Region 2 Pollution Prevention (P2)

Tuesday, July 22, 2008
9 AM – 12 Noon

Agenda

Three presentations and a follow-up discussion took place by video conference to an audience of industry and government representatives with an interest in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

EPA Regions 2 and 3, in collaboration with the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, and other regions, have been promoting pollution prevention and stewardship in the pharmaceutical sector through the application of green chemistry and green engineering concepts and tools to pharmaceutical manufacturing processes. EPA though its past efforts and relationship building has been interested in technical opportunities to enhance green quality, especially solvent recovery and reuse within facilities and third party markets related to solvent exchange. In addition, EPA is interested in the associated total life cycle improvements that can be achieved, such as energy conservation and Green House Gas emission reductions, all of which are possible through joint collaboration with industry. EPA is also collaborating with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in this effort.

Welcoming Remarks were provided by Walter Mugdan, Director, Division of Environmental Planning and Protection, EPA Region 2. The event was hosted and moderated by Walter Schoepf, Environmental Scientist, Pollution Prevention Team, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2.

There were 29 participants at video conference locations situated in: San Juan, Puerto Rico, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and New York City. The event was coordinated with special assistance from Eduardo Gonzalez, EPA Region 2 Caribbean Environmental Protection Division and Mary Ann Helferty, EPA Region 3. The overall list of audience participants, largely located in San Juan, Puerto Rico are provided here.

Presentations + Supporting Information

1. Sharon Austin, Chemical Engineer, Chemical Engineering Branch, Green Engineering Program, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics. The title of her primary presentation was: "Green Engineering and Sustainability for the Pharmaceutical Industry: Puerto Rico Pilot." Supporting information includes: Green Engineering Talking Points and Other Information and Data.

2. Concepcion Jimenez-Gonzalez, Director of Environmental Health and Safety New Product Support, Corporate Environment, Health and Safety Department, GlaxoSmithKline plc. The title of her presentation was: "Waste Treatment Modules: A Partial LCI/A."

3. Ramon Marrero, Chairperson, Environmental Committee, Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association. The title of his presentation was: "Pharmaceutical Cluster Waste Recovery through Regulatory Flexibility and Economic Development."

For Further Information Please Contact: Walter H. Schoepf, EPA Region2, Pollution Prevention Team, schoepf.walter@epa.gov or 212-637-3729.