Environmental ▼ News Growing ozone hole “hangover”
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COURTESY OF CATAWBA COUNT Y, N.C.
espite a worldwide phaseODSs and their replacements has avoid gases that deplete ozone or out of chlorofluorocarbons declined from about 32% of the total contribute to climate change. (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluoeffect in 1990 to about 10% in 2000— Industry groups representing rocarbons (HCFCs) under the 1987 a huge success for the Montreal ProHFC refrigerant manufacturers and Montreal Protocol, these ozone-detocol. However, of that 10%, 65% still fluorinated gas producers hailed the pleting substances (ODSs) are still comes from CFCs, with HCFCs and report’s findings, calling them an being emitted into the atmosphere HFCs contributing an estimated endorsement of containment rather at rates greater than anticipated, 20% and 15%, respectively. than a phaseout of HFCs. Environaccording to a new report mentalists, on the other by the UN Intergovernhand, say the report focuses mental Panel on Climate too heavily on containment, Change (IPCC). Moreover, neglecting the potential for the ozone-friendly, fluoreplacing HFCs with nonrinated substitutes that GHG alternatives, such as replaced them, such as hyhydrocarbons, CO2, and drofluorocarbons (HFCs), water-vapor technology. perfluorocarbons, and Some countries have alsulfur hexafluoride, are ready taken steps to mitipotent greenhouse gases gate end-of-life releases and (GHGs) whose emissions restrict HFC use in appliAlthough chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons are likely to grow. cations for which greener were phased out worldwide under the 1987 Montreal Protocol, The problem stems these ozone-depleting gases leak at faster than expected rates alternatives exist. In particfrom a gap between the ular, the United States and from sources such as discarded household appliances. Montreal Protocol and several European countries “These are the ozone hole hangthe 1997 Kyoto Protocol. Although require certified technicians to rethe former regulates production overs, [from which] we’re seeing cover and recycle CFCs and their and consumption of ODSs, which quite a few more emissions than we substitutes from refrigerators and also contribute to climate change, really ever imagined we would after air conditioners before disposal. it says nothing about emissions, so long,” Solomon says. In addition, almost all domestic explains Susan Solomon, a senior By 2015, CFC emissions are exrefrigerators sold in Europe are HFCscientist with the U.S. National pected to decline to about 10% of free and use hydrocarbons instead, Oceanic and Atmospheric Adthe ODS contribution, according to notes Bert Metz, an IPCC working ministration and one of the IPCC the report. But under a business-asgroup co-chair and scientist with the working group co-chairs who cousual scenario, the IPCC predicts National Institute for Public Health ordinated the report. Meanwhile, that rising emissions from HFCs and Environmental Hygiene in The the Kyoto Protocol controls GHG and HCFCs will offset these emisNetherlands. In the United States, HFCs are still used, but that is beemissions, including those from sion reductions. fluorinated gases, but not their Emissions of CFCs and their recause of safety and liability considproduction and consumption. Left placements could be cut in half by erations, Metz points out. unregulated are existing stocks or 2015, the IPCC maintains, if governA policy makers’ summary of banks of ODSs. ments work to improve containment the report was released in midConsequently, a big chunk of the to prevent leaks, evaporation, and April. The final report was officially CFCs and HCFCs that still leak into emissions of unintended byprodpresented at the next meeting of the atmosphere now and will conucts; reduce the amounts needed the UN Framework Convention on tinue to do so over the next decades in equipment; promote more endClimate Change in Bonn, Germaare uncontrolled releases coming of-life recovery, recycling, and deny, in mid-May. Safeguarding the from old equipment, mainly air construction of substances; use more Ozone Layer and the Global Climate ditioners, refrigerators, insulating ammonia and other alternative subSystem: Issues Related to Hydrofluofoams in appliances, and building stances with a lower or negligible rocarbons and Perfluorocarbons materials. Overall, the report shows global warming potential; and procan be accessed at www.ipcc.ch. that the global warming impact of mote emerging technologies that —KRIS CHRISTEN © 2005 American Chemical Society
JUNE 15, 2005 / ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ■ 255A
Environmental▼ News California looks at tackling indoor air quality
RHONDA SAUNDERS
