United States
Environmental Protection
Agency ,
Policy, Planning
And Evaluation
(PM-223)
EPA 230/09/90/081
, September 1990
Hazardous Substances
in Our Environment
"''-., i ." •
'! : \ ' .
A Citizen's Guide Jo
UnderstandingHealth; Risks
And Reducing Exposure
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Hazardous Substances in
Our Environment
A Citizen's Guide to Understanding Health Risks
and Reducing Exposure
September 1990
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The information in this document has been funded
wholly or in part by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency under Cooperative Agreement No. CR-811075
to the Research Triangle Institute (RT.I), Research
Triangle Park; North Carolina. It has beeih subjected to
the Agency's peer and administrative review and has
been approved for publication as an EPA document.
Mention of trade names or commercial products does
not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
This guidebook was prepared by Dr. Josephine A.
Mauskopf, Anne Forrest, and Dr. WilliamrH. "
Desvousges of RTl under project numbeir 4431 .The
authors thank the EPA Project Officer, Dr. Ann Fisher,
for her vision in recognizing the need for the guidebook
and her commitment in guiding it through to the end.
The authors also thank the following RTij staff members
who provided technical, editorial, word processing, and
graphic arts support: Maria Bachteal, Cathy Boykin,
Marion Deerhake, Pam Leathers, Gay Shackleford, Jan
Shirley, Beth Tressler, Marie Turner, and Debbie
Walker.
Numerous reviewers from government, industry,
academia, and citizen organizations provided useful
insights on draft versions of the guidebook. We thank all
these individuals, especially John Perrecpne, who
organized the reviews by the Bloomingtbn, Indiana,
Citizens Information Committee; Alan Biasaia and Leon
Danielson, who organized the reviews by the agents in
the North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service; and
Joanne Denworth, who organized the reviews by the
Pennsylvania Environmental Council.
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CONTENTS
CONTENTS
Introduction
Page
viii
Identifying Hazardous Substances in Your Environment 1
Defining Hazardous Substances. !••••• .-.,••• 1
Natural and Man-made Sources ••.:•• ••••:••• • • 2
Routine and Accidental Releases • • • '• • 4
Pathways into Your Environment • • j., • • 5
More Information, .- j • • • 8
Estimating Your Environmental Exposure .^1
Estimating Exposure: An Overview .,.............[ • H
How Scientists Estimate the Amount of Hazardous Substances
in Your Environment ;• • -12
How Scientists Estimate Daily Dose .., ••••••• •:14
Example Exposure Estimates • • • • • • • ••'.-• • •17
More Information • • •—> • •— • • • • • • • •; •'19
' , , " . . i- •
Estimating Your Health Risks . '! . ' 21
Estimating Risk of Illness: An Overview >... i • • • • • • 21
Identifying Illnesses • • .-i • ••• ..22
Estimating the Dose-Respbnse Relationship..:.. 1. 26
Limitations of Risk-of-lllness Estimates -| • -28
Computing Risk of Illness • • • • • 29
Examples of EPA's Estimates of Health Effects ......; • • -30
Cancer Risks from Prolonged Exposures .....,...; • • • • ..••• 30
Noncancer Risks from Prolonged Exposures . .;.... ' • • 32
Health Risks from Accidental Exposures........ ...|.. - • • • • 33
More Information • .L,. 35
, ;, Judging the Seriousness of Health Risks "'I _37
•W h Determining Your Personal Concerns About Risks 1. ... • / 37
Characteristics that Influence People's Perception of Risks 38
How the Government Uses Risk Perceptions
to Help Develop Legislation ....!.. 41
More Information j • • • • • • 41
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VI
CONTENTS
Page
Government Actions Aimed at Reducing Your Exposure to Hazardous Substances 43
Environmental Legislation ..: 43
EPA's Responsibilities. . ........ 44
Setting and Enforcing Standards , 45
Promoting Waste Reduction and Pollution Prevention 46
Requiring the Cleanup of Polluted Sites 47
Working with and Informing the Public 48
Assisting Local Emergency Planning Committees in
Planning for Emergencies V....... ..... 49
The Benefits and Costs of Government Action .. SO
Effectiveness of Government Actions 52
More Information .......... ..... ........ 56
Community Actions Aimed at Reducing Your Exposure to Hazardous Substances 57
Q,-| Your Local Emergency Planning Committee 57
The Emergency Plan 58
Information Available from Your LEPC ... . 59
Industry Response to the LEPC ...................... 62
Other Community Organizations or Agencies that Support
Community Actions .........: .63
More Information 65
Actions You Can Take to Reduce Your Exposure to Hazardous Substances 67
Getting Started ...... .. '..-.. 67
Personal Actions .,..... ..68
Decrease Indoor Exposures 4 68
Select and Use Products Carefully 71
Change Habits that Expose You to Hazardous Substances ....'..... 77
Improve Your Diet... 77
More Information 78
Getting More Information on Hazardous Substances 81
Reference Tables: A Guide , ,.. .... 81
Howto Use the Resources 82
Glossary
119
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INTRODUCTION
vii
" NRDC [Natural Resources Defense Council] found industry is
pumping more than 361 million pounds of cancer causing chemi-
cals into the air yearly.. ."(USA Today, 6/20/89, 6A).
"According to NRDC, between 5,500 to 6,200 of today's pre-
schoolers are likely to develop cancer solely because of exposure
to just eight pesticides" (Philadelphia Inquirer, 6/18/89, Weekend
Magazine, p. 42).
'The EPA [United States Environmental Protection Agency]
estimates that 467,000 tons of tobacco are burned indoors each
year. That smoke has 43 known carcinogens" (USA Today,
6/20/89,1A).
1 • ~ . • • i • "
Every day the news media publish statements like these as scientists gain
more knowledge about hazardous substances in the environment. But for you
as the reader such statements often raise more questions than they answer.
You might ask some of these questions:
• What are the chances I will get cancer if I live! hear one of the industrial
plants identified in the USA Today article? What about if I live on the other
side of town from the plant? !
• How was the number of cancer cases for preschoolers estimated? Are
these cancer cases in addition to the cancers that preschoolers may get
from other sources? Are they predicted to get cancer as children or later
in life? How commonly used are the pesticides?
• How dangerous is the smoke from the 467,000 tons of tobacco containing
43 carcinogens? What are my chances of getting cancer from indoor
tobacco smoke?
. • • i . •' ' .
This guidebook can help answer questions you ijnay have about health risks
from hazardous substances after reading statements in newspapers, books,
and government reports or hearing statements on television or radio or even
from your neighbors. We use the term hazardous substance very broadly. It
applies to any man-made or naturally occurring phemical or mineral substance
found in air, water, soil, or food that can cause stny type of human illness.
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via
INTRODUCTION
EPA's responsibilities for regulating hazardous substances cover both human
health and the environment. This guidebook concerns only the human health
risks from exposure to hazardous substances. Other EPA publications are
available to citizens concerned about risks to the ecosystem.
We have tried to give you enough information about human health risks from
exposure to hazardous substances to think critically about what you read and
hear. Because some of the information is technical, you may want to skim the
guidebook first and then use it as a reference for answering your questions.
The information is as current and as accurate as possible. At the end of each
chapter, we provide references for more information.
The guidebook is divided into two parts. Part I, Understanding Your Health
Risks from Hazardous Substances (Chapters 1 through 4), describes different
hazardous substances and how they get into your environment. It also
explains the methods scientists use to estimate your health risks from hazard-
ous substances. Specifically, Part I describes
• sources of hazardous substances in your environment,
• methods scientists use to measure your level of exposure to hazardous
substances,
• methods scientists use Jo estimate your risk of illness from different
exposures, and
• characteristics of risks that influence your judgment of their seriousness.
You may want to know what actions the government takes to reduce health
risks and whether there are any actions you can take to reduce your personal
risks even more. Part II of this guidebook, Reducing Your Health Risks from
Exposure to Hazardous Substances (Chapters 5 through 8), describes
• government actions to reduce exposure to hazardous substances,
• community activities and organizations that work to reduce exposures to
hazardous substances,
• personal actions you can take to reduce your exposures to hazardous
substances, and
-' /
• additional sources of information about many different hazardous
substances and the harmful health effects associated with them.
A glossary at the end of the guidebook defines common terms related to
hazardous substances.
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PARTI
Understanding Your Health Risks from
Hazardous Substances
CHAPTER .1:
Identifying Hazardous Substances in
Your Environment
CHAPTER 2:
Estimating Your Environmental Exposure
CHAPTERS:
Estimating Your Health Risks
CHAPTER 4:
Judging the Seriousness of Health Risks
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1'. IDENTIFYING HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT
IDENTIFYING HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT
HIGHLIGHTS:
Hazardous substances are all chemicals or min&rals that can harm you when
present in air, water, soil, or food. !
Hazardous substances come from natural and man-made sources.
Hazardous substances can get into the environment from both routine and
accidental releases. :
Hazardous substances can travel a variety of routes to get to your environment,
Defining Hazardous Substances
Every day you probably hear or read about the harmful effects associated with
substances in the environment. Scientists and the government use a variety
of terms to describe different types of substances that have harmful health
effects. For example, a factory in your city may be reported to be releasing a
"toxic chemical" to the air, while a "hazardous material" may have been found
in a river downstream from a large farm. i
. .' • • -••'.-.''••''•-•••."
In this guidebook, the term "hazardous substance" refers to any substance
that has potential to harm you when present in air, water, soil, or food. We
include substances with harmful health effects that range from minor illnesses
or minor injuries to death. We also include substances with health effects that
occur right away and those with health effects delayed for 10 years or even
longer. You can apply the information on hazardous substances in this guide-
book to any substance you read or hear about that has harmful health effects.
A glossary at the end of the guidebook defines te>chrtical terms related to
hazardous substances. You may want to consult the glossary when you
encounter unfamiliar words in this guidebook or in other information sources.
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IDENTIFYING HAZARDOUS,SUBSTANCES IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT
Natural and Man-made Sources
Many hazardous substances in the environment come from natural sources.
Natural sources exist independent of human activities and include the
following:
s ' • *>•"-' i '•
• naturally occurring minerals, metals, or gases such as coal, oil, lead, and
radon that are found in certain geographic areas; and
• naturally occurring pesticides and contaminants found in plants used for
food such as grains and nuts. Aflatoxin is a contaminant produced by a
mold that grows on grains and nuts.
A Natural Source: Radon
Radon is an example of a naturally occurring gas. It is found in high con-
centrations in soils and rocks containing uranium, granite, shale, phos-
phate, and pitchblende. Radon from the soil and rock on which a house is
built can leak into the house through dirt floors, cracks in concrete floors
and walls, floor drains, sumps, joints, and tiny cracks or pores in hollow-
block walls.
imnmnt minr nt winmiprAKI KmiKnRwi^wunMrs.-—
it • in, ,i -iti »• .MI' an ill II1 in in AH lit iu imiu\su\n «V\\\UI«M;I=:
'l
In outdoor air, radon is
diluted to such low
concentrations that it is
usually nothing to worry
about. Once inside an
enclosed space (such
as a home), however,
radon can accumulate
to dangerous levels.
Scientists estimate that
about 5,000 to 20,000
lung cancer deaths a
year in the United
States may be attributed
to radon. Most homes
in this country do not
have a radon problem,
but EPA recommends
that all single-family
detached houses and
apartments and
condominiums below the third floor be tested for radon. Chapter
69, of this guidebook contains information about how to test your
radon.
_
Transport of radon to indoor air
7, page
home for
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IDENTIFYING HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT
Many hazardous substances in the environment pome from man-made
sources. Man-made sources are created by hurrian activities and include the
following;
commercial facilities that
make, treat, store, use,
or dispose of hazardous
substances;
sewage and water treat-
ment plants; and
some consumer prod-
ucts such as gasoline,
household cleaners,
pesticides, and paints
and solvents.
Man-made sources of
hazardous substances;
for example, consumer
products
The extent of human health effects from a hazardous substance depends on
the amount of human exposure and the substance's ability to cause harm, not
on whether the source is natural or man-made.
Man-made Sources of Hazardous Substances: A Two-Edged Sword
Man-made sources bring benefits to society as well as hazardous
substances to our environment. j
,. i * "
Our life expectancy has risen dramatically from ,47 years in 1900 to 75
years in 1986. A safer water supply explainslpart of this increase. Surface
water is now treated with pesticides to kill malny microorganisms that could
have extremely serious health consequences). Nevertheless, some of
these treatments produce by-products such as chloroform. Chloroform
has been shown to have adverse effects on fetal development.
Technical advances have given us a wide range of new and useful
products including plastics, nylon, and other man-made fabrics; industrial
solvents; chemical fertilizers; and pesticides.'Such products have raised
the standard of living of many people. Ughtv/eight plastic has replaced
heavier metal in various products including cars and furniture. We save
energy by driving lighter cars, which use less, energy. Pesticides and
fertilizers allow farmers to produce more crops on less land, providing
consumers with greater quantities of food at lower prices. Nevertheless,
all these advances have increased the number and quantities of hazard-
ous substances produced.
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1. IDENTIFYING HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT-
Routine and Accidental Releases
Hazardous substances can be released regularly from a soured into the air,
water, or soil or onto food. These routine releases sometimes occur
repeatedly over many years.
Sources of routine releases of hazardous substances
Routine releases come from both natural and man-made sources. Releases
of radon gas from deposits of naturally occurring radioactive minerals near the;
earth's surface are an example of routine releases from natural sources.
Common activities that cause routine releases of hazardous chemicals from
man-made sources include
• using aerosol spray paint in the home,
• disinfecting surface water with the chemical chlorine,
• driving cars or trucks,
• operating sewage treatment plants,
• using solvents for dry cleaning,
• operating factories,
' • , i --.•"'
• smoking cigarettes, and
• using building materials that contain formaldehyde or asbestos.
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/. inFNTIFYING HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES JN YOUR ENVIRONMENT
Hazardous substances
sometimes are released
into the environment as a
result of an accident.
Accidental releases are
unpredictable and can
occur either for a very short
time only or for longer time
periods (especially if the
releases go undetected).
Accidental releases of hazardous substances
Accidental releases of hazardous substances c«tn come from both natural and
man-made sources. A forest fire started by lighjning results in accidental
releases from natural sources. Here are some 'examples of accidental
, releases from man-made sources:
-"-.-• - I "
• The accidental explosion and release of mejhyl-isocyanate at an industrial
plant in Bhopal, India; and
• The train wreck that released formaldehyde!into the Russian River in
California.
Pathways into Your Environment
Hazardous substances can be transported through many different pathways to
get from their sources to your environment. Knjowing all the possible
pathways is an important factor in determining whether the hazardous
substance will get into your environment. In geineral, the closer you are to the
place where the hazardous substance is releasied the more likely it will be in
your environment. The following pages list a few typical environmental
pathways.
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6
1. IDENTIFYING HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT
Chemical fertilizers
and pesticides can
run off fields during
rainstorms into
streams or rivers. If
a farm does not
have drainage
ditches, these
substances can be
carried by rain water
or by fish into
estuaries, streams,
or lakes where
people fish or swim.
Some farmers use
organic farming
methods that
reduce the use of
chemicals.
Transport of chemical fertilizer
to water used for recreation
Some factory smokestacks release particles containing lead, a hazardous
substance, into the air. Eventually some of these particles might be deposited
onto vegetable crops that people eat. A smokestack with adequate controls or
a smokestack on a factory that does not produce lead will not release lead into
the air.
Transport of lead from factory to food supply
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IHPNTIFYING HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES IN VOIl/H ENVIRONMENT
Benzene and other
hazardous sub-
stances can be
released to the air
when gasoline is put
in an automobile.
People who pump
the gasoline breathe
in the air containing
the hazardous sub-
stances or absorb
them through their
skin. In some
states, such as
California/gasoline
pumps are designed j
to reduce the amounts of hazardous substances! released into the air.
A truck carrying a liquid waste containing a hazardous substance to an incin-
erator could be involved in a wreck. The hazardous substance would be
released into the soil. Later, a rainstorm could vj/ash the hazardous substance
into a nearby stream where it would flow until reaching the water treatment
plant for a nearby town. If the treatment process did not remove the
hazardous substance, it would end up in the town's drinking water.
Transport of benzene from gasoline
to air near gas pump
Transport of a hazardous
substance from accidental
release to drinking water
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1. IDENTIFYING HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT
Are There Hazardous Substances In Your Environment?
These three examples illustrate how you can determine whether a
particular hazardous substance is likely to be in your environment. There
must be a source, routine or accidental releases from the source must
occur, and there must be a pathway to your environment from where the
hazardous substance was released.
1. Is tobacco smoke, which contains cancer-producing substances,
In your environment?
If you live with, work with, or spend your leisure time indoors around
smokers, tobacco smoke will be in the air you breathe. Even if you are in
another part of the building, natural air circulation patterns or heating/air-
conditioning systems can bring the smoke into your air.
2. Are substances suspected to cause cancer, such as methylene
chloride, released from factories in your environment?
If you live within a few miles downwind of a factory that uses methylene
chloride in its manufacturing process and releases it into the air either,
routinely or accidentally, it might be in the air you breathe.
3. Do you have hazardous substances in your household such as
household cleaners, pesticides, paints, and solvents?
If you use household cleaners, pesticides, paints, or solvents and don't
take precautions, you may breathe in harmful fumes or take in hazardous
substances through your skin.
More information
This chapter has identified some common sources of hazardous substances
and explained how these substances are released into the environment and
how they get jnto'youc air, water, soil, or food. If you would like to know more
about this topic, the publications listed below would be a good place to start.
Routes of Exposure to Environmental Chemicals
Write to: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region II
26 Federal Plaza, Room 737
New York, NY 10278
Attn: Dr. Maria Pavlova
or call: (212)264-7364
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IDENTIFYING HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT
America's Wetlands
Land and Water
-Our Vital Link Between
Write to: Public Information Center PM-211B
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
or call: (202)382-2080
Environmental Progress and Challenges:
EPA's Update
Write to: Public Information Center PM-211B
U.S. Environmental Protection Ager cy
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
or call: (202)382-2080
Chemicals In your Community—A Guide to the Emergency
Planning and Community Ftight-to-Know Act
Write to: Public Information Center PM-211B
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
or call: (202) 382-2080
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ESTIMATING YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
11
ESTIMATING YOUR
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURb
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Your level of exposure to a hazardous substance depends on the amount of
the hazardous substance in the environment around you and how long it stays
there. .'•>,•
• To determine the amount of a hazardous substance in the environment, EPA
either measures the concentration of the hazardous substance directly or uses
mathematical models to estimate it.
• Your daily dose of a hazardous substance is the amount taken into your body
each day.
• Daily dose is an important determinant of whether the hazardous substance
can make you sick.
Estimating Exposure: An Overview
Chapter 1 showed that natural and man-made hazardous substances are all
around us. These substances will not necessarily make you sick. Whether
you get an illness because of hazardous substances in your environment
depends on your level of exposure. Your exposure determines the amount of
the substance that actually gets taken into your body from the air you breathe,
the liquids you drink, the food you eat, and the soil you touch.
EPA's first step in determining whether hazardous substances in the
environment will make you sick is to estimate the daily intakes or doses of
these substances over your lifetime.
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2. ESTIMATING YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
To estimate your daily dose of a hazardous substance scientists must know
how much of the hazardous substance is in the air, water, food, and soil
around you each day of your life. As shown in Table 1 on page 18, these
amounts are multiplied by the amounts of air, water, food, and soil that you
take into your body each day and added together to give your daily dose of
the hazardous substance.
Amount of hazardous
substance in your
environment each day
of your life
Your daily contact
with the environment
Your daily dose
each day of your life
After determining your daily dose of a hazardous substance, scientists then
estimate your risk, or chance, of getting an illness because of that exposure.
Chapter 3 describes how scientists estimate your risk of illness.
How Scientists Estimate the Amount of
Hazardous Substances in Your Environment
Direct monitoring
is a way to measure
the actual concen-
tration of hazardous
substances in the
environment at
different points in
time. These meas-
urements are -
obtained by taking
samples of indoor or
outdoor air, water,
food, or soil and
looking at their
chemical composi-
tion in the labora-
tory.
