larger number of known organic chemicals have been synthesized in the laboratory, and our society is dependent on such synthetic materials as plastics, synthetic fibers, dyes, detergents, and insecticides. The vast majority of synthetic products are derived from petroleum. Ninety percent (90%) of all organic chemicals are made from materials derived from petroleum and natural gas.

Inorganic - this term describes the properties and the behavior of all elements and their compounds (brass, copper, gold, etc.), except for the majority of the carbon compounds which are the domain of organic chemistry. Exceptions to this are carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and calcium carbonate.

Environmental protection and hazardous waste disposal are two serious concerns in the NCF today. Cleaners, acids, mastics, sealers and even paints are just a few of the hazardous materials that may be present on a project site. As a crew leader, you are responsible for the protection of your crew and their safety. You are equally responsible for protecting the environment. Stiff fines and penalties that apply to NCF and civilian work may be charged to those who do not protect the environment. The bottom line is that you can go to jail for not providing an environmentally safe jobsite . Therefore, you should contact your environmental representative or safety office immediately in case of any environmental problem (spill, permits, planning, etc.).

WATER AND GROUND POLLUTION

There are some wastes that should never be flushed into a sewer. Sewage treatment plants and industrial waste treatment plants are not designed to, neither can they, adequately treat all wastes. Some wastes, such as those containing more than a trace of oil, cleaning fluids, gasoline or other volatile, toxic chemicals, acids or alkalies, and some solid materials cannot be handled by sewers.

Besides creating a fire hazard, oil and other petroleum-related products pose many possible pollution threats when they are spilled in the water, dumped into the storm or sanitary sewer system, or spilled on the ground. Oil products on the ground infiltrate and contaminate surface water supplies with the groundwater runoff caused by rain. Oil products dumped or carried into storm or sanitary sewers are also potential explosion hazards.

Waste oils, filters, and contaminated fuel should be collected and disposed of in a nonpolluting manner. Most naval activities collect and dispose of waste oil periodically through a contractor. The contractor may bum it in a boiler plant or in a heating system or reprocess it in an oil reclaimer unit. The naval supply fuel farms usually have the means to dispose of waste oils properly.

There will be times when you will see what could be a potential hazard, such as contaminated water running off the equipment on the washrack. It is your responsibility to check with the person in charge of the washrack to be sure this wastewater is treated and not discharged into the storm system. Provisions must be made for pretreating or separating oil products and cleaning solvents used at the washrack.

Water Pollution

Pollution results from many activities of both mankind and nature. Water becomes polluted when wastes from activities flow into a lake or stream in such quantities that the natural ability of the water to cleanse itself is lessened or completely destroyed.

These wastes have placed a serious strain on our wastewater treatment systems and our waterways. Some types of waste are difficult to remove. Other types respond to conventional treatment, but there are not enough treatment facilities to keep them out of our waters. Solving the pollution problem is not easy, but it must be solved if we are to have an adequate supply of safe, clean water for future use.

An oil slick on the surface of the water blocks the flow of oxygen from the atmosphere into the water. This is harmful to the fish and to other aquatic life. If the fish do not die from the oil coating on their gills or from eating the oil or oil-laden food, their flesh is tainted and they are no longer fit for human consumption. Besides harming aquatic life, drinking water can become contaminated by oil. Drinking water from wells and surface storage facilities is treated with chemicals to rid the water of harmful bacteria. However, no amount of treatment can rid a system of contamination from waste oil products. The system must be abandoned.

CAUTION

Always be careful of what you dispose of and where ! READ labels and MSDSs to avoid these types of mishaps.