codes, consumer product standards, smoking bans in public buildings, and workplace standards for air polBy implementing several straightlutant exposure limits, among othoutdoor sources, such as motor veforward steps, California could rehicles and industrial facilities, have ers. “The challenge is to draw them duce the risks to human health from notably reduced pollutant levels in together in a fashion that becomes indoor air, according to a report sent California. coherent” as well as protective of to state officials in late March by “There isn’t any agency with the more sensitive population subthe California Air Resources Board authority to address indoor pollugroups such as children, he adds. (CARB). The report’s suggestions tion problems like the air board can The report details simple meacould be a model for the federal govaddress them outdoors,” says Jersures that could be undertaken, ernment. Experts say that most at little or no cost, to regulatory authority for inquickly improve indoor air door air is scattered among quality. These include imso many different federal, proving ventilation systems state, and local government and their operation and agencies that little has been cleaning, proper building done about indoor air polmaintenance, better profeslution. sional training and educa“The issue of indoor air is tion on these measures, and an underrecognized probpublic outreach. lem,” says Richard Sextro, a But the most effective senior scientist at Lawrence approach would be to use Berkeley National Laboratobuilding materials, conry and a peer reviewer of the sumer products, and appliCARB report. Americans ances that emit few or no spend nearly 90% of their air pollutants, according time indoors, primarily at to the report. To do that, home. Although the total CARB suggests establishquantity of indoor polluting emissions limits on such ants is less than that of outproducts akin to EPA’s EnThe California Air Resources Board prioritized indoor air door ones, the report points ergy Star program, which pollutants. On the basis of exposure risk, building mateout that indoor releases are provides energy efficiency rials and furnishings and air cleaners ranked among the 1000 times more likely to be information for assorted aphighest-priority pollutants. inhaled than outdoor conpliances. ry Martin, a CARB spokesperson. taminants. Some industries are concerned “That clearly is a weakness in our The U.S. EPA ranks indoor air about further regulations on indoor system that needs to be repaired.” pollution among the top five enviair. The Association of Home AppliCARB prioritized indoor air ronmental risks to human health. ance Manufacturers (AHAM) obpollution sources on the basis of According to the report, premature jected to most of CARB’s proposals exposure risks. The highest-priordeaths, lost worker productivity, to mitigate indoor air pollution. In and medical treatment due to inity pollutants include air cleaners, comments submitted on the report, door air pollution cost California biological contaminants, building AHAM said, “Establishing emission $45 billion annually. However, a materials and furnishings, comlimits for California is not justified. large disparity exists between the bustion appliances, environmental Stakeholders participate in stanamounts spent studying outdoor tobacco smoke, and radon. Medidards development groups such as versus indoor air pollution, says um-priority sources for mitigation [the American National Standards Sextro. One measure is the Bush include architectural coatings such Institute] and [the American SoAdministration’s proposed fiscal as paints and sealants, consumer ciety for Testing and Materials], year 2006 EPA budget, which inproducts, personal care products, which are designed to ensure prodcludes $613 million dedicated to household and office equipment ucts do not diminish indoor air various programs dealing with outand appliances, and pesticides. quality.” CARB has received strong door air pollution but only $48.5 Kirk Smith, an environmental support from the American Lung million for indoor air efforts. health scientist at the University of Association of California and other Compiling what is currently California, Berkeley, and a peer regroups. known about indoor air pollution, viewer of the CARB report, notes For more information, Indoor Air CARB argues that California should that many of the tools for regulating Pollution in California can be acaddress its indoor pollution sources these potential pollutant sources are cessed at www.arb.ca.gov/research/ in ways more commensurate with already in place in the form of buildindoor/ab1173/report0205/report0205. their exposure risks. Regulations on ing ventilation codes, fuel quality htm. —KRIS CHRISTEN 256A ■ ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY / JUNE 15, 2005
News Briefs
Less-polluting hybrid locomotive begins operation
A new diesel–electric hybrid switcher locomotive emits fewer air pollutants and consumes less fuel by eliminating the idling common in rail freight yards where trains are assembled and disassembled.
