The new goal updates the previous PHG for perchlorate, which was set at 6 ppb in 2004. The updated PHG is lower than the previous goal because it incorporates new research about the effects of perchlorate on infants. Like the previous PHG, the updated PHG takes into account exposure from all sources of perchlorate including food. The lowering of the PHG does not suggest any food is unsafe or that the public should change its dietary habits.
“This updated public health goal reflects infants’ increased susceptibility to the health effects of perchlorate,” said OEHHA Director Dr. George Alexeeff. “It is set at a level that would provide health protection for people of all ages.”
A public health goal is not an enforceable regulatory standard. Its purpose is to provide scientific guidance to the State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water in reviewing the existing state drinking water standard for perchlorate. There is no current federal standard for perchlorate in drinking water. The current state standard, officially known as a maximum contaminant level (MCL), is set at 6 ppb.
Perchlorate is a chemical that can occur naturally in the environment and also may be released by fireworks, improper handling or disposal of rocket fuel, and various industrial processes. Perchlorate is known to block the thyroid’s ability to take in and process iodide, which is a nutrient essential to brain development, growth, heart function, and other systems.
Studies conducted by OEHHA scientists and others have revealed that perchlorate can harm the health of infants at lower levels than the levels that are harmful to healthy adults.
OEHHA’s updated PHG incorporates new data on how much water infants consume per kilogram of body weight. It also considers infants’ intake of perchlorate from infant formula reconstituted with tap water.
The recent action finalizes the updated PHG for perchlorate that was released for public comment and peer review in 2011.
Public health goals are set solely on the basis of health protection and are not a line between a safe level and a dangerous level of a contaminant. State law requires that each regulatory drinking water standard must be set as close to the corresponding PHG as is economically and technologically feasible.
The State Water Resources Control Board will now use the PHG to inform its review of the current enforceable regulatory standard for the chemical.
Learn DOT’s New Rules for Lithium Battery Shipments
- Enhance packaging and hazard communication requirements for lithium batteries transported by air
- Replace equivalent lithium content with Watt-hours for lithium ion cells and batteries
- Adopt separate shipping descriptions for lithium metal batteries and lithium ion batteries
- Revise provisions for the transport of small and medium lithium cells and batteries including cells and batteries packed with, or contained in, equipment
- Revise the exceptions for small cells and batteries in air transportation
- Revise the requirements for the transport of lithium batteries for disposal or recycling
- Harmonize the provisions for the transport of low production and prototype lithium cells and batteries with the ICAO Technical Instructions and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code
- Adopt new provisions for the transport of damaged, defective, and recalled lithium batteries
If you ship batteries by ground or air, you must comply with the latest DOT and IATA/ICAO regulations that specify how the batteries must be packaged, marked, labeled, and transported. The rules apply not only to batteries, but also to equipment or vehicles that contain batteries as well as batteries packed along with equipment. Virtually all types of batteries are regulated, including lithium, lead-acid, nickel cadmium, and metal hydride alkaline. According to 49 CFR 172.704, all personnel involved in the classification, packaging, marking, labeling, or shipment of batteries must receive initial and recurrent transportation training.
Houston RCRA and DOT Training
Jacksonville RCRA and DOT Training
San Antonio RCRA and DOT Training
Coast Guard Issues Marine Fuel Guidelines
On February 25, the Coast Guard made available finalized Coast Guard policy letters, including explanations of changes made to the policy letters and enclosures based on the public comments received.
The first policy letter provides voluntary guidance for liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel transfer operations on vessels using natural gas as fuel in US waters, and training of personnel on those vessels. It recommends transfer and personnel training measures that the Coast Guard believes will achieve a level of safety that is at least equivalent to that provided for traditional fueled vessels. It applies to vessels equipped to receive LNG for use as fuel, but not to vessels regulated as LNG carriers that utilize boil-off gas as fuel. The second policy letter discusses voluntary guidance and existing regulations applicable to vessels and waterfront facilities conducting LNG marine fuel transfer (bunkering) operations.
The second policy letter provides voluntary guidance on safety, security, and risk assessment measures will enhance safe LNG bunkering operations.
Draft Inventory of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2013
In the February 24 Federal Register (FR), EPA published its draft 1990-2013 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for public comment.
The Inventory of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks tracks the national trend in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals back to 1990. The report contains total US emissions by source, economic sector, and GHG. EPA uses national energy data, data on national agricultural activities, and other national statistics to provide a comprehensive accounting of total GHG emissions for all man-made sources in the United States.
New Insight into How Rubber is Made Could Improve Tires, Reduce Air Pollution
Their findings, if used to improve tire performance, for example, could mean higher gas mileage for consumers and less air pollution.
