What are the Most Polluted States in the US?

January 25, 2016

Using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HealthGrove analyzed average daily fine particulate matter from 2003 to 2011. The 25 most polluted states were ranked based on PM2.5 particle levels. For each state, HealthGrove identified the most polluted county as well as the rate of cancer and heart disease deaths—both of which are correlated to air pollutant levels. The top three were Indiana, followed by Ohio and Kentucky.

Hazardous Waste Generator Improvement Rule

 

In the first major modification to the hazardous waste regulations in over 10 years, EPA plans to modify and reorganize the hazardous waste generator rule. When adopted, the rule will provide greater flexibility in how hazardous waste is managed and close important gaps in the regulations.

 

Attend Environmental Resource Center’s live, online session to learn:

  • New requirements for documenting hazardous waste determinations
  • Revised requirements for when and how to submit the Notification of Generator Status form to EPA
  • How to take advantage of the episodic generation exclusion to avoid reclassification to a larger generator status
  • Definitions of important new terms – “Very Small Quantity Generator” and “Central Accumulation Area”
  • How to mark containers, tanks, and containment buildings with new information required at central accumulation areas and satellites
  • New conditions under which containers can be left open at satellite accumulation areas
  • Updated time and volume limits for satellite accumulation areas
  • New documentation requirements for contingency plans and biennial reports
  • New requirements for shipping hazardous waste from a VSQG to another facility owned by the same organization

 

New Exclusions for Solvent Recycling and Hazardous Secondary Materials

EPA’s new final rule on the definition of solid waste creates new opportunities for waste recycling outside the scope of the full hazardous waste regulations. This rule, which went into effect on July 13, 2015, streamlines the regulatory burden for wastes that are legitimately recycled.

The first of the two exclusions is an exclusion from the definition of solid waste for high-value solvents transferred from one manufacturer to another for the purpose of extending the useful life of the original solvent by keeping the materials in commerce to reproduce a commercial grade of the original solvent product.

The second, and more wide reaching of the two exclusions, is a revision of the existing hazardous secondary material recycling exclusion. This exclusion allows you to recycle, or send off-site for recycling, virtually any hazardous secondary material. Provided you meet the terms of the exclusion, the material will no longer be hazardous waste.

Learn how to take advantage of these exclusions at Environmental Resource Center’s live webcast on February 16 where you will learn:

  • Which of your materials qualify under the new exclusions
  • What qualifies as a hazardous secondary material
  • Which solvents can be remanufactured, and which cannot
  • What is a tolling agreement
  • What is legitimate recycling
  • Generator storage requirements
  • What documentation you must maintain
  • Requirements for off-site shipments
  • Training and emergency planning requirements
  • If it is acceptable for the recycler to be outside the US

 

Atlanta RCRA, DOT, and SARA Training

 

 

Tampa RCRA and DOT Training

 

Chicago RCRA, DOT, and IATA/IMO Training

 

2014 Toxics Release Inventory Data

The remaining 16% was released to the air, water, or placed in some type of land disposal. Most of these releases are subject to a variety of regulatory requirements designed to limit human and environmental harm.

The 2014 TRI data show a 6% decrease in total disposal or other releases to the environment from 2013 to 2014. Notably, air releases from industrial facilities decreased by 4% during this period, mainly due to decreases from chemical manufacturing facilities and electric utilities. Air releases have decreased 55% since 2003.

“TRI data continue to be an essential part of informed decision-making by citizens, communities, industries, and local governments.”

TRI data are submitted annually to EPA, states, and tribes by facilities in industry sectors such as manufacturing, metal mining, electric utilities, and commercial hazardous waste. The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 also requires facilities to submit information on pollution prevention and other waste management activities related to TRI chemicals.

This year, the TRI report is available on its own dedicated website, giving users easier access to key information, including analyses and interactive maps showing data at a state, county, city, and zip code level. Other new features of this year’s analysis include integrated demographic information, profiles of federal facilities and the automotive manufacturing sector, and a discussion forum where users can share feedback about the report.

2014 TRI Inventory Shows Increased Recycling in California

The EPA recently released its annual Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) report that showed that the majority of toxic chemicals managed at industrial facilities in the U.S. increased as a result of production, while releases into the environment decreased. The trend showing a decrease in releases to the environment is attributed to an increase in recycling rates.

A total of 1,277 California facilities reported 568.5 million pounds of production-related toxic chemicals, 363.8 million pounds recycled and 23.3 million pounds released on-site. California’s total releases (both on-site and off-site) were 27.8 million pounds, a decrease of 20% when compared to the 34.6 million pounds reported in 2013.

“People have a right to know what chemicals are being produced in their communities, and how to find out by accessing the EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory on the web,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “The latest data shows that industry is recycling more and more each year, which is good for the economy and for the environment.”

The top five producers in California are:

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  • Chevron in El Segundo, an oil refinery
  • Valero in Benicia, an oil refinery
  •  
  • Quemetco in Los Angeles, a battery recycler

The top 5 recyclers in California are:

  • Alcoa Global Fasteners, a metal fabricator in Fullerton
  • Exide Technologies, a battery recycler in Los Angeles, which shutdown in 2015
  • Kinsbursky Brothers, a battery recycler in Anaheim
  • Demenno/Kerdoon, a vehicle fluids recycling facility in Compton
  • DOW Chemical, a chemical production facility in Pittsburg

Nationally in 2014, approximately 84% of the 25 billion pounds of toxic chemicals were managed through the use of preferred practices such as recycling, energy recovery, and treatment. Recycling accounted for approximately 48% of that figure.

In the TRI, a “release” generally refers to a chemical that is emitted to the air, water, or placed in some type of land disposal unit. Most of these releases are subject to a variety of federal and state requirements designed to protect human health and the environment. 

TRI data is submitted annually to EPA, states, and tribes by facilities in industry sectors such as manufacturing, metal mining, electric utilities, and commercial hazardous waste. The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 also requires facilities to submit information on pollution prevention and other waste management activities related to TRI chemicals.

The current TRI toxic chemical list contains 594 individually-listed chemicals in 31 chemical categories. In general, chemicals covered by the TRI Program are those that cause one or more of the following: cancer or other chronic human health effects, significant adverse acute human health, or environmental effects.

 

 

DOT Incorporates Special Permits into the Hazardous Materials Regulations

 

If you have a special permit for any of the materials listed below, or if you ship these items, now would be a good time to review the final rule to determine if you no longer need a special permit, or to see how the revised rule will impact your shipments:

  • Gas cylinders
  • Aerosol cans
  • Accumulators (gas springs)
  • Cargo tanks/rail cars/portable tanks
  • Non-specification packaging/IBCs
  • Video surveillance in place of visual attendance during loading/unloading

In addition to the above, many operational Special Permits have been incorporated into the HMR, including those that apply to LP gas, soft drink beverages, railroad flagging kits, toy caps, smokeless powders, household waste, oxygen generators, wetted explosives, yellow phosphorous, waste paint, nitric, acid, and many other items.

All of these materials remain subject to the hazardous materials regulations, however, some or all of the relaxed requirements that were granted in Special Permits have been adopted into the regulations and are now available to most shippers of these items. 

BLM Proposes to Reduce Methane Emissions, Wasted Gas on Public, Tribal Lands

 

As part of the Interior Department’s reform agenda for a cleaner, more secure energy future, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell has proposed to update 30 year-old regulations in order to reduce the wasteful release of natural gas into the atmosphere from oil and gas operations on public and American Indian lands.

“I think most people would agree that we should be using our nation’s natural gas to power our economy—not wasting it by venting and flaring it into the atmosphere,” said Secretary Jewell. “We need to modernize decades-old standards to reflect existing technologies so that we can cut down on harmful methane emissions and use this captured natural gas to generate power and provide a return to taxpayers, tribes and states for this public resource. We look forward to hearing from the public on this proposal.”

U.S. oil production is at its highest level in nearly 30 years and the nation is now the largest natural gas producer in the world, providing an abundant source of clean-burning fuel to power and heat American homes and businesses. At the same time, venting and leaks during oil and gas operations are major sources of harmful methane emissions, a powerful greenhouse gas about 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide. U.S. methane emissions are projected to increase substantially without additional steps to lower them. The proposal announced recently is consistent with the Obama Administration’s goal to cut methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by 40–45% from 2012 levels by 2025.

