Long Island Technology Briefs: October 27, 2007

BNL details environmental efforts in annual report

Hazardous waste may not be the first thing you think of when you think of Brookhaven National Laboratory, but the lab's cutting-edge research has produced its share of toxic side effects. To that end, the U.S. Department of Energy facility has issued its 2006 report chronicling its efforts to minimize its environmental impact.

The report documents BNL's environmental data and compliance with federal, state and local regulations, as well as its restoration and monitoring programs. A few highlights:

* A "hypothetical" member of the public was exposed to a maximum level of 0.08 millirem of radioactive air emissions - 3 percent of the average amount a Long Islander is exposed to each year. The lab has air-monitoring stations around its campus to determine possible environmental and health impacts. For the record, the Linac Isotope Producer, used to make radioisotopes for the nuclear medicine industry, is the source of 99.9 percent of the lab's radiological air emissions, and LIP emissions were 35 percent higher in 2006, thanks to five extra weeks of operation.

* Brookhaven has 13 groundwater remediation systems, part of a more than decade-long effort to clean up soil and groundwater contamination and prevent it from moving off the BNL site. The systems removed a total of 372 pounds of volatile organic compounds from more than 1.5 billion gallons of groundwater in 2006; a total of 5,592 pounds - out of 11.6 billion gallons - has been removed since December 1996. Two samples taken for follow-up on the lab's Peconic River remediation project (completed in 2005) found mercury levels higher than cleanup goals; additional samples were planned for this year.

* Ten external environmental audits were done by regulatory agencies in 2006, including inspections of the lab's potable water system, wastewater discharges, petroleum storage facility, chemical storage facilities and hazardous waste program.

* The lab has taken steps to fix two problems identified by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The lab has sprayed for vegetation growing on the five dirt and clay secondary containment berms for the oil fuel storage tanks in Building 610, and is currently rebuilding the berm for tanks five and six - a permeability test found they didn't meet minimum requirements.

* BNL recycled or reused more than 13 million pounds of waste in 2006. The lab also invested $37,000 in pollution prevention projects expected to save $74,200 each year.

Brookhaven switched all fluorescent lights to low-mercury bulbs and replaced thermometers and temperature-control devices containing mercury with non-mercury alternatives; the lab also converted its PCB-filled equipment to hydraulic systems that contain less- hazardous dielectric fluids.

CA opens India Center

CA has announced the opening of a software development center in Hyderabad, India.

The $30 million center will work on high-profile IT products for the Islandia-based company, employing 1,600 people. Chief executive John Swainson said India is home to nearly 30 percent of CA's research and development staff.

CA said its India Technology Center - which boasts perks including a 600-seat amphitheater and recreational facilities - will work closely with India's top-tier systems integrators to serve customers worldwide.

Odyne hybrid leans toward green

Happauge-based Odyne Corp. has developed a plug-in hybrid aerial lift truck.

It's a mouthful, but Odyne says the truck, which runs on both electricity and diesel fuel, is another important step in the greening of utility companies.

The propulsion system for the truck minimizes fuel use and emissions, and can be charged on demand or during off hours, according to the company. Odyne said the truck is good for up to eight hours of aerial lift operation time - previously, this required power from an idling engine.

Library expansion at Cold Spring

Ground was broken Oct. 12 for the expansion of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory library expansion project.

The expansion will house a scientific research collection, archives and the Genentech Center for the History of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.

The renovated facility will provide worldwide access to Cold Spring Harbor's collection, enabling the study of the history of molecular biology, genetics, genomics and biotechnology, the lab said.

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