From the
Volume 11, Number 1
A Publication of the Georgia Pollution Prevention Assistance Division Winter 2002
Georgia's Own Robins Air Force Base Wins National P2 Award
Robins AFB Captures Air Force P2 Award Fourth Time Since 1993
by Linda Larson, Integrated Solid Waste Program Manager, Pollution Prevention Division, Robins AFB
The Robins AFB Pollution Prevention Program was recently selected as winner of the 2001 Air Force General Thomas D. White Pollution Prevention Award (Industrial Category). As the Air Force winner, Robins is now competing for the DoD-level Secretary of Defense Environmental Security recognition in this category.
Pollution prevention is no easy undertaking at a huge industrial complex such as Robins--the employment location for almost 26,000 workers and home to hundreds of military members and their families. This is an installation-wide award, as pollution prevention efforts from the flightline to family housing curbside recycling contributed to this recognition.
New P2 efforts are using technologies such as Flashjet,
a xenon flash lamp and carbon dioxide pellets, to remove paint coatings from aircraft and composite parts, reducing dependence on chemicals such as methylene chloride. A process improvement of flightline industrial vacuums has resulted in separating the water from the oil, sending the water to the installation industrial wastewater treatment plant and reducing hazardous waste disposal by one-half of the old process. Nonhazardous waste reduction is just as impressive: 47 percent of Robins' solid waste stream is diverted from disposal by reusing, recycling, and composting.
The Secretary of Defense Environmental Security Award winners are expected to be announced in early April.
Why Not Make Your Garage Clean and GREEN this Spring?
by Stephanie Busch, Program Manager, P2AD
Look around your garage--it probably has cans of
paint, thinner, and gasoline sitting around. Well here are a
few tips that P2AD staff learned on a project that can help
you organize and make your garage greener and safer while
you're spring cleaning. P2AD staff recently helped design a "green garage" for
the 2002 New American Home. The New American Home,
built for the International Builders' Show in Atlanta in Febru-
ary, is a state-of-the-art home, showcasing the latest products
and technologies in home building. Since the home was open
to the public after the
I T I NSIDE
HIS
SSUE
Builder's Show, the "Green Garage" was a
Director'sColumn . page 2
perfect location to educate the public about
Root Cause ......... page 3
recycling and household hazardous waste.
Mercury .............. page 4
The environmental features of the green
WaterConservation . page 5 garage (shown in the
picture) include a flam-
Calendar ............. page 8 mable storage cabinet,
recycling center, safety /
first aid area,
and a storage
cabinet for
non-flam-
mable, house-
hold hazardous
products.
Cabinets were
installed to
keep incom-
patible prod-
ucts separated. Note the proper flammables storage and
The steel
safety kit
flammable storage cabinet has passive ventilation and a
fire-proof, double-wall that ensures safe storage of
household flammables such as gasoline, kerosene, paint
thinner, and paint. The floor cabinets (to the right of the
flammables cabinet) were designed to store acids, bases,
fertilizers, and other non-flammable materials. A wall
separates the acids from the bases. The bottom shelves in
the floor cabinet hold absorbent materials to use on spills and
a product called "Paint Dispose" for solidifying paint prior
See Green Garage, page 7
Director's Column
by G. Robert Kerr
P2AD's mission is to "develop programs and activities to facilitate reduction of pollution at the source, and instill a pollution prevention ethic that is consistent with the protection of human health and the environment." In the past, this mission was addressed primarily through our programs with businesses and industries in the state of Georgia. In our last issue, we looked at how we have expanded our approach to addressing this mission through our work with Georgia state agencies. In this issue, you will learn more about how we are also reaching out to the public through education and outreach.
"Instill a pollution prevention ethic..." We believe that instilling this ethic in the general public as well as the business community is critical in order to truly conserve our natural resources and see significant reductions in solid waste generation in the state. Several P2AD programs are geared towards education of homeowners on a variety of pollution prevention issues for that purpose. On page 1 of this issue, we describe the model Green Garage designed by P2AD as a part of the 2002 New American Home program. This article talks about key elements to making your garage safe and free of environmental hazards. Our
From the
From the Source is a quarterly publication of the Pollution Prevention Assistance Division (P2AD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR). P2AD provides free, confidential technical assistance in the areas of pollution prevention, resource conservation, waste reduction, by-product reuse, and recycling. Our clients include manufacturing industry, commercial businesses, institutions, the military, consultants, government, agriculture, and the citizens of Georgia.
