THE INFORMATION
BROKER
EPA Headquarters Library (PM 211 A)
WSM2904
202-382-5922
A UGUST HIGHLIGHTS
ACCESS TO REGULATIONS
The full-text versions of several important federal regulations are accessible
via several online systems. The Federal Acquisitions Regulations are
available, as are the Code of Federal Regulations, the Cost Accounting
System and the Federal Information Resource Management Regulations.
HQ RECORDS SUPPORT CENTER
The National Records Management Program (NRMP) has opened another
access point to facilitate access to records management information and
services. The new Records Management HQ Support Center is located in
the Headquarters Library at Waterside Mall. The Support Center is the first
point of contact for Headquarters staff with a records management problem.
The Support Center provides copies of records management publications
and guidance documents, information and assistance in retiring records to
Federal Records Centers, assistance with records disposition questions, and
a general overview of NRMP services. The Support Center will refer anyone
with specialized records management needs to the appropriate NRMP staff
for further assistance. The^Support Center is staffed by Greg Hendrix, who can
be contacted on 202-^75-7272 (Mail Code PM-211D). The National Records *
Management Program is part of the Information Management and Services
Division of OIRM.
NEW MANAGEMENT BIBLIOGRAPHY
Public Policy Mechanisms: Non-Regulatory Options for Environmental
Protection, the latest in the Library's management bibliography series,
is now available. Contact the Library staff for your copy.
This month's Centerfold, prepared by
the Office of Human Resources
Management, is on Cultural Diversity
THE INFORMATION BROKER AUGUST 1991
Printed on Recycled Paper
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PAGE TWO
EPA INFORMATION SYSTEMS INVENTORY (ISI)
EPA's Information Systems Inventory (ISI) contains information on roughly 500 of the agency's current
information systems as well as some models and data bases. It is the definitive source of summary information
about EPA systems. The ISI was developed to enhance the Agency's ability to track major information systems
and share information across media and program boundaries. Also, Federal regulations and oversight agencies
require that an inventory of Agency systems be maintained, so the ISI serves to:
Increase users' awareness of existing Agency information systems,
Reduce duplicative information system development and data collection efforts,
Improve EPA's coordination of information system development, and
Provide EPA with the ability to effectively respond to information requests about Agency
information systems.
The ISI database and documentation is updated annually and maintained by the Information Management
and Services Division of the Office of Information Resources Management. For each system in the inventory, the
following information is collected and maintained: system name and acronym, system level, responsible
organization, contact person, legislative authorities, database descriptors, access information, hardware and
software, system abstract, and key words.
The ISI is available in hardcopy and automated forms in the EPA Headquarters and Regional libraries
and through the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). The automated version of the ISI is available in a
microcomputer-based form which lets you search through the database rapidly and selectively. The copy can be
installed on any IBM PC-compatible computer. In addition, a Macintosh prototype version of the ISI is also
available in HyperCard. A diskette copy of the ISI database and search programs can be obtained by EPA staff
upon request. EPA staff may receive copies of the automated or hardcopy ISI by submitting a request to the
address at the bottom of this page. Contractors and other parties interested in obtaining a copy of the ISI
database and software may contact the National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Road,
Springfield, VA 22161, to purchase the system and documentation. The NTIS order phone numbers are
1-800-336-4700 or (703) 487-4650. The publicatio i numbers and estimated prices for the items available are as
follows:
Hardcopy of ISI (PB 91-172940) — $31
ISI Personal Computer Version including User's Guide (PB 91 -507558) — $80
ISI Macintosh Prototype Version including User's Guide (PB 91 -507566) — $80
PC Version User's Guide (PB 91-172957) — $17
Macintosh Prototype Version User's Guide (PB 91 -175950) — $15
The current ISI database contains the best available summary information on EPA information systems.
The dynamic nature of the information, however, means that the ISI can capture only a static picture of the
Agency's collection of information systems. Updates to the ISI are always welcomed and encouraged. If you are
aware of an Agency system, database, or model that should be added to the ISI, or if you have changes to make
to a current system entry, you should forward them to:
ISI Update
Information Management & Services Division (PM-211D)
Office of Information Resources Management
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
THE INFORMATION BROKER AUGUST 1991
PAGE 2
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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 Circulation Desk; books are
on the New Books shelves.
Library tours are given every Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. For database
information call 202-382-5921 or send Email inquiries to EPA 3738.
AIR & RADIATION
Bigelow, Mark L. How Can the Building Professions Best Obtain Information and Training On
Indoor Air? Washington, DC: Office of the Administrator, USEPA, January 1991.
EPAX 9107-0014
"Bioaerosols Can Cause 'Very, Very Serious Building-Related Illnesses."' Indodr Pollution
News. Vol. 4, No. 12, June 27,1991. pp. 4-5.