Monitoring
hazardous.
substances
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ESTIMATING YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
13
For example, EPA operates air and water monftonng stations in most cities in
the United States. The Food and Drug Administration regularly collects
samples of fresh fruits and vegetables and tests ijhem for illegal pesticide
residues. ? I
Mathematical modeling provides an alternative approach for estimating the
concentrations of hazardous substances. These models use mathematical
formulas to estimate the concentrations of a hazardous substance at different
distances from the point of release. The formulas are different depending on
whether the pathway to the exposed person is through air, surface water, or
ground water. In all the formulas, the concentration at the point of exposure
depends on the amount of the hazardous substance released to the
environment as well as on other factors. These ijnclude distance from the
point of release, climate, geological factors, and the chemistry of the
hazardous substance. EPA routinely uses mathematical models to estimate
the amounts of hazardous substances in air and water. ,
Exposed Person's
Concentration, G
Modeling the dispersion of hazardous substances
Because both direct monitoring and modeling approaches have limitations for
estimating environmental concentrations, it is best to combine them, if
possible.. EPA often compares modeling estirrwates with direct monitoring
measurements for at least part of the geographic area and part of the time
period under investigation.
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14
2. ESTIMATING YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
Comparing Monitoring and Modeling Estimates
EPA has estimated the concentrations of ten hazardous substances in the
air at ten different locations in Philadelphia using both the monitoring and
modeling approaches. EPA found that the modeling approach gave
somewhat lower estimates of the concentration for all the hazardous
substances. These results illustrate the difficulty that engineers have in
identifying all sources and in accurately measuring releases. The main
advantage of the modeling approach is that it can be used to derive
concentration estimates for all locations in Philadelphia, whereas the
monitoring estimates are restricted to the ten sites where the monitors are
placed. The engineers can use the information gained by comparing the
modeling and monitoring methods to improve the accuracy of the modeling
estimates.
How Scientists Estimate Daily Dose
The three ways that hazardous substances can enter your body are through
• your lungs—from the air you breathe;
• your digestive tract—from the food you eat, liquids you drink, or particles
from the soil or air that you swallow; and
• your skin—from the hazardous substances you touch or the water you
wash in.
Pathways through which hazardous substances can enter the body
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2. ESTIMATING YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE . t5
The amount of each hazardous substance actually taken in by each exposed
person in one day is referred to as the daily dose. Several quantities affect
how much of a hazardous substance in your environment is actually taken into
your body each day. Some of these are how much you eat and drink and how
much you breathe each day and how easily the hazardous substance can
pass through your lungs, digestive tract, or skin into your blood stream,
, i • " i ' "
To find out how much of a hazardous substance you take into your body
through a particular exposure, EPA multiplies the [concentration of the
hazardous substance in your environment by appropriate conversion factors
for that type of exposure. The following are examples of conversion factors
that have been used in some EPA studies: [
? Water drunk per day by adult - 2 liters (approximately eight 8-ounce
glasses including the water in coffee, soda, etc.), by child - 1 liter
• Air breathed per day -. 20 cubic meters (approximate volume of air in a
small bedroom or den) .
- Fish eaten per week (1 portion) - 224 grams (approximately 7 ounces)
• Soil consumed per day (by child) - 100 milligrams (0.004 ounces)
• Percentage of hazardous substance in contact with lungs or digestive
tract taken into body (absorption rate)-100 percent
These conversion factors are based on observations of human behavior.
They are, in EPA's judgment, reasonable estimates. Your daily dose may
vary over your lifetime for several reasons. For example/you may live near a
factory for the first 20 years of your life and then move to a different
neighborhood. Your daily dose also may depen
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16
~2. ESTIMATING YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
Your Exposures to Some Hazardous Substances
If you want to know what your health risks are from a hazardous substance
in your environment, you need to know your amount of exposure. Here are
two examples of how researchers have estimated likely exposures for
hazardous substances that have been in the news.
1. What is your exposure to tobacco smoke, which contains cancer-
producing substances?
If you live or work with smokers, researchers estimate that your average
daily dose of tobacco tar (from tobacco smoke) is 1.43 milligrams per day
for your 50 adult years. To get this estimate, the amount of tar released to
the air when one cigarette is smoked was measured and multiplied by the
estimated number of cigarettes smoked per hour in the home and in the
workplace. A mathematical model was used to convert these estimates of
the hourly releases of tar into estimates of the concentration of tar in indoor
air at home and at work. Finally, estimates of breathing rates and lengths of
time spent at home and at work were used to convert the concentration of
tar in the air into a daily dose. Your daily dose of tar may be higher or lower
than average depending on whether your exposure factors are higher or
lower than average.
2. What is your exposure to cancer-causing chemicals released from
factories near your home, such as methylene chloride?
If you live and work within a mile downwind of a chemical factory that
routinely releases 183,000 pounds of methylene chloride to the air each
year, the concentration in your air may be as high as 0.12 milligrams per
cubic meter if you live and work less than 250 yards from the factory
according to mathematical modeling estimates. At these concentrations,
your daily dose would be 2.4 milligrams per day, assuming a breathing rate
of 20 cubic meters per day. On the other hand, if you live and work
between 1 and 2 miles from the factory, modeling results indicate that your
daily dose would be no higher than 0.011 milligrams per day. You can see
that your exposure falls rapidly as your distance from the source increases.
Also, if you only spend part of your day near the factory, your exposure will
be even less. ,
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2. ESTIMATING YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
17
Example Exposure Estimates
Table 1 presents EPA's estimates of actual exposure levels for ten hazardous
substances that may be in your environment. All the exposures shown in the
table assume the same daily dose for a person's! lifetime. All the estimates
are for a specific U.S. community. Your community may be exposed to lower,
higher, or roughly the same amounts of these substances. For example, the
methylene chloride exposure levels are for persons breathing the air close to a
factory that releases 183,000 pounds of methylene chloride each year. Many
factories release much smaller amounts of mettjylene chloride. If there are no
factories using asbestos in your community, yoii will not be exposed to
asbestos from that type of source. If your drinking water comes from a well, it
is less likely to contain chloroform. And if you live in a very small town or rural
area, your benzene exposure will be far below that of people who live in cities
near busy intersections. i
Table 1 shows that typical daily doses for some hazardous substances are
higher than for others. But you cannot tell by lopking at the daily doses in
Table 1 whether such exposures are likely to harm your health. Chapter 3
describes the methods EPA, other government Agencies, and other
organizations use to convert exposure estimates, like those in Table 1, into
estimates of health risks.
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18
2. ESTIMATING YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
Table 1. Selected Daily Doses for Ten Hazardous Substances
Found in Specific U.S. Communities
Hazardous
substance
Source
Amount In environment
Daily dose
per person
Asbestos
Benzene
Carbon
tetrachlorlde
Chloroform
Chloroform
Formaldehyde
Methylene chloride
Perchtoro-
ethylene
Perohloro-
ethylene
Radon
Tobacco smoke
Xylene
Cement-pipe 0.01 mlcrograms per cubic meter
factory (mcg/m3) estimated In air near
factory
Car exhaust 22.3 mcg/m3 monitored in air at
Intersection
Chemical 28 mcg/m3 maximum concentration
factory estimated In air near factory
Chemical 100 mcg/m3 maximum
factory concentration estimated In air near
factory ,
Disinfection 47.7 mlcrograms per liter (mcg/L)
of drinking measured In drinking water
water
Chemical 1 mcg/m3 estimated In air near
factory factory.
Chemical 120 mcg/m3 estimated In air very
factory near factory
Dry cleaning 10.2 mcg/m3 maximum
concentration monitored In air In
two cities
Sewage 36.5 mcg/m3 maximum
treatment concentration monitored in air near
plant sewage treatment plant
Underground 800 plcocuries/m3 monitored In air
deposits In homes in two states
Cigarette 71.5 mcg/m3 estimated in Indoor air
smokers where cigarette smokers are
present
Car exhaust 30.4 mcg/m3 maximum
concentration monitored in air in
two cities
0.2 mlcrograms per
day (meg/day)
450 meg/day1
560 meg/day
2,000 meg/day
95 meg/day
20 meg/day
2,400 meg/day
200 meg/day
730 meg/day
16,000 plcocuries/day
1,430 meg/day
610 meg/day
Notes:
1,000,000 mlcrograms (meg) - 1,000 milligrams - 1 gram - 0,035 ounces; 1 cubic meter (m3) - 35 cubic feef
1 liter (L)-1.06 quarts '
Conversion factors)
for computing dally >
dose: *
20 m3/day - air breathed per day
2 L/day - water drunk per day
100% - absorption rate for lungs and digestive tract
These dally dose estimates are for a specific community. The daily doses for people In your community may
be higher, lower, or the same as these depending on whether your community contains the same sources of
hazardous substances as this community.
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vn"a ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
19
More Information
This chapter has provided the information you need to have a basic under-
standing of how the EPA and other organizations estimate your exposure to
hazardous substances. If you would like to know more about this topic, the
publications listed below would be a good place to start.
••'--* i
The Routes of Exposure to Environmental Ch&micals
Write to:
or call:
11
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region II
26 Federal Plaza, Room 737
New York, NY 10278
Attn: Dr. Maria Pavlova
(212)264-7364
Toxic Chemicals: What They Are, How They
Affect You -. —^—r—
Write to: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region
26 Federal Plaza, Room 737
New York, NY 10278
Attn: Dr. Maria Pavlova
or call: (212)264-7364
Risk Assessment Manual: A Guide to Understanding and
lsngHealth andrinvlronmental Assessments by B. Brockbank,
. Cohrsson. and V. T. Covello. 1988 i. __ _
Write to: National Technological Information Service
5285 Port Royal Road !
Springfield, VA 22161
or call: (703) 487-4650
Cost: $17.50 '
Chemical Risks: A Primer by Kathleen Ream
Write to- American Chemical Society ,
write 10. Department Of Government Relaticlns and Science Policy
115516th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
or call: (202)872-4386
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20
2. ESTIMATING YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
Chemical Risks: Personal Decisions by Susan "Turner
Write to: American Chemical Society
Department of Government Relations and Science Policy
11551601 Street, NW
•Washington, DC 20036
or call: (202)872-4386
Chemical Risk Communications by William Beranek
and Susan Turner ; ' •. , • ' . •
Write to: American Chemical Society
Department of Government Relations and Science Policy
1155 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
or call: (202)872-4386 _
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3. ESTIMATING YOUR HEALTH RISKS
ESTIMATING YOUR
HEALTH RISKS
HIGHLIGHTS:
The risk of illness from a particular exposure is estimated by combining the
dose estimate and dose-response estimate.
A dose-response estimate tells how the risk of illness changes with different
doses.
' • * - ^
Because there is limited experimental information about human health effects
and human exposure to hazardous substances, (Scientists may use animal
studies to develop dose-response estimates. ;
EPA describes the reliability of a risk estimate beised on the type, quality, and
quantity of information used to make the estimate.
Estimating Risk of Illness: An Overview
Your risk of illness is the likelihood that exposure to a hazardous substance
will cause you to experience a harmful health effect or illness. In general, the
greater your exposure to a hazardous substance,! the greater your risk of
illness. But your risk of illness is also determined by the amount of the
substance that is required to harm your health. Fjor exarnple, small amounts
of cyanide might increase your risk of death quite! a lot, while the same amount
of lead might not increase your risk of death at all.
Everyone who is exposed to a hazardous substance above some minimum
level has an increased risk of illness, but only in very unusual circumstances
will many people actually get sick. For example, all people exposed to low
levels of a cancer-causing pesticide in their food have an increased risk of
cancer, but the increased risk of cancer is very low—less than one person out
of every one million exposed may be expected to get cancer. In contrast,
most people breathing high levels of hydrogen cyanide will become very sick
or die. Their increased risk of death is very high.
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22
3. ESTIMATING YOUR HEALTH RISKS
Individual risks of illness are measured by an expression of chance (for
example, one chance in a million) that ah individual is expected to get sick.
For example, some workers in asbestos factories in the 1930's and 1940's
had a risk of cancer as high as one chance in a hundred (that is, 1/100). But
the risk of getting cancer from exposure to the lower levels of asbestos in the
air near such a factory was much lower-^-one chance in ten thousand (that is,
1/10,000).
Sometimes scientists compare the severity of different risks by looking at the
expected occurrences of the illness for the total exposed population. For
example, in 100,000 workers exposed to high levels of asbestos, we would
expect to observe 1,000 (that is, 100,000 x 1/100) extra cases of cancer. For
100,000 people exposed only to low levels of asbestos, we would expect to
observe 10 (that is, 100,000 x 1/10,000) extra cases of cancer.
Chapter 2 described the methods for calculating people's daily doses of a
hazardous substance from the amount of the hazardous substance in the
environment. In this chapter we describe the process that researchers have
developed to estimate the risk of illness from a particular environmental
exposure. This process involves first identifying the illnesses likely to be
caused by hazardous substances and then estimating the relationships
between extra risks of illness and different daily doses. These relationships
are used to convert estimates of people's daily doses into estimates of extra
risks of illness.
Identify illnesses
Estimate dose-response relationships for various illnesses ;;,
Estimate risks of illnesses for a particular dose
Identifying Illnesses
Exposure to hazardous substances has been associated with an increased
risk of many illnesses or other health effects such as the following:
Premature death
Kidney damage
Birth defects
Hyperactivity in children
Cancers
Anemia
Liver damage
Nervous system damage
Impaired fertility
Skin diseases
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3. ESTIMATING YOUR HEALTH RISKS
23
Hazardous Substances and Harmful Health Effects—•
Some Examples
Hydrogen cyanide, even in small amounts, can cause immediate death.
Hydrogen cyanide can be released accidentally from a chemical factory.
Lead can cause anemia, behavioral problems in children, and IQ deficits.
At very high levels of exposure, lead can cause immediate death. Lead
can be released into the air from factories, into groundwater from landfills
holding old batteries, and into food from poorly glazed dishes.
Benzene can cause leukemia as well as other blood disorders. At very
high levels of exposure, benzene can cause immediate death. Benzene
can be released from gasoline pumps.
Radon, tobacco smoke, and asbestos can cause lung cancer. Radon can
be released from underground deposits, and asbestos can be released
from factories that use ft or from asbestos insulation.
Information from human studies provides the most compelling evidence that
hazardous substances cause particular illnesses. Some of this evidence
comes from doctors reporting an unusual numbjer of cases of a specific illness
in exposed individuals, for example, finding several cases of leukemia in work-
ers exposed to high levels of benzene. More formal human studies compare
illnesses for people with different levels of exposure. For example, one study
compared the number of cases of leukemia in rubber workers exposed to
benzene on the job and the number of cases in a comparable group of
nonexposed workers.
Human information is very limited for most hazardous substances and is often
supplemented by information from animal studies.
\
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24
3. ESTIMATING YOUR HEALTH RISKS
0 out of 60 at 0 mg/kg/day
(no exposure)
4 out of 60 at a dose of 11.6 mg/kg/day
14 out of 60 at a dose of 58 mg/kg/day
. Cancer case
Results from a study exposing rats to three doses of benzene
Animal studies usually include
• short-term tests to determine the dose levels that are immediately fatal;
• longer term studies to identify illnesses likely to occur at lower exposure
levels and to identify exposure levels below which there are likely to be no
health effects; and
• lifetime or special studies to determine whether prolonged low-level
exposures to the hazardous substance are associated with increased risks
of specific illnesses such as cancer or birth defects.
Information from animal studies offers several advantages over human
information. Two advantages are that researchers can control the exposures
and can determine cause-and-effect relationships.
Animal experiments are used to estimate risk of illness in humans because
hazardous substances that cause harmful health effects in humans generally-
also cause harmful health effects in other animal species. For example,
scientists have found that all hazardous substances shown to cause cancer in
humans also cause cancer in at least one other animal species.
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3. ESTIMATING YOUR HEALTH RISKS
25
There are limits to relying only on animal studies, however. Most importantly,
scientists have found some hazardous substances that cause cancer in one or
more mammalian species but lack evidence of a similar effect in humans. In
addition, both animals and humans have differing abilities to protect
themselves against the low levels of hazardous substances generally found in
the environment. Most animal experiments test the effects of high exposure
levels only. So the effect of a hazardous substance on humans is uncertain
when there is on/y information from animal experiments.
. - i
To describe the level of certainty about whether [exposure to a specific
hazardous substance causes or does not cause an illness in humans, EPA
has set up a weight-of-evidence classification. This classification is based on
the quality and availability of evidence from human and animal studies.
EPA's Weight-of-Evidence Classification for Cancer
For cancer-producing substances EPA's weigjht-of-evidence classification
is as follows: i
A - causes cancer in humans—good hurr an evidence supported by
animal evidence !
,',""-. t •-,',. . •
B1 - probably causes cancer in humans—good animal[evidence in
more than one species and limited supporting human evidence
B2 - probably causes cancer in humans—good animal evidence in
more than one species but no human evidence
C - possibly causes cancer in humans—glood or limited animal
evidence in only one species or suggestive animal evidence in
several species and no human evidence
D - not known whether it causes cancer in humans—inadequate
evidence or no evidence i
E - unlikely to cause cancer in humans—Ihurnan and animal evidence
indicating that there is no relationship between exposure and
excess risk of cancer
For example, benzene, a chemical released ill car exhaust fumes, belongs
to group A, while methylene chloride, a chemical often released from
chemical factories, belongs to group 62. Of course, new scientific
evidence can move a chemical to a different group.
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26 -3. ESTIMATING YOUR HEALTH RISKS
Estimating the Dose-Response Relationship
A dose-response relationship provides a mathematical formula or graph for
estimating a person's risk of illness at each exposure level for a hazardous
substance. Determining the general shape of the dose-response curve
requires scientific knowledge about the action of hazardous substances on
human cells. The specific shape of the curve is determined using information
from either human studies or animal studies or from both. To estimate a dose-
response relationship, measurements of health risks are needed for at least
one dose level of the hazardous substance compared to a nonexposed group.
There is one important difference between the dose-response curve
commonly used for estimating the risk of cancer and the ones used for
estimating the risk of all other illnesses: the existence of a threshold
dose—that is, the highest dose at which there is no risk of illness. Because a
single cancerous cell may be sufficient to cause a clinical case of cancer,
EPA's and many others' dose-response models for cancer assume that the;
threshold dose level for cancer is zero. In other words, people's risk of cancer
is increased even at very low doses. However, the increased cancer risk at
very low doses is likely to be very low.
On the other hand, scientists have observed that the human body is capable
of adjusting to varying amounts of other types of cell damage without showing
signs of illness. Therefore, dose-response models for noncancer illnesses
include a threshold dose level that is greater than zero. In other words, at low
doses, there may be no risk of noncancer health effects. For noncancer
health effects, such as permanent liver or kidney damage, temporary skin
rashes, or asthma attacks, information from human or animal studies is used
to estimate the threshold dose levels. .
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3. ESTIMATING YOUR HEALTH RfSKS
27
o
•5
£
•a'
1/10 -
t/100 -
1/1,000 -
For substances
suspected to cause
cancer, EPA
assumes a straight-
line (linear) dose-
response rela-
tionship. The
straight-line model
generally gives
higher estimates of
the risks of getting
cancer at low dose
levels than most
other usable
mathematical
models. In the
cancer dose-
response curve pictured here, a dose of 100 miprograms per day causes an
extra chance of cancer of about 1 m a 100 in study animals receiving the
dose. With a straight-line model, the level of caincer risk increases at a
constant rate as the dose level increases. This] rate of increasing cancer risk
is known as the slope factor for the hazardous (substance.
100
Dose, meg
Cancer Dose Response Curves
1/10
I
,8
QC
s
§
z
•5
1/100
Human
Threshold
Other
Mathematical
Model
For noricancer
illness, because of
the uncertainties
when converting,
from animal to
human data, and
because individuals
vary in their sus-
ceptibility to the
harmful effects of
hazardous sub-
stances, EPA
adjusts the observed
threshold dose
downward by divid-,
ing by uncertainty
factors that range
from 1 to 10,000. We refer to this adjusted value as a human threshold.
Below the human threshold, we expect no appreciable risk of harmful health
effects for most of the general population.
1/1,000
10
Threshold Dose
100
Dose, meg
1,000
Noncancer Dose-Response Curves
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28
3. ESTIMATING YOUR HEALTH RISKS
Limitations of Risk-of-Illness Estimates
Scientists must make assumptions because they lack sufficient information on
exposure and how hazardous substances actually harm human cells. EPA's
mission is to protect human health and the environment. When information is
missing or uncertain, or more than one alternative model is possible, EPA
uses worst-case, or conservative, risk estimates. In other words, the true risks
are very unlikely lo be any higher than the EPA estimates. In particular, EPA
generally
• uses a straight-line dose-response model for cancer-producing substances
because this model is unlikely to underestimate the true cancer risks at low
dose levels;
• uses uncertainty factors from 1 to 10,000 to adjust observed threshold
dose levels downward to human thresholds (for nohcancer effects) to
make it unlikely that EPA will underestimate the true noncancer risks of
low levels; and,
• assumes lifetime exposures for cancer and certain noncancer effects when
information on exposure duration is not available—this may overstate the
number of years an individual is exposed to the hazardous substance.
