Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Training Institute (ETI) Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Regulations and Controls

Lesson Objectives Identify the use of environmental controls Identify the state and local authorities for environmental regulations

Environmental Release Cycle Use Production Activity Disposal To discuss environmental controls, we should start with the environmental release cycle. Under the release cycle there are things that people do which can have environmental aspects or impacts on air, water and waste generation. To start this discussion of environmental controls, we should begin with the activity. If the activity does not occur, the environmental aspect or impact will not occur either. If everyone was to stop driving cars and begin riding bikes, will the environmental aspects or impacts disappear? No. Bikes will still affect the roads or grounds. However, the number of contaminants released from a car will not occur. This will reduce the number of air emissions, water contaminants and waste generated. This will not happen. Since we are not going to stop doing “things” (i.e. use of materials, producing products or participating in activities), the EPA has established controls to minimize impacts to the environment.

Chemical Handling Chemical Handling: Workers Public Environment One of the many things we do involves chemical handling.

Endangered Species: Texas Jaguarundi (panhandle) Mexican Long-nosed bat (near El Paso and the border of Mexico) Ocelot (southern TX)

Health/Chemical Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Endangered Species Act (ESA) These standards are created and enforced by the EPA. FIFRA is focused on establishing pesticide controls. TSCA is focused on regulating toxic substance. These are very toxic substances like Asbestos, Lead-based paint. ESA is focused on regulating pesticide use that could impact an endangered species or an endangered species habitat. To minimize the environmental impacts of chemicals, the EPA has established regulations to implement these acts.

Chemical Handling Controls: Understand the hazard Identify the use Training/Certifications Labeling Notifications Within these regulations, there are specific controls to manage the activities to reduce environmental impacts. Most of the controls involve: Understand the hazard. In these regulations, there are requirements to communicate hazard information. For example, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) has requirements for controlling Lead-Based paint exposures. Lead is hazardous chemical that affect brain function, central nervous system and reproductive system. When you buy a house, the seller is required to disclose whether the house contains Lead-Based paint. Identify the use. These regulations have provisions to designate use. Use has an influence on the amount of material released. For example, pesticides used over 20 acres will have a different impact than pesticides used on a 1/3 acre plot. Also, under FIFRA, there are two types of pesticides: Restricted Use or General Use. These use categories identify the controls needed. Training. When chemicals are used, training is used as a control to minimize impacts. For example, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), has training requirements for applicators of restricted pesticides. Labeling. Chemical labeling provides information on the hazards and potential environmental impacts. FIFRA has specific requirements for labeling of pesticides which includes the use category. Program requirements. The EPA states program requirements to control the environmental impacts in the regulations. For example: Pesticide Management Plan or Asbestos Control Plan

Environmental Release Cycle Use Production Activity Disposal We should talk about waste… The things

Waste Management What is a hazardous waste? What is a waste?

Waste Management How do we manage waste? Characterization

Waste Management and Disposal Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA) These standards are created and enforced by the EPA. Within these regulations, there are specific controls to manage the activities to reduce environmental impacts. The purpose of RCRA is to control hazardous waste from “cradle to grave”. Most of the controls involve: Do not generate the waste! Identify the waste Determine quantities Use the manifest system Permits Labeling Inspections Program requirements: Procedures for waste storage, handling, disposal; follow the manifest system

Waste Management (continued) Controls: Do not generate the waste! Identify the waste Determine quantities Know disposal route Segregation Labeling Inspections

Waste Disposal Controls: Identify the parties involved Permits Technologies

Environmental Release Cycle Use Production Activity Disposal

Air Emissions What is released into the air? Exhaust Chemicals Sulfuric Acid Nitric Acid Evaporation Ponds

Air Emissions Clean Air Act (CAA) These standards are created and enforced by the EPA. Within these regulations, there are specific controls to manage the activities to reduce environmental impacts. The purpose of the Clean Air Act is to improve air quality in the United States. Most of the controls involve: Identify the releases Establish limits Permits Technologies Monitoring Inspections Program Procedures: Work practices; Stack monitoring; State Implementation Plan; National Emission Standard Hazardous Air Pollutions; National Ambient Air Quality Standard; Risk Management Plan

Air Emissions Controls: Identify the releases Establish/Follow limits Permits Technologies Monitoring Inspections Training/Certifications

Environmental Release Cycle Use Production Activity Disposal

Water Discharges What are the sources of water? Surface Water Water Sewer System Ground Water

Designed to protect the health of the public, worker, animals and environment Ask: What is water used for?

Water Discharges Clean Water Act (CWA) Oil Pollution Act (OPA) Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) These standards are created and enforced by the EPA. Within these regulations, there are specific controls to manage the activities to reduce environmental impacts. Here is a brief summary of the waste regulations published by the EPA Clean Water Act – basic structure of regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the US and regulating water quality standards Most of the controls involve: Identify the releases Establish limits Permits Technologies Monitoring Inspections Program Procedures: Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan; Spill Response; Procedures for Water Treatment Systems; Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Plan; Oil Spill Response; Underground Injection Control; Waste Dumping in the Ocean and the Shore; National Pollution Discharge Elimination System; Facility Response Plan

Discharges to Water Controls: Identify the discharges Clean-up spills Develop response plans Permits Technologies Monitoring Inspections Training

Environmental Release Cycle CAA Use Production Activity Disposal ESA TSCA FIFRA RCRA Link to an environmental summary webpage: http://www.epa.gov/epahome/commsearch.htm Add all the regulations as a summary CWA OPA SDWA

Lesson Objectives Identified the use of environmental controls Identified the state and local authorities for environmental regulations Summarize