Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is required of biopharmaceutical companies before an Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) Licence is granted?
What is required of biopharmaceutical companies before an Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) Licence is granted?
Which of the following statements about the Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) Licence is true?
Which of the following statements about the Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) Licence is true?
What does the acronym BOD represent in the context of waste management?
What does the acronym BOD represent in the context of waste management?
Which of the following are the main types of industrial licenses issued by the EPA?
Which of the following are the main types of industrial licenses issued by the EPA?
Signup and view all the answers
Which regulation pertains to ionizing radiation and environmental management?
Which regulation pertains to ionizing radiation and environmental management?
Signup and view all the answers
What must companies do before using a premises for contained use of GMOs?
What must companies do before using a premises for contained use of GMOs?
Signup and view all the answers
What is required of users of GMO/GMM contained use activities?
What is required of users of GMO/GMM contained use activities?
Signup and view all the answers
For what purpose can companies apply to the EPA to release GMOs into the environment?
For what purpose can companies apply to the EPA to release GMOs into the environment?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a requirement when placing a GMO product on the market in the EU?
What is a requirement when placing a GMO product on the market in the EU?
Signup and view all the answers
What may the EPA do after reviewing a GMO notification?
What may the EPA do after reviewing a GMO notification?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main purpose of the EPA's licensing process?
What is the main purpose of the EPA's licensing process?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of facilities does the EPA regulate to ensure they do not endanger human health?
What type of facilities does the EPA regulate to ensure they do not endanger human health?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is classified as non-hazardous municipal solid waste?
Which of the following is classified as non-hazardous municipal solid waste?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one of the roles of the EPA concerning drinking water?
What is one of the roles of the EPA concerning drinking water?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of waste requires treatment on-site if possible?
What type of waste requires treatment on-site if possible?
Signup and view all the answers
Which waste type is generated through fermentation media processes?
Which waste type is generated through fermentation media processes?
Signup and view all the answers
Which activity is specifically limited by the EPA in terms of waste management?
Which activity is specifically limited by the EPA in terms of waste management?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the term 'inactivation' refer to in waste management?
What does the term 'inactivation' refer to in waste management?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key function of the EPA in relation to air quality?
What is a key function of the EPA in relation to air quality?
Signup and view all the answers
How does the EPA enforce environmental laws against offenders?
How does the EPA enforce environmental laws against offenders?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of these processes typically generates hazardous liquid waste?
Which of these processes typically generates hazardous liquid waste?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a potential opportunity mentioned for managing non-hazardous waste?
What is a potential opportunity mentioned for managing non-hazardous waste?
Signup and view all the answers
What aspect of environmental quality does the EPA monitor concerning water bodies?
What aspect of environmental quality does the EPA monitor concerning water bodies?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is part of the EPA’s responsibilities in enforcing compliance?
Which of the following is part of the EPA’s responsibilities in enforcing compliance?
Signup and view all the answers
Which factor significantly impacts Ireland’s environment due to industrial activities?
Which factor significantly impacts Ireland’s environment due to industrial activities?
Signup and view all the answers
Which activity related to agriculture is regulated by the EPA?
Which activity related to agriculture is regulated by the EPA?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary aim of obtaining an Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) licence?
What is the primary aim of obtaining an Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) licence?
Signup and view all the answers
Which step must a biopharmaceutical company take before applying for an IPC licence?
Which step must a biopharmaceutical company take before applying for an IPC licence?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the EPA assess as part of the IPC licence application?
What does the EPA assess as part of the IPC licence application?
Signup and view all the answers
What types of activities does the EPA license under waste management?
What types of activities does the EPA license under waste management?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of the EPA in relation to IPC compliance?
Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of the EPA in relation to IPC compliance?
Signup and view all the answers
What do Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) represent?
What do Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) represent?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is a consideration for the EPA in waste management?
Which of the following is a consideration for the EPA in waste management?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of organisms are classified as Genetically Modified Micro-Organisms (GMMs)?
Which type of organisms are classified as Genetically Modified Micro-Organisms (GMMs)?
Signup and view all the answers
What year was the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established?
What year was the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established?
Signup and view all the answers
Which office of the EPA focuses on scientific evidence and advice regarding the environment?
Which office of the EPA focuses on scientific evidence and advice regarding the environment?
Signup and view all the answers
Which responsibility is NOT listed for the EPA?
Which responsibility is NOT listed for the EPA?
Signup and view all the answers
Where is the headquarters of the EPA located?
Where is the headquarters of the EPA located?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one of the key roles of the EPA?
What is one of the key roles of the EPA?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following offices is responsible for the achievement of a climate-resilient society?
