No Waste

For every person who takes their car to a mechanic when it is due for an oil change, there is another person who prefers to change the oil in their car themselves. Once you learn how to change the oil in your car, you can often save time and money by doing it yourself. But there is one challenge that you will face that people who go to a mechanic won’t have to deal with, and that is figuring out what to do with the used motor oil. In this post, learn what you can do with used oil to dispose of it safely. Catching the Used Oil During an Oil Change To make it as easy as possible to dispose of the used oil, you should choose a consistent method of catching the used oil during the oil change. The National Motorists Association (NMA) suggests that you pour the…

Radon is a dangerous gas that is found all over the United States. Because it is colorless and odorless, homeowners have no idea their radon levels may be high. There are tests available for in-home use that detect radon levels. If radon levels are high, it is important to take action to avoid serious consequences. Serious health related issues occur when people are exposed to dangerously high levels over many years. What Is Radon? Radon is a gas that occurs when uranium breaks down. This gas is emitted through water, soil and rock. It can seep into homes, schools and office, and cause serious adverse health effects over time. Radon is not detectable in any way but through testing. What Are The Risks? When radon levels are high, it can cause a variety of health related problems. These risks are increased when people are exposed to high levels of radon…

Environmental site assessments, or ESAs, are specific types of reports to let prospective or current real estate property holders know whether a site may contain contamination. These reports have been in use since the early 1970s, with demand increasing following the 1980 passage of CERCLA, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. In this post, gain an overview of the assessment process and learn specifically what is involved in a Phase 1 site assessment and Phase 2 site assessment. What is CERCLA? CERCLA was passed to determine who is ultimately liable for cleaning up contaminated properties and provide federal government assistance to responsible parties as may be needed to achieve remediation. In some cases, when the responsible party cannot be located, the site is classified as an “orphan” site and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) itself steps in to take charge of cleanup efforts. CERCLA has since been…

“Brownfields” is a term that denotes a piece of property that may be contaminated. Contaminants may include known pollutants, hazardous substances, or other toxins. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a program called “Brownfields Redevelopment” that is designed to clean up, or remediate, such properties. The ultimate goal when enrolling a piece of property into the EPA’s Brownfields Redevelopment program is to be able to rehabilitate it so it can have a second useful life. This second phase of the Brownfields Redevelopment program is called the “Land Revitalization” program. In this post, learn more about what Brownfields Redevelopment is and what is involved in remediating a contaminated piece of property. A History of Brownfields Redevelopment The EPA first introduced the Brownfields Redevelopment program in 1995. To date, nearly half a million properties have been enrolled in the Brownfields Redevelopment program. The national EPA Brownfields Redevelopment program was codified into…

The Clean Air Act, CAA, or “Act to improve, strengthen, and accelerate programs for the prevention and abatement of air pollution” is an environmental law enacted by the 88th US Congress in December of 1963. It was created for the purpose of regulating air pollution on a national level. This was accomplished through a federal program in the US Department of Public Health, and authorization for research regarding the detection, control, and maintenance of existing air pollution. Though the law has been revised and republished many times, the purpose remains largely the same. Below are some of the major goals in mind with the passing of this law. Control of Common Causes The CAA largely struggles to lessen the amount of toxic or hazardous chemicals or particulates in our atmosphere. This legislation aims to regulate the production of this pollution in order to preserve the quality of life for citizens….