Center for Industrial Services

In this issue ...

1. Delta Faucet Develops New Efficiencies in its Environmental Management System
2. EPA Takes a Second Look at Superfund Sites
3. Tennessee 1st Nationwide in Developmental and Reproductive Toxins
4. EPA’s Design for the Environment helps Flexographic Printers
5. New Federal Report on Carcinogens Adds to List
6. EPA Shows How with its Own Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
7. Suppliers Partnership for the Environment Ready to Roll
8. QUALITY; MANAGEMENT; AND ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH AND SAFETY WORKSHOPS – May through July 2003

1. DELTA FAUCET DEVELOPS NEW EFFICIENCIES IN ITS ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Delta Faucet Co. began production at its Jackson, Tenn., facility in August 1995, and today, the facility employees more than 500 associates working three shifts. In just its first five years in operation, the plant reached production milestones of 1,000,000 and 5,000,000 faucets. While preparing for ISO 14001 registration (which it achieved) Delta discovered several opportunities to improve the effectiveness and ease of use of its environmental system, as well as employee health and safety.

The company made several changes and improvements on its way to ISO 14001 compliance:

• All 600+ MSDSs were made available online. This means that associates no longer have to reference a hard copy but, instead, can perform a search on any computer in the plant.
• The complete ISO 14001 system was created on Delta Faucet’s intranet. This allows staff access to all environmental forms, work instructions, environmental policies, meeting minutes, and departmental training guides. This has made training much easier and more beneficial.
• The Delta health and safety intranet now includes lockout/tagout and confined space procedures eliminating the need for each department to keep bulky manuals in their cabinets.

Improving information systems also has resulted in operational efficiencies and positive environmental results. By having data available electronically, the company can store an unlimited amount of information that can be accessed easily, revised quickly, and maintained consistently throughout the facility. Hazardous materials information is readily available and, used with operational controls, can reduce spills and provide for comprehensive, integrated, proactive hazardous materials management. This paperless system eliminates the need to print large documents and make revisions for each department, thus reducing the use of resources and wastes generated.

The improvements made at Delta Faucet are available to most companies, whether large, small or in between. If you would like guidance making similar upgrades to your environmental and information systems, look into how the TMEP can help. Just contact your local TMEP field representative or George Smelcer at (615) 532-4916, gsmelcer@tennessee.edu.

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2. EPA TAKES A SECOND LOOK AT SUPERFUND SITES

After bringing hundreds of polluted sites into compliance with regulatory standards in the last decade, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has learned that a contaminant found at many of those sites may be more harmful than previously thought. As a result, the agency is scrambling to re-evaluate its cleanup efforts.

Trichloroethylene, or TCE, has for years been known to cause cancer as well as respiratory, liver and lung damage. But in December, the environmental agency published new research concluding that it was five to 65 times as toxic as previously thought, with pregnant women and other sensitive populations being most at risk.

The finding of added toxicity will "reopen a lot of different sites" to cleanup, said Lenny Siegel, executive director of the Center for Public Environmental Oversight, a watchdog group in Mountain View, Calif., in the heart of Silicon Valley. "Cleanups have been implemented or are on their way to being implemented based on the old standard."

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3. TENNESSEE 1ST NATIONWIDE IN DEVELOPMENTAL AND REPRODUCTIVE TOXINS

A new report analyzing toxic emissions by health effect category and ZIP code of release shows that Tennessee is the number one state for releases of reproductive and developmental toxins that can cause miscarriages, birth defects, and learning disabilities. Tennessee also has two of the top 20 ZIP codes for neurological toxins and three of the top 20 ZIP codes for cancer causing chemicals.

The report, Toxic Releases and Health, carefully analyzes EPA Toxic Release Inventory data on the largest releases across the country from 1987 to 2000. It found emissions to be remarkably concentrated in certain ZIP codes. In fact, 78 percent of all reproductive and developmental toxic releases occur in just 20 ZIP code areas of the country, four of which are in Tennessee. Lenzing Fibers Corp., in Lowland, Tenn., is the single largest emitter of these pollutants in the U.S.

