Search Frequent Questions

Displaying 1 - 15 of 72 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

• Criteria for selecting alternative release scenarios

  As part of the hazard assessment, owners and operators of Program 2 and Program 3 covered processes must identify and analyze alternative release scenarios (40 CFR §68.28). What criteria should be used when selecting an alternative release scenario? The owner or operator of a stationary source subject to the risk…

  • Last published: March 12, 2024

• Does the distance to endpoint start at the process or stationary source boundary?

  When selecting the worst-case release scenario for Program 2 and 3 processes as required by 40 CFR §68.25, a stationary source owner or operator must analyze the release scenario that results in the greatest distance to an endpoint. Does the "greatest distance to an endpoint" refer to the greatest total…

  • Last published: May 22, 2024

• Using meteorological station data for off-site consequence analyses

  For the purpose of the offsite consequence analyses required under 40 CFR Part 68, Subpart B, there are several instances in which data gathered at a local meteorological station may be used to establish the modeling parameters of wind speed, atmospheric stability, temperature, and humidity for the stationary source. How…

  • Last published: May 22, 2024

• Underground storage tank off-site impacts to groundwater, drinking water, or soil

  For the worst-case and alternative release scenarios of an underground storage tank, should I consider any impact on groundwater, drinking water, or soil? No. As part of the worst-case and alternative release scenarios, you need to define the offsite impacts to the environment (40 CFR §68.33) by listing the environmental…

  • Last published: May 22, 2024

• Administrative controls considered when determining worst-case release quantity

  For the purpose of analyzing the worst-case release scenario required as part of the hazard assessment at 40 CFR Part 68, Subpart B, the worst-case release quantity is identified as the greatest amount held in a single vessel or pipe, taking into account administrative controls that limit the maximum quantity…

  • Last published: May 22, 2024

• Are Mechanical Controls Considered Administrative Controls?

  For the purpose of analyzing the worst-case release scenario required as part of the hazard assessment at 40 CFR Part 68, Subpart B, the worst-case release quantity is identified as the greatest amount held in a single vessel or pipe, taking into account administrative controls that limit the maximum quantity…

  • Last published: May 22, 2024

• Worst-case release from smaller process with larger distance to endpoint

  The owner or operator of a stationary source covered by the risk management program regulations must conduct a worst-case release scenario analysis as part of the required hazard assessment (40 CFR §68.25). The worst-case release is defined as the release of the largest quantity of a regulated substance from a…

  • Last published: May 22, 2024

• Can I use any previous three year meteorological data for worst case scenario?

  I am trying to complete my worst case release scenario for the Risk Management Plan under §68.25. I understand that I am required to use a wind speed of 1.5 m/s and F atmospheric stability class as specified in §68.22(b), unless I can prove that at no time over the…

  • Last published: May 29, 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: March 1, 2024

• My neighbor is re-siding and re-roofing his house and there is material all over the ground. Do I need to be worried about asbestos exposure?

  Not all house siding or roofing materials contain asbestos. If you are concerned the material might contain asbestos, you can ask your neighbor whether or not the material has been tested for asbestos. Federal regulations regarding renovations or demolitions of asbestos-containing materials do not apply to a homeowner’s renovation of…

  • Last published: May 1, 2024

• How do I know if I have asbestos in my home (in floor tile, ceiling tile, shingles, siding, etc.)?

  The only way to be sure whether a material contains asbestos is to have it tested by a qualified laboratory. EPA only recommends testing suspect materials if they are damaged (fraying, crumbling) or if you are planning a renovation that would disturb the suspect material. Samples should be taken by…

  • Last published: May 1, 2024

• How many worst-case release scenarios must be analyzed and documented in the RMP?

  As a part of the hazard assessment requirements in 40 CFR Part 68, Subpart B, I must analyze worst-case release scenarios and document certain analyses in my risk management plan (RMP). How many worst-case release scenarios must be analyzed, and how many analyses must be specifically documented in the RMP…

  • Last published: May 22, 2024

• Identifying public receptors and property with restricted access

  Does public receptor cover only buildings on a property or the entire property? If the owner of the land next to my site restricts access to the land, is it still a public receptor? Public receptors are not limited to buildings. For example, if there are houses near your property…

  • Last published: May 22, 2024

• When to Revise OCA

  The risk management program in 40 CFR Part 68 requires facilities to conduct an off-site consequence analysis (OCA) to provide information to state, local, and federal governments and the public about the potential consequences of an accidental chemical release. When does a facility need to revise its OCA? The owner…

  • Last published: May 22, 2024