sealPurdue News
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May 1994

Pollution prevention is focus of Indiana institute

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.–For Indiana industries seeking to reduce their impact on the environment, help is here.

It comes from the Indiana Pollution Prevention and Safe Materials Institute at Purdue University, created by the state to fulfill a threefold mission: education and curriculum development, research, and technical assistance to industry.

Institute director Lynn Corson, former director of Purdue's Environmental Management and Education Program, explains the goals this way: "The objective is to reduce or eliminate the use of toxic materials in manufacturing and the generation of byproducts such as hazardous waste, air pollutants, or discharge from manufacturing facilities.

"Pollution prevention in Indiana is in its infancy. Other states have implemented pollution prevention programs requiring facilities to meet certain pollution prevention goals, but that type of program has never been done in Indiana."

Corson believes that within a decade, federal regulations will mandate that industries take pollution prevention measures. Currently, pollution prevention in Indiana is a voluntary program.

In conjunction with Purdue's 49th Annual Industrial Waste Conference May 9-11, the institute will sponsor a seminar titled "Pollution Prevention: Indiana Style" from I p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday (5/11) in Room 3O2, Stewart Center. Seminar presentations will highlight innovative programs for promoting pollution prevention in manufacturing-based industries. The cost is $25.

The institute was established in January by the Indiana Pollution Prevention Board, which is appointed by Gov. Evan Bayh. Corson was selected by the board as director of the institute following a nationwide search.

The institute was created by the state legislature in 199O, and in 1993 the Indiana Department of Environmental Management began accepting proposals from Indiana universities and other nonprofit organizations. Corson wrote the winning proposal for Purdue's School of Civil Engineering, which received a two-year, $9O5,OOO contract from the state to establish the institute at Purdue.

"One key aspect of our proposal was its emphasis on collaboration," said Vincent Drnevich, head of Purdue's School of Civil Engineering. "Purdue has tremendous capabilities available in its Schools of Engineering and in other schools across campus, such as the Krannert School of Management and the School of Health Sciences. We will be using those resources as well as labs and personnel at other state institutions."

Joining Purdue in carrying out the work of the institute will be the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs, the University of Notre Dame, Ball State University, Taylor University and the University of Southern Indiana.

As one of its first tasks, the institute has begun to develop pollution prevention curriculum materials for elementary, high school and college students.

"Curriculum development and education is for everyone," Corson explained. "It's essential to change the way people think about doing things both before and after they get into the workplace."

The institute also will conduct research to find new technologies for improving industrial processes and will translate laboratory research into solutions to fit industrial needs.

Beginning in July, the research coordinator for the institute will be Robert Greenkorn, who is retiring from the position of vice president for research and dean of the Graduate School at Purdue. Greenkorn's role will be to solicit participation of researchers in pollution prevention at Purdue and other Indiana campuses, and to acquire funding from industry and federal agencies.

James Noonan is the institute's assistant director of technical assistance and education.

"The institute is a very outward-looking organization in terms of technical assistance," Corson explained. "Purdue has been very successful working with Indiana companies in the past, going right into the plant with the workers to where the actual problems are."

Corson described five strategies the institute will use in its technical assistance program:

  • Production process modification–changing production methods to reduce reliance on toxic materials.
  • Input change–using nontoxic raw materials as substitutes for others that are toxic to workers and the environment.
  • Product reforrnulation–changing the composition or design of a product so that it can be produced using fewer toxic materials without changing the product's function.
  • Operationa1 improvements–adopting techniques such as improved housekeeping practices and inspections of products and processes.
  • In-line, closed-loop recycling–collecting a toxic byproduct and piping it back into the system, using it as a raw material instead of storing or releasing it.

    Corson emphasized that the institute has a dual focus on both environmental protection and on worker safety, health and protection.

    "The hazardous substances we want out of the workplace because they pose a risk to workers are the same chemicals that represent the potential for environmental degradation," he said.

    Corson said labor unions have been actively working with environrnental and industrial interests in negotiating the state statutes that serve as operating principles of the institute.

    Corson currently is working on a financing plan for the institute to supplement state funds, including seeking support from federal agencies and corporate foundations. He said the nonprofit institute is required to provide some services for free, but fees will be charged for other services.

    Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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