Cadle, Steven H., et al. [includes Kenneth T. Knapp, Atmospheric Research and Exposure
Assessment Laboratory, USEPA1 "CRC-APRAC Vehicle Emissions Modeling Workshop."
Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association. Vol. 41, No. 6, June 1991.
pp. 817-820. fir*
Chang, Tai Y., et al. "Alternative Transportation Fuels and Air Quality." Environmental
Science & Technology. Vol. 25, No. 7, July 1991. pp. 1190-1192,1194-1197.
Cherimisinoff, Paul N. "Air Pollution Control and Management." PollutioJfEngineering.
Vol. 23, No. 6, June 1991. pp. 54-59. <
Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 Summary Materials. Washington, DC: Office of Air and
Radiation, USEPA, November 1990. EPAX 9104-0039
"ETS Kills 53,000, Mostly From Heart Disease, EPA-Sponsored Study Says." [environmental
tobacco smoke] Indoor Pollution News. Vol. 4, No. 2, June 27,1991. p. 6.
Cr ' A
Kraus, Jennifer L. "Ozone - The Problem and the Solution." Pollution Engineering. Vol. 23,
No. 6, June 1991. pp. 62-63. ^
Musselman, Robert C.; Fox, Douglas G. "A Review of the Role of Temperate Forests in the
Global COa Balance." Journal of the Air & V^pste Management Association. Vol. 41, No. 6,
June 1991. pp. 798-807.
National Air Pollutant Emission Estimates 1940 -1989. Research Triangle Park, NC: Office of
Air Quality Planning and Standards, USEPA, March 1991. EPAX 9104-0003
Parkinson, Gerald. "Catalysts and Clean Air." C/iemfcp/ Engineering. Vol. 98, No. 7,
July 1991. pp. 37,39,41,43. ^
THE INFORMATION BROKER AUGUST 1991
PAGE 3
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Public Health Foundation. Directory of State Indoor Air Contacts. Washington, DC: Office of
Air and Radiation, USEPA, February 1991. REF EPAX 9106-0031
Rauber, Paul. "O Say, Can You See?" [smog] S^fra. Vol. 76, No. 4, July/August 1991.
pp. 24,26,28-29. f-
Rotman, David. "HCFC-123 Hits a Snag in Toxicology Tests." Cherpfcalweek. Vol. 148,
No. 25, July 3/10,1991. p. 10. C/^
Source Receptor Branch. Guidance on the Application of Refined Dispersion Models for Air
Toxics Releases. Research Triangle Park, NC: Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards,
March 1991. EPAX 9106-0013
"Special Report - Se
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INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
Note: To better meet the information needs of EPA staff, the Library has a special collection on
Information Resources Management. For more information contact Sharon Geiger at
703-883-5170.
Casatelli, Christine. "Agencies Harness Smart-Card Power." Government Executive. Vol. 23,
No. 7, July 1991. pp. 46-47,49. ^
Desmarais, Norman, comp. CD-ROMs in Print 1991: An International Guide. Westport, CT:
Meckler Publishing, 1 991 . REF TK7882.C56 C34 1 991
Dyson, Esther. The Power of Scripting." [ability of applications to talk to each other] Forbes.
Vol. 148, No. 2, July 22, 1991. p. 297. A-
Green, John A.S.; Brupbacher, John; Goldheim, David. "Strategic Partnering Aids Technology
Transfer." Research Technology Ivmhagement. Vol. 34, No. 4, July/August 1991.
pp. 26-31. ^
Holderness, Mike. "Share and Share But Not Alike." [shareware] New Scientist Vol. 1 31 ,
No. 1776, July 6, 1991. p. 51. C~
Humphrey, Watts S. CASE Planning and the Software Process, [computer-aided software
engineering] Pittsburgh, PA: Carnegie-Mellon University, 1989. IRM QA76.758 H86
Information Systems Inventory (ISI). Washington, DC: Administration and Resources
Management, USEPA, May 1991. REF EPAX 9003-0041 1991
Kakaviatos, Panos. "Glenn, Nupn Bills Wrestle Over OIRA." [Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs] Federal Computer Week. Vol. 20, No. 5, July 15, 1991. pp. 16,38.
Marsan, Carolyn Duffy. "Interior, EPA Awards Put DG in the Race." [Data General] Fed&fal
Computer Week. Vol. 20, No. 5, July 15, 1991. pp. 30,35. . L
Newman, Alan R. "User-Friendly Computer Programs for Agriculture." Environmental Science
& Technology. Vol. 25, No. 7, July 1991. pp. 1198-1201. t!
\s
Power, Kevin. "Agencies Pool Resources by Using Bulletin Boards." Government Computer
News. Vol. 10, No. 12, June 10, 1991. p. 82. c<
Rappaport, Andrew S.; Halevi, Shmeul. The Computerless Computer Company." Harvard
Business Riew. Vol. 69, No. 4, July- August 1991. pp. 69-80.