While toxic releases are declining nationally, they have increased in some “hot spots.” Dickson County, Tenn., has seen its releases of developmental toxins increase tenfold between 1987 and 2000. Dickson County also is the site of a cluster of cleft lip and cleft palate cases that remain unexplained after a preliminary epidemiology investigation.

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4. EPA’S DESIGN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT HELPS FLEXOGRAPHIC PRINTERS

The Flexography Partnership of the EPA's Design for the Environment (DfE) Program has released a set of environmental publications for flexographers to help them attain the right mix of performance, environmental stewardship and cost. Examples of items printed with flexography include newspapers, milk cartons, frozen food and bread bags, and shampoo bottle labels.

For the past several years, DfE has been working with a number of associations and companies to evaluate the environmental, human health, performance, and cost aspects of solvent-based, water-based, and ultraviolet cured ink systems. The results were published in February 2002 in Flexographic Ink Options: A Cleaner Technologies Substitutes Assessment.

Other new publications include:

• An Evaluation of Flexographic Inks on Wide-Web Film: Summary Booklet (EPA 744-R-02-002)
• Pollution Prevention: Tips for Flexographic Printers (EPA 744-F-020011)
• Developing Cleaner Ink Formulations: A Flowchart for Ink Formulators (EPA 744-F-02-003)

You can order any of these publications through the Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse at ppic@epa.gov or the DfE Web site. For more information, contact Karen Chu at(202) 564-8773 or chu.karen@epa.gov.

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5. NEW FEDERAL REPORT ON CARCINOGENS ADDS TO LIST

The federal government published its tenth Report on Carcinogens, adding steroidal estrogens used in estrogen replacement therapy and oral contraceptives to its official list of “known” human carcinogens. This and 15 other new listings bring to 228 the total number of substances in the report “known” or “reasonably anticipated” to pose a cancer risk.

Substances newly listed as known human carcinogens are:

• Steroid estrogens
• Broad spectrum ultraviolet radiation (UVR)
• Wood dust
• Nickel compounds

In addition beryllium and beryllium compounds were upgraded from “reasonably anticipate” to “known” human carcinogens.

There also are several substances newly listed as “reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens.”

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6. EPA SHOWS HOW WITH ITS OWN ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE PURCHASING (EPP)

To the joy of hungry government employees, EPA Administrator Christine Whitman and General Services Administration Administrator Stephen A. Perry recently joined a host of other political officers including Federal Environmental Executive John Howard in unveiling the much-anticipated EPA Headquarters cafeteria. "This cafeteria opens today as a symbol of our federal government's efforts to lead by example and to leverage our enormous purchasing power to minimize the environmental burdens of the products and services we buy" said EPA Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances Assistant Administrator Steve Johnson.

Sure enough, the new cafeteria stands as an example of environmental preference. From the ceiling to the floor to all things in between, the cafeteria features some impressive environmental aspects. Carpet tiles are made from post-consumer recycled materials. Dining chairs are made from recycled soda bottle material, while cast iron table bases come from reclaimed engine block materials thus "closing the loop of recycling" according to EPA Assistant Administrator for Office of Administration and Resource Management Morris Winn.

Rather than using disposable service ware, the cafeteria uses china, glassware and stainless steel utensils all washed in Energy Star dishwashers to minimize energy use, cut back on water consumption and reduce landfill waste. For those who are in a hurry or just feel like eating at their desks, the cafeteria features biodegradable, bio-based products for carryout thus opening up the possibility for composting as a new alternative to traditional food waste management practices in the D.C. area.

A comprehensive recycling program includes food wastes, plastic, cans, glass, cardboard, newspaper and even grease. Finally, and most importantly, as this is the reason we come to cafeterias in the first place, much of the food in the new facility supports sustainable agricultural practices locally and abroad. For example, the cafeteria features organically grown fruit and vegetables as well as bird-friendly shade-grown coffee. At the end of the day, all those who pass through the cafeteria doors leave having further contributed to the issues they work on every day. Steve Johnson concluded his remarks by saying, "We believe that the approach used here can serve as a model for cafeteria design and operation throughout the federal government and beyond."

