Pollution Prevention Techniques Research Articles

Research on Advanced Available Techniques of Air pollution Prevention and Control in Building Ceramics Industry in China

The flue gas emission of the building ceramics industry accounts for 85% of the whole ceramic industry in China, and it is the critical sector of air pollution control in the ceramic industry. The advanced available techniques (AAT) of air pollution prevention and control are of considerable significance to promote the upgrade of pollution prevention measures and technological progress. The paper studied and established the method of screening and evaluating the AAT for the prevention and control of air pollution in the building ceramics industry. Through collection and analysis of three normal pollutant emission concentrations of ten available techniques (AT), to select the AAT that meet at least one pollutant of all the plants was lower than 50% of the national standard emission concentration threshold in China. Based on the experience of the European Union and the comprehensive evaluation of industry associations, research institutions, and pollution control experts, five AAT were selected. The findings will provide an essential reference for the building ceramics industry to select advanced techniques, and provide significant technical support for the revision of the ceramic industrial pollutant emission standard for and selection of pollution prevention and control techniques (PPT and PCT) for pollutant discharge permission management.

Can embedded knowledge in pollution prevention techniques reduce greenhouse gas emissions? A case of the power generating industry in the United States

Following the well-known public information disclosure program, the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), the United States established the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP), which documents annual direct GHG emissions from major point-source polluters from 2010 onwards. While recorded GHG emissions in the GHGRP have declined over time, few studies have shed light on the mechanism through which such reduction is achieved. This paper empirically examines whether experience in managing toxic pollutants subject to the TRI pre-GHGRP contributed to the decrease in GHG emissions post-GHGRP. We use data from electrical power plants to construct various measures for the magnitude and diversity of knowledge in pollution prevention (P2) pre-GHGRP. Using a difference-in-differences framework with first-differenced panel data, we find that electrical power plants with abundant experience in P2 achieved a greater reduction in GHG emissions by 2.3%–4.8% compared to less-experienced plants post-GHGRP. This suggests that policymakers can leverage a plant’s prior knowledge and experience with P2 techniques to develop targeted strategies to facilitate the transfer of embedded knowledge to other firms and pollutants.

The impact of management systems on technical change: the adoption of pollution prevention techniques

A firm’s capability to innovate is influenced by its organizational structure. We examine the effect of Total Quality Environmental Management (TQEM) on the adoption of innovative pollution prevention activities over the period 1992–1996, and show that the rate of innovation increases following the adoption of TQEM. However, the effect of TQEM on pollution prevention innovation “wears out” over time. Our analysis indicates that this is likely because pollution prevention undertaken in one year continues to be effective in future years. This, in turn, reduces the incentives for further innovation due to declining marginal returns, rather than because the institutional effectiveness of TQEM weakens. We provide corroborative evidence based on the time profile of pollution prevention of firms that adopted TQEM prior to the start of our sample, and also develop a stylized model with (partial) obsolescence of pollution prevention innovations that matches the empirical regularities we obtain. Our findings shed light on the importance of organizational structure on the pace of technical change.

Can Embedded Knowledge in Pollution Prevention Techniques Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions? A Case of the Power Generating Industry in the United States

Following the well-known public information disclosure program, the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), the United States established the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP), which documents annual direct GHG emissions from major point-source polluters from 2010 onwards. While recorded GHG emissions in the GHGRP have declined over time, few studies have shed light on the mechanism through which such reduction is achieved. This paper empirically examines whether experience in managing toxic pollutants subject to the TRI pre-GHGRP contributed to the decrease in GHG emissions post-GHGRP. We use data from electrical power plants to construct various measures for the magnitude and diversity of knowledge in pollution prevention (P2) pre-GHGRP. Using a difference-in-differences framework with first-differenced panel data, we find that electrical power plants with abundant experience in P2 achieved a greater reduction in GHG emissions by 2.3–4.8% compared to less-experienced plants post-GHGRP. This suggests that policymakers can leverage a plant’s prior knowledge and experience with P2 techniques to develop targeted strategies to facilitate the transfer of embedded knowledge to other firms and pollutants.

