Status and Direction of Waste Minimization in the Chemical and Petrochemical Industries

This paper presents an evaluation of the status and direction of toxic/hazardous waste reduction in the chemical and petrochemical industries from an international perspective. Pertinent approaches, experiences and trends are described. Industrial waste management has evolved from an “end-of-pipe” treatment mentality to source reduction as the preferred option. It is generally agreed that the Chemical/Petrochemical Industries generate more hazardous and toxic waste than any other industrial sector. Also because of the large quantities of materials and energy used by these industries, significant opportunities are available for waste reduction. In almost all cases costs savings have resulted, many of which are significant. The importance of pollution prevention by “clean technologies” instead of remediation, multi-media considerations and the significance of product life-cycle assessment in pollution prevention programs is stressed. Examples are provided which demonstrate, that a proactive approach by DOW, E.I. DuPONT, AMOCO, 3M Corp., CIBA-GEIGY and others is now becoming the norm. From an international policy perspective, important commonalities and differences in strategy and efforts for toxics/hazardous waste management exist. Much can be learned by the mistakes and solutions between cultures and countries. Much progress has been made in protection of public health and the environment - but much remains to be done. This paper is intended to provide a stimulus for discussion aimed at optimizing future waste minimization activities in the chemical and petrochemical industries.</jats:p

Katrina and the Thai Tsunami - Water Quality and Public Health Aspects Mitigation and Research Needs

The South East Asian Tsunami in Thailand and Hurricane Katrina in the United States were natural disasters of different origin but of similar destruction and response. Both disasters exhibited synonymous health outcomes and similar structural damage from large surges of water, waves, and flooding. A systematic discussion and comparison of the disasters in Thailand and the Gulf Coast considers both calamities to be similar types of disaster in different coastal locations. Thus valuable comparisons can be made for improvements in response, preparedness and mitigation. Research needs are discussed and recommendations made regarding potential methologies. Recommendations are made to: (1) improve disaster response time in terms of needs assessments for public health and environmental data collection; (2) develop an access-oriented data sharing policy; and (3) prioritize natural geomorphic structures such as barrier islands, mangroves, and wetlands to help reduce the scale of future natural disasters. Based on the experiences gained opportunities to enhance disaster preparedness through research are presented

Findings of the Beijing 2000 IWA chemical industries speciality conference

Critical Technologies to the World in the 21st Century: Pollution Control and Reclamation in Process Industries was a Chemical Industries Specialty Conference held in Beijing, China 18-22 September 2000. Set in China, the cradle of civilization, the conference hosted about 100 delegates from over twenty countries. Approximately 122 technical papers were presented covering a wide range of topic areas. This paper reviews significant findings presented. Perhaps the conference proceedings will serve as a point of reference for future evaluations and accomplishments. The 21st century offers both challenges and opportunities for progress towards sustainable development/production in the process industries. International cooperation and inter-disciplinary collaboration are essential for this goal to be realized.</jats:p

Innovative biological treatment for sustainable development in the chemical industries

This paper presents a perspective of wastewater management in the chemical industries as related to sustainable development. The scope of wastewater management must therefore further be expanded to include the concept of ecological integrity of receiving waters. Ecological integrity of receiving waters is compromised by contaminants which are not effectively removed by Best Conventional Technology (BCT). Biological treatment typically offers the most cost-effective conversion and/or stabilization of wastewaters; however, modifications must be employed in the design and operation to provide satisfactory effluent quality. Enhanced treatment techniques for wastewaters containing high organic concentrations, VOCs, elevated TDS levels, toxics and priority pollutants are discussed. The importance of design and operational procedures including pretreatment technologies, two stage vs. single stage activated sludge, selector design and maximum specific oxygen uptake rate determinations are also presented.</jats:p

Toxics Management in the Chemical and Petrochemical Industries

Findings of an international conference sponsored by the IAWPRC and Tulane University entitled, “Waste Management in the Chemical and Petrochemical Industries - Toxics Management” held 17-20 June 1991 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA are summarized and discussed. Focus is given to the identification, assessment and control of toxics with emphasis on: legal considerations, toxicity assessment, waste minimization and innovative treatment techniques for toxic and hazardous waste liquids and residuals. Management of toxics in the chemical and petrochemical industries is developing into an interactive process between many disciplines. Evaluation procedures are becoming more complex due to a trend towards human-health-based standards for specific chemicals. Consensus among regulators, industry and researchers is that waste prevention by source reduction/waste minimization is the most desirable waste management option for toxics control.</jats:p