EPA Recent Developments

8/22/2003

From: David Deegan of the Environmental Protection Agency, 202-564-7839

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- Following are some Agency developments which may interest you. If you need more information on any of these subjects, call the appropriate contact.

EPA TAKES FINAL STEPS TO REDUCE TOXIC AIR EMISSIONS FROM CLEANUP SITES

David Deegan 202-564-7839/[email protected]

On Aug. 21, EPA finalized a rule to control hazardous air emissions from site remediation activities. Site remediation involves the removal of hazardous substances from contaminated soil or groundwater and occurs at a variety of sites such as industrial facilities (chemical manufacturers, petroleum refineries etc.), and military bases. The site remediation rule will affect approximately 250 facilities and will reduce air toxic emissions by 570 tons per year - a 50 percent reduction from current levels.

EPA FINALIZES TWO RULES TO REDUCE TOXIC AIR EMISSIONS FROM FACILITIES THAT APPLY COATINGS TO THE SURFACE OF METAL CANS AND TO VARIOUS METAL PARTS

David Deegan 202-564-7839/[email protected]

On Aug. 14, EPA issued a final rule to reduce toxic air pollutant emissions from metal can surface coating operations. Metal can surface coating operations include processes that coat metal cans or ends (including decorative tins) or metal crowns or closures during any stage of the can manufacturing process. Metal can surface coating operations emit a number of toxic air pollutants including ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (EGBE) and other glycol ethers, xylenes and hexane. The health effects associated with exposure to these air toxics can include cancer, respiratory irritation and damage to the nervous system. This rule will reduce total emissions of air toxics by approximately 6,800 tons per year. This represents a 70 percent reduction from the estimated 1997 baseline.

The surface coating of miscellaneous metal parts and products is a process of applying a protective, decorative, or functional coating to metal parts of items such as railcars, steel drums, construction equipment, iron and steel pipe, structural steel, extruded aluminum products, motorcycles and musical instruments. The EPA final rule issued on Aug. 14 will reduce total emissions of air toxics by approximately 26,000 tons per year. This is a 48-percent reduction from the estimated 1997 emissions levels. Miscellaneous metal parts and products surface coating operations emit a number of toxic air pollutants including xylenes, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, phenol, ethyl benzene and glycol ethers. Health effects associated with these pollutants can include irritation of the eye, lung, and mucous membranes; effects on the central nervous system; and damage to the liver. For more information, see:.

EPA ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR IRIS CHEMICAL ASSESSMENTS; SIX ADDITIONAL CHEMICAL ASSESSMENTS TO BEGIN IN FY2003

Suzanne Ackerman 202-564-7819/[email protected]

EPA will begin health risk assessments for six new chemicals through the Agency's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program, and will accept nominations from the public for additional chemicals to be assessed. IRIS, an important information resource, provides EPA consensus opinions on the possible adverse human health effects from exposure to chemical substances in the environment. The chemicals selected by EPA for review are: acrylonitrile, beryllium (cancer update), n-hexane, methylene chloride (dichloromethane), trichloroacetic acid, and 1,2,3-trichloropropane. For each chemical in IRIS, information is provided on hazard identification and dose-response evaluation, the first two critical steps of the risk assessment process. IRIS currently contains information on more than 500 chemical substances and is considered a major source of health risk data for U.S. scientists. In past years, chemicals were nominated for review exclusively by EPA program and regional offices. This year, for the second time, as part of EPA's commitment to increase citizen involvement in the Agency's work on public health protection, the call for nominations will be extended to the public. Public nominations will be due 60 days after the publication of the Federal Register notice, and may be submitted on-line at:, by e-mail or U.S. postal mail. Detailed information on submission requirements can be found in the Federal Register or on the IRIS Web site at:.

EPA ACCEPTING PROPOSALS FOR RESEARCH ON ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS USING COMPUTER MODELING

Suzanne Ackerman 202-564-7819/[email protected]

EPA is accepting applications for research that proposes innovative approaches for using computing methods to identify hazards and assess risks from endocrine disrupting chemicals. The grants are being issued through EPA's new Computational Toxicology Research Program, established to use computer models to mimic biological processes, such as the endocrine system, for research on the effects of chemicals on living organisms. Computer models can replace experimental work that would require years to complete, thus providing faster methods of identifying potentially toxic substances and reducing the use of animals in testing. EPA will also sponsor a workshop on Computational Toxicology in Research Triangle Park, N.C., on Sept. 29-30. Scientists from EPA, other federal agencies, academia and research organizations will present research related to computational toxicology. Online registration for a maximum of 150 participants will be available at the end of August. The deadline for submitting proposals for these research grants is Jan. 21, 2004. The grants will be awarded through EPA's Science to Achieve Results program, which employs a competitive solicitation process and independent peer review. For more information on this request for applications, see:. For more information about the EPA Computational Toxicology Workshop, see:.

