QUESTION:
1) Which chemicals are considered to be the top 10 environmental
toxic pollutants in the US?
ANSWER:
AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND DISEASE REGISTRY
2001 CERCLA Priority List of Hazardous Substances
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/clist.html
"It should be noted that this priority list is not a list of "most
toxic" substances, but rather a prioritization of substances based on
a combination of their frequency, toxicity, and potential for human
exposure at NPL sites.
Thus, it is possible for substances with low toxicity but high NPL
frequency of occurrence and exposure to be on this priority list. The
objective of this priority list is to rank substances across all NPL
hazardous waste sites to provide guidance in selecting which
substances will be the subject of toxicological profiles prepared by
ATSDR."
" 2001 CERCLA Priority List Hazardous Substances
2001 TOTAL 1999
RANK SUBSTANCE NAME POINTS RANK CAS
No.
1 ARSENIC 1653.61 1
007440-38-2
2 LEAD 1528.01 2
007439-92-1
3 MERCURY 1503.32 3
007439-97-6
4 VINYL CHLORIDE 1388.65 4
000075-01-4
5 POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS 1364.35 6
001336-36-3
6 BENZENE 1356.41 5
000071-43-2
7 CADMIUM 1319.78 7
007440-43-9
8 BENZO(A)PYRENE 1303.14 8
000050-32-8
9 POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS 1300.73 9
130498-29-2
10 BENZO(B)FLUORANTHENE 1271.94 10
000205-99-2"
SEE:
SCORECARD
http://www.scorecard.org/
AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND DISEASE REGISTRY
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)
http://www.epa.gov
National Priorities List:
http://www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/nplsites/index.htm
QUESTION:
In Europe?
ANSWER:
Greenpeace Web site
POPS
http://archive.greenpeace.org/~toxics/downtozero/POPS/pops.html
"Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) is the name for the most
problematic group of chemicals. POPs are toxic chemicals which
contaminate air, soil and water over extended periods because they
break down only slowly in the environment.They may also accumulate in
the fatty tissue of humans and animals exposing them to much higher
levels than may be detectable in the soil or water itself."
UNEP LIST
"The 12 POPs prioritised for action by UNEP (United Nations
Environment Programme):
("The Dirty Dozen")
o PCBs
o DDT
o Dioxins
o Chlordane
o Furans
o Hexachlorobenzene
o Aldrin
o Mirex
o Dieldrin
o Toxaphene
o Endrin
o Heptachlor"
OSPAR LIST (Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of
the North East Atlantic (the OSPAR Convention))
POPs ON THE OSPAR PRIORITY LIST
http://archive.greenpeace.org/~toxics/downtozero/POPS/ospar-list.html
"Although the mechanism for prioritising hazardous substances is still
under development, an initial list of 15 chemicals or chemical groups
has been selected for priority action. This list includes a variety of
POPs and other hazardous substances, e.g. heavy metals. Some of these
POPs have already been phased out of mainstream production such as
pentachlorophenol, but others are still produced and released to the
environment on a daily basis."
"The OSPAR list for priority action includes:
o Dioxins
o Furans
o Polyaromatic hydrocarbons
o Pentachlorophenol
o Brominated flame retardants
o Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers - such as the
organochlorine pesticide lindane
o Musk xylene
o Mercury and organic mercury compounds
o Cadmium
o Lead and Organic lead compounds
o Organotin compounds (including TBT)
o Short chained chlorinated paraffins
o Nonylphenol-ethoxylates and related compounds
o Certain phthalates - DBP and DEHP"
EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENT AGENCY (EEA) Web site
Chemicals in the European Environment: Low Doses, High Stakes?
http://reports.eea.eu.int/NYM2/en/chemicals_eea_unep.pdf
(Formatting of the table may not be aesthetically pleasing.)
"Box 4
Some examples of ecological impacts and possible causes
The association/causation is assessed on the scale: 1 = no observed
association, 2 = suspected association, 3 = weak association, 4 =
clear association, 5 = significant association.
Observation/impact Sensitive species Substance
causation
Large scale Eggshell thinning guillemot, eagle, DDT
5
osprey, peregrine falcon
Reproduction seal, otter PCB
4
Skeleton malformation grey seal DDT, PCB
2
Pathological changes seal PCB, DDT
3
Reproduction mink PCB
5
Reproduction osprey DDT, PCB
4-5
Reproduction eagle DDT, PCB
2-3
Reproduction salmon chlorinated subs.
