THE INFORMATION BROKER EPA Headquarters Library (PM 211 A) WSM2904 382-5922 HOFFMAN'S HIGHLIGHTS New CD-ROM: Computer Library We have a new CD-ROM database titled Computer Library. It provides current and comprehensive coverage of major computer-related journals in the areas of hardware, software, applications, company and industry analysis and procurement news. For more information contact the Reference Desk at 382-5921. New IRM Videotapes "What is the NCC (National Computer Center)?" "Video Summary of the National Environmental Information Conference, Kansas City, November 1989." If you are interested in borrowing either video (VMS format), contact Mary Siegert at 382-5922. Information Broker Survey Results We would like to thank those who responded to the Survey which was published in the March issue of the Information Broker. The Survey showed that readers found the "What's Available" and "Question of the Month" sections most useful. Approximately half of those responding were interested in seeing more information about library services and the EPA Library Network. Additional suggestions included book reviews, environmental education materials, more mention of audiovisual materials, and special listings of materials by EPA authors. The Library staff will implement some of these suggestions in future issues of the Broker. Look for the CENTERFOLD on Lawn Care and Pesticides which appears on the middle pages of this issue THE INFORMATION BROKER JUNE 1990 Printed on Recycled Paper ------- WHAT'S AVAILABLE IN THE HEADQUARTERS LIBRARY As part of our ongoing effort to collect books and journals relevant to EPA staff needs, the following is a list of our latest acquisitions. It is organized by program area for your convenience. Copies of all items listed here are available at the Headquarters Library Circulation Desk. AIR & RADIATION Ainsworth, Susan. "Aerosol Product Innovation Fueled By Public Attitudes, Regulations." Chemical & Engineering News. Vol. 68, No. 17, April 23, 1990. pp. 35-52. "Atmosphere of Uncertainly." [CFC's and businesses] Scientific American. Vol. 262, No. 4, April 1990. pp. 77-78. Barnett, T.P. "Beware Greenhouse Confusion." Nature. Vol. 343, No. 6260, February 1990. pp. 696-697. Baumann, David N. "More Asbestos Regulations: Are They Doing More Harm Than •Good?" Environmental Claims Journal. Vol. 2, No. 3, Spring 1990. pp. 357-376. Ember, Lois. "EPA Proposes Nationwide Recycling Program for Ozone-Depleting CFC's." Chemical & Engineering News. Vol. 68, No. 19, May 7,1990. pp. 44-45. Ember, Lois. "House Panel's Clean Air Bill Viewed Favorably." Chemical & Engineering News. Vol. 68, No. 17, April 23, 1990. p. 17. Hook, Janet. "By Shifting Tactics on Clean Air, Dingell Guarded His Power." Congressional Quarterly. Vol. 48, No. 19, May 12,1990. pp. 1453-1456. Gergen, David. "Cleaning Up the Fouled Worker's Paradise." U.S. News & World Report. Vol. 108, No. 17, April 30,1990. p. 27. Nelson, Thomas P.; Wevill, Sharon L. Alternative Formulations to Reduce CFC Use in U.S. Exempted and Excluded Aerosol Products. (Project Summary). Research Triangle Park, NC: Air and Energy Engineering Research Laboratory, USEPA, February 1990. (EPA/600/S2-89/061) THE INFORMATION BROKER JUNE 1990 Page 2 ------- Perez, Ray. "Nuclear Energy, Coal Interests Eye Global-Warming Measure." Congresssional Quarterly. Vol. 48, No. 19, May 12,1990. p. 1476. Stein, Jay. "Hydrogen: Clean, Safe, and Inexhaustible." The Amicus Journal. Vol. 12, No. 2, Spring 1990. pp. 33-36. "Too Much Hot Air." [climate change]. New Scientist. Vol. 12, No. 1713. April 21, 1990. p. 1. "Tree Planting Might Slow Greenhouse Effect." Environmental Management News. Vol. 4 No. 25, February 22,1990. p. 12. "Watch Out! Here Comes the Greenhouse." Science. Vol. 248, No. 4955, May 4,1990. p. 549. Williams, Susan; Fenn, Scott; Clausen, Terry. "Renewing Renewable Energy." Issues in Science and Technology. Vol. 6, No. 3, Spring 1990. pp. 64-70. HAZARDOUS WASTE NOTE: The Library has a special collection and database to improve access to hazardous waste information. For more information contact the Library at 382-5922. Bielson, Neil A. "Federal Reporting Requirements for Emergency Releases of Hazardous Substances Under CERCLA and EPCRA." Environmental Claims Journal. Vol. 2, No. 3, Spring 1990. pp. 301-315. Faron, Robert S. "Gearing Pre-Acquisiton Audits to the Landowner Defense." Environmental Claims Journal. Vol. 2, No. 3, Spring 1990. pp. 289-300. Grube, Walter E. "Evaluation of Waste Stablized by the Solidtech SITE Technology." Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association. Vol. 40, No. 3, March 1990. pp. 310-316. Hanson, David J. "Chemical Management, Communities Tussle with Hazardous Waste Rules." Chemical & Engineering News. Vol. 68, No. 18, April 30,1990. pp. 10-15. Kemezis, Paul. "Hazwaste Shippers Sue." Chemicalweek. Vol. 146, No. 18, May 9, 1990. pp. 12-13. "No Safe Harbor." The Amicus Journal. Vol. 12, No. 2, Spring 1990. pp. 2-3. THE INFORMATION BROKER JUNE 1990 PageS ------- Rubin, Debra K.; Kemezis, Paul. '"Land Ban' Rules Have Industry Dazed." Engineering News-Record. Vol. 224, No. 17, April 26,1990. pp. 47-48. "Soil Demands Careful Construction." [construction on contaminated soil] Engineering News-Record. Vol. 224, No. 17, p. 22. "The Valdez Principles." The Amicus Journal. Vol. 12, No. 2, Spring 1990. pp. 3-4. INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT NOTE: To better meet the needs of EPA staff, the Library has a special collection on Information Resources Management. For more information contact Sharon Geiger at 382-5922. Aas, Eric; Davidoff, Peter. "Teaching Your Scanner to Read." Personal Publishing. Vol. 6, No. 5, May 1990. pp. 28-36. Balban, Morton. "OCR: What's Needed Next." Datamation. Vol. 36, No. 8, April 1990. pp. 98-99. Bender, Eric. "Notes Lives Up To Its Notices." PC World. Vol. 8, No. 6, June 1.990. pp. 130-133. Brandt, Richard. "Why Everyone Is Gaping At Microsoft's Windows." Business Week. No. 3160, May 21,1990. pp. 150-151,154. Caswell, Stephen A. "A New LAN Standard Lights the Way." Datamation. Vol. 36, No. 9, May 1,1990. pp. 75-80. Danca, Richard. "EPA's GIS Procurement to Set Standard." Federal Computer Week. Vol. 4, No. 15, April 16, 1990. pp. 1,4. King, Todd. "A Self-Referential Hypertext Engine." Dr. Dobb's Journal. No. 165. June 1990. pp. 34-38. Moad, Jeff. "The New Agenda For Open Systems." Datamation. Vol. 36, No. 7, April 1, 1990. pp. 22-24. Pellerin, Cheryl. "Geographic Information Systems." Federal Computer Week. Vol 4, No. 19, May 14,1990. pp. 21-23. Rash, Wayne, Jr. "Do-It-Yourself CD-ROMs." Byte. Vol. 15, No. 5, May 1990. pp. 89-90,92. THE INFORMATION BROKER JUNE 1990 Page 4 ------- Schwartz, Karen. "Mies System Links EPA to a Cleaner Environment." Government Computer News. Vol. 8, No. 10, May 14, 1990. pp. 44*48. Simpson, David. "Where Should You Use Rewritable Optical?" Systems Integration. Vol. 23, No. 5, May 1990. pp. 62-73. Simpson, David. "5 Routes to Coexistence." Systems Integration. Vol. 23, No. 4, April 1990. pp. 82,84,87. Todd, Daniel. "Code Recycling." Information Week. Issue 270, May 14,1990. p. 50. INTERNATIONAL NOTE: The Headquarters Library has a collection of books, reports, laws and statistics related to international issues. For more information contact John Butsch at 382-5917. "Apartheid Is Devastating South African Environment: WorldWatch." Multinational Environmental Outlook. Vol. 16, No. 10, May 15,1990. p. 78. Ember, Lois R. "Pollution Chokes East-Bloc Nations." Chemical & Engineering News. Vol. 68, No. 16, April 16, 1990. pp. 7-16. "Europeans Attack Tone of White House Global Change Conference." Multinational Environmental Outlook. Vol. 16, No. 9, May 1,1990. p. 67. "Global Marshall Plan Urged For Environment." Multinational Environmental Outlook. Vol. 16, No. 10, May 15, 1990. p. 74. Hoogart, J.C.; Posthumus, C.W.S., eds. Hydro-ecological Relations in the Delta Waters of the South-West Netherlands, (technical meeting). The Hague, Netherlands: TNO Committee on Hydrological Research, 1989. Pearse, Fred. 