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• What is Upper-Room Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI)? What is HVAC UVGI? Can either be used to disinfect the air and help protect myself from COVID?

  A professionally designed system of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) that is well installed and maintained can effectively kill the virus that causes COVID-19 and help protect people from the disease indoors. Typically, UVGI systems are installed near a room ceiling (upper-room UVGI) or inside the HVAC system of a building…

  • Last published: August 27, 2024

• Can running the HVAC system in my home help protect me from COVID-19?

  By itself, running your HVAC system is not enough to protect yourself and your family from COVID-19. However, when used along with other best practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, operating the HVAC system can be part of a plan to protect yourself and your family…

  • Last published: August 27, 2024

• What’s the difference between products that disinfect, sanitize, and clean surfaces?

  At EPA, products used to kill viruses and bacteria on surfaces are registered as antimicrobial pesticides. Sanitizers and disinfectants are two types of antimicrobial pesticides. Action What does it do? Does EPA regulate the product? Cleaning Cleaning removes dirt and organic matter from surfaces using soap or detergents. EPA regulates cleaning products…

  • Last published: October 28, 2024

• Local Emergency Planning Committee request of notification for exempt chemicals

  Under Section 312 , if a local emergency planning committee requests a Tier I/II from a facility owner/operator for a substance which is exempt (either under EPCRA, Section 311(e), or the OSHA Hazardous Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200(b)) , are they required to comply with the request? If the LEPC…

  • Last published: October 25, 2024

• I have a question about a word or phrase on the List N website. I’m not sure how something on List N helps me fight COVID-19.

  List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 View List N, a searchable and sortable list of products for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel human coronavirus that causes COVID-19. List N is a list of products that EPA expects will kill SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, when used according to…

  • Last published: April 10, 2024

• Will EPA take enforcement action against companies making false claims that their disinfectants work against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)?

  List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 View List N, a searchable and sortable list of products for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel human coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Yes, EPA is authorized to take enforcement action to prevent the sale or distribution of disinfectants with false or misleading claims on…

  • Last published: April 10, 2024

• EHSs and the EPCRA emergency planning requirements

  What is purpose of the list of extremely hazardous substances in regards to the emergency planning requirements of EPCRA? The extremely hazardous substances list and its threshold planning quantities are intended to help communities focus on the substances and facilities of most immediate concern for emergency planning and response. However…

  • Last published: April 22, 2024

• Does hydrogen sulfide present in the ground count towards the TPQ and RQ?

  A petroleum company is drilling for oil contained in the ground below their facility. Would the hydrogen sulfide present in the ground be counted toward the threshold planning quantity (TPQ) for this extremely hazardous substance (EHS) under Section 302? Also, if there is a reportable release of this EHS above…

  • Last published: April 22, 2024

• Calculating vulnerability zone distances for EHSs in solutions

  When calculating vulnerability zone distances, how would the quantity released (QR) be handled for an extremely hazardous substance (EHS) in solution? If the EHS is in solution, a facility can make a rough estimate of the QR using equation (1) on page G-2 of the "Technical Guidance for Hazards Analysis."…

  • Last published: April 22, 2024

• Is ventilation important for indoor air quality when cleaning and/or sanitizing for COVID-19 indoors?

  When cleaning and disinfecting for COVID-19, ventilation is important. Using EPA-registered cleaning and disinfecting products according to their label instructions is the best way to ensure that any indoor air pollution risks are reduced while still maintaining the effectiveness of the disinfecting product. In particular, follow any label precautions that…

  • Last published: May 6, 2024

• What is a DIY air cleaner, and can it help protect homes from COVID-19?

  Do-it-yourself (DIY) air cleaners are indoor air cleaners that can be assembled from box fans and square HVAC (or furnace) filters. A variety of designs exist, using a single fan and one to five air filters. In its simplest form, a single filter is attached to the front or back…

  • Last published: May 6, 2024

• Is there HVAC guidance that building and maintenance professionals can follow to help protect from COVID-19?

  The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has developed proactive guidance to help address coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) concerns with respect to the operation and maintenance of heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems. Read ASHRAE guidance . The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have also developed guidelines…

  • Last published: May 6, 2024

• Threshold planning quantity (TPQ) for a non-reactive extremely hazardous substance (EHS) solid handled both as a solution and as a powder

  How does a facility apply the threshold planning quantity (TPQ) for a non-reactive extremely hazardous substance (EHS) solid that is handled both as a solution and as a powder? Facilities that handle both the powdered and solution forms of a particular non-reactive solid EHS will have to consider the quantities…

  • Last published: May 8, 2024

• Will LEPCs impose significant requirements on small businesses?

  Will the local emergency planning committees impose significant requirements on small businesses? Will EPA clarify the information requirements in the emergency planning guidance and in the rulemaking? The Agency's small business analysis does not indicate that emergency planning requirements will cause a significant burden to small facilities. Small facilities are…

  • Last published: May 30, 2024

• Is there anything I can do to make surfaces resistant to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)?

  List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 View List N, a searchable and sortable list of products for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel human coronavirus that causes COVID-19. EPA regulates the claims on pesticide product labels. EPA-registered surface disinfectants kill viruses at the time they are used. After use, if…

  • Last published: August 7, 2024