DOJ’s Environmental Justice Initiative Comes to Central Illinois

NPR Chicago Chicago, IL – The top federal prosecutor in central Illinois says his office is ready to bolster enforcement as part of a national environmental justice initiative. U.S. Attorney Gregory Harris, whose central Illinois district include Peoria, Bloomington-Normal and Springfield, said the harmful effects of environmental crimes are “too often borne by our underserved communities.” The…

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EPA Releases Final Risk Evaluations for Asbestos, Part 1: Chrysotile Asbestos

EPA Washington, DC The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the final risk evaluation for asbestos, part 1: chrysotile asbestos. Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), EPA is required to evaluate the risks associated with exposure to existing chemicals in commerce using the best available science, and then take action to address any unreasonable risk…

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Biden Picks Top North Carolina Environmental Official to Run EPA

Washington Post   by Brady Dennis, Steven Mufson, and Juliet Eilpern National – President-elect Joe Biden will nominate Michael S. Regan, who heads the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, as the next Environmental Protection Agency administrator, according to two people who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the decision has not yet been formally…

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How to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

ASHRAE defines acceptable indoor air quality as air in which there are no known contaminants at harmful concentrations as determined by cognizant authorities and with which 80% or more people exposed do not express dissatisfaction. Indoor air quality in commercial office buildings is important because it can affect occupant comfort, health, and work productivity. Scientific…

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Five Common Environmental Due Diligence Pitfalls

Reviewing Only Select Environmental Laws. Most environmental consultants consider the potential application of CERCLA, RCRA, and the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), in conducting due diligence. However, in corporate acquisitions, some consultants overlook the potential application of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and relevant state…

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ASTM E 1527-13: Standard Practice for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments

On November 6, 2013, ASTM International (ASTM) published a new Standard Practice for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, known as ASTM E1527-13.1 The new ASTM standard includes a number of substantive revisions to the existing E1527-05 standard that will affect how Phase I ESAs are conducted and how Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs) are described. Notably,…

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