Currently, vast amounts of natural gas from public and Indian lands are lost through venting, flaring, and leaks from oil and gas operations. Between 2009 and 2014, enough natural gas was lost through venting, flaring, and leaks to power more than five million homes for a year. States, Tribes, and federal taxpayers also lose royalty revenues when natural gas is wasted—as much as $23 million annually in royalty revenue for the Federal Government and the States that share it, according to a 2010 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report.

Developed by Interior’s Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM), the proposed rule would require oil and gas producers to adopt currently available technologies, processes. and equipment that would limit the rate of flaring at oil wells on public and tribal lands, and would require operators to periodically inspect their operations for leaks, and to replace outdated equipment that vents large quantities of gas into the air. Operators would also be required to limit venting from storage tanks and use best practices to limit gas losses when removing liquids from wells. The new measures would also clarify when operators owe royalties on flared gas, and ensure that BLM’s regulations provide congressionally authorized flexibility to set royalty rates at or above 12.5% of the value of production.

“The commonsense and cost-effective measures we are proposing reflect the recommendations of several government studies as well as stakeholder views and tribal consultation over the last two years,” said Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Janice Schneider. “These updated regulations, which would be phased in over several years to allow operators to make the transition more cost efficiently, would not only get more of our nation’s natural gas into pipelines and delivered to market but also reduce pollution and cut greenhouse gas emissions that are contributing to climate change.”

The BLM’s current rules addressing venting and flaring were adopted over 30 years ago, long before new technologies unlocked vast new natural gas supplies in the United States. Recent technological advances allow operators to produce more oil and gas with less waste. About 40% of natural gas now vented or flared from onshore Federal leases could be economically captured with currently available technologies, according to the 2010 GAO report.

Several oversight reviews, including studies by the Interior Department’s Inspector General and the GAO, have raised concerns about the waste of gas from oil and gas operations on public lands and found BLM’s existing requirements insufficient. Several states, including Colorado, North Dakota, Wyoming, and most recently Pennsylvania, as well as the EPA, have also taken steps to limit venting, flaring, and/or leaks.

“It’s time to modernize our regulations to reflect today’s technologies and meet today’s priorities,” said BLM Director Kornze. “By asking operators to take simple, common-sense actions to reduce waste—like swapping out old equipment and checking for leaks—we expect to cut this waste almost in half. The gas saved would be enough to supply every household in the cities of Dallas and Denver combined—every year.”

The BLM has worked to ensure that the proposed regulations would not impose conflicting or redundant requirements. In developing this proposal, the BLM looked to the States’ requirements and worked closely with the EPA to align the agencies’ proposals as much as possible, consistent with specific statutory authorities and responsibilities. The BLM is committed to continue coordinating with the EPA, as well as with individual States, to streamline regulations.

In developing this proposal, the BLM engaged in substantial stakeholder outreach, including a series of public forums in 2014 and 2015 to consult with tribal and state governments and to solicit stakeholder views. The BLM held public meetings in Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Washington, D.C., as well as separate tribal outreach sessions. The agency also accepted informal comments generated as a result of the public and tribal outreach sessions.

The public will have 60 days to submit comments on the proposal once it is published in the Federal Register. The BLM also plans to hold a series of public meetings on the proposed rule in February and March.

 

Carlson Engineered Composites USA Inc. Fined $135,000 for Hazardous Waste Violations

 

According to Minnesota Pollution Control Agency staff inspection reports from January 2015, the company had a number of violations, some dating back to 2008 when the facility was opened.

Hazardous waste violations found at the facility include:

  •  
  • Intentionally disposing of waste acetone through evaporation.
  • Disposing of waste rags, gloves, sorbent pads and paint booth filters into the garbage.
  • Failing to evaluate, label, and properly store hazardous wastes at the facility.
  • Failing to coordinate with local police, fire department, and hospital to identify hazards associated with the facility.
  •  

If a facility’s potential air emissions exceed certain thresholds, it must apply for and receive MPCA air quality permits before construction and operation. Since the company constructed and operated without air permits since 2008, required annual emissions inventories and other associated reports were not submitted to the MPCA.

The stormwater-related violations include operating without a required industrial stormwater permit.

Carlson Engineered Composites has paid a $135,000 civil penalty and completed a series of corrective actions to help ensure accountability and safety for the surrounding community in the future.

