting companies went out of business prior to being identified by the EPA as PRPs (EPA, 2015c). Impact of Toxic Substances on Human Populations The toxicity of a substance is one criterion used in the RCRA definition of a hazardous waste to determine whether a solid waste is classified as hazardous. In addition to RCRA using toxicity in its classification, there is another federal law dedicated to maintaining a list of toxic chemicals. It is the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), typically pronounced tos-kuh, which was passed in 1976. TSCA requires the EPA to keep an inventory of toxic substances (EPA, 2013c). The inventory is updated to reflect new chemicals and to drop chemicals that are no longer used. Bergeson (2017) explains that the TSCA chemical inventory is updated to reflect that many of the approximately 85,000 chemicals in the inventory are no longer in commercial use. The current list of chemicals can be found at the EPA website (2014). Toxic substances can cause a wide range of health effects on humans. There can be sudden effects or long-term, chronic effects. Cancer would be a longterm effect that usually requires years of exposure to appear. There can be short- and longterm impacts to brain function, skin lesions, nervous system disorders, headaches, loss of vision, coughing, asthma, fatigue, heart disease, and many others. In general, there can be impacts to the respiratory system, renal system, cardiovascular system, reproductive system, nervous system, immune system, skin, or hepatic system (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 2011). The hepatic The Cancer Institute is an important research institute because cancer is system is responsible for a major health concern. breaking down food. (Igokapil, n.d.) MEE 5801, Industrial and Hazardous Waste Management 4 Toxic substances injure the body by binding to enzymes. Enzymes are catalysts for xreactions within the body. UNIT STUDY GUIDE If a toxic substance binds to an enzyme, the enzyme may not be able to perform its intended function in the Title normal manner. A common toxic substance is carbon monoxide (CO), which results from incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels. CO binds to the enzyme hemoglobin, which decreases the body's ability to move oxygen through the body. This can cause fainting and death if the person is not treated soon enough (Chiras, 2016). With industry comes industrial and hazardous waste. What are the best ways for a society to limit the negative human health impacts of industrial activities? Apollonio, Wolfe, and Bero (2016) discuss the value of regulatory bans on specific substances, the value of implementing educational programs, and the value of monetary incentives for reducing particularly harmful practices. Each of the methods was evaluated based on an analysis of human tissue samples; human chemical exposures; and samples of air, water, and soil. The study found that outright bans of hazardous substances were most effective in improving human health and environmental conditions. Educating people to change harmful behaviors was helpful during the education period, but people often went back to their old ways after the education period ended. Economic interventions where monetary incentives were provided to encourage people to switch to safer alternatives were of marginal benefit. The Apollonio et al. (2016) study provides a backdrop to this course. As you progress through the course, think of the best way to minimize environmental and health impacts of industrial and hazardous waste. Not only does the course show technological means for treating or reducing wastes and using alternative processes, but the course also evaluates laws that are intended to encourage best practices. Conclusion This lesson has provided a look into the impact of industrial and hazardous waste on human populations. The main law governing industrial and hazardous waste in the United States is the RCRA. This act aims to protect the public and the environment from harm due to industrial waste. Many other laws also impact industrial and hazardous waste. Of particular importance is the TSCA, which requires the EPA to keep a list of commercial toxic substances. Due to the many chemicals being developed by industries, it is difficult to know if a human symptom is due to exposure to a particular chemical. Commercial chemicals are generally developed to improve the human condition, but they must be used and stored safely, and companies must be mindful of waste generation. References Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2011). Health effects of chemical exposure (ASTDR Document No. CS214865-D). Retrieved from https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/emes/public/docs/Health%20Effects%20of%20Chemical%20Exposure%20 FS.pdf Apollonio, D. E., Wolfe, N., & Bero, L. A. (2016). Realist review of policy intervention studies aimed at reducing exposures to environmental hazards in the United States. BMC Public Health, 16(1), 1–15. Retrieved from https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direc t=true&db=asn&AN=117563620&site=eds-live&scope=site Bergeson, L. L. (2017). Resetting the TSCA inventory: Why this is important. Environmental Quality Management, 27(1), 121–126. Retrieved from https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direc t=true&db=bsu&AN=127191157&site=ehost-live&scope=site Botas, S. (n.d.). Pollution (ID 68812222) [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://www.dreamstime.com/stockphoto-pollution-tin-barrels-floating-oily-water-surface-image68812222 Chiras, D. D. (2016). Environmental science (10th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett. MEE 5801, Industrial and Hazardous Waste Management 5 Esolex. (n.d.). Atmospheric air pollution from industrial smoke now (ID 103449078) Retrieved UNIT [Photograph]. x STUDY GUIDE from https://www.dreamstime.com/atmospheric-air-pollution-industrial-smoke-now-atmospheric-airTitle pollution-industrial-smoke-now-pipes-steel-plant-thick-image103449078 Igokapil. (n.d.). Cancer institute label (ID 32876289) [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-images-cancer-institut-label-gown-chair-medical-staffinstitute-somewhere-as-symbol-hope-patient-which-images-image32876289 United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2013a). Summary of the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. §7401 et seq. (1970). Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-clean-air-act United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2013b). Summary of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. §1251 et seq. (1972). Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-clean-water-act United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2013c). Summary of the Toxic Substances Control Act. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-toxic-substances-control-act United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2014). TSCA chemical substance inventory. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/tsca-inventory United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2015a). Defining hazardous waste: Listed, characteristic and mixed radiological wastes. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/hw/defining-hazardous-wastelisted-characteristic-and-mixed-radiological-wastes United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2015b). Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/sdwa United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2015c). Superfund: CERCLA overview. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/superfund/superfund-cercla-overview United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2016). Guide for industrial waste management. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-03/documents/industrial-waste-guide.pdf Suggested Unit Resources In order to access the following resources, click the links below. This video segment from the program Regionalization/Solid Waste Management Success Stories gives good insight on how per capita waste generation and population has increased over the past decades. Wild Hare Productions (Producer). (1999). Per capita and industrial waste generation (Segment 8 of 15) [Video file]. Retrieved from https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?auth=CAS&url=https://fod.infobase.com/PortalPl aylists.aspx?wID=273866&xtid=11473&loid=59508 The transcript for this video can be found by clicking on “Transcript” in the gray bar to the right of the video in the Films on Demand database. To learn more about the toxic chemical substances inventory, please visit the following web page. United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2014). TSCA chemical substance inventory. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/tsca-inventory MEE 5801, Industrial and Hazardous Waste Management 6 To learn more about the definition of a hazardous waste, please visit this web UNIT page.x STUDY GUIDE Title United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2014). Defining hazardous waste: Listed, characteristic and mixed radiological wastes. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/hw/defining-hazardous-waste-listedcharacteristic-and-mixed-radiological-wastes The following website links to the 478-page document Guide for Industrial Waste Management. It is helpful for industry, government, and citizens who are interested in, or work with, industrial wastes. United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2016). Guide for industrial waste management. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-03/documents/industrial-waste-guide.pdf Learning Activities (Nongraded) Nongraded Learning Activities are provided to aid students in their course of study. You do not have to submit them. If you have questions, contact your instructor for further guidance and information. This Unit I EPA Characteristics of Waste interactive activity relates to some of the terms mentioned in the unit lesson and required readings. Complete the activity to reinforce your understanding of the terms for this unit. (PDF of Unit I EPA activity) MEE 5801, Industrial and Hazardous Waste Management 7
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Running head: UNIT 1 ESSAY

