This inventory contains a consolidated list of thousands of industrial chemicals maintained by the agency. EPA is also making this information available on Data.Gov, a website developed by the Obama Administration to provide public access to important government information. This action represents another step to increase the transparency of chemical information while continuing to push for legislative reform of the 30 year old TSCA law.
“Increasing the public’s access to information on chemicals is one of Administrator Jackson’s top priorities,” said Steve Owens, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances. “The American people are entitled to easily accessible information on chemicals, and today’s action is part of a series of ongoing steps that EPA is taking to empower the public with this important information.”
Until now, the consolidated public portion of the TSCA Inventory has only been available by purchase from the National Technical Reports Library or other databases.
Currently, there are more than 84,000 chemicals manufactured, used, or imported in the U.S. listed on the TSCA Inventory. However, EPA is unable to publicly identify nearly 17,000 of these chemicals because the chemicals have been claimed as confidential business information under TSCA by the manufacturers. Under Administrator Jackson’s leadership, EPA has already begun a series of aggressive steps to provide greater transparency on chemical risk information, including an announcement in January that signaled EPA’s intent to reduce a certain type of confidentiality claim, or Confidential Business Information (CBI) claim, on the identity of chemicals.
FRS is an integrated database that provides the public with easier access to EPA’s environmental information and better tools for cross-media environmental analysis. The addition of TSCA facility and chemical databases to FRS will provide the public with information on the facilities in their communities using industrial chemicals.
Advertising Opportunities Available
Environmental Resource Center is making a limited number of advertising positions available in the Environmental Tip of the Week™, the Safety Tip of the Week™, and the Reg of the Day™.
TRI Reports due July 1 can be Submitted Via the Web
Sites that manufacture, process, or otherwise use certain listed toxic chemicals are required to submit to EPA and states annual reports of their chemical releases and hazardous waste management practices for inclusion into the EPA's Toxic Release Inventory (TRI), a public national database on industrial plant releases. The information enables citizens to hold companies accountable, know how toxic chemicals are managed, and if environmental progress is being made. These reports must be submitted on or before midnight July 1, and can now be done online.
EPA Seeks Public Comments to Tackle Climate Change
EPA is seeking public comment on its Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2008 draft report (tracking gas emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride gases). The draft report shows that in 2008, overall greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 2.9% due to a decrease in CO2 emissions associated with fuel and electricity consumption. Over all, emissions grew by 13.6% from 1990 to 2008. To ensure your comments are considered for the final version of the document, please submit your comments by April 14.
EPA to Propose RCRA Exemption for C02 Sequestration
On July 25, 2008, EPA published a proposed rule under the Safe Drinking Water Act Underground Injection Control Program to create a new class of injection well (Class VI) for geological sequestration (GS) of carbon dioxide (CO2) . In response to that proposal, EPA received numerous comments asking for clarification on how the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous waste requirements apply to CO2 streams. EPA is now considering a proposed rule under RCRA to explore options such as a conditional exemption from the RCRA requirements for hazardous CO2 streams in order to facilitate implementation of GS while protecting human health and the environment.
EPA to Address Residual Risk of Phosphoric Acid and Phosphate Fertilizer Production NESHAPs
Phosphate rock is the primary raw material for phosphoric acid, which in turn is the raw material for phosphate fertilizer. EPA grouped these together because their production processes are usually located at the same facility. Part 63 National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs) for phosphoric acid and phosphate fertilizer (subparts AA and BB, respectively) were promulgated in June 1999. Facilities subject to these rules were required to be in compliance by June 2002.
The Clean Air Act requires EPA to address the risk remaining to the public (i.e., a risk review) within 8 years after promulgation of the maximum achievable control technology (MACT) standards. EPA must also conduct a technology review of the source categories within 8 years to determine whether new technology exists to reduce emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAP) below the levels established by the MACT standards. For purposes of expediency, these two reviews are combined together and called a risk and technology review.
New amendments will address both risk reduction and technology advancement for the phosphoric acid and phosphate fertilizer source categories.
It’s My Environment Earth Day Video
Show that it’s your environment by submitting a 10-15 second video clip of someone doing something for the environment, holding up and reading a sign that says “It’s My Environment,” and then passing it off screen.
