Tests Find Consumer Products Tainted with PCBs

 Forty-nine, or 72%, of the products contained at least one of four PCB types.

Washington Governor Inslee's Clean Water Initiative to update water quality standards and reduce toxic threats includes PCBs as a key chemical of concern. The Washington Department of Ecology has drafted a chemical action plan identifying PCB sources in the state and recommending ways to reduce exposures. The plan is open for public comment August 6 to October 6, 2014.

Items tested in the study include paper products, paints and colorants, caulking, printer ink, and some product packaging.  The study focused on four PCB types that previous studies have linked to pigments and dyes. A future report will include results for all 209 PCB types.

"Although PCBs were banned for most uses in 1979, they are often inadvertently produced at lower—but still problematic—levels during manufacturing processes," said Alex Stone, lead chemist on the project. "Concentrations in each product are low. However, the large number of products that contain PCBs add up to significant releases to the environment."

PCBs have toxic effects to the immune, reproductive, nervous, and hormone-regulation systems in humans and other living things. PCBs also cause cancer in animals and are considered likely to cause cancer in humans.

PCB contamination is widespread throughout Washington and found in almost every waterbody in the state. Contamination levels are high enough to require cleanup plans in several areas, including the Lower Duwamish Waterway, Spokane River, Wenatchee River, and Lake Washington. Ecology also found elevated PCB levels in the Puget Sound basin and estimated releases as part of the Puget Sound Toxics Assessment.

Ecology has begun a second round of testing for PCBs in consumer products with a focus on yellow, green, and blue paints and colorants, colored clothing, cosmetics, soaps, office products, and products used by children, such as fingerpaints and comic books. Some of this testing will help state agencies comply with a new law requiring agencies to only buy PCB-free products.

Houston RCRA and DOT Training

 

Charlotte RCRA, DOT, and Storm Water Training

 

Nashville RCRA and DOT Training

 

EPA's New Solvent Wipe, Shop Towel Rule Demystified

 

• Does the rule apply to both cloth and paper wipes and rags?
• What solvents can be on the towels, and which are prohibited?
• Does the rule also apply to towels that contain characteristic hazardous waste?
• Can P or U-listed wastes be on the towels?
• How must the towels be stored on-site?
• Do they need to be tested for anything?
• How long can they be stored?
• How must the containers be marked or labeled?
• How must they be prepared for transportation?
• Where can you ship them and what are the disposal and recycling options?
• What are the documentation requirements?
• How is the new rule impacted by current state regulations?

 

Training on New Rules for Lithium Battery Shipments

These changes are designed to ensure that lithium cells and batteries are able to withstand normal transportation conditions and are packaged to reduce the possibility of damage that could lead to an unsafe situation.

 

• Enhance packaging and hazard communication requirements for lithium batteries transported by air
• Replace equivalent lithium content with Watt-hours for lithium ion cells and batteries
• Adopt separate shipping descriptions for lithium metal batteries and lithium ion batteries
• Revise provisions for the transport of small and medium lithium cells and batteries including cells and batteries packed with, or contained in, equipment
• Eliminate the exceptions for small cells and batteries in air transportation, except with respect to extremely small cells packed with or contained in equipment
• Revise the requirements for the transport of lithium batteries for disposal or recycling
• Harmonize the provisions for the transport of low production and prototype lithium cells and batteries with the ICAO Technical Instructions and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code
• Adopt new provisions for the transport of damaged, defective, and recalled lithium batteries

If you ship batteries by ground or air, you must comply with the latest DOT and IATA/ICAO regulations that specify how the batteries must be packaged, marked, labeled, and transported. The rules apply not only to batteries, but also to equipment or vehicles that contain batteries as well as batteries packed along with equipment. Virtually all types of batteries are regulated, including lithium, lead-acid, nickel cadmium, and metal hydride alkaline. According to 49 CFR 172.704, all personnel involved in the classification, packaging, marking, labeling, or shipment of batteries must receive initial and recurrent transportation training.