Ryan, James. "LIMS Aid Environmental Labs." [laboratory information management systems]
R&DMagazMe. Vol. 3, No. 8, July 1991. pp. 59-60.
(F
"A Screen With Many Rooms." Economist. Vol. 320, No. 7713, June 29, 1991. pp. 72-73.
THE INFORMATION BROKER AUGUST 1991
PAGES
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Sprehe, J. Timothy/]"Federal Government and States Work Toward Better IRM Partnership."
Federal ComputerWeek. Vol. 20, No. 5, July 15,1991.
INTERNATIONAL COLLECTION
Note: The Library has a collection of books, reports, laws and statistics related to international
issues. For more information contact John Butsch at 202-382-5917.
Aim, Alvin L. "Can Eastern Europe Clean Up?" EnvironmentanScience & Technology.
Vol. 25, No. 7, July 1991. p. 1211. ^
Anderson, Christopher. "EC Putting Bite in its Green Bark. Nature. Vol. 352, No. 6332,
July 11,1991. p. 182. (h
Bonalume, Ricardo. "The Greening of Collor." [Brazilian Pres. Fernando Collor] Nature.
Vol. 352, No. 6330, July 4, 1991. p. 6. C\_
Bouverie, Jasper. "Recycling in Cairo: A Tale of Rags to Riches." New Scientist. Vol. 130,
No. 1775, June 29,1991. pp. 52-55. 6\
Canby, Thomas Y. "After the Storm." [environmental plight of Kuwait] NationaUSeographic.
Vol. 180, No. 2, August 1991. pp. 2-33. ^~
Chynoweth, Emma. "CEFIC Highlights Environment and Central Europe Issues." [European
Chemical Industry Council] Chemjcalweek. Vol. 148, No. 25, July 3/10,1991. p. 13. 0
1 ,•/
Clayson, Alison. "The State of the Environment: A Report Card for OECD Countries." Ambio.
Vol. 20, Nos. 3-4, May 1991. pp. 163-164. l ^
Crane, George. "Japan's Valdez Society." Japan Environment Monitor. Vol. 4, No. 3,
June 1991. p. 10. (f- A
Cross, Michael. "Antarctica: Exploration or Exploitation?" New,
June 22,1991. pp. 29-32.
entist. Vol. 130, No. 1774,
"Drilled Full of Holes." [oil-drilling in the Amazon] Ecorfojnist. Vol. 320, No. 7714, July 6,
1991. p. 44. >-
El-Rehaili, Abdullah M. "Reverse Osmosis Applications in Saudi Arabia." Joumafbfthe
American Water Works Association. Vol. 83, No. 6, June 1991. pp. 72-79. fl"
Fishman, J., et al. "Identification of Widespread Pollution in the Southern Hemisphere
Deduced from Satellite Analyses." Science. Vol. 252, No. 5013, June 21,1991.
pp. 1693-1696.
.. •
"Green Police or Green Policies." [editorial] NewSentist. Vo! 131, No. 1776, July 6,1991.
p. 11. Q-
THE INFORMATION BROKER AUGUST 1991
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Hoffman, William C. "Strict Pollution Liability Under Germany's New Environmental Liability
Act." Environmental dlaims Journal. Vol. 3, No. 4, Summer 1991. pp. 487-501.
Horta, Korinna. "The Last Big Rush for the Green Gold: The Plundering of Cameroon's
Rainforests." EcoloMst. Vol. 21, No. 3, May/June 1991. pp. 142-147.
Kawamura, Susunro; Trussell, R. Rhodes. "Main Features of Large Water Treatment Plants in
Japan." Journal of the Ameri^n Water Works Association. Vol. 83, No. 6, June 1991.
pp. 56-62. ffi
>
Miller, Stanton. "1992 Earth Summit in Rio." Environmental Science & Technology. Vol. 25,
No. 7, July 1991. pp. 1202-1203.
Schnell, R.C. "Decrease of Summer Troposheric Ozone Concentrations in Antarctica."
Natijre. Vol. 351, No. 6329, June 27,1991. pp. 726-729.
(r n
Vavrousek, Josef. "Europe Must Unite on Environmental Issues." Nevy Scientist. Vol. 131,
No. 1776, July 6,1991. p. 12. ( *
MANAGEMENT
Note: The Library has a special collection of management books, journals, audiotapes and
videotapes. For more information contact Andrew McMullen at 202-2524748.
Abramson, Mark A.; Scanlon, John W. "The Five Dimensions of Leadership." Government
Executive. Vol. 23, No. 7, July 1991. pp. 20-22,25.
