Proposed Amendment To Hazardous Materials Regulations

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to maintain alignment with international standards by incorporating various amendments, including changes to proper shipping names, hazard classes, packing groups, special provisions, packaging authorizations, air transport quantity limitations, and vessel stowage requirements.

These revisions are necessary to harmonize the HMR with recent changes made to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, the International Civil Aviation Organization's Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, and the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods-Model Regulations and subsequently address a petition for rulemaking.

Comments must be received by October 15, 2012.


Caltha LLP provides specialized expertise to clients nationwide in the evaluation environmental rules, developing EHS compliance procedures, and preparing cost-effective EHS management programs.
For further information contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

 

Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals-NSC August Meeting

The North Star Chapter of the Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals (AHMP) is announcing its August General Membership Meeting. This month’s meeting focuses on indoor air quality topics and adjustments to air handling systems to improve performance.

Date: Thursday August 30, 2012
Time: 3:00 – 4:30 PM
Location: Institute for Environmental Assessment (IEA)
9201 W. Broadway, #600, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445

Agenda:
Indoor Air Quality/ Indoor Environmental Quality
This session will cover the key concepts of facility indoor environmental quality (IEQ) to provide a basic understanding of what factors impact a facilities indoor environment, especially in regards to mold and interior contaminants. Session will also discuss strategies to improve the IEQ in a facility.

Recommissioning HVAC Systems For Improved Air Quality and Energy Performance
Presentation will provide insight on recommissioning (renovating) of ventilation systems to improve air quality and energy performance. Discussion will include benefits and cost effective action items building owners and operators could consider to improve the indoor environment, as well as see benefits in energy efficiency.

General Membership Meeting
A brief general membership meeting will follow.
Membership:
The General Meeting is open to all North Star Chapter members – anyone else can become a member at the North Star Chapter website, or can print out the membership application ( http://ahmp-nsc.org/pdfs/memberap.pdf ) and bring it to the general meeting.

You do not need to be a Certified Hazardous Material Manager, or a member of the national AHMP group to be a member of the North Star Chapter.

Watch For Upcoming Meetings:
Tour of local hazardous and industrial waste treatment facility
Tour of local recycling operation

Review Of Flexible Polyurethane Foam MACT

US EPA have announced its intent to conduct the residual risk and technology reviews for national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) for flexible polyurethane foam production. The Flexible Polyurethane Foam MACT standard was promulgated in October 1998.

EPA is required to review standards issued under Section 112 and to revise them "as necessary (taking into account developments in practices, processes and control technologies)" no less frequently than every 8 years. EPA also must evaluate the MACT standards within 8 years after promulgation and promulgate standards under CAA section 112 (f)(2) if required to provide an ample margin of safety to protect public health or prevent an adverse environmental effect. The source category potentially will be assessed for inhalation risks, including cancer risk and incidence, population cancer risk, and non-cancer effects (chronic and acute). EPA also plans to potentially evaluate multipathway risk associated with the source categories with significant levels of persistent and bioaccumulative HAP. The agency will follow the Benzene Policy to identify the source category as low risk, acceptable risk, or unacceptable risk. EPA will then evaluate the effectiveness and cost of additional risk reduction options and make acceptability and ample-margin-of-safety determinations. If the need for additional controls is identified, the standards will include technology, work practice, and/or performance standards as amendments to the existing MACT standards.

Work on the review began in April 2012. EPA anticipates publishing a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) in th Federal Register in November 2012.


Caltha LLP provides specialized expertise to clients nationwide in the evaluation environmental rules, developing EHS compliance procedures, and preparing cost-effective EHS management programs.
For further information contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website 

 

Public Comment Extended For Arizona Regional Haze Rule

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency extended the public comment period for a rule (Regional Haze Rule) proposed earlier this month that would require additional pollution controls for nitrogen oxide at 3 power plants in eastern Arizona. The rule would improve visibility and human health at 18 national parks and wilderness areas, including the Grand Canyon, Saguaro National Park and the Petrified Forest.

EPA is soliciting public comments on the proposal through September 18, and will host two additional public hearings in Ariz. The hearings will be held on August 14, 2012 in Holbrook, Arizona, and on August 15, 2012 in Benson, Arizona. The deadline for final EPA action remains November 15, 2012.

On July 2, EPA proposed to approve Arizona’s plan that controls emissions of sulfur dioxide and coarse particles from older boilers at the Apache Generating Station, Coronado Generating Station and the Cholla Power Plant. In addition, EPA proposed a federal plan to limit nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions at these plants. The proposal is designed to cut NOx emissions by 7,800 tons per year at the Cholla Power Plant, 4,700 tons/year at the Apache Generating Station, and 4,500 tons/year at the Coronado Generating Station.