These webcasts are designed to meet the DOT’s for hazmat employee training of personnel responsible for the shipment of batteries. 

Nature Inspires a Greener Way to Make Colorful Plastics

Long before humans figured out how to create colors, nature had already perfected the process—think stunning, bright butterfly wings of many different hues, for example. Now scientists are tapping into those secrets to develop a more environmentally friendly way to make colored plastics. 

N. Asger Mortensen, Anders Kristensen, and colleagues point out that currently, plastic manufacturers add pigments to their products. That gives them the range of colors customers have come to expect in everything from toys to tools. But these additional ingredients add to the growing waste stream of plastics manufacturing and make it difficult to recycle products. To come up with a more eco-friendly alternative, Mortensen’s team turned to highly advanced materials that can be made to appear in different colors—purely by designing their surface structures at the nanoscopic level.

They layered materials, including ultrathin, nano-sized aluminum disks, in a way that manipulates light and creates a new kind of colored surface. To protect it from damage, the scientists topped it off with a scratch-resistant film. Using this method, they created a wide spectrum of colors that could be added to plastics.

New York DEC to Revise Used Oil, Chemical Storage, and Petroleum Regulations

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has proposed changes to update and consolidate Petroleum Bulk Storage (PBS) and Chemical Bulk Storage (CBS) regulations, DEC Commissioner Joe Martens announced last week. The proposed changes would clarify existing requirements and should therefore make it easier for those who store bulk amounts of petroleum or hazardous substances/chemicals in tank systems to comply with equipment and handling standards needed to prevent contamination of soil, groundwater, surface water, and public water supplies.

"Consolidating, updating and clarifying our bulk storage regulations will bring together many changes made over the years to several state and federal laws and regulations," said Commissioner Martens. "Our proposed changes will allow us to improve environmental standards while making it easier for the owners and operators of nearly 40,000 facilities in New York State to comply."

The modified proposed modifications to the regulations, subject to public comment are: the PBS regulations (6 NYCRR Parts 612-614); the CBS regulations (6 NYCRR Parts 595-599); the Used Oil Management regulations (6 NYCRR Subpart 374-2) and the Hazardous Waste Management regulations (6 NYCRR section 370.1(e)(2)). Parts 612-614 would be repealed and replaced with a combined Part 613, and Part 595 would be repealed and Parts 596-599 would be amended. Subpart 374-2 and section 370.1(e)(2) would also be revised to reflect changes in the federal regulations.

To maximize opportunities for public input, DEC released the proposed changes to the PBS and CBS regulations for informal public comment in August 2013. DEC modified the proposed rule in response to the comments received, and the revised proposals reflecting stakeholder input are now being released for formal public comment. Due to the many issues addressed by these regulations, DEC is providing a 90-day public comment period for these proposed rule makings, which ends on Tuesday, November 4, 2014.

These proposed regulations represent Phase I of a planned two-phase rule making process. Phase II will be proposed after the EPA finalizes its rule making process that is currently underway to revise the federal regulations governing the storage of petroleum and hazardous substances in underground storage tanks (USTs) (40 CFR Parts 280-281).

Phase I is intended to accomplish three important goals:


• Incorporate changes in state and federal laws, particularly the requirement for tank system operators to receive special training and to describe in more detail DEC's authority to prohibit deliveries of petroleum and hazardous substances to tank systems that are in significant non-compliance with the regulations
• Consolidate existing state PBS and CBS requirements and most federal UST requirements so that they are in one set of regulations
• Make the PBS regulations more consistent with the federal regulations, particularly regarding key definitions and the structure of the regulations

DEC is providing the following opportunities for public involvement:

Webinar

August 26, 2014 from 10 a.m. –noon

 

Public Information Meetings

September 4, 2014 – Albany: Empire State Plaza, Meeting Room 6; 1 p.m.–4 p.m.

