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  • What’s the difference between air sampling and air monitoring?

    Air monitoring and air sampling are two different methods of looking at air quality. Air monitoring uses electronic devices to provide real-time readings of contaminants in the air. Air sampling involves trapping air over a period of time in a container that is then sent to a laboratory for analysis…

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  • What is EPA’s role in sampling?

    EPA is part of the Unified Command consisting of different agencies to review, approve and direct Norfolk Southern’s workplans and site activities. Surface water sampling is performed by Norfolk Southern contractors, with EPA and Ohio EPA oversight. Soil sampling is performed both by Norfolk Southern contractors and EPA contractors. Air…

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  • Redoing calculations if RMP*Comp is updated

    Will RMP*Comp be updated? If so, would I have to redo calculations I might already have made with an earlier version? No, you do not have to redo your work if you have already completed your consequence analyses. RMP*Comp is based on the EPA's Offsite Consequence Analysis Guidance (OCA Guidance)…

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  • Different distances to toxic endpoints with different versions of RMP*Comp

    I've noticed that for certain chemicals, RMP*Comp gives substantially different distances to the toxic endpoint than previous versions. Why? In the current version of RMP*Comp, we have incorporated new chemical-specific distance tables for ammonia, chlorine, and sulfur dioxide. The generic tables are still used for other chemicals (you can see…

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  • Distance to endpoint calculations used by RMP*Comp

    Does RMP*Comp perform some math or modelling in order to arrive at an endpoint distance, or is it simply interpolating from the tables in the EPA's Offsite Consequence Analysis Guidance (OCA Guidance)? RMP*Comp follows the procedures set out in the OCA Guidance . This means that for some scenarios, the…

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  • What is the plume map and what does it tell us?

    The plume map is an “event reconstruction” based on known weather and on-site observations during a 10-hour time period after the vent-and-burn operation that occurred on Monday, February 6. It tells us where soot likely fell to the ground and where the highest concentrations of particles may be. This information…

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  • What is split sampling?

    Split sampling is a technique where multiple samples are collected from the same location at the same time and then sent to separate laboratories for analysis. Checking to see if the labs get the same or similar results is a way to determine the accuracy of the data. If there…

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  • What work happens after contamination under and between the train tracks is removed?

    After track work is complete, additional cleanup and assessments will continue. This includes shipping solid and liquid wastes off-site, excavating in areas where rail cars were staged and scrapped, and sampling and monitoring groundwater, soil, surface water, and sediment.

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  • Columbiana County Health District has sampled my private well, will it be sampled again?

    Residents will be contacted if they are within the priority zones and have signed up for private well sampling. Within 60 days after the first sample, private wells are resampled, and residents will be contacted to schedule resampling. Residents within one of the four priority zones can also schedule a…

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  • Are there any changes to the registration of disinfectants due to COVID-19?

    List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 View List N, a searchable and sortable list of products for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel human coronavirus that causes COVID-19. At the federal level, EPA has published guidance on amending product registrations to add claims of efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 , claims of…

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  • Why aren’t hand sanitizers listed on List N?

    List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 View List N, a searchable and sortable list of products for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel human coronavirus that causes COVID-19. List N only includes EPA-registered surface disinfectants. Hand sanitizers, antiseptic washes and antibacterial soaps are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration…

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  • What’s the difference between products that disinfect, sanitize, and clean surfaces?

    At EPA, products used to kill viruses and bacteria on surfaces are registered as antimicrobial pesticides. Sanitizers and disinfectants are two types of antimicrobial pesticides. Action What does it do? Does EPA regulate the product? Cleaning Cleaning removes dirt and organic matter from surfaces using soap or detergents. EPA regulates cleaning products…

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  • Will EPA take enforcement action against companies making false claims that their disinfectants work against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)?

    List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 View List N, a searchable and sortable list of products for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel human coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Yes, EPA is authorized to take enforcement action to prevent the sale or distribution of disinfectants with false or misleading claims on…

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  • RMP*Comp and emergency response

    Can I use RMP*Comp for emergency response? No. It's a planning tool. Many other tools are available for response, including ALOHA . You can learn more by reading CAMEO tools for RMP .

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  • Minimum and Maximum Distance to Endpoint

    The Chemical Accident Prevention Provisions require the completion of a worst-case release scenario analysis (40 CFR §68.25). This analysis includes estimating the greatest distance to endpoint as defined by the parameters in §68.22. Is there a required minimum or maximum distance for the distance to endpoint in the worst case…

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