A Guide to Hazardous Materials Management: Physical Characteristics, Federal Regulations, and Response Alternatives

This book explains the fundamental principles involved in hazardous materials management. It provides a thorough and readable explanation of the laws governing the management of hazardous materials and potential management responses, including both technical and policy-related alternatives. Integrated throughout the text are definitions of numerous technical and legal terms involved in hazardous materials management, as perceived by the professional community and involved regulatory agencies.

Table of Contents:
Introduction What Makes a Material Hazardous? The Rules of the Game: Regulations Historical Precedent Regulations Air and Water Quality Regulations Toxic/Hazardous Materials Regulations Asbestos Control Regulations Radioactive Materials Control Regulations Program Management Substance Management Emergency Response Regulatory Compliance and Work Practices Sources of Additional Information Appendix Glossary Selected Bibliography Supplementary Technical Information Index

About the Author :
AILEEN SCHUMACHER is President of Blum, Schumacher, and Associates, Inc., which provides environmental consulting engineering services in addition to civil and structural engineering, and inspection services.

Review :
?Schumacher covers many areas of managing hazardous materials, including the chemicals themselves, federal regulations, and emergency response alternatives. The author discusses the nature of a hazard (whether a material, substance, or waste) and the risks imposed on either the environment or on people. Regulation is also treated from simple explanation's of law and regulation to the complex precedents in US federal regulations (state and local regulations are not covered). The four regulatory areas discussed are air and water, toxic/hazardous materials, asbestos, and radioactive materials. The impact on business of regulatory complience and work practices is mentioned; dispute resolution is encouraged. There are chapters on managing a hazardous material - whether by recycling, conservation, disposal, or treatment. Useful appendixes. . . numerous acronyms. . . the writing is clear. . . all in all, a good introductory book for college students.?-Choice ?There appears to be a steadily increasing number of books being published on the topic of hazardous materials management. The issue is so complex that no single author can be the complete expert and no single book provide all the answers. However, each book released adds to the available fund of perspectives, data and techniques that society must draw upon to address a topic that is absorbing a steadily growing portion of society's concern, attention and resources. Within its limits, this book appears to be an excellent handbook on the subject. It addresses what makes substances hazardous' and both legal and technical aspects of hazardous materials management. . . . It is well illustrated with graphs, charts and drawings. It should be a useful non-technical reference on the subject, particularly for non-lawyers who want to understand the legal context in which hazardous materials management and technical issues must be addressed.?-American Library Book Review "Schumacher covers many areas of managing hazardous materials, including the chemicals themselves, federal regulations, and emergency response alternatives. The author discusses the nature of a hazard (whether a material, substance, or waste) and the risks imposed on either the environment or on people. Regulation is also treated from simple explanation's of law and regulation to the complex precedents in US federal regulations (state and local regulations are not covered). The four regulatory areas discussed are air and water, toxic/hazardous materials, asbestos, and radioactive materials. The impact on business of regulatory complience and work practices is mentioned; dispute resolution is encouraged. There are chapters on managing a hazardous material - whether by recycling, conservation, disposal, or treatment. Useful appendixes. . . numerous acronyms. . . the writing is clear. . . all in all, a good introductory book for college students."-Choice "There appears to be a steadily increasing number of books being published on the topic of hazardous materials management. The issue is so complex that no single author can be the complete expert and no single book provide all the answers. However, each book released adds to the available fund of perspectives, data and techniques that society must draw upon to address a topic that is absorbing a steadily growing portion of society's concern, attention and resources. Within its limits, this book appears to be an excellent handbook on the subject. It addresses what makes substances hazardous' and both legal and technical aspects of hazardous materials management. . . . It is well illustrated with graphs, charts and drawings. It should be a useful non-technical reference on the subject, particularly for non-lawyers who want to understand the legal context in which hazardous materials management and technical issues must be addressed."-American Library Book Review