Identifying Promising Pollution‐Prevention Technologies

Abstract

The majority of hazardous waste is generated industrially, and the importance of industrial pollution prevention to economic and environmental sustainability is now recognized. Sustainability can be evaluated using benefit‐risk analysis, globally and locally by public agencies and firms. To evaluate pollution prevention seriously, using benefit‐risk analysis or other methods, the benefits of hazardous materials use in industry must be recognized. Pollution‐prevention technologies in a broad range of industries were reviewed as a part of research to develop benefit‐risk methods. Ten basic functions served by hazardous materials in industry were identified as binding, pigmentation, reactants, reaction inhibition, catalysis, bleaching, mass deposition, mass removal, by‐products, and end products. Pollution‐prevention technologies were associated with each function. The classification of technologies offers a basis for development of general pollution‐prevention approaches, and promotes transfer of technologies among industries in which hazardous materials perform similar functions. Hazardous materials used for mass transfer, and those generated as by‐products, appear to represent areas of opportunity for pollution‐prevention research and development.