The MPCA’s environmental regulations are designed to help protect air, water, land, and human health. When calculating penalties, the MPCA takes into account how seriously the violation affected the environment, whether it is a first time or repeat violation, and how promptly the violation was reported to appropriate authorities. It also attempts to recover the calculated economic benefit gained by failure to comply with environmental laws in a timely manner.

EPA Urges Caution with Flood Renovation Activities Involving Lead Paint

As communities across Missouri continue to recover from recent flooding, EPA Region 7 recommends children and pregnant women keep away from work that could disturb lead-based paint. The Agency also urges persons working on construction surfaces that may contain lead-based paint to take precautions to prevent the spread of lead-contaminated dust, which is the most significant source of lead exposure for children.

Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips, which can be harmful to adults and children. Lead-based paint was used in more than 38 million homes until it was banned for residential use in 1978. In young children, lead exposure can cause reduced IQ, learning disabilities, developmental delays, and behavioral problems.

They also must provide a copy of the brochure, “Renovate Right; Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools,” to owners and occupants before starting renovation work. 

EPA emphasizes that because of the nature of the recovery work going on in flood-affected portions of Missouri, certain emergency provisions of the RRP Rule may apply. Work covered under the rule’s provision for flood-damaged housing does not require advance notice or trained renovators to remove materials, including debris, from damaged homes. Also, emergency renovation activities are exempt from the rule’s warning sign, containment, waste-handling, training, and certification requirements – but only to the extent necessary to respond to the emergency. Cleaning, cleaning verification and recordkeeping requirements still apply to emergency renovations. Other non-emergency renovation activities remain subject to the rule’s requirements, including the posting of signs and containment.

Volunteers who do not receive compensation for work are not required to be trained and certified, under the rule. However, volunteers are strongly advised to educate themselves about lead-safe work practices to avoid causing health or safety hazards for themselves or others.

Homeowners doing their own renovations should take steps to protect themselves and their families from exposure to lead dust. Those steps include:

  • Containing the work area so that dust does not escape from the area. Cover floors and furniture that cannot be moved with heavy duty plastic and tape, and seal off doors and heating and cooling system vents.
  • Keeping children, pregnant women, and pets out of the work area at all times.
  • Minimizing dust during the project by using techniques that generate less dust, such as wet sanding or scraping, or using sanders or grinders that have HEPA vacuum attachments, which capture the dust that is generated.
  • Cleaning up thoroughly by using a HEPA vacuum and wet wiping to clean up dust and debris on surfaces. Mop floors with plenty of rinse water before removing plastic containment from doors, windows, and vents.

EPA Region 7 has prepared a fact sheet to help answer questions about the RRP Rule and the emergency exemptions.

Abandoned Steel Plant Ordered to Treat Industrial Wastewater and Secure the Site

 

 

“Our primary concern is public safety,” Attorney General DeWine said. “We don’t want industrial wastewater from this facility to overflow into the Mahoning River, or dangerous chemicals left at the site to cause a fire or explosion or jeopardize the health of children or adults.”

“We are holding Warren Steel accountable to ensure that nothing is left at the site that could pose a threat to public health or the environment,” said Ohio EPA Director Craig W. Butler. “We won’t let them walk away from their obligations here in Ohio.”

Warren Steel Holdings, LLC, owns and operates a steel production facility at 4000 Mahoning Ave. in Warren. 

Over the weekend, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency inspected the site and discovered that wastewater treatment lagoons had filled to dangerously high levels. To reduce the chance of overflow, the Ohio EPA worked with the facility’s electric provider and a former Warren Steel employee to keep the wastewater treatment plant in operation.

 

A preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for Jan. 29.

2015 California Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award Winners Honored

 

“This year’s GEELA recipients made extraordinary gains in sustainability, waste reduction and conservation,” said Secretary for Environmental Protection Matthew Rodriquez. “The winners also demonstrated their environmental achievements resulted in greater efficiency and economic benefits that spread beyond their organizations.”

Established in 1993, GEELA is awarded to individuals, companies, and organizations that use sustainable business practices to conserve energy, reduce waste or prevent pollution while contributing to their local economy. Good Day Sacramento’s Marianne McClary will host tonight’s ceremony.

