National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Overview

Hazardous waste that poses a significant threat to human health and the environment, even in small amounts.

A comprehensive environmental law that regulates the management and disposal of hazardous waste from its generation to its final disposal.

A specific set of regulations under RCRA that govern the identification and classification of wastes as either hazardous or non-hazardous.

Any substance that can harm people, animals, property, or the environment.

A set of regulations under RCRA that establishes standards for businesses that generate hazardous waste, including documentation, storage, and disposal requirements.

A specific set of regulations under RCRA that restrict the disposal of hazardous waste on land without first treating it to remove harmful components.

Regulations that outline standards for the design, construction, and operation of storage tanks for hazardous waste with high volatile organic concentrations, aiming to minimize emissions.

A chemical compound that forms multiple bonds with a metal ion.

A substance that minimizes changes in pH (hydrogen ion concentration) in a solution.

Organic compounds containing the carbonyl group (C=O) with structural formulas -CHO (aldehydes) and RC(=O)R' (ketones).

A technique used to separate and analyze organic compounds based on their boiling points and volatility.

The process of converting ammonia (NH3) to nitrate ions (NO3-) during wastewater treatment.

The Clean Air Act of 1990 is a landmark legislation designed to reduce three major air pollution threats: acid rain, urban air pollution, and toxic air emissions.

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) are set to protect public health and welfare from air pollution. They are applied in every state to ensure clean air for all.

A major source is any stationary source that emits or has the potential to emit 10 tons per year or more of a hazardous air pollutant or 25 tons per year of a combination of hazardous air pollutants.

An area source is any stationary source that is not a major source.

Title I of the Clean Air Act addresses urban air pollution problems such as ozone (smog) and carbon monoxide (CO), aiming to attain and maintain clean air standards.

Title II of the Clean Air Act focuses on mobile sources like cars and trucks, which are significant contributors to ozone precursors and carbon monoxide emissions.

Title III of the Clean Air Act addresses toxic air pollutants that are hazardous to human health or the environment, such as carcinogens, mutagens, and reproductive toxins.

Acid rain, or acid deposition, occurs when sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) react in the atmosphere to form acidic compounds that fall to the ground.

Title V of the Clean Air Act establishes an operating permits program to ensure compliance with all applicable requirements of the Act and enhance enforcement capabilities.

Any discarded material, including solid, liquid, semi-solid, or contained gaseous material, regardless of whether it's hazardous or non-hazardous.

A category of waste including batteries, pesticides, and thermostats, handled differently due to their specific hazards.

This law empowers the EPA to regulate chemical substances and mixtures, including reporting, testing, and restrictions.

This law focuses on governing pesticide distribution, sale, and use to protect public health and the environment.

This law aims to address acid rain, urban air pollution, and toxic air emissions, with a focus on cleaner air.

This law, also known as 'Superfund', addresses cleanup of hazardous waste sites, identifies responsible parties, and aims to protect the environment.

An amendment to CERCLA, this law focuses on emergency planning and public notification about potential chemical hazards in communities.

Passed after the Bhopal disaster, this act aims to prevent and prepare for chemical hazards by requiring local, state, and federal agencies to collaborate.

This law, passed in response to the Bhopal disaster, emphasizes the need for collaboration among various levels of government and industries to prevent and prepare for chemical hazards.

The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of ozone-depleting substances. Title VI of the Clean Air Act mirrors the Montreal Protocol's approach by establishing a timetable for phasing out ozone-depleting substances, including CFCs, halons, carbon tetrachloride, methyl chloroform, and hydrochlorofluorocarbons.

Class I chemicals, such as CFCs, halons, and carbon tetrachloride, are targeted for a complete phase-out by the year 2000, while methyl chloroform is scheduled for elimination by 2002.

Class II chemicals, such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), will be phased out by 2030. While less damaging than Class I chemicals, HCFCs still contribute to ozone depletion.

The EPA's role under FIFRA includes strengthening the registration process by placing the burden of proof on the chemical manufacturer, ensuring compliance against banned and unregistered products, and filling gaps in the original law's regulatory framework.

EVABAT stands for Economically Viable Application of Best Available Technology. This principle emphasizes using the best available technology to minimize environmental impacts without imposing undue financial hardship on companies. So, in the context of soil columns, this means using methods to minimize the impact of pollutants on soil while still remaining affordable for companies.

The RoHS directive restricts the use of certain hazardous substances in electronic equipment. The restricted substances include lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and certain phthalates.

The National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), established in 1970, mandates that the federal government actively work towards harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) is a body specifically established by NEPA to oversee the implementation of the Act's provisions.

NEPA requires the federal government to consider the environmental impact of its actions, ensuring that these actions promote a healthy environment for both humans and nature.