When available evidence is incomplete, different groups may come up with
different estimates of the health risks from a specific hazardous substance
because of the use of information from different studies or the use of different
methods to account for the uncertainty about exposure to hazardous
substances and the effects of hazardous substances on the human body.
Different Risk Estimates for Alar: EPA and NRDC
Estimates of the risk of illness for a particular exposure depend on how
different groups interpret the available evidence. This has happened in
the case of estimates of the lifetime increased cancer risk from children
eating apples treated with Alar, a pesticide that is now banned by EPA.
EPA's 1988 estimates of the extra lifetime cancer risks for people exposed
to Alar as young children were 25 times lower than Natural Resources
Defense Council's (NRDC's) estimates of 5,280 extra cancers because of
• differences in the assumed exposure duration—EPA assumed 1.5
years and NRDC assumed 6 years;
• differences in estimated daily dose levels—EPA used evidence from a
1977-1978 food consumption survey of 30,000 persons, while NRDC
used information from a 1985-1986 survey of 2,000 persons; and
• differences in the estimated cancer slope factor—EPA derived its slope
factor from an ongoing toxicity study judged by EPA's scientists to be a
better study than a completed study used by NRDC.
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3. ESTIMATING YOUR HEALTH RISKS
Computing Risk of Illness
The estimated dose-response relationships for a hazardous substance can be
combined with your estimated daily dose to estimate risk of illness associated
with exposure to that hazardous substance. The methods used to combine
dose-response relationships and daily doses rainge from very simple to quite
complex. Each method makes different assumptions about the shapes of the
dose-response relationships and about how daily dose varies over your
- lifetime.
The simplest method for cancer assumes your jdaily dose is the same for your
entire lifetime and uses a straight-line dose-response relationship (see
example on page 27). Your extra cancer risks from exposure to a hazardous
substance are estimated by multiplying your estimated exposure by a cancer
slope factor.
For noncancer effects, the simplest method assumes no risk below the human
threshold and a positive but unknown risk above that dose. When more
information is available, extra risks are estimated by multiplying your estimated
exposure by a noncancer slope factor for exposures above the human
threshold (see example on page 27). !
Health Risks from Some Hazardous Substances
Here are two examples of estimates of your health risks for hazardous
substances that have been in the news.
1. What is your extra cancer risk from exposure to tobacco smoke
containing substances suspected to cause cancer?
There is human evidence that tobacco smoke causes cancer. If you are a
nonsmoker who lives or works with smokers, researchers estimate that
your extra cancer risk is 365/100,000. In other words, 365 extra cases of
cancer are expected for every 100,000 persons exposed to an average
daily dose of tobacco tar of 1.43 milligrams for their 50 adult years. These
365 extra cases are in addition to the 20,000 cases .of cancer from other
causes expected in this population of 100,000.
2. What is your health risk from exposure to chemicals suspected
to cause cancer that are released from factories near your home,
such as methylene chloride?
Anjmal studies have shown that methylene chloride can cause cancer.
Using the results of animal studies, your extra cancer risk if you live and
work within a mile downwind of a chemical factory releasing 183,000
gounds of methylene chloride each year is estimated to be 50/100,000 or
0 extra cases of cancer in every 100,000 people exposed at these levels
during their lifetime. If you live between 1 and 2 miles from the factory,
your extra risk falls to 5/100,000 or 5 cases per 100,000 people exposed.
These cases are in addition to the 20,000 cases of cancer from other
causes expected in this population of 100,000.
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30 3. ESTIMATING YOUR HEALTH RISKS
Examples of EPA's Estimates of Health Effects
For selected hazardous substances, this section presents EPA's estimates for
three types of population health risks:
• cancer risks from prolonged exposures,
• noncancer risks from prolonged exposures, and
• health risks from accidental exposures. .
As noted earlier, EPA's worst-case health risk estimates are likely to overstate
the true risks when limited information is available.
Cancer Risks from Prolonged Exposures
Using the methods described in this chapter, EPA has estimated the cancer
risks from exposure to some common hazardous substances. Table 2 shows
the extra cancer cases estimated by multiplying EPA's estimates of the extra
cancer cases expected at an exposure of 1 microgram per day (meg/day), the
cancer slope factor shown in column 2, by the daily dose shown in column 5.
The daily doses in Table 2 come from Table 1 in Chapter 2. Your daily doses
may differ depending on whether you are exposed to these hazardous
substances at the same level as the specific communities described in
Table 1. All the estimates of cancer cases are in addition to the 20,000
cancers expected from all other causes in this group of 100,000 people.
' i
Comparing the cancer slope factors in column 2 for the different hazardous
substances, you can see that exposure of 100,000 people to asbestos at
1 meg/day is estimated to result in 50 extra cases of cancer, while exposure to
benzene at the same level is estimated to result in 0.04, or much less than
one, extra case. Thus, asbestos appears to be a more potent cancer-causing
agent than benzene.
This section provides only a few examples of risks from common hazardous
substances. You may be exposed to many other hazardous substances in
your environment. Once you understand how health risks are estimated, you
should be able to better evaluate risks from hazardous substances in your
environment. You also should be able to ask informed questions of officials
and technical experts and to better understand risk information.
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3. ESTIMATING YOUR HEALTH RISKS
31
• j
- \ - -
f -
•-]
I
\
t
I
i
1 ,' f
i
i
i
t
' . \
'i
i
i
*
..-•'; . . - • " , / ' -
Table 2. An Illustration of How Scientists Estimate Your Extra Chance of Getting
Cancer as a Result of Exposure to Hazardous Substances In the
Environment
(6)
(2) (3) Extra cancer
Estimated Weight- (5) cases per
extra of- Example 100,000
cases per evidence daily people
(1) 100,000 classifi- dose from at example
Hazardous people at cation (see (4) Table 1 daily dose
substance 1 meg per day page 25) Source (see page 18) [(2)x(5)]
Asbestos 50 A Cement- 0.2 ijncg per day 10
pipe in air
: • factory . ,
Benzene 0.04 A Car 450 meg per day 18
exhaust in air .
Carbon tetra- 0.08 B2 Chemical 560 meg per day 45
chloride factory . in air
Chloroform 0.12 , B2 Disinfec- 95 nrtcg per day 11
tion of in diinking
• ' , drinking water
water
Formaldehyde 0.05 B1 Chemical 20 meg per day 1
factory in air ,
Methylerie 0.02 B2 . Chemical 2,400 meg 50
chloride < factory per day in air
Perchloro- 0.002 B2 Sewage 730 meg per day 2
ethylene treatment in air
. .plant
Radon 0.011 . A Under- 16,000 pico- 180
(at1 picocuries per ground curies per
day) :-••'- deposits day ;in indoor afr
Tobacco smoke 0.255 A Cigarette 1,430 meg per 365
smokers day in indoor air ,
Notes: The daily doses and extra cancer cases shown here are just examples. Your extra chance of getting cancer
from exposure to each of the hazardous substances may be lower or higher than the example, depending on
whether your daily dose is lower or higher than the example daily dose.
Estimates assume a breathing rate of 20 cubic meters per day; water consumption of 2 liters per day; lifetime
exposure (70 years), except 50 years for tobacco smoke; 1 54 pounds body weight; and 1 00% absorption of
hazardous substance into body.
1 meg per day - 1 microgram per day - 1 miEonth of a gram per day.
1 gram - .035 ounces.
See page 25 for an explanation of the weight-of-evidence classification.
The extra cancer cases are hi addition to the 20,000 cases of cancer expected for the 1 00,000 ^^ people from all
other causes.
^ i ' ' . '--•,- '
"••..-.'•. . ' •. • • '••.!'"-' .• . •: . •
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32 3. ESTIMATING YOUR HEALTH RISKS
The third column of Table 2 gives EPA's weight-of-eyidence classification (see
box on page 25) for each substance. This classification indicates the level of
certainty of the health effects estimates based on the type of information
available to make these estimates. For both asbestos and benzene there is
good human evidence (group A). But comparing benzene and chloroform
shows that, although chloroform appears tp be a more potent cancer-causing
agent than benzene, only animal evidence of cancer is available for
chloroform (group B2); however, both animal and human evidence are
available for benzene (group A). So the health risk estimates for benzene are
more likely to be accurate than the health risk estimates for chloroform.
Comparing the estimates of extra cancer cases for each 100,000 people
exposed—given in the last column of Table 2—shows that the substances
that appear to be the most potent cancer-causing agents, such as asbestos,
are not necessarily the most dangerous because of their generally low daily
doses (that is, they generally are found at very low environmental levels, as
shown in Chapter 2, Table 1). Although tobacco smoke appears to be a less
potent cancer-causing agent than other hazardous substances, the extra
cancer cases estimated for tobacco smoke are significantly greater because
people are generally exposed to higher environmental levels of tobacco
smoke. Radon is also a significant health threat for the same reason.
You may know that you will be exposed to a particular hazardous substance
for only part of your life—for example, 20 years. For the cancer-producing
substances in Table 2, your extra cancer risk can be roughly approximated by
scaling down the lifetime estimates. For example, if you are exposed for only
20 years of your average 70-year life, your estimated risk of cancer from
exposure to 1 microgram per day is approximately 0.3 (that is, 20 years/70
years) times the value in column 2. Again, your extra cancer risk may be
different than that shown in Table 2 depending on whether your exposure is
higher, lower, or the same as the example community.
Noncancer Risks from Prolonged Exposures
Not all hazardous substances are associated with extra cancer risks. Lifetime
exposure to hazardous substances can result in many other types of damage
to your health. These health effects vary greatly in their seriousness, from
increasing your risk of premature death or permanent damage to kidney, liver,
and brain to increasing your risk of getting a mild skin rash or an asthma
attack. Hazardous substances also can have harmful effects on unborn
children, either reducing the chance of a live birth or increasing the risk of birth
defects Hazardous substances that can increase your risk of cancer also can
increase your risks of these other harmful health effects.
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3. ESTIMATING YOUR HEALTH RISKS 33
For selected hazardous substances, column 2 of Table 3 presents EPA's
estimates of human threshold levels in air (or in water for chloroform) for the
noncancer health effects listed in column 3. These are the dose levels below
which most people breathing the air (or drinking the water) have no
appreciable risk of the specific harmful effect. Column 3 presents the body
system that may be at risk above each threshold level.
Hazardous substances with lower human threshold levels (for example,
carbon tetrachloride and chloroform) can be considered more dangerous.
Scientists do not have enough information at thiis time to estimate how the risk
and degree of seriousness of the health effects vary at different exposure
levels above the threshold level for most hazardous substances. It is known
that the extra risk and degree of seriousness wi|l increase with increasing
exposure levels and at different rates for different substances. For example,
the risk of liver damage rises at a faster rate with increasing levels of carbon
tetrachloride than it does for methylene chloride.
Columns 5 and 6 present example environmental exposures and estimated
noncancer health risks, respectively. Of the examples given in Table 3, only
chloroform and carbon tetrachloride are found ait environmental levels above
the human thresholds for some noncancer effects.
[
' !'' • • • '
For less-than-lifetime, but prolonged, exposures; to substances that cause
noncancer health effects, unless specific information is available, EPA
assumes that the human threshold levels for any exposure lasting more than 7
years are the same as those for lifetime exposures. Scientists do not know
enough about the biology of these compounds fo know whether the human
body can tolerate higher doses for shorter exposure times. So they do not
know whether the threshold level will increase v/ith shorter exposures.
Health Risks from Accidental Exposures
Recently EPA identified approximately 400 chemicals as being extremely
hazardous substances. The risks from accidental releases of these extremely
hazardous chemicals may be severe and immediate and may affect many
people in a single neighborhood. For each substance, EPA has determined
an environmental concentration above which yo|u may suffer serious health
effects even if you are exposed for only a very short time. These
concentrations are known as the level of concern (LOG). If the concentration
of the chemical in the environment exceeded ths LOG after an accidental
release, people exposed would be at risk of dearth or other severe health con-
sequences unless they left the area immediately.
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34
3. ESTIMATING YOUR HEALTH RISKS
I
Table 3. An Illustration of How Scientists Estimate Noncancer Health Effects: Effects
from Selected Environmental Levels of Hazardous Substances
.
0)
Hazardous
substance
Benzene
Carbon
tetrachloride
Chloroform
Methylene
chloride
'
Perchloro-
ethylene
Xylene
(2)
Human
threshold
levels
(meg per day)
820
48
48
480
^T\^\f
48
220
13,000
13,000
1,400
1,400
1,100
1,100
(3)
Noncancer ,
health
effects/organ
damage
Fetal
development
Liver
Nerves/
behavior
Fetal
development
Fetal
development
Nerves/
behavior
Liver
Fetal
development
Kidney
Liver
Fetal
development
Reproduction
(4)
Source
Car exhaust
Chemical
factory
-
Disinfec-
tion of
drinking
water
Chemical
factory
Dry
cleaning
Car exhaust
~- .
(5)
Example
daily dose
from Table 1
450 meg per
day from
air
.
560 meg per
day from
air
95 meg per
day from
water
2,400 meg
per day
from air
/
200 meg
per day
from air
610 meg
per day
from air
(6)
Estimated
noncancer
health effects
Environmental
levels are
lower than
human threshold: —
health effects
unlikely
Possible liver,
nerves/,
behavior, and
fetal develop-
ment effects
Possible fetal
development
effect
Environmental
levels are
lower than
human threshold —
health effects
unlikely
Environmental
levels are
lower than
human threshold-
health effects
unlikely
Environmental
levels are
lower than
human threshold-
health effects ,
unlikely
Notes: 1 meg per day - 1 mlcrogram per day - 1 millionth of a gram per day.
1 gram
- 0.035 ounces.
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3. ESTIMATING YOUR HEALTH RISKS
Table 4, presents EPA's estimated LOG for a few extremely hazardous
substances and gives examples of possible community sources. Comparing
the LOG for formaldehyde (15,000 mcg/m3) with typical environmental
exposure levels shown in Table T (1. mcg/m3) shows that the LOG is 15,000
times higher. Nevertheless, accidental releases, if large enough, can result in
levels above the LOG. -An example of such a release was the 1985 release of
methyl-isocyanate in Bhopal, India, that killed 1 i500 people.
Table 4. EPA's Level of Concern (LOG) for Accidental Releases
of Selected Extremely Hazardous Chemicals
Chemical
Parathion
Cadmium oxide
Methyl-isocyanate
Chlorine
Formaldehyde
Ammonia
Chloroform
Notes: 1 ,000,000 meg
meter.
Possible sources
Pesticides
Batteries
Pesticides
Water treatment
Permanent press textiles
embalming
Household and commerc
agents
Industrial solvents
per m3 - 1,000 milligram per
LOG (mcg/rrt3)
2,000
4,000
5,000
9,000
15,000
iaj cleaning 35,000
490,000
cubic meter - 1 gram per cubic
1 gram - 0.035 ounces; 1 cubic meter - 35 c ublc feet - volume of cooking stove.
More Information
This chapter has provided the information you nbed to have a basic under-
standing of how EPA and other organizations estimate your health risks from
exposure to hazardous substances. If you would like to know more about this
topic, the publications listed below would be a good place to start.
-------
36 3. ESTIMATING YOUR HEALTH RISKS __ „_
Chemical Exposures: Effects on Health
Write to: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region II
26 Federal Plaza, Room 737
New York, NY 10278
Attn: Dr. Maria Pavlova »
or call: (212)264-7364
Toxicology: A Primes-on Toxicology Principles
and Applications by M. A. Kamrin _—_ _ —-
Write to: Lewis Publishers I
121 South Main Street
P.O. Drawer 519
Chelsea, Ml 48118
or call: 1-800-525-7894
Toxicology for the Citizen bv A. E. Marczewski, and M. Kamrin _^__
Write to: Center for Environmental Toxicology
Michigan State University
C231 Holden Hall , ,
East Lansing, Ml 48824
or call: (517)353-6469
Cost: $1.00
Technical Guidance for Hazards Analysis _ .—_
Write to- Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Information
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
OS-120
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
or call: 1-800-535-0202
In Washington, DC and Alaska
(202)479-2449
The Risk Assessment Manual: A Guide to Understanding ana'
Using Health and Environmental Assessments by B. Brockbank,
J. nohrsson. and V. T. Covello. 1988 —
Write to: National Technological Information Service
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA 22161
or call: (703)487-4650
Cost: $17.50
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4. JUDGING THE SERIOUSNESS OF HEALTH.fl/SKS
37
JUDGING THE SERIOUSNESS
OF HEALTH RISKS
HIGHLIGHTS:
9 Many situations can make you aware that hazardous substances exist in your
environment. The actions you take (or don't take) to reduce your exposure to
those substances are influenced, in part, by your perception of the seriousness
of the risk.
• Your personal concerns may differ from researchers' estimates of the risk
perceptions of the public as a whole.
Risk perceptions grow out of people's reactions to a number of characteristics
of the health effects of the exposure as well as
attributes of the risk itself.
•' EPA uses research on people's risk perceptions as one consideration in
developing actions under environmental laws.
Determining Your Personal Concerns About Risks
, Do any of these situations sound familiar?
' : ' . ' ' ' • , ' ' • - , . ' r ' • • . . ,'
• You notice that the air in your place of work has an unusual smeil.
« You see a notice at work, "Danger—Asbestos Removal in Progress."
i ..".',• . . - ' • • : . •
I « You notice a dreadful smell in the air about 4 miles from your house.
You read in the paper that a cancer-causing
on fruits and vegetables.
pesticide is commonly used
• You read in the paper that 80 tons of a cancer-causing chemical are
released to the environment from a factory 2 miles from your house.
• You hear on the local news that high levels of radon have been found in
houses in your subdivision.
All the above situations can make you aware of the possibility that hazardous
substances exist in your environment. Whenever you experience one of these
-------
38 -4. JUDGING THE SERIOUSNESS OF HEALTH RISKS
situations, you have to decide whether to seek more information and/or
whether to try to reduce your exposures to the hazardous substances.
Consider the first example—an unusual smell in the air in your place of work.
Ignoring it could be fatal, if the smell comes from a poisonous gas. Leaving
the building immediately may save your life. On the other hand, the smell may
not come from a hazardous substance.
People may react to any of these situations in different ways. In the case of a
strange odor, some people may leave the building, while others may stay.
You often have to make your own decisions on when to act and when not to
act. ' , •' . - •'....* . ' ' ' •. •
You may decide to get more information about your exposure and possible
health effects. Or you may decide to take immediate steps to reduce your
exposure. The actions you take or decide not to take are influenced by your
perception of the seriousness of the risk.
Characteristics that Influence People's Perceptions of Risks
Though people judge the seriousness of a risk of illness partly with respect to
the size of their exposure and the associated health risks, they also consider
certain characteristics of the risk:
• Seriousness of illness—is it a temporary illness, or a permanent one, or
death?
1 i . - ' • .. -. • .
• Dread factor—is it cancer?
• Timing of illness—is there a long time gap between exposure and the
illness?
, • Scientific knowledge—how certain are scientists about the relationship
between exposure to a hazardous substance and illness in humans f
• Social and political dynamics of the community—have community action
groups made people aware of the risk?
• Catastrophic potential—could many people be killed at one time?
• Recent trend—is it a new and increasing risk?
• Equity—who bears the risk: rich or poor, black or white, children or
adults?
• Control/voluntariness—how easily can people control the risk and do they
have a choice about their exposure?
• Physical distance—-do people live or work close to the source of
exposure? '
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4. JUDGING THE SERIOUSNESS OF HEALTH RfSKS
• Benefits—do the exposed people benefit from the source of exposure?
• ' Visual image—does the source of exposure) conjure negative images? r'~
The first two health characteristics, seriousness of illness and dread, are
connected ideas. Seriousness of an illness cari be measured both by the
likelihood that it will result in death and by how long the illness lasts and
whether or not there is likely to be a lot of pain and discomfort. Independent
of the health effects, however, people dread some illnesses more than others.
Cancer is one such illness. i
Timing may also influence people's perception of seriousness. Risk of death
or illness occurring immediately after exposure to the hazardous substances
will, all else being equal, be less tolerable to most people than the same risk
of death or illness delayed until 20 years after exposure. When the risk of
illness is delayed, the effect may never be realized.
Ranking Health Risks with Different Health Characteristics
How do most people rank the following hypothetical health risks in order of
their level of concern? ' :
1. A risk of one chance in 1,000 of a mild csise (upset stomach for 2 days)
of salfnonellosis immediately after eating [Contaminated food, with the
additional risk of one chance in 100,000 of dying from the food
poisoning. [
2. A risk of one chance in 1,000 of eating fruit contaminated with enough
cyanide to make you seriously ill or to kill you.