EPA will pick several to include in a compilation video we’ll release on Earth Day (April 22). It’ll look like the sign is traveling from clip to clip, forming a human chain.
Revised New Source Performance Standards for Hospital/Medical/Infectious Waste Incinerators
On October 6, 2009, EPA promulgated its response to the remand of the new source performance standards and emissions guidelines for hospital/medical/infectious waste incinerators by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and satisfied the Clean Air Act Section 129(a)(5) requirement to conduct a review of the standards every 5 years. EPA is proposing to amend the new source performance standards emissions limits for nitrogen oxides (NOX) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) promulgated for large hospital/medical/infectious waste incinerators in order to correct inadvertent drafting errors EPA made setting forth those limits, which did not correspond to the description of the Agency’s standard-setting process.
EPA Launches Web Forum on How to Best Protect America’s Waters
EPA is seeking public input on how the agency can better protect and improve the health of the nation’s waters. For a two-week period, EPA is holding a Web discussion forum on how the nation can better manage some of the most significant water pollution problems facing our nation. The feedback received on the online forum will help shape the discussion at EPA’s upcoming conference in April, Coming Together for Clean Water, where EPA will engage approximately 100 executive and local level water leads on the agency’s clean water agenda.
“We look forward to reviewing the ideas and feedback from the public,” said Peter S. Silva, assistant administrator EPA’s Office of Water. “This online discussion is for anyone who wants to share their best solutions for restoring healthy waters and creating sustainable communities across the country.”
EPA wants to receive input from water professionals, advocates, and anyone interested in water quality issues about best solutions—from planning, scientific tools, low impact development, to green infrastructure and beyond—in controlling water pollution and how resources can be better focused to improve these efforts.
Elemental Mercury Used in Barometers, Manometers, Hygrometers, and Psychrometers; Proposed Significant New Use Rule
A proposed Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) will require persons to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing the manufacture, import, or processing of elemental mercury for use in certain measuring devices, switches, sensors, gauges, thermocouples, gymnasium flooring, novelty items, and sports and recreation products.
Historically, elemental mercury has been used in many industrial and consumer products, due to its unique properties. Use of elemental mercury in products can lead to releases to the environment during manufacturing, recycling, or disposal. Under certain conditions, mercury in the environment can cause adverse effects in humans and wildlife. Some State governments have restricted mercury use in products and have requested federal action to bolster these efforts. In 2006, EPA committed to pursue reductions in mercury used in switches, relays, and measuring devices. In 2007, EPA issued a SNUR for elemental mercury used in certain switches previously installed in motor vehicles.
Two years later, in 2009, EPA issued a second SNUR for elemental mercury used in flow meters, natural gas manometers, and pyrometers. EPA has now identified more mercury-containing products that have cost-effective substitutes and are no longer manufactured. The effect of the rule is to require anyone who intends to re-commence manufacture of the named products to notify EPA 90 days prior to manufacture.
LiquidTitan to Pay $55,000 Penalty to Resolve Air Quality, Waste Violations
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and Arizona Attorney General’s Office announced today that LiquidTitan, LLC has agreed to pay a $55,000 penalty under a consent judgment for air quality and waste violations at its used oil and petroleum facility in Parker, Arizona.
ADEQ inspections over a four-year period revealed a host of violations at the refinery, which produces gasoline, diesel fuel, and used oil fuels. The air violations included failing to stop releases of volatile organic compounds because vapor leaks and blockages in the vent lines to the refinery flare kept emissions from being controlled; burning of used oil fuel without an air quality permit revision; and failure to comply with self-inspection, sampling, testing, record keeping, and reporting requirements.
The waste violations included failing to stop releases of used fuel oil to the soil from tanks and leaking valves; constructing and operating used oil storage and processing tanks without required backup containment; failure to label, properly store and dispose of used oil sludge containing elevated concentrations of lead and chlorine without a hazardous waste permit; and failure to properly screen or sample used oil for a variety of contaminants. LiquidTitan has hired environmental management firms and spent about $900,000 since 2006 to return to and maintain compliance.
“Environmental stewardship is always good business because it saves money over the long run and reduces risk to public health. In this case, the company has stepped forward to fix air and waste violations and invest in long term compliance and that’s good news for the environment and economy of Arizona,” ADEQ Director Benjamin H. Grumbles said.
