Search Frequent Questions

Filter By:

Active filters:

Remove all filters

Displaying 1 - 15 of 127 results

  • Release notification for release at Superfund site

    Would the National Response Center (NRC) need to be notified of a release of a hazardous substance in an amount equal to or exceeding a Reportable Quantity (RQ) at a Superfund site during cleanup activities? Yes. Unless otherwise exempted from CERCLA section 103 notification requirements, a release of a hazardous…

    • Last published:

  • CERCLA Release Notification and the Workplace Exposure Exclusion

    CERCLA section 101(22) excludes from the definition of release any release solely within a workplace, with respect to a claim which such persons may assert against the employer of such persons. Does the workplace exposure exclusion apply for purposes of CERCLA release notification requirements? The workplace exposure exclusion only applies…

    • Last published:

  • CERCLA Release Reporting: Clarification of Facility

    The term facility, as defined in 40 CFR 302.3 , does not include the words “contiguous” or “adjacent”. Would multiple adjacent buildings or buildings on a contiguous property be considered one facility for purposes of release reporting and submit one notification? Yes. Adjacent buildings on a contiguous property where multiple…

    • Last published:

  • Follow-up notification requirements for release occurring in transportation

    Must a notifier submit a follow-up emergency notice after the initial 911 report? Notification of a release during transportation or storage incident to transportation, including the requirement to submit a written follow-up notice, is satisfied by dialing 911 and providing the release information as described in 40 CFR §355.42 to…

    • Last published:

  • What are dioxins and how common are they?

    Dioxins are found throughout the world in the environment. Dioxins are a result of industrial processes and other activities such as burning fuels like wood, coal, or oil. Dioxins are called persistent organic pollutants, meaning they take a long time to break down once they are in the environment.

    • Last published:

  • 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…

    • Last published:

  • "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…

    • Last published:

  • 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…

    • Last published:

  • 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…

    • Last published:

  • Can the de minimis concept be used with Section 304 release reporting?

    Can the "de minimis" concept used in determining the threshold planning quantities in mixtures be applied in the determination of the reportable quantity for emergency release notification? No. The "de minimis" quantity was set in place for threshold planning quantities simply to make the calculation of the total amount of…

    • Last published:

  • Underground Storage Tanks in SPCC Plans

    If a gas station that has less than 42,000 gallons completely buried oil storage capacity and no aboveground oil storage capacity installs a new aboveground tank with a capacity greater than 1,320 gallons, must the facility’s Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan address the underground storage tanks (USTs) in…

    • Last published:

  • Container capacity less than 55 gallons

    Do facilities need to consider containers that are less than 55 gallons for applicability under 40 CFR Part 112? No. The third column of page 47066 of the July 17, 2002 Preamble states that "You need only count containers of 55 gallons or greater in the calculation of the regulatory…

    • Last published:

  • Oil-filled equipment capacity

    When counting against the 1,320 aboveground storage capacity threshold, would operational storage of oil (such as in a hydraulic press) be used? Oil which is contained in equipment is required to be factored into the storage capacity for the facility even though the oil may be only used for ancillary…

    • Last published:

  • If your farm does not have fuel storage that will flow into US waters by a ditch, river, stream, or lake, do you have to prepare a SPCC Plan?

    No. EPA suggests you use a common sense approach. If one of your oil storage tanks leaks, and the spilled oil would not flow into navigable waters or adjoining shorelines, you do not have to prepare a Plan. Remember that you still have the responsibility to clean up any spilled…

    • Last published:

  • I have heard about research being conducted by the University of Kentucky. What is the health tracking survey?

    University of Kentucky College of Public Health researcher Dr. Erin N. Haynes and her team received a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct a long-term health study with and for the residents of East Palestine and the surrounding area. The first step is to learn more…

    • Last published: