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  • What’s the difference between short-term and long-term chemical exposure levels?

    Acute or short-term exposure assumes that a person has been exposed to a chemical for a short period of time. Long term, also known as chronic, exposure assumes a person has been constantly exposed to a chemical for a lifetime, or approximately 70 years.

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  • Is our East Palestine City Park safe for activities?

    Yes. Results show that levels of dioxin and semi-volatile organic compounds are well below any levels that we would consider restricting activities, and all are either at or below typical background levels for soil in the United States. In addition, the village has cleaned all recreational equipment, including the pool…

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  • What is being done to control dust?

    Norfolk Southern contractors use engineering controls to reduce dust generated from cleanup activities and disturbed soil surfaces. All contaminated material leaving the derailment site is secured and tarped, and all contaminated material on site is tarped nightly. Trucks are decontaminated before they leave the site, and large water trucks are…

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  • What is a farm for purposes of the SPCC Rule?

    In the December 2006 amendments to the SPCC Rule, EPA defined a farm as "a facility on a tract of land devoted to the production of crops or raising of animals, including fish, which produced and sold, or normally would have produced and sold, 1,000 or more of agricultural products…

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  • Examples of an agent of a Professional Engineer

    Except as provided in 40 CFR §112.6 for qualified facilities, a Professional Engineer (PE) or an agent of the PE must visit and examine the facility before the PE certifies an SPCC Plan (40 CFR §112.3(d)). What are some examples of an agent of a PE? An agent of a…

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  • What is considered bulk oil storage capacity?

    The revised rule recognizes that oil is sometimes stored in bulk and sometimes used operationally. A bulk storage container is any container storing oil at a facility. Bulk oil storage containers may include, but are not limited to tanks, containers, drums, and mobile or portable totes. Operational use includes oil-filled…

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  • Mobile fuel tanker as a facility

    Is a non-transportation related mobile fuel tanker with more than 55 gallons located near a 55 gallon drum storage area considered a facility? Perhaps. "Facility" is defined in Part 112 to mean "any mobile or fixed, onshore or offshore building, structure, installation, equipment, pipe, or pipeline (other than a vessel…

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  • Where can I get more information or copies of the lead-based paint abatement application forms and instructions?

    Answer: Information regarding certification under EPA’s lead-based paint abatement program is available at https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-based-paint-abatement-and-evaluation-program-overview . Question Number: 23002-32438 Find a printable PDF copy of all frequent questions pertaining to lead .

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  • When must I take refresher training?

    You must take refresher training before you apply for recertification to EPA. You should begin looking for available courses well before your current certification expires, because refresher courses may not be available in your area on a frequent basis. However, EPA recommends that you take your refresher training no earlier…

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  • When do persons applying for certification as inspectors, risk assessors, or supervisors apply to EPA, before or after taking the 3rd party exam?

    Answer: Persons applying for certification as inspectors, risk assessors, and/or supervisors must apply to EPA before taking the 3rd party certification exam. For more information about applying for certification as a lead-based paint abatement professional please refer to EPA’s Lead-based Paint Professionals page . Question Number: 23002-33448 Find a printable…

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  • When individuals apply for certification in the Federal program under 40 C.F.R. 745.226(a)(1)(i), how long will the certification last?

    Answer : For individuals who have taken courses which included a course test and a hands-on skills assessment, the full certification period for individuals applying under 745.226(a)(1)(i) will run for three years from the date of issuance of certification by EPA. For individuals who have taken courses which included a…

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  • The definition of “soil sample” at 40 CFR §745.63 relies on certain American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) standards. Did EPA intend to prevent the use of EPA and HUD standards for soil samples?

    Answer: No. In establishing work practice standards for lead-based paint activities, EPA did not intend to prevent the use of EPA/HUD standards. As a general matter, the requirements are not prescriptive but instead state that certain activities be conducted using appropriate documented methodologies. For example, §745.227(c)(3) requires that dust samples…

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  • Can I grow a garden at home or plant crops?

    Yes. You can continue to use your land as you normally would. Residential soil sampling results are within typical ranges for the area. Follow normal measures like peeling root vegetables and washing leafy greens.

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  • What are the terms used to describe the length of exposure to substances?

    Acute exposure is any contact with a substance that occurs once or for up to 14 days. Intermediate exposure is contact occurring for more than 14 days but less than one year. Chronic exposure is contact occurring for longer than one year.

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  • What is a field-constructed container?

    What are the types of containers or equipment containing oil reservoirs that would be considered field-constructed containers and thus subject to the brittle fracture evaluation of 40 CFR §112.7(i)? As found in the Preamble language provided on page 47112 of the July 17, 2002 SPCC final rule, EPA provides a…

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