“Any company handling used oil products needs to rigorously comply with state standards to protect the health of our citizens and our environment,” Attorney General Terry Goddard said. The consent judgment is subject to court approval.
California Offers New Rebates for Clean Vehicles
The California Air Resources Board (ARB) has announced $3.7 million in rebates for zero-emission and plug-in hybrid vehicle rebates for California drivers as part of an overall $42.3 million program that Governor Schwarzenegger approved in 2007 to spur technological innovation in the transportation sector.
The rebates offer up to $5,000 for the purchase of zero-emission and plug-in hybrid light-duty vehicles and up to $20,000 for the purchase of ARB-certified or approved zero-emission commercial vehicles on a first-come, first-served basis. Funding for the program comes from a dedicated revenue stream that draws from smog abatement, vehicle registration, and vessel registration fees.
“These rebates will make cleaner cars more affordable for California consumers and give businesses and local governments an incentive to add advanced vehicles to their fleets,” said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. “The monies get innovative vehicle technologies on the road more quickly so California can meet its clean air and climate change goals.”
Rebates are available to individuals, business owners, and government entities in California that purchase or lease new eligible zero-emission or plug-in hybrid electric light-duty vehicles now. Eligible vehicles are cars, trucks, commercial medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, motorcycles or neighborhood electric vehicles.
In October 2007, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed AB 118 which provides approximately $200 million annually through 2015 to the California Energy Commission, the Bureau of Automotive Repair, and the ARB to fund air quality improvement projects that will accelerate clean engine technologies. ARB was appropriated approximately $42.3 million to fund air quality improvement programs that will pay for cleaner equipment such as hybrid truck and buses, zero-emission and plug-in hybrid cars, and motorcycles. The amount of funding available to pay for these technologies is dependent on the amount of revenues generated from vehicle and smog abatement fees.
Cars and trucks account for over half of the emissions that contribute to ozone and particulate matter as well as about 30% of the total greenhouse gas emissions in California. Zero-emission vehicles and near-zero emission vehicles are a key element of California’s plan for attaining health-based air quality as required in the federal Clean Air Act.
Exhaust from cars and trucks have been known to exacerbate a variety of conditions such as lung and heart disease, and asthma, and even contribute to premature death. Cleaner vehicles reduce California smog and climate change emissions, and save consumers money.
New NOAA Web Site Identifies Broader Impacts of Sea Ice Loss
Melting sea ice may sound like a regional or local problem, but NOAA’s new Arctic Future Web site shows that changes in the Arctic can also influence weather in the mid-latitudes, where a large part of the global human population lives. These research efforts are part of the climate services that NOAA provides to businesses, communities, and governments so they may make informed decisions to safeguard their social and economic well-being.
Aimed at everyone from students to researchers, the site brings together easy-to-understand cause-and-effect-graphics with links to the scientific literature that backs up the statements.
The site’s features include:
- Explanation of global weather and climate impacts from loss of summer sea ice
- Exploration of key Arctic science and policy issues
- Satellite measurements of Arctic sea ice loss
- Frequently asked questions about the Arctic
- “Pulling this information together on one Web site is a way to highlight the continuing loss of Arctic sea ice in summer and its broader implications for climate,” said James Overland, a NOAA oceanographer at NOAA’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory whose work appears on the new site. “For example, climate models show that changes in the Arctic can impact weather in the mid-latitudes including the United States, Europe, and Asia.”
$23,000 Penalty for Diesel Emissions Violations
The California ARB has settled with SMART Refrigerated Transport for $23,000 for diesel emissions violations at its Modesto, California facility. An ARB investigation showed SMART Refrigerated Transport failed to properly inspect their diesel vehicles in 2008.
“Diesel exhaust is the most common air toxic pollutant in California and is a serious hazard to public health,” said ARB Enforcement Chief James Ryden. “ARB enforcement staff offer training to company employees who need current information on clean-air requirements.”
The law requires owners of California-registered truck fleets to regularly inspect their vehicles to ensure that their engine emissions meet state air quality standards.
