United States Environmental Protection Agency 903-K-93-001 October 1993 Region 3, Office of External Affairs PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT WHOSE JOB IS IT ANYWAY? Recycled/Recyclable Printed with Soy/Canola Ink on paper that contains at least 50% recycled fiber ------- I ' I «;.;,i I !!•! !!< ,' *•;* I-;;*: MSS illiiirjri N1 1'1',/ I >:::,: ' Ill .!"' ------- 1 f you are reading this booklet you are among a growing number of people becoming involved in the world around you. Learning about the environment is an important first step to realizing that everyone has some responsibility to protect it. When you consider that natural resources can never be replaced, that they merely change form or are used up, the actions of each individual to save and protect them become vital. Since 1970, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been working to protect the nation's natural resources. We do not work alone. EPA has partnerships with state and local governments, other federal agencies, environmental groups, businesses and industries, and growing legions of concerned citizens. Together, we have recorded remarkable success in reducing many of the hazards that have threatened the air, water and land. Still, the problems change and persist, requiring innovative and effective solutions. As you read this booklet, you will become familiar with some of the problems we face and our actions to address them. We hope this will be a start for you. To assist you in finding answers to some of your more specific questions, we have included a glossary of topics and phone numbers in the back of the book. We welcome you to join us in the exciting and important challenges ahead! We're certain that you will agree that protecting the environment and preserving the future is everyone's job. ------- Is mi % new Mm The United States has a long history of protecting the environment. In the late 1800s the federal government passed laws to create national parks and to conserve natural resources. Cities began to pass laws regulating air emissions. But industrialization and a growing population have strained and polluted the nation's resources to the point where more drastic measures were needed. EPA was established in 1970, "The Year of the Environment." In that year Congress enacted the National Environmental Policy Act and the Clean Air Act. In 1972, the Clean Water Act was passed. These laws gave EPA the authority to set standards for clean air and water and to regulate polluting emissions and discharges to them. Since that time, Congress has passed more than a dozen laws to protect the natural and living resources and the public's welfare. The list on the next page shows the diversity of some of those laws. In addition to federal laws, states enact their own environmental laws. They have environmental agencies responsible for ensuring compliance with both the state and federal laws. State agencies work in partnership with EPA and have been delegated responsibility for many federal programs. States are required to design plans for implementing how federal air quality standards will be achieved. They issue permits regulating air emissions, water discharges, and waste disposal. States participate in Superfund cleanups of hazardous wastes, and they, like EPA, assess penalties against those who fail to comply with the laws. ------- Federal Environmental Laws H Clean Air Act & Clean Water Act H Oil Pollution Act @ Safe Drinking Water Act H Pollution Prevention Act H Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, or Superfund @ Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act H Endangered Species Act H National Environmental Education Act U Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act H Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act §> National Environmental Policy Act § Asbestos In Schools Hazard Abatement Act J, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act 8> Toxic Substances Control Act ------- iff: f:#; J\Jr Pollution is one the greatest risks to human health and the IS';. Lung diseases, cancer, birth defects, brain and nerve damage are just a few of the health problems associated with air pollution. Acid rain makes our lakes and streams unlivable for aquatic life. Air pollution damages property, crops and vegetation. Air pollutants have thinned the protective ozone layer in the stratosphere high above the earth's surface exposing us to the sun's harmful rays. Since the Clean Air Act was passed in 1970, we have made impressive strides to improve air quality. Our air is substantially cleaner because of pollution controls on industrial smokestacks. We "got the lead out" of our air by requiring emission control equipment on new cars and by phasing out lead in our gasoline. In 1990, Congress amended the Clean Air Act. The amendments provide more stringent requirements to improve air quality, reduce acid rain, and prevent further destruction of the upper ozone layer. These requirements will affect individuals as well as businesses. If you live in an area that has