December 18, 2009

Lynn L. Bergeson, “EPA Targets Electric Utilities,” Chemical Processing, November 2009.

Approximately 5.4 million cubic yards, or 1.1 billion gallons, of coal ash from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) plant near Knoxville, Tenn., in December 2008 flooded some 300 acres of land, damaging property, polluting waterways, and killing fish. TVA will likely spend more than $500 million and perhaps as much as $1 billion dollars on the cleanup, says the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The TVA debacle was EPA’s wake-up call for potential hazards presented...
December 18, 2009

Lynn L. Bergeson, “The Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program: Where Are We?,” Environmental Quarterly Management, Autumn 2009.

On April 15, 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its final list of chemicals in the first group of substances that will be screened under the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP). Development of this list caps a long, thoughtful, and arduous administrative process that spans over a decade. This “Washington Watch” column briefly reviews the development of the program, with emphasis on key elements of the current EDSP. The discussion also highlights the...
December 3, 2009

Lynn L. Bergeson, “FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel Considers Nanosilver,” Environmental Law Reporter, December 2009.

On November 3-5, 2009, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) met “to consider and review a set of scientific issues related to the assessment of hazard and exposure associated with nanosilver and other nanometal pesticide products.” The decision to convene an SAP was nominally motivated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) need to consider four applications pending at the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) seeking...
October 1, 2009

Lynn L. Bergeson, “EPA Launches Online Discussion,” Chemical Processing, October 2009.

Ever read a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) press release and say to yourself or others, “Gee, why is EPA pursuing that matter – there are a lot of other more important enforcement priorities?” Well, now is your chance to help shape EPA’s 2011- 2013 fiscal years enforcement priorities. EPA launched an online discussion forum on August 31 to receive input on future priorities for EPA’s National Enforcement Program....
September 1, 2009

Lynn L. Bergeson, “Green Nanotechnology: Straddling Promise and Uncertainty,” Natural Resources & Environment, Fall, 2009.

This article describes green nanotechnology and discusses the reasons why traditional chemicals-assessment and management approaches may not be adequate in all cases in the near term when applied to nanomaterials. It outlines the reasons why green nanotechnology may serve as an alternative approach to chemicals assessment when applied to nanomaterials and suggests some measures to advance the goals of green nanotechnology....
September 1, 2009

Lynn L. Bergeson, “Conquering Heroic Challenges: A Look at Hot Legal and Regulatory Issues You Need to Know,” NACD Chemical Distributor, September, 2009.

If the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) had to select a song today that best reflects a typical member’s profile, it would have to be “It’s Not Easy To Be Me”. Challenged commercially by the credit crunch, escalating energy, labor, and raw material costs, squeezed by market pressures spawned by a badly damaged economy, and reeling from legal and regulatory challenges that are mushrooming exponentially, NACD members really do need red capes emblazoned with...
September 1, 2009

Lynn L. Bergeson, “Washington: Marketing Green,” Manufacturing Today, September 2009.

The growth in green marketing is getting a lot of attention these days, especially from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the federal agency tasked with preventing unfair and deceptive trade practices. Mindful of potential false and misleading advertising, FTC has been revising its Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims, known as the “Green Guides.”...
July 1, 2009

Lynn L. Bergeson, “New on the Horizon: Nanotechnology,” The John Liner Review, Summer 2009.

Managing any business is tough. Managing a nanotechnology (nanotech) business is tougher than most. This article briefly discusses this new and rapidly expanding field of applied science, outlines key risk management issues that companies engaged in the manufacture of nanoscale materials and nanotechnology-enabled products confront, and reviews existing and proposed governance and risk management mechanisms intended to address potential nanotechnology risks....
July 1, 2009

Lynn L. Bergeson, “Safety Comes First for Nanotechnology,” Chemical Processing, July 2009.

Earlier this year, the International Council on Nanotechnology (ICON), Houston, launched the GoodNanoGuide, which is available online. To cater to all audiences, the guide provides basic, intermediate and advanced options to choose from to contribute to or search within the online forum. This innovative approach sets a new standard for creative, interactive, Internet-based product stewardship tools. This column explains why you may want to take a look at the GoodNanoGuide and consider the...
July 1, 2009

Lynn L. Bergeson, “2009 and Beyond: Outlook for Environmental Issues,” Environmental Quality Management, Summer 2009.

With a new Congress in town and a new administration in charge of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), 2009 promises to be an exciting and eventful year. This “Washington Watch” column provides a summary outlook on possible directional trends and developments in the regulation of key environmental issues over the coming months and years....