Clean air, metal, waste objective of U.S. metalcasters.

On the 20th anniversary of Earth Day (Apr 22, 1990), the first session of the AFS Environmental Control Division was a panel discussion, the theme for which was an "OSHA and EPA Update."

Panelist T. Slavin, Navistar International, discussed OSHA's new regulations and proposals, and pointed out possible future rulings that might soon affect the foundry industry. His advice for the 90s: put your house in order; conduct audits; create a paper trail (document what you are doing); and have a good lawyer.

Also participating on the panel were M. Slattery, RMT, Inc, reviewing EPA and the 1990 Land Ban; J. Childress, Intermet Foundries, who explained OSHA's lock-out-tag-out rule; and C. Brown, Charles Brown Industrial Equipment, discussing EPA and air toxics.

In other sessions, papers addressed the treatment and disposal of foundry wastes. P.D. Turpin, R.R. Stanforth and T.P. Kunes, RMT, Inc, reviewed treatment alternatives for EP-toxic foundry wastes (90-67). Along with the search for the best treatment method, standards permitting and other issues, they said, must be considered. Public demands for a cleaner environment and federal regulations that back them up, in addition to the very real problem of diminshing disposal capacity, all lead to the conclusion that "waste recycling reduction efforts must be maximized."

C.M. Davis, The Chicago Faucet Co, then related his company's efforts to reduce hazardous waste disposal (90-110). With the various alternatives available today, he cautioned check your parameters and explore your options before making major decisions on recycling, reclaiming or chemically treating hazardous wastes."

A look at the environmental legislation coming from Washington was provided by C. Green, American Cast Metals Assn, and M. Engle, American Coke and Coal Chemicals Institute, gave an overview of the Senate's Clean Air Act revisions.

K.H. Kirgin, International Metalcasters Council, Inc, in his "Forecast of Metalcasting Shipments," presented some interesting information worth considering when determining your company's future direction.

* The U.S. is the lowest cost producer of gray and ductile iron castings for automobiles, based on the present rate of exchange, due in large part to increased productivity standards.

* Europe 1992 offers U.S. producers a very real opportunity to enter the overseas market in that the once very stringent entry barriers are being relieved.

* U.S. producers wanting to do business overseas and willing to pay "cold hard cash" will receive, in return, low labor rates and access to advanced technologies.