Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Since 1988, the UST regulations required that tanks be made of or lined with materials that are compatible with the substance stored. Since that time, many new biofuel blends have come on the market. The 2015 UST amendments add new compatibility notification, demonstration of compatibility, and recordkeeping requirements concerning certain biofuels. Notification. UST owners and […]
No longer deferred The 1988 UST regulations deferred several types of USTs from regulations. Under the 2015 amendments, three types of tanks were removed from the referral list and must comply with the 2015 UST regulations. USTs for emergency power generators. The new UST amendments removes the deferral for USTs solely to store fuel for […]
Problem # 1: Have you crossed the line to hazmat offeror? You’re a hazardous waste generator and you have hired a hazardous waste transporter to pick up your waste and haul it off. You’ve checked everything off your Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) checklist and you’re ready for the waste to be out of […]
There is much confusion surrounding the applicability of SPCC requirements. A question that recently came across the desk of one environmental expert involved oil in flavorings. The person asked if flavorings that contain small amounts of oil (for example, almond and hazelnut oil) count towards an inventory to determine SPCC applicability if they are stored […]
Are you close? You must have more than a threshold amount of a listed substance in process at your facility for the Risk Management Program requirements of the Clean Air Act Section 112(r) to apply. If your facility’s source is close to the threshold for a particular substance, you may be able to limit the […]
The EPA recently issued an updated request for information (RFI) seeking public comment on updating its Risk Management Program regulations, and a notice of proposed rulemaking is being prepared. In the original RFI, the Agency noted that it is looking for specific feedback on whether the list of Risk Management Program (RMP)-regulated substances should be […]
So, you have decided it is a good idea to develop an EMS—but where to begin? Let’s take a look at why an EMS might be helpful. and some different types of EMSs to help you with your choice. How can an EMS be helpful? At the most basic level, an EMS can help you […]
After 27 years, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released new regulations for underground storage tanks (USTs). Expanding on the 1988 regulations, the new regulations aim to curb releases of petroleum and hazardous substances into the environment. The EPA estimates that 6,000 UST releases are discovered annually. To minimize these releases, the revisions focus directly […]
Recap: What are Nanoscale Materials? Nanomaterials are chemical substances that have structures with dimensions at the nanoscale—approximately 1 to 100 nanometers. To get an idea of their size, a human hair is approximately 80,000 to 100,000 nanometers wide. These materials are currently used in hundreds of consumer products, including electronics, cosmetics, clothing, food, and medicines. […]
CARE About Your Community EPA’s CARE (Community Action for a Renewed Environment) program encourages community leaders to be in the forefront of learning about and reducing environmental risks and impacts. While CARE used to provide grants to communities, at this point it does not because of a lack of congressional funding. However, the Agency is […]