The Effect of Governmental Regulations on Toxic Air Emissions

Author

Joyce R. McRath, Fontbonne College

Year of Award

1994

Degree

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

College

College of Business & Professional Studies

Degree Program

Business Administration

Department

Business Administration

Keywords

EPA, emissions, Monsanto, OSHA, health

Abstract

The 1990s have presented a major challenge to our society to reduce toxic air emissions, leading to zero waste and basically, being environmentally responsible enough to do the right thing. Among United States industries, such programs are based on a list of more than three hundred chemicals named by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under Title III of Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA). As the chemical industry continues to pour energy and resources into the Responsible Care program, some chemical producers are asking if it is doing any good. Are they really reaching the audiences they had hoped to reach? Do people who live and work near chemical plants feel any better about their industrial neighbors? How does the general public feel? The results of the 1993 Chemical Manufacturers Association survey indicate that the public has not significantly changed its opinion of the industry's environmental concern.1 It is difficult to execute any program without some costs associated. The costs and benefits of Responsible Care are difficult to evaluate. Most environmental spending is very costly, even though the program was designed to avoid the high cost of remediation. It is estimated that the impact on big business is more than $130 annually. There is still good news, however, on the impact of governmental pressures on toxic air emissions. The Chemical Manufacturers Association reports under the EPA's Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) that chemical producers inventory is steadily decreasing in their efforts to prevent pollution. Still, even more encouraging news comes from an industry leader, Monsanto Company, who has pledged to reduce emissions by 90 percent by year-end 1992 and succeeded. They have demonstrated that both business and the environment can win.

Document Type

Restricted Thesis

Recommended Citation

McRath, Joyce R., "The Effect of Governmental Regulations on Toxic Air Emissions" (1994). All Theses, Dissertations, and Capstone Projects. 213.
https://griffinshare.fontbonne.edu/all-etds/213