September 9, 2014 – New York City: St. Francis College, Founders Hall, 180 Remsen Street, Brooklyn; 9:30 a.m.–noon; 1:30 p.m. –4 p.m.; and 7 p.m.–9:30 p.m.

September 11, 2014 – Rochester: RIT Inn and Conference Center, 5257 W. Henrietta Road, Henrietta; 2 p.m.–5 p.m. and 7 p.m.–9:30 p.m.

 

Formal Public Hearings

Two public hearings will be held at the three locations below, starting at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. These hearing locations are accessible to persons with impaired mobility.

• October 14, 2014 – Albany: Empire State Plaza, Meeting Room 6
• October 16, 2014 – Rochester: RIT Inn and Conference Center, 5257 W. Henrietta Road, Henrietta
• October 23, 2014 – New York City: St. Francis College, Founders Hall, 180 Remsen Street, Brooklyn

A public information meeting will also be held from 1 p.m.–2:30 p.m. prior to each afternoon public hearing.

The public is invited to submit written comments about the proposed regulations through Tuesday, November 4, 2014.  Alternatively, written comments may be mailed to Mr. Russ Brauksieck, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Environmental Remediation, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233-7020.

Western Washington Municipal Stormwater Permits Updated

 

Stormwater is typically rain that runs off rooftops, paved streets, highways and parking lots. Along the way, it can pick up pollution from oil, fertilizers, pesticides, soil, trash, and animal waste. Then the water might flow untreated directly into a local stream, bay, lake or waterway.

The Department of Ecology proposes modifications to the August 2012 municipal stormwater permits for Western Washington only, and has made the changes available for public review.

The changes are required due to rulings by the state Pollution Control Hearings Board to resolve appeals of the permits. The changes include:

• Technical issues around low-impact development
• Watershed planning
• Definitions
• Western Washington Stormwater Manual

The public comment period ends October 6. Ecology expects to finalize the permits in December 2014.

T.C. Dunham Fined $90,000 for Hazardous Waste Violations

EPA inspections revealed the company had generated hazardous wastes that were improperly labeled and stored in Yonkers. As part of the agreement, T.C. Dunham Paint Company will come into compliance with all federal hazardous waste laws and pay a $90,000 penalty.

"EPA inspectors found more than 100 drums of paints and solvents, many of which were leaking and corroded," said EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. "Every business needs to comply with environmental laws to ensure that human health and the environment are not damaged."

Under federal hazardous waste law, hazardous chemicals must be stored, handled and disposed of properly to safeguard public health and the environment. Facilities must also have properly trained staff, since improperly stored hazardous waste can spill and pose a risk to people and the environment.

In May 2012, the EPA inspected T.C. Dunham's facility at 581 Saw Mill River Road in Yonkers. The inspection revealed hundreds of containers, including more than 100 drums of lacquers, oil based paints and solvents haphazardly stacked in an old truck and in outdoor locations at the facility. Many of the containers were unlabeled and corroded, and some were leaking.

 

• The failure to determine which substances should be considered hazardous waste to ensure that they are managed properly
• The failure to maintain and operate its facilities in a manner that minimized the possibility of a fire, explosion or accidental release of chemicals
• The failure to keep containers in good condition and the failure to transfer hazardous waste from a leaking container to a container that is in good condition
• The failure to label and identify the contents of individual drums to ensure their proper management

Electroplater Fined for Hazardous Waste Violations

 

 

 RCRA is designed to protect public health and the environment, and avoid costly cleanups, by requiring the safe, environmentally sound storage and disposal of hazardous waste.

Following an inspection by EPA and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection officials, EPA cited Hard Chrome for RCRA violations involving hazardous waste stored at the facility, including waste chromium, cadmium, lead, and electroless nickel waste. The alleged violations included: failure to make hazardous waste determinations, failure to properly manage containers of hazardous waste, failure to inspect a hazardous waste storage tank, and failure to update the facility contingency plan.

