President Bush has asked all federal agencies to support volunteer service this Earth Day. "In the three decades since the first Earth Day celebration, our air is cleaner, our water is purer, and our natural resources are better protected. We have learned from our successes and are putting that experience to work at the Federal, state and local government level. Additionally, all Americans can help protect our natural resources by being good stewards of our air, water, and land," said President Bush.
EPA Administrator Christie Whitman said, "We have all been entrusted with the stewardship of this shared planet, and it is our responsibility to leave it cleaner for our children and grandchildren. Earth Day is a great opportunity to renew our commitment to creating partnerships and finding creative and innovative solutions to our environmental concerns. Working together, we can to achieve the next generation of environmental progress."
Visitors can search the EarthDay.gov
Web site by state and region to find community service opportunities and Earth
Day events where they live. In addition to events, it allows visitors to download
classroom curricula and find additional information about the environment. EarthDay.gov
also allows visitors to directly access the large database of environmental
service opportunities that are part of the USA Freedom Corps Volunteer Network.
The USA Freedom Corps is President Bush's initiative to engage Americans in
volunteer service.
EPA Intensifies Scientific Investigation of a Chemical Processing Aid
EPA released a preliminary risk assessment for the chemical PFOA and is encouraging the public and other interested parties to participate in identifying and generating additional information that will allow the Agency to further develop its risk assessment. PFOA, also known as perfluorooctanoic acid, is used as a processing aid in the manufacture of a wide variety of consumer and industrial products, and may also be formed during the environmental breakdown of related chemicals. Studies recently evaluated by the Agency have raised a number of potential toxicity concerns, and when combined with information that the general U.S. population may be exposed to very low levels of PFOA, has led the Agency to conclude that additional scientific information is needed to determine if new regulatory actions are necessary.To initiate this process, the Agency is releasing its preliminary risk assessment on PFOA for public review. A public docket has been established so interested parties can review the scientific information available to the Agency. Similarly, through public meetings, the Agency is inviting participation in the development of enforceable consent agreements, which will be used to direct the generation of new scientific information critical to understanding the sources and pathways of potential exposures to PFOA. By using enforceable consent agreements, the generation of new data can be accelerated so the data is available quickly. Following receipt of additional scientific information, EPA expects to develop a more comprehensive risk assessment that the incorporates new information. The Agency then plans to seek additional public comments and independent peer review from the Agency's Science Advisory Board later this year.
The Agency is interested in collecting additional information because a new laboratory studies recently evaluated by the Agency shows that PFOA may cause developmental toxicity and other health effects. Further, the available data indicate that the general U.S. population may be exposed to PFOA at very low levels. The potential sources and exposure pathways of PFOA are not well understood at this time. It may be released during manufacturing or processing, and it may also be formed during the environmental breakdown of certain other fluorinated compounds known as telomers. (Telomers are small fluorinated polymers.) PFOA may also have been a contaminant in certain other fluorinated products that were discontinued by the end of 2002.
Because there remains considerable scientific uncertainty regarding the potential risks from PFOA, it is important to develop additional data to determine if subsequent steps are necessary to protect public health. These data include use and production volume data, information on chemical and product degradation, and additional monitoring of PFOA levels in the environment. The additional data will be used to reduce the scientific uncertainties in the risk assessment, to better understand the potential sources in the environment, and to identify potential exposure pathways.
Given these considerable scientific uncertainties, EPA has not made a determination as to whether PFOA poses an unreasonable risk to the public. This determination will be better informed as new exposure data are factored into the risk assessment. EPA does not believe there is any reason for consumers to stop using any consumer or industrial related products.
As a positive step, companies that manufacture and use PFOA, as well as companies that manufacture telomers, are taking voluntary product stewardship steps, as described in Letters of Intent submitted to the Agency. These letters are available in the public docket. For example, 3M will not resume the manufacture of PFOA, and they will continue medical monitoring efforts for workers and continue monitoring groundwater, surface water, and other environmental media and provide reports to EPA. The members of the Fluoropolymer Manufacturers Group have committed to reduce emissions, to study their products to determine whether they may be a source of PFOA, and to take steps to reduce exposures to workers and the environment. The members of the Telomer Research Program have committed to evaluating products sold in the U.S. to determine whether they contribute to significant human or environmental exposure to PFOA.
PFOA is used as an essential processing aid in the manufacture of fluoropolymers. Fluoropolymers are used in a wide variety of consumer and industrial applications, including non-stick surfaces on cookware, but finished products are not expected to contain PFOA. PFOA may also be a degradation product of small polymers called telomers, which are used in a range of commercial products including fire fighting foams, as well as soil, stain and grease resistant coatings on carpets, textiles, paper, and leather.
For further information on EPA preliminary risk assessment of PFOA, including
the Federal Register notice, Fact Sheet and Questions & Answers, please
visit http://www.epa.gov/oppt/ .