Can adoption of pollution prevention techniques reduce pollution substitution?

Pollution prevention (P2) has become an integral part of the U.S. environmental policy that emphasizes the benefits of preventing pollution generation at the source over treatment or recycling after the generation of wastes. This study extends the existing literature on the effect of voluntary adoption of P2 in reducing toxic wastes by examining the extent to which it reduces pollution substitution. We use facility panel data from the Toxics Release Inventory from 1991 to 2011 to examine the effect of the adoption of P2 techniques on the ratios of water releases to air releases, amounts of treatment to total releases, and amounts of recycling to total releases while controlling for endogeneity of the adoption of P2 techniques and facility fixed effects. We find that the adoption of P2 techniques reduces toxic air and water releases equally, but it is associated with increases in treated and recycled wastes over total releases to the environment.

The Impact of Management Systems on Technical Change: The Adoption of Pollution Prevention Techniques

A firm’s capability to innovate is influenced by its organizational structure. We examine the effect of Total Quality Environmental Management (TQEM) on the adoption of innovative pollution prevention activities over the period 1992-1996, and show that the rate of innovation increases following the adoption of TQEM. However, the effect of TQEM on pollution prevention innovation “wears out” over time. Our analysis indicates that this is likely because pollution prevention does not completely become obsolete, which reduces the incentives for further innovation in subsequent years, rather than because the institutional effectiveness of TQEM weakens. We provide corroborative evidence based on the time profile of pollution prevention of firms that adopted TQEM prior to the start of our sample, and also develop a stylized model with (partial) obsolescence of pollution prevention innovations that matches the empirical regularities we obtain. Our findings shed light on the importance of organizational structure on the pace of technical change.

A call for Canada to move toward zero plastic waste by reducing and recycling single-use plastics

Unsustainable plastic production, use and mismanagement has resulted in increased global plastic pollution and subsequent degradation into micro(nano)plastics in the environment threatening sustainability. Micro(nano)plastic pollution is pervasive and has caused widespread ecological impacts globally, including greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change. Although downstream strategies to curb plastic pollution exist, they are ineffective in the face of current plastic production and waste generation which is still outpacing existing regulations. Thus, the international community has recognized a more holistic approach is required to reduce plastic and micro(nano)plastic pollution. This critical review highlights studies showing that unsustainable global plastic production has resulted in increasing micro(nano)plastic pollution in all environmental compartments, yet few studies have documented successful micro(nano)plastic pollution prevention or removal techniques. This critical review offers constructive criticism into some strategies to help advance ambitious global plastic and micro(nano)plastic pollution reduction targets for a transition towards a sustainable global plastics future.

Selection and implementation of pollution prevention techniques in small and medium enterprises in countries in transition

This paper aims to open the discussion about the possibility and economic feasibility of applying pollution prevention techniques in industrial enterprises with smaller production capacities than those specified in Directive 2010/75/EU. The work refers to countries with transition economies where low cost of environmental resources and pollution fees are present. The research is conducted on pilot sample of seven small- and medium-size enterprises belonging to the food and beverage sector. The enterprises have different characteristics in terms of company size, capacity levels, production processes employed, and status of the transition in terms of their ownership status. The selection of appropriate prevention techniques is done using newly developed Method for Identification of Prevention Techniques (“MIP”). The MIP method combines: (i) Minimization Opportunities Environmental Diagnosis methodology developed by Regional Activity Center for Sustainable Consumption and Production Barcelona and its approach to data collection, (ii) United Nation Industrial Development Organisation’s step-by-step approach to environmental diagnosis of industrial enterprises, (iii) Driving Forces, Pressure, State, Impact, Response Framework used by European Environmental Agency to facilitate problem–solution identification, (iv) Multicriteria ranking method for selection of best available techniques, and (v) Philosophy of Shewhart–Deming’s circle to introduce the system of planning, control, and correction and integrate prevention concept into business policy. This provided necessary flexibility corresponding to companies’ abilities to finance implementation. The results confirmed that the pollution prevention concept can be applied to small- and medium-sized companies of different production capacities and organization levels with both environmental and economic benefits.