"The Boundaries of Business: Commentaries from the Experts." [world leadership survey]
Harvard Business Review. Vol. 69, No. 4, July-August 1991. pp. 127-140.
Dillon, George C. 'The Prospect of Competitive Ethics: Good Ethics is Good Business."
Vital Speeches of the Day. Vol. 57, No. 17, June 15,1991. pp. 526-529.
Gentile, Mary C. "The Case of the Unequal Opportunity." Harvard Business Review. Vol. 69,
No. 4, July-August 1991. pp. 14-16,18-25.
Hiring Disabled Workers: A Guide for Managers and Supervisors Who Wish to Add Valuable
Employees to the Workforce." Research Triangle Park, NC: Office of Administration and
Resources Management, USEPA, March 1991. MGMT EPAX 9106-0022
Jacobson, Todd D. "'Open Door1 Prevents Discrimination Complaints." Government
Executive. Vol. 23, No. 7, July 1991. p. 50.
McDonough, William J. "Better Government Requires Better People Management."
Bureaucrat. Vol. 20, No. 2, Summer 1991. pp. 3-4.
THE INFORMATION BROKER AUGUST 1991
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FOCUS ON - Managing Cultural Diversity
Managing Cultural Diversity
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
The VS. Environmental Protection
Agency has launched a comprehensive initiative
to address cultural diversity as a management
priority. Cultural diversity is defined as a
process of increasing our awareness,
;provi<
these
e a richness with which EPA
can enhance its organizational capacity. To
spearhead this initiative, the Deputy
Administrator established a Cultural Diversity
Task Force. The Deputy Administrator directed
the Task Force to conduct an assessment of
diversity issues and develop recommendations
and strategies to position EPA to meet the
Workforce 2000 challenges.
The Task Force was staffed, organized.
and became fully operational in July 1990. The
Task Force is organized into four work groups.
These work groups include the Best Practices
Work Group, The Data Work Group, The Survey
Work Group, and the Employee Survey Work •
Group.
The first progress report for the Deputy
Administrator was presented in October 1990.
That report summarized the inaugural activities
of the Task Force and described the study
methodology, approach and operating
procedures adopted by the Task Force. The Task
Force recently prepared its second progress
report and it summarizes the Task Force's
activities and accomplishments since October
1990. It includes a discussion of lessons learned
from our "best practices*' research.
The Task Force meets monthly, generally
for about two hours. Work groups meet more
frequently at the call of the work group leaders.
Attendance at all sessions has remained very
high, ranging from 75% to 90% participation. On
June 12-13,41 of the 44 Task Force members and
alternates attended a two-day intensive training
workshop on diversity. This workshop •was
designed^ to increase awareness and
understanding of diversity and to help the Task
Force plan its communications outreach to the
restofEPA.
After several months of research,
fact-finding, and conferring, the Task Force has
produced some very interesting results in all
areas of the study. However this article will
focus only on the "Best Practices" survey results.
S
Its
As a part of the Agency's Cultural
Diversity Study, the 'Best Practices' Work
Group was created to research and benchmark
diversity practices in the private sector and other
federal agencies. Through an extensive
literature search and a structured interview
ess, the Work Group concentrated on
sons for
h.
b»
cc
st
rc
organizational reasons for addressing diversity.
The research focused on the bask: elements of a
diversity program, methodologies used for
development implementation, and
progr
overall program was briefed
by five federal agencies on their diversity
initiatives, including the Central Intelligence
Agency, the Internal Revenue Service,
Department of Labor, Department of
Transportation, and the United States Army.
The group visited four private corporations
inducing the Digital Computer Corporation, the
Washington Post, Duponi, and Proctor &
Gamble. In addition, members of the group
reviewed documentation and had discussions
with officials from Hughes Aircraft Company,
Coming, and Avon.
Fmdipgp fp Brief
Generally, the organizations we surveyed
decided to address cultural diversity to improve
their capability to:
• Address employee complaints about human
resources issues (perceived inequities with
awards, promotions, training, etc.).
• Prepare to address the organizational
concerns related to the Workforce 2000
predictions.
til
CM
-------
J» Address business goals in an increasingly
" diverse market (Le, minority and women
' >yees on the staff may be better able to
with minoritv and women customers).
Through our benchmarking efforts, we
lave drawn a number of conclusions on how
>est to incorporate cultural diversity into a
omprehereave organizational effectiveness
trategyatEPA;
• A high degree of involvement and
commitment is necessary from our senior
managers;
• Acquire new <:loB«: and an enhanced level of
awareness, a learning process that will
require an integration of training and
development at afl organizational levels and
for aH employees;
• Integrate diversify factors into the overall
review and revamping of Agency human
resources poBdes
practices;
edures which
• Articulate practices, and pr
outline specific programs, goals,
expectations, and methods of accountabOiry.