Which of the following offices is responsible for the achievement of a climate-resilient society?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of these is NOT among the five offices within the EPA?
Which of these is NOT among the five offices within the EPA?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one of the responsibilities of the EPA regarding greenhouse gases?
What is one of the responsibilities of the EPA regarding greenhouse gases?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Environmental Biotechnology
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an independent public body under the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.
- EPA was set up in 1993.
- EPA consists of five offices.
EPA Offices
- Office of Environmental Enforcement – implements and enforces environmental legislation.
- Office of Environmental Sustainability – achieves a well-regulated, climate-resilient, resource-efficient and environmentally engaged society.
- Office of Evidence and Assessment – provides scientific evidence and advice on environmental matters.
- Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring – implements legislation relating to chemicals to establish and monitor pollutants.
- Office of Communications and Corporate Services – supports the staff of the EPA.
EPA Headquarters and Additional Offices
- The EPA headquarters are located in Johnstown Castle Estate, County Wexford.
- Additional offices are located in Dublin, Inniscarra (County Cork), Castlebar (County Mayo), Monaghan, Kilkenny, Athlone (County Westmeath), and Limerick.
What EPA does
- Protects and improves the environment.
- Protects people and the environment from harmful effects of radiation and pollution.
- Plays key roles in environmental regulation and provides knowledge and advocacy for the environment.
- Provides environmental data, assessments, and evidence to inform decision-making.
- Implements effective regulations and environmental compliance systems.
Main Responsibilities
- Licensing: Licenses and regulates waste facilities (landfills, incinerators, waste transfer stations), large-scale industrial activities (pharmaceutical, cement, power plants), intensive agriculture (pigs, poultry), GMOs, sources of radiation, large petrol storage facilities, wastewater discharges, and dumping at sea.
- National Environmental Enforcement: Conducts audits and inspections of EPA-licensed facilities, oversees local authorities' environmental responsibilities, supervises drinking water supply, works with local authorities and other agencies to tackle environmental crime, prosecutes environmental law violators, and enforces regulations.
- Water Management: Monitors and reports on water quality (rivers, lakes, coastal waters, groundwater), measures water levels and river flows, coordinates and oversees the Water Framework Directive, and monitors bathing water quality.
- Monitoring, Analyzing, and Reporting on the Environment: Monitors air quality, implements the EU Clean Air for Europe (CAFÉ) Directive, provides independent reporting to national and local government, collects and reports national waste statistics.
EPA Industrial Licensing
- Two main licences are Industrial Emissions (IE) Licence and Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) Licence.
- IPC Licence is required by biopharmaceutical companies operating manufacturing facilities in Ireland.
- IPC licence covers all emissions and environmental management from the facility.
- Before licensing, companies must prove to EPA that emissions do not cause a significant adverse environmental impact.
IPC Licence Aim
- Prevent or reduce emissions to air, water, land.
- Reduce waste.
- Use energy/resources efficiently
IPC Licence Process
- Biopharmaceutical companies must apply to the EPA for an IPC licence.
- This application needs an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
- The EIA must state effects of proposed developments on the environment.
- EPA assesses the EIA.
EPA Waste Licensing
- The EPA licenses landfills, hazardous waste disposal, ship recycling, and other significant waste disposal and recovery activities.
- Other considerations include dedicated waste storage facilities, air emissions, noise, and groundwater monitoring.
- EPA is responsible for ensuring compliance with IPC license through audits and environmental monitoring.
EPA GMO Notifications
- Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) have genetic material altered (not from mating or natural recombination).
- Genetically Modified Micro-Organisms (GMMs) include bacteria, viruses, and animal and plant cells in culture.
- GMOs can be plants or animals (transgenic plants or animals).
- EPA implements GMO regulations on contained use, deliberate release, and transboundary movement of GMOs.
EPA GMO Contained Use
- Companies must apply for first-time use and subsequent contained use of GMOs/GMMs.
- The EPA reviews the application and gives consent (with or without conditions), or refuses consent.
- Users of GMO/GMM contained use activities (except Class 1 GMMs) must submit annual reports to the EPA.
EPA GMO Deliberate Release
- Companies applying to EPA to release GMOs into the environment must show the purpose is other than marketing (e.g. field trials, human clinical trials).
- For marketing in EU, a product containing GMOs needs to be brought to the market (e.g. GM starch potato, GM cut flowers).
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
This quiz explores the functions and offices of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), established in 1993. Discover the roles of each office, from environmental enforcement to sustainability efforts. Test your knowledge of environmental governance and the EPA's contributions to a sustainable society.
