Reproduction in whole or in part is not permitted without the written permission of the Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand. This relates to the first of the characteristics of environmental education, namely that it must be interdisciplinary or interdisciplinary. A specialist must become aware of the contributions that other specialists can make to the solution of environmental problems.
It is more difficult for undergraduate environmental courses to do this because they cannot develop any of the expertise yet, but they may have other strengths related to other features of environmental education. I believe that the main reason is the apparent apathy of most members towards the workings of the Association. It should be mentioned that there is a high degree of uncertainty regarding the value of the stated carcinogenic risk factor for benzene of 4 x 10-6.
The EPA brings together different bodies (eg the SPCC, part of the Department of Health and part of the Waste Disposal Authority) and is a growing entity. A visual indication of the pollution levels and status of each of the fans is displayed in the central control room and a hard copy is provided. The simulation can be run at different speeds to provide an overall picture or a more detailed understanding of the problem.
It is designed to prevent the release to the atmosphere of fumes normally formed during hot-dip galvanizing.
GENERAL NEWS ITEMS
STACK AND AMBIENT MONITORING INSTRUMENTS FROM THE WORLDS LEADING SUPPLIER OF INSTRUMENTS AND SYSTEMS
Since its inception in the early 1970s, scientific information from the Cape Grim Air Pollution Base Station has been an integral part of many of the activities in the CSIRO Division of Atmospheric Research. With this in mind, careful measurements of the carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere will be made during the International Geophysical Year. Energy from the sun passes through the atmosphere and is absorbed by the planet's surface, which in turn emits infrared radiation.
Airplane flights were used to understand the variations in carbon dioxide concentrations in the lower layers of the atmosphere. Cape Grim is an apt name for one of the most rugged and scenic parts of Tasmania's coastline. Today, the Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station is a highly advanced, world-class facility, providing vital information about the atmosphere of the Southern Hemisphere. The Van Diemen's Land Company still owns and manages the extensive Woolnorth station that surrounds the Cape Grim site.
The station's reputation owes a lot to the efforts and dedication of its staff. Conditions at Cape Grim are base less than 40 percent of the time. Human activity contributes to the amount of greenhouse gases carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in the atmosphere.
Measurements of the isotopic abundances of different forms of carbon dioxide provide information on the sources and sinks of the gas. Gloomy that the first signs of success of this deal are likely to be seen. If, for example, hydroxyl radical concentrations were decreasing, this would suggest that the self-cleaning ability of the atmosphere is decreasing.
Meteorological measurements help determine the origin of the air masses sampled at Cape Grim. They also provide information on the long-term climatology of the site and local impacts. Cape Grim is particularly important because it is one of the few measuring stations in the Southern Hemisphere.
A MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE
Every day, a small portion of the air blowing through north-west Tasmania is collected and analyzed. Information from Cape Grim and other base observatories already serves as the basis for environmental policy decisions made by governments around the world. Paul Holper is editor of the Information Officer Division, CSIRO Atmospheric Research Division, Private Bag No.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES
ANITA ROPER, AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER OF MANUFACTURES
Every day we learn a little more about our atmosphere and the impact of human activities. We have every reason to be grateful for the foresight that scientists showed many years ago when they recognized the importance of monitoring the atmospheric health of our planet. The Australian Chamber of Manufactures has identified its key environmental objective as achieving a sustainable balance between development and conservation of the environment.
Incidentally, this sustainable balance policy was established and published in mid-1990, long before the Prime Minister set up the National Working Groups on Ecologically Sustainable Development. Yet, despite the apparent consensus in favor of balance, it is constantly evident that 'balance' has different meanings for different groups. One would imagine that a close, collaborative approach between government, industry, unions and society would be seen as essential to achieving the best outcome for the benefit of all.
Linkage between government and industry would appear to be the best and most effective way to optimize productivity and conservation. But balance does not appear to be a prominent feature of the debate on environmental issues in Australia. The benefits of actions, as well as their costs, are weighed in most human decision-making, but for some.
Of course, there is statistical risk, but the problem is due to poor planning, not necessarily any changes in the way the industry operates. Part of the reason for the conflicts between the manufacturing industry and other parts of the community is the lack of uniformity of regulations and the lack of consultation in the early stages of development. Community expectations will change over time and cause the level of stringency of environmental guidelines to change.
Furthermore, different levels of protection may be required in different regions depending on a wide range of variables such as climate, population, type of soil and groundwater, current level of development, etc. The expansion of environmental laws, regulations, and standards at the federal, state, and local levels, especially since the early 1970s, has required changes and additional costs for the community and industry. ACM believes that the time has come for a concerted effort to create national environmental guidelines and model legislation.
OIL-FREE COMPANY
Now caution in the face of danger is wise and prudent, and may save a person from death or injury: but to flatly refuse ever to cross any road, to eliminate the risk of being run over, may a also exposes one to isolation, starvation or many other risks.
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Political pressure, media campaigns, or community action groups sometimes appear to exert disproportionate influence on setting standards or developing regulations that do not have a valuable environmental benefit. The report and discussion papers then show a very cavalier attitude towards providing scientific evidence for the need for any change in air quality targets. Another recent example of the imbalance underpinning current thinking on environmental control is Melbourne Water's (formerly Board of Works) Interim Trade Waste Guidelines.
Here was a clear example of how companies and jobs were being put at risk due to the bureaucratic imposition of arbitrary requirements without sufficient consultation with industry. For example, the discharge limit for formaldehyde was proposed to be reduced from 200 ppm to 50 ppm, which would force some companies to install very expensive treatment facilities to meet the proposed reduction, or else to stop production. During 1991, I pushed as hard and as often as I could for a review of how environmental regulations are developed, to make sure that the right processes are in place to generate regulations that are scientifically sound, environmental and economic.
If we are going to be forced to adopt a regulatory and prescriptive approach to environmental control in the manufacturing industry, then lefs make sure those regulations and rules are good ones that bring the greatest benefit to all at the lowest cost. In addition, all proposed regulations and their accompanying RIS must then be independently reviewed. Currently, proposals for regulations and objections are considered by their proponents, e.g. Environmental Protection Administration.
I am merely suggesting that the consultation process preceding regulation must be effective and credible, and that regulation must be cost-effective. There are many more examples of the widespread imbalance implied by so-called regulators of our environment. When fees, costs or expenses are imposed in the name of protecting the environment, we must be certain that additional environmental improvements are necessary and feasible.
The economic and social costs of meeting the regulations and standards we propose must be balanced against the benefits that can be achieved. In a major initiative to help smaller companies improve their environmental management, the Australian Chamber of Manufacturers today launched a do-it-yourself Environmental Management Handbook for small industry. Meet requirements for air and water emissions, waste disposal, storage of dangerous goods, noise, waste control and the like.
PLUME RISE FROM MULTIPLE STACKS
Asbestos studies; Slow-burning stoves; Coal and other domestic fuel in China; Studies in Indiana schools;. Stack gas emissions; Trace elements, hydrocarbons and PAHs from coal combustion; Particle size characterization and nephelometry; corrosivity mapping; Regional air quality mapping; Organic compounds in motor vehicle emissions and the atmosphere;.
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