Environmental crimes in the United States may number in the hundreds of thousands each year. The high cost for proper disposal of hazardous wastes -- and the relatively few approved locations -- have made it tempting for thousands of businesses to risk the financial penalties associated with illegal dumping. Environmental crimes are more often the result of calculated practices by businessmen than "midnight dumping." Because the impact of criminal prosecution without jail is not enough to deter some businessmen, the result has been more jail sentences for executives and workers involved in these crimes. Since the Environmental Crimes Section of the Federal government was established in 1982, the Justice Department has obtained 432 convictions and guilty pleas from 569 indictments. The cases have triggered $26 million in fines and 270 years in jail sentences. This increased willingness of judges to hand down jail sentences has triggered a noticeable change in attitude among businessmen. Businesses respond to notices of impending lawsuits more quickly and are aware that the public is more informed on environmental issues.