Modern Environmental Crimes and Toxic Waste Sites: Volatile Organic Compounds - Term Paper Example

 Modern Environmental Crimes and Toxic Waste Sites: Volatile Organic Compounds Introduction The purpose of this paper is to examine the issue of modern environmental crimes with special focus on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as typical examples of toxic wastes. The current rate of environment degradation and destruction is alarming, and the dangers this crime pose to our survival, as human beings, are colossal. Environmental crimes range from illegally producing harmful objects (chemicals and other toxic materials) near residential areas to dumping or abandoning toxic wastes on some sites (land, water or air). This dastard act has led to the destruction of ecosystem, pollution of air, and the destruction of human health (Clifford, 1998). Investigating the following toxic waste sites in the United States, it will be disturbing to discover how these sites have affected the wellbeing and socio-economic development of the areas they are located. One would have expected those engaged in this white collar crime to be prosecuted for putting the environment and people in dangers. The Significance of the Problem The problem of toxic waste in the United States is huge in the sense that it affects all aspects of human existence. It is believed that in each year, Americans produce about 208 million tons of wastes every year. And this figure is expected to increase yearly if nothing is done to control the current waste-producing character of the people (Bassis, 3 2010). Undoubtedly, the cost of cleaning-up these immense wastes would be high, not to talk of the destructive impacts of the wastes on the environment and human lives. As a result of these points indicated in the foregoing, investigating the environmental crime as an example of a white collar crime is significant and of great benefit to the survival of human race. Literature Review The main reason this problem of toxic wastes and environmental crime perpetuates in the United States is because the respective governmental agencies that are expected to organize periodic assessment of the situation have come short of their expected performance through corruption or mere negligence (Kirkeby et al., 2006). The proliferation of solid waste systems across the U.S bodes evil for the environment, people and the economic strength of the country, as a whole. There are questions that needed to be asked: are the technologies for waste disposal systems becoming obsolete? Would new waste management technologies help reduce the extent of wastes that scatter all over the states in America? As shown in European example, the implementation of a policy that guarantees smooth of transport within the country has been fingered as a possible way to undertake proper waste disposal program, as well as maintain sanitary throughout the states in America (Salhofer et al., 2007). 4 Another interesting aspect of dealing with toxic wastes is by converting them into useful materials (most especially, into energy). The Process of converting toxic wastes into energy provides another advantage of energy conservation (Ragossnig et al., 2008). This also will reduce the impacts of this crime on the environment. The amount of toxic waste generated by Americans is worrisome. This shows that the cost of removing these wastes will continue to rise and become an economic burden to the U.S. Toxic wastes like Volatile Organic Compounds VOCs can be eliminated from the environment by diverting into other useful materials. A good example of these is by using these VOCs in the production of agricultural products like fertilizers, organic salt etc that could be used for non-hazardous purposes (Bruun et al., 2006). The actions detailed above paint both gloomy and hopeful pictures on the issue of environmental crime and toxic wastes. Since this paper dwells mostly on the Volatile Organic Compounds VOCs that are capable of wrecking some havoc on the environment as well as destroying the lives of the citizenry. The cost of stemming these dangers is huge, and this may have been taking a serious toll on the financial strength of the United States. It is obvious that the U.S is fighting double wars—to preserve the environment and reduce the quantity of wastes emanating from American households (Beigl & Salhofer, 2004). This may appear as a difficult task to execute; however, with dedication and resources, it may be 5 possible to rid our work of toxic wastes while exposing the criminals behind the crime for public prosecution. The good news is that there are currently some environmental laws and regulations that attempt to limit the damage the environmental crime and toxic wastes causes. Most of these laws are administered by U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and they include but not restricted to: (i) Chemical Safety Information, Site Security and Fuel Regulatory Relief Act, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, pollution Prevention Act, and so on. These laws are enough as legal frameworks for prosecuting the offenders that cause widespread environmental damage through negligent dumping of wastes and other toxic substances (USEPA, 2010b). Theoretical Application The literature review above proffers possible theoretical application of the solutions for managing the fallouts from environmental crimes and its accompanying toxic wastes. This paper focuses primarily on the toxic substances referred to as Volatile Organic Compounds, VOCs. Some social, legal and scientific theories are applicable in the study of environmental crime. The social theory of communal responsibility expects every human to respect the rights of the others and desist from any action that could undermine their wellbeing, including dumping of toxic substances near their residences (Clifford, 1998). 