The settlement penalty reflects the company's compliance efforts, and its cooperation with EPA in the resolution of this matter. As part of the settlement, Hard Chrome has neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged violations, but has certified its compliance with applicable RCRA requirements.

Harvey Recycling Pays $1,000 Penalty for Violating Solid Waste Regulations

Harvey Recycling of Fitchburg, LLC, has paid a $1,000 penalty issued by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) for failing to have a certified asbestos inspector monitoring incoming loads of construction and demolition (C&D) waste at its Fitchburg transfer station.

Harvey Recycling of Fitchburg operates the transfer station under a permit issued by MassDEP. The permit allows the transfer station to receive up to 750 tons of waste per day, some of which can be C&D waste. The permit requires the company to follow a specific protocol for inspecting and managing that waste, and that protocol includes staffing the C&D waste-receiving area with a certified asbestos inspector whenever such waste is being received.
During a routine inspection on November 26, 2013, MassDEP observed that no certified asbestos inspector was present to monitor incoming C&D waste.

Under an agreement with MassDEP, Harvey Recycling of Fitchburg must pay the penalty, staff its C&D waste receiving area with an asbestos inspector as required by its permit and provide MassDEP with a list of certified inspectors it has retained for that purpose.

"Construction and demolition waste has the potential to include asbestos-containing materials. MassDEP requires facilities that handle this waste to have safeguards in place to identify it and manage it properly," said Lee Dillard Adams, director of MassDEP's Central Regional Office in Worcester. "In this case, the company quickly corrected the violation, ensuring that C&D waste will be properly monitored for suspect asbestos-containing materials at the facility."

Washington to Update Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule

The Department of Ecology is proposing amendments to Washington's greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting rule to ensure requirements remain efficient and consistent with the EPA’s rule. Businesses who currently report GHG emissions are encouraged to share ideas and suggestions for updating the rule.

The GHG reporting rule went into effect January 1, 2011. The Washington Legislature directed Ecology to periodically update the rule to maintain consistency with EPA’s rule.

The proposed amendments affect power plants, refineries, and other industrial facilities that report GHG emissions and update existing processes that save reporters time and money. Transportation fuel supplier reporters are not affected by the proposed changes.

Ecology will host a half-day stakeholder meeting to gather input and feedback from businesses currently reporting GHG emissions and other interested parties. The meeting will be 8:30 a.m.–12 p.m., Thursday, August 28, 2014, at Ecology Headquarters: 300 Desmond Drive SE, Lacey. 

MPCA Urges Minnesota Businesses to Apply for Industrial Stormwater Permit

The EPA and all states require industrial stormwater permit coverage for these industry sectors. This permit establishes risk-based monitoring objectives that can be reached through best management practices and site-based controls.

The permit affects 29 sectors of industries, ranging from timber products to chemical manufacturing, scrap recycling, landfills, air transportation and salvage yards.

Approximately 3,500 facilities currently have this permit, known as the Industrial Stormwater Multi-Sector General Permit, and all must re-apply before October 5, 2014. Other businesses and organizations that do not currently have a permit are advised to determine whether they need to have one.

Questions can be addressed to program staff at 651-757-2119 or 1-800-657-3864. The penalty for late applications, or failure to apply, is $400.

Stormwater generally refers to precipitation, snowmelt, and surface runoff as well as drainage to groundwater. It is one of the most common sources of water flowing into Minnesota lakes and streams. Stormwater permit regulations help facilities prevent, reduce, or control potential contamination of state surface and groundwater by restricting contact between pollutants and industrial equipment, machinery, raw materials, products, waste-handling equipment, and wastes.

Conan O’Brien Urges Californians to Save Water During Historic Drought

Comedian and television talk show host Conan O’Brien and sidekick Andy Richter may always be looking for laughs, but they’re taking California’s historic drought seriously by joining the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the State of California's drought awareness program, Save Our Water, in creating a new series of public service announcements to promote water conservation.

