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. 1-20