'The Green Missonaries of Africa." [native nomads and the national parks]. New Scientist. Vol. 126, No. 1713, April 21,1990. pp. 64-65. Stancell, John. "A Mediterranean Holiday From Pollution." New Scientist. Vol. 126, No. 1715, May 5,1990. pp. 28-29. "U.S. Opposes International CFC Fund, Position Chided at Geneva Meeting." Multinational Environmental Outlook. Vol. 16, No. 10, May 15,1990. p. 75. THE INFORMATION BROKER JUNE 1990 Page 5 ------- MANAGEMENT NOTE: The Library has a special collection of management books, journals, audiotapes and videotapes. For more information contact Mary Siegert at 382-5922. Crosby, Philip. Leading, the Art of Becoming an Executive. New York, N.Y: McGraw Hill, 1990. HD57.7C755 Cunningham, J. Barton; Eberle, Ted. "A Guide to Job Enrichment And Design." Personnel. Vol. 67, No. 2 .February 1990. pp. 56-61. Glen, Robert M. "Performance Appraisal: An Unnerving Yet Useful Process." Public Personnel Management. Vol. 19, No. 1, Spring 1990. pp. 1-10. Hedrick, Terry E. "New Challenges for Government Managers." The Bureaucrat. Vol. 19, No. 1, Spring 1990. pp. 17-20. Higgs, Joe G. "A Prescription for the 1990's." [management style] The Bureaucrat Vol. 19, No. I," Spring 1990. pp. 74-77. Myers, Lucretia F. "How to Get the Job Done." The Bureaucrat. Vol. 19, No. 1, Spring 1990. pp. 78-79. Spann, Jeri. "Dealing Effectively with Sexual Harassment: Some Practical Lessons From One City's Experience." Public Personnel Management. Vol. 19, No. 1, Spring 1990. pp. 53-69. Weaver, Richard L, II. "Motivation." Vital Speeches. Vol. 56, No. 8, February 1,1990. pp. 249-252. White, Harvey L "The SELF Method of Mentoring." The Bureaucrat. Vol. 19, No. 1, Spring 1990. pp. 45-48. PESTICIDES & TOXIC SUBSTANCES "Alternative Agriculture." Environment. Vol. 32, No. 3, April 1990. pp. 25-28. THE INFORMATION BROKER JUNE 1990 PageG ------- Brookes, Warren T. "The Wasteful Pursuit of Zero Risk." Forbes. Vol. 145, No. 9, April 30,1990. pp. 161-172. Coberly, Robert; McAloon, Edward; Regelman, Emil. Catalog of Pesticide Chemical Names and Their Synonyms. [2nd ed.] Arlington, VA: Health Effects Division, Office of Pesticide Programs, USEPA, January 1,1990. EPAX 9005-0011 Flam, Faye. "EPA Says No to EBDC Residue." Chemicalweek. Vol. 146, No. 20, May 23,1990. p. 10. Hunter, David. "Life After the Alar Fallout." Chemicalweek. Vol. 146, No. 20, May 23, 1990. p. 24. Lawn Care Pesticides: Risks Remain While Prohibited Safety Claims Continue. Washington D.C: General Accounting Office, March 1990. TP 248 P47 U54 McDermott, Jeanne. "Some Heartland Farmers Just Say No to Chemicals." Smithsonian. Vol. 21, No. I.April 1990. pp. 114-127. Salholz, Eloise, et al. "Defense: A Chemical Reaction." [DOD demands vs company ethics] Newsweek. Vol. 115, No. 17, April 25,1990. p. 25. Sternberg, Ken. "Audits in California?" [mandatory reduction of chemicals in manufacturing]C/7em/ca/wee/c. Vol. 146, No. 17, p. 14. POLLUTION PREVENTION Annis, Clark. "From Treatment Plant to Farm Fields." BioCycle. Vol. 31, No. 4, April 1990. pp. 50-51. Delmage, Mitch. "Building Compost Markets in the Public Sector." BioCycle. Vol. 31, No. 4, April 1990. pp. 48-49. Ewel, Dexter; Shaw, Frank C. "Risk Allocation in a Changing MRF Industry." BioCycle. Vol. 31, No. 4, April 1990. pp. 64-67. Ferguson, Kelly H. "Tighter Environmental Regulations Will Alter Mill Processes, Permits." Pulp & Paper. Vol. 64, No. 4, April 1990. pp. 59-66. Garcia, Debra A.; Mies, Willard E. "Cascades is Positioned for Recycling Trend — Plans to Improve Existing Mills." Pulp & Paper. Vol. 64, No. 5, May 1990. pp. 120-123. THE INFORMATION BROKER JUNE 1990 Page? ------- FOCUS ON - LAWN CARE AND PESTICIDES To spray or not to spray? In the Idealized American suburb, streets are tree-lined and the well-manicured grass is green. Your neighbors' grass may be greener, but then it always is. Every home owner wants a healthy, pest- and weed-free lawn. How your lawn gets green and stays that way is up to you. Common problems encountered in establishing and maintaining a good lawn are weeds, destructive insects and lawn diseases. The judicious use of pesticides can help to control these