Private and pobBc organizations have
tsed a variety of technioues to help implement
he diversity initiative within their
>rganizations. The most common included:
attract qualified minorities and women;
A mentoring program to help employ
grow bv developing a formal support
network;
Core groups
groups of err
or attitudes
individuals or
on needs, feelings
• Performance management criteria to reward
managers for efforts in advancing diversity
within the organization;
• Comprehensive training strategies to
address diversity in the work place.
The Diversity and Total Quality initiatives
have been combined in several of the
organizations surveyed. Their rationale, which
is very much in line with the EPA strategy, is
that continuous review and improvement of
work processes can be significantly enhanced by
inclusion of employees with diverse
backgrounds and capabilities.
Organizations that are recognized as
leaders in managing diversity have incorporated
a comprehensive communications strategy as
part of their effort. They are careful to use every
opportunity to advance the concept of diversity
in ate work place.
Members of the Best Practices Work
Group include:
Hector Suarez, Group Leader
Tyrone Aiken
Richard Bashar
Darlene Cockfield
Ronald Blakely
Gangadhar Kori
BobKnox
Kathleen O'Malley
Barbara Ostrow
Eduardo S. Rodela
Carolyn Scott
The Best Practices Work Group Report is
part of the Agency's overall needs assessment
phase, which •will be followed by Cultural
Diversity program recommendations and
strategies. Future Information Broker centerfolds
will address other aspects of the Cultural
Diversity initiative.
Prepared by the Office of Human
Resources Management
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McKinney, William R.; Collins, Jr., John R. "The Impact on Utility, Race, and Gender Using
Three Standard Methods of Scoring Selection Examinations." Public Personnel Management
Vol. 20, No. 2, Summer 1991. pp. 145-169. -' *"
Newman, Constance Berry. "Good Government Needs Good People." Bureaucrat. Vol. 20,
No. 2, Summer 1991. pp. 6-10.
Paul, James R. "The Entrepreneurial Executive." Vital Speeches of the Day. Vol. 57,
No. 17, June 15,1991., pp. 524-526.
The Quality Course. Washington, DC: Office of Human Resources Management, USEPA,
May 1991. MGMT EPAX 9106-0023.
Skinner, Samuel K. "Workforce Diversity." Bureaucrat. Vol. 20, No. 2, Summer 1991.
pp. 29-31.
Strolle, Alfred. "Creating a Total Quality Management Culture is Everyone's Business."
Research Technology Management. Vol. 34, No. 4, July/August 1991. pp. 8-9.
Veres, III, John G.; Green, Samuel B.; Boyles, Wiley R. "Racial Differences on Job Analysis
Questionnaires: An Empirical Study." Public Personnel Management. Vol. 20, No. 2,
Summer 1991. pp. 135-144.
Wolf, Dona. "Revitalizing Federal Training and Development." Bureaucrat Vol. 20, No. 2,
Summer 1991. pp. 19-22.
Wooldridge, Blue; Wester, Jennifer. 'The Turbulent Environment of Public Personnel
Administration: Responding to the Challenge of the Changing Workplace of the Twenty-First
Century." Public Personnel Management Vol. 20, No. 2, Summer 1991. pp. 207-224.
PESTICIDES & TOXIC SUBSTANCES
Begley, Ronald. "Pesticides Debate Lingers." Chemicalweek. Vol. 148, No. 25, July 30,
1991. p. 15.
Bello, Mark. "Lower Lead Limits Eyed for Food Additives." National Research Council
NewsReport. Vol. 41, No. 6, June-July 1991. pp. 14-16.-
Conniff, Richard. "Why Catfish Farmers Want to Throttle the Crow of the Sea." [PCBs]
Smithsonian. Vol. 22, No. 4, July 1991. pp. 44-50,52,54-55.
Hanson, David. "Bill to Expand Toxic Chemicals Inventory in Works." Chemical & Engineering
News. Vol. 69, No. 28, July 15,1991. p. 28.
Hicks, Craig. "Keeping Tabs on Exposure to Environmental Chemicals." National Research
Council NewsReport. Vol. 41, No. 6, June/July 1991. pp. 19-20.
THE INFORMATION BROKER AUGUST 1991
PAGE 10
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Hochberg, Michael E.;Waage, Jeffrey K. "Control Engineering." [biopesticides] Nature.
Vol. 352, No. 6330, July 4,1991. pp. 16-17.
Long, Janice. "High Court Allows Local Regulation of Pesticides." Chemical & Engineering
News. Vol. 69, No. 26, July 1,1991. p. 6.
Pesticide Registration Progress Report. Washington, DC: Office of Pesticides and Toxic
Substances, USEPA, May 1991. EPAX 9106-0015
Stewart, Lorna M.D., et al. "Construction of an Improved Baculovirus insecticide containing an
Insect-Specific Toxin Gene." Nature. Vol. 352, No. 6330, July 4,1991. pp. 85-88.