6 Legally, all men are regarded as being born equal; hence, people are expected to be treated with equality, which include but not restricted to making the environment clean for healthy living. Disappointingly, scientists believe that toxic waste is a twenty-first century malaise, which will continue to be a grave concern as human population increases over a fixed landscape (Clifford, 1998). These theories are helpful in handling the issue of environmental crime, and working towards finding a permanent solution for it. Barkhamstead-New Hartford Landfill: A Case Study Concerning Barkhamstead-New Hartford Landfill, in-depth investigations have concluded that some of the wells (shallow and deep) dug around the landfill had volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are capable of causing serious danger to the environment (USEPA, 2010a). Recent studies revealed that VOCs are indeed mobile, destructive to the environment and people and could cause widespread havoc in the soil, land and air (Wang and Doi, 1996). Before its clean-up, the Barkhamsted-New Hartford Landfill reportedly contained contaminants and serious threats to the environment. Some of these contaminants include but not restricted to presence of contaminants like VOCs—which include xylene, toluene, and vinlychloride that could be found in both deep and shallow depths. And for the fact that the Landfill was once without fence, this had increased the contamination as animals and human beings freely have contacts with hazardous substances on the Landfill (USEPA, 2010a). Although, beginning from 1991, efforts have been made to clean-up this site and make its less dangerous for the people living in the close proximity to the area. The 7 burning question still remains: why had the Regional waste disposal management at Barkhamstead and New Hartford town who had used the site as a waste disposal area allowed it to grow into an immense environmentally dangerous one? Applying the useful points raised in the literature review, it is possible to believe that establishing a smooth transport system could enhance successful waste disposal program (Salhofer et al., 2007). If the transport is efficient, it is likely that wastes would be dumped at the appropriate places at the right time. Similarly, carrying out periodical assessment of the disposal system at Barkhamstead and New Hartford town may help the regional management to discover any lapses that may bring upon the citizens of the town serious environmental problems. This entails inspecting the disposal systems and checking on the technologies to see if they are functioning well (Kirkeby et al., 2006). Some wastes can also be converted into useful materials like agricultural materials and so on. VOCs, which comprise of xylene, toluene, and vinlychloride are toxic organic compounds that could be converted to useful materials through chemical reactions/processes (Bruun et al., 2006). More so, the laws outlined above could be used to prosecute the criminals that, out of negligence or for selfish desire, spread toxic wastes around the town. When many environmental offenders are brought to book, others would be careful in the way they affect the environment (USEPA, 2010b). 8 Conclusion Volatile Organic Compounds, VOCs are toxic substances found in some landfills, most especially, the Barkhamstead-New Hartford Landfill discussed in this paper. These VOCs include xylene, toluene, and vinlychloride that harm people and cause untold damage to the environment. But the good news, as shown in the foregoing, is that these dangerous objects could be converted into useful materials. Most importantly, environmental damage could be reduced drastically through the process of improved transport system, periodical waste disposal assessments, use of modern technologies and processes etc. On top of it, if most environmental criminals are prosecuted, this will deter others from taking similar destructive path, and our world will be preserved. The United States Government will save some money spent on waste clean-up every year. 9 References Bassis, L. (2010). Waste disposal. Available at http://www.umich.edu/~gs265/society/wastedisposal.htm Beigl, P., and Salhofer, S. (2004). Comparing ecological effects and costs of communal waste management systems. Conservation and Recycling, 41, 83-102. Bruun, S., Hansen, T.L., Christensen, T.H., Magid, J., and Jensen, L.S. (2006). Application of processed organic municipal solid waste on agricultural land—a scenario analysis. Environmental Modeling and Assessment, 11, 251-265. Clifford, M. (1998). Environmental crime: enforcement, policy, and social responsibility. Massachusetts: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Kirkeby, J.T., Birgisdotirr, H., Hansen, T.L., Christensen, T.H., Bhander, G.S., & Hauschild, M. (2006). Environmental assessment of solid waste systems and technologies: EASEWASTE. Waste Management & Research, 24, 3. Ragossnig, A.M., Wartha, C., and Kirchner, A. (2008). Energy efficiency in waste-to-energy and its relevance with regard to climate control. Waste Management & Research, 26, 70-77. 10 Salhofer, S., Schneider, F., and Obersteiner, G. (2007). The ecological relevance of transport in waste disposal systems in Western Europe. Waste Management, 29, 1251-1257. United States Environmental Protection Agency (2010a). Waste Site Cleanup and ReUse in New England. Available at http://yosemite.epa.gov/r1/npl_pad.nsf/701b6886f189ceae85256bd20014e93d/933652751af078d3852568ff005adb0f!OpenDocument> United States Environmental Protection Agency (2010b). Laws and the EOs that influence environmental protection. Available at http://www.epa.gov/lawsregs/laws/index.html Wang, W., and Doi, J. (1996). Volatile organic compounds in the environment. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International. Read More