Please contact us with address corrections, inquiries and opinions. Articles in From the Source may be reprinted with permission from P2AD. This publication is also available at our website, www.p2ad.org.
For more information about P2AD services, contact the division at (404) 651-5120, (800) 685-2443 (Outside Atlanta), or via email at info@p2ad.org.
Editor: Suzanne Burnes Technical Reviewers: Chuck Boelkins, Bob Donaghue, and Iva Walls (P2AD)
article on page 4 examines mercury in the home. Mercury is a Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic (PBT) chemical, which is unfortunately all too common in most homes. Through its Household Hazardous Waste Program, P2AD is working to support U.S. EPA in its goal to eliminate this particularly dangerous substance.
In addition to educating citizens about proper management of household hazards, P2AD collaborates with other state and local agencies to disseminate information regarding ways to conserve water and energy at home. With the continuation of the Georgia drought this spring and summer, education about what we can all do to conserve water is a priority for us. On pages 5 and 6 of this issue, we have included an easy reference to clip and save on water efficiency. This reference includes average water usage for various home activities; informative websites; and a chart of simple solutions for any budget. We hope that this tool will help all of our readers implement some easy conservation measures, and save money too!
Speaking of tools, we haven't forgotten our industrial clients in this issue. On page 3, our engineers continue their series of articles on Systems Approach Tools, focusing this time on Root Cause Analysis. These tools are used by our engineers in assessments, and can be used internally by clients with the same benefits of institutionalizing pollution prevention concerns. Stay tuned to future issues for information on other resources for your "Pollution Prevention Toolkit." Please visit our website, www.p2ad.org, or contact our staff at (404) 651-5120, if you would like more information on these topics.
From the Source is printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper with soy ink
Page 2
Winter 2002
From the Source
Getting to the Root of the Problem
Root Cause Analysis: Part 3 of our series on Systems Approach Tools
by John Allen, Pollution Prevention Engineer
Earlier articles in a series on the use of the Systems Approach have explained the value of the approach when dealing with pollution prevention issues and have explored the use of process mapping to give a team a better understanding of the process they wish to address. Once the team members understand the process, they will be ready to look at the actual causes for waste they produce.
Before a team can reduce waste in a process, it must first identify the actual, or root cause of the waste. Until the root cause is found, a company could spend a great deal of time and money fixing a symptom of the problem, only to have that same symptom pop up over and over again. This cycle continues because fixing the symptom is often the fastest way to get a process back up and running and therefore finding the root cause is a task usually left for another day.
What is the root cause of a problem? The following is modified from an example in an article on cause and effect by Robert Pojasek where the root cause is discovered by continuing to ask the question "Why?":
Problem: A particular machine produces an unacceptable amount of waste.
Why is the machine producing waste? The machine stops regularly, producing excess waste. Why has the machine stopped? A circuit breaker tripped because of an overload. Why was there an overload? There was not enough lubrication for the bearings. Why was there too little lubrication for the bearings? The pump was not pumping enough. Why was there not enough lubricant being pumped? The pump shaft was vibrating because of abrasion. Why was there abrasion? There was no filter, which allowed chips of metal to get
Figure 1.0 Root Cause Analysis Diagram
into the pump. Solution: Installation of a filter solves the problem.
In this example, the tripping of the circuit breaker was just a symptom of the real waste-producing problem. Likewise, dealing with any of the steps in between, such as lubricating the bearings or replacing the pump, would only serve as a temporary "Band-Aid" and not a real solution. Until the root cause was found and corrected by the installation of a filter, the breaker would continue to trip and the machine would continue to stop, leading to waste.
Of course, tracking down the root cause can be easier said than done. One of the most valuable tools for finding the root cause is a cause and effect diagram.
Figure 1.0 below is modified from an example by Robert Pojasek (Pollution Prevention Review, Summer 1996). This diagram is also known as the Ishikawa diagram after its founder, or the fishbone diagram because it looks like a fish skeleton. In this example, a team began to examine the cause of high salt levels from a textile finishing facility.