SMART Refrigerated Transport is required to:
- Guarantee employees responsible for conducting the inspections attend a California community college training class on diesel emissions compliance testing and provide certificates of completion within one year;
- Provide documentation to ARB that the inspections are being carried out for the next four years;
- Ensure all heavy-duty diesel vehicles have their software updated with the latest low-NOx (oxides of nitrogen emissions) programming;
- Instruct vehicle operators to comply with the state’s idling regulations and other applicable regulations; and
- Ensure all diesel truck engines are up to federal emissions standards for the vehicle model year and are properly labeled with an emission control certification label.
SMART Refrigerated Transport paid $23,000 in penalties: $17,250 went to the California Air Pollution Control Fund for projects and research to improve California’s air quality. The Peralta Community College District received $5,750 to fund emissions education classes conducted by participating California community colleges.
Michigan Municipal Separate Storm Water Sewer System Permit Workshops
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment is presenting a workshop to provide compliance assistance to municipalities that have received permit coverage to discharge storm water from their Municipal Separate Storm Water Sewer System. This workshop will be held in Lansing on March 29, Holland on April 12, Bay City on April 14, and Detroit on April 20.
The workshop will provide assistance in the development of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Initiative or Storm Water Management Program. Presenters will focus in detail on developing a representative sampling program for total maximum daily load waterbodies, understanding post-construction storm water control for new development and redevelopment requirements, and developing and implementing a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWP3) for municipal fleet maintenance and storage yards. Please note that the SWP3 training will focus on municipal facilities and will not cover industrial facilities.
This workshop is recommended for managers of municipal facilities, municipal planners, municipal officials, and environmental consultants.
The registration fee of $25 includes lunch and workshop materials.
Quikrete-Cleveland to Pay Penalty for Violating Ohio’s Air Pollution Control Laws
On numerous occasions in 2007 and 2008, Quikrete’s facility at 2693 Lake Rockwell Road in Shalersville Township exceeded visible particulate emissions limits established in its permit. The company failed to adequately control dust emissions from its building, roadways, and parking areas, and caused dust fallout on a neighboring residence. The company also failed to properly maintain records and submit deviation reports on time.
The violations were documented by the Akron Regional Air Quality Management District, Ohio EPA’s contractual representative for administering the air pollution control program in Portage County.
To further reduce dust emissions, Quikrete will apply $36,250 of its penalty toward the cost of paving an unpaved storage area at the facility. Total cost of the paving project will exceed $65,000. The remaining $16,250 of the penalty will go to support the Ohio Environmental Education Fund, and state and local air pollution control programs.
EPA Orders DuPont Belle Facility to Take Safety Measures
EPA ordered E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company to review environmental safety procedures at its industrial plant in Belle, West Virginia, where the release of phosgene gas in January led to the death of a DuPont employee.
The order results from an EPA inspection of the facility following three releases in January, including the release that caused the death. Based on EPA’s inspection and available information about the operation of the facility, EPA has determined that the facility has not satisfied Clean Air Act requirements that are designed to help prevent accidental releases and minimize the consequences of releases that do occur. The alleged violations include:
- Failure to identify hazards which may result from releases using appropriate hazard assessment techniques;
- Failure to design and maintain a safe facility; and
- Failure to minimize the consequences of accidental releases that do occur.
EPA’s order requires DuPont to, among other things, review all of the facility processes that may pose a threat of accidental releases, provide a report to EPA detailing the review, and implement any modifications to standard operating procedures that are warranted as a result of this review. The order provides that DuPont may request a conference with EPA concerning the alleged violations and requirements of the order.
Throughout the on-going investigation, EPA has coordinated with the Chemical Safety Board (CSB), OSHA, and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.
11 Businesses Referred to Missouri Attorney General for Failure to Pay Hazardous Waste Fees
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has referred 11 businesses to the Missouri Attorney General’s Office to pursue legal action for failure to pay hazardous waste-related fees from fiscal year 2008 in violation of Missouri’s Hazardous Waste Management Law.
Businesses that generate, handle, or dispose of hazardous waste in Missouri pay fees, including hazardous waste generator registration fees and in-state hazardous waste disposal fees. These fees help fund the department’s Hazardous Waste Program, which protects Missouri’s environmental and public health from threats posed by hazardous waste.