3. A risk of one chance in 1,000 of contracting cancer in 20 years' time as
a result of eating a food containing an illegal pesticide residue.
Most people rank risk 3 as more serious thar risk 2, probably because the
dread factor of cancer is sufficient to outweigh the benefits of a 20-year
delay. Salmonellosisis, for the most part, a i
-------
40
JUDGING THE SERIOUSNESS OF HEALTH RISKS
The catastrophic potential of the hazardous substance may increase people's
perception of seriousness. People usually find it is worse to contemplate
death if it is likely to be accompanied by the death of many other people,
especially if these people are likely to include family members. People may be
more willing to tolerate risks they have been living with for a long time and that
are stable or even decreasing than risks that are new or increasing.
The fairness and distribution of risks also affect people's perceived serious-
ness of risks. People who are part of the group most at risk will probably
perceive the risk to be more serious than if they are not part of that group,
.especially if it seems unfair that their group should be more at risk than other
groups. Also, people's perception of the seriousness of a risk will probably
vary depending on whether they bear the risk voluntarily and how easily they
can reduce the risk if they should want to. Finally, the benefits that people
receive from the same activity that produces the risk may influence their
perception of its seriousness.
Comparing Different Types of Risk
How would you compare the seriousness of the following pairs of contrast-
ing types of risk?
• The very uncertain estimates of the risks of cancer and other illnesses
(because of lack of scientific knowledge) from living near a hazardous
waste landfill compared with the better, understood risks of illness from
food contaminated with Salmonellaor botulinum toxin.
• Risks of cancer and other illnesses from livjng near coal-fired power
plants, which have been around a long time, compared with the same
risks from nuclear power plants, which are newer and have some
catastrophic potential. ,
• Risks of cancer and other illnesses from a nearby municipal incinerator
that burns your neighborhood trash only, compared with risks from an
incinerator that also burns trash from many other neighborhoods.
• Risks of injury or death from skydiving, a voluntary risk, compared with
risks from living near a hazardous waste facility or chemical factory,
involuntary risks. ;
• Risks of. cancer and other illnesses from arsenic in the air from a copper
smelter where you are employed, compared with the same risks from
arsenic in the air when you work elsewhere.
There are no correct choices between these types of risk. Your choices
indicate the relative importance of different risk characteristics for you. In
general, people are more concerned about new, uncertain, catastrophic,
and involuntary risks.
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4. JUDGING THE SERIOUSNESS OF HEALTH RISKS
How the Government Uses Risk Perceptions to Help Develop Legislation
Traditionally, the government considered only the size of a risk in developing
legislation to control hazardous substances—placing more stringent controls
I on hazardous substances posing greater risks, jln recent years, however,
pressure from environmental activist groups and the political system has led
the government to consider the public's concerns about the seriousness of a
risk as well as the actual size of the risk from scientific studies when
developing legislation.
Unfortunately, government controls cannot completely reduce your exposure
; to hazardous substances. Whether you decide f hat you are willing to accept
the remaining risks or you decide that these risks are serious enough to take
further action depends on your own perception of the seriousness of those
risks. You may also decide that you need more information.
Part II of this guidebook describes actions to reduce your health risks from
exP°sure to hazardous substances. Chapter 5 describes, government actions
. i and Chapter 6 describes community actions to reduce your exposure to
hazardous substances. Chapter 7 discusses personal actions that you can
take if you want to reduce your risk even further, land Chapter 8 provides a list
of sources for further information on your exposures and health risks.
More Information
This chapter has provided the information you nejed to have a basic under-
standing of how people judge the seriousness of risks. If you would like to
know more about this topic, the publications listed below would be a good
place to start.
Chemical Risk: A Primer
Write to: American Chemical Society
Department of Government Relations and Science Policy
1155 16th Street, NW y
Washington, DC 20036
or call: (202) 872-4395, (202) 872-4391
-------
42
4. " "vsiAM THP SERIOUSNESS OF HEALTH RISKS
Effective Risk Communication by V. T. Covello, D. B. McCallum,
M T. Pavlova. New York: Plenum —:—
Contact your local library or book store to obtain a copy.
Deartment of Energy
Write to: Library Services
Battelle Seattle Research
P.O. Box C-5395
Seattle, WA 98105-5428
Cost:
ion No. BHARC-800/87/023
$20.00
pp. 171-182
Contact your local library to obtain a copy.
-------
PART II
Reducing Your Health Risks from Exposure
to Hazardous Substances
CHAPTERS:
Government Actions Aimed at Reducing Your Exposure to
(Hazardous Substances
I CHAPTERS:
Community Actions Aimed at Reducing Your Exposure to
< ; Hazardous Substances
I CHAPTER?:
Actions You Can Take to Ribduce Your Exposure to
[Hazardous Substances
CHAPTERS:
Getting More information on ^Hazardous Substances
-------
-------
5. GOVERNMENT ACTIONS
43
GOVERNMENT ACTIONS AIMED AT REDUCING
YOUR EXPOSURE TO HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
HIGHLIGHTS:
EPA has many responsibilities under federal environmental laws: setting and
enforcing standards, developing pollution control and measurement methods
requiring the cleanup of polluted sites, working with and informing the public '
and assisting Local Emergency Planning Commlittees in planning for
emergencies. • y
Government actions that improve human health\ impose costs on us as
consumers and taxpayers. These costs may be counter-balanced by other
benefits to the economy, the environment, and people.
Government actions aimed at reducing people's exposure to hazardous
substances cannot totally eliminate these exposures.
Environmental Legislation
In the past two decades, the U.S. Congress has passed many laws to restore
the environment and to protect the environment and people from further
exposure to hazardous substances. Each of these laws is geared toward
reducing health risks and covers a specific area of the environment. For
example, different laws cover pollution to the air, water, or land; pollution from
products, such as pesticides or chemicals; and pollution in the workplace.
Mil III!
ill |
-------
44
S. GOVERNMENT ACTIONS
The environmental laws are carried out by several different federal, state, and
local agencies;,
•
• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates
indoor air in the workplace.
- The Department of Transportation (DOT) regulates,hazardous substances
while they are in transit.
• The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) protects consumers
through proper labeling of products.
• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monitors jP^scription drug^ _
and poultry produces.
- The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Aspects fnd
provides safe handling and labeling guidelmes for meat and poultry
products.
Since the beginning of the nuclear age, safe management and disposal of the
radioactive materials used by energy, defense, medicine, industry, and
research have presented a tremendous challenge to society. Several federal
agencies regulate various aspects of radioactive waste management,
. The Nuclear Requlatory Commission (NRC) licenses and regulates
radloSfmaferials users and low-level radioactive was^^
facilities.
. PPA issues radiation emissions standards to protect the general public
from radiation^^xposu?S from low-level radioactive waste management
and disposal facilities.
• DOT regulates the shiprnent of radioactive materials.
• The Department of Energy (DOE) governs the interstate system of low-
level radioactive waste facilities.
If you would like to know more about the major federal laws and the areas that
they address, refer to Table 5 beginning on page 53.
EPA's Responsibilities
Once Congress enacts an environmental law, EPA must administer programs
to support the legislation. EPA's responsibilities include
-------
5. GOVERNMENT ACTIONS , 45
• setting and enforcing standards,
• developing pollution control and measurement methods,
• requiring the cleanup of polluted sites,
. . | •, . -
'• working with and informing the public, j
• assisting Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) in planning for
emergencies, and , !
• coordinating efforts of local government groups.
Setting and Enforcing Standards
Often, EPA's first step in carrying out a law is to: set standards for environmen-
tal quality based on the intent of the law. EPA follows specific criteria in devel-
oping standards for each environmental law. For example, under the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCFJIA) a waste must exceed
certain numerical threshold concentrations of toxic constituents before it falls
under EPA jurisdiction. On the other hand, the pomprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) gives EPA jurisdiction
to control any release of a hazardous substance), pollutant, or contaminant into
the environment, regardless of the level. !
EPA allows facilities to release low levels of hazardous substances into the
air, water, or land that are not harmful to human1 health or the environment.
EPA develops and issues permits to ensure that the facility does not violate
the standard in the area. The permit usually limits the amounts and types of
pollutants that the facility can release. For example, the permit may state the
maximum amount of a substance that the facility can discharge over a certain
time period. The permit may also state various steps the facility must take to
lower emission levels, such as installing a filtering system. An environmental
permit often requires the facility to monitor different pollutants. To ensure that
a facility follows the requirements in its permit, EEPA has the right to inspect a
facility and can fine the facility for violations.
Environmental laws also allow EPA to limit the types of hazardous substances
that can be contained in pesticides and synthetic chemicals and products.
These laws require industry to test new products and submit information to
EPA about the health and environmental effects of the contents of the
products before marketing them. Based on the results of these tests, EPA can
limit the use of the product, ban the product, or require that the product label
contain Information about the hazards of the product.
-------
46
•B. GOVERNMENT ACTIONS
Lead in the Atmosphere
Most emissions of lead into the atmosphere are from one of three main
sources: automobiles and other vehicles, nonferrous smelters, and battery
plants. Historically, automotive emissions have been the primary source of
atmospheric lead. In the 1970's, EPA began two pollution control . ,
programs that have significantly reduced the contribution of automotive
emissions to lead pollution. Consequently, the overall concentrations of
lead in the air have fallen dramatically.
One EPA program introduced unleaded gasoline in 1975. Since then, the
percentage of unleaded gasoline in the gasoline market has grown—in
1987, unleaded gasoline accounted for 76 percent of all gasoline sales.
EPA has issued regulations that require a gradual reduction of the lead
content in gasoline. In July 1985, the lead content was reduced from 1.0
gram per gallon to 0.5 gram per gallon, and in January 1986 to 0.1 gram
per gallon. As a result, the automotive contributions to lead pollution in the
air fell from 73 percent of all lead emissions in 1985 to 37 percent in 1987.
In a study of 394 urban areas in 44 states, EPA found that total lead
emissions had been reduced by 83 percent from 1983 to 1987. EPA
credits the decrease in automotive emissions for 99 percent of this
improvement in air quality.
EPA sets and enforces standards to the extent possible given the available
resources for the federal and state governments. Often, EPA must make
decisions on resource allocation to ensure that standards address the
environmental problems that pose the most significant and serious risks.
Focusing on less important, but popular, issues can take funds away from
programs that cover the most serious environmental problems.
f
Promoting Waste Reduction and Pollution Prevention
EPA conducts research programs to develop and test new ways to reduce the
effects of hazardous waste in the environment. For example* the Superfund
law establishes a research budget to demonstrate site cleanup methods. The
federal government and some state governments have set up programs to
reduce the volume of hazardous waste shipped from plant sites.
Pollution prevention programs in many states help businesses reduce the
amounts of hazardous waste they generate. One example is regional waste
exchanges, which connect generators of hazardous by-products with potential
users of those by-products. Regional waste exchanges remove hazardous
by-products from the wastestream by promoting their reuse.
EPA's Pollution Prevention Office (PPO) develops and implements programs
to reduce or eliminate the generation of waste. Among its activities are
-------
5. GOVERNMENT ACTIONS 47
programs to encourage industry to develop and implement technologies that
prevent pollution. PRO provides grants to states; for this purpose and also
maintains the Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse (PPIC).
Through the PPIC, the PPO provides information on government and industry
pollution prevention programs, grant and project funding opportunities,
upcoming events, conferences, and seminars. PPIC contains the Electronic
Information Exchange System (EIES) which is a computerized information
network that anyone can access, either through a PC with appropriate
communication software or through the RCRA/Stuperfund hotline (1-800-424-
9346). The hotline answers or refers pollution prevention questions, provides
access information in the PPIC, provides instruction on how to use the EIES
databases, and assists in document searches and ordering.
t ' "^ '
Requiring the Cleanup of Polluted Sites i
The Superfund and hazardous waste laws allow EPA to reduce the risks from
hazardous wastes in the environment by requiring the cleanup of sites where
the environment is already damaged by industrial activities. In some cases
hazardous substances have been illegally dumped into the land or water and
abandoned. In other cases, the methods used for legal disposal of the wastes
did not adequately protect the environment. The chemicals or the runoff from
the chemicals may have entered the water supply or may be contaminating
the air or the soil.
Once a Superfund site is identified, EPA makes a concentrated effort to find
and compel those responsible to fund necessary studies and to pay for the
cleanup. If an immediate problem threatens human health and welfare or the
environment, EPA takes action under the Supeirfund cleanup program and
later tries to recover costs from those responsible.
EPA can initiate either removal actions or remedial actions. Removal actions
are short-term actions to stabilize or clean up a hazardous site that poses an
immediate threat to human health or the environment. Typical removal
actions include removing tanks or drums of ha2:ardous substances on the sur-
face, installing fencing or other security measures, and providing temporary
alternative sources of drinking water.
Remedial actions involve the study, design, and construction of longer term
and usually more expensive actions aimed at permanent remedy. EPA can
respond this way for sites that are on the National Priority List (NPL)—a list of
the nation's most serious hazardous waste sitejS. Typical remedial responses
include treating wastes at the site, installing cls[y caps over sites, constructing
underground wells to control movement of groUndwater, performing on-site
-------
48 -5. GOVERNMENT ACTIONS
incineration or solidification of wastes, or providing permanent, alternative
sources of drinking water.
For sites not on the NPL, EPA or the states can initiate removaf or remedial
actions or require the responsible parties to do so under the hazardous waste
laws. The hazardous waste laws cover considerably more sites than the
Superfund program. But the Superfund sites are considered the worst sites in
terms of human health risk.
As of September 1989, EPA had completed long-term cleanup at 50 sites. In
addition, removal actions had been undertaken at 300 sites on the National
Priority List. Remedial action had been undertaken at 885 sites, EPA takes
into account the number of people exposed at a given site and seriousness of
the health risk to those exposed in deciding which sites to clean up first and
what actions to take.
Working with and Informing the Public
EPA programs provide information to the public and businesses about
regulatory requirements, environmental programs,,procedures to reduce
exposure to hazardous substances, and the health effects of certain
hazardous substances. Several national information lines answer questions
about rules and regulations under different laws. For example, the
RCRA/Superfund hotline (1-800-424-9346) answers questions about solid and
hazardous wastes. EPA also provides information through published
materials, training programs, and certification courses.
EPA and state governments collect the information on chemical inventories
and emissions that manufacturers must submit under the Emergency Planning
and Community Right-to-Know Act. This information is intended for use by the
public and by community planners. Chapter 8 provides information on various
publications and services provided by EPA.
-------
5. GOVERNMENT ACTIONS
EPA's Information Program for Radon
EPA has developed the following materials and programs to educate the
public about the health risks of radon and what to do about them:
A Citizen's Guide
To Radon
What His
And What To Do
About It
» A booklet for the public, A Citizen's Guide To
Radon: What It Is And What To Do About It,
published in conjunction with the Department
of Health and Human Services. ;
• ' " i
• A booklet for the public, Radon Reduction
Methods: A Homeowner's Guide. j
ii
• A report, Radon Measurement in Schools. |
• A program to evaluate the proficiency of ration
testing procedures used by independent
companies.
N - " I
• Training and certification courses to teach
independent building contractors radon-free
building methods and mitigation methods.
Three regional training centers are being set
up.
I
• A program to encourage homeowners to test for radon and correct
problem levels. !
• Pilot programs to test new mitigation methods.
• A hotline, 1 -800-SOS-RADON.
EPA works with state governments to distribute and disseminate these
materials and implement the programs. Table 12 beginning on page 108
contains information on how to obtain the materials listed above. To find
out more on the radon programs, contact one of the state radon contacts
listed in Table 7, beginning on page 91.
Assisting Local Emergency Planning Committees
in Planning for Emergencies
As required by the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act,
local communities and state governments must Use information submitted by
certain types of facilities to prepare for an emergency situation involving the
unplanned release of a hazardous substance. l[he act calls for the formation
of local groups called Local Emergency Planning Committees (LJEPCs), which
prepare the plan for responding to a chemical emergency. State Emergency
Response Commissions (SERCs) are also set up to assist and coordinate
activities of the local communities. (See Chapter 6 of this guidebook for more
information on LEPCs and SERCs.) EPA assists other state and local
organizations and publishes guidance documents on developing emergency
plans.
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50 '5. GOVERNMENT ACTIONS
Coordinating Efforts of Local Government Groups ....
EPA often works with local government groups on environmental initiatives.
For example, in recent years Denver, Colorado, has been plagued by a visible
air pollution problem. Because of Denver's unique geographic location and
climate, warm air is trapped above the city, causing a buildup of carbon
monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulates. These pollutants impair the
blood's ability to carry oxygen and can lead to cardiovascular, pulmonary,
respiratory, .and nervous system problems.
The EPA and local government groups are .working together to clean up
Denver's air. The Metropolitan Air Quality Council has enacted a carbon
monoxide reduction plan with stringent inspection and maintenance
requirements for vehicles. In addition, the plan requires all vehicles to use
high oxygen fuels to improve combustion and reduce emissions of carbon
monoxide. Denver and four surrounding communities have adopted wood
burning restrictions to reduce the concentration of particulates in the air. The
Council is also considering ideas such as special pollution control devices for
cars driven at high altitudes to further improve the city's air quality.
The Benefits and Costs of Government Action
When the government cleans up abandoned dump sites, places stricter
controls on landfills or pesticide uses, or stops some very toxic wastes from
being generated, these actions provide benefits for some people. These
actions also can benefit the whole ecosystem. As consumers and as tax-
payers, however, we pay for the costs of reducing exposure to hazardous sub-
stances. The strong support for the environment in most polls suggests that
people believe these efforts are important. Even so, EPA must consider
benefits and costs carefully when carrying out the responsibilities described
above. , "
While discussion of most of these benefits and costs is beyond the scope of
this guidebook, they are summarized on the next page to show the complexity
of issues involved in environmentallegislation.
One of the benefits of environmental legislation—improved human health—is
the focus of this guidebook. By carrying out laws to reduce your risk of illness
from exposure to hazardous substances, EPA works to improve human
health. Part I of this guidebook described methods that scientists use to
estimate the human health benefits from reduced exposures to hazardous
substances.
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,5. GOVERNMENT ACTIONS
51
Some Benefits and Costs of Environmental Programs
Benefits V j
• Improved human health. Reducing the amount and types of pollution
improves human health. These improvements range from fewer acute illnesses
such as asthma caused by poor air quality to reduced risk of chronic diseases
such as cancer. Improved human health also reduces health care costs.
• Improved human welfare. Reducing pollution improves human well-being.
For example, cleaner water means more fishable water bodies.
!''
• Increased employment. Industries supporting pollution abatement efforts,
such as air pollution control equipment manufacturers, experience increased
employment. i
i '
• Increased tax revenues. Industries supporting pollution abatement efforts pay
increased taxes as their profits increase.
• Species preservation. Reducing pollution lowers the likelihood that plant and
animal species will be adversely affected. |
! ' . •
• Improved aesthetics. Reducing pollution can prevent plants from losing
leaves, spotting, or losing their flowers prematurely. Reducing pollution also
may increase visibility (reduce smog).
• Reduced deterioration rates. Reducing air pollution lowers the rates of
building deterioration caused by acid reactions.!
Costs
• Increased prices of goods and services. Laws requiring an industry to use
pollution control equipment often increase the industry's costs. These cost
increases tend to be passed along in higher prices for products or services
provided by that industry.
• Reduced availability of goods and services. \ Bans on products that are
determined to be excessively harmful make theise products unavailable.
• Reduced employment. If installing pollution controls adds to the costs of the
plant so that a company in that industry can no longer make a sufficient profit a
company may shut down a particular plant or reduce the number of workers at
a plant.
• Reduced tax revenues. If a facility closes down or reduces its production
capabilities because of environmental laws, tax revenues paid by the facility to
the city, county, state, or federal government will be lost.
• Reduced expenditures on other programs. CJiven a limited budget the use
of government monies for environmental programs may mean reducing
expenditures on programs in other areas such as educatipn or defense
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52
GOVERNMENT ACTIONS
costs of environmental regulation become smaller over time
is such as reduced employment could be offset over the long term
growth of employment in companies that produce po lut,on reduction
services. Laws that require pollution controls may cause
W tt» immediate future on goods produced by'that industry.
Eventually entrepreneurs discover new methods of production or new
poSon-confrortechnologies that reduce pollution and are less costly Laws
t'htmquire bans on products may reduce the availability of those products.
Eventually, new products may be developed that are less harmful than
existing ones.
The DDT Ban and Bald Eagles
Bv the early 1970's, the toll of hunting, pesticide use, and disappearing
lay eggs with shells so thin that they broke under the we.ght of nesting. AS
a result, few eaglets survived.
the EPA's ban on DDT in 1972, a remarkable resurgence in the bald
the ipSrrty of removing it from the endangered spec.es hst.
