Search Frequent Questions

Displaying 1 - 15 of 61 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

• What is a site assessment and what is the difference between a site assessment and a site investigation?

  The first step of the site assessment process is known as a preliminary assessment (PA). This assessment gathers historical and other readily available information on site conditions and surroundings to evaluate whether the site poses a potential threat to human health and the environment and/or whether further investigation is needed…

  • Last published: March 1, 2024

• What questions was EPA trying to find answers to during its first round of sampling at the Norwood Landfill site?

  The main question that EPA seeks to answer is whether the identified waste areas warrant consideration for placement of the Site on the National Priorities List (NPL) or Superfund List. In the first round of sampling, EPA collected surface soil samples (0-2 feet) from the landfill property, and surface water…

  • Last published: March 1, 2024

• What does it mean when EPA finds contamination that “exceeds screening levels?”
  

  Screening levels are not the same as cleanup or action levels. An exceedance of a screening level indicates the need for additional evaluation, potentially including a site-specific risk assessment.

  • Last published: March 4, 2024

• If EPA finds any contamination associated with the Norwood Landfill site that “exceeds” what is considered safe, will EPA clean up that contamination - even if the Agency cannot find any “pathways” for that contamination to reach humans or sensitive environments?

  If the sampling data shows an exceedance of a screening level, EPA will consult with the site Toxicologist and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to conduct a human health risk screening assessment to determine any potential threat to human health. EPA will also consult with the…

  • Last published: March 8, 2024

• How do you know you are not missing some areas that might be contaminated?

  EPA uses all credible information available, including community input, regarding the boundaries and geographic areas of waste that may have been deposited or where contaminated soil may have been placed. The team selects its sampling locations based on those areas and consults historic aerial images that help depict those boundaries.

  • Last published: March 8, 2024

• Why hasn’t the Norwood Landfill Site been identified as a Superfund Site? Two nearby landfills, Folcroft and Clearview, which were established and in use at the same time as Norwood Landfill and Dump have both been designated as Superfund sites.

  EPA is still conducting its investigation of the Norwood Landfill Site to determine if it should be placed on the National Priorities List (NPL), or Superfund List. Thus far, the data collected has not demonstrated that the site warrants placement on the NPL. Both the Folcroft and Clearview Landfills went…

  • Last published: March 15, 2024

• Will EPA sample the Glenolden Laboratory property?

  The former Glenolden Laboratory property located on South Avenue is a separate site. The previous owners conducted a voluntary cleanup pursuant to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (PADEP) Environmental Cleanup Program, known as Act 2. Concerns regarding remedial actions conducted under Act 2 should be directed to PADEP as…

  • Last published: March 18, 2024

• If an Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) accredited-training course is taught by someone other than instructors certified by the state or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), can an approved contractor/instructor sign certificates?

  No. An EPA Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) accredited training course must be taught by EPA/state approved instructors and only those approved instructors may issue AHERA approved training course certificates. Other Frequent Questions about Asbestos Learn About Asbestos Asbestos and School Buildings Information for Owners and Managers of Buildings…

  • Last published: May 1, 2024

• Is there a formal requirement that an Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan (MAP) asbestos training course must have a training manual?

  Accredited trainers are not required to have a formal training manual, per se. According to the Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan (MAP), at Unit III, (A)(3), (A)(4)(d) and (A)(5) of appendix C to 40 CFR part 763, subpart E, a trainer’s application for course approval must include the course curriculum, a…

  • Last published: May 14, 2024

• What are the requirements under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) for refresher training for a person who wants to "step down" his/her certification from contractor/supervisor status to worker status?

  If such a person takes contractor/supervisor refresher courses on an annual basis, that person may perform in both the contractor/supervisor and worker roles. If, however, the person chooses only to take annual worker refresher courses, that person may continue to act in the role of an accredited worker but loses…

  • Last published: May 24, 2024

• What is the applicability of Federal asbestos inspector accreditation requirements under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) to real estate appraisers?

  Real estate appraisers may not assess the suspected presence, location, or condition of asbestos in a school building or a public and commercial building during an appraisal unless they are accredited pursuant to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan (MAP), as conducting an examination…

  • Last published: May 24, 2024

• When would a conflict of interest exist among Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan (MAP)-accredited personnel?

  A conflict of interest with respect to Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan (MAP)-accredited personnel would exist if, for example, the management planner and abatement contractor worked for the same firm. The planner might recommend to the LEA more expensive response actions than are necessary in the management plan. Other Frequent Questions…

  • Last published: May 24, 2024

• The training requirements specified in 40 CFR part 763 appear to apply to projects (excluding small-scale, short-duration projects) involving interior building components. Specifically, is roofing work and other exterior work covered?

  Worker training requirements specified in 40 CFR part 763, including those for accreditation under the Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan (MAP), apply to interior building projects done in schools and public and commercial buildings. Additionally, the asbestos National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)…

  • Last published: May 30, 2024

• How does a company become a provider of Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan (MAP)-accredited asbestos training courses?

  Individuals or groups wishing to sponsor training courses for disciplines required to be accredited under section 206(b)(1)(A) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) may apply for approval from states that have accreditation program requirements that are at least as stringent as the EPA Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan (MAP). For…

  • Last published: August 27, 2024