Best available techniques

Li Rosi O, Casarci M, Mattioli D, De Florio L (2007) Best available technique for water reuse in textile SMEs (BATTLE LIFE Project). Desalination 206 614-619... 

Treat using the best available techniques before discharge into drains or the aquatic environment... 

Computational chemists in the pharmaceutical industry also expanded from their academic upbringing by acquiring an interest in force field methods, QSAR, and statistics. Computational chemists with responsibility to work on pharmaceuticals came to appreciate the fact that it was too limiting to confine one s work to just one approach to a problem. To solve research problems in industry, one had to use the best available technique, and this did not mean going to a larger basis set or a higher level of quantum mechanical theory. It meant using molecular mechanics or QSAR or whatever. 

According to the European Commission (EC) the best available techniques for kraft pulp mills are the following38 ... 

EC, Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC), Reference Document on Best Available Techniques in the Pulp and Paper Industry, European Commission, 2001. 

The directive sets out the main principles for the permitting and control of industrial installations based on an integrated approach and the application of best available techniques (BAT) which are the most effective techniques to achieve a high level of environmental protection, taking into account the costs and benefits. 

European Commission (2012) Best available techniques (BAT) reference document for the tanning of hides and skins - final draft June 2012. See http //eippcb.jrc.es/reference/BREF/ TAN FD 06 2012.pdf. Accessed 15 July 2012... 

NN (2001) Integrated pollution and prevention control (IPPC) reference document on best available techniques in the pulp and paper industry. European Commission, December 2001, p. 104, 111, 215, 297, 298, 299, 303, 354... 

The Directive is founded firmly in the concept of BAT (Best Available Techniques) -which is painstakingly defined in the text. Although the Directive does not set emission limit values per se, it does have procedures which set out the quantitative levels of emissions that can be expected to result from the application of BAT. The subtlety of this approach allowed all Member States to agree the Directive - but has led to considerable debate thereafter in terms of the balance of powers between the local competent authorities (who can, and usually do, set emission limits on a plant-by-plant basis) and the European Commission which is the guardian of BAT as set out under the Directive. 

European Commission Directorate-General JRC (Joint Research Centre), Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS), Technologies for Sustainable Development, European IPPC Bureau (2000) Integrate Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Reference Document on Best Available Techniques in the Chlor-Alkali Manufacturing Industry. IPTS, Seville, 2000. 

Despite the minor contribution from the chemical industry Euro Chlor actively participates in minimising the dioxin emissions by promoting and applying Best Available Techniques. Euro Chlor also assists in the collection of monitoring data to follow dioxin trends in the environment. 

The chlorinated chemicals assessed do not have the same risk profile. For the more volatile chemicals the safety margins between the actual exposure and the level at which no effect on the environment would be expected is quite high. For more persistent chemicals there is a need to look to the environmental compartment where they can be accumulated (mainly in sediments and biota). For some of these chemicals the safety margin is quite low and in worst-case situations serious effects may occur. For the very persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals (like dioxins, PCBs and DDT), acceptable environmental concentrations are so low and difficult to control that the industry is committed to reducing as far as possible releases to the environment through application of Best Available Techniques (BAT), mainly with respect to dioxins. For other chemicals (PCBs, DDT), production has already been halted for some years. 

For all future activities, and in order to achieve sustainable management of water resources, including related soil and sediment compartments, the strategy to be followed should involve (i) the precautionary principle, (ii) polluter pays principle and (iii) application of the best available techniques (BATs) and best environmental practices, including where appropriate, clean technologies. 

The Clark electrode is widely used because it is the best available technique to date. There are a number of limitations and problems in its use that exist and it is important to be aware of these. We have briefly summarized the most critical ones and for greater details the reader is directed to the excellent review by Lee and Tsao.(l) 2 3 4 5... 

Considerable information about pollutants, emission sources, and treatment techniques has been given in the reference document on best available techniques (BATs) in common waste-water and waste gas treatment released by the European Commission in 2003 (EC, 2003). 

European Fertilizer Manufacturers Association. Best Available Techniques for Pollution Prevention and Control in the European Fertilizer Industry, 2000 A comprehensive site with a wealth of information on ammonium, sulfuric acid, nitrates, and other compounds involved in making fertilizer. 

Anyone who carries out, or intends to carry out, an activity or action of whatever nature shall undertake protective measures, follow restrictions and undertake such precautions in general to prevent or counteract that the activity or action in question results in damage or inconvenience with respect to human health or environment. With the same aim, any professional activity shall use the best available technique. These precautionary measures must be undertaken as soon as there is reason to believe that an activity or measure can cause harm or inconvenience with respect to human health or to the environment. [Emphasis added]23... 

The key principle from the perspective of the pharmaceutical sector is (a) supported by (c) and (d). In essence, to obtain a permit to operate a manufacturing facility the operator needs to be able to demonstrate that best available techniques (BAT) are in use for aU the products being manufactured. Article 6.1 makes it clear that the apphcation for a permit, a document which is in the pubhc domain, must include the proposed technology and other techniques for preventing or, where this is not possible, reducing emissions from the installation. In other words a simple statement that this process is BAT is not sufficient the applicant must document both the rationale and a description of the alternatives that have been rejected. 

There is a lack of effective reduction technologies. Fundamental research on dioxins emission control needs to be effectively promoted. The best available techniques (BAT) and best environmental practices (BEP) for the destruction of the existing PCB wastes need to be implemented. More environmentally benign alternatives to PBDEs are to be sought to meet the demand for FRs. 

---