Effectiveness of Government Actions
Although the government has developed a wide variety of programs to reduce
environmental risks, there are limits to the effectiveness of these programs.
• .Enforcement can be a difficult, expensive, and lengthy process,
. The Government cannot eliminate accidental releases of substances by
IdulSwever, facilities that routinely have accidental releases may
cLml under increased scrutiny especially because of the new report ng
requtrements under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-
KnowAct. -
. Pollution control devices, such as catalytic converters on automobiles are
only effective for controlling air pollution if they are rna.nta.ned properly.
• The government cannot control improper use of pesticides or other
consumer products by citizens in their homes.
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5. GOVERNMENT ACTIONS
53
EPA has responded to these limitations by setting up programs for local
governments. The next chapter explains what these local government groups
do to reduce your community's exposure to hasiardous substances. You also
may want to know what actions you can take or^ your own to reduce your
exposure to hazardous substances; Chapter 7 describes these personal
actions. Chapter 8 lists many helpful publications, hotlines, and organizations
that provide information to citizens about hazardous substances in the
environment.
Table 5. Areas Addressed Under Major Federal Environmental Laws
Area
Air
Drinking
water
Water
Law
Description of Law
Clean Air Act
Responsible
Party(ies)
Safe Drinking
Water Act
Clean Water Act
Marine Protection,
Research, and
Sanctuaries Act
Sets and monitors ambient air quality
standards in order to protect public health
and environmental quality. Limits pollution
(including radioactive emissions into the
outdoor air) from factories, powrer plants,
cars, and other major sources of air
pollution.
Establishes national standards for
maximum contaminant levels in public
drinking water systems. Bans lead in water
coolers and in new water supply solder and
piping. Regulates discharge of pollutants
into groundwater. |
Enforces quality standards for all interstate
and coastal waters by requiring discharge
permits for factories, sewage treatment
plants, and storm runoff. Sets minimum
national effluent standards for each
industry.
Limits the dumping of all types of material in
, U.S. ocean waters unless authorized by
permit.
EPA, state
govern-
ments
EPA, state
govern-
ments
EPA, state
govern-
ments
EPA, Coast
Guard,
Army
(continued)
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54
5. GOVERNMENT ACTIONS
Tables. Areas Addressed Under Major Federal Environmental Laws (continued)
l_aw Description of Law .
Area
Waste
treatment,
storage,
and dis-
posal
Food
Products
Responsible
Party(ies)
Resource
Conservation and
Recovery Act
(including
Hazardous and
Solid Waste
Amendments)
Comprehensive
Environmental
Response, Com-
pensation, and
Liability Act (or
Superfund)
Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act
Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act
The Federal
Insecticide, Fungi-
cide, and Rodenti-
cide Act
Places a "cradle-to-grave" management
requirement on generators and transporters
of hazardous wastes as well as on owners
and operators of treatment, storage, and
disposal (TSD) facilities. Regulates
disposal of solid and hazardous wastes to
the land and also regulates groundwater
contamination around TSD facilities.
Requires the cleanup of hazardous •
substances released into the air, soil,
surface water, and groundwater. Imposes
liability requirements on parties responsible
for hazardous waste sites created in the
past and establishes a fund for cleaning up
abandoned sites. Provides authority and
funding for responding to hazardous
substance spills.
Sets maximum legal limits for pesticide
residues on all food marketed in the U.S.
Limits the contamination or adulteration of
food to tolerance levels that will protect
human health.
Sets safety standards for pesticide products
and allows EPA to restrict or ban
substances that do not meet human health
or environmental standards. Limits the
manufacture and importation" of pesticides
to those compounds that have been
registered by the EPA.
EPA
EPA
EPA
USDA, FDA
EPA
(continued)
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5. GOVERNMENT ACTIONS
55
Table 5. Areas Addressed Under Major Federal Environmental Laws (continued)
Area
Products
(cont.)
\ /
- . • r
| Workplace
Transpor-
tation
Informa-
tion
Agency key:
Law
Toxic Substances
Control Act
(
Hazardous
Substances
Labeling Act
Occupational
Safety and Health
Act
Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act
Toxic Substances
Control Act
Hazardous Materi-
als Transportation
Act
Emergency Plan-
ning and Com-
munity Right-to-
Know Act— Title III
of the Superfund
Amendment and
Reauthorization
Act
Description of Law
Requires testing of chemical substances,
both new and old, theoretically even before
human or environmental exposure occurs.
Regulates the production, use,, distribution,
and disposal of potentially hazardous
substances. Regulates the development of
_ biotechnology and genetic engineering.
Establishes information requirements for the
labels of consumer products such as soaps,
detergents, cleansers, bleaches, polishes,
paints, hobby products, oils, automotive
products, and solvents.
Sets health and safety standards for
workplace environments.
Limits worker exposure to pesticides.
Requires manufacturers of toxic substances
to provide notification that identifies any
potential workplace hazards.
Sets standards for the shipment of
hazardous materials.
'• ' "•• • ' ' 1 •"
Requires many factories and businesses to
report information to the government about
chemical inventories and the environmental
release of certain chemicals.
Responsible
Party(ies)
EPA
CPSC
"OSHA,
state gov-
ernments,
OSHRC
. EPA
EPA
DOT
EPA, state
and local
govern-
ments,
citizens
CPSC Consumer Product Safety Commission
DOT Department of Transportation .
EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
FDA Food and
Drug Administration
OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OSHRC Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission
USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture
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56 5. GOVERNMENT ACTIONS
More Information
This chapter has provided the information you need to have a basic under-
standing of government actions to reduce your exposure to hazardous
substances. If you would like to know more about this topic, the sources listed
below would be a good place to start.
Environmental Progress and Challenges:
EPA's Update .' ;_ \ ' • ' ;
Write to: Public Information Center PM-211B
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
or call: (202)382-2080
Trends In the Quality of the Nation's Air
Write to: Public Information Center PM-211B
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
or call: (202)382-2080
Waste Minimization: Environmental Quality
with Economic Benefits -. •
Write to: RCRA/Superfuhd Hotline
OSW/OPMS Hotline
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
OS-305
Washington, DC 20460
or call: 1-800-424-9346
In Washington, DC: (202) 382-3000
Superfund: Looking Ahead, Looking Back
Write to: Public Information Center PM-211B
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
: Washington, DC 20460
or call: (202)382-2080
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6. COMMUNITY ACTIONS
57
COMMUNITY ACTIONS AIMED AT REDUCING YOUR
EXPOSURE TO HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
HIGHLIGHTS:
Your Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEEPC) collects information about
hazardous substances in your community and develops a plan for emergency
actions that will be taken if an accident occurs. You can get this information
from your LEPC.
You can help organize programs with your state or local government to reduce
sources of environmental problems.
Your Local Emergency Planning Committee
The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) is the local group charged
with developing an emergency plan for evacuation or emergency response to
an accident involving hazardous substances. LIEPCs are designated by the
State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) for each state. SERCs
coordinate arid supervise LEPC activities. SERCs were established as part of
Title III of the Superf und Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986
(SARA), also known as the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-
Know Act of 1986. There are more than 4,000 LEPCs nationwide. The
easiest way to find a contact person for the nearest LEPC is to call your local
government or SERC representative listed in Tsible 6, beginning on page 84.
Your LEPC has the following mission:
• To develop a comprehensive emergency plan for your community and
keep the plan up to date. To be effective, planning must be an ongoing
activity.
• To receive and maintain information about siccidental chemical releases
• To collect, manage, and provide public access to information on
hazardous substances in your area.
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58
•6. COMMUNITY ACTIONS
• To educate the public about risks from accidental and routine releases of
hazardous substances and to work with facilities to minimize the risks.
These LEPC activities ultimately can reduce your community's risks from
hazardous substances.
!
Your LEPC includes representatives from all parts of your community,
including elected state and local officials; law enforcement, civil defense,
firefighting, health, environmental, hospital, and transportation professionals;
owners and operators of facilities covered by Title III of SARA; broadcast and
print media; and community groups. Your LEPC also welcomes volunteer
citizen representatives. As a citizen representative, you can review and
comment on your community's emergency response plan and ask questions
about how the procedures affect you, your family, and your place of business.
Membera of
a typical LEPC
The Emergency Plan
By October of 1988, each LEPC was to have developed an emergency plan,
which the LEPC must review and update annually. The LEPC also
recommends a budget to the local government for developing, implementing,
and carrying out the emergency plan. Each emergency plan must include the
following information: .
• names of facilities using or producing specific chemicals;
• transportation routes used by the facilities;
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1.
m
6. COMMUNITY ACTIONS , 59
"-.-•' • emergency response procedures for facilities and for local emergency and
medical personnel;
• names of community and facility emergency coordinators;
• procedures for notifying officials and the public in the event of a release of
a hazardous substance; j
• ' . . ' - - ' !' "
• methods for detecting a release and identifying areas and populations at
risk; .
• a description of emergency equipment and facilities in the community and
at specified facilities; " \ . ' ' "
" . , ' 'i •".-'• - . ' .
• evacuation plans;
• training programs; and
• schedules for exercising the emergency plan.
Information Available from Your LEPC
You can get several types of information from trie LEPC about the hazardous
, i substances in your community:
1 . A list of the facilities In the planning ares that store certain hazardous
substances and the amounts and types 6f extremely hazardous
chemicals they use or store. Many LEPCs already have made this infor-
mation available to the public by putting a copy in the local library. (You
may want to get EPA's Title III List of Lists, which lists hazardous sub-
stances, and a booklet that explains the Emergency Planning and Com-
munity Right-to-Know Act. The Act requires! different reporting require-
ments for different substances. See Table 1|2, beginning on page 1 08, for
printed materials and Table 13, on page 1 1 7, for cornputerized materials.)
- i • . ' • • ' •"
2. A list of facilities that have reported accidental releases to the LEPC
~ In the past. As part of the law, companies must report to the government
• -' releases that exceed a specified quantity. This information may be use'ful
to you to determine if facilities in your area have had a history of accidents
and to find out the type and amounts of hazardous substances that have
been released in these accidents.
3. nformation on the releases of hazardous substances to the airi to
water, or through land disposal from manufacturing facilities. This
information may or may not be available from the LEPC because com-
panies do not have to submit this information directly to the LEPC.
Nevertheless, the LEPC may request any information it needs to develop
the plan — some LEPCs have used the release information in their plans.
If release information is not available from the LEPC, you can obtain it
from the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Database or from your state's
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60 6. COMMUNITY ACTIONS
Section 313 contact (see Table 6 beginning on page 84, for the name of
the Section 313 contact in your state). Table 13 on page 117 tells you
how to access the TRI database by computer and how to make written -
requests.
4 Material Safety Data Sheets. Material safety data sheets (MSDSs) are
one-page documents that show results of analyses done on chemicals.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) hazard
communications regulations require businesses at which hazardous
substances are present to prepare MSDSs and provide a list of the MoDS
titles to the SERC, the LEPC, and the local fire department with jurisdiction
over the facility. ,
5 The Hazards Identification and Analysis that the LEPC is required to
prepare as part of the emergency plan. A hazards identification and
analysis is a critical component of the LEPC'S emergency plan. The infor-
mation developed in this analysis provides both the factual basis to set
priorities for planning and also the necessary documentation for supporting
the LEPC's planning and response efforts.
Three different types of analysis make up the hazards identification and
analysis:
• Hazards Identification. Determines which situations have the poten-
tial for causing injury to life or damage to property and the environ-
ment. '..'.--
• Vulnerability Analysis. Determines the susceptibility of life,
property, and the environment to injury or damage if a hazard mani-
fests its potential.
« Risk Analysis. Estimates the probability that injury to life or damage
to property and the environment will occur.
In practice, your LEPC may not have completed a hazards identification and
analysis for the hazardous substances in your community. This is because
the LEPC is partly a volunteer organization and many LEPCs have only begun
the complex task of assembling and interpreting the technical information they
receive. Nevertheless, the LEPC may be able to show you a map of the facil-
ities in your area and the types of substances they use or store (see items 1 -4
above). This will give you a general idea of the sources in your area.
The hazards identification provides information on the facility and transporta-
tion situations that have the potential to cause injury to life or damage to
property and the environment due to a spill or release of a hazardous
substance. The hazards identification should include the following
information:
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8. COMMUNITY ACTIONS
6t
« the types and quantities of hazardous substances located in or transported
through a community;
• the location of hazardous substances facilities and routes; and
• the nature of the hazard (e.g., fire, explosions) most likely to accompany
hazardous substances spills or releases.
The vulnerability analysis identifies areas in the community that are
susceptible to damage should a hazardous substances release occur. The
vulnerability analysis should provide the following information:
• the extent of the vulnerable zone (i.e., the significantly affected area) for a
spill or release and the conditions that influence the zone of impact (e.g.,
size of release, wind direction); j
• the population, in terms of size and types (e^g., residents, employees,
sensitive populations—hospitals, schools, nursing homes, day care
centers) that could be expected to be within the vulnerable zone;
• ' ' I - '" •
• the private and public property (e.g., homes, businesses, offices) that may
be damaged, including essential support systems (e.g., water, food,
power, medical), and transportation corridors; and
• the environment that may be affected and the impact on sensitive natural
areas and endangered species.
Vulnerability Analysis
A vulnerability analysis is a required component of the emergency plan. It
determines the segment or segments of the community that are vulnerable
to injury or damage if the worst-case scenario of an accident were to occur
at a facility using a hazardous substance or on a transportation route. As
part of the analysis, a "vulnerable zone" is eistimated for each hazardous
substance present at a facility. Vulnerable zones are the areas that may
be exposed to concentrations of an airborne hazardous substance at
unsafe levels following an accidental release; they are based on
• the size and rate of release;
'•• the physical characteristics of the chemical such as its physical state
(solid, liquid, gas), its toxicity, its ability to react with other chemicals, its
corrosivity or flammability, and its ability tci disperse in the environment;
• the airborne concentration at which the chemical causes irreversible ,
damage to the public health and environment;
the wind speed and direction at the time o
the accident; and
the surrounding topography and landscape features.
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62 -6. COMMUNITY ACTIONS
The risk analysis assesses the probability of damage (or injury) taking place in
the community due to a hazardous materials release and the actual damage
(or injury) that might occur, in light of the vulnerability analysis. Some
planners'may choose to analyze worst-case scenarios. The risk analysis may
provide the following information:
• the probability that a release will occur and any unusual environmental
conditions, such as areas in flood plains, or the possibility of simultaneous
emergency incidents (e.g., flooding or fire hazards resulting in release of
hazardous materials);
• the type of harm to people (acute, delayed, chronic) and the associated
high-risk groups;
• the type of damage to property (temporary, repairable, permanent); and
• the type of damage to the environment (recoverable, permanent).
You should be aware that any information you receive from your LEPC Will not
include releases from Superfund or other priority abandoned disposal sites,
municipal land disposal facilities or incinerators, nonpoint sources such as run-
off from agricultural fields, facilities that do not meet the minimum reporting
requirements of Title III of SARA, and other facilities that are not covered or
have not yet reported under Title III of SARA. For information on potential
sources from a Superfund site, you can find a record of any reports at the
documents repository, which is normally located in the county library nearest
the Superfund site. You also can call the RCRA/Superfund Hotline at
1-800-424-9346.
Industry Response to the LEPC
The Chemical Manufacturers Association (CMA) requires its member
companies to participate in the Community Awareness and Emergency
Response (CAER) program. CAER's objectives are to inform people about
industry operations in their communities and to help develop and test
emergency response plans. Through participation in CAER, the industry is
providing technical assistance to LEPCs, communicating SARA Title III
emissions information to the public, and donating equipment to LEPCs and
emergency response agencies.
The LEPC's ability to focus community attention on the releases and
inventories of chemicals at facilities in the community has forced some
facilities to rethink their chemical housekeeping practices. In some cases,
companies have decided to change the amount of inventories they keep as a
result of the law.
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6. COMMUNITY ACTIONS
LEPC Success Stories
One railroad company, Conrail, typically has an annual average 0(5*500
freight cars carrying hazardous substances through a major population
center. Conrail recently reported to the LEPC that it has re-routed 2,500 of
these cars onto rail lines in less populated areas outside the city.
i
" '• •[...'•
Ciba-Geigy's Toms River, New Jersey, plant is informing the community
about its SARA Title III information by compiling an annual report, which
contains information on the chemicals used at the plant that come under
Title III, a summary of Section 313 of Title III with reportable releases, and
background information about the operations at the plant.
.i
Management and employees of Solkatronic Chemicals in Morrisville,
Pennsylvania, instructed public officials and emergency responders in the
properties of the company's products. Solkatronic also donated a weather
station to the communities surrounding its facility and held a seminar on
dispersion modeling to help local officials understand its use during an
emergency.
3M and Ashland Chemical Co. in Minnesota {donated computers and
software to the local LEPC. The software contains information on 2,600
chemicals; keeps Title III plans; and records, runs, and stores scenarios
for quick retrieval. The software also performs preliminary risk assessment
calculations.
Dow Chemical U.S.A. and other companies in the LaPorte, Texas, area
are working with the LEPC to perform hazard assessments at each facility.
The assessments are being conducted to identify potential hazards at
each facility and to find ways to reduce them.
Other Community Organizations or Agencies that Support
Community Actions ,
In addition to your LEPC, other organizations or agencies in your community
provide helpful services and information: i
state and local emergency management agencies,
fire departments,
police departments,
state and local environmental agencies,
state and local transportation agencies,
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64 6. COMMUNITY ACTIONS
• state and local public health agencies,
• state, regional, and local nonprofit environmental groups,
• public service agencies, .
• volunteer groups, such as the Red Cross,
• local industry and industrial associations, and
• regional offices of federal agencies such as EPA and FEMA.
You and your neighbors can use these resources to help take actions to
reduce sources of environmental problems in your community. You may want
to attend public hearings or encourage community groups to sponsor
programs and other opportunities for community education. Here are just a
few examples:
• Lead In drinking water or radon may be problems in your area. To
find out, call state or county health officials, your state radon office, or your
state drinking water office. If you determine that your community has
problems with lead in drinking water or radon in homes, help organize
community awareness programs to educate the public about these
environmental problems and what to do about them. Information programs
at malls and libraries can be successful for reaching other community
members.
Radon Awareness Week
Some cities have conducted radon awareness days as part of community
outreach programs to alert citizens to the danger of radon. For example,
in Frederick, Maryland, the mayor signed a proclamation of Radon
Awareness Week and the local paper carried articles about radon
throughout the week. State and local health officials made presentations
to civic organizations, including the Lions Club and the League of Women
Voters. The American Lung Association also participated in several
activities. Contact your state radon office about how to organize a radon
awareness week in your community. State radon offices are listed in
Table 7 beginning on page 91.
In most-communities, the Improper disposal of household
hazardous wastes is a serious environmental problem. Materials
that are improperly disposed of often end up in local water bodies either
because they are dumped into the ground or they cannot be extracted
during waste treatment. Organize an information program on household
hazardous wastes or, if your community does not already have a
household hazardous waste collection program, participate in
developing one.
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6. COMMUNITY ACTIONS
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Programs
Many cities and counties in the United States
have organized programs for household hazard-
ous waste collection. Some local governments
have developed programs to educate the public
about the problems of improper disposal of
household hazardous wastes and have offered a
collection day or amnesty day on which residents
are encouraged to bring in household wastes for
proper disposal. The wastes are then disposed
of appropriately, usually by paying a hazardous
waste facility to accept them. Some areas have
adopted programs to collect household hazard-
ous wastes on a regular basis, i
"""SSSSSSSSS'
Planning a household hazardous waste collection program is a complex
and expensive process. If you are interested in starting a program in your
community, first consult EPA's A Survey of Household Hazardous Waste
and Related Collection Programs. See page 66 for information about how
to order this publication.
Hazardous substances from automobile exhaust by-products enter
the environment with the runoff from parking lots, commercial
developments, roadways, and other impermeable surfaces. Work with
your city council or local governing body to reduce the pollution caused by
runoff. Stormwater management techniques can limit the amount of
hazardous substances that run off impermeable surfaces into surface
Water bodies during periods of heavy rainfall:
Automobile emissions contribute to environmental degradation. In
some areas, automobile emissions are the largest source of pollution.
Organize carpools and/or use public transportation to reduce the amount
of automobile emissions.
More Information
This chapter described community actions aimed at reducing your exposure to
hazardous substances. If you would like to knoviir more about this topic, the
publications listed below would be a good place to start
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66 6. COMMUNITY ACTIONS
Hazardous Materials Emergency Planning Guide j_ ..