Six videos featuring the duo—and their humorous take on simple ways to save water—were released to challenge Californians to do their part in cutting personal water use by 20%.

 Conan and Andy not only inspire needed action with their humor, but they also prove they’re incredibly water smart.

"Governor Brown has called for everyone in California to cut their water use by 20%, and that includes famous comedians," says Steve Fleischli, director of NRDC's water program. "Conan and Andy, true to form, offer their unique twist on how to cut water use in our everyday lives. Mixing humor and advocacy is an effective way to reinforce the message that we can all do our part."


"Conan O'Brien's call for conservation will help us spread the message to even more Californians," said Mark Cowin, director of the California Department of Water Resources.

"As serious as this drought may be, Californians of all stripes can get behind Conan O'Brien’s humorous take on how to save water," said Tim Quinn, executive director of the Association of California Water Agencies.

Last month, Save Our Water released a short public service announcement on the drought by international pop superstar and five-time Grammy winner Lady Gaga.

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• Related NRDC blogs:
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Governor Brown has called on all Californians to reduce their water use by 20% and prevent water waste. 

California's Compliance Instrument Tracking System Service Updated

 CITSS is the record of ownership of compliance instruments; records information related to accounts; enables and records compliance instrument transfers; facilitates compliance instrument surrender; and supports market oversight through the collection of relevant information.

An update to CITSS is anticipated to be released on Thursday, August 28, 2014. CITSS Version 4.0 provides new status and reporting functionality for compliance obligations.

Training webinars on the expanded functionality included in CITSS 4.0 will be held on August 26, 2014, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time (PT) and August 27, 2014, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. PT. 

August 26, 2014 1:00–3:00 PT

 

August 27, 2014 9:00–11:00 PT

 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Following the release of CITSS 4.0, ARB staff will update CITSS accounts with 2013 emissions data previously submitted to ARB. CITSS will automatically send emails to account representatives informing them when emissions data for all of an entity’s facilities have been entered and approved.

All 2013 Annual Compliance Obligations will be processed within CITSS on November 3, 2014, at 5:00 PM PT. At that time an entity must have a sufficient quantity of eligible compliance instruments in its CITSS compliance account to meet the 2013 Annual Compliance Obligation.

EPA Finalizes 50th Greenhouse Gas Permit in Texas

EPA recently announced the final approval of the 50th GHG permit in Texas. In Texas alone, EPA has received 83 GHG permit applications from businesses since 2011. Texas is No. 1 in the country for receiving EPA-issued GHG permits for projects totaling well over $24 billion and creating over 20,000 construction jobs in the state.

"Today is a major milestone in the work EPA has done with businesses and the state of Texas to ensure our economy continues to thrive while promoting cleaner, more efficient energy production and use," said EPA Regional Administrator Ron Curry. "We share our success with TCEQ and the joint permitting program our agencies started last year to process business’ applications for permits."

Most recently, EPA issued three final GHG Prevention of Significant Deterioration construction permits for the Formosa Plastics Corporation facility in Point Comfort, Texas, near Victoria.

Formosa is expanding its chemical complex and taking three actions with its Turbines unit, Olefins unit, and Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) unit. The expansion alone will bring over $2 billion in capital investments, create 1800 construction jobs, and 225 long-term operations jobs in the local area.

Formosa will add two new gas-fired combined-cycle gas turbines to the existing chemical utility unit. Each turbine will have a capacity to generate 80 megawatts of electrical power. The existing utility plant will consist of the six existing General Electric 7EA gas-fired turbines plus the two new GE 7EA gas-fired turbines with duct burners.

In June 2010, EPA finalized national GHG regulations, which specify that beginning on January 2, 2011, projects that increase GHG emissions substantially will require an air permit.

EPA believes states are best equipped to run GHG air permitting programs. Texas is working to replace a federal implementation plan with its own state program, which will eliminate the need for businesses to seek air permits from EPA. This action will increase efficiency and allow for industry to continue to grow in Texas.