EPA Releases Toxicological Review of Benzene
EPA has released the "Toxicological Review of Benzene - Noncancer Effects," a report that describes the potential noncancer health hazards associated with environmental exposures to benzene. This document supplements two previously released human health assessments of benzene, and will be used to inform the Agency's future risk assessments and regulation of benzene sources.Benzene is an industrial solvent and a component of gasoline, and is also used in the manufacture of plastics, detergents and pesticides.
In 1989, EPA set a national emission standard for benzene from coke plants where iron ore is converted to steel. Air pollution control techniques at these facilities have since reduced benzene and VOC emissions by 90 percent. In 1994, EPA set air toxics controls for all new and existing large facilities in the gasoline distribution system. EPA is currently reviewing the need for additional rules for smaller gasoline distribution sources as part of its urban air toxics program. While inhalation exposure is the major route of exposure to benzene, the review document provides both an inhalation reference concentration (RfC) and an oral reference dose (RfD) to protect all sensitive subgroups of the population from the adverse noncancer health effects of exposure to benzene.
The toxicological review is available at http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/EPA Voluntary Guidelines Aid City and County Septic System Management
EPA Assistant Administrator for Water, G. Tracy Mehan, III announced the release
of new guidelines that are designed to help local governments strengthen their
management of septic systems and other small, privately-owned wastewater treatment
systems.
"Proper septic system maintenance is a commonly overlooked responsibility," said Mehan. "Failing systems are a significant threat to our health and our water quality."
Failing and improperly managed septic systems are a significant source of water pollution, potentially causing contamination of drinking water wells or restricting shellfish harvest. Septic systems serve approximately 25 percent of U.S. households, and one in every three new homes built today use these systems – making proper maintenance essential for protecting America's waters.
The Voluntary Guidelines for Management of Onsite and Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems complements EPA's efforts to help state and local governments strengthen their oversight of septic systems and other small, privately-owned wastewater treatment systems. EPA worked with stakeholders from the public and private sectors to develop these voluntary management guidelines. The guidelines and an accompanying Management Handbook, which is now available for public comment, provide local governments with a risk-based model for evaluating local conditions and then a five-tier system developing an appropriate management program to address local conditions.
EPA has been working to help local governments build better septic system management programs. EPA recently released a CD-based outreach kit to assist communities in their efforts to educate citizens about proper septic system management.
The Voluntary Guidelines document (EPA 832-B-03-001) is available for download
at http://www.epa.gov/owm/onsite.
Copies are also available by calling 800-490-9198. The public is also invited
to review and comment on the companion Handbook for Management of Onsite and
Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems. The public comment period
closes on May 27, 2003. For more information, please contact Joyce Hudson at
202-564-0657 or Steve Hogye 202-564-0631.
EPA and Greenbiz.com Announce New Best Environmental Practices Database
EPA and Greenbiz.com announce a new environmental best practices database, Greenbiz Leaders,(http://www.greenbizleaders.com), featuring hundreds of examples of companies that have successfully combined environmental responsibility with economic profit. The more than 650 company examples selected for Greenbiz Leaders are winners of federal, state, and local environmental award and recognition programs. This database will provide a valuable resource to businesses seeking to improve their environmental practices while containing costs.
GreenBiz.com, a project of the National Environmental Education & Training Foundation, developed the searchable database through a grant from EPA's National Environmental Performance Track program. The database is searchable by type of initiative (energy use, waste recycling) or type of company (standard industrial sector classifications). The database is continually updated as new award results are announced. Greenbiz Leaders also recognizes facilities in EPA's National Environmental Performance Track program, designed to recognize and encourage top environmental performers -- those who go beyond compliance with regulatory requirements to attain high levels of environmental performance. Currently, the program has over 300 members.
More information on EPA's Performance Track program is available at http://www.epa.gov/performancetrack/
and the new database is at http://www.greenbizleaders.com
Former Company VP Convicted of Conspiring to Falsify Data in Violation of CAA
On April 11, 2002, a former vice president of a multinational petroleum products testing company was convicted of conspiring to violate the federal Clean Air Act (CAA) and a variety of fraud statutes, as well as for obstructing justice.Thomas M. Hayes, 51, of Rockaway Township, N.J., formerly vice president of
Western Hemisphere operations at Saybolt Inc., was convicted of conspiracy to
violate the CAA, to make false statements to the federal Environmental Protection
Agency, and to commit mail fraud and obstruction of justice. Hayes was acquitted
of a second charge in the indictment for obstructing justice. Hayes and his
co-conspirators routinely inflated the oxygen content of its customers' reformulated
gasoline in reports that were submitted to the EPA, according to the indictment.
Saybolt allegedly falsified its data, reporting results that were not actually
obtained in the lab to generate higher oxygen figures. In some instances the
falsified reports enabled refiners and importers to sell RFG that did not meet
minimum government requirements. In other instances, sellers received undeserved
"credits" for selling RFG that purportedly exceeded minimum environmental
specifications. Hayes now faces a maximum statutory prison term of five years
and $250,000 on the conspiracy count.
