Pollution Prevention Assessments: Approaches and Case Histories

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The pollution prevention (P2) approach known as source reduction is being used worldwide to reduce the deleterious effects on human health and the environment due to the contaminants released from a variety of industrial sources. This chapter focuses on the concept of pollution prevention approaches undertaken by the U.S.EPA. P2 approach is discussed by applying the concept of energy efficiency, energy savings, greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reductions, waste reduction, and stormwater management to local schools, restaurants, hospitals, and the industrial sector in Ohio, USA. Several publicly available tools were used to analyze data collected during assessments. The major tools used are the Energy Assessment Spreadsheet tool (developed by Air Pollution Research Group at the College of Engineering, The University of Toledo, Ohio, USA) for the energy savings and Economic Input Life Cycle Assessment tool (developed by researchers at the Green Design Institute of Carnegie Mellon University) for the estimation of environmental emissions from industrial activities.These approaches result in the reduction of financial costs for waste management, cleanup, health problems, and environmental damage. Outcomes of pollution prevention activities are knowledge-based, behavioral, health-related, or environmental, which includes decreased exposure to toxins, conservation of natural resources, decreased release of toxins to the environment, and cost savings. The chapter presents case studies that focused on energy, greywater reuse, and food waste diversion from landfills.