The city recorded fewer polluted days following its smog-cleaning campaign for the Olympics, and authorities last month announced that the city’s air quality has reached the highest level in decades after meeting its annual target for "blue sky" days one month ahead of schedule, for two consecutive years.

But the fact that Beijing’s air is now clean is bad news for reporters.

Feeling a need to challenge authorities with more probing questions on air pollution, I suggest the Beijing municipal environmental protection bureau correct flawed monitoring standards that have been used for more than a decade.

Both Chinese and foreign experts have said that the current air pollution index in Beijing, and across the country, is far from perfect. They point out that the current index excludes ozone, a key pollutant from car emissions. Chinese authorities instead monitor pollutant particles with sizes smaller than 10 micrometers, while European and North American countries focus on a more specific range of particles under 2.5 micrometers, and include ozone particles.

In short, the Chinese system creates an unfairly low index compared with other countries.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter (also known as PM10) pose a health concern because they can accumulate in the respiratory system.

But particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (known as PM2.5), referred to as "fine" particles, are believed to pose the greatest health risks. Because of their small size (about 1/30th the average width of a human hair), these fine particles can lodge deep into the lungs.

The distinction also partly explains that while yesterday’s air quality was recorded as "very unhealthy" at the local environmental bureau’s 28 monitor stations citywide, the independent monitor set by the US Embassy in Beijing’s car-populated business area said it was "hazardous".

I suggest Beijing authorities get active and take the opportunity to tackle air pollution now, just as they did before the Olympics.

An environmental advocacy group known as Environment Virginia released a report this week that identifies Alexandria’s Mirant coal-fired power plant as the second dirtiest in Virginia. The report, titled "America’s Biggest Polluters," used carbon dioxide emissions data from 2007 to conduct an analysis of the plants and create a ranking system. The finding comes at a time when city officials are coordinating with Mirant to erect a 30-foot windscreen in an effort to control fugitive dust from the plant.

"It’s very disappointing, but I must say it’s not surprising," said Councilwoman Del Pepper. "I’m hopeful that with the $ 34 million we got to improve the plant will address some of the problems."

In a $34-million settlement arranged last summer, the Atlanta-based energy company consented to spending $32 million to reduce output of particulate matter from the plant and $2 million to control fugitive dust. City officials say their long-term goal remains closing the plant, although nobody seems to have a timeline for when that might happen.

"As you know, and the press release admits, carbon dioxide is not yet regulated by the EPA," said Mirant spokeswoman Misty Allen. "The regulatory agency has a rulemaking proceeding underway and Mirant will meet any future EPA regulations of C02 as it does for all EPA regulated emissions."

The report concluded that the Mirant plant on the Potomac is the second dirtiest power plant in Virginia in 2007 based on carbon dioxide pollution, according to a new analysis of government data from the Environmental Protection Agency. The report also found that power plants built three decades ago or more produced 73 percent of the total pollution from power plants in 2007.

"It’s time for the oldest and dirtiest power plants to clean up their act," said Environment Virginia community organizer Pamela Leibowitz. "In order to stop global warming and reap all the benefits of clean energy, we must require old coal-fired clunkers to meet modern standards for global warming pollution."

Ed Tanner, Bristol zoning official, said a zoning change from general business to manufacturing at the site will make ELJ in compliance with town regulations.

Mr. Tanner said, as of now, the business is a non-conforming use. ELJ has argued in the past that the business is grandfathered because they used the property for similar uses before zoning at the property.

“They’ve done a lot of things to their operations to try to comply with our requests and the neighbors’ complaints about noise and dust,” Mr. Tanner said.

The property has been the scene of zoning battles and lawsuits dating back to 2005, when families on Brook Farm Drive sued ELJ for noise and air pollution.

The R.I. Department of Environmental Management issued a dust control “ fugitive dust ” violation to ELJ in October of 2005, citing clouds of dust traveling from the Tupelo Street property to adjacent neighborhoods. Samples taken tested positive for silica, a potentially harmful substance when breathed in.

Since 2005, Mr. Tanner said, ELJ has taken several measures to clean up the property.

There were many past complaints by neighbors of mud being dragged up and down Tupelo Street, but now ELJ uses a street sweeper to keep the dust and the mud from being spread around the neighborhood.

Mr. Tanner said ELJ also implemented several dust control  measures, including changing the way they were using their rock crusher and the storing of stockpiles of materials on the property.

ELJ now uses water and a chemical called a tackifier resin that is sprayed on material piles to hold them in place and not produce dust.

Mr. Tanner said the town hasn’t had any recent complaints about the business. “(ELJ) has certainly done some things to clean that up and to address the town’s concerns,” Mr. Tanner said.

Part of the zoning agreement involves the submission of a master plan showing a map of the property with entrances, exits and parking. The change is on the planning board’s agenda for recommendation at their Tuesday, Dec. 8, meeting and would then go before the council the next day.

Alberta’s oilsands are pumping the equivalent of a major oil spill into the Athabasca watershed every year, says an independent report.

The research study, published yesterday in the U.S. journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, suggests toxic emissions from the oilsands are nearly five times as high and cover twice as much area than reported by Suncor and Syncrude.

Dr. David Schindler, one of the report’s authors, said the results show that better monitoring is needed and more remedial measures need to be taken to ensure the health of those living along the Athabasca River and its tributaries.

"I think the human threat is already there," he said yesterday.

"We’re hoping when the government sees this, they’ll make efforts to upgrade their monitoring programs and we’re hoping to develop a model that the government will pick up and execute."

The report suggests more than a decade worth of monitoring and testing has failed to capture the scope of the pollution caused by oilsands operations and estimates some 34,000 tonnes of toxic particulates are being released from the two resource giants every year.

Studies were conducted by several monitoring stations along the waterways for two months in the summer of 2008.

Alberta Energy Minister Rob Renner, noting he and his staff haven’t read the findings but will look at them, dismissed the suggestion that the heavy oil industry is having a detrimental effect on the environment.

"We’ve done an extensive amount of testing that tells us there’s not (any) risk associated with development," he said.

"There are no obvious signs of impact from industrial development," Renner said.

But Schindler noted the signs are plentiful that the continuing development of the oilsands has had a major impact. He said the discovery of fish in nearby Fort Chipewyan, including one with multiple tumours and another that was "rotting while alive" suggests the downstream impact is taking a major toll on the aquatic population.

And until more comprehensive studies are done, Schindler is suggesting the province put a moratorium on further development alongside waterways, developing new ways to clean emissions from the plants and dust control  to limit the damage from toxic particulates.

"Tata Steel officials made a presentation at a public hearing on Monday for environmental clearance and committed to invest Rs.2,000 crore on environment conservation," Bastar district collector M.S. Paraste, who presided over the meeting, told IANS.

Describing the hearing as "quite successful", Paraste said 2,044 hectares of land would be handed over to Tata Steel, probably by December.

District authorities have so far acquired about 80 percent of land across 10 villages in Lohandiguda block, some 340 km south of state capital Raipur, for the integrated plant that will produce 5.5 million tonnes of steel annually.

The iron ore-rich Bastar region, spread out over about 40,000 square kilometres, is one of India’s most impoverished pockets and also the nerve centre of Maoist militancy.
Tata Steel said the project would provide huge business opportunities for local entrepreneurs — "around Rs.400-500 crore while the business opportunity for other ancillary industries would be about Rs.2,500 crore".

In its presentation paper, the company said it would take special measures to abate pollution, solid waste, water pollution and noise.
"The plant is going to implement state-of-the-art pollution control equipment like electrostatic precipitators, bag filters, dust suppression systems such as water sprinklers, dry fog system etc."

As per the presentation, "estimated annual earnings from taxes and levies would be about Rs.2,400 crore for the government from the Tata Steel Chhattisgarh unit, while the infrastructure development would to the tune of Rs.1,000 crore per annum".

Soils Control International has accomplished the same results with their product, Top-Seal Dust Control 

DuPont Australia’s groundbreaking work to reduce dust emissions from trains carrying coal and to improve air quality recently earned two industry awards:

* The Australian Mining Prospect Award for Excellence in Environmental Management
* The Australian Bulk Handling Award for Dust Control Technology

“Dust emissions from trains transporting coal are a serious problem for the mining industry and a constant source of complaint from communities near rail lines,” said Leong Mar, Technology Centre manager. “Australia’s hot, dry climate significantly increases the potential for dust during the trip from the mine to the port.”

DuPont and Anglo Coal worked on a joint project at Callide Mines that cut coal dust emissions from 50% to 90%, depending on coal characteristics and conditions. A spray system treats the surface of loaded coal with DuPont™ Dusgon® dust suppression agent. The design is seamlessly integrated with normal operations and provides tangible benefits to the workers, local community and the environment.

DuPont Australia Managing Director Hutch Ranck said the awards reflect the company’s commitment to developing products that protect people and the environment.

“Congratulations are in order to the dust suppression team for their determination and perseverance in successfully commercializing this technology, which has won industry recognition,” Hutch said.

Visit SCI and look at Top-Seal for your coal dust control

Mining officials and medical experts say education, stricter enforcement and new regulations can curb the disease, which has been on the rise in the region and has killed some 10,000 miners in the last decade.

Thursday’s meeting was the first of four informational sessions planned by Mine Safety and Health Administration.

“There is a collective agreement that we have to fix this problem,” MSHA Director Joseph Main told a packed room that included representatives from mining companies, the United Mine Workers of America and former miners suffering from the ailment.

Black lung is a collection of debilitating and potentially fatal diseases from respirable coal mine dust exposure.

Based on recent data from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, cases of black lung are on the rise, and even young miners are showing evidence of advanced and debilitating lung disease from excessive dust exposure. Experts have been at a loss to explain why.

Gary Hairston had to retire from mining at 48 after developing the illness.

“My wind is getting shorter and shorter, and before it’s over with I probably will be on oxygen,” he said. “The things I love to do with my family I can’t do no more, just because I never did think about dust hurting me.”

The federal government has spent more than $44 billion in compensation for miners disabled by black lung since 1970.

The plan unveiled Thursday aims to address information gaps about black lung by educating miners, mine operators and mine inspectors about the ailment, Main said.

A weeklong project called the Dust Sweep will be rolled out in mines across the country, making sure required dust control measures are in place and providing the latest information on black lung.

The second part of the strategy will come in stricter enforcement of existing regulations, Main said, with mine inspectors looking for dust control shortcomings.
“We want these problems fixed,” he said.

The final component, which involves new federal regulation, is the haziest part of the plan. Main said he couldn’t go into too many details, citing advice from agency lawyers.

MSHA says it’s working on the approval of a new technology — continuous personal dust monitors.

If approved, miners would wear the monitor on their hip to measure exposure to dust levels during their work shift.

The dust monitors carry a price tag of about $10,000 apiece.

UMW President Cecil Roberts told the crowd of several hundred that black lung was “the nation’s problem.”

Roberts added that mining laws need to be updated. Miners are spending longer hours underground, which equals an increase in coal dust exposure.
“Either the law isn’t stringent enough or it isn’t being enforced,” he said.

“The nation should band together in this coalition that’s in this room today and end this terrible disease once and for all. … These miners gave their health, gave their life, to energize this nation so this nation could prosper.”

MSHA will hold additional meetings meeting Dec. 7 in Washington, Pa., Dec. 10 in Lebanon, Va., and on Dec. 11 in Frankfort, Ky.

The discharge area is uphill from the Carson River and near the Truckee Canal and has a general groundwater depth as high as 16 feet.

Tom Clark, director of governmental affairs and public relations for Bango, said the company requested this permit as a part of a Special Environmental Project issued by the NDEP.

Clark said the NDEP issued the project when Bango Oil assembled equipment prior to being issued an expansion permit. He said Bango officials thought this was permissible as long as the equipment was not operated, which was inaccurate. The NDEP issued a partial fine and special project.

The project, a water treatment facility, will allow Bango to clean water used in its operations to state standards, which Clark said is not drinkable but clean. Clark said this would also reduce trucks on Bango Road by 85-90 percent, resolving some resident concerns about traffic. Clark said the water will be used for dust control and general clean-up on Bango property.

Community members primary concern was that water containing harmful chemicals would seep into the area’s well water and possibly into the Carson River and Truckee Canal.
“I oppose this permit,” said resident Veto Quilici. “I oppose anything that will allow treated chemical to be pumped onto the ground. We don’t know what this will do. If the bureaucrats allow this they will be sorry in the future.”

Many attendees have been involved with previous odor complaints against Bango Oil and feel this will further damage their quality of life.

“I can see Bango Oil from my home, I can smell it, I don’t want to bathe in it,” said resident Holly Bute.

Clark said these concerns are not based on evidence and NDEP Public Information Officer Jill Lufrano confirmed testing showed all chemicals were treated and harmless.

“The Nevada Department of Environmental Protection would never allow us to put water back into a source that would be so heavy it would contaminate their drinking water and the Carson River,” Clark said, adding comment about the chemicals. “It’s another one of those unscientific allegations. If there were, the NDEP would never let us go forward.”
President Ernie Schank of the Truckee Canal Irrigation District said he trusts the state and county would not allow a permit that could effect their water systems.

