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Envirobytes - An Environmental Newsletter
EnviroBytes, a Summary of Issues and Events for Week Ending October 17, 2008
EPA AWARDS BROWNFIELDS RESEARCH AND ASSISTANCE GRANT TO CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY
Region 3 Administrator Donald S. Welsh presented a $900,000 Brownfields training, research, and technical assistance grant to Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pa. to provide training to up to 150 local communities on how to redevelop contaminated land. "EPA's brownfields initiatives have energized communities by breathing new life into abandoned properties, rebuilding tax bases, and providing valuable employment opportunities for local residents," said Welsh. "We're committed to building partnerships that ensure people in the local communities reap the benefits of brownfields redevelopment." For more information, go to: http://www.epa.gov/swerosps/bf/trta.htm
REGION COLLABORATES TO IMPROVE METHOD TO DETECT NANOSILVER PARTICLES
Seeking to use science to eliminate a perceived new threat to the environment in nanosilver particles, the Analytical Chemistry Branch at Fort Meade, Md. in collaboration with EPA Region 3 are developing an analytical method to facilitate detection of silver colloidal particles less than 100 nm in size without the need of expensive instrumentation such as high resolution electron microscopes. In 2006 EPA decided to regulate consumer items made with microscopic silver nanoparticles so that any company wishing to sell a product claiming to kill germs through nanotech silver must now provide scientific evidence the product does not pose an environmental risk. For information on nanosilver, go to http://pesticides.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/pesticides.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=5423&p_created=1221152425 
REGION 3 STAFF DELIVERS GREEN LANDSCAPING MESSAGE AT CONFERENCE
A member of the Region 3 Land and Chemicals Division staff gave a presentation on "Green Landscaping" at the 32nd Annual Kentucky Governor's Conference on the Environment held in Lexington, Ky. on Oct. 6-7. Green landscaping eliminates unnecessary water and chemical use, landscapes with plants that require less care, conserves water supplies, reduces yard waste, and saves time and money in addition to helping the environment. This year, the conference's theme was "Go for the Green" with participants discussing ways to protect Kentucky's land, air and water, how to ensure a green environment, implement green practices, build green communities, green lands, and carbon management for a greener energy.
RULE STRENGTHENS LEAD AIR QUALITY STANDARD, INCREASES MONITORING
EPA has issued a new ruling to significantly reduce the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for lead from 1.5 micrograms of lead per cubic meter of air set in 1978, to 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter. This revision will increase protection against pollution's adverse health effects, especially on children's developing nervous systems. The ruling requires states to establish ambient air monitors near sources releasing more than one ton of lead per year, such as smelters, iron and steel foundries, and battery manufacturers. These air monitors measure lead levels in the air near emission sources to provide information on population exposure to lead in large urban areas. For more information about lead air emissions.
EPA ISSUES 2009 FUEL ECONOMY GUIDE TO SAVE TIME AND MONEY
EPA and the Department of Energy have unveiled the 2009 online Fuel Economy Guide, providing information about alternative fueled vehicles, the range of fuel economy for different classes of vehicles, a list of fuel economy leaders, and tips for improving fuel economy. The guide includes an interactive feature that allows consumers to insert their local gasoline prices and typical driving habits to receive a personalized fuel cost estimate. To download a complete version of the Fuel Economy Guide go to: http://www.fueleconomy.gov To obtain comprehensive information about EPA's Fuel Economy program, go to http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy To locate the cleanest and most fuel efficient vehicles, go to http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles See 2009 fuel economy leaders within each class as well as the lowest fuel economy models, at http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/overall-high.htm
PLAN FUELS REVITALIZATION OF PETROLEUM BROWNFIELDS
EPA has put out a new plan titled "Petroleum Brownfields Action Plan: Promoting Revitalization and Sustainability" which describes specific actions, new tools, and opportunities to expand partnerships to foster the reuse of petroleum contaminated brownfield sites such as abandoned gasoline stations. The petroleum brownfields program focuses on assessing, cleaning up, and reusing petroleum-contaminated brownfields sites and identifies four strategic initiatives, each with specific actions and activities to achieve the agency's goals. More detailed information on the action plan is available at epa.gov/oust/rags/petrobfactionplan.pdf
WATERSENSE PARTNERSHIP GOING STRONG
WaterSense is a partnership program launched in 2006 by EPA to make it easier for Americans to save water and protect the environment. Consumers, Businesses, Utilities, and Communities from all the regions can join this partnership to conserve water. EPA awards WaterSense Partners of the Year who make great strides in promoting water efficiency nationwide and for demonstrating great creativity and collaboration in the quest for water efficiency. For information on the awards, go to WaterSense Partner of the Year awards For information on WaterSense, go to epa.gov/watersense
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