failed to meet EPA standards for acceptable air quality, you may have to change the way you travel, work or do business. The air inside our homes and offices is another area for concern. A growing body of scientific evidence indicates that indoor air can be more seriously polluted than the air outside. Radon, asbestos, lead-based paint, tobacco smoke, and solvent are a few of the causes of indoor air pollution. Radon, alone, has been estimated to cause thousands of preventable lung cancer deaths every year. In EPA Region 3, parts of Maryland and Pennsylvania have ifcB,' ------- large concentrations of naturally occurring radon. Lead-based paint is likely to be in homes built before 1978. Lead poisoning of children is considered the country's most serious, and yet most preventable childhood environmental threat. Since you spend about 90 percent of your time indoors, you should become informed about, and take actions that will reduce the risks of indoor air pollution. What You Can Do To Reduce Air Pollution H Properly maintain your car. H Be energy efficient - turn thermostats down, use energy efficient light bulbs. H Use mass transit or carpool to work. @ Keep air conditioners and refrigerators in good jrunninp order (CFCs in them can leak out and damage the ozone layer). H Check your house for radon and other pollutants. H Discourage smoking indoors. II Reduce use of pesticides. H Get a professional to assess the risk associated with lead-based paint. @ Ensure proper ventilation in your home. ' Get Invo Ivedl ------- Everyone needs clean water to survive. That's why we all must work to prevent it from becoming polluted. Water becomes polluted when wastes are poured into it. Air pollutants contaminate the water's surface. Water below the Earth's surface can be fouled when wastes in landfills and toxics from underground storage tanks leach through the soil. Rains wash pollutants from our landscapes and streets into storm drains that lead to our creeks, streams and rivers. The amount of water available to use depends on the quality of the water. EPA and state and local governments are making progress in maintaining the quality of the nation's waters. Special permits that limit polluting discharges, and facilities that clean our wastewater have already reduced pollution. We are also taking actions to: reduce lead, pesticides and microbiological contaminants in drinking water; reduce ocean dumping of industrial wastes and sewage sludge; reduce agricultural chemicals in ground water; discover new technologies to clean up water pollution problems. There is still more that must be done to save the water. ------- I Here Are Some Things You Can Do 6* Avoid dumping wastes into the water. U Limit use of pesticides. § Recycle the waste oil from your car. § Plant and landscape your yard (to minimize rainwater runoff and soil erosion). | Divert rain from paved surfaces onto grasses. | Properly dispose of litter and animal wastes. I Dispose of solvents, paints, and pesticides according to their labels. I Organize a stream cleanup and monitoring project. Get "T ;Y: ' ert faucet will waste 5 " ~; ""*Kg$m*°!M ------- it!': i I"! ••'• The country is plagued by the exploding volume of trash, the escalating costs to dispose of waste, and the harmful effects of hazardous wastes. Managing waste is an important link in the environmental protection chain. Americans dispose of over 1,500 pounds of trash each year. Lined up end to end, garbage trucks filled with that amount of trash would circle the earth seven times! But while trash output is increasing, communities are running out of space for it all as landfills close. Hazardous wastes (such as heavy metals, asbestos, and toxic chemicals) pose special problems. They can endanger public health and welfare and the environment. Their cleanup is often difficult and very costly. Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, EPA and states regulate the proper handling, storage and disposal of hazardous wastes. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act authorizes EPA to clean up hazardous wastes that seriously threaten the health of the environment and the public welfare- Hazardous wastes are not only generated by businesses and industries. There are many hazards in our own homes (like lead in paint and batteries and solvents in household cleaners) which must be disposed of properly. Everyone must all start a process to reduce, reuse and recycle wastes. Make a commitment today! ------- Ways You Can Reduce Waste H Compost yard and food wastes. ft Recycle bottles, cans and paper products. ® Buy recycled products. H Buy products with less packaging. ® Pick up all litter. @ Dispose of household hazardous wastes in the proper manner. ® Use nonhazardous substitutes for household cleaning. e ------- I Some need, our extra care and attention. The Oiesapeake Bay, the southern Appalachian Mountains, the Delaware Estuary and thousands of miles ofioetlands are some of the treasures of this region's natural environment which are threatened by pollution and destruction. Solutions