Cleaning up Superfund and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act corrective action sites requires much advice and information. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean-Up Information Bulletin Board System (CLU-IN) provides hazardous waste cleanup professionals with information about innovative cleanup technologies, allows on-line consulting, and provides database access. The system can be used for reading, printing, or saving current information on hazardous waste cleanup activities. Private letters and files can also be exchanged on the system.
It is not necessary to pre-register to use CLU-IN. First-time callers are asked for their name and a password of their choice. After completing an on-line registration form, new users are provided with full access to the Main Menu where messages can be read or sent, files and directories can be accessed, and settings can be changed.
CLU-IN contains bulletins, such as Tech Trends and Groundwater Currents, Federal Register updates, and Commerce Business Daily announcements, which can be read while on-line. Announcements about regulations, courses, workshops, meetings, and publications are also included in the bulletins.
A variety of files are available on CLU-IN. They are listed as public domain software, files pertaining to the EPA, and files pertaining to the use of CLU-IN. The file directory can be scanned to search descriptions, then the files can be downloaded. Files are available in most formats, including databases, graphics, and utilities. Solicitations, Superfund/RCRA information, various EPA operating procedures and recommendations, and fact sheets are also available for downloading.
The bulletin board also allows users to access other databases. Typing OPEN or DOOR will display a menu of databases or other programs for viewing.
Special Interest Group areas give users with similar interests a means of communicating with one another. SIGs have the same functions and capabilities as the Main Menu, but each SIG focuses on a specific subject.
New CLU-IN users need a personal computer or terminal, telecommunications software (such as ProComm or Cross Talk), a modem (1200 or 2400 baud), and a phone line. The telecommunications parameters are: no parity, 8 bits, 1 stop-bit (N-8-1). Except for the cost of the telephone call, CLU-IN is free. To access CLU-IN, dial (301) 589-8366 for one hour of access time for each call. Help can be found by paging the CLU-IN system operator through the bulletin board or by calling the system operator at the CLU-IN Help Line, (301) 589-8368, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT.