problems. Pesticides are a diverse group of chem ical agents which are subdivided into three categories. Herbicides are used to control and eliminate weeds. Insecticides are used to destroy or repel insects. Fungicides are used to combat and control diseases. Control, eliminate, destroy, repel, combat? Using pesticides sounds a lot like chemical warfare. Still, it is difficult to argue with success, or Is it? There are no completely safe or benign chemicals, but there are sound alternatives to pesticide use. To Spray Lawn care products are generally available in garden centers or hardware stores. Most are sold as soluble or wettable powders or emulsifiable concentrates which are mixed with water, stirred and sprayed. Although most lawn care products are relatively low in toxicity, all should be used with caution. Remember, no pesticide is completely safe; all are designed to kill something. Home owners treating their own lawns should first identify their particular lawn care problem and then purchase a product designed to take care of that specific problem. Label instructions should be read and followed carefully, and only recommended amounts of the pesticide should be applied. With most pesticides, more is not better and may pose health risks or damage the lawn. Be sure to keep children and pets away from treated lawns for the time period specified on the label. Home owners electing to employ the services of a lawn care company should assure themselves that the company will adhere to the same guidelines they would follow if they were treating their lawns themselves. The company should be licensed and of good repute. It is best to use a company that treats lawns only when necessary. Even intensively managed lawns typically receive no more than five pesticide applications per year. Before engaging a lawn care service, home owners should discuss their problem with the company and agree upon a maintenance program. They should alsodetermine what chemicals will be used and in what amount. Or Not to Spray While proper application of pesticides to lawns can help control pest problems, there is growing concern among the public regarding the health and environmental effects of pesticide use. In addition, weeds, insects and diseases insist on mutating and evolving, and they are becoming increasingly resistant to pesticides. How then, are healthy, attractive lawns to be maintained? Most com mon lawn care problems can be prevented by careful monitoring and knowledgeable lawn maintenance. There is a natural balance of nutrients, water and organisms that is disturbed by pesticide use. Though it may take a couple of years, it is possible to make the transition from chemical treatment of a lawn to natural control. Understanding and maintaining this natural balance requires learning to identify beneficial insects and other animals that eat lawn pests. Developing healthy soil and a strong root system will take time, but will also help to FOCUS ON - LAWN CARE AND PESTICIDES was jointly developed by the Headquarters library and the Office of Pesticide Programs. ------- control weeds and diseases. There are several do's and donts of lawn care that can help to reduce the need for pesticides and which promote the growth of a healthy, natural lawn. Selecting the proper grass type is the first step. Native grasses, adapted to local dimate and light conditions, are naturally more resistant to local pests and diseases. The lawn should be mowed with sharp blades and should not be mowed too short. A dean cut will stimulateheatthygrowthwhiledull blades will cut the grass irregularly. The jagged tips will allow moisture loss and delay recovery. If the grass is mowed too short a large portion of the food-producing blades is removed. Grass that is cut too short also provides the necessary light for weed growth, restricts root development and makes the lawn more susceptible to disease, heat, drought and compaction. Overwatering and overfertilization are also to be avoided. Overwatering can cause the grass to develop a shallow root system and stress the