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  • Does the EN Grant Program issue partial awards?

    Partial funding is possible through the EN grant program and reflects when a project goal, project output and/or requested cost is unallowable, is duplicative of prior work, or has been flagged by our Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) as inappropriate for the proposed project. In rare cases, an applicant may also…

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  • What are volatile organic compounds (VOCs)?

    Volatile organic compounds are compounds that have a high vapor pressure and low water solubility. Many VOCs are human-made chemicals that are used and produced in the manufacture of paints, pharmaceuticals, and refrigerants. VOCs typically are industrial solvents, such as trichloroethylene; fuel oxygenates, such as methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE); or…

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  • What exactly is EPA looking for when it takes samples from the soil around residential homes?

    Typically, a person’s primary exposure to soil occurs within the top two feet – working or playing in the yard, gardening, tracking soil into the home, etc. EPA collected samples from the top two feet of soil during the site investigation, focusing the evaluation in the area of the highest…

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  • How do we know that we have not been exposed to contamination from the Landfill for the past 40+ years?

    EPA works closely with its partner, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) in evaluating potential health exposures from waste sources. ATSDR has the ability to look at the cancer registry data to evaluate potential past exposures, while EPA’s role is to evaluate current and future exposure. ATSDR…

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  • Why has it taken EPA so long to fully define the physical boundaries of the Norwood Landfill site?

    EPA did not conduct extensive historical research during the initial investigations in 2017 and 2018. EPA’s previous investigations were based on community request for an assessment of the Norwood Landfill. There was sufficient evidence at that time to move forward with sampling the areas specified by the community without conducting…

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  • What year was the landfill closed? What if any regulations would the Landfill have to have complied with during the closure process?

    During the 1960s, there were minimal environmental regulations regarding landfills and their closure protocol. Historic aerial photographs do not depict organized landfilling via waste disposal on the land after 1963, indicating that most of the activities associated with the Norwood Landfill Site occurred prior to regulations. Additionally, there are no…

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  • Why treat the collected water?

    Water collected at the site has the potential to have come into contact with vinyl chloride and other contaminants from the derailment. After the collected wastewater is treated it is then tested, and if it is not hazardous, can be disposed of as non-hazardous waste.

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  • When will water no longer need to be collected to be returned to Sulphur Run?

    We anticipate in the next two-to-four weeks, this work will start in sections of the derailment site. Soil analysis during the double-check phase is needed to remove the hazardous waste listing from the collected wastewater. Data are showing that water flowing over or through sections of the derailment area do…

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  • Can Norwood residents be exposed to contamination if we grow and eat our own vegetables from gardens in our yards?

    To date, contamination has not been found on residential properties that would pose a risk. In addition, the concentrations of the contaminants found at the Norwood Site are often found in urban communities. Studies show that exposure to contaminants via vegetable gardens is negligible. With the exception of some root…

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  • What milk and milk products are covered by the Milk and Milk Product Containers, Associated Piping and Appurtenances Exemption?

    The exemption will cover all containers, piping and appurtenances of milk and milk products. For example, milk products include cheeses, yogurts and ice cream. Additionally, transfers and milk handling associated with these containers and appurtenances are exempt from the SPCC requirements.

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  • Are exercises required as a part of the emergency response program requirements under 40 CFR Part 68, Subpart E?

    Yes. At least once each calendar year, the owner or operator of a stationary source with any Program 2 or Program 3 process must conduct an exercise of the stationary source's emergency response notification mechanisms per 40 CFR 68.90(b)(3) or 68.95(a)(1)(i), as appropriate, before December 19, 2024, and annually thereafter…

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  • 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 §112(r)…

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  • How is EPA conducting sampling at the Old Norwood Dump and Norwood Landfill?

    EPA took surface soil samples from areas throughout the former Dump area, in a few locations in Norwood Park and along the access road between the Dump and Norwood Landfill. EPA also took soil samples from areas of the Norwood Landfill that were previously inaccessible due to overgrown vegetation. Geoprobe…

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