EPA Releases Best Practices Guide on Industrial Waste
EPA announced the release of a comprehensive voluntary industrial waste management guide that identifies best management practices for the full range of non-hazardous industrial wastes – covering more than 60,000 industrial facilities in the United States that produce and manage an estimated 7.6 billion tons of this industrial waste."I challenge each state to work with its industrial partners and citizens to adapt and use these guidelines as standard practice," said Marianne Lamont Horinko, EPA Assistant Administrator for Solid Waste and Emergency Response.
Industrial wastes dwarf better known waste streams such as municipal solid wastes and regulated hazardous wastes. EPA joined with members of state governments, tribes, industry, and environmental groups to develop this guidance on how best to manage these wastes. The Guide for Industrial Waste Management is a practical resource, based on sound engineering and scientific principles. It can stand alone or be used to complement existing regulatory programs.
The Guide provides valuable assistance to anyone interested and involved in industrial waste management, from states to industry to citizens. States currently have varying industrial waste programs and can use the Guide to address any gaps in their programs or review their existing rules and guidance and replace them with parts of this Guide as they see fit.
The Guide encourages effective communications and pollution prevention, and it provides useful information on waste management topics such as siting, designing, operating, monitoring, taking corrective action, and closing industrial waste management units.
The Guide is available on CD-ROM and in hard copy. In addition to the Guide, the CD-ROM also offers:
- Interactive audiovisual tutorials for each section of the Guide;
- Fact sheets from the Agency of Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to help readers better understand why specific chemicals may be of concern;
- An internet-based mapping application to help identify the existence of potentially adverse site conditions, such as the presence of wetlands, flood plains and seismic instability, as well as demographic information. This innovative application will be of significant utility not only for industrial waste management sites, but also for siting of other types of facilities;
- The Industrial Waste Management Evaluation Model, designed to provide guidance on appropriate landfill, waste pile, surface impoundment and land application system design;
- The Industrial Waste Air Model, designed to help determine adverse risks from air emissions from industrial waste units; and
- A comprehensive collection of references and resources targeted to help the user improve upon his/her understanding of pollution prevention opportunities, and technologies and tools available to address industrial waste management issues.
Future efforts include seeking input on how best to implement the recommendations
contained in the Guide. The Guide is available on an interactive multi-media
CD-ROM. It is available on the Web at http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/industd/index.htm.
Paper copies also are available, but quantities are limited. The general public
can obtain copies of the CD-ROM or a hard copy by calling the RCRA Call Center
at 800-424-9346.
EPA Proposes Dramatic Reductions of Pollution from Nonroad Diesel Engines
A proposal to reduce emissions from nonroad diesel engines used in construction, agricultural and industrial equipment was announced by EPA. This comprehensive national program requires stringent nonroad engine controls and reductions of sulfur in diesel fuel."This action represents a strong commitment from the Bush Administration to take the next step to achieve cleaner air and protect the health of all Americans, especially the health of children and elderly who are more susceptible to diesel pollution," said Administrator Christie Whitman. "Coupled with the 2007 diesel rule for highway trucks and our school bus retrofit program, these actions will be the most far-reaching diesel programs in the world today."
The proposal would take effect for new engines starting as early as 2008 and be fully phased in by 2014. EPA is proposing to reduce emissions of soot, known as particulate matter (PM), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from today's engines by more than 90 percent. When fully phased in, annual reductions will be 825,000 tons of NOx and 125,000 tons of PM. For the first time ever, advanced emission control systems will be incorporated into nonroad equipment. The sulfur content of diesel fuel will be phased down from its current uncontrolled level of 3400 parts per million to 500 parts per million (ppm) beginning in 2007 and then to 15 ppm in 2010 – a 99 percent reduction.
EPA has estimated that by 2030 the nonroad program will, among other benefits, annually prevent over: 9,600 premature deaths, 8,300 hospitalizations, 16,000 heart attacks, 5,700 children's asthma-related emergency room visits, 260,000 respiratory problems in children and nearly a million work days lost due to illness. (Under an alternative estimate, the nonroad program would deliver annual benefits that include preventing 5,600 premature deaths.)
Nearly 111 million people live in areas that do not meet air quality standards for ground level ozone (smog), and more than 70 million people live an areas that do not meet air quality standards for PM. Nonroad diesel engines contribute significantly to these problems. A typical piece of construction equipment such as a 175 hp bulldozer emits as much NOx and PM as 26 new cars today. EPA estimates that nonroad diesel engines currently account for about 44 percent of diesel PM emissions and about 12 percent of NOx emissions from mobile sources nationwide and in some urban areas the percentage is greater. The nonroad program would significantly help areas across the country reach their clean air goals and improve public health nationwide.
The public may comment by sending an email to nrt4@epa.gov. Additional ways to send comments are found in the Federal Register notice. Written comments may be submitted until August 20. Public hearings will be held in New York on June 10, Chicago on June 12, and Los Angeles June 17, 2003. Detailed information about the hearings will be published in the Federal Register. This proposal, related documents and information about the public hearings are available at www.epa.gov/nonroad.