lawn, making it susceptible to disease. Overfertilization promotes the development of thatch, which is the dense brown layer of grass stems underlying the lawn. Too much thatch can lead to pest infestation and disease. Overfertilization can also induce fungal growth. Avoid watering the lawn during strong sun or heat as the sun's reflection off the water-laden blades can bum the grass. Fertilizer, generally, needs only to be applied in the early fall and again in early spring. Healthy soil is another promoter of lush lawns. Microscopic organisms in the soil break down organic matter and make nutrients available to the grass. Earthworms, which can be killed or repelled by pesticides, are vital soil aerators. They ingest soil and create castings, allowing air and water to reach the soil and roots. Soilcompaction, which promotes weed growth, can be controlled by a well aerated lawn. The lawn may be aerated with a tool designed for this purpose two to three times per year, or as needed. Earthworms and microbes which are present in healthy soil, also help to break down thatch. A properly maintained lawn can be lush, green and healthy without the use of pesticides. If the lawn has beenaerated,dethatched (when thethatch layer is more than one-half inch thick), watered, fertilized and mowed property, then there is usually no need for chemical treatment It may take more work than quick-fix pestictdeapplications, but a chemical-free, natural lawn is certainly attainable. Further Reading Citizen's Guide to Pesticides. Washington, US EPA Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, 1987. Environmental Fact Sheet: Lawn Care. Washington, US EPA Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances. Fact Sheet: Lawn Care for Your Home. Chicago, US EPA Region 5 Office of Public Affairs. The Green Way to a Green Lawn. Consumer Reports. vol. 55, no. 6, D399-402, June, 1990. Integrated Pest management for Turfgrass and Ornamentals, editors Anne R. Leslie and Robert L Metcalf. Washington, US EPA Office of Pesticide Programs, 1989. Questions and Answers on Lawn Pesticides. Washington, US EPA Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, 1989. For further information please contact JimRoelofs (703)557-7102 Office of Pesticide Programs ------- Gleckman, Howard; Cahan, Vicky. "Will Eco-Tax Fervor Sweep Congress Off Its Feet?" BusinessWeek. No. 3157, April 30,1990. p. 28. Glenn, Jim. The State of Garbarge in America." Part II. BioCycle. Vol. 31, No. 4, April 1990. pp. 34-41. Harrison, Andy. "Recycling Express." Pulp & Paper. Vol. 64, No. 5. p. 45. Heller, Karen. "Know-How Cleans Up." Chemicalweek. Vol. 146, No. 17, May 2,1990. pp. 26,28,30. "How Much Unregulated Waste?" BioCycle. Vol. 31, No. 4, April 1990. p. 47. Mcllvaine. "Air and Waste Management Markets in a New Decade." Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association. Vol. 40, No. 3, March 1990. pp. 305-309. Morelli, John. "Landfill Reuse Strategies." Part II. BioCycle. Vol. 31, No. 4, April 1990. pp. 60-61. t Smith, Wayne H. "Organic Waste Management in Florida." BioCycle. Vol. 31, No. 4, April 1990. pp. 52-55. Wastepaper Recycling: Programs of Civil Agencies Waned During the 1980's. Washington DC: General Accounting Office, December 1989. TD 749.5 U54 WATER NOTE: The Library has a special collection of water-related books, reports and journals. For more information, contact Stephen Mitchell at 475-8670. Ankley, Gerald; Katko, Albert; Arthur, John W. "Identification of Ammonia as an Important Sediment-Associated Toxicant in the Lower Fox River and Green Bay, Wisconsin." Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. Vol. 9, No. 3. March 1990. pp. 313-322. Benjes, Henry, Jr. Capital and O&M Cost Estimates for Attached Growth Biological Wastewater Treatment Processes. (Project Summary) Cincinnati, OH: Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory, USEPA, February 1990. (EPA/600/S2-89/003) Cherfas, Jeremy. "The Fringe of the Ocean — Under Seige from the Land." Science. THE INFORMATION BROKER JUNE 1990 Page 10 ------- Vol. 248, No. 4952. April 13, 1990. pp. 163-165. Conniff, Richard. "The Transformation of a River —From 'Sewer' to Suburbs in 20 Years." Smithsonian. Vol. 21, No. I.April 1990. pp. 70-85. Draft Chesapeake Bay Wetlands Policy Implementation Plan. Annapolis, MD: [Chesapeake Bay Program, USEPA], March 1990. EPAX 8812-0030 Edzwald, James H.; Malley, James P., Jr. Removal of Humic Substances and Algae by Dissolved Air Flotation. (Project Summary) Cincinnati, OH: Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory, USEPA, February 1990. (EPA/600/S2-89/032) EPA's Policy Promoting the Beneficial Use of Sewage Sludge and The New Proposed Technical Sludge Regulations. Washington D.C: Office of Water, USEPA, June 1989. EPAX 9004-0011 Kantrud, Harold A. Sago Pondweed (potamogeton pectinatus L):A Literature Review. Washington D.C: United States Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, 1990. S 914 A3 Millemann, Beth. "The Dirty Deeps." [nation's waterways are pollution sinks]. Sierra. Vol. 75, No. 3, May/June 1990. pp. 30-32. Pfaff, John; Brockhoff, Carol. "Determing Inorganic Disinfection By-products by Ion Chromatography." Journal of the American Water works Association. Vol. 82, No. 4, April 1990. pp. 192-195. Repavich, Wyatt M., et al. "Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae) in Wisconsin Waters: Acute and Chronic Toxicity." Water Reserve. Vol. 24, No. 2, February 1990. pp. 225-231. Sater, Rachel. "EPA's Pesticides-in-Groundwater Strategy: Agency Action in the Face of Congressional Inaction." Ecology Law Quarterly. Vol. 17, No. 1, April 1990. pp. 143-177. Shotts, Emmett B., Jr.; Wooley, Richard E. Protozoan Sources of Spontaneous Coliform Occurance in Chlorinated Drinking Water. (Project Summary) Cincinnati OH: Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory, USEPA, March 1990. ( EPA/600/S2-89/019) Stewart, Doug. "Nothing Goes to Waste in Arcata's Teeming Marshes." Smithsonian. Vol. 21, No. I.April 1990. pp. 175-179. Valo, Risto, et al. "Bioremediation of Chlorophenol Containing Simulated Ground Water by THE INFORMATION BROKER JUNE 1990 Page 11 ------- Immobilized Bacteria." Water Research. Vol. 24, No. 2, February 1990. pp. 253-258. Water Pollution: Serious Problems Confront Emerging Municipal Sludge Management Program. Washington D.C: General Accounting Office, March 1990. TD 730 U55 Yates, Marilynn V. The Use of Models for Granting Variances from Mandatory Disinfection of Ground Water Used as a Public Water Supply. Ada, OK: Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory, USEPA, March 1990. EPAX 9005-0038 GENERAL Baum, Rudy. "Californians to Vote on Environmental Initiative." Chemical & Engineering News. Vol. 68, No. 19, May 7, 1990. p. 5. Clough, Kerrigan; Wann, David. "A Burning Issue." [government/private companies partnership] The Bureaucrat. Vol. 19, No. 1, Spring 1990. pp. 25-29. Dance, Betsy. "The Strife of Reilly." Environmental Action. Vol. 20, No. 6, May/June 1990. pp. 6-7. Flam, Faye D. "At the Supermarket: A Confusion of Green." Chemicalweek. Vol. 146, No. 16, April 25,1990. pp. 13,16. Handbook for Preparing Office of Research and Development Reports. Cincinnati, OH: Center for Environmental Research Information, USEPA, Rev. 1989. EPAX 9004-0059 Ivey, Mark; Grover, Ron; Therrien, Lois. "The Greening of Corporate America." BusinessWeek. No. 3156, April 23, 1990. pp. 96-99. Kosowaltz, John J. "A Bureaucrat Who Likes His Job." [Don R. Clay] Engineering News-Record. Vol. 224, No. 17, April 26,1990. p. 52. Nonhazardous Waste : Environmental Safeguards for Industrial Facilities Need to Be Developed. Washington DC: General Accounting Office, April 1990. TD 897.5 U544 Schaum, John. Exposure Factors Handbook. (Project Summary). Washington D.C: Office of Health and Environmental Assessment, USEPA, April 1990. (EPA/600/S8-89/043) Young, Stephen. "Twilight of the Frogs." Science. Vol. 126, No. 1713, April 21,1990. p. 27. THE INFORMATION BROKER JUNE 1990 Page 12 ------- QUESTION OF THE MONTH QUESTION: What authority does EPA have in relation to pesticides? ANSWER: EPA has important regulatory powers over