Yuko Ikeda and colleagues note that a chemical process called vulcanization has been critical for the manufacturing of quality rubber since the second half of the 1800s. Chemists have improved the process, but progress has largely plateaued in recent years. If scientists could gain insight into the details of vulcanization, they could further tweak it to make even better rubber. Ikeda’s team set out to uncover a key step in this process.
Using the latest analytical techniques, the researchers discovered a previously unknown structure that forms during vulcanization. The new observation could contribute to making the ubiquitous material even better. For the auto industry, resulting improvements in tire performance could translate to fuel savings and lower emissions, the researchers say.
MassDEP Cohen One Realty Trust and its Trustee Fined $109,790 for Asbestos Violations
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has assessed both Cohen One Realty Trust and its trustee, Harold S. Cohen of Franklin, $54,895 penalties for violating state asbestos regulations during the demolition of a Franklin residence owned by the Trust.
Although the Trust had the residence surveyed for asbestos-containing materials, it did not have them properly removed by a licensed asbestos contractor before demolishing the building. Also, the Trust did not notify MassDEP prior to commencing the demolition work as required by the regulations.
MassDEP inspected the site in May 2014 in response to a complaint from the Franklin Board of Health, and found numerous pieces of dry, asbestos-containing transite siding and asbestos-containing floor tiles lying uncontained on the ground at the site.
MassDEP regulations require removal of asbestos-containing materials prior to demolition and renovation and that the asbestos-containing waste materials are wetted, and sealed while wet into appropriately labeled leak-tight containers. These requirements are designed to prevent a release of asbestos fibers to the environment, to protect building occupants and the general public.
Notification is also required to MassDEP 10 business days prior to commencing any demolition or renovation work involving asbestos so that MassDEP is aware of the removal work and has the opportunity to conduct inspections to ensure compliance with the regulations.
“The property owners knew of the asbestos-containing materials in their building, yet failed to take the appropriate steps to avoid environmental and public health impacts,” said Lee Dillard Adams, director of MassDEP’s Central Regional Office in Worcester. “Asbestos is a known carcinogen, and removing all asbestos-containing materials prior to demolition is imperative to protect workers, as well as the general public. Failure to do so will result in penalties, as well as escalated cleanup, decontamination, and monitoring costs.”
Property owners or contractors with questions about asbestos-containing materials; notification requirements; proper removal, handling, packaging, storage and disposal procedures; or the asbestos regulations are encouraged to contact the appropriate MassDEP Regional Office for assistance.
Despatch Industries Fined $95,000 for Air Quality Violations
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) penalized Despatch Industries Limited Partnership, which operates an industrial process furnace and oven manufacturing facility in Lakeville, Minnesota, for multiple air quality violations.
Despatch operated three paint booths and self-disclosed to the MPCA in 2013 that the facility did not have the necessary air permits over a 32 year period.
Since 1981, Despatch failed to obtain an air permit required prior to the start of construction and operation of the facility. The facility did not submit an annual emission inventory report. Despatch had several more violations including exceeding a federal hazardous air pollutant emission limit ranging from 355-619%.
In order to achieve compliance with the federal hazardous air pollutant emission limit, Despatch switched two of its three wet paint guns to a low-emissions powder coating process.
To resolve the violations, Despatch agreed to pay a civil penalty of $95,000 to the MPCA.
Inspection Reveals Pesticide Violations at Quest Products LLC
Quest Products, LLC, has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $88,533 related to the sale or distribution of unregistered and misbranded pesticides.
In March of 2012, EPA accepted a new pesticide registration which had been submitted by Quest for a product called Reliant Systemic Fungicide. In support of its registration application, Quest attested that it would be using a previously registered source for the active ingredient. Specifically, Quest claimed its product would be a 100% repack of another registrant’s product.
After EPA received a tip from the registrant of the other product, the KDA performed a producer establishment inspection at the Quest facility in August of 2013, and documented that instead of repacking the product, Quest contracted with multiple toll manufacturers to produce an unregistered product it marketed as Reliant Systemic Fungicide, in violation of its registration and the FIFRA and supporting regulations. The sale or distribution of unregistered, misbranded, or mislabeled pesticides can pose serious risks to human health, plant and animal life, and the environment.
In September 2013, following the KDA inspection, Quest submitted an application to EPA to amend its registration to allow the company, to manufacture Reliant Systemic Fungicide under specific terms instead of repackaging another registered product. EPA approved the amended registration on March 3, 2014.
By agreeing to the settlement with EPA, Quest Products has certified that it is now in compliance with FIFRA and its regulations.
EPA Orders CSX to Clean Up Areas Impacted by West Virginia Train Derailment
Twenty-seven cars derailed from the 109-car CSX train carrying more than three million gallons of crude oil from the Bakken Shale in North Dakota. The derailment resulted in an explosion, fires, and loss of a house and required nearby residents to evacuate.
The EPA order follows an emergency response conducted under a Unified Command with federal, state, and local agencies and CSX responding.
Under EPA’s order, CSX must first develop and submit a comprehensive plan for all the areas impacted by the derailment. CSX has committed significant resources to respond to the derailment and has worked closely with the Unified Command at the scene. The plan must include short-term and long-term cleanup and restoration.
EPA has closely coordinated with the State of West Virginia on the order and will continue to work closely with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and other agencies to ensure proper cleanup and to minimize any immediate or lasting environmental impacts of the derailment.
Specifically CSX must:
- Continue air and water monitoring and testing
- Contain and recover oil on Armstrong Creek, the Kanawha River and their tributaries and the adjoining shorelines
- Regularly inspect the boom located along the river to capture the residual oily water as ice continues to melt
- Maintain the integrity of the metal sheet pile wall that creates a barrier between the rail line and the Kanawha River to allow the recovery of oil to continue
- Provide education to residents about the potential effects from the incident including potential health threats, protective measures, wildlife preservation, and claims and notification procedures
- Conduct long-term monitoring of Armstrong Creek, the Kanawha River and their adjoining shorelines to detect oil that may be discharged from area facilities
- Report to EPA and West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection on progress and confirm compliance with the approved plan
- Respond immediately, if another threat to public health or welfare occurs while implementing the order
- Conduct long–term monitoring for air quality and testing for ground water, surface water, and shorelines to ensure that the cleanup and restoration remain effective
The EPA order follows an emergency response conducted under a Unified Command with federal, state, and local agencies and CSX responding. The response was conducted under, and affected by, harsh winter weather conditions. The residents were able to return to their homes in six days after being evacuated. Clearance for their return was based on verification from consistent monitoring and testing of air, drinking water and surface. The roadway and the railroad track are now open.
Newport Borough Water Authority to Address Drinking Water Violations
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently announced that the Newport Borough Water Authority in Newport, PA has signed a consent order and agreement (COA) to address drinking water treatment, monitoring, and reporting violations that occurred in 2013 and 2014.
“DEP took this action not only to ensure the safety of the community’s drinking water supply, but to address ongoing shortcomings of the authority’s operation of its new filter plant,” DEP South-central Regional Director Lynn Langer said. “A state-of-the-art plant is not effective if it’s not operated properly.”
DEP issued a public water supply permit to the authority in March 2013, authorizing limited-term operation of the new Juniata River filter plant. The authority operated the plant for 75 days during the next 13 months. When DEP conducted an evaluation and sanitary inspection of the filter plant in April 2014, it discovered several regulatory and public water supply permit violations as well as numerous operational concerns including:
- The authority failed to accurately record filtered water turbidity levels during the 13 months it operated the plant in 2013 and 2014. Turbidity is a measurement of the cloudiness of the water and is an indicator of water quality.
- The authority’s former operator falsely reported to DEP that filtered water turbidity had been recorded and the readings were all acceptable during the months of October and December 2013 and March 2014
- The authority failed to accurately record and report chlorine residuals necessary to provide reliable inactivation of Giardia through disinfection
- The authority’s operation of several aspects of the facility did not comply with standards set forth in the public water supply permit
- Newport failed to notify the public of these issues
DEP discovered the violations in April 2014 and immediately notified Newport Borough Water Authority. Last June, the authority agreed to shut down the filter plant until DEP agrees that it can be returned to service.
Under the COA, the authority is required to address the violations by:
- Immediately retaining the services of a professional engineer to address each of the violations identified by DEP in its filter plant evaluation
- Providing professional engineering oversight of the daily operation of the filter plant
- Hiring a new certified water system operator
- Providing notice to the public regarding the issues
- Paying a civil penalty of $40,000
If Newport fails to complete the corrective actions according to the schedule spelled out in the COA, the authority will be required to pay a series of additional civil penalties or may be subject to other enforcement.
Meanwhile, the authority has been providing drinking water from several of its permitted wells. Due to the closure of the treatment plant, there are no ongoing health risks as a result of the violations.
J&J Machine Company Fined for Hazardous Waste Violations
The company has since corrected those violations and agreed to pay the penalty to the Commonwealth.
“The company returned to compliance quickly once it was notified of the violations.”
Portland Disposal & Recycling Fined $5,200 for Stormwater Violations
E. coli is an indicator of the possible presence of pathogens in surface waters and the risk of disease. Contact with contaminated water can lead to ear or skin infections, and inhalation of contaminated water can cause respiratory diseases.
The company submitted a revised engineered plan to DEQ on February 2, 2015, and implemented portions of its revised plan. DEQ considered these efforts when determining the civil penalty amount. Portland Disposal & Recycling has until March 11 to appeal the penalty.
16 Organizations Across the US Recognized for Climate Action
Sixteen organizations and one individual representing a wide array of industries from finance and manufacturing to retail and technology show exemplary corporate, organizational, and individual leadership in response to climate change.