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7. SUPPLIERS PARTNERSHIP FOR THE ENVIRONMENT READY TO ROLL

During a recent ceremony at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C., EPA Deputy Administrator Linda Fisher unveiled the new Suppliers Partnership for the Environment (SPE) program. Joining her was a host of top executives and representatives from member companies, including General Motors, Ashland Chemical, Johnson Controls, Lear, The Bing Group, Delphi, Federal Mogul Corporation, Freudenberg-NOK, Haas Corporation, Petoskey Plastics, Visteon and, of course, the pollution prevention (P2) folks who helped make this idea a reality. Judging from the results thus far, SPE stands as the next generation of P2 initiatives designed to green the supply chain of manufacturers from the ground up.

SPE is a forum for large original equipment manufacturers and their suppliers to come together on environmental issues and implement change within their supply chain. It is an industry-led voluntary partnership with the U.S. EPA and the Department of Commerce’s National Institute for Standards and Technology's (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) to provide direct technical assistance on environmental and production issues (such as materials efficiency) to sub-tier suppliers while increasing business value and output.

SPE participants are looking toward the future. "Programs like SPE provide an innovative approach to environmental management," says Kristin Pierre, manager of the Greening the Supply Chain project at EPA and a member of SPE. "It shows that we're headed for a bright future." For more information on SPE, contact Kristin Pierre at (202) 564-8837 or pierre.kristin@epa.gov.

8. QUALITY, MANAGEMENT, AND ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH AND SAFETY WORKSHOPS – May through July 2003

For more information about the courses listed below, please visit our Web site. Or, call us: (615) 532-8657 or toll-free at (888) 763-7439. You can register for these courses online, or use this registration form.

Certain courses are underwritten by TDEC Division of Community Assistance funding under the Waste Reduction Assistance Program contract. Tennessee Pollution Prevention Partnership (TP3) Partners and Performer-level members receive a discount on registration fees for these open-enrollment courses. To learn more about TP3, please call George Smelcer at (615) 532-4912, Don Stone at (615) 532-4924 or Harding Aslinger at (615)532-8888. Or, you may visit the TDEC Web site at www.state.tn.us/environment/dca/tp3.htm.

LEAN MANUFACTURING (TP3 member discount available)

Lean 202: Value Stream Mapping

• Chattanooga – April 30
• Memphis – April 29
• Nashville – May 1

Lean 203: Workplace Organization & Visual Controls (5-S System)

• Chattanooga – June 5
• Memphis – June 3
• Nashville – June 4

Lean 208: Mistake Proofing your Manufacturing Process

• Chattanooga – June 12
• Memphis – June 10
• Nashville – June 11

Lean 301: Lean Office (NEW CLASS)

• Chattanooga – May 22
• Knoxville – May 21
• Memphis – May 19
• Nashville – May 20

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORY REPORTING (TP3 member discount available)

Form R Report

• Chattanooga – May 21
• Jackson – May 27
• Knoxville – May 20
• Memphis – May28
• Nashville – May 22

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND ISO 14000(TP3 member discount available)

EMS/ISO 14001 Implementation

• Nashville – June 17

HAZARDOUS WASTE/CHEMICAL SITE WORKER (Government employee discount available)

40-Hour Site Worker

• Gatlinburg – June 9-13
• Murfreesboro – May 19-23

8-Hour Site Worker Refresher

• Memphis – May 6
• Nashville – May 28

DOT COMPLIANCE (Government employee discount available)

8-Hour DOT Refresher

• Nashville – May 29

SAFETY MANAGEMENT AND COMPLIANCE

OSHA 10-Hour General Industry

• Memphis – May 7-8
• Nashville – June 3-4

TOSHA Train-the-Trainer

• Nashville – May 7

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The University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services
Tennessee Manufacturing Extension Program
226 Capitol Blvd., Suite 606
Nashville, TN 37219-1804
Phone: (615) 532-8657
Fax: (615) 532-4937

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