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  • What is a reactive and non-reactive solid EHS?

    Reactive solid means any extremely hazardous substance denoted with “a” in the “Notes” column in Appendix A or B of 40 CFR 355. Reactive solids are more likely than other solids to be dispersed into the air due to the energy or heat created from their reactivity with water or…

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  • How did states form their SERCs?

    How are States expected to form their State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) as required under Title III? States are required to establish a State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) under Title III. The SERC may consist of existing emergency response organizations or may be an entirely new mechanism to address this…

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  • How does EPA oversee cleanup at the derailment site?

    EPA leads the Unified Command consisting of different agencies to approve Norfolk Southern’s workplans and weekly activities. EPA also coordinates with other agencies to perform oversight, such as with Ohio EPA, the Columbiana County Health District, and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. EPA and Ohio EPA personnel oversee safety…

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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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  • State refusing to comply with the emergency planning provisions

    What will happen if a State refuses to comply with the emergency planning provisions? A governor who does not designate a State emergency response commission becomes the commission by default. While the governor could choose not to fulfill any of the Title III provisions, the public could still request information…

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  • Section 302 notification requirements and mixtures with unknown components

    Are facilities exempt from Section 302 notification requirements if they produce, use, or store mixtures whose extremely hazardous substance component information is not available on the MSDS provided by the manufacturer? If the facility which produces, uses, or stores mixtures knows or reasonably should know the components of the mixture…

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  • What are the health agencies doing?

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) are analyzing their Assessment of Chemical Exposure (ACE) survey results to assess the health impacts of the train derailment. CDC and ATSDR continue to support the Ohio and Pennsylvania health departments and will be…

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  • Now that the track is rebuilt, what else needs to be done and how long will it take?

    There is still a lot of work to do. Contaminated soil to the north and south of the tracks need to be removed. A full site assessment, including extensive sampling, of areas and properties near the derailment site needs to be conducted. A full assessment of impacted creeks will be…

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  • If there is a government shutdown, will work continue on the cleanup?

    A 45-day continuing resolution was recently passed to avoid a shutdown. EPA’s emergency response efforts, such as in East Palestine, would move forward under a lapse in appropriation. As a result, EPA personnel would continue to fully support those efforts during a lapse.

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  • What is the process for refilling excavated areas at the derailment site?

    Areas that were excavated as part of the derailment cleanup effort will be backfilled with clean soil. Before soil is chosen as backfill it is tested for chemicals and heavy metals. While the source of backfill is still being identified, some areas have been temporarily backfilled with ballast (large gravel)…

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  • Is there one document available that includes the latest version of the Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule, with all amendments added to their associated locations, in complete form, and not including the preamble?

    Answer: Yes. Visit the RRP Web site at https://www.epa.gov/lead/answers-frequent-questions-about-epas-lead-renovation-repair-and-painting-rrp-rule Question Number: 23002-19407 Find a printable PDF copy of all frequent questions pertaining to lead .

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  • Will insurance premiums go up for contractors covered by the Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule that work in homes and child-occupied facilities with lead-based paint?

    The practice of carrying insurance to cover work in older homes from potential lead poisoning damages is not new. The RRP Rule, because it sets a clear standard of care and allows contractors to demonstrate that they meet that standard by taking appropriate training and using proper work practices, could…

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  • I am planning to renovate my home. How can I find a lead-safe certified firm?

    EPA has a searchable database to help you locate lead-safe certified firms near you at: https://cdxapps.epa.gov/ocspp-oppt-lead/firm-location-search . In addition, you can call EPA's lead hotline at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323) if you have questions. Question Number: 23002-18044 Find a printable PDF copy of all frequent questions pertaining to lead .

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  • How much will it cost contractors to comply with the RRP Rule?

    Answer: In order to comply with the RRP rule, renovators will incur costs for EPA certification and costs to take a training course from an EPA-accredited training provider, as well as for supplies needed in order to carry out the required lead-safe work practices designed to reduce exposure to lead…

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  • How long will it take EPA to process my application to be a lead-safe certified firm?

    EPA is required to process your application to be a lead-safe certified firm within 90 days of receipt. In most instances, properly-completed firm applications are processed in about one month. Question Number: 23002-17543 Find a printable PDF copy of all frequent questions pertaining to lead .

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