The earth is now absorbing nearly 1 watt per square meter of energy from the sun more than it is radiating back into space, according to research recently published in Science (10.1126/ science.1110252). James Hansen of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies and his colleagues have made the most detailed estimate to date of the earth’s energy imbalance on the basis of results from a climate model that have been validated with recent measurements of the heat content of the ocean. “The present planetary energy imbalance is large by the standards of the earth’s history,” according to the researchers. Because there is a time lag in the earth’s climate system, it will warm by more than 0.5 ºC even without further increases in greenhouse gas concentrations, they conclude.
Buying with the environment in mind
Nearly 90% of U.S. consumers actively consider environmental and health factors when making purchases, according to a nationally representative survey of 1200 people published in April by Consumer Reports magazine. “Forty-three percent of respondents said they would be willing to pay more for electricity generated from environmentally sound sources like solar and wind, and nearly 7 out of 10 would be willing to pay an additional cost to recycle big-ticket items like TVs and computers,” says Urvashi Rangan, director of the free website that the magazine launched, in tandem with publishing the survey, to help people make environmentally friendly choices. The new site includes guidelines for selecting a dozen different products, including electronics, appliances, home furnishings, gardening supplies, automobiles, and food. It also has links to help consumers find out more about their local energy, water, and sewage treatment options. Go to www.greenerchoices.org to view the site.
JUNE 15, 2005 / ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ■ 257A
PHOTODISC
Earth’s energy imbalance
storage batteries, explains Nigel Horsley, director of communications for RailPower Technologies Corp., which developed the technology. When the locomotive stops, a small, onboard diesel engine starts up and recharges the batteries as necessary. Because most of the power comes from the batteries, a low-emission, 300-horsepower (hp) diesel engine can be used instead of the 2000-hp diesel engine typically found on conventional switcher locomotives, according to Horsley. “The big difference is that cars suffer severe weight penalties from things like batteries,” he adds, whereas locomotives “love weight because weight means steel on steel grips much better.” The small diesel engine also means that the hybrid is much quieter, which should be a plus in Europe, where noise is the overriding issue with railcars and switching yards near residential areas, Horsley notes. RailPower’s next product will use the hybrid technology on a long-range road switcher that can go as far as 70 miles on branch lines to gather up rail cars, Horsley says. And another promising application is a commuter train version for 60–70-mile trips with lots of stops. —KRIS CHRISTEN DAVE LUSTIG, UNION PACIFIC
A new diesel–electric hybrid locomotive that began working at a switching yard in Fresno, Calif., in April emits 80–90% fewer air pollutants and consumes 50–80% less fuel than a conventional diesel locomotive, according to Union Pacific Railroad officials. The hybrid locomotive is the first to be run on a permanent basis and is expected to help improve air quality in a state that has some of the dirtiest air in the United States. The move comes none too soon for state regulators who have targeted railroad emissions as their top priority this year. “If this new diesel–electric hybrid results in reduced emissions, that’s a good thing, but we feel the railroads could be doing much more than they currently are,” says Sam Atwood, a spokesperson for California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District. In southern California alone, railroads emit more NOx than the top 300 industrial facilities combined, and emissions are projected to increase significantly with the growth in international trade activity, particularly through the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Atwood notes. Similar to a hybrid car, the $800,000 locomotive runs on electricity provided by a large bank of
Environmental▼ News