One important function of the Hazardous Waste Program is to keep track of businesses that deal with hazardous waste to ensure the waste is properly and safely handled. If a hazardous waste spill does occur, the department uses these funds to make sure the contamination is properly cleaned up.
The following Missouri businesses were referred for failure to pay 2008 fees:
- Atlanta C3 in Atlanta, Missouri
- Baltimore Avenue Investors, LLC in Kansas City
- Brake Resources Inc. in O’ Fallon
- Don Brown Dodge in St. Louis
- Doug Jenkins Custom Hot Rods Inc. in St. Louis
- Lloyd’s Cleaners in Springfield
- O’Sullivan Industries Inc. in Lamar
- Par Enterprises in St. Louis
- Progressive Moulded Products in St. Joseph
- Score Facility Former in Pevely
- Sugar Creek Cleaners in High Ridge
The department is asking the attorney general to seek the amount that is due in outstanding fees including late fees.
$18,500 Penalty for Failure to Comply with Asbestos Regulations
New Hampshire Attorney General Michael A. Delaney and Commissioner Thomas S. Burack, of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, announce a settlement between the State and Lee Jackson, to resolve violations of the State’s asbestos management and control regulations. The settlement imposes a $18,500 penalty, $5,000 of which will be paid to the State and $13,500 of which will be permanently suspended if Jackson does not violate the settlement or State asbestos management and control regulations again within two years of the entry of the settlement agreement.
In its lawsuit, the State alleged that Jackson violated the Asbestos Management and Control Act (RSA Chapter 141-E) and State asbestos regulations by demolishing buildings in Bath, Whitefield, and Hebron without conducting pre-demolition inspections for asbestos-containing materials (ACM), and without notifying the Department of Environmental Services at least ten days prior to beginning the demolitions.
New Hampshire’s asbestos regulations help protect workers and the public from inhaling airborne asbestos fibers. “Asbestos containing material still exists in many homes and other structures throughout the State,” said Commissioner Burack. “The law requires that prior to renovating or demolishing a building, the owner have the building inspected by a trained asbestos inspector.”
“Contractors are required to comply with the asbestos management and control regulations. Those who ignore the inspection and notification requirements, such as Mr. Jackson, should be fined,” said Attorney General Delaney.
$450,000 Penalty for Failure to Develop Facility Response Plan
NuStar Pipeline Operating Partnership LP, of San Antonio, Texas, has also agreed to spend an additional $768,000 on a supplemental environmental project to install and operate tank volume monitoring and alarm systems at several of its facilities, according to a consent decree filed today in U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska, in Omaha.
NuStar’s affected facilities include those in LeMars, Milford, and Rock Rapids, Iowa; Hutchinson and Salina, Kansas; and Columbus, Geneva and Norfolk, Nebraska. The eight facilities have a combined storage capacity of more than 71 million gallons of oil.
The Clean Water Act requires facilities that store large quantities of oil to develop response plans that outline procedures for addressing “worst-case” discharges of oil. By being prepared and by conducting required response drills, facilities are better situated to prevent environmental harm from such releases.
EPA initially discovered several NuStar facilities did not have facility response plans during inspections in 2006. The company subsequently prepared plans for each of the facilities after EPA initiated an investigation.
“Oil storage and pipeline companies are required to have proper spill prevention and response plans in order to comply with the Clean Water Act,” said Ignacia S. Moreno, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The penalty imposed reflects the serious nature of non-compliance with these important requirements. We are pleased that NuStar has come into compliance with the law and that it will be upgrading its emergency control equipment. We call upon other companies to do the same.”
“Protecting Nebraska surface water is achieved by this settlement and a strong message is sent that we will not tolerate disregard for compliance with the Clean Water Act,” said Deborah R. Gilg, U.S. Attorney for the District of Nebraska.
“These are some of the largest oil storage terminals not just in the region, but in the United States,” EPA Regional Administrator Karl Brooks said. “The importance of complying with requirements for spill responses and emergency preparedness cannot be overstated. Proper preparation for spills and emergencies can help avoid large-scale environmental disasters.”
Illinois DOT Pays $100,000 Penalty for Failure to Comply with Storm Water Rule
EPA Region 5 issued a complaint and final order against the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for failure to comply with storm water rules for the Route 22/12 project in Lake Zurich.
