Category: Regulatory Developments

truck exhaust fumes

EPA Seeks Public Comment on Heavy-Duty Truck Emissions Proposals

In the second step taken under the Cleaner Trucks Initiative (CTI) it announced in November 2018, the EPA has released an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) to solicit public comment on the outlines of proposed emissions standards for highway heavy-duty engines, which the Agency says it plans to issue in early 2020.

Drug testing

FMCSA Raises Minimum Random Drug Testing Rate for Drivers

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced December 27, 2019, that it is doubling the minimum annual percentage rate of random drug testing for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The agency is raising the minimum random drug testing rate of commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders from the current 25% to 50% for calendar year […]

Aerosol cans

Aerosol Cans: Puncturing and Draining Requirements

On February 7, 2020, hazardous waste aerosol cans will officially enter the national universal waste program. In addition to simplifying compliance with the hazardous waste regulations for handlers of hazardous waste aerosol cans, the EPA believes the rule will result in the diversion of large portions of these cans from landfilling to metal recycling.

Air emissions, pollution

CAA Proposal Would Target Ethylene Oxide from Chemical Facilities

In one of its few major Clean Air Act (CAA) rulemaking actions that is not deregulatory, the Trump EPA is proposing to add significant requirements to its existing National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for the Miscellaneous Organic Chemical Manufacturing source category. Called the MON, the existing rule covers an estimated 201 facilities […]

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Study May Influence EPA’s Particulate Matter Review

In its current review of its 2012 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM), the EPA may need to closely consider a new report from the National Toxicology Program (NTP) on the relationship between traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) and hypertension during pregnancy.

EPA Will Review EtO Sterilization NESHAP

Following an evaluation of the carcinogenic risks posed by ethylene oxide (EtO), which the EPA released in 2016, and a follow-up National Air Toxics Assessment (NATA) for EtO, the EPA has decided that the health risks posed by EtO air emissions are “significantly higher” than previously believed.

Hazardous chemicals

CSB Proposes Regs on Chemical Release Incident Reporting

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has proposed a rule that would require owners and operators of stationary sources to report basic information about accidental chemical releases.