Write to: Hazmat Planning Guide (NRT-1)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
OS-121 .-'•'.,'
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
Chemicals In Your Community: A Guide to the Emergency Planning and
Community Riaht-tO'Know Act —:—_
Write to: Emergency Planning and Community
Right-to-Know Information Line
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
OS-120
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
or call: 1-800-5355-0202
In Washington, DC and Alaska
(202) 479-2449
What It Means to You: A Videotape on the Emergency Planning and
Community Rlght-to-Know Act _
Write to: Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
TS-799
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
Reducing the Risk of Chemical Disaster:
A Citizen's Guide _ _^ ^_—
Write to: National Wildlife Federation ,_ .
Environmental Quality Division
1400 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
or call: (202) 797-6800
Cost: $7.00
A Survey of Household Hazardous Waste and Related Collection
Programs ' : —
Write to: RCRA/Superfund Hotline
OSW/OPMS Hotline
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
or call: 1-800-424-9346
In Washington, DC
(202)382-3000 ,
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7. ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE
67
ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE TO REDUCE YOUR
EXPOSURE TO HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
Getting Started
HIGHLIGHTS:
Although the government takes a number of actions to reduce people's
exposure to hazardous substances, you may want to take further action on a
personal .level.
You can reduce your exposure to some hazardous substances by taking
actions In the following four general categories: (1) decrease indoor exposures;
(2) select and use products carefully; (3) change personal habits; and
(4) improve your diet.
We are exposed to many hazardous substances because we make decisions
about all kinds of risks in our daily lives based cm best scientific judgments,
common sense, and even habits or superstitions. These decisions range from
the food we choose to eat and drink, whether or not we smoke, where we live
and work, and even the recreational activities ini which we participate.
Chapter 5 discussed government legislation aimed at reducing people's
exposure to hazardous substances. Unfortunately, many factors such as the
following limit the effectiveness of government actions:
.-''.[•
• Scientific knowledge is incomplete.
There is a time lag between discovering a risk and regulating its source.
•-;'•".• \- ' '
. • , •[ • ' • - •"
Regulated substances still have residual (leftover) risks that when added
together may cause adverse health effects.
Not everyone obeys the laws.
Accidental releases still occur.
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68 .7. ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE
• Uninformed parties may misuse hazardous substances.
The local government and community programs described in Chapter 6 are
designed to help communities reduce their citizens' exposure to environmental
substances. Depending on the source of a hazardous substance, you also
may be able to lessen your exposure (and, hence, your risk of illness) by
changing your personal habits.
This chapter discusses some personal actions you can take to reduce the
hazardous substances in your environment. This chapter is not intended to be
comprehensive. You may decide you need more information, especially for
indoor environmental exposures or improving your personal health habits.
You can get some of this information from local organizations such as LEPCs
(see Chapter 6). Additional information is available from hotlines, federal and
state agencies, and private organizations. Chapter 8 provides telephone
numbers and addresses of these organizations and information on available
printed materials.
You may want to tailor these suggestions to fit your needs. Following some of
these suggestions may be less convenient or take more time or effort than
your current habits. Merely finding out about new methods and products
requires time and effort. But changing your habits can reduce your exposure
to hazardous substances. By taking a little more time to think and plan before
you buy, mix, or use products, you can help protect yourself.
You do not have to change all your habits at once. Make easier changes first
and begin learning about others so that you gradually reduce the number and
types of risks you are exposed to.
Personal Actions
The actions that we suggest you take fall into four general categories:
• Decrease indoor exposures,
• Select and use products carefully,
• Change habits that expose you to hazardous substances, and
• Improve your diet.
This chapter provides useful suggestions in each of these areas.
Decrease Indoor Exposures
Some hazardous substances may be present in your home—for example, in
the air, building materials, furniture, and carpet.
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7. ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE
69
Radon: The Public Health Service and EPA recommend that all single-family
detached houses and apartments and condominiums below the third floor be
tested for radon. You can test your home for radon using simple detectors
that are available at hardware stores or through radon testing companies. The
tests cost between $10 and $50 depending on the type. When a radon •". '-
problem is found, homeowners can reduce the problem for expenditures
ranging from $200 to $2,000. To get more information on radon, call
1*800-SOS-RADON, call your state radon office, or read one of EPA's radon
information booklets. Table? beginning on page 91 lists the state radon
offices in all 50 states, and Table 12 on page 113, lists a number of
publications on radon that are available from EPA.
Charcoal
Detector
Recommended
Test Period:
2 to 7 days
Approximate
Cost: $12 to $25.
Alpha Track Detector
Recommended Test Period
3 to 12 months
Approximate Cost:
$25to$50.
Radon test devices are available fipm hardware
stores or radon testing companies!.
Asbestos: EPA prohibited the spraying of asbestos-containing materials for
insulation, fireproofing and soundproofing in 1973. Several other asbestos-
containing materials were prohibited in the-1970's by EPA and the Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Houses and apartments that were built
or remodeled before 1970 may contain asbestos. If you suspect that
fireproofing, insulation materials, or other building materials in your
environment contain asbestos, do not disturb them. Generally, a health risk
only exists when asbestos fibers are released from the material. Get
professional advice to identify and alleviate potential asbestos problems.* Call
the Toxic Substances Control Act Assistance Information Service [(202) 554-
1404] for information on asbestos and for a list 6f laboratories that can test for
asbestos problems. EPA's and CPSC's Asbestps in the Home contains more
information (see Table 12, page 113).
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70
7. ACTIONS.YOU CAN TAKE
Indoor tobacco smoke: Tobacco smoke may be a problem even for
nonsmokers indoors where smoking is allowed. Ventilation will reduce but not
eliminate exposure to tobacco smoke. Because smoking produces such large
amounts of pollutants, natural or mechanical ventilation techniques do not
remove them from the air in your home as quickly as they build up. The most
effective way to reduce exposure to tobacco smoke in the home is to eliminate
smoking there. EPA's and CPSC's The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air
Quality contains further information about environmental tobacco smoke (see
page 79 for information on how to order this publication).
Lead In paint: Older homes and apartments may have walls painted, with
lead-based paint. If you suspect the interior or exterior of your house has
been painted with lead-based paint, do not disturb it unless it is in bad condi-
tion and children could eat it. If you need to remove the paint, wear a mask.
Do not sand or burn off paint that may contain lead. If paint is cracked or
peeling, cover it with wallpaper or some other building material or replace the
painted surface. EPA's and CPCS's The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air
Quality contains further information about lead in paint (see page 79 for
information on how to order this publication).
Lead In drinking water: You cannot see or taste lead in water. Homes and
apartments most likely to have high lead levels are those that have water
service connections or interior plumbing made of lead, or those that are less
than 5 years old and have copper pipes soldered with lead. In dwellings with
copper piping more than 5 years old, mineral deposits have formed a coating
on the inside of the pipes if the water is not too corrosive. This coating
insulates the water from the lead solder. If you suspect that you have high
levels of lead in your drinking water, have your water tested. Many city water
departments offer testing, sometimes at no cost. Call the Safe Drinking Water
Hotline or your State Pollution Control Department for information about where
to have your water tested. ,
If your water contains lead, you can reduce the problem in several different
ways:
• Run your water from the tap until you feel that the water,has become as
cold as it will get before you drink it or cook with it;
• Do not cook with or drink water from the hot-water tap;
. Use bottled water; or
• Replace the plumbing. . ,
EPA's Lead and Your Drinking Water contains further information about lead
in drinking water (see Table 12, page 108, for information on how to order this
publication).
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7. ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE
71
Other sources of indoor exposures: Other sources of indoor exposures to
hazardous substances include pressed wood products (such as furniture)
containing formaldehyde, new carpets that give |off benzene, combustion
products from improperly maintained wood stoves, and consumer products
such as cleaners and pesticides. The next section discusses the selection
and proper use of consumer products. EPA's and CPSC's The Inside Story:
A Guide to Indoor Air Quality contains further information about other indoor
air contaminants (see page 79 for information on how to order this
publication).
Select and Use Products Carefully
Many consumer products contain hazardous substances. To find out if a
product contains hazardous substances, read the label. If you are unaware of
the hazards from a particular chemical on the label, call EPA's Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA) assistance infoifmation service (see Table 9,
page 99). The following contains tips about product selection, product use,
preparation, storage, and disposal that will help reduce your exposure to
hazardous substances from these products.
Product Selection: In many cases there are nonchemical products that can
be used instead of a product that contains hazardous substances These
products may be as effective as one that is hazardous. .Consider substituting
products that do not contain hazardous substances or ones that contain less
hazardous substances. Also choose products that are packaged in materials
that are environmentally safe.
Examples of Less Hazardous Alternatives to Hazardous
Household Products
• Use boiling water, a plunger, or a metal snake to clear drains.
« Leave one-fourth cup of ammonia in the oven overnight to prepare oven
for cleaning.
Use rubbing alcohol or cold water and dete
clothing is stained instead of spot remover.
rgent immediately after
• Sand off old paint or lacquer finish in a well-ventilated area rather than
using paint stripper. „
For further information see EPA's A Survey of Household Hazardous
Wastes and Related Collection Programs (sete Table 12, page 109).
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7. ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE
Alternatives to Insecticide and Herbicide Use
Use natural pesticides rather than chemical ones for your garden and for
indoor plants. Depending on the site or the pest to be controlled, one or
more of the following steps can be effective:
. use microorganisms like milky spore disease to controlJapanese
beetles in your garden.
• Use companion plants such as marigolds (a natural bug repellent) near
vegetable plants.
• Use disease-resistant plants.
Appropriately fertilizing, watering, and aerating lawns can reduce the need
for chemical pesticide treatments of lawns. Mechanical treatments> such as
cultivating to control weeds, hand-picking weeds from the lawn and pests
from plants, and trapping to control rodents and some insects can be ^
useful Use traps to control rodents and insects and screen off living areas
to limit mosqutto and fly access. Wash indoor plants and pets frequently.
For further information see EPA's A Citizen's Guide to Pesticides (page 79
or Table 12, page 114).
Alternatives When Using Commercial Pest Qontrol
If you decide to use a pest control company for pest removal or for ter-
mites, choose one carefully. Ask the company to use the least toxic ^
means available or to use chemical-free pest control. Some pest control
companies offer an electro-gun technique to control termite and similar
infestations by penetrating infested areas and using heat treatments to
eliminate the problem pests.
Ask for an inspection of your home and get a written control program for
evaluation before you sign a contract. The control program should list
specific names of pests to be controlled and chemicals to be used. It
should also reflect your safety concerns. ,
For further information see EPA's A Citizen's Guide to Pesticides (page 79
or Table 12, page 114).
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TRACTIONS'YOU CAN TAKE
73
Preparation for Product Use: Before you use products containing
hazardous substances, prepare your work environment to reduce
unnecessary exposures. Here are some tips:
•.'•'. • " ' • '' • ' .'. i ' - '• '. ' •' :
• Choose the least hazardous product that will accomplish the task.
• Read the labels of pesticides, paints, solvents, glues, and household
cleaning products. Follow the directions carefully. Even if you have used
the products before, read the label again. Refresh your memory about the
details. |
: ,. ' '"'[,-.
• Use only the amount of pesticides directed, at the time and under the
conditions specified, and for the purpose listed. It is not true that twice the
dosage will do twice the job. !
-' • i
• Wear protective equipment to reduce exposiire to your skin, eyes, and
lungs from such products. The label will indicate what protective equip-
ment is recommended. Follow these directions. Protective equipment
may include impermeable gloves (made from materials such as vinyl), long
sleeves, long pants, footwear, goggles, and/or a respirator.
• Make sure your work space is well ventilated to reduce the concentration
of any exposure you may receive. Use products outside or with the
windows open to provide fresh air.
e Close the windows in the house if you are spraying pesticides outdoors.
Labels provide important information
for proper product use.
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74 7. ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE
Product Usage: Using products properly will reduce unnecessary exposures
to hazardous substances.
• Determine the correct dosage of the product. Mix only the amount of
product you need for the job at hand to avoid storing or disposing of the
excess.
• Use products in a well-ventilated area or outdoors. If you cannot avoid
using products on a windy day, make sure you are standing upwind of the
product. • . "
• Avoid spraying pesticides near wells or fish ponds. Do not over-apply
pesticides when treating the lawn, shrubs, or the garden. Runoff or
seepage from excess pesticides can contaminate water supplies. Also,
excess spray may leave harmful residue on home-grown produce.
• Stand so that you do not smell gasoline when filling your tank at a self-
service gas station. Use the automatic pump setting, if available, so you
can walk away from your car while your tank |s being filled.
- Place items stored with mothballs in trunks or other containers that can be
stored in areas that are separately ventilated from the home, such as the
attic or a detached garage.
• Do not accept dry cleaning goods if they have a strong chemical odor
when you pick them up. Wait until they have properly dried, or leave them
outdoors until they are dry. / . . •
• Wear gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants when spraying
hazardous materials. Wash hands and clothes after spraying.
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7. ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE
75
Tips for What to do in an Accident with a Pesticide
or Other Hazardous Substance
First aid is the first step in treating a pesticide; poisoning. Study the
product label before you use a pesticide, especially the statement of
treatment. The best source of information is the label since the appropri-
ate first aid treatment depends on which pesticide was used. Here are
some tips for first aid before, but not instead of, medical treatment:
• Poison on skin. Drench skin with water aind remove contaminated
clothing. Wash skin and hair thoroughly with soap and water. Dry vic-
tim and wrap in blanket. Later, discard contaminated clothing or
thoroughly wash it separately from other laundry.
• Chemical burn on skin. Drench skin witti water and remove contami-
nated clothing. Cover burned area immediately with loose, clean, soft
cloth. Do not apply ointments, greases, powders, or other drugs. Later,
discard or thoroughly wash contaminated clothing separately from other
laundry.
i "
• Poison In eye. Eye membranes absorb pesticides faster than any
other external part of the body. Eye damage can occur in a few minutes
with some types of pesticides. Hold eyelid open and wash eye quickly
and gently with clean, running water from the tap or a hose for 15 min-
utes or more. Do not use eye drops or chemicals or drugs in the wash
water. |
• Inhaled poison. Carry or drag victim to fresh airimmediately. (If proper
protection for yourself is unavailable, call for emergency equipment from
the fire department.) Open doors and windows so no one else will be
poisoned by fumes. Loosen victim's tight clothing. If the victim's skin is
blue or the victim has stopped breathing, give artificial respiration and
call rescue service for help.
• Swallowed poison. A conscious victim should rinse his mouth with
plenty of water and drink up to one quart oif milk or water to dilute the
pesticide. Induce vomiting only if instructions to do so are on the label.
If there is no label available to guide you, do not induce vomiting if the
victim has swallowed a corrosive poison or; an emulsifiable concentrate
or oil solution, or if the victim is unconscious or is having convulsions.
In dealing with any poisoning, act fast; speed is crucial. After initial first
aid has been performed, get medical help immediately. '
Call the National Pesticides Telecommunications Network at 1 -800-858-
PEST or your local poison control center for further information on how to
deal with poisonous substances. The number can be found on the inside
cover of your telephone book with the other emergency numbers.
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76
7. ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE
Product Storage and Disposal: Properly storing and disposing of products
that contain hazardous substances is important for reducing your exposures to
them.
. Buy only the amount of product you need for the intended use (or for a
season's use). This will reduce storage problems.
• Keep a list of all the hazardous substances you have in your home and
v where they are stored.
. Store products containing hazardous substances awayJhrorn children and
pets. Store them in a locked cabinet in a well-ventilated utility area or
garden shed.
. Store products in a safe place as specified by the label. Avoid storing pes-
ticides in places where flooding is possible, or in open places where they
might spill or leak into the environment. Store flammable liquids outs.de
living quarters and away from ignition sources.
. Contact your city government to see if you city has a household hazardous
waste cleanup program where you can bring your waste from hazardous
household products.
. Do not flush leftover pesticides or hazardous substances in the toilet or
down the sink as they could interfere with the operator! of the septic tank
or oollute waterways. Many municipal sewage treatment systems cannot
remove all pesticide or hazardous substance residues from wastewater.
. Dispose of unfinished containers of powdered household cleaners, window
cleaners, dyes, and water-based paints by wrapping them tightly in -
newspaper or putting them in a box, taping shut, and placing in garbage
can.
• Dispose of unfinished containers of drain cleaners, oven cleaners, spot
removers, tile cleaners, silver and furniture polishes, lead-based paints,
lacquer, varnish, and stripper by taking them to a househoW hazardous
waste collection site or call your garbage disposal service for disposal
information.
• Dispose of used oil by placing it in a closed container and taking it to a
service station or other facility that offers collection services. Do not mi*
other substances such as gasoline, paint stripper, or pesticides into used
oil. Trade in car batteries or take them to a special recycling center.
• Do not reuse empty containers because they may contain residues.
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7. ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE
77
Recycling Used Oil
Used oil is recycled mostly as a fuel. In some! areas, local gas stations
accept oil for recycling. When virgin oil prices drop, used oil prices also
drop and facilities (such as gas stations) have: to pay used oil collectors to
pick up used oil. Consequently, some stations no longer accept used oil
from do-it-yourself oil changers. This means that it may be difficult to find
a facility that will accept used oil. Your state pollution control office may be
able to tell you which facilities currently accept used oil.
Do not dump used oil down drains or storm seiwers—it kills wildlife and
causes human health risks.
Change Habits that Expose You to Hazardous Substances
Some exposures to hazardous substance can be reduced or prevented by
changing habits or behaviors. Here are some examples:
• Avoid long exposures to heavy concentrations of environmental tobacco
smoke. And if you smoke, quit.
• Avoid outdoor activities when the air quality is poor. For example, in some
cities air pollution alerts are issued on occasion. Avoid exercising outside
during these periods. 1
• Avoid e'ating fish from Waterbodies where water contamination is known to
have occurred. Pay attention to posted signs warning of contamination.
Improve Your Diet
Paying attention to
your diet is impor-
tant for two reasons.
First, your diet is
one possible way of
being exposed to
hazardous sub-
stances. Second,
some studies
suggest that certain
dietary components
reduce or increase
the risks of certain
diseases. And third,
some studies
suggest that
healthier people are
better able to resist
harm from hazard-
ous substances.
A healthy diet includes
fruits and vegetables.
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78 '7. ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE
Nature puts some hazardous substances in our food. Aflatoxin is an example.
In addition, we constantly consume small amounts of natural and man-made
pesticides in our diet, Fruits, vegetables, and grains as well as meat, poultry,
eggs, and milk all can contain measurable pesticide residues.
Although EPA regulations limit the amount of man-made pesticide residues
that can be contained in commercial foods, you can further reduce risks in
other ways. Rinsing fruits and vegetables with water, scrubbing them with a
brush and peeling them, if possible, will remove much of the existing surface
residues and dirt but not the "systemic" pesticide residues taken up into the
qrowing plant. Also, trimming the fat from meat and poultry and discarding the
fat and oils in broths and pan drippings reduce risks of residues because most
are concentrated in fat.
The Department of Health and Human Services promotes proper diet as one
of the best ways to reduce risks. The department suggests varying your diet
to include foods high in fiber and low in fat. Your daily diet should include
fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grain breads and cereals.
The following dietary factors have been linked with disease:
i
• High saturated fat diets are linked to coronary heart disease;
• Elevated levels of serum cholesterol are also linked with coronary heart
disease;
• A fat-rich diet is linked to various kinds of cancer, with the strongest link
between high fat diet and colon cancer;
• High sodium diets have been linked with hypertension for some groups of
people;
• Low potassium diets have been linked with hypertension; and
• Obesity is linked with diabetes, hypertension, and coronary heart disease.
A recommended source for further information on diet is Diet and Health:
Implications for Reducing Chronic Disease Risk, published by the NaUonal
Academy Press (see page 79 or Table 12, page 115),
More Information
This chapter has suggested actions you can take on your own to reduce your
exposure to hazardous substances. If you would like to know more about this
topic, the sources listed below would be a good place to start.
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7.. ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE
79
The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality
Write to: Public Information Center PM-211B
, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW i
Washington, DC 20460 |
or call: (202)382-2080 j
A Citizen's Guide to Pesticides
Write to: Public Information Center PM-211B
U.S. Environmental Protection Ageincy
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
or call: (202)382-2080
Diet and Health: Implications for Reducing
Chronic Disease Risk
Write to: National Academy Press
2101 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20418
or call: (202) 334-3313
Cost: $49.95
Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer Prevention:
The Good News
Write to: Office of Cancer Communications
National Cancer Institute
Bethesda, MD 20892
or call: 1-800-4-CANCER
Chemical Risks: Personal Decisions
Write to: Office of Legislative and Regulatory Programs
Department of Government Relations and Science Policy
American Chemical Society
11155 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
or call: (202)872-8725
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80
7. ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE
in Drinkin
Write to- Public Information Center PM-21 1 B
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
or call: (202)382-2080
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a GETTING MORE INFORMATION
81
GETTING MORE INFORMATION
ON HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
This chapter provides tables that list sources of further information on hazard-
ous substances. The first six tables provide telephone numbers and addres-
ses for contact persons in federal and state governments and in other organi-
zations who can help answer questions about h azardous substances. The
last two tables provide information about printed and computer resources that
are publicly available.
