Indiana Department of Environmental Management - News Releases

[IDEM] Four Indiana businesses join Indiana Partners for Pollution Prevention (6/11/2013)

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Start Date:	6/11/2013	All Day
End Date:	6/11/2013

Indiana’s Partners for Pollution Prevention (Partners) welcomed four new members to the program during the organization’s quarterly meeting hosted by Purdue University’s Environmental and Ecological Engineering Division on June 5. The inductees are:

Da-Lite Screen, a brand of Milestone AV Technologies, LLC

Located in Warsaw
For over 100 years, Da-Lite has been designing, manufacturing and marketing the most comprehensive line of projection screens in the world. Today, Da-Lite offers a wide selection of proprietary projection screen fabrics and materials.

Monarch Beverage Company/EF Transit

Located in Indianapolis
EF Transit is the logistics branch of Monarch Beverage Company; Indiana’s largest distributer of beer and wine. Each day, EF Transit trucks transport some 60,000 cases of beer and wine from the Indianapolis distribution center to more than 7,000 Hoosier retail accounts. Guiding these activities is a singular mission statement and a set of principles created by employees.

Pace Analytical Services, Inc.

Located in Indianapolis
Pace Analytical Services, Inc. Indianapolis laboratory offers an extensive range of high quality analytical services. The laboratory is housed in a 22,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility and specializes in the analysis of soil, water and waste for a wide range of parameters.

Stanley Security Solutions

Located in Indianapolis
Stanley Security Solutions, formerly known as Best Access Systems, has been in the lock manufacturing business for many years. This facility has been successful in making quality product while maintaining a safe work environment for its employees. Additionally, Stanley Security Solutions is an environmentally conscious facility that strives to conserve energy, minimize waste, and prevent pollution.

The four businesses join 67 other Indiana facilities and companies that have joined Partners by pledging to implement pollution prevention in their operations and activities.

The Partners organization began in 1998 and is comprised of Indiana industries, businesses, nonprofit organizations and governmental entities that are interested in pollution prevention and the financial and environmental benefits pollution prevention projects can bring. Partners hold quarterly meetings and an annual conference and trade show that provide networking opportunities and feature speakers on a variety topics, including updates on environmental regulations and pollution prevention success stories. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s (IDEM’s) Office of Pollution Prevention and Technical Assistance works closely with the Partners by coordinating the program and promoting and encouraging networking opportunities, voluntary pollution prevention activities, and participation in state recognition programs.

“Companies that implement pollution prevention measures often save money because efficiency is gained in their manufacturing processes, raw materials are saved, and less waste is generated,” said Rick Bossingham, assistant commissioner for the Office of Compliance Support at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). “Companies that take the Partners’ pledge promote environmental stewardship in a number of ways by involving their employees in company projects, taking part in community activities, and networking with other businesses.”

The next Partners meeting will be held in Plainfield on September 25th and 26th at the Annual Pollution Prevention Conference. Information about the Indiana Partners for Pollution Prevention can be found at www.idem.IN.gov/ppp. Businesses who wish to learn more about the program or receive emails about upcoming events may contact Rachael Yanni, program coordinator with IDEM, at (317) 234-4053 (direct), (800) 988-7901 (toll free), or RYanni1@idem.IN.gov.

About IDEM’s Office of Pollution Prevention and Technical Assistance
IDEM’s Office of Pollution Prevention and Technical Assistance houses IDEM’s Confidential Technical Assistance Program (CTAP) and Pollution Prevention and Recycling Section. CTAP was established to help Indiana businesses achieve compliance with environmental regulations with staff who are experts on air, water, and waste regulations. CTAP staff work with businesses to assess the environmental compliance of their entire facility or can help address concerns about a particular process or regulation. CTAP provides on-site consultations, permit application assistance, training, and workshops. Services offered by CTAP are free and confidential. The Pollution Prevention and Recycling Section works with businesses, communities, citizens and municipalities to encourage pollution prevention and recycling through networking opportunities, recognition programs, and various outreach strategies. For information on pollution prevention programs and resources, including CTAP, visit www.idem.IN.gov/prevention.

About IDEM
IDEM (www.idem.IN.gov) implements federal and state regulations regarding the environment. Through compliance assistance, incentive programs and educational outreach, the agency encourages and aids businesses and citizens in protecting Hoosiers and our environment.

-30-

[IDEM] IDEM forecasts high ozone for three areas in Indiana (6/10/2013)

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Start Date:	6/10/2013	All Day
End Date:	6/10/2013

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is forecasting high ozone levels on Tuesday, June 11, 2013, in the following metropolitan areas:

Northwest Indiana – Jasper, Lake, Newton, and Porter counties
South Bend-Elkhart – Elkhart and St. Joseph counties
Michigan City-LaPorte – LaPorte County

IDEM encourages everyone to help reduce ozone by making simple changes to their daily habits. You can:

Walk, bike, carpool or use public transportation.
Avoid using the drive-through and combine errands into one trip.
Avoid using gasoline-powered lawn equipment until after 7 p.m.
Turn off your engine when idling for more than 30 seconds.
Conserve energy by turning off lights or setting the air conditioner to 75 degrees or above.

Anyone sensitive to poor air quality may be affected when ozone levels are high. Children, the elderly and anyone with heart or lung conditions should reduce or avoid exertion and heavy work outdoors.

IDEM examines weather patterns and current ozone readings to make daily air quality forecasts. To learn more about ozone or sign up for air quality forecasts, visit www.SmogWatch.IN.gov.