to the problems facing them are being addressed through partnerships of government, organizations and people who are working together to solve them. Chesapeake Bay The Chesapeake Bay watershed is home to more than 13 million people who live on the dozens of rivers and thousands of creeks - people who enjoy the beauty and bounty of the bay's 64,000 square mile drainage basin. The bay provides us with food and recreation, cools our power plants, and fuels our economy. But the bay, the largest and most productive estuary in the United States, is in danger. Growing commercial, industrial, recreational, and urban activities throughout the bay's watershed are putting substantial pressure on its fragile ecology. The states of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, the District of Columbia, the Chesapeake Bay Commission, EPA and citizens advisory groups have formally joined together to restore the bay. They are working on ambitious strategies and initiatives to address problems of industrial pollution, agricultural runoff, and fisheries management. Southern Appalachian Mountains Air pollution is threatening the resources of the entire southern Appalachian chain, from Georgia to Virginia. The pollution often falls as acid rain, which pollutes streams and damages trees and plants. Air pollution from power plants and factories has reduced visibility in the Shenandoah National Park 10 ------- and other pristine wilderness areas. EPA, other federal agencies, and eight states (including Virginia and West Virginia) have formed the Southern Appalachian Mountain Initiative. They are cooperating to remedy existing air pollution and to prevent future adverse effects of air pollution throughout the region. Delaware Estuary Running 135 miles through Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the Delaware Estuary is a major transportation channel, a source of fish and shellfish, a playground, a home to industry, a place to live,, and a source of water. This unique area, where fresh water drained from the land mixes with salt water from the ocean, is one of the most biologically productive places on earth. EPA and the states recognize the need to enhance and preserve this valuable resource. Together they are working to improve water quality and enhance the living resources. Wetlands Often called "natural wonderlands," wetlands support more wildlife and plants than any other habitat. They perform many other functions that benefit the environment. They reduce flooding, improve water quality, filter pollutants, and provide erosion control. Wetlands also offer recreational activities and aesthetic beauty. But they are being destroyed at a rate of 300,000 acres each year to make way for new highways and other developments. Because of the importance of wetlands, EPA and other federal agencies jointly administer a program to protect wetlands. You can help, too. Learn about wetlands and support their conservation and protection. 11 ------- The costs of waste disposal and pollution cleanup are consuming profits and taxing local governments. Natural resources are being used up, eroded and threatened with extinction. Although sources of pollution from industrial sources are now regulated, agricultural run-off, debris washing off city streets, and cars inching along congested highways pose different pollution problems. That is why preventing pollution has now become so important. In basic terms, pollution prevention (P2) means don't create waste. We all need to reduce or eliminate the total amount of waste and pollutants used in the environment. This can often be achieved by changing production or cleaning methods, substituting non-hazardous substances for hazardous ones, or finding ways to reuse or recycle wastes. P2 also emphasizes the efficient use of material and energy resources. EPA and our state partners are seeking to make P2 part of all their decisions. Local governments and businesses have enthusiastically adopted P2 projects and recycling programs. Businesses have reported substantial savings from P2 initiatives. Voluntary reduction programs, like EPA's 33/50 Program, which targets specific pollutants, is another new approach. Through that program over 1000 businesses nationwide have committed to reducing releases of 17 highly toxic chemicals by several hundred 12 ------- million pounds. The Green Lights Program. encourages government and business partners to install energy-efficient lighting which will reduce electricity demand and carbon dioxide emissions. In the preceding pages, we have identified many ways of preventing pollution of our air, water and land. Here are a few more. More Ways To Prevent Pollution ® Make an audit of your waste and see how it can be reduced. H Fill your classroom, home, office and garden with plants. & Take showers in stead of baths. H Sweep your sidewalk, driveway or patio instead of hosing it down. i H Buy products that are recycled, recyclable, refillable, reliable, repairable and/or reusable. 