Science, technology, and willingness to pay in ocean disposal of wastes: America's misplaced search for equity. An introductory case study of Los Angeles

Legislation termed “environmental” in the U.S.A., and concerned with the effects of contaminants upon air, land and water resources, is based upon economic equity rather than environmental improvement. Environmental improvement may or may not result, and the environment of societal and human needs is negatively affected by the very large resource commitment necessary. The requirement of the thermodynamically impossible “zero discharge” goal, as well as cancer to determine limits discards science and engineering for politically and popularly determined goals. To the extent that U.S.A. standards are accepted by other nations in the World, this unscientific approach is of concern to all. Change from the present approach will be very difficult because of the popularity of the present laws, and benefit from the present arrangement to so many workers in the field. Post Audits of the actual net overall environmental impacts of changes required and being made under the laws must be made to achieve change.