Ground-level ozone is formed when sunlight and hot weather bake vehicle exhaust, factory emissions and gasoline vapors. Ozone in the upper atmosphere blocks ultraviolet radiation, but ozone near the ground is a lung irritant that can cause coughing and breathing difficulties.

About IDEM

IDEM (www.idem.IN.gov) implements federal and state regulations regarding the environment. Through compliance assistance, incentive programs and educational outreach, the agency encourages and aids businesses and citizens in protecting Hoosiers and our environment.

-30-

[IDEM] IDEM Northwest Regional Office invites public to open house on June 13 (6/6/2013)

Thu, 6 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Start Date:	6/6/2013
End Date:	6/6/2013

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s (IDEM’s) Northwest Regional Office cordially invites the community to an open house from 1 to 5 p.m., on Thursday, June 13, at its new location at 330 West US Highway 30, Suite F, in Valparaiso.

“The staff members of IDEM’s Northwest Regional Office routinely work with local residents, groups, communities, health and safety personnel, and businesses,” said Thomas Easterly, IDEM commissioner. “Anyone who stops by our open house will have a chance to meet our staff members and learn more about our role in protecting public health and the environment.”

IDEM’s Northwest Regional Office serves Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties. It is staffed by environmental professionals who provide compliance oversight to regulated operations, provide assistance on voluntary pollution prevention and recycling activities, and coordinate with businesses, environmental groups and municipalities on projects for the remediation of the Grand Calumet River area of concern. The Northwest Regional Office also investigates environmental complaints regarding air, land and water pollution throughout Northwest Indiana.

The Northwest Regional Office’s current location on US 30 is close to Interstate 65 and State Road 49, which allows for easy access. The new telephone numbers for the IDEM Northwest Regional Office are (888) 209-8892 (toll free) and (219) 464-0233 (direct). The new mailing address is 330 West US Highway 30, Suite F, Valparaiso, IN 46385.

IDEM’s Northwest Regional Office is one of four regional offices that work, in addition to IDEM’s main Indianapolis Office, to provide businesses and citizens with compliance and technical assistance on federal and state environmental regulations and issues. More information about IDEM and its regional offices is available on the IDEM website at www.idem.IN.gov/5217.htm.

About IDEM

-30-

[IDEM] Longer Days Mean More ‘Air Quality Action Days’ Could Be Arriving (6/4/2013)

Tue, 4 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Start Date:	6/4/2013
End Date:	6/4/2013

The longer the day, the more energy enters the atmosphere

Who doesn’t love summer? Splashing in the pool, spending time outdoors and long walks on the beach are things we look forward to this time of the year. Summer officially begins June 21^st, which is the longest day of the year.

However, these longer days mean more energy from the sun is beating down on Indiana. That energy from sunlight mixes with emissions from vehicles and industrial plants, producing ozone in our lower atmosphere.

While ozone high in the stratosphere protects us from the sun’s harmful ultra-violet (UV) rays, when ozone is created down where we live, it can make breathing difficult for some people.

As weather predictions point to a condition that is favorable for this ozone to accumulate, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) will issue ‘air quality action days’.

What can I do to reduce ozone?

An air quality action day is declared when IDEM’s meteorologists have looked at weather patterns, cloud forecasts, and other data to determine that a certain period of time will likely see higher ozone levels than normal for a particular area.

However, just because an air quality action day has been declared, it doesn’t mean ozone levels have to rise high enough to affect people. In fact, this is where you come in.

Whenever there is an air quality action day for your area, doing the following will reduce the chance the air you breathe will become unhealthy.

1. Drive only when necessary. Fewer vehicles emissions in the air mean fewer compounds that can turn into ozone when the sun’s heat bakes down on them. Instead of driving; walk, ride your bike, or just lounge around at home. If you have to work that day, take the bus in or carpool. If you live close to your job, think about walking or biking to work. That way you can stay healthy, while reducing air pollution.

2. When filling up your vehicles with fuel, do so after 7 p.m. When you gas up your car, vapors that escape can react with the sun to produce ozone. After seven o’clock, there is less energy in the atmosphere to create this reaction.

3. Speaking of things you shouldn’t do before seven o’clock, mowing your lawn is another one. Even though your lawn mower motor is likely smaller than your car’s, it has a less sophisticated emissions control system, so it likely pollutes more than a modern automobile.

4. Don’t idle your vehicle. Instead of using the drive through lane, park your car and go inside to pick up your food.

What about other pollutants in the air?

Air quality action days are also called if fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) is at levels that can interfere with some people’s health. These tiny particles are the result of vehicle emissions, burning coal or wood, and some industrial processes. PM 2.5 refers to the size of the particles which are 2.5 microns in width or smaller. These particles create a hazy, foggy cloud over an area.

Like ozone, the prevalence of PM 2.5 is closely tied to the weather forecast. IDEM meteorologists look especially at wind patterns and temperature changes to determine if PM 2.5 levels are likely to be high for a certain day. Hot days with stagnant air are more likely to become air quality action days. The same methods of preventing ozone help to prevent an increase of PM 2.5 in the air as well.

SmogWatch App

SmogWatch is an informational online tool created by IDEM to share air quality forecasts for each day. It provides daily information about ground-level ozone and particulate matter air quality forecasts, health information, and monitoring data for seven regions of Indiana. You can find it at: http://www.IN.gov/apps/idem/smog/.

Find out more

During this time of the year, doing your part to reduce ozone and PM 2.5 will make Indiana a healthier, happier place for us all to live in! More information on how to reduce ozone can be found at: http://www.idem.IN.gov/4130.htm.

-30-