Integrated systems approach to pollution prevention: A three-tier substitution strategy

Technical Report · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:125988

Ahmed, I; Cunniff, E; Patch, J ^[1]

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1. Booz-Allen & Hamilton Inc., Bethesda, MD (United States)

Current pollution prevention initiatives are reactive, not proactive. Most federal and state regulations and industry participation in pollution prevention projects focus on post-production cleanup. However, an integrated systems approach to design pollution prevention strategies based on substitution of entire classes of chemicals with bio-based alternatives would significantly enhance the impact of pollution prevention efforts. Industry`s current attempts at pollution prevention efforts primarily rely on recycling, modifying processes to reduce the use of certain chemicals, or substituting a petrochemical not listed on the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) for one currently listed. Such strategies may not constitute a long term solution to the pollution problem. A more durable and comprehensive strategy is to substitute renewable feedstock derived biochemicals for petrochemicals. The generation of pollution as driven by the consumer end-products industry occurs in three distinct levels; raw materials production (crude oil refining), commodity and intermediate chemicals production, a raw chemicals consumption. This paper suggests a three-tier substitution strategy based on the three levels of materials used in the chemical process industry with a goal of minimizing the pollution impact via substitutions. The substitution potential of each of the three tiers is determined based on the optimum impact criteria applicable to a given produce line or a process. The best existing pollution prevention initiatives should be incorporated in an integrated pollution management system. This system considers and includes long-term solutions to pollution problems faced both by the regulators and the chemical process industry. The role of existing production capacities that continue to produce toxic chemicals as a byproduct and their potential phase-out via biochemical substitution is also discussed.

• Research Organization: National Association of Environmental Professionals, Washington, DC (United States)
• OSTI ID: 125988
• Report Number(s): CONF-9506115--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIAL SUBSTITUTION
PETROCHEMICALS
POLLUTION ABATEMENT
POLLUTION CONTROL