In July 2011, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were detected at Westport Middle School in Westport, Mass. An inspection determined that PCBs from caulk used around the window had leaked into adjoining masonry. Now, the town may need to spend more than $100,000 to remediate the school.
- By Craig Sasse
- August 22, 2011
Greenhouse gas auditing is predicted to be one of the next biggest global industries as more countries are attempting cut down their carbon footprint and have passed laws requiring corporations to dramatically reduce their levels of pollution. However, serious questions have been raised as to how profitable this industry will be, and whether it is even worth investing in at such an early stage.
- By Deborah Sweeney
- August 22, 2011
With a capacity of treating 315 million gallons of water per day, this new $114 million ultraviolet water treatment facility is now the largest-capacity facility of its kind in California and the third largest in North America.
Since Mt. Olive Pickle Company began analyzing its wastewater data electronically, it's seen a host of benefits. The solution saves time, allows better communication and even enables the company to file required reports with the state electronically.
- By Chuck Scholpp
- August 10, 2011
While water scarcity presents a global crisis, one software-as-a-service company is using technology to reduce water loss through faulty infrastructures.
- By Christina Miralla
- August 03, 2011
Sprint's headquarters irrigates its campus via a a rainwater collection system, which has proven to be a boon for both the company's bank account and the environment.
- By Laura Williams
- July 27, 2011
A Dow Plastics pilot program recovered 96 percent of potential energy from waste plastics burned to fuel an incinerator.
- By Laura Williams
- July 25, 2011
The United States is lagging behind other countries when it comes down to overall recycling efforts. As the world’s largest trash producing country at 1,609 pounds of trash per person, per year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, it raises questions why the land of opportunity isn’t taking advantage of its position to help reduce some of the Earth’s greenhouse gas emissions.
- By Christina Miralla
- July 18, 2011
Through a combination of developing new technology and strategic use of materials, GM has transitioned 74 of its 140-odd plants into landfill-free facilities.
- By Laura Williams
- July 18, 2011
Chemically bonded phosphate ceramics create a passivation layer that stops corrosion and is protected by a tough ceramic outer layer. These compounds protect metal from corrosion better than other options, such as polymer paints, and are less expensive than using stainless steel.
As traditional brick-and-mortar colleges experience an influx in enrollment, many institutions wonder if they have the capacity to meet future educational demands. Due to substantial increases in applicants, many colleges have had to turn more and more people away.
- By Wesley Holmes
- July 04, 2011
In response to community concerns, Kentucky’s Louisville Water Company thought up a gravity-fed riverbank filtration system that connects to a mile-and-a-half-long tunnel leading to a treatment plant.
- By Laura Williams
- June 27, 2011
While biobased industrial performance chemicals have been around for awhile, manufacturers have made great strides in the past decade in improving their effectiveness.
- By Mike Guggenheimer
- June 20, 2011
Manchester Water Works sought to install a water main line that would go under the 900-foot Merrimack River, New Hampshire’s largest river, and cross the Pan Am Railway that runs adjacent to the river, with the least possible impact to the environment.
- By Robert McCoy
- June 13, 2011
When St. Augustine Prep School in Richland, N.J., decided to expand its facilities, it focused on maintaining the school’s historically strong environmental commitment. What it didn't realize, though, is that the wastewater treatment system it had implemented was unable to handle the capacity of wastewater the school generated.
Mitigating damage from environmental problems is a daunting task, especially considering the scope of the project. Despite the great size of the problems facing the environment, the sheer size of these issues can leave those in a position to do a little something about it feeling paralyzed. But for those used to taking on the Earth’s biggest challenges – literally oceans and mountains – pursuing relief after such disasters is all in a day’s work.
- By Laura Williams
- May 23, 2011
Despite the dry climate, the Omni hotel in Fort Worth, Texas, has installed a rooftop herb garden on one of its terraces shaded from the hot summer sun.
- By Laura Williams
- May 09, 2011
Chemical transport regulations don't always take into consideration the fact that mercury vaporizes at room temperature.
- By Peder A. Larson
- May 02, 2011
Environmental Protection's 2010 Salary Survey results leave the impression that professionals are holding their own in a still-uncertain economy.
- By L.K. Williams, EPonline
- April 13, 2011
Recycling, and to a greater extent tolling, decouples used solvent generators from the high cost and volatility of virgin solvent prices.
- By Paul DeVeau
- April 11, 2011