Environmental Compliance Specialist

Register here to learn about the components required in an Energy Control Program (Lockout/Tagout). Having a properly prepared program is the first step in protecting your employees. This is followed by training, implementing and review the program to ensure it is working.

All of August Mack Environmental's webinars are presented by Environmental Compliance Specialists.

Vapor intrusion (VI) is the migration of volatile chemicals from the subsurface into overlying buildings. The chemicals associated with VI are the following:

• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
  • Chlorinated Hydrocarbons, e.g., TCE, PCE, 1,2-DCA, Vinyl Chloride, etc. – drycleaners, manufacturers
  • Benzene & Other Volatile Petroleum Constituents
• Methane – in certain areas of U.S. (e.g., LA Basin)
• Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs) - Less Common

The Wastewater/Storm Water Module in eCAP^® is designed to ensure facilities are complying with regulations outlined in Titles I-VI of the Clean Water Act (CWA) as codified in 40 CFR Parts 100-149, as well as state and local requirements. The selections under this module will be defined based upon the facility’s permitting needs and includes Industrial Wastewater Discharge (Industrial NPDES/POTW permit) or Storm Water NPDES permit.

To learn more about the benefits of eCAP^®, click here to read an...

The first element in an environmental management system (EMS) is Environmental Policy. In this step, top management need to focus on defining the environmental policy. The policy should be appropriate to nature, scale and impacts. It should include a commitment to continual improvement and prevention of pollution as well as a commitment to comply with relevant legal requirements. The policy also should provide a framework for setting and reviewing objectives and targets. Finally, the policy...

House Enrollment Act (HEA) 1162 requires the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) to consider risk-based solutions while evaluating environmental closures. Risk-based closures can include several approaches for example:

• Applying pre-approved closure levels
• Determining site-specific closure levels
• Considering risk of exposure

MACT stands for Maximum Achievable Control Technology. You might be thinking you do not know much more now than when you thought MACT was just some four-lettered acronym that did not apply to you. The Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAAs) of 1994 are responsible for the MACT acronym. As part of the 1994 CAAAs, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs) were required to be established for approximately one hundred and 188 hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). The basis for these...

One of the in-situ remedial technologies available is air sparging (AS). This remedial technology reduces the concentrations of volatile constituents in soils and groundwater by the injection of contaminant-free air into the subsurface saturated zone. It produces a phase transfer of hydrocarbons from a dissolved sate to a vapor phase. Then, the air is vented through the unsaturated zone. It is commonly used with soil vapor extraction (SVE).

The advantages of air sparging are the following:

• Proven...

The five key concepts necessary for implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS) are:

1. Top Management Commitment
2. Focus on Continual Improvement
3. Flexibility
4. Compatibility with the Organization
5. Employee Awareness and Involvement

The in-situ remediation technology of dual phase extraction (DPE) is also known as multi-phase extraction or vacuum-enhanced extraction. During DPE, the following occurs:

• DPE uses vacuums to remove contaminated groundwater, free-phase product and contaminated vapors from soils.
• Extracted liquids and vapor are treated and collected for disposal.
• DPE pulls air through pore space in contaminated soils and pulls contaminated groundwater and free product from the same well location.
• Requires permits for...

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation of fugitive volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions, or leaks, arose out of the research projects conducted between the 1950s and 1980s at several facilities throughout the United States. The research concluded the cumulative effect of all the leaking components may present environmental and health problems to the surrounding area. The research also concluded when most components leak, they do so at very low levels, thus a majority of...

In the in-situ remedial technology of soil vapor extraction (SVE), the following occurs:

• Vacuum is applied to the unsaturated zone through extraction wells.
• Vacuum causes movement of vapors toward extraction wells.
• Volatile constituents are removed through the extraction wells.
• The extracted vapors are discharged to the atmosphere.

• Proven performance; readily available equipment; easy installation; agency approved.
• Minimal disturbance to site...

When preparing for entry into a confined space, you may need the following equipment:

• Ventilation
  • Does the space have potential for a hazardous atmosphere? If so, the space needs to be ventilated.
• Permits
  • A confined space permit needs to be filled out and reviewed by the entry supervisor, the entrants and observers.
• Testing Equipment
  • Air monitoring must be conducted prior to and during entry
  • Results are recorded on the confined space permit
  • All levels of the space need to be tested (top to bottom)
    • Som...

Since ISO 14001 is a voluntary program, companies tend to choose to participate or not participate based on internal or external driving factors. Some of the drivers for a facility to become ISO 14001 include the following:

• Corporate Policy
• Regulatory Expectations
  • Anticipated Benefits
  • Improved Compliance
• Cost Reductions
• Market Focus
  • Customer Requirements
  • Public Relations Pressures