Environmental management of offshore gas platforms in Abu Qir Bay, Egypt

Oil and gas exploration and production operations have the potential to cause a variety of impacts on the environment depending upon the stage of the process, the nature and sensitivity of the surrounding environment, and pollution prevention, mitigation and control techniques. The purpose of this research is to outline the issues that need to be considered when establishing an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the development and exploitation of offshore natural gas. The study explains the steps performed when preparing an environmental management study for the development and exploitation of natural gas. The case study is located offshore, approximately 30 to 50 km north of Alexandria in the Egyptian sector of the Mediterranean. The environmental management study includes a baseline environmental assessment of the site, the project impact on the environment, an environmental impact assessment, mitigation measures, and a monitoring plan. The study examines all aspects and activities of the study area in terms of the impact on the environmental components, provides the best alternatives to preserve the environment, and avoids potential negative effects during the construction and operation of the project to outline the issues that need to be considered when establishing an EMP for gas offshore platforms and other related facilities. However, as each development intervention is unique, a one-size-fits-all approach is not applicable. Key issues may differ from one project to another. Accordingly, specific key issues may be identified through a planning focus meeting and through consultation with the existing community.

重金属胁迫对Pseudomonas alcaligenesLH7抗生素抗性的影响

从广州某养猪场废水处理系统中筛选出1株优势菌 Pseudomonas alcaligenes LH7。为了研究重金属胁迫对细菌抗生素抗性响应的影响,采用琼脂稀释法和K-B纸片扩散法,测定了重金属（Cu2＋、Zn2＋、Cr6＋）的最小抑制浓度（MIC）,及不同重金属种类和浓度胁迫下,四种抗生素（红霉素、阿莫西林、头孢拉定、四环素）的抑菌圈直径。结果表明：菌体对Cu2＋、Zn2＋、Cr6＋的MIC分别为125、125、100 mg/L,并且具有四环素、阿莫西林、红霉素和头孢拉定多重抗性。重金属与抗生素之间的交互作用对细菌的抗性有显著影响（P 〈 0.05）。重金属和抗生素间的交互作用随重金属种类和浓度的不同而改变,可分为三类：低浓度重金属与抗生素共存时表现为协同抗性,高浓度时则表现为协同杀菌,如Cr6＋或Zn2＋与红霉素,Cu2＋与头孢拉定;低浓度重金属与抗生素共存时表现为协同杀菌,高浓度时则表现为协同抗性,如Cr6＋或Zn2＋与阿莫西林;只与共存重金属种类相关的抗性组合有Cu2＋与四环素或阿莫西林或红霉素,Cr6＋与头孢拉定。环境中重金属离子的共存将改变抗生素污染物的生态危害和环境行为,并最终影响对应的污染防治技术的开发和应用。

Does Pollution Prevention Reduce Toxic Releases? A Dynamic Panel Data Model

This paper investigates the effectiveness of voluntary pollution prevention activities in reducing toxic releases of facilities that report to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) from 1991-2001 using GMM dynamic panel data models that recognize the potential endogeneity of the pollution prevention adoption decision on toxic releases. We find that pollution prevention adoption had a negative impact on toxic releases over this period. The estimated coefficients suggest that the effect of the introduction of pollution prevention techniques is substantial, but short-lived, dissipating within 4-5 years. However, a continual adoption of pollution prevention techniques leads to lower steady-state toxic emissions, with estimated reductions in the 35-50% range (depending on specification).