The diagram is made up of four main categories: People, Methods, Materials, and Machines. The team can examine each of these individual areas and find causes for the problem within that area. The category of People includes all worker and management related factors such as experience, training, and attitudes. The Methods category addresses workflow and standard operation procedures. In the Materials category, the team looks at the raw materials and inputs to the process. The category of Machines includes all the equipment used in the process as well as adjustments and maintenance on the equipment. A cause and effect diagram can also look at a Measurements category, which includes all values that can be measured, and the category of Surroundings, which includes things such and lighting and room temperature.
As mentioned in previous articles, the most effective team draws its members from a diverse cross-section of company employees. This is especially true when building a cause and effect diagram to ensure that all of the right questions needed to find the root cause are asked. While working on the diagram, the team should focus on solving only a single problem or addressing a single issue. An attempt to examine too many things at one time will lead to a cause and effect diagram with so many causes that it will be hard for the team to find the root.
After identifying the problem to be
See Root Cause, page 7
From the Source
Winter 2002
Page 3
Household Hazardous Waste Program
Mercury... Aren't you curious?
A Look at the Myths and Hazards of Mercury in our Environment
by David Gipson, Pollution Prevention Specialist
Ever wonder where the old saying "mad caution as the fetus is highly susceptible to methyl mercury as a hatter" came from? Or, what made the poisoning. Affected children show lowered intelligence,
Mad Hatter in "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" (Lewis Carroll's 1865 classic)
impaired hearing, and poor coordination. The FDA has recommended that pregnant women,
"mad"? Why did these hat makers or "hatters" have a reputation for strange, unpredictable behavior? The answer is, they were
women of childbearing age, and young children avoid shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish/ocean whitefish. FDA advises these women to select a variety of other kinds
suffering from mercury poisoning. In the 1800s, mercury nitrate was used
of fish -- including shellfish, canned fish, smaller ocean fish or farm-raised fish -- and that these women can safely eat
in the felting process. Exposure to the chemical affected the workers' nervous systems, causing them to display symptoms of chronic mercury poisoning: excitability, mental instability, a tendency to weep, fine tremors of the hands and feet, and personality changes.
Mercury is no longer used in the felting process, but it is still a common ingredient in many household and workplace items. If these items are broken or managed improperly, they can release mercury vapors into our homes, workplace, and environment.
12 ounces per week of cooked fish.
Beware--children think it is fun to play with! Several children have developed mercury poisoning
after playing with small vials of mercury they found at home or school.
Page 7 includes a list of ways to prevent mercury pollution through source reduction. Recycling mercury is the only proper means of managing mercury waste. For more information about cleaning up mercury spills and details about recycling options, go to www.p2ad.org.
See Mercury, page 7
Products that Contain Mercury Mercury affects the brain, spinal cord,
kidneys, and liver. It affects the ability to feel,
see, taste, and move. Long-term exposure to mercury can result in symptoms that get progressively worse and lead to personality changes, stupor, and coma.
The most common routes of exposure are inhalation and ingestion
Inhalation exposure can occur while cleaning up a broken mercury-containing item. Ingestion usually occurs from eating contaminated fish.
Large, long-lived fish meat can contain toxic methyl mercury
Once in a water body, bacteria transform mercury into its most toxic form, methyl mercury. Mercury does not break down; it only accumulates as it moves up the food chain toward humans. Since it's in the tissue (not the fat) trimming and cooking don't change it.
This does not mean you should stop eating fish. It's a good source of protein and low in saturated fat. Moderation according to the type of fish, its origin, and your health status is the key.
Pregnant women should exercise extra
You might think of these:
Thermostats
Thermometers with silver bulbs All fluorescent and HID lamps, neon, and "bug zappers" Batteries: mercuric oxide and some alkaline batteries Various switches and relays in electronics (e.g., clothes
irons, curling irons, computers, cellular/portable phones, sump
pumps, and some appliance lid lights)
Pilot light flame sensors Gauges (e.g., barometers, blood pressure) Automotive HID and Xenon headlamps, interior lights, hood/trunk lights,
and entertainment systems
Mercurochrome/merbromin (topical disinfectant)
Dental fillings (amalgam)
But what about these?