 EPA has finalized 50 GHG permits in Texas, proposed an additional four permits, and currently has 11 additional GHG permit applications under development in Texas.

EPA Finalizes Greenhouse Gas Permit for West Texas Power Plant

EPA has issued a final GHG Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) construction permit to the Invenergy Thermal Development, LLC, Ector County Energy Center, Ector County, Texas. The company plans to construct a new simple-cycle power generation facility.

"Facilities like Invenergy’s show Texas can provide power while cutting greenhouse gas emissions," said Regional Administrator Ron Curry. "Taking advantage of clean-burning natural gas is a win for business and the environment."

The company will construct two natural gas-fired simple-cycle combustion turbines at a new facility in Goldsmith, TX, near Odessa. The facility will house a natural gas-fired dew point heater, a fire-water pump engine, and circuit breakers. Once completed, the turbines will provide 165 megawatts of electricity. The expansion will bring $104 million in economic development to the local area.

In June 2010, EPA finalized national GHG regulations, which specify that beginning on January 2, 2011, projects that increase GHG emissions substantially will require an air permit.

EPA believes states are best equipped to run GHG air permitting programs. Texas is working to replace the federal implementation plan with its own State program, which will eliminate the need for businesses to seek air permits from EPA. This action will increase efficiency and allow industry to continue to grow in Texas.

 Most recently, EPA released a Clean Power Plan for existing power plants to cut carbon pollution by 30% below 2005 levels.

Savage Arms of Westfield Fined $6,000 for Violations of Environmental Regulations at Springdale Road Facility

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has penalized Savage Arms, Inc., $6,000 for violations of air quality, hazardous waste, and industrial wastewater regulations at its facility located on Springdale Road in Westfield, Massachusetts.

During a routine inspection of the facility in September 2013, MassDEP staff discovered violations that included failures to conduct a combustion efficiency test on a boiler, complete a hazardous waste determination, complete Toxic Use Reduction Act (TURA) filing and reporting requirements, incorrect filing of a hazardous waste manifest and the discharge in excess of 50,000 gallons per day of industrial wastewater to the sewer system without a permit.

Once informed of the violations, Savage Arms fully cooperated with MassDEP's investigation and quickly responded to correct the violations. As part of the settlement agreement, Savage Arms will pay $4,000 of the penalty and MassDEP agreed to suspend $2,000 of the penalty pending Savage's compliance with the terms of the agreement.

"Hazardous Waste, Air Quality and Industrial Wastewater regulations require industry to conduct testing, monitoring, reporting and keep accurate records to ensure compliance and proper management," said Michael Gorski, director of MassDEP's Western Regional Office in Springfield. "We appreciate the immediate actions taken by the company to correct the violations and anticipate future diligence to result in continued compliance."

Agere Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Fined $6,400 for Hazardous Waste Violations

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued a $ 6,400 penalty to Agere Pharmaceuticals, Inc., for hazardous waste violations. Agere Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is a pharmaceutical research and development company in Bend, Oregon. The violations relate to the transport, labeling, and safety precautions associated with hazardous materials. On numerous occasions in 2012, Agere Pharmaceuticals, Inc., transported hazardous waste without preparing a hazardous waste manifest, which identifies the type of waste during shipment.

The company also failed to maintain copies of the manifest in its site records for six shipments of hazardous wasted shipped in 2012. The company is required to make arrangements with police, fire, and emergency response teams to familiarize those agencies with the types of waste being handled at the facility, and with the hazards associated with each. Agere Pharmaceuticals, Inc., made no such arrangements with those agencies.

In March 2014, a DEQ inspection showed the company failed to properly label hazardous waste containers, some of which contained mercury, as required by state law. Agere Pharmaceutical promptly corrected the violations per DEQ’s recommendations. DEQ issued the penalty because improper transport, labeling, and management of hazardous wastes threatens public health and the environment.