Tomalski, Michael D.; Miller Lois K. "Insect Paralysis by Baculovirus-Mediated Expression of a
Mite Neurotoxin Gene." Nature. Vol. 352, No. 6330, July 4,1991. pp. 82-85.
Waldman, Steven. "Lead and Your Kids." Newsweek. Vol. 118, No. 3, July 15,1991.
pp. 42-48.
POLLUTION PREVENTION & SOLID WASTE
Note: The Library has materials covering all aspects of pollution prevention and solid waste.
For more information contact the Library at 202-382-5922.
Davis, Phillip A. "House Passes Act to Push Federal Waste Cleaup." Congressional Quarterly
Weekly Report. Vol. 49, No. 26, June 29,1991. p. 1749.
Ember, Lois R. "Strategies for Reducing Pollution at the Source are Gaining Ground."
Chemical & Engineering News. Vol. 69, No. 27, July 8,1991. pp. 7-16.
Grassy, John. "The Waste Oil Monster." Garbage. Vol. 3, No. 4, July/August 1991.
pp. 34-37.
Hamilton, Joan O'C.; Smith, Geoffrey. "Making Clean Energy Sweeter to Utilities." Business
Week. No. 3222, July 15,1991. p. 136H.
Kiesche, Elizabeth S. "Recycling is Far From Being Old Hat." Chemicalweek. Vol. 148,
No. 25, July 3/10,1991. p. 17.
Miller, Peter. "Our Electric Future." National Geographic. Vol. 180, No. 2, August 1991.
pp. 60-89.
Municipal Waste Combustion: Background Information for Materials Separation. Research
Triangle Park, NC: Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, USEPA, January 1991.
EPAX 9106-0036
Reisch, Marc. "Independent Waste Recycler Sees Growth in Plastics." Chemical &
Engineering News. Vol. 69, No. 27, July 8,1991. pp. 23-24.
THE INFORMATION BROKER AUGUST 1991
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Scagnelli, John M. "Uniform State Policy Would Aid Pollution Prevention." Pollution
Engineering. Vol. 23, No. 6, June 1991. pp. 66-70.
Shapiro, Barry; Bennett, Leslie R. "Interstate Waste Transportation Rules May Change."
Pollution Engineering. Vol. 23, No. 6, June 1991. pp. 86-90.
WATER
Note: The Library has a special collection concerning water resources. For more information
contact Mary Beth Weaver at 202-474-7757.
Literature Review. Research Journal of The Water Pollution Control Federation. Vol. 63,
No. 4, June 1991. This issue presents a literature review covering 48 separate review topics
and it includes a treasury of nearly 6,000 citations, many of which are annotated. The topical
reviews are grouped in six major areas under the headings of Administration, Chemical
Analysis, Wastewater Treatment, Industrial Wastes, Hazardous Wastes, and Fate and Effects
of Pollutants.
"'Action Level' Set by EPA for Lead in Drinking Water." Indoor Pollution News. Vol. 4,
No. 12, June 27,1991. p. 3.
Alexander, M., et al. Movement of Bacteria Through Soil and Aquifer Sand. (Project
Summary). Ada, OK: Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory, USEPA, June 1991.
(EPA/600/S2-91/010)
Bertino, Dorothy J.; Zepp, Richard G. [both from Environmental Research Laboratory, USEPA]
"Effects of Solar Radiation on Manganese Oxide .Reactions with Selected Organic
Compounds." Environmental Science & Technology. Vol. 25, No. 7, July 1991.
pp. 1267-1272.
Hayase, Kohji; Zepp, Richard G. [both from Environmental Research Laboratory, USEPA]
"Photolysis of Copper (II) - Amino Acid Complexes in Water." Environmental Science &
Technology. Vol. 25, No. 7, July 1991. pp. 1273-1279.
Hutchins, S.R., et al. Nitrate for Biorestoration of an Aquifer Contaminated with Jet Fuel.
(Project Summary). Ada, OK: Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory, USEPA,
April 1991. (EPA/6007S2-91/009)
Keeler, Robert. "Bioremediation: Healing the Environment Naturally." R&D Magazine.
Vol. 33, No. 6, July 1991. pp. 34-36,38,40.
Klemm, Donald J.; Lobring, Larry B.; Horning, II, William H. Manual for the Evaluation of
Laboratories Performing Aquatic Toxicity Tests. Cincinnati, OH: Environmental Monitoring
Systems Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, USEPA, January 1991.
EPAX 9106-0006
THE INFORMATION BROKER AUGUST 1991
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Lindstrom, FT., et al. Denitrification in Nonhomogeneous Laboratory Scale Aquifers: 4.
Hydraulics, Nitrogen Chemistry, and Microbiology in a Single Layer. (Project Summary).