2
Large scale - pulp and paper
Induction of metabolising
enzymes perch chlorinated/
3
unchlorinated
organic mixture/
Dioxin compounds
Local/regional - pulp and paper
Induction of metabolising chlorinated/
3-4
enzymes perch unchlorinated
organic mixture/
Dioxin compounds
Spine malformations four-horned sculpin chlorinated
3-4
unchlorinated
organic mixture
Local, forest industry
Induction of metabolising perch chlorinated/
4-5
enzymes unchlorinated
organic mixture
Dioxin compounds
Spine malformations four-horned fish chlorinated/
4-5
unchlorinated
organic mixture
Larvae damages sea mussel chlorinated/
3
unchlorinated
organic mixture
Source:
Swedish EPA, 1993"
"Box 5 Some health effects of chemicals
This is a summary of the main health effects of chemicals. The link
with chemicals varies from well-known causal relationships such as
benzene and leukaemia, to suggestive associations, such as chemical
sensitivity and pesticides. Most harmful effects are the result of
many causes acting together, such as genetics, lifestyle, radiation,
diet, pharmaceuticals, chemicals (manufactured and natural), smoking
and air pollution, including indoor and outdoor exposures. It is also
important to consider sensitive groups, such as the elderly, children,
the embryo, the sick, and pregnant women, who may be affected at much
lower doses than others.
Health effect Sensitive group Some associated chemicals*
Cancer All asbestos
Polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs)
benzene
some metals
some pesticides
several hundred animal
carcinogens
some solvents
natural toxins
Cardiovascular especially elderly carbon monoxide
arsenic
lead
cadmium
cobalt
calcium
magnesium
Respiratory diseases children inhalable particles
sulphur dioxide
nitrogen dioxide
ozone
hydrocarbons
some solvents
terpenes
Allergies all particles
ozone
nickel
chromium
Reproduction adults of reproductive age polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs)
DDT
phthalates
Developmental foetuses, children lead
mercury
other endocrine disruptors
Nervous system foetuses/children PCBs
methyl mercury
lead
manganese
aluminium
organic solvents
* Examples only
Source:
EEA, based on Swedish EPA
(1996); WHO (1995);
EHP (1997b);
Ashford, (1998);
Williams (1997) and
Kilburn (1998)"
SEE ALSO:
3.3. Dispersion of hazardous substances
http://reports.eea.eu.int/92-9157-202-0/en/3.3.pdf
"Main findings
Europe is one of the largest chemical-producing regions in the world,
supplying 38% of global turnover. Since 1993 the chemical intensity of
EU GDP has been rising, both for all chemicals and for hazardous
chemicals production. There are 20 to 70 thousand substances, or
groups of substances, on the European market, many being derived from
chlorine-based organic chemistry. Little is known about the
toxicities, eco-toxicities or risks from most of these substances.
Figures on the quantities of substances produced or marketed are in
general of little use for predicting dispersion and potential
exposures which are yet difficult to estimate due to increasing
non-point sources of emissions and recycling processes, despite
improvements in multi-media modelling.
The European coverage of monitoring data for halogenated organics in
general and persistent organic pollutants (POP) in particular is
rather patchy. Information on degradations, transformations,
by-products and exposures to mixtures is also poor. Most monitoring
programs focus on mobile media (air, water), but often neglect soil,
sediments and consumer products.
Combustion of fossil and other organic fuels is thought to account for
over 90% of the environmental load of the 280 types of carcinogenic
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)."
QUESTION:
2) Which 5 issues are considered the to be the most acute
environmental problems in the US?
ANSWER:
Depending upon criteria, different lists can be compiled.
PROJECT NAME: EPA NATIONAL COMPARATIVE RISK PROJECT
http://www.scorecard.org/comp-risk/report.tcl?US=US
(Note that evaluation of the various rating factors leads to ties in
rankings.)
"Summary of Ecological Risks
1. Carbon dioxide and global warming
1. Substances suspected of depleting the stratospheric ozone layer -
CFC's, etc.