Under the Clean Air Act, Congress set a long-term goal of restoring natural visibility conditions in numerous national parks and wilderness areas throughout the United States, known as Class 1 Areas. One of the strategies for achieving this goal is the use of Best Available Retrofit Technology at older power plants that cause or contribute to visibility impairment at Class I areas. The three power plants impact 18 of these areas.


Caltha LLP provides specialized expertise to clients nationwide in the evaluation environmental rules, developing EHS compliance procedures, and preparing cost-effective EHS management programs. For further information contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website 

Implementation of the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act

On August 16, 2012, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to host a public meeting to get input from states, manufacturers, drinking water system administrators, and other interested groups and consumers on the implementation of the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act of 2011. The Act was signed on January 4, 2011, and will go into effect in January 2014. The meeting will be held at the EPA Conference Center in Arlington, VA, from 1 - 4:30 pm.

The Act amends Section 1417 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to prohibit the use of certain plumbing products that are not “lead free” (as defined by SDWA), and bans the introduction of products that are not “lead free.” The revision to the SDWA changed the definition of "lead-free" to a lead content with weighted average of not more than 0.25% in the wetted surface material. In addition, the Act added a specific formula for calculating lead content. Finally, the Act created two separate exemptions to the prohibitions on the use and introduction into commerce of products that are not “lead free.”

Some changes to the Act raised implementation challenges and issues that may warrant further regulatory changes. EPA says it would make any needed regulatory changes as part of the Lead and Copper Rule long-term revisions. Because the final Lead and Copper Rule revisions will be published after the effective date of SDWA revisions, the Agency intends to provide information to assist plumbing manufacturers, states, water systems, plumbing retailers, and other parties in complying with the provisions of the Act starting in 2014. Information in the public meeting will help inform these stakeholders on the regulatory revisions that will affect them.


Caltha LLP provides specialized expertise to clients nationwide in the evaluation environmental rules, developing EHS compliance procedures, and preparing cost-effective EHS management programs. For further information contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website 

 

OSHA Guidance On Protecting Workers During Crushing & Recycling Fluorescent Bulbs

OSHA has issued two new educational resources to help protect workers from mercury exposure while crushing and recycling fluorescent bulbs. Compact fluorescent bulbs are more efficient than incandescent bulbs, but the shift to energy-saving fluorescents, which contain mercury, calls for more attention to workers who handle, dispose of, and recycle used fluorescent bulbs.

An OSHA fact sheet explains how workers may be exposed, what kinds of engineering controls and personal protective equipment they need, and how to use these controls and equipment properly. In addition, a new OSHA Quick Card alerts employers and workers to the hazards of mercury and provides information on how to properly clean up accidentally broken fluorescent bulbs to minimize workers' exposures to mercury.

According to OSHA, fluorescent bulbs can release mercury and may expose workers when they are broken accidentally or crushed as part of the routine disposal or recycling process. Depending on the duration and level of exposure, mercury can cause nervous system disorders such as tremors, kidney problems, and damage to unborn children.


Caltha LLP provides specialized expertise to clients nationwide in the evaluation environmental rules, developing EHS compliance procedures, and preparing cost-effective EHS management programs. For further information contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website 

 

Temporary Stay On Parts Of MASTS Rule

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA )has published a “partial stay” in the August 2 Federal Register, which puts a temporary halt on the national new source emissions standards for hazardous air pollutants from coal- and oil-fired electric utility steam generating units. Certain emissions limits to mercury and air toxics under the Clean Air Act have been placed on hold until November 2, 2012.

EPA issued the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPS) for the source category, generally referred to as the mercury and air toxic standards (MATS Rules), on February 16, 2012. On July 20, the Agency issued a letter stating its intent to review the rule and grant petitions for reconsideration on certain new source issues related to the emissions standards, including measurement issues related to mercury, particulate matter, and hydrochloric acid.

The specific parts of the MATS Rule that have been placed on hold include 40 CFR 63.9984(a), 63.10005(g), 63.10030(c), Table 1 to Subpart UUUUU of 40 CFR Part 63, and row 2 of Table 3 to Subpart UUUUU of 40 CFR Part 63. The action also stays the effectiveness of any monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements related to new source standards. The rest of the rule, however, remains in effect.


Caltha LLP provides specialized expertise to clients nationwide in the evaluation environmental rules, developing EHS compliance procedures, and preparing cost-effective EHS management programs. For further information contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website