Tag: Chemicals

Hazardous chemicals

CSB Continues to Experience Management Challenges

The fiscal year (FY) 2020 report by the EPA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) on the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board’s (CSB) management challenges reveals that the board’s continued issues will impede its ability to effectively operate.

Disinfectant cleaning

NIOSH Compiles Disinfectant Safety, Health Hazard Info Amid COVID-19

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently collected safety and health information on cleaners and disinfectants that employers can use in their hazard communication programs. The NIOSH material includes a table of health hazards and protective measures for chemicals used as disinfectants.

Chemical chain

The Persistence of PFAS: The ‘Forever Chemicals’ Coming Under Regulatory Scrutiny

Environment, health, and safety (EHS) professionals and their organizations should be following the ongoing conversation surrounding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). We continue to learn more about this large family of chemicals and their impact on both human health and the environment—and PFAS are increasingly coming under more expansive regulatory scrutiny.

Chemical manufacturing facility

TSCA Definition of Small Manufacturer Broadened by EPA

Stating that compliance with the reporting requirements of Section 8(a) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) places a particular burden on small businesses, the EPA has finalized a new definition of small manufacturer to include more entities. TSCA Section 8(a) generally excludes small manufacturers and processors of chemical substances from the reporting and recordkeeping […]

EPA Evaluation of Perchloroethylene (PCE) Reveals Many Risks

The EPA has released its Draft Risk Evaluation for Perchloroethylene for public comment and peer review. Perchloroethylene (also known as perc or PCE) is the last of the first 10 or priority chemicals for which the Agency must complete risk evaluations. Under the 2016 amendments to the federal Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), all 10 […]

Group of men working at a chemical warehouse classifying barrels

The Ins and Outs of Chemical Compliance: Hazmat, HazCom, Hazardous Waste, and GHS

Chemical substances can have an assortment of labels and placards as they move through commerce and eventually end up as waste products. The Departments of Labor (DOL) and Transportation (DOT) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have regulatory authority during various points of transport, storage, use, and disposal of hazardous substances. The National Fire Protection […]

Hazardous chemicals

What You Need to Know About the CSB Accident Reporting Rule

In one of its rare regulatory actions directly affecting the regulated community, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB or the Board) has issued a final rule requiring owners and operators of stationary sources to report information about accidental releases of hazardous substances to the CSB.

Drinking water

EPA Announces Three Actions Regarding PFAS

On February 20 and 24, 2020, the EPA announced three developments under its action plan for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS Action Plan).