Ada, OK: Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory, USEPA, May 1991.
(EPA/600/S2-91/014)
Merriman, Kristin. "War on Wetlands." Outdoor America. Vol. 56, No. 3, Summer 1991.
pp. 22-24.
"Regulatory Limit for Radon in Drinking Water Proposed by EPA." Indoor Pollution News.
Vol. 4, No. 12, June 27, 1991. p. 3.
Wiegner, Kathleen K. "Toxins, Toxins Everywhere." [contaminated groundwater] Forbes.
Vol. 148, No. 2, July 22, 1991. p. 298.
GENERAL
Courrier, Kathleen. "Visionaries & Cassandras." Sierra. Vol. 76, No. 4, July/August 1991.
pp. 51-56,69-70. An overview of the environmental movement's most notable books of the
past 30 years. Included in the list are textbooks, meditative essays, technical studies, nature
writing, fiction and government and think tank reports. All of the writings, from Fairfield
Osborn's Our Plundered Earth in 1948 to 199Ts Confessions of an Eco-Warriorby Dave
Foreman, share a combination of originality, timeliness, clarity, breadth, and vision. Several of
books listed are available in the Headquarters Library.
Ainsworth, Susan. "Industrialists Laud Own Environmental Efforts." Chemical & Engineering
News. Vol. 69, No. 26, July 1,1991. p. 35
"American Diversity." American Demographics Desk Reference, No. 1. Vol. 13, No. 7,
July 1991. [supplement] pp. 1,3,4-8,10,14-16,18,20-22,24.
Buckley, Ralf C. "How Accurate Are Environmental Impact Predictions?" Ambio. Vol. 20,
Nos. 3-4, May 1991.
Budiansky, Stephen. "Sawdust and Mirrors." [Forest Service's costly bookkeeping]
U. S. News & World Report. Vol. 111, No. 1, July 1,1991. pp. 55-57.
Caudron, Shari. "Clear the Air." [environmental training at USS Clairton Works] Personnel
Journal. Vol. 70, No. 7, July 1991. pp. 26-28.
Committee on Animals as Monitors of Environmental Hazards, et al. Animals as Sentinels of
Environmental Health Hazards. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1991. RA119.4
A54N371991
Cross-Cutting Environmental Laws: A Guide for Federal/State Project Officers. Washington,
DC: Office of Federal Activities, USEPA, January 1991. EPAX 9107-0019
THE INFORMATION BROKER AUGUST 1991
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Enforcement Four-Year Strategic Plan: Enhanced Environmental Enforcement for the 1990's.
Washington, DC: Office of Enforcement, USEPA, February 1991. EPAX 9107-0017
Environmental Stewardship: EPA's First Two Years in the Bush Administration. Washington,
DC: Office of Communications and Public Affairs, USEPA, May 1991. EPAX 9106-0024
Finkel, Adam M. "Overview: Risk Reduction Policy." [commentary] Environment Vol. 33,
No. 5, June 1991. pp. 2-4.
Kellner, Mark A. "The Telephone Circus." [FTS 2000 system] Government Executive.
Vol. 23, No. 7, July 1991. pp. 34-37,40.
Kleiner, Art. "What Does it Mean to Be Green?" Harvard Business Review. Vol. 69, No. 4,
July-August 1991. pp. 38-42,44,46-47.
Lukaszewski, James E. "It Ain't Easy Being Green." Vital Speeches of the Day. Vol. 57,
No. 17, June 15,1991. pp. 532-535.
MacManus, Susan A. "Why Businesses are Reluctant to Sell to Governments." Public
Administration Review. Vol. 51, No. 4, July/August 1991. pp. 328-344.
f
Office of the Inspector General Semiannual Report to the Congress: October 1, 1990 Through
March 31, 1991. Washington, DC: Office of the Inspector General, USEPA, May 1991.
EPAX 8707-0007
Ratajski, Magda A. "Ethical Choices." Vital Speeches of the Day. Vol. 57, No. 7,
June 15,1991. pp. 529-531.
Regens, James L "Measuring Environmental Benefits with Contingent Markets." Public
Administration Review. Vol. 51, No. 4, July/August 1991. pp. 345-352.
Reilly, William K. "Enterprise for the Americas." [speech at Debt-for Nature Conference]
Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association. Vol. 41, No. 6, June 1991.
pp. 794-795.
Report And Recommendations Of The Technology Innovation And Economics Committee
Permitting And Compliance Policy: Barriers To U.S. Environmental Technology Innovation.
Washington, DC: Office of the Administrator, USEPA, January 1991. EPAX 9106-0027
Responsible Care Special Issue. Chemicalweek. Vol. 148, No. 26, July 17,1991.
U.S. Industrial Directory. [1991 edition] Stamford, CT: Cahners Publishing Co., 1991.
