Control Strategies

Reductions in air pollution can be achieved by a variety of methods including pollution prevention, control technologies, and control measures, and may be implemented through regulatory, market-based or voluntary programs. A control strategy may include a combination of different voluntary measures or mandatory controls, may focus on one or several pollutants or sources of air pollution, and can be implemented on a local, regional, national, or international scale. Energy efficiency, process changes,, and solventless coatings are examples of pollution prevention strategies. Many of the air quality improvements to date have been achieved through technological developments. Air pollution control technologies have achieved stunning results in reducing emissions from the manufacturing and mobile source sectors by as much as 90 to 99 percent. Continuing advances in both pollution prevention and air pollution control technology should enable further emissions reductions to offset increased emissions caused by continued population growth and worldwide economic development.

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Subtopics

Mercury and Other Toxic Air Pollutants

Control of mercury emissions is based upon reduction of the emissions and pollutant releases into the atmosphere by the industries that use mercury within their processes, emit mercury or dispose of products containing mercury, such as thermometers. In the U.S., national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAPS) have been established for industries emitting toxic air emissions that require the use of Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) for compliance. For example, mercury NESHAP/MACT standards have been promulgated for hazardous and municipal waste incineration, commercial/industrial boilers, chlor-alkali plants, and portland cement kilns. Strategies for controlling mercury and other toxic air pollutants include pollution prevention measures, including product substitution, process modification, work-practice standards and materials separation; coal cleaning (relevant to mercury control); flue gas treatment technologies; and alternative strategies. Significant sources of toxic air pollution are motor vehicles, so programs to reduce emissions from cars, trucks and buses also decrease concentrations of toxic air pollutants. These programs include reformulated gasoline, the national low emission vehicle (NLEV) program, and gasoline sulfur control requirements, among others.

about Mercury and Other Toxic Air Pollutants

Ozone

Ozone control strategies generally target nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the primary contributors to ozone formation in the troposphere. Control strategies may comprise a set of regulations that specify emission limits and/or control equipment that are deemed to be reasonable available control technology (RACT), best available control technology (BACT), lowest achievable emission rates (LAER), depending on the severity of the air pollution problem in the area. NOx and VOC control equipment or programs may address specific industrial processes;on-road vehicles; nonroad equipment such as locomotives; or nonpoint sources such as small industrial boilers, dry cleaners, and consumer solvents. Pollution prevention measures such as use of non- or low-VOC content solvents and coatings can also be part of an effective ozone control strategy.

Related links about Ozone

Particle Pollution

Particle pollution, or particulate matter (PM) pollution control strategies reduce primary PM emitted directly by a source, or PM precursor emissions (NOx, SOx, VOC, and ammonia) that react in the atmosphere to form fine PM. Control strategies could include a set of regulations that specifies emission limits in either mass or opacity units. PM control equipment or programs may address specific industrial processes; nonroad equipment such as locomotives and other equipment that burns diesel fuel; and nonpoint sources such as dust from agricultural activities and travel on paved and unpaved roads, and smoke from fireplaces and woodstoves.

CONVENTION ON TERRITORIAL ASYLUM

CONVENTION ON TERRITORIAL ASYLUM

The governments of the Member States of the Organization of American States, desirous of concluding a Convention regarding Territorial Asylum, have agreed to the following articles:

Article I

Every State has the right, in the exercise of its sovereignty, to admit into its territory such persons as it deems advisable, without, through the exercise of this right, giving rise to complaint by any other State.

Article II

The respect which, according to international law, is due the Jurisdictional right of each State over the inhabitants in its territory, is equally due, without any restriction whatsoever, to that which it has over persons who enter it proceeding from a State in which they are persecuted for their beliefs, opinions, or political affiliations, or for acts which may be considered as political offenses.

Any violation of sovereignty that consists of acts committed by a government or its agents in another State against the life or security of an individual, carried out on the territory of another State, may not be considered attenuated because the persecution began outside its boundaries or is due to political considerations or reasons of state.

Article III

No State is under the obligation to surrender to another State, or to expel from its own territory, persons persecuted for political reasons or offenses

Article IV

The right of extradition is not applicable in connection with persons who, in accordance with the qualifications of the solicited State, are sought for political offenses, or for common offenses committed for political ends, or when extradition is solicited for predominantly political motives.

Article V

The fact that a person has entered into the territorial Jurisdiction of a State surreptitiously or irregularly does not affect the provisions of this Convention.

Article VI

Without prejudice to the provisions of the following articles, no State is under the obligation to establish any distinction in its legislation, or in its regulations or administrative acts applicable to aliens, solely because of the fact that they are political asylees or refugees.

Article VII

Freedom of expression of thought, recognized by domestic law for all inhabitants of a State, may not be ground of complaint by a third State on the basis of opinions expressed publicly against it or its government by asylees or refugees, except when these concepts constitute systematic propaganda through which they incite to the use of force or violence against the government of the complaining State.