The 2015 GEELA winners are:

  • Stanford University (Santa Clara County) for a new energy system that is 70% more efficient than the previous system leading to GHG reductions of 68% compared to 2013 levels.
  • Prather Ranch (Shasta County) for minimizing waste from animal food products and creating conservation easements to protect endangered species.
  • Sacramento Water Forum (Sacramento County) for its unprecedented effort to manage water temperature in real-time to protect incubating steelhead. As a result of the partnership with U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, 95% of the brood survived.
  • Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Los Angeles County) for water conservation education programs for pre-K through college level, used by more than 300 schools.
  • Orange County Department of Education and Orange County Waste & Recycling (Orange County) for a K-12 education program “Project Zero Waste” at 200 schools, resulting in annual waste reduction estimated at 400,000 lb.
  • REV (San Francisco County) for peer-based community learning to help organizations adopt a mindset of sustainability and improve efficiency. Average projected annual savings for participating organizations is $300,000.
  • City of Anaheim (Orange County) for the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center, the world’s first LEED Platinum designed transit station that reduced energy consumption by 50% and created 5,000 new jobs.
  • South San Francisco Scavenger Company and Blue Line Transfer, Inc. (San Mateo County) for the dry fermentation anaerobic digestion facility that is first in the nation to create a closed loop renewable fueling station from the processing of organics.
  • Sonoma County Winegrape Commission (Sonoma County) for advancing the goal to make Sonoma County the first fully sustainable wine region in the country by 2019.
  • Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund (Alameda County) for its "ReThink Disposable" source reduction program that has helped 100 businesses and institutions reduce single-use disposable food and beverage packaging products by an average of 70%.
  • San Diego County Regional Airport Authority (San Diego County) for annual enhancements of its waste reduction programs, including expanding food composting to all concessions, and recycling of air conditioner condensation.
  • Solana Center for Environmental Innovation (San Diego County) for its “Organics Marketplace” waste diversion program that has kept more than 16,000 tons of organic waste out of regional landfills, resulting in $20 million a year in savings.

The finalists were chosen by a panel of judges that included the Governor’s Office and the secretaries of the California Environmental Protection Agency; the Natural Resources Agency; the Department of Food and Agriculture; the State Transportation Agency; the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency; the Labor and Workforce Development Agency; and the Health and Human Services Agency.

ADEQ Recognizes Arizona City’s Leadership in Proactive Environmental Protection Programs

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced recently that the Town of Springerville in Apache County is the third municipality in the state to complete a Small Community Environmental Protection Plan (SCEPP).

With a SCEPP in place, Springville is now better positioned to contribute to a cleaner, natural environment and more livable community. The Town also is eligible for up to a 100% penalty reduction for future environmental violations.

Steve West, Springerville Town Manager said, “Participation in the ADEQ Small Communities Environmental Compliance Assistance Program exemplifies the Town of Springerville’s commitment to continual improvement and environmentally stewardship for the benefit of those we serve.”

A SCEPP is a component of the ADEQ Small Communities Environmental Compliance Assistance Program (SCECAP). Small cities, towns and special water and wastewater districts often lack resources and staff to address their environmental concerns. This program helps them comply with state and federal environmental laws and reduce the number of violations and enforcement actions.

“We are committed to helping small communities in the state affordably protect their public health and air, land and water resources,” said ADEQ Director Misael Cabrera. “We congratulate the Town of Springerville for being a leader in the effort to build environmental cooperation and hope other small towns and wastewater and water districts join the program,” Director Cabrera added.

With completion of this milestone, the Town of Springerville also applied for recognition under Arizona’s Voluntary Environmental Stewardship Program (VESP). ADEQ accepted the Town into the VESP at the Silver Level for its superior compliance history demonstrated by at least three years without environmental enforcement action.

The Silver Level recognizes organizations going above and beyond what is legally required to prevent pollution and conserve natural resources. The Town of Springerville has an ongoing commitment to protect air quality through its Branch Cleanup Project, which reduces smoke in residential neighborhoods. Town officials are measuring program participation, working to increase each year.

ADEQ will present the Town with Certificates of Recognition for both proactive, voluntary environmental protection programs at the January 20, Springerville Town Council meeting.

Environmental News Links

 

Trivia Question of the Week

A programmable thermostat can save the typical homeowner about how much money per year?

a) $18

b) $81

c) $108

d) $180