Does Pollution Prevention Reduce Toxic Releases? A Dynamic Panel Data Model

We investigate the effectiveness of voluntary pollution prevention activities in reducing toxic releases from facilities that reported to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Toxics Release Inventory from 1991–2001, using generalized method of moments dynamic panel data models that recognize the potential endogeneity of the pollution prevention adoption decision on toxic releases. We find that pollution prevention adoption had a negative impact on toxic releases. The estimated coefficients suggest that the effect of pollution prevention adoption is substantial, but short-lived, dissipating within 4 to 5 years. However, a continual adoption of pollution prevention techniques leads to lower steady-state releases, with estimated reductions between 35% and 50%. <i>(JEL Q53, Q55)</i>

Analysis of the slaughterhouses in Galicia (NW Spain)

In the last five years, slaughterhouses in Galicia have been producing more than 350,000tonnes of carcass per year (Ministry of Environmental and Marine and Rural Media (MARM), 2013). The main environmental problems derived from this economic activity are the high consumption of water, the generation of waste water with a high organic load and the intensive use of energy (electricity and fuel) (European Commission, 2005). In this region of Spain, there are seventy-one slaughterhouses but only 10 to 15% of them have a carcass production capacity exceeding 50tonnes per day (Casares et al., 2006), consequently needing an environmental permit according to the requirements set by the IPPC (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control) Directive (European Commission, 2008).The slaughterhouses can be specialized in one livestock type, such as pigs, cattle, sheep, goats or rabbits, or they can be polyvalent. In 2009, the most important meat productions were from porcine, poultry and bovine, as they represented 96% of total production in Spain (AICE, 2011).This paper presents a general view of this important sub-sector (according to the Spanish CNAE, National Classification of Economical Activities) of the food and drinking industry in Galicia. The work considers general information about the activity, an exhaustive description of the industrial process (including preliminary operations, processing, final and auxiliary operations), environmental aspects about consumption and emission levels, and finally a proposal of technique candidates to be BAT (best available techniques) for each process stage. This structure has permitted to obtain an inventory of pollution prevention and control techniques, as well as qualitative data of incomes and outcomes of consumptions and emissions respectively. The methodology, which has already been used in previous works (Barros et al., 2008), has been proved to be appropriate to optimize the process considering environmental factors as well as the pollution prevention and control philosophy.

Pollution Prevention by the Voluntary 33/50 Program: Implications for Toxic Releases and Recycling

Policymakers have encouraged pollution prevention by facilities through mandatory reporting in the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) and voluntary participation in environmental programs like the 33/50 program. While previous studies have focused on participation incentives and the effectiveness of such programs in reducing pollution, this paper examines the choice of pollution control methods induced by participation in the 33/50 program and whether this choice helps reduce toxic releases. Using a rich facility-specific panel data and controlling for potential correlation between program participation and pollution prevention adoption, we find that program participants were more likely to adopt pollution prevention techniques and they achieved statistically significant and larger reductions in toxic releases than were nonparticipants or non-adopters. However, participants that did not adopt pollution prevention methods increased waste recycling and did not achieve a statistically significant reduction in their toxic releases.

Daily measures of microbes and human health at a non-point source marine beach.

Studies evaluating the relationship between microbes and human health at non-point source beaches are necessary for establishing criteria which would protect public health while minimizing economic burdens. The objective of this study was to evaluate water quality and daily cumulative health effects (gastrointestinal, skin, and respiratory illnesses) for bathers at a non-point source subtropical marine recreational beach in order to better understand the inter-relationships between these factors and hence improve monitoring and pollution prevention techniques. Daily composite samples were collected, during the Oceans and Human Health Beach Exposure Assessment and Characterization Health Epidemiologic Study conducted in Miami (Florida, USA) at a non-point source beach, and analyzed for several pathogens, microbial source tracking markers, indicator microbes, and environmental parameters. Analysis demonstrated that rainfall and tide were more influential, when compared to other environmental factors and source tracking markers, in determining the presence of both indicator microbes and pathogens. Antecedent rainfall and F+ coliphage detection in water should be further assessed to confirm their possible association with skin and gastrointestinal (GI) illness outcomes, respectively. The results of this research illustrate the potential complexity of beach systems characterized by non-point sources, and how more novel and comprehensive approaches are needed to assess beach water quality for the purpose of protecting bather health.

