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New Chemical Emergency Plans Required to Protect Public

Release Date: 3/3/1999
Contact Information: Ruth Podems, (215) 814-5540

PHILADELPHIA - In light of the recent deadly explosion at the chemical plant near Allentown, Pa., EPA officials are reminding plants that keep hazardous chemicals on site that by June 21, 1999 they must submit risk management plans to the EPA.  The plans will be critical in protecting the public health and environment of the surrounding communities in case of an accidental spill, fire or explosion.

The plans must include three parts: 1) an assessment of the potential chemical hazards, 2) detailed prevention procedures, and 3) emergency response procedures.  The requirement applies to more than 66,000 facilities nationwide that manufacture, store, distribute or handle 140 toxic or flammable substances.  The risk management plans will be disseminated to state and local government agencies, the public and all interested parties.

"Preventing chemical accidents is the shared responsibility of industry, government and the public," said W. Michael McCabe, EPA’s Regional Administrator.  "Public awareness and concern of the potential chemical dangers have increased following the crises in Bhopal, India, Institute, West Virginia, and the recent explosion at a chemical plant in the Allentown area."

EPA  launched a comprehensive chemical accident prevention program after the Clean Air Act Amendments were signed into law in November, 1990.  The act established a Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board to investigate accidents and recommend to Congress, federal, state, local authorities and the public, action that can be taken to improve chemical safety.  Under the Act, EPA is authorized to initiate investigations related to accidental releases, and to conduct studies, including research on hazard assessments and air dispersion modeling.

EPA has published a list of regulated substances and thresholds required under section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act.  That list has two categories: 77 toxic substances and 63 flammable substances. Threshold quantities are established for toxic substances ranging from 500 to 20,000 pounds, while the threshold for all flammables is 10,000 pounds.

In the Region III mid-Atlantic states, the regulation applies to approximately 6,000 companies and organizations in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. The largest percentage of facilities subject to the new plan requirements are propane retailers.  Other facility categories include chemical manufacturers, food processors, drinking water and sewage treatment plants, electric and gas utilities, refineries, paper plants, military bases, colleges and some service industries.  Railroads and trucking companies are exempt because the U.S. Department of Transportation oversees their safety requirements.

A copy of the rule and  technical assistance materials are available at EPA’s Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office home page  https://www.epa.gov/swercepp).  EPA’s hotline at 800-424-9346 will provide callers with copies of these materials and answers to questions.  The full text of EPA’s chemical accident prevention rule can be found in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR part 68), which is available at most public libraries.


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