Search Frequent Questions

Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 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

• Determining frequency of coordination activities
  

  The Risk Management Program regulations require owners and operators of stationary sources to coordinate their response needs annually, or more frequently if necessary, with local emergency planning and response organizations (40 CFR §68.93(a)). Are stationary sources responsible for determining if coordination activities should occur more often than annually? Ultimate responsibility…

  • Last published: June 5, 2024

• Who Must Develop an Emergency Response Program?

  The risk management program regulations require the owner or operator of a covered stationary source to develop and implement an emergency response program as described in 40 CFR §68.95, which must include an emergency response plan, emergency response equipment procedures, employee training, and procedures to ensure the program is up-to-date…

  • Last published: September 30, 2024

• Can I get access to the Emissions Inventory System if I am not a data provider to EPA?

  The Emission Inventory System (EIS) is a secured database for EPA and State/Local and Tribal Air Agencies only. The EIS is used to develop the National Emission Inventory (NEI). While you cannot have access to EIS, you can have access to the current and past NEIs through EPA’s NEI website…

  • Last published: May 28, 2024

• Is there a Pennsylvania registry that tracks non-cancer diseases or immunological disorders?

  PADOH and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services do not have a registry for multiple sclerosis (MS), MS-related diseases or immunologic disorders. Despite extensive research on the mechanisms of MS development and progress, the exact mechanism is not known and there are no definitive studies to show causation…

  • Last published: February 10, 2025

• How do I get access to the Emissions Inventory System?

  Access to the Emissions Inventory System (EIS) is available to state, local, tribal agencies, their representatives (such as contractors), to multijurisdictional organizations (MJOs), and to EPA staff. The EIS is not available to the public. Instructions for access to the EIS is available in the Emissions Inventory System (EIS) User’s…

  • Last published: January 7, 2025

• How do we know our drinking water has not been affected over the past 40+ years when the landfill was operating and after it closed since there were no regulations governing its operation or closure?

  The Norwood community is serviced by a public drinking water source. The public water supply must meet federal and state Safe Drinking Water Act Standards. Public water systems are required to share annual reports that describe what, if anything, is found in the water supply.

  • Last published: March 8, 2024

• Remote coordination with local authorities
  

  The Risk Management Program regulations require owners and operators of stationary sources to coordinate their response needs annually, or more frequently if necessary, with local emergency planning and response organizations (40 CFR §68.93(a)). If a stationary source is in a remote location and in-person annual coordination is deemed impractical, can…

  • Last published: June 5, 2024

• Emergency Response Coordination Activities Effective Date

  The RMP Amendments finalized on January 13, 2017 included a requirement for owners or operators of a stationary source to engage in emergency response coordination activities (40 CFR §68.93). The regulatory text in 40 CFR §68.10(b) states that compliance with these activities must be completed by March 14, 2018. Because…

  • Last published: September 30, 2024

• Why is it difficult to establish a link between cancers or other illnesses and environmental exposures?

  The complex nature of cancer makes it inherently challenging to identify, interpret, and address cancer clusters. Cancer is a term describing different diseases that share a similar characteristic: uncontrollable cell growth and division. As a group, cancers are very common. Cancers are the second leading cause of death in the…

  • Last published: November 26, 2024

• 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…

  • Last published: March 4, 2024

• 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…

  • Last published: March 8, 2024

• 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…

  • Last published: March 12, 2024

• Types of Information Relevant for Response Planning

  The Risk Management Program emergency response coordination activities require the owner and operator of a stationary source to provide to the local emergency planning and response organizations: the stationary source’s emergency response plan if one exists; emergency action plan; updated emergency contact information; and any other information that local emergency…

  • Last published: September 30, 2024

• How do I reset my password for the Emissions Inventory System?

  Instructions for resetting your password are available in the Emissions Inventory System (EIS) User’s Manual and How To’s section on “How Do I Update My Password?” Follow the instructions to reset your password.

  • Last published: January 7, 2025