“To my knowledge it’s not going to affect any of our facilities,” Schank said.

Another concern attendees voiced was the request for a 14,000 gallon maximum discharge per day when the facility only needs to discharge 1,000 gallons for operations.
“This permit will write Bango Oil a blank check,” said resident Lorraine Griffin. “What is to stop them from bringing in oily water from outside sources?”

Clark said originally Bango Oil wanted to make the water available to the county for any use, so Bango applied for a larger amount of discharge, but the county rejected that offer. He said it would take too much time and money to amend the maximum and could possibly send Bango back to the beginning of the application process. Still, he said there are no plans to use that maximum.

“They said it (trucking in water for treatment) would be so tremendously expensive, it wouldn’t be worth it,” Clark said.

Many residents also expressed fear of a lack of oversight if Bango receives the permit, pointing out the application states it is Bango’s responsibility to provide some environmental information to the NDEP.

“You’re expecting Bango Oil to tell you what they’re doing,” said resident Dave German. “They’re not doing what they’re saying.”

Lufrano said the NDEP is going above and beyond because of complaints. She said the NDEP is requiring Bango to install a ground water meter to alert the NDEP of contamination, and she said NDEP will do at least two-three visits per year, and more the first year, along with at least one unannounced visit to collect samples.

“The NDEP’s got us under a microscope,” Clark said. “If we do anything they have not permitted us to do, they are not going to be happy with us. If the NDEP sees us watering anything other than our property, the NDEP can come out and shut us down.”

Residents also suggested solutions. Some suggested continuing to truck water out, and others said they would feel better with strict oversight and regular environmental testing.
County Manager Brad Goetsch asked the NDEP to research why lined evaporation pools were not being used. Goetsch said lined pools were installed originally, and the county and Bango approved them, but the NDEP removed them.

Clark said that decision was made by the NDEP for fear the ponds were a source of the odors.

Chief John Palm of the Bureau of Water Pollution Control informed the audience their questions would be answered after the final decision was made. Attendees said they felt placated.

“We’re sick of it,” said resident Richard Wideman. “We’re tired of these meetings night after night … It seems like this is just to appease these people — to have another meeting before saying yes.”

Others said they are taking their issues with Bango to large media outlets and the governor, who oversees the NDEP.

“They’re not going to listen to us,” Quilici said. “These bureaucrats will do whatever they want.”

Lufrano said she understands people are concerned, and there is a lot of confusion about the process. But she said comments are taken into consideration and all questions are looked into prior to the decision even though answers are not distributed until after.

Merrillville-based MonoSol LLC, a global leader in the development and commercialization of water soluble products and packaging, announced that it is considering an expansion of their La Porte production facility to dramatically increase production pending local and state incentive offers. The company says it would invest more than $20 million over the next two years and add significant resources to its La Porte plant if approved.

"For the past five years, MonoSol has developed technology that has grown worldwide consumer and commercial product demand for water soluble films and solutions. This increasing demand has been met by consistently and methodically increasing capacity at our manufacturing sites in the United States and England," said P. Scott Bening, president and CEO.

The new addition would add approximately 41,000 sq ft of production space and house an additional two production lines with the ability to add a third line in the future. This expansion will be the next phase in its growth program to increase production capacity at their global manufacturing facilities.

Tim Gropp, executive director of the Greater La Porte Economic Development Corp., stated, "This expansion comes during a tough recession when jobs and investment are significantly needed. We are excited that their expansion in our community would take place so soon after their initial investment, and we will continue to support their future growth in our community."

MonoSol expects to increase capacity for water soluble film manufacturing by more than 20 percent in 2010 and an additional 20 percent in 2011 and will add similar solution production capacity. This increase is being driven by advances in several growth market areas such as unit dose packaging, composite fabricating and MonoSol’s unique new dust abatement solution product, TerraLOC(TM).

In 2007 Monosol purchased the remaining 16 acres of the Thomas Rose Industrial Park located in La Porte and in 2008 opened a 30,000-square-foot facility to house its new high-tech film production lines and pilot facilities. The current facility houses two production lines and a mixing area.

MonoSol has asked the La Porte City Council for authorization to utilize the ‘Enterprise Zone Investment Deduction’ program. This program allows the company to receive a tax deduction on the increase in assessed value which must then be reinvested back into their La Porte facility. A portion of the savings must also go to the La Porte Urban Enterprise Association to reinvest throughout the zone in the form of grants.