Reducing sulfates concentration in the tannery effluent by applying pollution prevention techniques and nanofiltration

The use of large quantities of sulfuric acid and other sulfur-containing chemicals causes high sulfate concentrations in the wastewater of a tannery. The aim of this work was reducing the sulfate concentration in the final wastewater from a tannery. For that, firstly a study about the main sulfate sources in a tannery was carried out and the total sulfates load in the tannery wastewater was evaluated. Two measures for sulfates reduction were studied: the recycling of unhairing wastewater to the soaking drums and the reuse of the chromium sulfate from the tanning washing wastewater after its separation by nanofiltration (NF). The first measure proposed was studied experimentally in laboratory drums of 5 L of volume. Two series of experiments with different volumes of unhairing wastewater in the soaking bath were carried out. The quality of the final leather was evaluated by means of mechanical tests. NF experiments were carried out in a laboratory pilot plant with a spiral wounded membrane element. Concerning the results, the combination of 50% unhairing wastewater and 50% of fresh water was appropriate in order to obtain leather with an acceptable quality. Besides, it drove to a diminution of approximately 10% in the addition of sulfide in the unhairing. Related to the NF experiments, 97% of the sulfates were rejected by the membrane. The separated ions could be recycled to the tanning drums. The application of the two measures (firstly the recycling of the unhairing wastewater and secondly the NF of the tanning washing wastewater) drove to a reduction of 14.82 kg SO 4 −2 t −1 of raw hide.

Adoption of Pollution Prevention Techniques: The Role of Management Systems and Regulatory Pressures

This paper investigates the extent to which firm level technological change that reduces unregulated emissions is driven by regulatory pressures, and firms’ technological and organizational capabilities. Using a treatment effects model with panel data for a sample of S&P 500 firms over the period 1994–1996, we find that organizational change in the form of Total Quality Environmental Management leads firms to adopt pollution prevention practices, after controlling for the effects of various regulatory pressures and firm-specific characteristics. We find that the threat of anticipated regulations and the presence of ‘complementary assets’ is important for creating the incentives and an internal capacity to undertake incremental adoption of pollution prevention techniques.

The Ecology of Environmental Health

The Ecology of Environmental Health

Hybrid evolutionary computation for the development of pollution prevention and control strategies

Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is an evolutionary algorithm based on the behavior of social animals. Its key advantage is its computational efficiency compared to related techniques such as genetic algorithm (GA). Use of a modified PSO algorithm in selecting an optimal array of pollution prevention techniques for clay brick production is described. The model is formulated as a multi-constraint knapsack optimization problem. The optimization technique used in the study is a binary PSO augmented with a GA-based mutation operator.

Upgrading an existing treatment system to adopt cleaner production principals

In 1981, SEKA Cellulose and Paper Co. started pulp and newsprint paper production in Balıkesir, Turkey. Production technology that was initially TMP (Thermo Mechanical Pulping) was converted to CTMP (Chemical Thermo Mechanical Pulping) in 1986. Finally in 1990, another unit operation was added to the whole system and hydrogen peroxide bleaching was employed in production. The existing wastewater treatment plant that was built in 1981 was projected to treat wastewaters generated from TMP production line. As the technology changes mentioned above were proceeding no precaution in the flow scheme of the treatment plant was taken to accommodate the change in wastewater characteristics. As a result of increase in the values of various pollution parameters such as wastewater flow, influent BOD 5, COD, SS etc., existing treatment plant has been failing to comply with receiving media (Simav River which was already BOD limited due to the other industrial and domestic discharges) discharge limits. Current pollution loads to the treatment plant are higher than projected values and there are significant fluctuations in wastewater flow rate due to the sudden discharges from CTMP unit operations. In this study, two possible solutions to fix the current situation in terms of applying waste minimization strategy by using pollution prevention techniques in the plant and secondly modifying the existing treatment plant flow scheme are discussed.