You Can Hel
Teach your friends and family about
preventing pollution ... by your example
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ou can teach your friends, fellow employees, and family by your
example to help prevent pollution.
ne use is not enough. Recycle paper, glass, plastic, aluminum,
scrap metal, motor oil, and yard wastes.
se less energy. Set back your thermostat, insulate your water
heater, and buy energy-efficient appliances.
ars - Buy energy-efficient vehicles and keep them tuned.
Carpool, bike, walk, or use mass transit when possible.
pply pesticides and herbicides carefully if they must be used.
Follow instructions carefully. Use natural control materials when
possible.
oxious air invades our homes and workplaces. Reduce smoke,
radon, asbestos, and other indoor air pollutants.
ousehold hazardous waste - Buy only as much potentially toxic
materials or products as you need. Dispose of remnants and
containers properly.
nvironmental shopping - Buy recycled or recyclable products.
Seek out biodegradable, reusable, or returnable packages.
ead - Be careful around surfaces covered with lead-based paint
and be cautious when children are near renovation or
rehabilitation of old buildings. Carefully draw drinking water.
Recycle auto batteries that contain lead.
lant trees, shrubs, and indoor plants. They replenish the earth's
oxygen supply.
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ou can teach your friends, fellow employees, and family by your
example to help prevent pollution.
Action by Congress and state legislatures, rulings by courts,
pronouncements by important people, or wishing alone cannot clean up the
environment -- or keep it from becoming more polluted.
Individual efforts by everyone can make things happen and win the
battle against pollution.
You are an important person in that battle. Here are suggestions that you
can use to make a difference - through what you do and what others see you
do.
Many people create the unsightly and unsafe litter we see along our
highways and on our streets. The combined effect of many individuals provides
the planted trees, the wildlife habitats, the successful recycling programs, the
low-input agriculture, the clean streams, and the clean parks in other areas.
Individuals working alone or cooperating with their neighbors, with
industry, with government, with nonprofit organizations, and with schools and
colleges are EPA's goal. While EPA's primary role is enforcement, we recognize
the importance of environmental education and active citizen participation.
Let us know what you think of our brochure and how we can help you hetp
us.
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region III
Center for Environmental Learning
841 Chestnut Building
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215)597-9800
Edwin B. Erickson, Regional Administrator
Bonnie J. Smhh, Director, Canter for Environmental Learning
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ne use is not enough. Recycle paper, glass, plastic, aluminum, scrap
metal, motor oil, and yard wastes.
Reuse, repair, and recycle as often as possible. Dont throw away what can be
used again.
Avoid filling quickly disappearing landfills with disposables. Consider using
reusable mugs, glasses, dishes, cloth towels, or sponges.
Save your leaves, grass, and bush clippings to use as compost.
Participate in a recycling program. Encourage your community and your
employer to begin recycling.
Maintain and repair clothes and products. Donate usable clothes and materials
to thrift shops.
For further information:
U.S. EPA, Solid Waste Hotline (800) 424-9364
Consumer Product Safety Commission (800) 638-2772
U.S. EPA, Region III (800) 438-2474
Delaware Natural Resources and Environmental Control (302) 736-3820
Delaware Solid Waste Authority (302) 736-5361
Environmental Defense Fund Recycling Hotline (800) CALL-EDF
Maryland Department of the Environment (301) 631-3315
Maryland Environmental Service (800) 942-9188
Packaging Coalition for Solid Waste (212) 595-9194
Pennsylvania DER Recycling Hotline (800) 346-4242
Virginia Recycling Information (800) KEEP ITT
Virginia Recycling Hotline (800) 552-2075
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se less energy. Set back your thermostat, insulate your water heater,
and buy energy-efficient appliances.
Setting back the thermostat not only saves money, it saves energy. It's an
investment in yourself and your environment.
Insulation also conserves our valuable fuel supply and saves you dollars.
Consider insulating your buildings with fiberglass or cellulose fibers.
per further information:
U.S. Department of Energy (215) 597-3890
EPA Public Information Center (800) 828-4445
Your local utility company
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Cars - Buy energy-efficient vehicles and keep them tuned. Carpool, bike,
walk, or use mass transit when possible.
A well-tuned internal combustion engine makes your car, boat, or tractor safer for
you and the environment.
Carpooling and using mass transit, biking, and walking result in less pollution
being emitted.
Disposal of auto waste is another significant problem. Used oil can contaminate
water supplies; used auto batteries contain lead, lead sulfate, and sulfuric acid which
can leak into soil. Take used oil, batteries, and auto tires to a recycling center or to an
appropriate disposal facility.
For further information:
U.S. Department of Energy (215) 597-3890
Local Chambers of Commerce and local transit-oriented nonprofit
organizations
Your state and local environmental agencies
Your local chapter of the American Lung Association
Maryland Oil Recycling Information (800) 492-9188
Urban Mass Transit Authority
U.S. Department of Transportation
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pply pesticides and herbicides carefully if they must be used. Follow
instructions carefully. Use natural control materials when possible.
Use natural pest control methods whenever possible.
Pesticides and herbicides can pollute air, ground, and water and they harm
benificial insects as well as wildlife, pets, and people. Improperly applied, both can
spread beyond the area in which they are applied and run into local water supplies.