The current system of providing scientific evidence to EU policy makers is inefficient and lacks credibility, according to a new report released in March by the European Policy Centre (EPC), an independent Brussels-based think tank. One of the solutions, it suggests, is to create a European Academy of Sciences that mirrors the U.S. National Academies and its operating arm, the National Research Council (NRC). While many science policy experts in the EU acknowledge the present system’s weaknesses, they challenge the need for another scientific organization. EU policy makers now obtain their information and advice from scientists through European Commission-run committees and working groups; independent risk assessment agencies for medicines and food; and the Brussels-based Joint Research Centre, which conducts studies on request. Many professional organizations also exist, such as the Academia Europaea, which promotes education and research, and the European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC), which brings national academies together. However, recent events, such as the “mad cow disease” food scare, have undermined public confidence in how policy makers handle scientific issues, say experts. “It is not the provision of good scientific advice that is the problem,” says EPC’s Lorenzo Allio. “It is the use that is made of that advice in decision making. We need clearer rules to ensure that [information and advice are] collected and used properly.” For example, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget has produced guidelines on data quality and peer review of scientific work that impose standards on government agencies (Environ. Sci. Technol. 2002, 36, 443A). Allio argues that the whole system of advice lacks credibility and that a European Academy of Sciences could improve this. “An over-
arching organization would give scientists status and improve their accountability and people’s trust in them,” he says. “The public is concerned over transparency: how experts are chosen, how their advice is used and made public. And they are concerned that regulators use advice to justify their choices. Although other scientific organizations exist, they don’t contribute as much as they should and don’t enjoy the same status as, say, the NRC.” Advisory committees abound in the United States, too, but the NRC, say experts, acts as the final scientific arbitrator or a “Supreme Court” of science. “NRC reports, produced by a balanced committee of experts, have a high degree of credibility and hold great weight,” says John Holmes, a senior program officer at NRC. The EU’s best bet is to work with what exists already, counters Peter Collins, secretary of EASAC. Collins believes that a European Academy of Sciences is unlikely to ever materialize. EASAC, which started in 2001, could in time replicate the NRC’s function. “EASAC is a way for national academies to feed into the EU and has been accepted as a formal channel of advice by EU institutions,” he reports. Like the NRC, many of these national academies, such as the U.K.’s Royal Society, already produce respected reports but for a national audience. Frédéric Sgard, vice president of Euroscience, a nongovernmental organization that promotes science, believes that no single body can provide the expertise needed for good scientific advice. The political climate is different in the EU, says Sgard. “Science is rarely a major political issue in Europe, unlike the U.S. Hence, scientists usually carry less weight in their advisory capacity on policies.” As NRC’s Holmes explains: “In the U.S., government agencies and most groups that play in the policy arena agree that sound science is the way to approach problems; they believe in science.” —MARIA BURKE
258A ■ ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY / JUNE 15, 2005
News Briefs Goldman Environmental Prizes awarded
A Catholic priest from Honduras and a former editor of the Ecologist are among the recipients of the 2005 Goldman Environmental Prize, which is considered the Nobel Prize for the environment. The prize honors environmentalists operating at the grassroots level in six geographic areas. Africa: Corneille Ewango, a botanist for the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation, was recognized for protecting and preserving the people, rare animals, and plants of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Okapi Faunal Reserve from 1996 to 2003. Asia: Kaisha Atakhanova, a biologist specializing in the genetic effects of nuclear radiation, received the award for her successful campaign to prevent nuclear waste from being commercially imported into the Republic of Kazakhstan. Europe: A former editor at the London-based Ecologist, Stephanie Roth was acclaimed for her efforts to halt construction of Europe’s largest opencast gold mine, slated to be built in Romania. Islands and Island Nations: Agronomist Chavannes Jean-Baptiste was lauded for his efforts to encourage Haitians to use sustainable farming techniques through the Peasant Movement of Papay, which he founded in 1973. North America: Isidro Balenegro López, a subsistence farmer, was honored for his efforts to prevent unregulated logging of old-growth forests in his native Chihuahua (Mexico). South and Central America: Father José Andrés Tamayo Cortez earned his commendation for environmental justice work in Honduras, where he directs the Environmental Movement of Olancho, a coalition of subsistence farmers and community and religious leaders. Each winner receives an award of $125,000. For more information, go to www.goldmanprize.org.
GEP
Does the EU need a new agency?