Reference Tables: A Guide
You may want to get more information on some of the techniques and actions
described in this guidebook. This chapter lists stdditional sources of
information, including hotlines, booklets, public information sources, and
computerized information. These sources are organized under the following
tables: :
• • ' ' " ': ' - ••''•!-'•'. ' •• • ' '
. -, . - * • -\ \ ' , ' . '
Table 6 State Emergency Response Commissions and State Section 313
Contacts Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to Know
Act (SARA Title III) (pages 84-90)—lists the Commissions and Section 313
contacts for each state in the United States. The State Emergency Response
Commission (SERC) can help you find a contact person at the Local
Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) in yourlarea. The Section 313
contacts can help you get information on releases of certain types of
hazardous substances. [
Table 7 State Radon Contacts (pages 0r-95>Mists the name and address
of a contact person in the state radon office for ejach state.
i • , ' '
Table 8 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Offices (page
96)—lists the name and address of the Superfurid Community Relations
Coordinator for each EPA region, A map showing the EPA regions follows the
table on page 97.
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82
8. GETTING MORE INFORMATION
Tables U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Resources (pages 98-
10r>_lists hotlines and other public information services that are operated or
funded by EPA. The table also lists the main services each resource
provides. Many of the services relate to a particular law so it may be most
useful to read the description of the information they provide to get. a sense of
whom to call. The toll-free information services are listed first in alphabetical
order by name, followed by other public information resources,
Table 10 Other Federal Government Resources (pages 102-104)—lists
hotlines and other public information services that are operated by other
federal agencies that have jurisdiction over hazardous substances. Thetebie
lists the main service.-, each resource provides. The resources are listed in
alphabetical order.
Table 11 Private and Nonprofit Organizations (pages 105-T07>-list8
some national private and nonprofit organizations that provide useful
information or resources concerning hazardous substances. A brief ^
description of the main services of each organization ,s also included. These
organizations are listed in alphabetical order.
•-i _ ; ' ' • • - •
Table 12 Printed Information on Hazardous Substances (pages 108-
t f 5)-lists information available to the public about hazardous substances
and^vhat EPA, other branches of the federal government, and the public can
do about hazardous substances. These publications are listed according to
the type of exposure (for example, indoor air). The table also provides general
sources of health effects information.
Table 13 Computerized Information on Hazardous Substances (page
177>-provides health effects information available on line through a personal
computer from the National Library of Medicine.
How to Use the Resources
Local health departments and local environmental groups generally are more
familiar with the particular characteristics of your local environment.
Information on releases of hazardous substances from certain facilities^ ^
(information required by the Emergency Planning and Community R.ght-to-
Know Act) is available from a variety of sources. The EPA regional offices
listed in Table 8 cannot provide information on local and regional nonprofit
environmental groups.
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8, GETT/NGMCHE INFORMATION
S3
You also may want to contact your Local Emergency Planning Committee
(LEPC) or look in your public library for information produced by your LEPC.
Your LEPC already may be in the process of making this information more
meaningful by putting it into context in your locsjl community. To contact your
LEPC, call your State Emergency Response Commission and ask them for
information on the LEPC in your area. If some ipf the release data you are
interested in obtaining are not available from the LEPC, contact your state's
Section 313 contact listed in Table 6 or obtain siccess to the Toxics Release
Inventory (TRI) database listed in Table 9. TheiTRI database itself can be
accessed by computer and modem and at the public reading room in
Washington, DC.
Information is also available through state pollution control agencies. This
chapter does not list all the state pollution control agencies, because many
states have more than one agency with jurisdiction over hazardous
substances. To contact the appropriate agency in your state, call the operator
in your capital city and ask for the main number of the state environmental or
pollution control agency. Once you contact that agency, ask them to help you
find the office that can address your question.
National public information services can supplement information you get from
local and state agencies and provide information about federal laws and
regulations, health effects from exposure to hazardous substances, and
methods for reducing environmental problems. Also, they can refer you to
specific program offices within the federal agency or in the state government
for more detailed information.
Skim the tables in this chapter to find out what information sources are
available. Beside each listing is a brief description of the services provided by
each hotline, information service, or organization. Even after you have read
these lists, you may still have difficulty deciding whom to contact. If you
decide to call someone in a local office, ask that person for names of people to
contact in other offices inside or outside the agency. Also, ask for names in
other levels of government. For example, ask federal officials for contacts at a
regional or state office, or ask a local official whom to call at the state,
regional, or federal level. Check to see if local environmental groups have
developed a list of contact persons that may be useful.
You may need to make several calls to get the information you need. Keep in
mind that every contact will not have all the answers. Be persistent—it is your
right as a citizen to learn about the hazardous isubstances in your
.environment.
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84
•8. GETTING MORE INFORMATION
Table 8. State Emergency Response Commissions and State Section 313 Contacts Under the
Emergency Planning and Community Rlghfrto-Know Act (SARA Title III)
Alabama
Alabama Emer goncy Response
Commission
Alabama Emergency Management
Agency
520 South Court Street
Montgomery, AL 38130
(205) 834-1375
Section 313 contact
Alabama Emergency Response
Commission
Alabama Department of Environmental
Management
1751 Congressman W. l_ Dickinson
Drive
Montgomery, AL 36109
(205) 271-7700
Alaska
Alaska Emergency Response
Commission
900 Otd Glacier Highway
P.O. Box 32420
Juneau, AK 99601
(907) 485-2630
American Samoa
Territorial Emergency Management
Coordination Office
American Samoan Government
Pago Pago, AS 96799
(684) 633-2331
Section 313 contact:
Pali Falai, Director
American Samoa, EPA
Office of the Governor
Pago Pago, AS 96799
(684) 633-2304
Arizona
Arizona Emergency Response
Commission
Division of Emergency Services
5636 East McDowell Road
Phoenix, KZ. 85008
(602)231-8328
Arkansas
Arkansas Department of Pollution
Control and Ecology
P.O. Box 9583
8001 National Drive
Ltt«eRock,AR 72219
(501)562-7444
Section 313 contact:
Depository of Documents
Arkansas Department of Labor
10421 W. Markham
UtUe Rock, AR 72205
(501) 682-4534 •
California ,
Chemical Emergency Planning
and Response Commission
Office of Emergency Services
Hazardous Material Division
2800 Meadowview Road
Sacramento, CA 95832
(916)427-4287
Section 313 contact:
Office of Environmental Affairs
ATTN: Section 313 Reports
P.O. Box 2815 ,
Sacramento, CA 95812 .
(916)324-8124
Colorado
Colorado Emergency Planning
Commission .
Colorado Department of Health
4210 East 11th Avenue
Denver, CO 80220
(303)331-4830
Section 313 contact:
Same address as above .
(303)331-4858
Emergency Release Notification:
(303)331-4858
After hours; (303) 377-6326
Connecticut
Connecticut Emergency Response
Commission
Department of Environmental Protection
State Office Building
• Room 161
165 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106
(203)566-4856
Delaware
Emergency Planning & Operations
Department of Public Safety
P.O. Box 527 '
Delaware City, DE 19706 , .
(302)834-4531
(800)292-9588,
Section 313 contact:
Air Resource Section
Department of Natural Resources and
Environmental Control
89 Kings Highway
P.O. Box 1401,
Dover, DE 19903
(302)739-4791
Emergency Release Notification:
(302)739-4764
In Delaware (800) 662-8802
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8. GETTING MORE INFORMATION
85
Table 6. State Emergency Response Commissions and State Section »13 Contacts Under the
Emergency Planning and Community R|ght-to-Know Act (SAFIA Title 111) (continued)
District of Columbia
District of Columbia Emergency
Response Commission .
, Office of Emergency Preparedness
200014th Street, NW
Frank Beeves Center for Municipal Affairs
Washington, DC 20009
(202)727-8161
Florida
State Emergency Response
Commission
Florida Department of Community
Affairs,
2740 Centerview Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32399-2149
(904) 488-1472~
In Florida (800) 633-7179
i Georgia •
Georgia Emergency Response
Commission
Georgia Department of Natural
Resources
205 Butler Street, SE
Floyd Towers East, 11 th floor
Atlanta, GA 30334
\ (404) 656-4713
Section 313 contact:
Same address as above
(404) 656-6905
Emergency Release Notification:
(800)241-4113
Guam
Guam State Emergency Response
\ Commission
Civil Defense
Guam Emergency Services Office
i Government of Guam
P.O. Box 2877
Aguana,GU 96910
(671) 472-7230
Section 313 contact:
Guam EPA
P.O. Box 2999
Aguana.GU 96910
(671) 646-8863
Hawaii
Hawaii State Emergency Response
Commission:
Hawaii Department of Health
P.O. Box 3378
Honolulu, HI 96801
(808)548-41519
Section 313 contact:
Same address as above
(808) 548-6505
Idaho
Idaho Emergency Response
Commission
1410 N. Hilton, 2nd Floor ,
Boise, ID 83706
(208) 334-58IJ8
Emergency Release Notification:
(800)632-8000
Illinois
Illinois Emergency Response
Commission
Illinois Emergency Services
and Disaster Agency
ATTN: Hazmat Section
11OE. Adams Street
Springfield, II. 62706
(217)782-4694
Section 313 (Contact:
Emergency Planning Unit
Illinois EPA
ATTN: JoeCloodner
P.O. Box 192176
2200 Churchill Road
Springfield, II. 62794-9276
(217)782-3637
Indiana
Indiana Emergency Response
Commission
5500 West Bradbury Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46241
(317)243-5176
Iowa
Iowa Disaster Services Division
Hoover Building
Level A, Room 29
DesMoines.lA 50319
(515)281-3231
Section 313 contact:
Department of Natural Resources
Records Department , '
900 East Grand Avenue ,
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515)281-8852
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86
•8. GETTING MORE INFORMATION
Table 8. State Emergency Response Commissions and State Section 313 Contacts Under the
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (SARA Title III) (continued)
Kanaaa
Kansas Emergency Response
Commission
Community Right-to-Know Program
Mills Building, Suite 501
109 S.W. 9th Street
Topeka, KS 68612
(913) 296-1690
Emergency Release Notification:
(913)296-3176
Kentucky
Kentucky Emergency Response
Commission
Kentucky Disaster and
Emergency Services
EOC BWg.
Boone National Guard Center
Frankfort, KY 40601-8188
(502) 584-8660
Section 313 contact:
Section 313
Deputy Commissioner for
Special Projects
Kentucky Department for Environmental
Protection
18 Rellly Road
Frankfurt, KY 40601
(502) 564-2150
Louisiana
Louisiana Emergency Response
Commission
Office of State Police
P.O. Box 66814
7901 Independence Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70896
(504)925-8113
Section 313 contact:
Emergency Response Coordinator
Department of Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 44068
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-4066
(504) 342-8617
Contact: R. Bruce Hammatt,
Director of Emergency Response
Main*
State Emergency Response
Commission
Station 72
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 289-4080
In Maine (800) 452-8735
Maryland
Governor's Emergency Management
'Agency
Maryland Emergency
Management Agency
2 Sudbrook Lane East
Pikesville, MD 21208
(301) 486-4422
Section 313 contact:
State Emergency Response Commission
Maryland Department of the
Environment
Toxics Information Center
2500 Broening Highway
Baltimore, MD 21224
(301)631-3800
Massachusetts
Title III Emergency
Response Commission
C/O DEP
Department of Environmental
Quality Engineering
Orre Winter Street, 10th floor
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 292-5993
For LEPC Information: (508) 820-2000
Michigan •
Michigan Department of Natural
Resources
Environmental Response Division
Title III Notification
P.O. Box30028
Lansing, Ml 48909
(517)373-8481 .
Minnesota
Minnesota Emergency Response
Commission
290 Bigelow Bid.
450 N. Syndicate
St. Paul, MN 55104
(612)843-3000
Mississippi
Mississippi Emergency Response
Commission
Mississippi Emergency Management
Agency
P.O. Box 4501 . " •"
, Fondren Station
Jackson, MS 39296-4501
(601)960-9973
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8. GETTING MOKE INFORMATION
87
Table 6. State Emergency Response Commissions and State Section 1313 Contacts Under the
j Emergency Planning and Community Rlght-to-Know Act (SAflA Title III) (continued)
Missouri
Missouri Emergency Response
i Commission
Missouri Department of
! Natural Resources
i 2010 Missouri Blvd.
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(314)751-7929
; Montana
Montana Emergency Response
Commission
Environmental Sciences Division
Department of Health
and Environmental Sciences
Cogswell Building A-107
Helena, MT 59620
(406)444-6911
Nebraska
Nebraska Emergency Response
Commission
Nebraska Department of
i Environmental Control
P.O. Box 98922
State House Station
Lincoln, NE 68509-8922
(402)471-2186
Emergency after hours:
(402)471-4545
I Nevada
Nevada Division of Emergency
Management
2525 South Carson Street
Carson City, NV 89710
(702)885-4240
; Emergency Release Notification:
(702)885-5300
New Hampshire
i State Emergency Management
Agency
Title III Program
! State Office Park South
107 Pleasant Street
Concord, NH 03301
i (603)271-2231
I New Jersey
New Jersey Emergency
: Response Commission
SARA Title III Project
Department of Environmental
Protection'
Division of Environmental Quality
CN-405
i Trenton, NJ 08625
(609)292-6714
Emergency number (609) 292-7172
New Mexico
New Mexico Emergency Response
Commission
New Mexico {Department
of Public Safety
P.p. Box 1628
Santa Fe, NM 87504-1628
(505) 827-9222
New York
State Emergency Management Office
Building 22
State Campus
Albany, NY 12226
(518)457-9996
Section 313 (jontact:
New York Emergency Response
Commission
New York State Department
of Environmental Conservation
Bureau of Spiill Prevention
& Response
50 Wolf Road, Room 326
Albany, NY 12233-3510
(518)457-4107
Contact: William Miner
North Carolina
North Carolina Emergency
Response Commission
North Carolina Division of Emergency
Management
116 West Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-1335
(919)733-38167
In North Carolina (800) 451 -1403 for
. general information only
North Dakota
North Dakota Division of Emergency Management
P.O. Box 5511
Bismarck, NID 58501-5511 ,
(701)224-2111
Section 313 contact:
SARA Title III Coordinator
North Dakota State Department of
Health and Consolidated Laboratories
Environmental Health Section
1200 Missouri Avenue
P.O. Box 5520
Bismarck, ND 58502-5520
(701)224-2374
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88
8. GETTING MORE INFORMATION
Table 6. State Emergency Response Commissions and State Section 313 Contacts Under the
Emergency Planning and Community Rlght-to-Know Act (SARA Title III) (continued)
Ohio
Ohio Emergency Response
Commission
Onto Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Emergency Response
P.O. Box 1049
Columbus, OH 43266-0149
(614) 644-2260
Section 313 contact:
Division of Air Pollution Control
1800 Watermark Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 644-2270
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Emergency Response
Commission
Office of Civ!! Defense
P.O. Box 53385
Oklahoma City, OK 73152
(405)521-2481
Oregon
Oregon Emergency Response
Commission
c/o State Fire Marshall
3000 Market Street Plaza
Suite 534
Salem, OR 97310
(503) 378-2885
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Emergency Response
Commission
c/o Pennsylvania Emergency
Management Agency
P.O. Box 3321
Harrisburg, PA 17105
(717) 783-8150, (717) 783-7388
Section 313 contact:
Pennsylvania Emergency
Response Commission
c/o Bureau of Rkjht-to-Know
Room 1503
Labor and Industry Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-2071
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rfco Emergency
Response Commission
Environmental Quality Board
P.O. Box 11488
Semades Ounces Station
Santurce, PR 00910
(809)722-1175
> Section 313 contact:
SERC Commissioner
Title HI-SARA and1313
Same address as above
Rhode Island
Rhode Island Emergency
Response Commission
State House Room 27
Providence, Rl 02903-1197
(401)277-3039
Emergency release no. (401) 274-7745
Section 313 contact:
Department of Environmental
Management
Division of Air and Hazardous Materials
291 Promenade Street
Providence, Rl 02908
Atln: Toxte Release Inventory
(401)277-2808
Emergency Release Notification:
(401)277-3070
South Carolina
South Carolina Emergency
Response Commission
Division of Public Safety Programs
Office of the Governor
1205 Pendleton Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 734-0425
Section 313 contact:
Department of Health and
Environmental Control
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803)734-5200
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8. GETTING MORE INFORMATION
Table 6. State Emergency Response Commissions and State Section 5113 Contacts Under the
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (SARA Title III) (continued)
South Dakota
South Dakota Emergency.
Response Commission
Department of Water
and Natural Resources
Joe Foss Building
523 East Capitol
Pierre, SD 57501-3181
(605)773-3151
Section 313 contact:
Same address as above
(605) 773-3298
T«nn«33«»
Tennessee Emergency Response
Commission
Tennessee Emergency
Management Agency
3041 Sidco Drive
Nashville, TN 37204
(615)252-3300
In Tennessee (800) 262-3300
Out of State (800) 258-3300
Texas
Texas Emergency Response
Commission
Division of Emergency
Management
P.O. Box 4087
Austin, TX 78773-0001
(512)465-2138
Section 313 contact:
Emergency Response Unit
Texas Water Commission
P.O. Box 13087-Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711-3087
(512)463-8527
i Emergency Release Notification:
(512)458-7410
Utah
•Utah Comprehensive Emergency
Management
P.O. Box 58136
Salt Lake City, UT 84158-0136
(801) 584-8370
Section 313 contact:
Utah Hazardous Chemical Emergency
Response Commission
Utah Division of Environmental Health
288 North 1460 West
P.O. Box 166!30
Salt Lake City, UT 84116-0690
(801) 538-612'.1
Vermont
Department of Labor and Industry
State Office Building
Montpelier, VT 05602
(802)828-226)6
Section 313 contact:
Department of Health
60 Main Street
P.O. Box 70
Burlington, VI; 05402
(802)863-728(1
Virgin Islands
Department of Planning and Natural
Resources
US Virgin Islands Emergency
Response Commission
Title III
Suite 231
Nisky Center i
Charlotte, Amalie
St. Thomas, VI 00802
(809) 774-3320, ext. 169,170
Virginia
Virginia Emergency Response
Council
Department oil Waste
Management
James Monroe Building
11th Floor
101 North 14«h Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 225-2513
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90
8. GETTING MORE INFORMATION
Tab!© 6. State Emergency Response Commissions and State Section 313 Contacts Under the
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (SARA Title HI) (continued)
Washington
Washington Emergency Response
Commission
Department of Community
Development
MaHStopQH-51
9th and Columbia Building
Olymp(a,WA 98504-4151
(206) 753-5625, (208) 459-9191 '
In Washington (800) 633-7585
Section 313 contact:
Department of Ecology
Hazardous Substance Information Office
MaBSlojiPV-11
Olympia,WA 98504-8711
(206) 438-7252
W««t Virginia
West Virginia Emergency
Response Commission
West Virginia Office of Emergency
Sen/tees
State Office Building; EB-80
Charleston, WV 25305
(304) 348-5380
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Emergency Response
Commission
Division of Emergency Government
4802 Sheboygan Avenue
P.O. Box 7865
Madison, Wl 53707
(608)266-3232
Section 313 contact:
Department of Natural Resources
P.O. Box7921
Madison, Wl 53707
(608) 266-9255
Wyoming
Wyoming Emergency Response
Commission
Wyoming Emergency
Management Agency
Comprehensive Emergency Management
P.O. Box 1709
Cheyenne, WY 82003
(307) 777-7566
Information about your Local Emergency Planning Committee can be obtained by contacting the State Emergency Response
Commission which Is the first contact listed for each state. Information on releases of certain hazardous substances from facilities in
your area can bo obtained from the State Section 313 contact listed or from the State Emergency Response contact if a separate
Section 313 contact is not listed. This table also provides emergency release notification telephone numbers in those states where it i
not already listed under the State Emergency Response Commission.