COMMENTS RECEIVED FOR NONROAD PROPOSAL

Cathy Milbourn 202-564-7824/[email protected]

The public comment period ended Wednesday, Aug. 20, for EPA's proposal for new emission standards for nonroad diesel engines used in construction, agricultural, and industrial operations. This proposal will reduce emission levels for particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) by more than 90 percent. The proposal also included 99 percent reduction in the sulfur content in fuel used by these engines. This will significantly improve the air quality and health for Americans nationwide. EPA held three public hearings on this proposal. During the comment period, EPA received over 150,000 comments and overwhelming support for the rule. EPA has begun the comment review process and expects to publish a final rule by April 2004.

AGENCIES EXTEND PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR DRAFT EIS ABOUT MOUNTAINTOP COAL MINING

John Millett 202-564-7842/[email protected]

Federal and state agencies have extended the comment period for public review of a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) that recommends new actions to protect Appalachian streams from effects associated with mountaintop coal mining. The comment period was to close on Aug. 29. It will now close 130 days later on Jan. 6, 2004. In addition to submitting written comments to John Forren, U.S. EPA (3EA30), 1650 Arch St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103, comments may also now be e-mailed to EPA at: mountaintop.r3@epa.gov. The agencies involved in preparation of the draft EIS include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Surface Mining, and West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. The agencies added the e-mail address for comments and extended the comment period at the request of the public. Information about the draft EIS is available at:. Additional information is also available from Suzanne Fournier of the Corps of Engineers at 513-684-3010 or Bonnie Smith of EPA at 215-814-5543, Mitch Snow of the Fish and Wildlife Service at 202-208-5634, Mike Gauldin of the Office of Surface Mining at 202-208-2565, or Jessica Greathouse of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection at 304-558-4253.

CLEAN WATERSHEDS NEEDS SURVEY 2000 REPORT TO CONGRESS NOW AVAILABLE

Cathy Milbourn 202-4564-7824/[email protected]

EPA announced that the Clean Watersheds Needs Survey 2000 Report to Congress has been signed. This report presents the results of the Agency's survey of water quality programs and projects eligible for funding through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The survey is a collaborative effort of the states and EPA and was conducted over a 21-month period from April 2000 to January 2002. Sound wastewater infrastructure is vital to the nation's economy and to the nation's overall quality of life. The costs associated with meeting current and future infrastructure needs is a major concern facing communities across the country. EPA is working with the states and leaders in the wastewater utility industry to reduce these costs through improved management of infrastructure assets, improved technology, water efficiency and watershed-based decision making. The 2000 Clean Water Needs Survey identifies a total of $181.2 billion in needs for publicly owned wastewater collection and treatment facilities and eligible activities to control pollution from storm water and nonpoint sources. This is an increase of $26.6 billion from the amount reported in 1996. The report (EPA-832-R-03-001) will soon be available at.

EPA ANNOUNCES NEW FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN RESEARCH

Suzanne Ackerman 202-564-7819/[email protected]

EPA announced today that approximately 50 new fellowships will be awarded for research in environmentally related fields of study, primarily to encourage the pursuit of advanced degrees and careers. The announcement was made by Dr. Paul Gilman, Assistant Administrator for Research and Development and the Agency's Science Advisor. The awards will be made under the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program. The deadline for preliminary applications is Nov. 20. Awards from this selection process should be made by July 23, 2004, for the Fall 2004 term. Based on the projected FY 2004 budget, approximately 50 fellowship grants should be awarded. Students conducting environmental research in the physical, biological and social sciences and engineering are eligible to apply. Fellowships of as much as $37,000 per year will be awarded based on tuition, fees and authorized expenses. Candidates for master's degrees can qualify for support for as much as two years of study; doctoral candidates can be supported for a maximum of three years, available over a four-year period. Applicants must be citizens of the United States, its territories or its possessions or be lawfully admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence. Green card holders must include the card identification in their preliminary application. Information on STAR fellowships is available at:. Application information can be found at:.