“I am proud to recognize our Climate Leadership Award winners for their actions to reduce the harmful carbon pollution that’s fueling climate change,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “Our winners are demonstrating that a healthy environment and a strong economy go hand in hand. These organizations are providing the leadership, commitment, and solutions needed to cut greenhouse gas emissions and meet head on the challenge of a changing climate.”
EPA’s Center for Corporate Climate Leadership, in partnership with the Association of Climate Change Officers (ACCO), the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES), and The Climate Registry (TCR), announced the fourth annual Climate Leadership Award winners.
- Innovative Partnerships Certificate (new category): This award recognizes organizations working collaboratively on leading edge climate initiatives with established objectives to measurably address GHG reduction goals and/or adaptation and resilience activities. This year’s recipients include:
- Chevrolet Clean Energy Campus Campaign (Detroit, Michigan): The Chevrolet Campus Clean Energy Campaign marks the first time college campuses have been able to use carbon performance methodologies to earn revenue via GHG reductions that result from on-campus efficiency and clean energy. The Campaign set a 100% absolute GHG reduction goal through 2014 (2012 base year).
San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative (San Diego, California): The Climate Collaborative supports members in setting and meeting GHG reduction targets via trainings and information on GHG inventory and monitoring tools; sharing climate action plan templates; supporting local governments in developing climate action plans; developing capacity for local governments to implement measures in their climate action plans; and more.
Organizational Leadership Award: Bank of America (Charlotte, North Carolina) is being honored with this award for not only completing its own comprehensive GHG inventory and setting an aggressive emissions reduction goal, but also exemplifying extraordinary leadership in its internal response to climate change through engagement of its peers, competitors, partners, and supply chain, and addressing climate risk in its enterprise strategies. Bank of America issued the first corporate green bond to fund energy efficiency projects in 2013. Bank of America is setting an absolute global GHG reduction goal of 15% from 2010 levels through 2015. This goal builds on a previous total reduction of 18% of its US GHG emissions from 2004–2009.
Individual Leadership Award: Mayor Bill Finch, City of Bridgeport, Connecticut, is being recognized for demonstrating extraordinary leadership in driving meaningful climate action within the Greater Bridgeport community and throughout the City’s operations. The Mayor is implementing an emission reduction goal for the city of 10% below 2007 levels by 2020.
Excellence in Greenhouse Gas Management (Goal Achievement Award): The following organizations are being honored for publicly reporting and verifying organization-wide GHG inventories and achieving publicly set aggressive GHG emissions reduction goals:
- The City and County of San Francisco
- The Clorox Company (Oakland, California)
- DPR Construction (Redwood City, California)
- SC Johnson (Racine, Wisconsin)
- Sprint (Overland Park, Kansas)
- UPS (Atlanta)
Excellence in Greenhouse Gas Management (Goal Setting Certificate): The following organizations are being honored for publicly reporting and verifying organization-wide GHG inventories and publicly setting aggressive GHG emissions reduction goals:
- Brown-Forman Corporation (Louisville, Kentucky)
- California Department of Water Resources
- Capital One Financial Corporation (McLean, Virginia)
- CH2M HILL (Englewood, Colorado)
- The Clorox Company (Oakland, California)
- EMC Corporation (Hopkinton, Massachusetts)
- The Hartford (Hartford, Connecticut)
- Tiffany & Co. (New York)
“Climate change presents immense challenges across an incredible array of sectors, geographic regions and job functions,” said Daniel Kreeger, executive director of the Association of Climate Change Officers. “The 2015 Climate Leadership Award winners have shown that incorporating climate into decision making is critical to their organizational success and are raising the bar on climate action.”
“After the hottest year globally on record, action on climate change is more urgent than ever,” said Elliot Diringer, executive vice president of C2ES. “We applaud the CLA winners for demonstrating the many paths forward to a low-carbon future, and hope others follow their example.”
“The Climate Registry is honored to recognize an impressive group of climate champions for their dedication to and leadership in addressing climate change in their operations,” said David Rosenheim, executive director of TCR. “This year’s deserving award winners are leading the way in reducing carbon pollution through greater transparency and consistent data, demonstrating the path to a more sustainable future.”
The awards were presented at the 2015 Climate Leadership Conference in Arlington, Virginia.
The Center provides technical tools, guidance, educational resources, and opportunities for information sharing and peer exchange among organizations interested in reducing the environmental impacts associated with climate change.
Environmental News Links
Trivia Question of the Week
What is the most polluted river in the US?
a) East River, NY
b) Ohio River, IL, IN, KY, OH, PA, WV
c) Los Angeles River, CA
d) Mississippi River, AR, IA, IL, KY, LA, MN, MO, MS, TN, WI
Do You Have News to Share?