The complaint cited IDOT for violating water quality standards, failing to maintain proper erosion controls at the site, failing to conduct inspections, and failing to maintain proper records. IDOT has corrected the problems at the site and has paid a penalty of $100,000.
“EPA worked with IDOT to correct erosion and sediment control problems on site and with the Village of Lake Zurich to clean and reroute a part of its storm sewer system,” said Tinka Hyde, Region 5 water division director.
In an effort to protect our waterways, federal Clean Water Act requirements mandate practices to protect human health and the environment. By issuing complaints, EPA is sending a message to construction site operators, public or private, that these regulations must be met.
EPA to Study Impact of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water
Natural gas plays a key role in our nation’s clean energy future and the process known as hydraulic fracturing is one way of accessing that vital resource. There are concerns that hydraulic fracturing may impact ground water and surface water quality in ways that threaten human health and the environment. To address these concerns and strengthen our clean energy future and in response to language inserted into the fiscal year 2010 Appropriations Act, EPA is re-allocating $1.9 million for this comprehensive, peer-reviewed study for FY10 and requesting funding for FY11 in the president’s budget proposal.
“Our research will be designed to answer questions about the potential impact of hydraulic fracturing on human health and the environment,” said Dr. Paul T. Anastas, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “The study will be conducted through a transparent, peer-reviewed process, with significant stakeholder input.”
EPA is in the very early stages of designing a hydraulic fracturing research program. The agency is proposing the process begin with (1) defining research questions and identifying data gaps; (2) conducting a robust process for stakeholder input and research prioritization; (3) with this input, developing a detailed study design that will undergo external peer-review, leading to (4) implementing the planned research studies.
To support this initial planning phase and guide the development of the study plan, the agency is seeking suggestions and comments from the EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB)—an independent, external federal advisory committee. The agency has requested that the Environmental Engineering Committee (EEC) of the SAB evaluate and provide advice on EPA’s proposed approach. The agency will use this advice and extensive stakeholder input to guide the design of the study.
Hydraulic fracturing is a process that drills vertical and horizontal cracks underground that help withdraw gas, or oil, from coalbeds, shale and other geological formations. While each site is unique, in general, the process involves vertical and horizontal drilling, taking water from the ground, injecting fracturing fluids and sands into the formation, and withdrawing gas and separating and managing the leftover waters.
A federal register notice was issued March 18, announcing a SAB meeting April 7-8.
EPA to Increase Restrictions on Flea and Tick Products
Due to a significant increase in adverse incidents, the EPA is taking a series of actions to increase the safety of spot-on pesticide products for flea and tick control for cats and dogs. Immediately, EPA will begin reviewing labels to determine which ones need stronger and clearer labeling statements. Next, EPA will develop more stringent testing and evaluation requirements for both existing and new products. EPA expects these steps will help prevent adverse reactions. In dogs and cats that can include skin effects, such as irritation, redness, or gastrointestinal problems that include vomiting or diarrhea, or effects to the nervous system, such as trembling, appearing depressed or seizures—from pet spot-on products.
“EPA is committed to better protecting the health and safety of pets and families in all communities across our nation,” said Steve Owens, assistant administrator of EPA’s Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances. “New restrictions will be placed on these products, and pet owners need to carefully read and follow all labeling before exposing your pet to a pesticide.”
Following the 2008 increase in incident reports, EPA received additional information from the pet spot-on pesticide registrants and others and began an intensive evaluation of these products. EPA is reporting the results of this evaluation, and taking steps to address the spike in reported incidents.
Among immediate actions that EPA will pursue are:
- Requiring manufacturers of spot-on pesticide products to improve labeling, making instructions clearer to prevent product misuse.
- Requiring more precise label instructions to ensure proper dosage per pet weight.
- Requiring clear markings to differentiate between dog and cat products, and disallowing similar brand names for dog and cat products. Similar names may have led to misuse.
- Requiring additional changes for specific products, as needed, based on product-specific evaluations.
- When new products are registered, granting only conditional, time-limited registrations to allow for post-marketing product surveillance. If there are incidents of concern associated with the product, EPA will take appropriate regulatory action.
