Search Frequent Questions

Displaying 1 - 15 of 142 results

• What state or federal agencies are responsible for evaluating records from the PADOH cancer registry? Are all types of cancers considered in this evaluation [including rare and/or environmentally associated cancers]?

  A few important items to note regarding the Pennsylvania Cancer Registry:  PADOH’s Pennsylvania Cancer Registry is a statewide data system responsible for collecting information on all new cases of cancer diagnosed or treated in Pennsylvania. It is part of the National Program of Cancer Registries administered by the Centers for…

  • Last published: March 4, 2024

• What is a site assessment and what is the difference between a site assessment and a site investigation?

  The first step of the site assessment process is known as a preliminary assessment (PA). This assessment gathers historical and other readily available information on site conditions and surroundings to evaluate whether the site poses a potential threat to human health and the environment and/or whether further investigation is needed…

  • Last published: March 1, 2024

• What questions was EPA trying to find answers to during its first round of sampling at the Norwood Landfill site?

  The main question that EPA seeks to answer is whether the identified waste areas warrant consideration for placement of the Site on the National Priorities List (NPL) or Superfund List. In the first round of sampling, EPA collected surface soil samples (0-2 feet) from the landfill property, and surface water…

  • Last published: March 1, 2024

• What does it mean when EPA finds contamination that “exceeds screening levels?”
  

  Screening levels are not the same as cleanup or action levels. An exceedance of a screening level indicates the need for additional evaluation, potentially including a site-specific risk assessment.

  • Last published: March 4, 2024

• If EPA finds any contamination associated with the Norwood Landfill site that “exceeds” what is considered safe, will EPA clean up that contamination - even if the Agency cannot find any “pathways” for that contamination to reach humans or sensitive environments?

  If the sampling data shows an exceedance of a screening level, EPA will consult with the site Toxicologist and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to conduct a human health risk screening assessment to determine any potential threat to human health. EPA will also consult with the…

  • Last published: March 8, 2024

• How do you know you are not missing some areas that might be contaminated?

  EPA uses all credible information available, including community input, regarding the boundaries and geographic areas of waste that may have been deposited or where contaminated soil may have been placed. The team selects its sampling locations based on those areas and consults historic aerial images that help depict those boundaries.

  • Last published: March 8, 2024

• Why hasn’t the Norwood Landfill Site been identified as a Superfund Site? Two nearby landfills, Folcroft and Clearview, which were established and in use at the same time as Norwood Landfill and Dump have both been designated as Superfund sites.

  EPA is still conducting its investigation of the Norwood Landfill Site to determine if it should be placed on the National Priorities List (NPL), or Superfund List. Thus far, the data collected has not demonstrated that the site warrants placement on the NPL. Both the Folcroft and Clearview Landfills went…

  • Last published: March 15, 2024

• Will EPA sample the Glenolden Laboratory property?

  The former Glenolden Laboratory property located on South Avenue is a separate site. The previous owners conducted a voluntary cleanup pursuant to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (PADEP) Environmental Cleanup Program, known as Act 2. Concerns regarding remedial actions conducted under Act 2 should be directed to PADEP as…

  • Last published: March 18, 2024

• Why is the sentence incomplete on page 34 In the section about collaboration?

  Thank you for bringing this to our attention. It appears there was an issue converting the document to a PDF. The missing text will be reflected in a modification to the RFA which will be posted to grants.gov and the EPA's RFA website as soon as possible.

  • Last published: March 29, 2024

• CFAT Impacts on EPCRA and RMP

  The Department of Homeland Security’s Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) impose comprehensive federal security regulations for high-risk chemical facilities. Do the CFATS alter the requirements that apply to a facility covered under both CFATS and either the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) or the Clean Air Act section…

  • Last published: April 9, 2024

• EPCRA Reporting Mechanisms for Protecting Sensitive Business Information

  Does EPCRA provide any mechanisms for facilities that must submit Tier II inventory information to protect sensitive business information? Trade secret and confidential location information (CLI) are two separate confidentiality provisions under EPCRA. Trade secret claims made under EPCRA Sections 303, 311, 312, or 313 allow facilities to claim the…

  • Last published: April 9, 2024

• Are organizations located outside of the Great Lakes region eligible to apply for this RFA?

  Your organization could be eligible. Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria outlined in Section III.A., B., & C. of the RFA in order to apply. Only applications from eligible entities that meet the threshold eligibility requirements will be considered. Applicants should carefully review all threshold eligibility requirements. Applicant eligibility information…

  • Last published: April 23, 2024

• Can foreign governments or private entities apply?

  No. From page 21 of the RFA: Qualified non-federal entities eligible to apply for grants include non-federal governmental entities: State agencies; any agency or instrumentality of local government; interstate agencies; and federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations. Institutions of Higher Education and non-profit organizations are also eligible to apply. Non-profit…

  • Last published: April 23, 2024

• Applications focused solely on applications on improving access, recreational, and workforce development activities are prohibited, but may a PR propose a project that solely focuses on these activities?

  No, subawards focused solely on those things are also not eligible. From page 10: Note: Subawards may also include activities that improve communities’ access and enjoyment of restored areas, provided they are a part of and enhance an eligible project that accomplishes and is directly related to one of the…

  • Last published: August 5, 2024

• Would surveying or similar human subject research be allowable as a component of a PG’s application or is any such research expressly prohibited?

  Human subjects research and surveys could be eligible activities, provided they are part of a project that otherwise meets the eligibility requirements stated in the RFA. Applicants and potential subawardees should be advised that those activities are subject to the human subjects research and Paperwork Reduction Act review processes, which…

  • Last published: August 5, 2024