Stormwater Violations at Air Force Academy Construction Site

The company will pay a civil penalty of $310,000.  The majority of these alleged violations involved the company’s repeated failure to comply with requirements in an EPA permit. 


“Keeping contaminated stormwater runoff out of the nation’s waterways is an EPA priority,” said Shaun McGrath, EPA’s regional administrator in Denver. “EPA and our partners encourage builders to use the tools and resources available to help them to comply with these regulations.” Stormwater permits issued under the Clean Water Act require that builders have controls in place at their construction sites to prevent the runoff of pollutants to nearby waterways. These include safeguards such as silt fences, phased site-grading, and sediment basins. Permits also require appropriate training for subcontractors and employees about pollution control practices.

 As stormwater flows over a construction site, it can pick up pollutants such as sediment, debris, and chemicals. It can then transport these to a nearby storm sewer system or directly to a river, lake, or coastal water. Polluted stormwater runoff can harm or kill fish and other wildlife. Sedimentation can destroy aquatic habitat, and high volumes of runoff can cause stream bank erosion.

The settlement is the latest in a series of EPA enforcement actions to address stormwater violations at construction sites around the country. Hunt Building, based in El Paso, Texas, is one of the nation’s leading companies engaged in building, renovating, and demolishing privatized housing at military bases.

Asbestos Contractor Fined $1,800 for Late Paperwork

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued a penalty totaling $1,800 to AAM, Inc., a licensed asbestos abatement contractor, for failing to submit to DEQ a required air clearance report within 30 days of completing an asbestos abatement project at 13075 NE Parrett Mountain Road in Newberg, Oregon.

The air clearance report form details the testing performed after the project to ensure the air is cleared of dangerous asbestos fibers. Without the form DEQ cannot determine if air testing was performed. Asbestos fibers are a respiratory hazard proven to cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. There is no known safe level of exposure to airborne asbestos fibers.

As a licensed asbestos abatement contractor, AAM, Inc., is expected to know Oregon’s laws and requirements concerning asbestos abatement and reporting requirements. Keeping accurate and timely records and submitting paperwork on time is a way for companies like AAM, Inc., to demonstrate to DEQ that the law is being followed and human health and the environment is protected. Prior to issuing this penalty, DEQ sent five warning letters to the company for failing to submit air clearance reports on time.

Trash Hauler Fined $18,370 for Environmental Violations at his Property

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has penalized Jeff C. Wilbur, a Lanesborough trash hauler, $18,370 for violations of the Commonwealth's solid waste and air quality regulations. The violations occurred at Wilbur's 558 North Main Street residence.

During 2011 and 2012, MassDEP conducted several inspections of Mr. Wilbur's property. MassDEP observed numerous dumpsters containing household garbage, demolition debris, computers, televisions, furniture, as well as uncontained discarded waste material strewn about the property. MassDEP also observed smoldering burn piles of solid waste and demolition debris.

In May 2012, MassDEP ordered Mr. Wilbur to cease and desist the illegal dumping and open burning and to remove the solid waste from the property. Although Mr. Wilbur did remove some of the material from the property after the order, he continued to bring more solid waste to the property and conducted additional open burning.

MassDEP has also issued a Unilateral Administrative Order to Richard Wilbur, the property owner, for the continuing violations. The order requires Mr. Wilbur to cleanup the property and to not allow illegal dumping and open burning at his property in the future.

"We have given Mr. Jeff Wilbur numerous opportunities and ample time to correct the violations. Solid waste must be managed in compliance with Massachusetts environmental laws and regulations," said Michael Gorski, director of MassDEP's Western Regional Office in Springfield.

Environmental News Links

 

Trivia Question of the Week

Which of the following is a real newspaper headline?

a) Pot smokers sue San Diego, say long drives to dispensaries pollute air

b) China to ban all coal use in Beijing by 2020

c) Boeing to make jet fuel from tobacco

d) Korean scientists store energy in used cigarette filters

e) All of the above