Purchase only the amount needed and follow instructions carefully,
minimize use, and reduce runoff with good grass cover and shrubs.
For further information:
U.S. EPA Office of Pesticides & Toxic Substances
401 M Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20460
Pesticide Telecommunications Network (800) 858-7378
National Pesticide Information Retrieval System (317) 494-6614
Local garden clubs and nature centers
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oxious air invades our homes and workplaces. Reduce smoke, radon,
asbestos, and other indoor air pollutants.
Americans spend more than 85% of their time indoors, so this is one of the most
important areas where you can protect yourself from environmental hazards.
One of the most harmful hazards is radon, a naturally occurring colorless and
odorless gas that seeps into homes through cracks in foundations or floors. It is the
second leading cause of lung cancer - leading to 20,000 deaths a year.
Commercial testing kits are helpful if directions are followed carefully. A reading above
4 picocuries per liter could indicate a problem.
Another indoor air pollutant, tobacco smoke, which causes problems for both
smokers and nonsmokers, further increases one's chances of developing lung cancer
when combined with radon. Formaldehyde in new furniture and carpets, pesticides,
aerosols, household cleaners, and solvents from dry-cleaning are other common indoor
pollutants.
Asbestos is best handled by professionals. It is njpi a do-it-yourself project. If in
doubt about asbestos in your home or work place, check with a professional.
For a general guide to indoor air quality:'
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (202) 382-7400
Office of Air and Radiation
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
For specific information on radon:
Delaware (800) 554-4636 Pennsylvania (800) 23-RADON
Maryland (800) 872-3666 Virginia (800) 468-0138
West Virginia (800) 922-1255
For certified radon contactors: (215)597-8320
For information on cancer-causing chemicals:
National Institutes of Health (800) 422-6237
For information on asbestos:
Delaware New Castle Co. (302) 323-4542, others (302) 763-4791
District of Columbia (202) 767-7370
Maryland (301) 631 -3200
Pennsylvania (215) 875-5678, (717) 783-9486, (412) 578-8141
Virginia (804) 786-5783 or 8009
West Virginia (304) 348-4022
Toxic Substances Control Act Assistance Information Service: (202) 554-1404
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Household hazardous waste - Buy only as much potentially toxic
materials or products as you need. Dispose of remnants and containers
properly.
Be alert to labels. Products or materials that are toxic to people must be labeled
Dangerous, medium toxicity is labeled Warning, and low-toxicity products are labeled
Caution.
Store such products and materials carefully and use them up. If you must throw
them out, check your local community's policy on hazardous waste disposal.
Encourage your local community to institute a hazardous waste disposal plan if one is
not in effect.
For additional information:
U.S. EPA Solid Waste Hotline (800) 424-9346
Maryland Department of the Environment, Household Hazardous Material
Information (301) 631 -3305
Pennsylvania DER Recycling Hotline (800) 346-4242
Your state and local environmental agencies
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nvironmental shopping - Buy recycled or recyclable products. Seek out
biodegradable, reusable, or returnable packages.
Look for the recycling symbol on products you buy. Such symbols identify Ik £
recycled or recyclable products.
For home and work, buy products that are made of recycled or recyclable
material. Buy durable products - don't buy throw aways. Borrow or rent
things you use infrequently.
Avoid buying products which use unnecessary plastic or paper packaging.
Use returnable or reusable containers. Look for pump rather than aerosol sprays. Buy
rechargeable batteries for flashlights, toys, and household items.
Consider carrying your own reusable shopping bag.
For additional information:
U.S. EPA Office of Pollution Prevention
401 M Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20460
Maryland Environmental Service (800) 492-9188
Maryland Recycling Directory (800) 492-9188
Pennsylvania Resources Council (215) 565-9131
Virginia Recycling Information (800) KEEP ITT
Your state and local environmental agencies
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ead - Be careful around surfaces covered with lead-based paint and be
cautious when children are near renovation or rehabilitation of old
buildings. Carefully draw drinking water. Recycle auto batteries that
contain lead.
Be alert in older homes, especially those in poor repair or in need of
painting, for lead-based paint. The fine dust from deteriorating old paint and that
created during renovation or rehabilitation of older buildings may contain lead particles.
This dust can travel throughout your house and even outside. Keep children away from
such areas. Workers should wear protective clothing. Consider contacting an expert
before undertaking such renovations.
EPA has found unhealthy contaminants in drinking water in some areas.
Because lead and other contaminants may cause a health problem, consider having
your water tested if your house has lead pipes.Two drinking water precautions are to
run water until it changes temperature - and use only the cold-water tap for drinking
and cooking, especially for making baby formula. Lead can slow children's physical and
nervous system development and cause other neurological, reproductive, and
circulatory problems.
Auto batteries should be recycled or disposed of at appropriate disposal sites to
help reduce the amount of lead in the environment.
For additional information:
EPA Region III Program Support (215) 597-3425
Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426-4791
Your local water company
Your community or county health department
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lant trees, shrubs, and indoor plants. They replenish the earth's oxygen
supply.
Plant trees or bushes in your yard or neighborhood. Trees in your yard may save
you in heating, cooling, and soil-erosion costs. They beautify your property and
increase its value.
For further information:
Call your local garden club, nature center, or arboretum.
Global Releaf (American Forestry Association) (202) 667-3300
National Wildife Federation
Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program
1400 16th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
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