Article VIII

No State has the right to request that another State restrict for the political asylees or refugees the freedom of assembly or association which the latter State's internal legislation grants to all aliens within its territory, unless such assembly or association has as its purpose fomenting the use of force or violence against the government of the soliciting State.

Article IX

At the request of the interested State, the State that has granted refuge or asylum shall take steps to keep watch over, or to intern at a reasonable distance from its border, those political refugees or asylees who are notorious leaders of a subversive movement, as well as those against whom there is evidence that they are disposed to join it.

Determination of the reasonable distance from the border, for the purpose of internment, shall depend upon the judgment of the authorities of the State of refuge.

All expenses incurred as a result of the internment of political asylees and refugees shall be chargeable to the State that makes the request.

Article X

The political internees referred to in the preceding article shall advise the government of the host State whenever they wish to leave its territory. Departure therefrom will be granted, under the condition that they are not to go to the country from which they came; and the interested government is to be notified.

Article XI

In all cases in which a complaint or request is permissible in accordance with this Convention, the admissibility of evidence presented by the demanding State shall depend on the judgment of the solicited State.

Article XII

This Convention remains open to the signature of the Member States of the Organization of American States, and shall be ratified by the signatory States in accordance with their respective constitutional procedures.

Article XIII

The original instrument, whose texts in the English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish languages are equally authentic, shall be deposited in the Pan American Union, which shall send certified copies to the governments for the purpose of ratification. The instruments of ratification shall be deposited in the Pan American Union this organization shall notify the signatory governments of said deposit.

Article XIV

This Convention shall take effect among the States that ratify it in the order in which their respective ratifications are deposited.

Article XV

This Convention shall remain effective indefinitely, but may be denounced by any of the signatory States by giving advance notice of one year, at the end of which period it shall cease to have effect for the denouncing State, remaining, however, in force among the remaining signatory States. The denunciation shall be forwarded to the Pan American Union which shall notify the other signatory States thereof.

RESERVATIONS

Guatemala

We make express reservation to Article III (three) wherein it refers to the surrender of persons persecuted for political reasons or offenses; because according to the provisions of our Political Constitution, we maintain that such surrender of persons persecuted for political reasons may never be carried out.

We affirm, likewise, that the term "internment" in Article IX means merely location at a distance from the border.

Dominican Republic

The Delegation of the Dominican Republic subscribes to the Convention on Territorial Asylum, with the following reservations:

Article I. The Dominican Republic accepts the general principle embodied in that article in the sense that, "Every State has the right to admit into its territory such persons as it deems advisable", but it does not renounce the right to make diplomatic representation to any other State, if for considerations of national security it deems this advisable.

Article II. It accepts the second paragraph of this article with the understanding that the latter does not affect the regulations of the frontier police.

Article X. The Dominican Republic does not renounce the right to resort to the procedures for pacific settlement of international disputes that may arise from the exercise of territorial asylum.

Mexico

The delegation of Mexico makes express reservation to Articles IX and X of the Convention regarding territorial asylum because they are contrary to the individual guarantees enjoyed by all the inhabitants of the Republic in accordance with the Political Constitution of Mexico.

Peru

The delegation of Peru makes reservation to the text of Article XIII of the Convention regarding Territorial Asylum, insofar as it differs from Article VI of the draft proposal of the Inter-American Council of Jurists, with which the delegation concurs.

Honduras

The delegation of Honduras gives its approval to the Convention regarding Territorial Asylum with reservations with respect to those articles opposed to the Constitution and to the laws in force in the republic of Honduras.

Argentina

The delegation of Argentina has voted in favor of the Convention regarding Territorial Asylum, but makes express reservations in regard to Article VII, as it believes that the latter does not duly consider nor satisfactorily resolve the problem arising from the exercise, on the part of political asylees, of the right of freedom of expression of Thought.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Plenipotentiaries, having presented their plenary powers which have been found in good and satisfactory form, sign this Convention in the name of their respective Governments, in the city of Caracas, this twenty-eighth day of March, one thousand nine hundred and fifty-four.

When Titan's Attack - What Every Underwater Photographer Should Know

Contributed by JasonH

Most underwater photographers who have spent any time in the Indo Pacific have come across the very photogenic Titan Triggerfish. Most of us have heard the stories of Titan Triggerfish attacking divers, ramming and biting, and sometimes requiring medical attention. There is some irony in the fact that most non-divers (and unfortunately, many divers as well) have unwarranted fears about sharks or barracudas, but would more than likely approach a Titan Triggerfish without a second thought.

While not always aggressive and on the attack, these highly territorial fish are no joke and are to be taken seriously. So when we received an email from underwater photographer David Henshaw with images from a recent Trigger attack in The Philippines, we decided that it was important to make sure that all of our readers understood more about the Titan Triggerfish, and their behavior.

