Keeping Pace with Science and Engineering; Case Studies in Environmental Regulation

Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1993. First? Edition. First? Printing. Hardcover. very good. 24 cm, 281 pages. Illustrations. Myron F. Uman was an American research administrator. His achievements include United States and foreign patents for ion beam source and independent oversight of redesign of space shuttle booster rocket following Challenger accident. He was a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Physical Society, New York Academy of Sciences, and Sigma Xi. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Princeton University, 1961; Master of Science, University of Illinois, 1962; and Doctor of Philosophy, Princeton University, 1968. He was an Assistant professor University California, Davis, 1967-1974; Program officer National Science Foundation, Washington, 1974-1975; and rose from staff officer to assistant executive officer National Research Council National Academy of Sciences, since 1975. The technical basis of environmental regulation is always at the edge of scientific and engineering understanding. As knowledge improves, questions will inevitably arise about past decisions. Understanding how the regulatory system accommodates changing scientific and engineering knowledge is vital for achieving environmental values.

In this volume, seven case studies shed light on the interplay between environmental regulation and scientific and engineering understanding, with practical conclusions on how science and engineering should be used for more sound and timely regulatory decision making. The book provides helpful timelines of scientific and regulatory developments for the cases, which include:

Factors impeding clean-up strategies in the Chesapeake Bay.
Pivotal questions in the regulation of ambient ozone concentrations.
How science has been heeded but also ignored in regulation of new municipal waste combustors.
Impact of scientific findings on control of chlorination by-products.
Acid rain and what can be learned about research and public policy debate.
Controversy over the need for formaldehyde regulation.
The effect of public perception on management decisions concerning dioxin.
This volume will be of practical interest to policymakers, business and environmental advocates, scientists, engineers, researchers, attorneys, faculty, and students.