letters
Subsidies for waste recycling
DEARSIR: Your May 1970 editorial, “Reusing resources easier said than done” (page 3 6 5 ) poses the problem of recycling and concludes that subsidies may be called for. Part of the reason that recycling is uneconomic is because of the present subsidies to mining interests. I would think that, rather thsn push for more subsidies, you would champion the cause for elimination of subsidies that encourage present practices of using up the Earth’s natural resources. Certainly, the depletion allowance is foremost among the subsidies that suppress an efficient recycling of many minerals because it distorts the ecofiomics of recycling vs. mining. Apparently our society has entered re-
cycling in the Kentucky Derby, given it a handicap by attaching it to a milkwagon, and then has bemoaned the fact that it seldom wins the race. A little “hurly-burly of the general marketplace” might be welcome for a change and might encourage recycling more than any amount of bemoaning. David R. D a w d y 1312 Morgan St.
Fort Collins. Colo. Central waste disposal
DEARSIR: In your article concerning central waste disposal plants (ES&T, March 1970, page 195), you indicated that the Goodfellow plant near Sarnia. Ontario, is “not a particularly good
model for the pollution control service industry to follow.” As the designers, builders, and technical managers of this plant, we feel that this must be defended. This plant is a pioneer effort at solving a universal industry problem and it is an economic and technical success. It is disposing of nearly 100,000 cubic yards per year of industrial wastes, and it is doing it in the Province of Ontario, which has the most qualified and best organized pollution control agency that we have seen anywhere in the U.S. or Canada. The plant is constantly being improved, and the installation being designed for the Toronto area will incorporate the considerable knowledge gained from the Sarnia plant operation.
Mrs. Watchinski’s wash mav never be whit IT IS YOUR BUSINESS TO CAR The fact that, despite high-powered detergents and bleaches, Mrs. Watchinski’s wash water contains iron and manganese that leaves brown stains and discoloration on her laundry i s a matter for your concern. When poor quality water exists in a community, many aspects of life become unpleasant, even unhealthy, and can make that community less desirable for many kinds of businesses and certainly as a place of residence. Carus Chemical Company is the leading manufacturer of CairoxB brand potassium permanganate, a chemical of great importance in helping to rid water of its iron and manganese content. Increasingly water treatment plants are turning to Cairoxa as an answer to not only the discoloration factors of iron and manganese, but undesirable tastes and odors as well. As a businessman in your community, it is important that you find out more about the role Carus Chemical and Cairoxs potassium permanganate can play in helping you clean up the water i n your community. Write Carus today for a free booklet telling you how Carus Chemical and Cairox& can provide workable solutions for residential and industrial water treatment in your community.
The Chemical Company who does care.
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1375 Eighth Street, LaSalle, Illinois 61301 Phone (815)223-1500 Circle N O . 1
618 Environmental Science & Technology
on Readers’
Service Card
Your article noted the lack of air pollution controls. By far the most important item of pollution control (in any disposal system) is operator technique. This is gained by experience, which the Goodfellow personnel is adding to constantly. Also, detailed knowledge of the nature of the wastes being handled is a most important aspect of pollution control. All wastes being accepted by the Goodfellow plant are properly identified before they arrive for disposal. We are very proud of the Goodfellow facility. and the industries it serves are very thankful for its existence. We are confident that the pollution control agencies in Ontario are equally thankful for an acceptable alternative to indiscriminate dumping of industrial wastes. W. K. Lombard Vice-president and general manager Trecan, Ltd. Mississauga, Ontario Pesticide views d r a w fire
DEARS I R : Parke C. Brinkley‘s Viewpoint in your May issue, page 369 (“Pesticides are important as antipollutants” ) is generally ill-informed and illogical. For example, the runaway rat populations that he talks of are usually the result of human pollution; the problematic “green scum” he mentions is usually the result of human pollution, and so forth. But the pervading fallacy in his discussion of pollution is found in the first paragraph: Pollution is anything that makes ‘.the environment unsuited to your existence and comfort.” This puts man’s pleasure at the top of the list of priorities when attempting to coexist with our environment. This, I believe, is ultimately the cause of all our pollution problems. Furthermore, it subjects nature to man’s haphazard, Madison Avenue influenced value system, e.g., grass without dandelions is better than grass with. Eventually, the real value of pesticides and their safe and constructive use will be determined. Hopefully, Mr. Hrinkley will not be influential in this evaluation. Larry Vanderhoef Dept. of Plant Pathology Univ. of Wisconsin Madison, Wis. 53706 (Continued on page 620)
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Volume 4, Number 8, August 1970 619