About The Titan Triggerfish

The Titan Triggerfish (scientific name - Balistoides viridescens) is the largest of the Triggerfish family, ranging from approximately 15 - 30 inches. Their bodies have patterns of green, yellow, purple and gray, with black fin tips. They are indeed very photogenic. Titans feed on hard coral, crustaceans and invertebrates, using a set of specialized teeth that are clearly designed for these food sources. The Titans have independently rotating eye sockets, but apparently have poor vision, possibly adding to their territorial nature.

Titan Behavior

Ordinarily you will encounter a solitary Titan. Like most reef fish, they are active during the day and will tuck themselves into the reef to sleep at night. Understanding their nesting behavior and territorial nature is important for minimizing problematic encounters.

While it is commonly cited that Titans only attack while protecting their nests, this may not be true, as many incidents indicate aggression against territorial intruders even during non-nesting seasons. Titans nest in the sand adjacent to or within the corals. They will protect these nests with a rigor that is rarely seen from other species. The "danger zone" is a cone shaped area directly above the nest, all the way to the surface. So if you invade a Titan's nesting zone, which more often than not you will do unintentionally, and find yourself with an aggressive male chomping at your fins and ramming you, ascending will not stop the Titan from defending its turf. You must swim horizontally away from this zone. Try to keep your eyes on the Titan at all times, which is easier said than done, as these fish dart about in spurts of intense speed. Keep your camera or fins between you and the fish if at all possible. Better to have a hole or in fins than your body! Hardcore photographers would say to make sure you get the shot while evading attack, but we will be responsible and recommend focusing on not being harmed.

Birget "Biggs" Eggert, tells of her encounter on Apo Island:
"I was bitten by a Trigger which took 2x1 cm of my inner and outer lip muscle and nerves. Yes, absolutely crazy. He came out of nowhere without any warning in 15ft / 5 meters of water while I'm doing my safety stop... guess I must have been above his nest or he just does not like my face and bubbles."

Fortunately, Birget is ok. The wound was initially stitched up, but required two hours of plastic surgery afterwards. In good spirits she joked that after the plastic surgery "they fixed everything and I felt like Angelina Jolie except I'm still waiting for Brad Pitt to visit me"

Titans Are Not Evil

Not all Titans will attack to protect their territory. Often you will just be charged at aggressively and subsequently escorted out of the nesting zone by an agitated pit-bull with scales. And remember - you are not really being "attacked", the Titan is defending its territory, which you (unknowingly) invaded. Don't blame the Titan.

TERRITORIAL PRAYER

TERRITORIAL PRAYER
In the name of Jesus, I take my authority and bind every foul, unclean,
seducing, hindering spirit of darkness, every strongman, principality and
territorial spirit of the water, land, air and sea. I bind every spirit of witchcraft,
sorcery, occult, divination, anti-Christ, false religion, bondage and addiction. I
bind every spirit of Jezebel, Ahab, Baal, Allah, Diana and queen of heaven. I
bind all mind binding and controlling spirits, familiar spirits, spirits of
rebellion, gossip, criticism, offense, division, and strife. I bind all spirits of
immaturity, cobra, leviathan, spirits of fear, anxiety, stress, worry, death,
murder, stealing, and lying. I bind every spirit of deception, anger, hatred,
jealousy, pride, arrogance, and corruption. I bind all spirits of perversion,
whoredom, adultery, molestation, incest, abuse, pedophilia, pornography,
prostitution, lesbianism and homosexuality. I bind the spirits of greed,
covetousness, love of money, false worship, idolatry, debt, lack, poverty,
ungodly music, and the prince of the power of air. I bind all spirits of insanity,
depression, oppression, suicide, unforgiveness, laziness, compromise, course
jesting, foul mouth, unbelief, doubt and complacency. I bind all spirits of
resentment, revenge, judgment, exaggeration, delusion, blindness, apathy,
apostasy, and the Judas spirit of betrayal. I bind the spirits of multipersonality,
miscarriage, misconception, blindness, and deaf & dumb spirits.
I bind every inherited spirit and spirit of infirmity and any other spirit under
the authority of satan’s kingdom. I bind, blind, mute and deafen these spirits in
the name of Jesus, cutting off their communication and driving them out of the
territories of myself, my spouse, children, family members, those I’m praying
for, church members and co-workers. I drive them out of our neighborhoods,
schools, places of employment, local city and state offices. I command these
spirits to loose our families, relationships, possessions, homes, health, seeds,
harvest, inheritance, finances, jobs and projects. I loose our destiny, dreams,
vision, calling, ministries, outreaches, whatever we put our hands to and
wherever we set our feet today. I also bind all territorial spirits that will come
against my relationship with the Lord, the move of the Holy Spirit and angels
working on my behalf. I do all this in the authority and name of Jesus Christ. I
cast all these spirits into the pit and command them not to return. I apply the
blood of Jesus to all these territories and ask for the assistance of the angels in
protecting them, in Jesus Name.