1

Unit 1 Essay
Name
Institution Affiliation

UNIT 1 ESSAY
The Impact of Industrial and Hazardous Waste on Human Populations
In today’s world, various countries have concentrated on the construction of
manufacturing companies. They do so to ensure that they limit the number of commodities
imported from other regions, hence improving domestic capacity. With many of these companies
relying on traditional forms of fuel such as gasoline to run various machines, there are high
emissions of toxic chemicals into the atmosphere. In developing countries, it has been a
challenge to control these effects. This is because these regions do not entail the right
technologies to minimize waste and convert them into useful products. Every manufacturing
company requires incorporating resources that would enhance efficiency while handling waste
products. Major industries producing harmful chemicals include cement, battery, agrochemicals,
petrochemicals, pharmaceutical rubber, steel, and iron manufacturing companies (Apollonio,
Wolfe, & Bero, 2016). However, environmental regulation agencies have designed various laws
that help reduce these hazards' impacts on the human population. This paper discusses two
environmental laws while highlighting the effects of toxic substances on human beings.
The Clean Air Act
Since 1970, the United States has made significant progress in controlling hazardous
chemicals' emissions into the atmosphere. The CAA is a federal law regulating air emissions
from mobile and stationary sources. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is authorized
to establish air quality standards that aim to protect the public by regulating hazardous pollutants'
emission to the atmosphere. The act...


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