- Restricting the use of certain inert ingredients that EPA finds may contribute to the incidents.
- Launching a consumer information campaign to explain new label directions and to help users avoid making medication errors.
In addition, to improve the regulatory oversight of pet products, EPA will require more standardized post-market surveillance reporting on adverse effects, require submission of more sales information so the agency can better evaluate incident rates, and bring up-to-date the scientific data requirements on pre- and post-market testing so they are more in line with the Food and Drug Administration’s requirements.
Flea and tick products can be appropriate treatments for protecting pets and public health because fleas and ticks can transmit disease to animals and humans. While most people use the products with no harm to their pets, the agency’s analysis determined that smaller dogs tend to be disproportionately affected by some products and that the exposure of cats to some dog products is a concern.
People should carefully follow label directions and monitor their pets for any signs of an adverse reaction after application, particularly when using these products for the first time.
EPA recommends that owners consult a veterinarian about the best way to protect their pets from fleas and ticks or whether pesticides are needed, especially before using any product on weak, aged, medicated, sick, pregnant or nursing pets, or on pets that have previously shown signs of sensitivity to pesticide products.
EPA is coordinating these actions with Health Canada as Canada also identified similar concerns about the use of spot-on flea and tick products last year, and with the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine.
New Chemicals Recommended for Listing Under the Rotterdam Convention
United Nations chemical experts have recommended that two pesticides—endosulfan and azinphos methyl—be included in the Rotterdam Convention’s “Prior Informed Consent” procedure. The Convention’s Chemical Review Committee based its recommendation on a review of national regulatory actions to ban these chemicals, due to unacceptable risks to human health and the environment.
The Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure provides an early warning system that empowers countries to take informed decisions whether or not to import hazardous chemicals, in order to minimize the risks posed to human health and the environment. At present there are a total of 29 pesticides and 11 industrial chemicals subject to the PIC procedure.
Endosulfan
Endosulfan is an organochlorine insecticide and acaricide used in crops worldwide. It is mainly used on cotton, coffee, and tea. Endosulfan is a persistent organic pollutant (POP) and can act as an endocrine disruptor, causing reproductive and developmental damage in both animals and humans.
The Chemical Review Committee of the Rotterdam Convention has considered notifications to ban or severely restrict endosulfan from 16 countries: Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, C?te d’Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Jordan, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Senegal and Thailand, and the European Union.
The Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee of the Stockholm Convention adopted a risk profile on endosulfan at its fifth meeting (October 12-16, 2009) and currently is developing a draft risk management evaluation which will be considered at its next meeting in October 2010.
As the result of the review of notifications received from eight African countries and the European Union, the Committee concluded that the criteria has been met and agreed to a decision guidance document for endosulfan drafted and approved by the Rotterdam Convention’s Chemical Review Committee and will forward the recommendation to list endosulfan in Annex III to the Convention to Conference of the Parties for consideration at its fifth meeting in June 2011.
Chemicals listed in Annex III trigger a request to all Parties that they take a decision as to whether they will allow future import of the chemical.
Azinphos-methyl
The Chemicals Review Committee considered notifications on azinphos-methyl received from two countries. Azinphos-methyl is a broad spectrum organophosphate insecticide. It is a neurotoxin derived from nerve agents developed during World War II which is mainly used on different crops of vegetables and on several kinds of fruit trees.
The Chemical Review Committee considered azinphos-methyl for inclusion in Annex III. As the result of the review of notifications, the Committee concluded that the criteria for inclusion of the pesticide have been met. It further agreed to prepare a draft decision guidance document for the substance.
The recommendation to include these two pesticides in the PIC procedure will be forwarded to the fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention in June 2011.
Other Pesticides
Many pesticides, that have been banned or severely restricted for use in industrialized countries, are still traded and used in developing countries. Such pesticides are often sold to farmers who lack the equipment and knowledge to use them safely, resulting in large numbers of injuries and even deaths.
Similarly industrial chemicals, such as lead additives to boost octane levels in gasoline, are still used in certain regions of the world, resulting in a build up of lead in the environment and adverse health impacts on their populations, especially the intellectual development of children. Likewise, asbestos, with its proven health impacts is still being produced and used widely.
