scholarly journals Microplastic regulation should be more precise to incentivize both innovation and environmental safety

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise M. Mitrano ◽  
Wendel Wohlleben
Keyword(s):  
Impact Assessment ◽  
General Public ◽  
Environmental Safety ◽  
Solid Polymer ◽  
Polymer Particles ◽  
Quality Cost ◽  
Environmentally Conscious ◽  
Scientific Impact ◽  
Number Of Factors ◽  
Alternative Materials

Abstract The presence of plastic in the environment has sparked discussion amongst scientists, regulators and the general public as to how industrialization and consumerism is shaping our world. Here we discuss restrictions on the intentional use of primary microplastics: small solid polymer particles in applications ranging from agriculture to cosmetics. Microplastic hazards are uncertain, and actions are not similarly prioritized by all actors. In some instances, replacement is technically simple and easily justified, but in others substitutions may come with more uncertainty, performance questions and costs. Scientific impact assessment of primary microplastics compared to their alternatives relies on a number of factors, such as microplastic harm, existence of replacement materials and the quality, cost and hazards of alternative materials. Regulations need a precise focus and must be enforceable by these measurements. Policymakers must carefully evaluate under which contexts incentives to replace certain microplastics can stimulate innovation of new, more competitive and environmentally conscious materials.

scholarly journals Microplastic regulation should be more precise to incentivize both innovation and environmental safety

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise Mitrano ◽  
Wendel Wohlleben
Keyword(s):  
Health And Safety ◽  
Environmental Safety ◽  
Solid Polymer ◽  
Environmental Health And Safety ◽  
Quality Cost ◽  
Environmentally Conscious ◽  
Safety Regulations ◽  
Number Of Factors ◽  
Significant Performance ◽  
Remote Sites

<p>Numerous studies have made the ubiquitous presence of plastic in the environment undeniable, and thus it no longer comes as a surprise when scientists monitor the accumulation of macroplastic litter and microplastic fragments in both urban and remote sites. The presence of plastic in the environment has sparked considerable discussion amongst scientists, regulators and the general public as to how industrialization and consumerism is shaping our world. Restrictions on the intentional use of primary microplastics, small solid polymer particles in applications ranging from agriculture to cosmetics, are under discussion globally, despite uncertain microplastic hazards and prioritization amongst options for action. In some instances, replacements are technically simple and easily justified, but in others substitutions may come with more uncertainty such as significant performance questions and monetary costs. Scientific impact assessment of primary microplastics compared to their alternatives relies on a number of factors including, but not limited to, microplastic harm, existence of replacement materials, and the quality, cost and hazards of alternate materials. Here we assess the scope, effectiveness and utility of microplastic regulations with specific emphasis on the new definitions proposed by ECHA for restriction of primary microplastics under REACH. To this end, we aim to 1) provide a systematic orientation of the polymer universe, to appreciate which (micro)plastic characteristics are relevant, measurable and enforceable, 2) cluster specific uses of solid plastic to highlight how primary microplastic can add to issues of environmental pollution and human health, 3) evaluate drivers leading to regulations and their potential for enforceability and impact and 4) suggest priority cases where regulations should be focused and precision increased to incentivize innovation of sustainable materials and promote environmental health and safety. Regulations need a precise focus and must be enforceable by measurements. Policy must carefully evaluate under which contexts microplastic use may be warranted and where incentives to replace certain microplastics can stimulate innovation of new, more competitive and environmentally conscious materials. </p>

CALCULATION OF THE FORMATION OF MERCURY-CONTAINING WASTES AND DEVELOPMENT OF MEASURES FOR THE PROTECTION AND RATIONAL USE OF WATER RESOURCES

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 30-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alla Zvyaginceva ◽  
Svetlana Sazonova ◽  
V. Kul'neva
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Environmental Impact Assessment ◽  
Environmental Safety ◽  
Metallic Mercury ◽  
Water Basin ◽  
Rational Use ◽  
Sources Of Pollution