pesticides, including the balancing of risks and benefits for human health and environmental protection with agricultural and pest control needs. EPA has a several-stage pesticide evaluation process for decision-making, including scientific and economic analysis, open meetings with EPA's scientific advisory panel, and public comment sessions. This process was described by Lee M. Thomas, a former EPA Administrator, in the May 1987 issue of the EPA Journal. EPA is responsible under FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act) for registering new pesticides to ensure that, when used according to label directions, they will present no unreasonable risks to human health or the environment. The law requires that the Agency take into account economic, social and environmental costs and benefits when making decisions. Under FFDCA (Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act), EPA sets maximum legal limits, known as tolerances, for pesticide residues on all foods, domestic and foreign, marketed in the United States. It is important to note that the tolerances are enforced by two other Federal agencies, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The importance of this enforcement is illustrated by the fact that traces of chemicals can be found in the food chain for years. DDT was banned in 1972, yet traces of this toxic can still be detected today. Heptachlor, a cousin of DDT which was banned in 1978 (except for use on grain seeds and pineapples and for termite control) was detected in breast milk in the mid '80s. Between 1982 and 1985, FDA detected pesticide residues in 48 percent of the types of fresh fruits and vegetables consumed most frequently. EPA is developing better methods for determining the effects of pesticides on entire ecosystems as well as on individual organisms. The Agency's pesticide agenda includes the implementation of an agricultural chemicals and ground-water strategy, development of improved methods for ensuring food safety, determination of exposure to home and garden pesticides, and the development of safe practice guidelines for pesticide handling by farm workers and others. For Further Reading: "Pesticides and the Consumer." EPA Journal, Vol. 13. No. 4, May 1987. "Pesticides: Human Health Concerns." pp. 134-136; "Pesticides: Fish and Wildlife Concerns." pp. 134-136. Environmental Progress and Challenges: EPA's Update. August 1988. EPA/230-07-88-033. THE INFORMATION BROKER JUNE 1990 Page 13 ------- WHAT'S HAPPENING Following is a selection of conferences on a wide range of environmental topics. The Headquarters Library maintains a collection of conference notices. For more information on these conferences contact the Library at 382-5922. Municipal Solid Waste; Managing in the 90's. Vancouver, BC, Canada. August 20-24, 1990. Presented by Governmental Refuse Collection and Disposal Association, The Association for Solid Waste Management Professionals. GRCDA's 28th annual international solid waste exposition provides the opportunity to examine a wide variety of solid waste management equipment, processes, and systems, plus attend informative technical sessions. For more information contact: GRCDA, P.O. Box 7219, Silver Spring, MD 20910 or call (301) 585-2898. Science & Technology For A New Decade. Washington, DC. September 26-28,1990. Sponsored by The Marine Technology Society. Co-Participants are The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, The Oceanography Society and The Society For Underwater Technology. Topics will include global change, coastal issues, role of space systems, marine resources, and offshore structures. For more information contact: MTS '90 Conference Registration Office, 4400 Fair Lakes Court, Fairfax, VA. 22033 or The Marine Technology Society, 1825 K St. NW, Suite 218, Washington, DC 20006. Managing Management Time (TM). Washington DC. September 10-11,1990 and December 5-6, 1990. This seminar helps managers to decide what must be done, see that it is done, and take responsibility for what is done. For more information contact: Daniel