On December 5, 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a memorandum to EPA Regional Water Division Directors related to addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) discharges in National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. This important step is designed to monitor and reduce PFAS discharges to surface waters. The EPA memorandum provides PFAS-related guidance […]
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Regulatory Changes Expected as Findings Suggest Increased Risk from EtO Emissions
Prompted by findings of increased cancer risks associated with ethylene oxide (EtO) emissions, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering regulatory changes that will affect the use of EtO, a colorless, odorless, flammable gas typically used for sterilization of medication equipment but is also used to make other chemicals and products like antifreeze and […]
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U.S. EPA Announces Intent to Designate PFOA and PFOS as Hazardous Substances
On Friday, August 26, 2022, U.S. EPA announced its intent to designate perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) as CERCLA hazardous substances. U.S. EPA posted a pre-publication notice for the Federal Register listing, including Supplemental Information describing the basis for designation. This rulemaking marks the first time U.S. EPA has used its authority under […]
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Benefits of Consolidating your PSM and RMP Programs
Although they are enforced by different regulatory agencies, OSHA’s Process Safety Management (PSM) and EPA’s Chemical Accident Prevention Provisions – also known as Risk Management Plan (RMP) – work in tandem to mitigate potentially catastrophic onsite and offsite incidents involving fires, explosions, and toxic vapor releases. From a regulatory standpoint, the PSM standard (29 CFR […]
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EPA Adds 1-bromopropane to Clean Air Act HAP List
Ever-changing regulations certainly keep engineers on their toes and companies scrambling to remain in compliance. The latest example is the addition of 1-bromopropane (1-BP), also known as nPB, to the Clean Air Act (CAA) List of Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP). Which industries are impacted by 1-BP’s addition to the CAA HAP? The chemical is a […]
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