Jointly supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Rotterdam Convention prevents unwanted trade in the chemicals included in its legally binding prior informed consent (PIC) procedure.
The Rotterdam Convention does not introduce bans but is an information exchange mechanism to help improve decision making about the trade of hazardous chemicals. It enables member Governments to alert each other to potential dangers by exchanging information on chemicals and to take informed decisions with regard to whether they want to import such chemicals in the future.
The Convention makes the international trade in hazardous chemicals more transparent and less vulnerable to abuse through its export notification provisions, and by encouraging harmonized labeling of chemicals. Exporting member Governments are responsible for ensuring that no exports leave their territory when an importing country has made the decision not to accept a PIC chemical.
In this way, the Rotterdam Convention helps member Governments to improve their national capacity for chemicals management, avoid environmental and health tragedies and minimize clean-up costs. It also encourages the chemicals industry to identify and promote safer alternatives.
Bill Would Give Consumers Access to Home Energy Information
The bill, the Electricity Consumers’ Right to Know Act is part of the larger effort to establish an American Smart Grid that combines the advances in telecommunications technologies with a push for energy efficiency. E-KNOW would ensure consumers have secure, private, electricity information access in near real-time for the 80 million homes and businesses that are expected to be outfitted with “smart meters” by the end of this decade.
Even for those consumers without smart meters, simply having better information about their electricity use has been shown to reduce total consumption by 5 to 15%, providing annual savings of $60 to 180 for the average American household.
The e-KNOW bill fulfills two key recommendations of the National Broadband Plan released by the Federal Communications Commission. Specifically, the plan recommends Congress consider national legislation to cover consumer privacy and ensure consumers’ accessibility to their energy data, and the e-KNOW bill would do exactly that. It also adopts the Plan’s recommendation that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission develop national standards for consumer energy data accessibility that will help utilities and state regulatory agencies formulate their policies.
“We’ve gone from the black rotary dial phone to the Blackberry, but when it comes to electricity information, we still have to dial-up our utilities and ask for information,” continued Rep. Markey. “With my e-KNOW bill and a new, American-built Smart Grid, the same people who work on killer apps for an iPhone will now help you know how much energy you use from your iFridge, iStove, or IToaster.”
Providing customers with access to their energy use will not happen by itself. One recent study of a number of large utilities found that of the almost 17 million new smart meters they planned on delivering to consumers, only 35% had clear plans to provide customer access to the data. Less than 1% of these utilities’ customers have real-time access to electricity data today.
Google and Microsoft are just two of the companies that have already created web-based energy visualization tools. The e-KNOW act will allow new energy information entrepreneurs to flourish, and will help American consumers and businesses save money through a fully-deployed Smart Grid. With full roll-out of smart grid technologies, the Pacific Northwest National Lab estimates that conservation efforts resulting from consumers’ access to information will reduce residential and commercial electricity demand by 6%. This would save businesses and consumers more than $15 billion annually and reduce carbon dioxide emissions significantly: 92 million metric tons annually in 2030, equal to the emissions of 16 large coal power plants.
“e-KNOW will give electricity consumers the power to stop looking at a monthly utility bill to know what it all costs, and instead go on the web and know what a watt costs that very minute,” concluded Rep. Markey. “Consumers have a right to know this information, and e-KNOW will provide it.”
Brian Karnofsky Jailed for Muscular Dystrophy, Jailers Blocked Bail Website
Brian has been arrested and will be put in jail for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) lock-up. We need to collect $2,000 for the MDA to help bail him out. Your tax deductible donation will help MDA continue research into the causes and cures for 43 neuromuscular diseases.
If you enjoy reading the Environmental Tip of the Week™, now is the time to help us give hope to kids and families that need our help. Brian’s jailers broke his website link, thinking that they could keep him in jail indefinitely. However, the website has been fixed.
Brian is the President of Environmental Resource Center. Many of you helped bail him out in 2007, 2008, and 2009, but he’s on his way back to jail this year. Don’t bother asking what crimes he’s committed—just know that we need your help bailing him out.
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Trivia Question of the Week
Environmental Resource Center uses solar power to operate its offices in Cary, NC. In the past two months, the C02 offset by this solar system is equivalent to planting approximately how many trees?
a. 10
b. 20
c. 30
d. 50