Management Center, College of Business Administration, The University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208 or call (803) 777-2231. Conserve 90, The National Conference and Exposition Offering Water Supply Solutions for the 1990's. Phoenix, AZ, August 12-16, 1990. Sponsored by The American Society of Civil Engineers, American Water Resources Association and The National Water Well Asociation. Presentations will focus on water supply issues such as reuse, drought management, watershed management, planning, water transfer, and water resource management. For more information contact: CONSERVE 90, 6375 Riverside Dr., Dublin, OH 43017 or call (614) 761 -1711. THE INFORMATION BROKER JUNE 1990 Page 14 ------- Compliance Status. Hilton Head, SC., August 15-16,1990; Washington DC. November 15-16,1990. Sponsored by Government Institutes, Inc. Special emphasis on complying with the new RCRA Toxicity Characteristic and TCLP rules. For more information contact: Government Institutes, Inc., 966 Hungerford Drive, #24, Rockville, MD 20850 or call (301) 251-9250. Great Lakes 90. Cleveland, OH. September 26-28,1990. Sponsored by Hazardous Materials Control Research Institute. The conference will address problems and solutions in the area of hazardous materials control within the geographic area of the states and provinces (Canada) that are contiguous to the Great Lakes. For more information contact: Hazardous Materials Control, 9300 Columbia Blvd., Silver Spring MD 20910 or call (301) 587-9390. Groundwater Pollution and Hydrology. Princeton, NJ. July 9-13,1990; San Francisco, CA. July 23-27,1990. Presented by Groundwater Associates of Princeton and Omni Environmental Corporation. The one week course covers all aspects of groundwater pollution and hydrology from theory to practice. For more information contact: Groundwater Associates of Princeton, The Princeton Corporate Center, Three Independence Way, Princeton, NJ 08540 or call (609) 243-9399. Hands-on Local Area Networks. San Jose, CA. July 30-August 1,1990; Washington DC. August 6-8,1990; Los Angles CA. August 13-15,1990. Course will cover selecting, installing, maintaining, and managing a Local Area Network. For more information call (800) 345-8016 or (212) 826-1260. Water Quality Management of Landfills. Chicago, IL. July 15-19,1990. Sponsored by the Water Pollution Control Federation. The conference will include aspects of solid and hazardous waste and water quality issues with emphasis on the impact to groundwater and surface water from landfills, and related water treatment and management issues. For more information contact WPCF Specialty Conferences, 601 Wythe Street, Alexandria, VA. The Status of Municipal Sludge Management for the 1990's. New Orleans, LA. December 2-5,1990. Sponsored by the Water Pollution Control Federation. The conference will analyze regulations on sludge disposal proposed by the EPA in 1989, provide a forum for the latest results from a national sludge monitoring program launched by the EPA, and look at changing standards for sludge treatment, disposal, and reuse. It will also look at innovative developments in the treatment od sludges. For more information contact WPCF Specialty Conferences, 601 Wythe Street, Alexandria, VA. THE INFORMATION BROKER JUNE 1990 Page 15 ------- HEADQUARTERS LIBRARY STAFF Head Librarian/Coordinator Head Reference Librarian Reference'Librarian Reference Librarian/HW Reference Librarian/Water IRM Collection Librarian Head Technical Services Librarian Interlibrary Loan Librarian Cataloging Librarian Head Librarian/INFOTERRA Reference Librarian /INFOTERRA Mary Hoffman Anne Twitchell Sigrid N. Smith Liliana Puzick Stephen Mitchell Sharon Geiger Melissa Skorupka Leida Torres Gretl Cox John Butsch Mary Stevanus For a Library tour (Wednesday 9:00-9:30) and database information call 382-5922 or send an E-Mail inquiry to EPA3738. Call 475-7751 for information about th^'Public Information Center (PIC). ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS ARE WORLDWIDE THE INFORMATION BROKER JUNE 1990 Page 16 ------- |