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  • Reporting radionuclide mixtures if composition is unknown

    How are mixtures of radionuclides reported if the composition of the mixture is unknown? If the composition of the radionuclide mixture is unknown, there are two main possibilities: (1) the identity of the radionuclides is known but the quantities of one or more of the radionuclides released are not; or…

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  • Release of a hazardous substance in an encapsulated form

    Is the release of a Reportable Quantity (RQ) or more of a CERCLA hazardous substance in an encapsulated form reportable? The term "release" is defined in CERCLA section 101(22) as any "...spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, or disposing into the environment (including the abandonment…

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  • Liability for damages caused by a release below the RQ

    If a facility releases a hazardous substance below its Reportable Quantity (RQ) level, could it be liable for damages caused by the release? Yes. A release of a CERCLA hazardous substance below its RQ does not preclude liability from any damages that may result, including the costs of cleaning up…

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  • Can running the HVAC system in my home help protect me from COVID-19?

    By itself, running your HVAC system is not enough to protect yourself and your family from COVID-19. However, when used along with other best practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, operating the HVAC system can be part of a plan to protect yourself and your family…

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  • CERCLA Release Reporting: CAS Registry Number vs. Hazardous Substance Name

    For the purposes of CERCLA release notification requirements, hazardous substances are listed in 40 CFR 302.4 with a Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) Registry Number. What are CAS Registry Numbers? When determining whether to report a release of a chemical or substance, how should a facility proceed if it appears that…

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  • What is Upper-Room Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI)? What is HVAC UVGI? Can either be used to disinfect the air and help protect myself from COVID?

    A professionally designed system of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) that is well installed and maintained can effectively kill the virus that causes COVID-19 and help protect people from the disease indoors. Typically, UVGI systems are installed near a room ceiling (upper-room UVGI) or inside the HVAC system of a building…

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  • Release notification requirements for releases of aqueous film forming foam

    Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), a substance commonly used by firefighters, contains ethanol, 2-(2-butoxyethoxy) which is categorized as a glycol ether. Glycol ethers meet the definition of hazardous substance in CERCLA 101(14) because they are hazardous air pollutants pursuant to 112(b) of the Clean Air Act. In 1990, the Clean…

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  • Who must be notified when a release occurs?

    In the event that a listed Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) hazardous substance or extremely hazardous substance is released in an amount equal to, or exceeding the reportable quantity (RQ) for that substance, the following parties must be notified: Community emergency coordinator for the local or tribal…

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  • Multiple Releases During 24-Hour Period

    CERCLA release notification requirements state that any person in charge of a vessel or an offshore or an onshore facility shall, as soon as he has knowledge of the release of a hazardous substance in a quantity equal to or exceeding the reportable quantity (RQ), immediately notify the National Response…

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  • Releases from a facility onto a public roadway that runs through the facility

    The EPCRA emergency notification regulations require facility owners and operators to immediately report releases into the environment of extremely hazardous substances or CERCLA hazardous substances if the releases exceed specific reportable quantities ( 40 CFR §355.42 ). The notification must be provided to the appropriate State Emergency Response Commission and…

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  • Reporting hazardous substance mixtures

    How are mixtures of hazardous substances (other than radionuclides) reported? EPA issued the "mixture rule" ( 40 CFR section 302.6(b) ), developed in connection with CWA section 311 regulations, as a method for determining when to report releases of mixtures or solutions. Under the mixture rule, if the quantities (or…

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  • Does EPCRA release reporting to State and local government agencies satisfy the CERCLA 103 requirement to report to the NRC?

    Are reports made to State and local government agencies relayed to the National Response Center (NRC) and, if so, does the original call satisfy reporting requirements under CERCLA section 103? Although reports are sometimes passed on to the NRC by State and local government agencies, a person responsible for reporting…

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  • Applicability of CWA broad generic categories to other provisions of CERCLA

    Are the Clean Water Act (CWA) broad generic categories for which no Reportable Quantity (RQ) has been established subject to other provisions of CERCLA? Yes. Releases of compounds within these categories, although not reportable under CERCLA section 103 (unless the compound is listed separately in 40 CFR 302.4, Table 302.4…

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  • Is ventilation important for indoor air quality when cleaning and/or sanitizing for COVID-19 indoors?

    When cleaning and disinfecting for COVID-19, ventilation is important. Using EPA-registered cleaning and disinfecting products according to their label instructions is the best way to ensure that any indoor air pollution risks are reduced while still maintaining the effectiveness of the disinfecting product. In particular, follow any label precautions that…

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  • What is a DIY air cleaner, and can it help protect homes from COVID-19?

    Do-it-yourself (DIY) air cleaners are indoor air cleaners that can be assembled from box fans and square HVAC (or furnace) filters. A variety of designs exist, using a single fan and one to five air filters. In its simplest form, a single filter is attached to the front or back…

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