Thimerosal (preservative found in some nasal sprays and older contact
lens solutions)
Weight/counterweight in grandfather clocks Jewelry (usually glass ampules made in Mexico) Spiritual/ritual use in some Caribbean/Hispanic communities Some greeting cards that light up or make noise Vintage toys (e.g., the Mercury Maze game) Some chemistry sets And some people have jars of elemental mercury (a silver liquid) just sitting
around!
Page 4
Winter 2002
From the Source
Conserving water means big savings for the pocket & planet
Individual actions can have meaningful effects
by Judy Adler, P.E., Pollution Prevention Engineer and Susan Hooper, Pollution Prevention Specialist
Georgia's water resources are facing threats on several fronts. High growth rates are putting extra pressure on an already limited water supply. The state has been in a drought since May 1998. Saltwater intrusion threatens the Upper Floridan Aquifer, coastal Georgia's water supply. In the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint river system, future water withdrawals will be limited by the allocation formula of the tri-state compacts between Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.
Water is a precious resource--our lives depend on it, yet many of us still take this resource for granted. In Georgia, average consumption (for residential, commercial, and industrial uses but not agricultural purposes) is 168 gallons of water per person per day--10% higher than the U.S. average of 153 gallons.
The average adult needs less than one gallon of water per day for drinking, yet residential water use in the U.S. averages 101 gallons per person per day (compared to 20 to 30 gallons per person per day in developing countries).
Water conservation is everyone's responsibility. We can significantly reduce our water usage and water and sewer bills by making a few behavioral changes, retrofitting some of our plumbing fixtures, and implementing simple water efficient landscaping practices. On the next page are a few water conservation tips to help you get started!
Save $$$ & H O with 2
Low-flow Fixtures
Did you know that all new plumbing fixtures are water efficient? The Energy Policy Act of 1992 established maximum water usage rates for plumbing fixtures manufactured after Jan. 1, 1994. Because of this legislation, water use will decline by an estimated 81 million gallons of water per day in the ApalachicolaChattahoochee-Flint river system by 2010.
Fixture Toilets Urinals Showerheads Faucets
Max. Water Usage 1.6 gpf 1.0 gpf 2.5 gpm @ 80 psi 2.5 gpm @ 80 psi
Typical single-family home water use
Source: WaterWiser.org 1999 American Water Works Association
Without Conservation
Other Domestic Baths
Dish Washers
1.5 gcd, 2.1% 1 . 2 gcd, 1.6% 1.0 gcd, 1.3%
Total: 72.5 gallons per capita per day (gcd)
Leaks 10.0 gcd, 13.8%
Faucets 11.1 gcd, 15.3%
Showers 12.6 gcd, 17.3%
Toilets 20.1 gcd, 27.7%
Clothes Washers 15.1 gcd, 20.9%
With Conservation
Total: 49.6 gallons per capita per day (gcd)
Other Domestic Baths
Dish Washers
1.5 gcd, 3.1% 1.2 gcd, 2.4% 1.0 gcd, 2.0%
Leaks
5.0 gcd, 10.1% Toilets
9.6 gcd, 19.3%
Showers
Faucets 10.8 gcd, 21.9%
Clothes Washers 10.6 gcd, 21.4%
10.0 gcd, 20.1%
References
William Y. Davis, "ACT-ACF Comprehensive Study: Municipal and Industrial Water Use," 1996.
Georgia Environmental Protection Division, 1998-2000 Georgia Drought Report, 2000. Amy Vickers, Handbook of Water Use and Conservation, WaterPlow Press, Amherst, MA, 2001.
Web Resources
Water Saving Products www.niagaraconservation.com
Do-it-Yourself Plumbing Guide www.doityourself.com/plumbing
Rain Barrels www.gardeners.com www.brookstone.com
National Water Efficiency Clearinghouse www.waterwiser.org
Water Efficiency for Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Facilities www.p2ad.org/watereff.html
Water Efficient Landscaping www.watersmart.net
Georgia Drought www.georgiadrought.org
Georgia Water Resources Toolkit www.dca.state.ga.us/solidwaste/toolkit.html
General Composting Information www.ces.uga.edu/pubcd/c816-w.html
Food Waste Composting www.wormpoop.com www.wormwoman.com
From the Source
Winter 2002
Page 5
Simple steps to reduce water use at home. . . for any budget
No Cost
Low Cost
Moderate Cost
Bathroom
Turn off water while brushing your teeth, washing your face, and shaving
Collect water from showers/sinks while waiting for the temperature to heat up, and use it to water plants
Low-flow showerhead
Kitchen Laundry
Only run the dishwasher when full Use your dishwasher's water and energy
saving cycle (light cycle vs. normal or pots and pans) Save up to 15 gallons by soaking dirty dishes before rinsing them off Don't pre-rinse dishes except in cases of sticky or burnt food Plan ahead and defrost food in the refrigerator, not under running water
Run only full loads For washers with variable settings, select
the proper water level Use a shorter wash cycle for lightly-soiled
clothes
Add a toilet retrofit device to reduce toilet flush volume. Toilet displacement bags, toilet dams, early closing flappers, and fill diverters can save more than 1,000 gallons per person per year.
About 20% of toilets leak. Check for a leak by adding food coloring to the tank. Wait 10 minutes, if the color appears in the bowl you have a leak and need a new flapper. Install low-flow aerators on bathroom faucets. Aerators only cost a few dollars, and are available in flow ratings of 0.5 to 2.5 gallons per minute. If your showerhead was purchased prior to 1994, install a new 2.5 gpm showerhead with a control valve to turn off the water when you soap up
Compost food waste instead of using garbage disposals that use large amounts of water Install a 2.5 gpm aerator on the kitchen faucet. Fingertip controls on some aerators allow you to adjust the water flow.
If your toilet was purchased prior to 1994, replace it with a new model to save 8,000 to 21,000 gallons per year for the typical household.
If your hot water heater is far from your shower and sinks, install a hot water demand recirculation system
Toilet displacement bag
Purchase a water and energy efficient dishwasher that uses 7 gallons of water per load.
Faucet aerator
Purchase a high efficiency, front-loading clothes washer to save 12 to 29 gallons per load
Leaks
Identify and repair leaks. A dripping faucet can waste 2,000 to 4,000 gallons per year. To identify leaks, turn off all water taps in your home and check the water meter to see if water is still flowing.
Outside
Pay attention to the weather! Don't water when rain is in the forecast
Water in the early morning hours to reduce evaporation
Photos of water-saving devices courtesy of Niagara Conservation.
Plant drought-tolerant native species Use compost and mulch to retain moisture in the soil Water slowly and deeply with soaker hoses Install automatic shutoff nozzles on hand-held hoses Minimize grass areas Collect rainwater from your gutters in a rain barrel to irrigate lawn and plants
Install a drip irrigation system for water savings of 25-75% over conventional sprinkler systems.
Auto-shutoff nozzles
Page 6
Winter 2002
From the Source
Get Ready for Governor's
Award 2002
The Governor's Award is presented each year to organizations who demonstrate outstanding leadership and commitment to Georgia's environment through innovative pollution prevention efforts. Winners are acknowledged for their role in reducing waste at the source and obtaining superior results in pollution prevention.
Projects meeting the definition of pollution prevention will be considered for the Governor's Award (see www.p2ad.org for more detail). Recycling projects are not eligible.
Any Georgia manufacturing industry, government facility, academic institution, commercial business, nonprofit group, or farmer is eligible to apply for the award. Applications will be due in August 2002, and the winners will be honored at a luncheon and awards ceremony in September 2002. For more information about the Governor's Award and to obtain an application, contact P2AD at (404) 651-5120 or www.p2ad.org.
Root Cause, continued from page 3
solved, the team can start with any category and begin to list potential causes for that problem that come from that area. After the team has listed several causes from one category, it can move to another. The team should continue to list causes, going from one category to another as the team members ask more questions. Questions can include: Why is the machine producing off-quality goods? What are employees doing to address the problem and why? Do the employees have the proper training and resources needed to deal with the situation? What are the procedures for dealing with this situation?
