Pollution

Along with the usual spooky and spine-tingling sights we have come to expect in caves, another scary inhabitant is turning up — contaminants such as PCBs, pesticides, dioxins, gasoline, fertilizers, sewage, and caffeine. These pollutants, which are leaching into caves from the surface and groundwater, can pose a threat to the delicate underground environments that are prized by many, and that provide benefits to people, plants, and animals on the surface. The presence of these contaminants underground also serves as a blunt reminder of how pervasive pollutants are.

The US military has created at least 31,487 toxic sites at 4,624 military facilities or properties. Many of these have been cleaned up to some degree over the past few decades, but 7,056 still haven't had any cleanup, nor is there an accepted cleanup plan in place, according to the Sept. 18, 2008, testimony of Wayne Arny (703-695-2880), Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, before the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee.

A voluntary program designed to reduce nonpoint (diffuse) sources of coastal water pollution caused by boating has been slowly expanding since the late 1990s.

On June 11, the US Supreme Court unanimously decided to allow polluters who engage in voluntary Superfund site cleanups to recoup costs from other responsible parties.

US and Canadian government agencies acknowledged the glass is only half full with the June 7, 2007, release of their State of the Great Lakes Highlights Report.

EPA is expected to release its proposed new standard for ground level ozone by June 20, 2007.

As the summer smog season begins, several sources can help you provide better coverage of this serious health and environmental issue.

Manufacturing is a large consumer of energy.

On March 29, 2007, EPA finalized the Clean Air Fine Particle Implementation Rule.

Although acknowledging that their calculations are not comprehensive, an advocacy group has concluded that at least 18 states, and possibly 14 others, are significantly undercollecting fees for permitted air pollution.