Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
On December 28, 2021, the EPA released a list of key accomplishments the Agency achieved in 2021 under the Biden administration. The Agency’s achievements include: Tackling the climate crisis Issuing the most ambitious federal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for passenger cars and light trucks ever; Finalizing action to establish a comprehensive program to dramatically […]
The EPA released a draft revised risk evaluation for the cyclic aliphatic bromide cluster (HBCD) in December 2021. HBCD is primarily used as a flame retardant in building materials like insulation, solder paste, recycled plastics, and automobile replacement parts. “The final risk evaluation for HBCD found unreasonable risks to the environment for 6 out of […]
It looks to be a bumpy road ahead for any industry, primarily the synthetic chemical manufacturing industry (SOCMI), including petrochemical plants, dealing with ethylene oxide (EO). At the heart of the controversy is the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) value for EO emissions. The controversial IRIS “IRIS is a research program that assesses chemical toxicity […]
The EPA filed a proposed consent decree agreeing to review and potentially revise regulations governing emissions standards for the synthetic chemical manufacturing industry (SOCMI), which includes petrochemical plants. The consent decree was published in response to a lawsuit (Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services (TEJAS), et al. v. Regan, No. 1:20-cv-03733-RJL) filed by environmental groups in […]
The EPA and the Department of the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) posted proposed updates to the definition of waters of the United States (WOTUS) in the Federal Register on December 7, 2021. The proposed rule would define WOTUS as: Traditional navigable waters, interstate waters, and the territorial seas and their adjacent wetlands; Most impoundments […]
Hazardous waste generators are allowed to accumulate small amounts of hazardous waste in locations at or near the point of generation where wastes initially accumulate. These satellite accumulation areas (SAA) must be under the control of the person operating the process generating the hazardous waste. “Both large quantity generators (LQGs) and small quantity generators (SQGs) […]
The EPA announced November 19 it is “indefinitely extending COVID-19 activation of the emerging viral pathogens (EVP) guidance for antimicrobial pesticides. EPA’s EVP guidance for antimicrobial pesticides is a part of the federal government’s pandemic preparedness, allowing manufacturers to provide the Agency with data, even in advance of an outbreak, demonstrating that their products are […]
After much negotiation and whittling away at President Joseph Biden Jr.’s initial $2 trillion plan, Biden signed the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill into law on November 6, 2021. “[T]he bipartisan agreement is a much-needed victory for the president — in part because, in the administration’s view, it commits the country to its largest-ever environmental […]
The EPA on November 15 announced the release of the 2021 National Recycling Strategy “to tackle major recycling challenges facing the nation and to create a stronger, more resilient, and cost-effective municipal solid waste recycling system.” For the first time, the plan includes measures to address the climate impacts of producing, using, and disposing of […]
Property management companies (PMC) performing or offering to perform regulated renovations without EPA certification in pre-1978 housing or child-occupied facilities will be subject to stronger enforcement and compliance regulations of the lead-based paint Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule in the future, according to a November 4, 2021, EPA news release. “Health impacts from exposure […]