When the team members have listed all of the potential causes that they can think of in the various categories, the team can then review its work. At this point, some causes should begin to stand out, especially those causes that cross over into more than one category. When looking at these causes ask: "Why is this a cause?" Continuing to ask "why" will lead the team to the root cause. After the team feels it has reached the root, it should verify the finding by backtracking all the way to the initial problem. When the team members are confident that they have identified the root, the team can start working on a solution.
Putting together a cause and effect diagram can be difficult and time consuming until a team becomes comfortable with the process. Someone trained in the process can be helpful the first few times that the team uses this tool. P2AD staff members have experience in facilitating root cause exercises. Contact us with any questions about the Systems Approach at (404) 657-7442.
Green Garage, continued from page1 to disposal in the trash (cat litter can also be used for solidifying paint).
Above the cabinet is a safety center that contains a first aid kit, eye wash solution, gloves, goggles, and emergency phone numbers. A fire extinguisher is also mounted to the wall and within easy reach of the user.
The garage has an area specially designed to accommodate the City of Smyrna's commingled recycling container. To maximize space in the container, a can crusher is conveniently mounted on the wall near the container. In addition, the countertop in the green garage is a recycled-content cast stone product made with post-consumer glass, reclaimed industrial water, and post-industrial fiberglass. General information on recycling and where to find information on local recycling programs was displayed during the home tour.
While not everyone can design their own green garage or buy storage cabinets, here are a few pointers from our project that you can use in your garage:
Keep flammables away from reactives and flames. Separate acids (e.g., metal cleaners) from bases (e.g., bleach). Keep chemicals out of reach of children and pets. Don't
store products overhead in unsecured cabinets. Store products in a container, such as an aluminum
roasting pan, to contain leaks and spills. Keep a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, and emergency
phone numbers posted in the garage. Designate an area to keep protective equipment, such as
gloves and goggles, as well as absorbent material for spills. Designate a place for collecting recyclables.
If you are interested in learning more about how you can reduce or properly store household hazardous products, go to P2AD's Web site at www.p2ad.org/hhw.
3 Simple Ways to Prevent Mercury Pollution
1. Conserve energy
Most mercury pollution comes from burning coal in power plants. Conserving energy will reduce mercury pollution along with greenhouse gases and other pollutants.
2. Don't buy mercury-containing products unless absolutely necessary
3. If nothing else, install a programmable thermostat!
Most non-digital thermostats contain much more mercury than thermometers and other household mercury containing products.
From the Source
Winter 2002
Page 7
Calendar of Events
See www.p2ad.org for more details on all listed events...
May 2, 2002
Georgia Water & Pollution Control Association (GWPCA) is hosting the 2002 Water Conservation--Public Education Workshop at the Gwinnett Civic & Cultural Center in metro Atlanta. For more details see www.gwpca.org.
May 7-8, 2002
P2AD is hosting an Environmental Management System Mentoring Workshop for the Metal Finishing Industry at the Wyndham Atlanta Midtown Hotel. Attendants will work with industry EMS mentors Eaton Corporation and Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America; gain an understanding of ISO 14001EMS requirements; and learn tools for implementing an EMS. For registration information, see www.p2ad.org.
May 23, 2002 P2AD is hosting a Hospital Pollution Prevention Conference at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel. Contact Becky Smullin at (404) 651-5120 or Rebecca_Smullin@p2ad.org for more information.
June 3-4, 2002 Multi-State Working Group is sponsoring Moving to Higher Environmental Performance Using EMS and Other Tools at the Wyndham Orlando Resort in Orlando, FL. See www.mswg.org for more details and registration information.
June 19-20, 2002 The Global Environmental Management Initiative is sponsoring GEMI 2002--Securing Our Future: The Path Forward at the Swissotel in Atlanta, GA. Visit www.gemi.org for more information.
June 25-27, 2002 The Region 4 DoD Environmental Conference will be held at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel in Atlanta, GA. Attendees will include DoD, EPA and State environmental officials and Major Command and Military Installation staff. Contact the Southern Regional Environmental Office of the Army Environmental Center for details, at (404) 524-5061.
POLLUTION PREVENTION ASSISTANCE DIVISION Suite 450 7 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. SW Atlanta, Georgia 30334-9004 (404) 651-5120 1-800-685-2443 (outside metro Atlanta)
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID
ATLANTA GA PERMIT # 2380
Page 8
Winter 2002
From the Source