2. Mining waste (includes oil and gas extraction wastes)
2. To estuaries, coastal waters and oceans from all sources
2. To wetlands from all sources
3. Criteria air pollutants from mobile and stationary sources
(includes acid precipitation)
3. Direct, point source discharges (industrial, etc.) to surface water
3. Indirect, point source discharges (POTW's) to surface water
3. Nonpoint source discharges to surface water
3. Other pesticide risks, including leaching and runoff of pesticides
and agricultural chemicals, air deposition from spraying, etc.
3. Pesticide residues on foods eaten by humans and wildlife
4. Hazardous/Toxic air pollutants
5. Accidental releases - oil spills
5. Accidental releases - toxics (includes all media)
5. Contaminated sludge (includes municipal and scrubber sludge)
5. Hazardous waste sites - inactive (Superfund) (groundwater and other
media)
5. Non-hazardous waste sites - industrial (includes utilities)
(groundwater and other media)
5. Non-hazardous waste sites - municipal (groundwater and other media)
5. Other ground-water contamination (includes septic systems, road
salt, injection wells, etc.)"
"Non-Cancer Relative Ranking of Environmental Problem Areas
High Non-Cancer Risks
Accidental releases - toxics (includes all media)
Application of pesticides (risks to applicators, which includes
workers who mix and
load, as well as apply, and also consumers who apply pesticides)
Consumer product exposure
Criteria air pollutants from mobile and stationary sources (includes
acid precipitation)
From drinking water as it arrives at the tap (includes chemicals, lead
from pipes, biological contaminants, radiation, etc.)
Hazardous/Toxic air pollutants
Indoor air pollutants - other than radon
Pesticide residues on foods eaten by humans and wildlife
Worker exposure to chemicals"
"Consensus Ranking of Environmental Problem Areas on the Basis of
Population Cancer Risk
Category 1
1. Radon - indoor air only
1. Worker exposure to chemicals
3. Pesticide residues on foods eaten by humans and wildlife
4. Consumer product exposure
4. Indoor air pollutants - other than radon
6. Hazardous/Toxic air pollutants"
"Final Rankings of Welfare Effects Work Group
High Effects
1. Criteria air pollutants from mobile and stationary sources
(includes acid precipitation)
2. Nonpoint source discharges to surface water
3. Indirect, point source discharges (POTW's) to surface water
4. To estuaries, coastal waters and oceans from all sources
5. Carbon dioxide and global warming"
QUESTION:
In Europe?
ANSWER:
Again, depending upon the criteria, the geographical differences, and
regional objectives, different lists can be compiled.
EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENT AGENCY
Environment in the European Union at the turn of the century
Appendix to the summary
Facts and findings per environmental issue
http://reports.eea.eu.int/92-9157-202-0-sum/en/eu_98_uk_part_2.pdf
1. Greenhouse gases and climate change
2. Ozone depleting substances
3. Dispersion of hazardous substances
4. Transboundary air pollution
5. Water stress
SEE ALSO:
Spatial and Ecological Assessment of the TEN: Demonstration of
Indicators and GIS Methods
http://reports.eea.eu.int/GH-15-98-318-EN-C/en/seaoften.pdf
Relevant selected spatial and ecological issues for a strategic
environment assessment of the TEN (trans-European transport network).
Biodiversity and nature conservation
Water resources
Coastal zones
Noise
Land resources
Review of selected waste streams: Sewage sludge, construction and
demolition waste, waste oils, waste from coal-fired power plants and
biodegradable municipal waste
http://reports.eea.eu.int/technical_report_2001_69/en/tech_rep_69.pdf
Foreword
"Condensed information on five priority waste streams is given in this
report which presents statistical data on quantities generated but
also on collection and treatment systems applied in several European
countries and regions. The selection of these waste streams was made
on the basis of on-going discussions in the European policy-making
context, in order to define forthcoming priorities for policy
development for the reduction of waste quantities. Therefore this
report provides a picture of the current situation for each specific
waste stream as a basis for comparisons between Member States. This by
no means should be understood as a ‘mirror’ of good or bad country
performance: it simply highlights the existing differences in waste
classification and various approaches adopted for waste reduction. In
any case, the reference to waste quantities per capita is a very
useful ‘piece’ of information to be seriously considered in
policy-making."
