 | ||
|
National News |
 |
 | ||
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
|
|
|
EPA Press Advisory: (1) New Guide Will Support Specialty-Batch Chemical Manufacturers’ Participation in EPA’s Voluntary Programs; (2) EPA and Giant Food Team Up To Promote Children’s Environmental Health and Safety; (3) Sun-Safety Efforts Protect Kids, Win EPA AwardsFollowing are some Agency developments which may interest you. If you need Enesta Jones, 202-564-7873 / jones.enesta@epa.gov EPA is releasing a new guide that will help the specialty-batch chemical industry learn about voluntary environmental programs that can improve their environmental and economic performance. With more than 70 voluntary programs now available, EPA recognizes the need to help organizations make informed decisions about the ones best suited to their operations. The EPA Voluntary Programs Guide for the Specialty-Batch Chemical Sector addresses that need by summarizing the requirements and benefits of 16 voluntary programs, such as EnergyStar, Waste Wise, and Design for the Environment, that are applicable to specialty-batch chemical manufacturers. Developed with input from the specialty-batch chemical sector, the guide demonstrates EPA’s recent commitment to improving management of voluntary programs. Voluntary programs are increasingly being used as a complement to traditional regulatory approaches. They play a major role in the Agency's efforts to enhance environmental performance through innovation and collaboration, and are instrumental in helping industry sectors address environmental challenges. The guide is available at: http://www.epa.gov/sectors/sbchemical/index.html . EPA and Giant Food Team Up To Promote Children's Environmental Health and Safety Enesta Jones, 202-564-7873 / jones.enesta@epa.gov Beginning this month, Giant Food is promoting summer environmental health and safety awareness for children in all of its stores as part of a year-long campaign. Giant Food’s Kid’s Corner Activity Sheet will be devoted to teaching children about air quality and sun safety. The Air Quality Index, or AQI, is a simple color-coded system that tells the public how clean the air is and whether there are any people who may be at risk of experiencing health effects. The Ultraviolet (UV) Index is a tool used by EPA, the National Weather Service and weather reporters around the country since 1994 to report the day’s risk level of UV exposure. Each store will also display EPA's sun safety poster. On June 4, EPA and Giant Food staff participated in the nationally syndicated Joe Madison Radio show highlighting the importance of understanding air quality and the UV indices. Giant Food’s consumer advisor, Odonna Mathews, will discuss summer health and safety information for children in her column on June 13. Beginning in July, one-quart milk cartons will feature information about AQI and the UV Index. These activities are part of Giant Food’s year-long effort to increase public awareness about children’s environmental health issues. In March, Giant Food focused on safety issues around mercury fever thermometers. EPA is providing technical assistance with the entire campaign. Giant Food LLC, headquartered in Landover, Md., operates 198 supermarkets in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey and the District of Columbia. For information about AQI or the UV Index, visit: http://www.epa.gov/aqi/ or http://epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html Sun-Safety Efforts Protect Kids, Win EPA Awards John Millett, 202-564-7842 / millett.john@epa.gov Ten schools and organizations won EPA recognition this week for protecting children from the damaging effects of overexposure to the sun. The winners teach and promote sun-safe behaviors to prevent skin cancer, cataracts, and other adverse health effects. In the United States, one person dies every hour from melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. This disease is largely preventable with proper sun protection. EPA’s SunWise Program encourages K-8 schools, science and children’s museums, and other organizations to educate children and their caregivers about sun protection. Organizations received awards in two different categories. The Shade Foundation, Phoenix, Ariz. and Boston, Mass.; The Arizona Department of Health Services, Phoenix, Ariz.; and Bonita Springs Elementary School, Bonita Springs, Fla. won the 2004 “Helios Award,” which recognizes schools and other organizations for their work in changing school policy, involving parents and the community, erecting shade structures on school playgrounds, allowing sunscreen to be worn in school and providing sun-safety information to the community. The Center for Creative Learning, Ellisville, Mo.; Massabesic Junior High School, Waterboro, Maine; Colette Coyne Melanoma Awareness Campaign, New Hyde Park, N.Y.; The Swain School, Allentown, Pa.; Holy Cross Lutheran School, Dallas, Texas; WDIV-TV, Detroit, Mich.; and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Center, Chicago, Ill. won the 2004 “Shining Star Award.” This award recognizes educators and other proponents of children’s health issues who are implementing SunWise in an exemplary way; by reaching a large number of students, reporting UV Index data to EPA’s Web site, sponsoring poster contests, or developing sun-safety curriculum. For more information about the SunWise program and tips on sun safety, visit: http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/ . R109 ### Release date:06/09/2004 Receive our News Releases Automatically by Email
|
|
|
|
 | ||
|
EPA Home | Privacy and Security Notice | Contact Us
URL: Last Revised: 06/09/2004 03:59:17 PM
|