Neil Shifrin was an environmental engineer for 45 years and is now retired. With a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and a PhD in Civil/Environmental Engineering from MIT, Dr. Shifrin has worked on essentially every type of environmental problem in the United States. He founded a consulting firm, Gradient Corporation, and specialized in water quality, hazardous wastes, and environmental management history. During his career, Dr. Shifrin testified in court over 25 times on many Superfund topics, such as cost allocation, cleanup approaches, and insurance recovery. Dr. Shifrin conceptualized and published on several significant topics in the environmental field including environmental analytical chemistry (analyzing for Tentatively Identified Compounds), cleanup goals (a statistical approach to setting risk-based cleanup levels), and waste management in the 20th century, among others. His recent book, Environmental Perspectives, provides insights he gained on fundamental environmental topics of interest today.
This technical guide covers environmental measurement, data analysis, and regulation from a 45-year industry perspective. Topics include sampling methodology, analytical chemistry, data interpretation, major environmental laws (Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, CERCLA/RCRA), and practical limitations in environmental management. Ideal for students, early-career professionals, and anyone seeking an insider's view of how environmental science translates…
Environmental management in the United States evolved from public health crises in the 1800s to today's comprehensive regulatory framework overseen by the EPA. This article traces that evolution through air, water, and soil management—from cholera epidemics and London's Great Smog to modern laws like the Clean Water Act and Superfund. Understanding this history reveals how…
Environmental scientists use three fundamental tools to assess safety: risk assessment (predicting health impacts from contamination), environmental measurement (sampling and laboratory analysis), and comparison to regulatory standards. These methods help answer critical questions about pollution safety, water supply security, and energy sustainability. While general environmental quality continues improving in the United States, specific challenges remain…