3$ Make sure your house is well insulated. i @ Turn off your heat, water heater and pilot lights when away on vacation. @ Use cloth instead of paper napkins and mugs instead of paper or styrofoam cups. t& Have yardsales or donate used clothing, toys, appliances and books to charities and thrift shops. 13 ------- But while the general public shows a heightened sensitivity about environmental matters, surveys have shown that few people really understand environmental problems and how their daily actions can affect the environment. There is also a growing concern about the declining interest of high school and college students in engineering and science careers, which comprise one-third of EPA's workforce. That is why information sharing and public outreach and education are part of the fabric of all the programs at EPA and in the states. Our job is great, but working together and through partnerships with businesses, organizations, academic institutions and interested citizens, we are finding ways to make a difference. 14 ------- Here Are Some Things We Do ft Provide grants for innovative environmental education projects. ft Offer training for educational professionals,! H Provide a clearinghouse of environmental education materials. ft Sponsor internships and fellowships to attract students to environmental careers. ft Award outstanding contributions to environmental education. ft Maintain a public information center which provides a host of services and publications. ft Provide speakers to businesses, schools and organizations. ft Hold public meetings to discuss local environmental issues. DO ITT Poster by 4th grader, Ryan Foley, courtesy of "WISE" (Women in Science & Engineering). This is one of hundreds of posters submitted by school-age children for the WISE "Poem and Poster Contest." 15. ------- Although we have learned and accomplished a lot since 1970, there is still much to be done. At EPA, our talented and dedicated staff of professionals (including scientists, chemists, hydrologists, geologists, toxicologists, engineers, lawyers, computer specialists, and many others) are working together to learn how we can be more effective. We are addressing priorities that will be important now and in the future: Preventing pollution before it becomes a problem. Helping to build the nation's ability to address environmental issues. Striving to enhance our role as an acknowledged leader in environmental science. Demonstrating that the environment and economic growth can be mutually supporting. Assuring that the benefits of environmental protection can be shared by everyone. Approaching our mission with an integrated ecosystem approach. The job of protecting the environment is not ours _ alone. Whose job is it? It's everyone's job! 16 ------- EPA Region 3 Wheeling iVEPA Region 3 Office Locations *f To facilitate its mission, EPA is divided into 10 geographic regions throughout the count Region 3 is comprised of the mid-Atlantic^ ] states of Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland,]) Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. To request additional information, visit or writef U.S. EPA Region 3 Public Environmental Education Center 841 Chestnut Building, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107 or call our toll-free number 800-438-2474 ------- CONTACTS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AIR POLLUTION EPA: 215-597-6728 PA: 717-787-9702 DE: 302-739-4791 MD: 410-631-3255 VA: 804-762-4001 WV: 304-558-3286 DC: 202-404-1180x3067 RADON EPA: 215-597-9009 PA: DE: MD: VA: WV: DC: 800-237-2366 800-554-4636 800-872-3666 800-786-5932 800-922-1255 202-727-7218 WETLANDS EPA: 215-597-6911 PA: 717-787-6827 DE: 302-739-4691 MD: 410-974-2265 VA: 804-527-5061 WV: 304-558-2108 or 304-637-0245 WASTE DISPOSAL EPA: 215-597-4164 PA: 717-787-9870 DE: 302-739-4506 MD: 410-631-3304 VA: 804-762-4003 WV: 304-558-5929 DC: 202-404-1167x3011 TOXIC SUBSTANCES EPA: 215-597-9904 PA: 717-783-1736 DE: 302-7364771 VA: 804-7864265 WV: 304-558-2981 DC: 202-404-1180 x3067 WATER POLLUTION EPA: 215-597-6911 PA: 717-787-2666 DE: 302-739-4860 MD: 410-631-3567 VA: 804-527-5172 WV: 304-558-2107 DC: 202-404-1120x3040 EISMRONMENTAL ED EPA: 215-597-9076 PA: 717-787-2868 DE: 302-739-4506 MD: 410-631-3000 VA: 804-762-4000 WV: 304-558-3370 DC: 202-404-1146 SUPERFUND EPA: 215-597-9905 717-783-7816 302-323-4540 410-631-3003 804-762-4184 304-558-3381 PA: DE: MD: VA: WV: DC: 202-783-3180 POLLUTION PREVENTION EPA: PA: DE: MD: VA: WV: DC: 215-597-6289 717-787-7382 302-739-3822 410-631-3114 804-762-4384 304-759-0515 202-404-1167 CHESAPEAKE BAY EPA: 410-267-5700 or 800-968-7229 PA: 717-787-5259 MD: 410-631-5681 VA: 804-762-4150 DC: 202-404-1136 EPA HOTLINES Safe Drinking Water 800426-4791 Indoor Air Quality 800-438-4318 Lead Information 800-LEAD-FYI EPA Region III 800438-2474 STATE ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCIES Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Maryland Department of the Environment Virginia Department of Environmental Quality West Virginia Division of Natural Resources District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs ------- |