REFT12.U57
Yearley, Steven. "Greens and Science: A Doomed Affair?" New Scientist. Vol. 131,
No. 1777. pp. 37-40.
THE INFORMATION BROKER AUGUST 1991
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QUESTION OF THE MONTH
QUESTION: What is "economic valuation" of visibility?
ANSWER: Visibility is the ability to see clearly over a broad area, such as the view over the
Grand Canyon or the mountains surrounding the Los Angeles basin. The concept that such
visibility has an economic value is not new. A great deal of literature was written on this issue
in the early 1980's in response to the passage of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977.
However, the value of visibility and its benefits are difficult to balance against the costs of
controlling pollution. Visibility has an aesthetic value that is intangible and the effort of
ascribing to it an economic or tangible value is difficult. Issues needing to be dealt with when
attempting to do this include the importance of the geographic locations where visibility should
be protected; the level of visibility to be protected; and the procedures to be used in protecting
visibility.
Several methodologies have been developed to use in estimating the value of visibility.
One of these methodologies is the use of surveys. People have been asked how much they
are willing to pay per month to protect visibility. If a surcharge were to be added to their utility
bills to cover the cost of equipment needed to lower the pollution and improve visibility, what is
the maximum they would be willing to pay? People have also been asked how they think they
would behave if a proposed visibility change were to occur under various hypothetical
situations. What would they be willing to pay to achieve or prevent this hypothetical change?
If this proposed change would improve/diminish visibility at a given recreation area, would they
alter their vacation plans? Other questions asked have dealt with real property values. Are
people willing to pay more for property with better visibility and air quality than another prop-
erty, the same in all other respects but with lower visibility and air quality? According to the
EPA publication "Visibility Benefits Assessment Guidebook: Executive Summary,"the results
of these surveys indicate overwhelmingly that people place a substantial value on visibility
aesthetics. The results of these surveys indicate that visibility benefits can be quantified and
that these results are significant enough to influence benefit-cost analyses of air pollution
controls.
In keeping with the benefit-cost analyses, utility companies in New York and California
have been required to include an "adder" charge on consumers' utility bills. This extra charge
is a hypothetical number that reflects the cost of cleaning up the pollution, or reduced visibility,
caused by the fuel used in generating power. It is an attempt to educate the consumer as to
what the "real" cost of the fuel is. The cleaner the fuel, the lower the "adder." In New York, if
this calculation favors a cleaner fuel, the utility must use the cleaner fuel, but it may also raise
its rates to cover the higher cost of the cleaner fuel. The problems with the "adder" concept is
determining not only the cost of cleaning up the visible pollution, but the actual cost of the
pollution to the environment. Harvard economist Robert N. Stavins argues that the "adder"
charge should include health damage such as headaches or asthma attacks. He would also
include damage to buildings from acid rain. The right adder will be difficult to determine and
will be different in each area of the country.
SOURCES CONSULTED
Hamilton, Joan O'C. "Making Clean Energy Sweeter to Utilities." Business Week. No. 3222, July 15,1991.
Repetto, Robert. 'The Economics of Visibility Protection: On a Clear Day You Can See a Policy." Natural Resources Journal.
Vol. 21, No. 2, April 1981.
Rowe, Robert D. "An Experiment on the Economic Value of Visibility." Journal of Environmental Economics and
Management. Vol. 7, No. 1, March 1980.
Visibility Benefits Assessment Guidebook Executive Summary. Research Triangle Park: Office of Air Quality Planning and
Standards, USEPA, 1981. (EPA 450/5-81/002)
THE INFORMATION BROKER AUGUST 1991
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WHATS HAPPENING
The following is a selection of conferences on environmental topics. The Headquarters Library
maintains a collection of notices. For more information on these conferences contact the
Library at 202-382-5922.
The Soviet Union/U.S. Connection. Meadowlands, NJ, September 29-October 2,1991.
Sponsored by Chemicalweek and H-R International, this conference will give you the
opportunity to assess technology developments in the USSR. For more information, contact:
Carmen Lopez, Chemicalweek, 810 Seventh Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10019 or call
her at (212) 586-3430 or Fax (212) 586-3218 or (202) 586-3147.
The Clean Water Act Reauthorization Conference. Arlington, VA, October 29-31,1991.
Presented by Inside EPA. The issue of wetlands will be a dominant theme at this conference
featuring 32 speakers. For more informatifim-eall: (800) 424-9068 or Fax (703) 685-2606.
1991 Annual Procurement Conference. Denver, CO, November 12-15,1991. Sponsored
by the Office of Administration and Resources Management, USEPA. This year's theme is
"Quality in Contracting: Bringing Out the Best." For more information contact Marilyn Torpey at
(202) 382-5031.
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THE INFORMATION BROKER AUGUST 1991
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