1. Introduction
"The datasets used in this report will become available in WasteBase
(http://waste.eionet.eu.int)."
Conclusions
"Specific conclusions
• Information on quantities and treatment of sewage sludge is
comprehensive. Most countries have time series and projections for
sewage sludge, due to the reporting obligations for the EU Directive
on urban wastewater treatment. Recycling in terms of soil improvement
appears to be the preferred treatment method in most countries.
Variations in waste quantities between countries can be explained by
different rates of development of wastewater treatment, which indicate
that the data have a high degree of comparability.
• Some countries have extensive datasets for construction and
demolition waste including time series and information on treatment
methods used and the compositional breakdown of the waste stream.
However, for the majority of countries only limited information is
available (e.g. information on hazardous construction/demolition
waste). Large variations in the amounts of waste per capita seem to be
due to differences in definitions used and collection schemes employed
and are unlikely to reflect real differences in the quantities
produced.
• Information on collection and treatment of waste oils is available
in most countries due to the reporting obligations of the Directive on
waste oils. Large variations in waste quantities are most likely to
indicate differences in industrial structures, waste collections
systems, etc.
• Most countries have data on generation of waste from coal-fired
power plants. However, information on treatment of this waste is very
limited. Due to the use of different energy sources, different types
of coal, etc. the quantities of waste from coal-fired power stations
vary considerably between different countries.
• Nearly all countries have information on quantities of biodegradable
municipal waste produced and its subsequent treatment. With a few
exceptions, per capita production of biodegradable municipal waste is
around 300 kg per capita per year in EEA member countries."
Environmental signals 2002
Chapter 12. Waste and material flows
http://reports.eea.eu.int/environmental_assessment_report_2002_9/en/signals2002-chap12.pdf
State and pressures of the marine and coastal Mediterranean
environment
http://reports.eea.eu.int/medsea/en/medsea_en.pdf
Foreword
"In the meantime, we must dare to convey some strong messages, as
demonstrated by the present report. Allow us to give you our
perception of the issues:
• The Mediterranean sea and region is traditionally very rich in
environmental data and specific, targeted information and scientific
knowledge but extremely poor in consistent and integrated assessments.
This difficulty to produce regular integrated assessments, linked to
the political agenda, is a major handicap that has to be overcome;
• The Mediterranean is a fantastic asset: it is a strong and healthy
sea that we submit, in spite of the reduction of some pollution, to
excessive pressures; hot-spots identified by MAP are still numerous.
Notwithstanding this, its natural conditions remain unique: its
biodiversity, oligothrophic conditions, regular water renewal, rich
coastal biotopes and landscapes, significant average depth (1,500 m),
mild climatic conditions, etc. Properly used, the Mediterranean
provides the basis for diversified economies in the basin while
keeping a unique Mediterranean entity;
• We keep transforming all this potential and opportunities into
threats for the future. If the sea, the water body, is still in
favourable condition, we are doing much to degrade the landscapes by
urbanising the coast beyond carrying capacities; we are also degrading
the transition zone, the biotopes, the sealing of soils. In a way we
are building a barrier of concrete that extends already over more than
25000 km of the 47000 total km ofMediterranean coast, behind which the
Mediterranean identity and its resources are gradually disappearing .
• We also discharge too much untreated waste water and toxic
substances; and biodiversity is threatened by bringing invading fauna
and flora species and scraping the sea beds."
Barcelona Convention and its Protocols
1 Dumping Protocol
2 Emergency Protocol
3 Land-Based Sources (LBS) Protocol
4 Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas
5 Offshore Protocol
6 Hazardous Wastes Protocol
European Environment Agency (EEA) Web Site
http://www.eea.eu.int/
EU Site
http://europa.eu.int
SEARCH TERMS EUROPE
European Union environmental agency
RESTRICTED SITE SEARCH:
://www.google.com/search?q=toxic+priorities&as_sitesearch=eea.eu.int&config=&restrict=&exclude=&page=
://www.google.com/search?q=environmental+priorities&as_sitesearch=eea.eu.int&config=&restrict=&exclude=&page=
and links from EEA site.
SEARCH TERMS USA
EPA
Previous knowledge of Scorecard, found by searching for,
environmental defense pollutants
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