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  • Pesticide applicator quantity applied to threshold or transportation exemption

    A farmer contracts with an applicator to spray pesticides on his fields. The applicator drives a tank truck onto the farmers' field and sprays the pesticide from the truck onto the fields. For purposes of Section 302 emergency planning requirements, are the EHSs in the truck considered present at the…

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  • Hazardous chemicals used for medical or research purposes

    A medical facility uses liquid nitrogen for the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer. The spectrometer is used for medical diagnostic purposes. In addition, the facility is required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to have a material safety data sheet (MSDS) available for the liquid nitrogen. Is the liquid…

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  • Should follow-up release information be sent to the state environmental agency?

    Should the written follow-up information go not only to the local emergency planning committee and the state commission but also to the state environmental agency? Section 304(c) of Title III mandates that written follow-up notification go to the same entities that received the initial oral notification, i.e., the state commission…

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  • "Regulatory Synonym" listings in Table 302.4 of 40 CFR 302.4

    What determines whether a "Regulatory Synonym" is listed for a substance in Table 302.4 of 40 CFR 302.4? In general, no entry is made in the "Regulatory Synonym" column of 40 CFR 302.4 , Table 302.4 for a substance if only one chemical name is used to identify that substance…

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  • CERCLA hazardous substances and relationship to U.S. DOT's Hazardous Materials Regulations

    What is the relationship between CERCLA hazardous substances and the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Hazardous Materials Regulations? CERCLA section 306(a), as amended, requires the DOT to list and regulate as hazardous materials all CERCLA hazardous substances. Thus, all CERCLA hazardous substances are covered by the DOT's Hazardous Materials Regulations…

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  • What is EPA’s role in sampling?

    EPA is part of the Unified Command consisting of different agencies to review, approve and direct Norfolk Southern’s workplans and site activities. Surface water sampling is performed by Norfolk Southern contractors, with EPA and Ohio EPA oversight. Soil sampling is performed both by Norfolk Southern contractors and EPA contractors. Air…

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  • Do Sections 311 and 312 pre-empt exisiting state and local programs?

    What effect will Sections 311 and 312 requirements have on existing State and local "Right-to-Know" programs? Title III does not pre-empt existing state or local laws. Sections 311 and 312 requirements establish "ground rules" for submitting information about the presence of hazardous chemicals in the community. Where existing "Right-to-Know" laws…

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  • Should hazardous chemicals present in vehicles be considered as present in the "facility"?

    The definition of "facility" for EPCRA Sections 311 and 312 does not include "motor vehicles, rolling stock and aircraft." Do hazardous chemicals present in cars, trucks, forklifts and other vehicles need to be considered for Sections 311 and 312 reporting as present in the "facility?" Hazardous chemicals present in vehicles…

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  • Is diesel fuel exempt when used solely to apply pesticides?

    A citrus grove service owner stores pesticides and diesel fuel at his facility. The owner's business consists of transporting the pesticides to citrus groves and applying them to trees. This application is the only use of the pesticides; the owner does not sell them or use them in any other…

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  • Must a facility aggregate EHSs from different mixtures?

    With regard to thresholds in mixtures, how is reporting under Sections 311 and 312 handled if a facility has a number of different mixtures on-site and each is under 10,000 pounds but the mixtures contains an aggregated quantity of an extremely hazardous substance (EHS) that exceeds its reporting threshold? If…

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  • Threshold calculations for acid mixtures

    Do you apply the whole weight of an acid mixture towards the threshold under EPCRA Sections 311 and 312 or just the percentage of acid stated on the material safety data sheet (MSDS)? Aqueous acids are considered mixtures under EPCRA Sections 311 and 312. The acid itself is the hazardous…

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  • Why does EPA recommend submitting a list for EPCRA 311?

    Why does EPA recommend submitting a list rather than Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to meet the requirements of Section 311? Lists will minimize the paperwork burden for state and local governments and local fire departments. In addition, the list can be used as an index to inventory forms required…

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  • Facilities that close during a reporting year

    A facility storing hazardous chemicals on site permanently ceases operations and notifies the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC). Since the facility will no longer be in operation on March 1 of the following year, must the owner/operator of the closed facility submit a Tier I or Tier II hazardous chemical…

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  • Recommended approach for reporting lead acid batteries when complying with Tier II reporting

    Does EPA have a standard or recommended reporting approach for lead acid batteries when complying with EPCRA Section 312 Chemical Inventory Reporting (i.e., Tier II reporting)? EPA suggests that facilities report for lead acid batteries in the same manner they used when complying with EPCRA Section 311 MSDS reporting requirements…

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  • How are releases during transportation or storage incident to transportation covered under Section 304?

    Section 304 covers all releases of listed hazardous or extremely hazardous substances, including those involved in transportation in excess of the reportable quantity (RQ). Owners or operators of transportation facilities may call 911 or the local telephone operator, in order to satisfy Section 304 notification requirements when a release occurs…

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