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Arguing that atmospheric pollution is a worldwide problem & that its solution requires global policy decisions, areas of potential international collaboration on this issue are explored. Barriers to cooperation are identified, most predominantly the anarchic state system. Different countries have dissimilar problems with & solutions to environmental issues. The environmental revolutionism of the 1970s is assessed, along with the effect of five multilateral emission reduction agreements signed during the era. It is concluded that there were three major developments that contributed toward the birth of atmospheric pollution controls: ecological interdependence, technological developments, & increased public influence on governmental policymakers. 30 References. Adapted from the source document.

This article examines the prospects for further international control of atmospheric pollution. Air pollution has become a global policy problem, control of which requires the collaboration of many states. Despite the need for co-operation, however, the protection of the global environment is problematical in the anarchic state system. Co-operation is constrained by the fact that states are not equally affected by pollution and have dissimilar interests in environmental protection. Nevertheless, even though the prospects for environmental co-operation did not seem promising in the 1970s, five multilateral agreements were signed to reduce emissions of air pollutants. Three changes in particular contributed to the emergence of atmospheric pollution controls: the imperatives of ecological interdependence, technological developments, and growing public pressure on policy-makers.

Airborne pollution of the marine environment has not received great attention in the literature. This is certainly a reflection of the fact that, for the longest time, this type of pollution was neglected in international efforts to cooperate for the protection of the marine environment. However, the last few years have witnessed considerable activity in this area and some stock-taking is in order.

AbstractThe definition of sustainable development is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Components of sustainable development include economic profitability, environmental quality, and community well‐being. For federal agencies, sustainable development is critical to their mission. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has always embraced a linkage between economic and environmental goals. However, integration of these elements into its internal operations is a new concept.This article provides a general discussion of sustainable development principles and approaches to incorporating these principles internally, and specific sustainable development initiatives at NOAA. To meet the demands of NOAA's mission requirements—including sustainable development—and the many environmentally related Presidential Executive Orders, NOAA is developing an environmental, health, and safety management information system (MIS). One element of the MIS, the chemical inventory management system, used to track laboratory chemicals to ensure the safety of employees and protection of the environment, is described in more detail. Additional modules on elements such as Asbestos and Underground Storage Tanks are planned.

Procedural and legal issues in the EC's decision-making process on the internal and international level.

AbstractBackgroundThe critical values for heavy metal fluxes for protecting the human health and ecosystem's integrity in Germany, especially the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG in Gesetz zum Schutz vor schädlichen Umwelteinwirkungen durch Luftverunreinigungen, Geräusche, Erschütterungen und ähnliche Vorgänge (Bundes-Immissionsschutzgesetz-BImSchG), 1974/2020) with its implementing ordinances (especially the 39th BImSchV in Neununddreißigste Verordnung zur Durchführung des Bundes-Immissionsschutzgesetzes Verordnung über Luftqualitätsstandards und Emissionshöchstmengen vom 2. August 2010, zuletzt geändert durch Art. 2 V v. 18.7.2018 I 1222, 2010, 2018), the Federal Soil Protection Ordinance (BBodSchV in Bundes-Bodenschutz- und Altlastenverordnung (BBodSchV) (GBBl. I S. 1554 vom 12. Juli 1999, zuletzt durch Artikel 3 Absatz 4 der Verordnung vom 27. September 2017 (BGBl. I S. 3465) ge-ändert, 1999/2015) and the Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control (Luft in Erste Allgemeine Verwaltungsvorschrift zum Bundes–Immissionsschutzgesetz (Technische Anleitung zur Reinhaltung der Luft – TA Luft), 2002), were analysed, assessed with regard to the possibilities and applicability of the risk assessment, and were prepared for evaluation in comparison to the respective atmospheric deposition modelled with the chemical transport model LOTOS-EUROS. For a comparison of the critical values, the critical loads for cadmium, lead and mercury inputs were updated for Germany on a scale of 1:1 Mio, and critical loads for additional heavy metals (arsenic, copper, zinc, chromium and nickel) were computed, respectively. Due to the methodological differences of their derivation, the critical values of the individual regulations are only conditionally comparable to one another and to the critical loads. Sometimes major differences exist due to different levels of protection, various protective goods and the effect relationship. Only with the critical load calculations, inputs and outputs can be balanced.ResultsFor two unregulated metals (thallium and vanadium) a preliminary rough estimate of the risk of inputs in the receptors was provided as a calculated balance for in- and acceptable outputs. The uncertainty analysis shows, that the highest deviations occurred in the metal contents in plants used to calculate the output through the harvesting of the biomass. The critical load calculation has the highest sensitivity to changes in the pH value. The critical loads for heavy metal fluxes for protecting the human health (CL(M)drink) and ecosystem's integrity CL(M)eco) for arsenic, nickel, zinc and chromium were not exceeded in Germany for 2009–2011. CL(M)drinkand CL(M)ecoare exceeded by Hg and Pb inputs, especially in the low rainfall regions of Germany (Brandenburg, lowlands of Saxony-Anhalt, Leipzig Bay, Ruhr valley) with wood vegetation; in addition CL(Cu)ecois exceeded by copper deposition 2010 in the area surrounding Berlin and in the Ruhr valley. The critical loads for cadmium for the protection of drinking water CL(Cd)drinkand for the protection of human food from wheat products CL(Cd)foodare not exceeded in the German data set due to atmospheric deposition in 2010, but in the worst-case scenario the maximum atmospheric deposition in 2010 could exceeded the lowest CL(Cd)drinkand CL(Cd)food.ConclusionsThat assessment of risks was based on deposition from the atmosphere, which represents only a fraction of the inputs compared to the inputs from the use of fertilisers and other sources. This study suggests the conclusive recommendation to methodically deepen and broaden the assessment and evaluation of atmospheric deposition. This is especially true for the spatial validation and specification of exposure for ecosystem types.

AbstractAtmospheric pollutants, such as NOx, SO2, and particulate matter, together with water percolation inside the stone pores, represent the main causes of cultural heritage decay. In order to avoid these undesired phenomena, the application of protective coatings represents a reliable solution. In this context, the present study focused on the synthesis of low-fluorine content methacrylic-based (MMA) polymeric resins characterized by seven F atoms (namely F7 monomer) in the lateral chains. Four different percentages (1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0%) of the present monomer were adopted to obtain a final polymeric structure showing the desired hydrophobicity, processability, and structural and thermal stability (even after accelerated UV aging tests). MMA_F7(1.0) seemed to be the optimal one; therefore, it was further applied onto Candoglia marble. Specifically, the treated substrates showed good surface hydrophobicity, water repellency, and water vapor transpirability. No color variation was observed even after a 1.5-year exposure in a real polluted environment (Monza Cathedral). Interestingly, the application of this coating hindered the atmospheric nitrates penetration inside the stones and, at the same time, it limited the sulfates (gypsum) formation, thus revealing a very promising marbles protection resin.