Search Frequent Questions

Filter By:

Active filters:

Remove all filters

Displaying 61 - 75 of 158 results

  • What should I do if my water has elevated nitrates and/or exceeds the MCL?

    If nitrate exceeds the MCL of 10 mg/L, you should find a safe alternative drinking water supply. The quickest thing to do is to begin using bottled water for drinking. Another option is to install a treatment that will remove nitrate from your water such as reverse osmosis or a…

    • Last published:

  • Why is nitrate contamination a concern?

    Nitrate is an acute contaminant, meaning that health effects can occur immediately (I.e. within hours or days) of short-term exposure. Too much nitrate in your body makes it harder for red blood cells to carry oxygen. While most people recover quickly, this can be very dangerous for infants and some…

    • Last published:

  • Applicability of EPCRA 311 and 312 to state and local government facilities

    Are state and local government facilities subject to the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) Sections 311 and 312 in states with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) approved state plans covering those facilities? The Occupational Safety and Health Act prohibits OSHA from covering state and local government workers…

    • Last published:

  • Are automobile batteries at a wholesaler exempted from EPCRA 311 and 312?

    A facility sells automobile batteries wholesale. Are these batteries at the wholesaler's facility exempt from reporting under SARA Sections 311/312 due to the household product exemption under SARA section 311(e)(3)? Section 311(e)(3) exempts from the definition of hazardous chemical "(a)ny substance to the extent is used for personal, family, or…

    • Last published:

  • Maximum Occupancy Rating for Tier II Reporting

    Tier II chemical inventory information requires as estimate of the maximum number of occupants present at any one time at the facility ( 40 CFR 370.42(f) ). If a facility is given a maximum occupancy rating by a local official, should that rating be used when completing the Tier II…

    • Last published:

  • How will citizens have access to Tier I or Tier II inventory forms?

    Tier I information may be obtained from state emergency response commissions or local emergency planning committees during normal working hours. Any person may request Tier II information with respect to a specific facility by sending a written request to the state emergency response commission or the local emergency planning committee…

    • Last published:

  • Storage location for batteries in forklifts when complying with Tier II reporting

    As part of Tier II Chemical Inventory Reporting, a facility must provide a brief description of the precise location of the hazardous chemical at the facility ( 40 CFR §370.42(i)(8)(i) ). A facility is reporting forklift batteries on their annual Tier II Inventory Form. How should the facility list the…

    • Last published:

  • Definition of hazardous chemical and OSHA's MSDS requirement for determining applicability of EPCRA 311/312

    The requirements of 40 CFR Part 370, promulgated pursuant to EPCRA Sections 311 and 312, apply to facilities that have certain quantities of hazardous chemicals for which they are required, under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), to prepare or have available Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs). How should…

    • Last published:

  • Federal or state UST requirements for gasoline and diesel thresholds

    Do facilities have to comply with the federal UST requirements or with state UST requirements to be eligible to use the §§311/312 gasoline and diesel fuel thresholds? Facilities must comply with either federal UST requirements ( 40 CFR Part 280 ) or, if applicable, the requirements of the state UST…

    • Last published:

  • Consumer product exemption and products that require licensing

    Pennsylvania restricts the use of a product that is packaged for distribution and use by the general public by requiring users within the State to obtain a license. This product requires a material safety data sheet under OSHA, and thus may be subject to the reporting requirements of EPCRA Sections…

    • Last published:

  • Are polymers in pellet form exempt from the definition of hazardous chemical?

    If polymers are in pellet form and require material safety data sheets, are they exempt from the definition of hazardous chemical under Section 311(e)(2)? Section 311(e)(2) exemption from the definition of hazardous chemical applies to "any substance present as a solid in any manufactured item to the extent exposure to…

    • Last published:

  • Reporting by mixture or components for a mixture with unknown chemicals

    A facility is storing a product mixture on-site. Under OSHA regulations, the facility is required to retain a material safety data sheet (MSDS) for the mixture. According to the MSDS, the mixture contains a zinc compound, but no specific chemical identity or concentration information is provided. OSHA regulations allow chemical…

    • Last published:

  • To what extent are agricultural chemical retailers exempt?

    EPCRA Sections 311 and 312 require facilities to report inventories of certain hazardous chemicals. Section 311(e)(5) exempts from the definition of hazardous chemical "any substance to the extent it is used in routine agricultural operations or is a fertilizer held for sale by a retailer to the ultimate customer" (…

    • Last published:

  • Plastic Resins and EPCRA Section 311 / 312 Reporting

    Are plastic resins such as polypropylene and polyethylene subject to Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) [also known as Safety Data Sheet (SDS)] Reporting under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) Section 311 and Chemical Inventory (i.e., Tier II) Reporting under EPCRA Section 312? The reporting requirements of Sections…

    • Last published:

  • Revised Hazard Categories for EPCRA 311 / 312 Reporting

    On March 26 2012, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) revised its Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) by adopting the United Nations Globally Harmonization System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). Based on the new classification criteria that OSHA adopted, EPA revised the existing hazard categories for hazardous chemical…

    • Last published: