If it's toxic, EPA's Web site lists it
By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Staff Writer
There is a toxic site of some kind in almost every community in Hawai'i. And there are folks in each neighborhood trying to do the right thing by the environment.
There are Web sites that provide lots of information on researching where the problems are, as well as where to find solutions to environmental issues.
With toxic sites, it may be an old fuel tank that leaked, or a place where agricultural chemicals are used or a plant that emits smoke or other pollutants.
The Environmental Protection Agency has a Web site at www.epa.gov/epahome/comm.htm, which lets you plug in your zip code and find out all kinds of information.
There are maps of hazardous waste sites, details on the companies responsible for air, water or soil emissions, and even an assessment of the ultraviolet radiation hazard at your site on any given day.
Some of the EPA site features are still prototypes, but many cover Hawai'i and contain considerable information.
The groups Environmental Defense and the National Wildlife Federation have joined up to provide a non-commercial Web site providing the same kinds of information, and more.
This Web site similarly allows you to enter a zip code to identify your location. It is found at www.formyworld.com.
"ForMyWorld offers people across America facts and advice tailored specifically to their communities, so users can access information quite literally about their own backyards," said Fred Krupp, director of Environmental Defense.
For instance, plug in any O'ahu zip code and find the information for the city and county of Honolulu. The top three air polluters? All three are power plants: the AES facility, the Kahe Point plant and the Waiau generating plant.
In addition to reports on contaminant levels, there are tips on gardening and water conservation, on recycling and more.
The environmental tip on the day I checked was on water conservation. Letting the faucet run to get the water cold enough for a cool glass of water uses up five gallons a minute. The suggestion: Keep a jar of cold water in the refrigerator instead.
If you're shopping, the site has information on buying items that are environmentally proper.
Want a refrigerator that is very efficient, so your electricity bills will stay low? The Web site has teamed up with the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy's Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings, 7th Edition.
If you're looking for a refrigerator in the 20.5 to 22.4 cubic foot range, top freezer and auto defrost, Jenn-Air and Maytag have the top-rated units. General Electric and Hotpoint tie in the tiny fridge category — those 15.5 to 18.4 cubic feet.
Jan TenBruggencate is The Advertiser's Kauai bureau chief and its science and environment writer. You can call him at (808) 245-3074 or e-mail jant@honoluluadvertiser.com.
