EPA statement highlights Transatlantic environmental imbalance.
One of the most commonly used arguments against any form of green or environmental initiative is that the actions of an individual, a single company or even a single country will do little to balance the environmental scales when countless other people, organisations or nations continue to rape the planet.
I was reminded of this “farting against thunder” standpoint when I read a statement from the US’ Environmental Protection Agency that said it had no plans to tighten air pollution and dust controls. Although this statement was aimed squarely at the US’ powerful and vocal farming lobby, such a statement must also include those other key dust generators in the construction and demolition sector.
Now, on the face of it, this is probably good news for US demolition contractors. At a time when many are struggling to make ends meet, the suggestion that they might have to invest in costly, additional dust suppression equipment might have pushed many to the very brink of financial extinction.
But what of the health of the demolition workers expected to ingest dust as part of their daily work routine? What of the local residents who will continue to see dust and particulate emissions spew from demolition sites and into their homes, businesses and lungs?
And what of the level playing field upon which demolition contractors from both sides of the pond supposedly play upon?
On this side of the Atlantic, dust is now viewed in the same way as smoking in public and drink-driving; we know what impact it is likely to have upon our neighbours so it’s effectively outlawed. At the same time, UK and European demolition companies are falling over themselves to employ ever more effective dust suppression systems – A man with a hose just doesn’t cut it any more.
With its latest statement, the Environmental Protection Agency is surely sending a message of “good enough is good enough” when it should be taking a stance of “any dust is too much”.