The problem of processing industrial products and waste from various industries containing metallic mercury or its compounds, which is acute in connection with the increasing requirements for environmental protection and, in particular, water resources, is considered. The results of calculation of the formation of mercury-containing waste and the development of a set of measures for the rational use of water resources of the OPS LLC «EVO» are presented. The environmental impact of the environmental impact assessment of OPS LLC «EVO» was assessed. As a result of such an assessment, the main sources of pollution of the water basin were identified. An assessment of the environmental impact of the LLC «EVO» company and analysis of the technology for processing mercury-containing wastes were carried out. The developed comprehensive measures for the protection and rational use of water resources will contribute to improving the level of environmental safety.

scholarly journals ANALYSIS OF NORMATIVE SANITARY PROTECTION ZONES OF INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISES AS A FACTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY OF TOMSK

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.Yu. Pasechnik ◽  
◽  
L.N. Chilinger ◽  
A.G. Birulina ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Information System ◽  
Geographic Information System ◽  
Urban Space ◽  
Environmental Safety ◽  
Historical Aspects ◽  
Protection Zones ◽  
Industrial Enterprises ◽  
System A ◽  
Number Of Factors

The article discusses the historical aspects of the design of sanitary protection zones. The current situation of industrial enterprises and their regulatory sanitary protection zones has been established based on the land use and development rules of Tomsk using the ArcCis geographic information system. A number of factors in the violation of urban space are noted and possible measures for its restoration are proposed.

scholarly journals LEGAL NATURE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

2019 ◽  
pp. Tetiana-OVERKOVSKA
Author(s):  
Tetiana OVERKOVSKA
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Environmental Impact Assessment ◽  
Environmental Safety ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
Nature Protection ◽  
Legal Nature ◽  
Main Components ◽  
Management Functions

The main components of the legal nature of environmental impact assessment are considered as management functions in the field of environmental protection, rational use of natural resources and ensuring environmental safety due to the fact that the reasons for the current unsatisfactory state in the industry of natural resource use, environmental protection are ambiguous. It was determined that the legal regulation of environmental impact assessment should be considered an important step towards the harmonization of Ukrainian legislation with EU legislation in the field of environmental impact assessment. The procedural and rocedural aspects of environmental impact assessment are determined and reviewed, which are determined by a number of legislative and subordinate legal acts. It has been established that environmental impact assessment should be carried out in compliance with certain principles based on the provisions of current legislation on nature protection. The principle of the effectiveness of environmental impact assessment is analyzed through the prism of prohibiting or terminating the activity of an enterprise in case of violation of the legislation on environmental impact assessment. Attention is drawn to the legal requirements of the principle of reliability of information in relation to environmental impact assessment. The compulsory provision of the principle of publicity in the process of impact on the environment, aimed at timely, adequate and effective informing of citizens, has been established. It is proved that the publicity and reliability of environmental information on environmental impact assessment act as two interrelated legal categories. It has been determined that the legal nature of the environmental impact assessment is based on the provisions of the current legislation of Ukraine and is aimed at observing law and order in the field of environmental protection.

scholarly journals Bioethanol Production from Fermentable Sugar Juice

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hossain Zabed ◽  
Golam Faruq ◽  
Jaya Narayan Sahu ◽  
Mohd Sofian Azirun ◽  
Rosli Hashim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ethanol Production ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Environmental Safety ◽  
Free Sugar ◽  
Bioethanol Production ◽  
Political Crises ◽  
Number Of Factors ◽  
Increasing Demand

Bioethanol production from renewable sources to be used in transportation is now an increasing demand worldwide due to continuous depletion of fossil fuels, economic and political crises, and growing concern on environmental safety. Mainly, three types of raw materials, that is, sugar juice, starchy crops, and lignocellulosic materials, are being used for this purpose. This paper will investigate ethanol production from free sugar containing juices obtained from some energy crops such as sugarcane, sugar beet, and sweet sorghum that are the most attractive choice because of their cost-effectiveness and feasibility to use. Three types of fermentation process (batch, fed-batch, and continuous) are employed in ethanol production from these sugar juices. The most common microorganism used in fermentation from its history is the yeast, especially,Saccharomyces cerevisiae, though the bacterial speciesZymomonas mobilisis also potentially used nowadays for this purpose. A number of factors related to the fermentation greatly influences the process and their optimization is the key point for efficient ethanol production from these feedstocks.

Scientific impact assessment cannot be fair

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 792-802 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marek Gagolewski
Keyword(s):  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Scientific Impact
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