Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1965 PL. 89 - 272 (as amended 1992, 1996).
Initiates and accelerates a national research and development program for
new and improved methods of proper and economic solid waste disposal
and to provide technical and financial assistance to appropriate agencies in
the planning, development, and conduct of solid waste disposal programs.
The Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare (program transferred to the
EPA) was responsible for the administration of the act with respect to solid
waste problems of communities and their environments, including those
solid-waste residues that result from business, agricultural, and industrial
activities. The Department of the Interior was responsible for solving indus-
trial solid-waste problems within facilities engaged in extraction, processing,
or utilization of minerals and fossil fuels.
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 PL. 95 - 87. The U.S.
Department of the Interior sets standards to control disturbance of the land
from mining and to assure reclamation afterward. The act also deals com-
prehensively with specific types of pollution affecting ground-waters.
Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 PL. 94 - 569. Grants the EPA authority
to control manufacture, distribution, and use of new and existing chemical
substances that present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the envi-
ronment, except for pesticides, foods, drugs, cosmetics, tobacco, liquor, and
several additional categories of chemicals regulated under other federal laws;
develop adequate data and knowledge on the effects of chemical substances
and mixtures on health and the environment; establish an inventory and
selectively act on those that appear to pose potential hazard; and devise a
system to examine new chemicals before they reach the marketplace.
Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978 (as amended). Requires
the cleanup of radioactive contamination, including ground-water, remaining
from inactive processing sites.
Lead Poisoning
Lead is a cumulative poison ending up in the bones, blood, and tissue. Lead is
also found in the urine. It is not readily excreted by children. It may cause mental
retardation, blindness, chronic kidney diseases, fatigue, anemia, gastroenteritis,
muscular paralysis, behavioral changes, high blood pressure, birth defects, and
other impairments. Lead poisoning is commonly associated with children living
in old and substandard housing built before 1950 who eat lead-based paint on
woodwork and paint that peels or flakes from walls (both inside and outside of
buildings), ceilings, and other surfaces. However, other sources of lead, as dis-
cussed below, may contribute to or be the major cause of high blood lead levels.
Removal of lead-based paint requires special precautions to protect children,
adults, and workers from inhaling dust and fumes. Sanding causes the release of
lead-laden dust, and open-flame burning or torching releases lead fumes. A heat
gun is preferred. Precautions include enclosure of the work area to prevent spread
of the dust to other apartments or public areas; protection of furnishings and
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