Ust Is current as of August 1990. . ,
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8. GETTING MORE INFORMATION
Table 7. State Radon Contacts
Alabama
i Aubrey V. Goodin, Director
(Jim McNee)
Radiological Health Branch
; State Department of Public
Health
State Office Building
i Montgomery, AL 36130
(205)261-5315
"Alaska
I Sidney Heidersdorf, Chief
i Radiological Health Program
Department of Health and Social
Services
: Division of Public Health
i P.O. Box H
Juenau.AK 99811-0610
(907)465-3019
Arizona • . •
| Charles F. Tedford, Director
(Paul Weeden)
Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency
Environmental Surveillance ,
4814 South 40th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85040
(602)255-4845
Arkansas
Greta Dteus, Director
Arkansas Department of Health
Division of Radiation Control and
', Emergency Management
4815 W. Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205-3867
1(501)661-2301
California
Dr. Jack S. McGurk, Chief
; (Dave Quinton)
1 Environmental Health Division -
; California State Department of
Health
714 P Street, Office BIdg. #8
, Sacramento, CA 95814
i (916) 322-2040
Colorado
Robert Quillin, Director
Radiation Control Division
: Colorado Department of Health
4210 East 11 th Avenue
Denver, CO 80220
] (303)331-4812
Connecticut
Alan J. Siniscatehi
Radon Program . ,'
Connecticut Department of
Health Service
150 Washington Street
Hartford, CT 06106
(203)566-31)22
Delaware
Allan C. Tap^irt, Program
Administrator
Office of Radiation Control
Division of Public Health
Bureau of Environmental Health
Robbins Bldg., Silver Lake Plaza
P.O. Box 637
Dover, DE1S901
(203)738-4731
1-800-544-INFO
District of Columbia
Frances A. Bowie, Administrator
Department of Consumer and
Regulatory Affairs
614 H Street, NW, Room 1014
Washington, DC 20001
(202)727-77128
Florida
Dr. Lyle E. Jerret, Chief
(N. Michael Ciilley)
Office of Radiation Control
Department of Health and
Rehabilitative Services
1317 Winew
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92
a. GETTING MORE INFORMATION
Table 7. State Radon Contacts (continued)
Idaho
Brian Monson
(Joanne Mitten)
Department of Health and
Welfare
Bureau of Preventive Medicine
450 West State Street
Boise, ID 83720
(208) 334-5927
Illinois
Richard Alien, Chief
Department of Nuclear Safety
Radfoecotogy Division
Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety
Laboratory
1301 Knotts Street
Springfield, IL 62703
(217)788-7128
Indiana
Jade C. Corpuz
Indiana State Board of Health
1330 W. Michigan Street
P.O. Box 1964
Indianapolis, IN 46206-1964
(317) 633-0153
1-800-272-9723 fjn State)
Iowa
Donald A. Rater, Chief
Department of Public Health
Lucas State Office Building
DesMotnes.lA 50319
(515)281-5605
Kansas
Gerald W. Allen, Chief
Radiation Control Program
Bureau of Environmental Health
Services
Division of Health
Department of Health and Environment
Forbes Reid, Building 740
Topeka, KS 66620-0110
(913) 296-1560
Kentucky
Donald R. Hughes
Radiation Control Branch
Division of Radiation and Product
Safety
Department of Human Resources
275 East Main Street
Frankfort, KY 40621
(502) 584-3700
Louisiana
William H. Spell, Administrator
Louisiana Nuclear Energy Division
Louisiana Department of Environmental
Quality •'-•-.
P.O. Box 14690
Baton Rouge, LA 70898-4690
(504)925-4518
Maine
W. Ctough Tappan
Indoor Air Program
Division of Health Engineering
Department of Human Services
State House, Station 10
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 289-3826
Maryland
Roland G. Fletcher, Administrator
Maryland Air Management Administration
Department of the Environment
2500 Broening Highway
Baltimore, MD 21224
(301)631-3300
1-800-872-3666 (in State)
Massachusetts
Robert M. Hallisey, Director
Radiation Control Program
Massachusetts Department of
Public Health,
150 Tremont Street, 11th Floor
Boston, MA 02111
(617)727-6124
Michigan
George W. Bruchmann, Chief
(Robert DeHaan)
Michigan Department of Public
Health
Bureau of Environmental and
Occupational Health
Division of Radiological Health
3423 North Logan, P.O. Box 30195
Lansing, Ml 48909 .
(517)335-8190 .
Minnesota " •
Alice T. Dolezal Hennigan, Chief
(Laura Oatman) ,
Environmental Health Division '
Minnesota Department of Health
717 Delaware Street, SE,-
Minneapolis, MN 55440
(612)627-5062
•ft
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8. GETTING MORE INFORMATION
Table?. State Radon Contacts (continued)
Mississippi
Eddie S. Fuerrte, Director
(Robert Bell)
Division of Radiological Health
Department of Health
31 SO Lawson Street, ,
P.O. Box1700
Jackson, MS 39215-1700
(601) 354-8657
Missouri
Kenneth V. Miller, Chief
Bureau of Radiological Health
Missouri Department of Health
1730 E. Elm
P.O. Box 570
ilefferson City, MO 65102 ,
(314)751-6083 '
T-800-669-7236 (hi State)
Montana
Adrian C. Howe, Chief
Occupational Health Bureau
Montana Department of Health
and Environmental Sciences
Cogswell Building
Helena, MT 59620
(406)444-3671
Nebraska
Harold R. Borchert, Director
Division of Radiological Health
Nebraska Department of Health
301 Centennial Mall, South
P.O. Box 95007
Lincoln, NE 68509
(402)471-2168
Nevada
Stan Marshall, Supervisor
Radiological Health Section
Health Division
Department of Human Resources
505 E. King Street, Room 203
Carson City, NV 89710
(702) 885-5394
New Hampshire
Diane E. Tefft, Administrator.
Bureau of Radiological Health
Division of Public Health Services
Health and Welfare Building
6 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03301-6527
(603)271-4674
New Jersey
Christopher J. JDaggett, Commissioner
New Jersey Department of
Environment^ Protection
410 State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625-0402
(609) 987-6402
1r800-648-03£)4 (in State)
New Mexico j
Benito J. Garcia, Chief
Radiation Licensing and
Registration Section
Environmental Improvement
Division k
New Mexico Health and
Environment^ Department
1190 Street Francis Drive
Santa Fe, NM 87503
(505) 827-2943
New York
David Axelrod, Commissioner
New York State Department of
Health
Coming Tower
Albany, NY 1S!237
(518)458-6450
1-800-458-11S8 (in State)
North Carolina
Dayne H. Brov/n, Chief
(Dr. Felix Foncfl
Radiation Protection Section
Division of Facility Services
Department of Human Resources
701 Barbour Drive
Raleigh, NC 27603-2008 T
(919)733-4283
North Dakota
Dana K. Mount, P.E., Director
Division of Environmental Engineering
North Dakota Department of Health
and Consolidated Laboratories
1200 Missouri Avenue^ Room 304
P.O. Box 5520
Bismarck, ND 58502-5520
(701)224-23413
Ohio
Bob Owen
Radiological Health Program
Division of Technical
Environment^ Health Services
Ohio Department of Health
1224 Kinnear Road
Columbus, OH 43212
(614)644-2727
1-800-523-4439 (in State)
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94
8. GETTING MORE INFORMATION
Table 7. State Radon Contacts (continued)
Oklahoma
Paul Brown
Radiation Protection Division ,
Consumer Protection Service,
Oklahoma State Department of
Health
P.O. Box 53551
Oklahoma City, OK 73152
(405) 271-5221
Oregon
Ray Paris, Manager
Radiation Control Section
Department of Human Resources
Health Division
1400 SW 5th Avenue
Portland, OR 97201
(503) 229-5797
Pennsylvania
Thomas M. Qerusky, Director
Radon Program Office
Department of Environment
Resources
Bureau of Radiation Protection ,
P.O. BOX 2063
200 N.TWrd Street
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717)787-2163
1-800-23RADON
Puirto Rico
Enrique Mendez, Jr., M.D.
CailBox-70184
San Juan, PR 00938
(809) 767-3563
Rhode Island
James E. Hlckey, Chief
Division of Occupational Health
and Radiation Control
Rhode Island Department of Health
206 Cannon BIdg., Davis Street
Providence, Rl 02908
(401) 277-2438
South Carolina
Heyward Q. Shealy, Chief
Bureau of Radiological Health
Department of Health and
Environmental Control
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 734-4700/4631
South Dakota
MikePochop
Division of-Air Quality and
Solid Waste
South Dakota Department of
Water and Natural Resources
Joe Foss Building, Room 217
523 East Capitol
Pierre, SD 57501-3181
(605)773-3153
Tennessee
Division of Air Pollution Control
Bureau of Environmental Health
Department of Health and
Environment Customs House .
701 Broadway
Nashville, TN 37219-5403
(615)741-4634
Texas
Ruth E. Bumey, Treasurer
(David K. Lacker, Chief)
(Gary Smith)
Bureau of Radiation Control
Texas Department of Health
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756-3,189
(512)835-7000
Utah
Larry Anderson, Chief
Utah Division of Environmental
Health
Bureau of Radiation Control
288 North 1460 West
P.O. Box16690
Salt Lake City, UT 84116-0690
(801)538-6734
Vermont
Raymond N. McCandiess, Director
Occupational and Radiological .
Health Division
Vermont Department of Health
10 Baldwin Street
Montpelier, VT 05602
(802)828-2886
Virginia
Leslie P. Fo|desi, Director
Bureau of Radiological Health
Department of Health ,
109 Governor Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804)786-2163
1-800-468-0138 (in State)
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8. GETTING MORE INFORMATION
95
Table 7. State Radon Contacts (continued)
! Virgin Islands
i Alan D. Smith, Commissioner
] Department of Planning and
Natural Resources
Charlotte, Amalie
j Street Thomas, VI 00801
i Washington
T. R. Strong, Chief
• (Robert Mooney) - -
i Office of Radiation Protection
Department of Health
Airdustrial Building 5, LE-13
Olympia,WA 98504
I (206) 588-3303
W»st Virginia
Dr. Kazim Sheikh, Director
| Radiological Health Program
Industrial Hygiene Division
Department of Health
15111th Avenue
South Charleston, VW 25303
(304)348-3427
Wisconsin j
Department of Health and
Social Services
Section of Radiation Programs
P.O. Box 7850
Madison, Wl1153707
(608) 273-64IJ1
Wyoming [
Julius E. Haees, Director
Radiological (Health Services
Division of Health and
Medical Services
Hathaway Building, 4th Floor
Cheyenne, WY 82002-0710
(307) 777-601J5
List is current as of June 1990.
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96
8. GETTING MORE INFORMATION
Table 8. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Offices
Region I
Diane Ready, Chief
Regional Community Relations
Coordinator
Office of Public Affairs
EPA - Region I
John F. Kennedy Federal Building
Boston, MA 02203
(617)565-3715
Region II
Lillian Johnson, Chief
Community Relations Staff
Office of External Programs
EPA-Region II
26 Federal Plaza
New York, NY 10278
(212)264-2657
Region III
Harold Yates, Chief
Regional Community Relations
Coordinator
(3EA21) Public Affairs
EPA-Region III
841 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215)597-9800
Region IV
Patricia Zweig, Chief
Community Relations Coordinator
Office of Public Affairs
EPA - Region IV
345 Courtland Street, NE
Atlanta, GA 30365
(404)347-4727
Region V
Ton! Lesser, Chief
Regional Community Relations
Coordinator
Office of Public Affairs
EPA-Region V(5PA-14)
230 South Dearborn
Chicago, IL 60604
(312)353-2000 '
Region VI
Ellen Greeney
Hazardous Waste Management Division
EPA-Region VI (6H/SS)
1445 Ross Avenue
12th Floor, Suite 1200
Dallas, TX 75270
(214) 655-6444 ,
Region VII
Rowena Michaels, Chief
Community Relations Coordinator
Office of Public Affairs
EPA - Region VII
725 Minnesota Avenue
Kansas City, KS 66101
(913)236-2800
Region VIII
Wanda TaUnton
Regional Community Relations Coordinator
EPA-Region VIII (80EA)
1 Denver Place - 999 18th Street
Denver, CO 80202
(303)293-1603 ,
Region IX
Pam Cooper, Chief
Communication Relations Coordinator
EPA-Region IX (T-1-3)
215 Fremont Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415)744-8071
Region X
Janet O'Hara, Chief
Hazardous Waste Policy Office
EPA - Region X(HW-117)
1200 6th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
(206)442-1200
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8. GETTING MOKE INFORM A TION
97
CO
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DC
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8. GETTING MORE INFORMATION
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Table 9. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Resources
RESOURCE
DESCRJPTION OF SERVICES
Hotlines ;
Emergency Planning and Community
Rlght-to-Know Information Hotline
1-800-535-0202
In Washington, DC and Alaska
(202) 479-2449
Operates 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM EST
Monday through Friday
Address written questions to:
Emergency Planning and Community
Right-to-Know Information
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
OS-120
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
National Pesticides
Telecommunications Network
1-800-858-PEST
Operates 24 hours a day all year
Address written questions to:
National Pesticides Telecommunications
Network
Texas Tech University
Health Sciences Center, Room 1A111
4th Street and Indiana
Lubfaock,TX 79430
RCRA/Superfund Hotline
1-800-424-9346
In Washington, DC:
(202) 382-3000
Operates 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM EST
Monday through Friday
Address written questions to:
RCRA/Superfund Hotline
OSW/OPMS Hotline
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington. DC 20460
This toll-free hotline answers questions about local
emergency response planning committees, state
emergency response commissions; emergency
planning, and reporting requirements under various
sections of Title III. Refers technical information
requests to the appropriate office in EPA. Can also
provide publications about the Emergency Planning
and Community Right-to-Know Act and on
community planning. Requests for publications
should be made in writing.
This toll-free hotline provides information about
pesticides to the general public and to the medical,
veterinary, and professional communities. Pro-
vides information on the health effects of pesti-
cides, pesticide use, treatment procedures for acci-
dents with pesticides, and exterminators.
This toll-free hotline provides information on federal
regulations regarding solid and hazardous wastes
and on the Superfund law. Refers technical infor-
mation requests to the appropriate office in EPA.
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Table 9. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Resources (continued)
F ~"RESOURCE ~~
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
(Hotlines (cont'd)
! •
iSafe Drinking Water Hotline
1 -800-426-4791
In Washington, DC and Alaska
(202) 382-5533
^Operates 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM EST
Monday through Friday
Address written questions to:
Safe Drinking Water Hotline
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
WH-550
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
Assistance Information Service
(202)554-1404
Operates 8:30 AM to 5 PM EST Monday
through Friday
This toll-free hotline provides information on federal
regulations regarding drinking water, including lead
in drinking water, and maintains a list of state
drinking water offices. Also provides information on
water testing laboratories. Refers technical infor-
mation requests to the (appropriate office in EPA.
This information servjce provides information on
federal regulations of toxic substances and on
EPA's asbestos programs. Provides information
about such substances as ammonia, asbestos,
formaldehyde, and hexanes in household products.
Maintains a list of laboratories that analyze poten-
tial asbestos samples. Refers technical information
requests to the appropriate office in EPA.
General Information
Public Information Center PM-211B
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 382-2080
Operates 8 AM to 5:30 PM EST Monday
i through Friday
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Center for Environmental Research
J Information
26 West Martin Luther King Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45268
(513) 569-7391
This information center distributes general,
nontechnical information about EPA to the public,
as well as to other government agencies at all
levels. Also refers technical information requests to
the appropriate office in EPA or the appropriate
government agency.
This information center distributes many EPA
publications including information about Superfund.
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Table 9. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Resources (continued)
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
Pesticides
Office of Pesticide Programs
Document Management Section
(H7502C)
ISB/PMSD
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
(202)557-4474
Emissions Data
This office provides a number of free handouts on
pesticide use and safety. Also can provide docu-
ment numbers for Pesticide Fact Sheets available
through the National Technical Information Service.
Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)
Database
Title III Reporting Center
Suite 7103
470/4901'Enfant Plaza
Washington, DC 20022
(202) 488-1501
Toxics Release Inventory Database
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
P.O. Box 70266
Washington, DC 20024-0266
Attn. TRI Public Inquiry
This center is a public reading room where paper
copies of the reporting forms submitted to the
Toxics Release Inventory Database are available.
This database contains information on releases of
certain hazardous substances from factories and
businesses in your area. Information from the
database is available by personal computer and a
modem through the National Library of Medicine
Toxicology Data Network (TOXNET) System. Call
the National Library of Medicine at 1-800-638-8480
for information on how to obtain a MEDLARS
account for accessing the database. Local infor-
mation on releases eventually will be available on
computer in a county library in each county in the
United States. Release data are also currently
available from state Section 313 contacts.
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101
Table 9. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Resources (continued)
RESOURCE
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
Pollution Prevention
Pollution Prevention Office Through the Pollution Prevention Information
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Clearinghouse (PPIC), EPA's Pollution Prevention
401 M Street, SW Office provides information on government and
Washington, DC 20460 y industry pollution prevention programs, grant and
, . - project funding opportunities, upcoming events,
! conferences, and seminars and contains the
Electronic Information Exchange System (EIES).
; The EIES is a computerized information network
that anyone can access, either through a PC with
appropriate communication software or through the
! RCRA/Superfund hotline (1-800-424-9346). The
| . . hotline provides a telephone service to answer or
refer any pollution prevention questions, access
I information in the PPIC, provide instruction on
accessing the EIES date bases, and assist in
document searches and ordering.
Super-fund
Superfund Document Repositories
EPA has established document repositories for the
studies developed in conjunction with Superfund
site cleanups. Usually these repositories are in the
county library nearest the site.
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8. GETTING MORE INFORMATION
Table 10. Other Federal Government Resources
RESOURCE
Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry (F-38)
U.S. Public Health Service
Department of Health and Human
Services
Caffllene Allen, Public Relations
1600 Clifton Rd.,NE
Atlanta, GA 30333
(404) 488-4630
—————•••^•^••^
Cancer Information Service (CIS)
1-800-4-CANCER
On Oahu, Hawaii
524-1234 .
(neighbor Islands call collect)
Address written questions to:
Office of Cancer Communications
National Cancer Institute
Bethesda, MD 20892
____———————
Consumer Products Safety
Commission (CPSC)
1-800-638-2772
Operates a completely automatic hotline
24 hours a day for touchtone phones. If
you have a rotary phone or if you want to
register specific complaints about haz-
ardous products, you may speak to
operators from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM
EST, Monday through Thursday
Address written questions to:
Consumer Products Safety Commission
Westwood Towers
5401 Westbard Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20207
Food and Drug Administration
Office of Consumer Affairs
HFF-88
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
(301) 443-3170
DESCR8PTION OF SERVICES
This agency provides toxicoiogical profile docu-
ments for some hazardous substances commonly
found at Superfund sites. Answers questions
about human health effects at refuse sites. Works
with private physicians during emergencies to
answer human health related questions.
This toll-free information service provides informa-
tion about cancer causes, prevention, diagnosis,
and treatment. Supplies information about which
substances are known carcinogens. The CIS also
provides booklets containing dietary recommenda-
tions and cancer prevention.
Spanish-speaking staff are available to callers from
the following areas (daytime hours only):
California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, northern
New Jersey. New York, and Texas. __
This toll-free hotline provides information about the
specific titles of CPSC publications on household
chemicals and on asbestos and allows you to order
them. This hotline is a prerecorded message.
Provides consumer information and consumer
publications on food safety and a variety of other
subjects. May also be able to identify an FDA
Consumer Affairs office in your area to serve as a
resource.
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103
Table 10. Other Federal Government Resources (continued)
RESOURCE
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
Meat and Poultry Hotline
1-800-535-4555
In Washington, DC
447-333
(Operates 10 AM to4 PM ESTMonday
through Friday
Address written questions to:
Meat and Poultry Hotline
U.S. Department of Agriculture
jRoom 1163-S
Washington, DC 20250
This toll-free hotline provides information on food
safety and storage mostly with respect to meat and
poultry. They can* hov/ever, answer general
questions about food safety,or can refer questions
to appropriate sources;
National Hazardous Materials
Information Exchange (HMIX)
(Federal Emergency Management
Agency .
State and Local Programs and Support
j Directorate
Technological Hazards Division
|800 C Street, SW
Washington, DC 20472
1-800-752-6367
(In Illinois, call 1-800-367-9592)
The Federal Emergency Management Agency and
the Department of Transportation sponsor this
computerized informatipn exchange bulletin board.
It is a centralized database set up for the distribu-1
tion and exchange of information pertaining to haz-
ardous materials, emergency management, train-
ing, resources, technical assistance, and regula-
tions. For access, by a personal computer and
modem, call 312-972-3275.
JNationai Library of Medicine (NLM)
8600 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20894
1-800-638-8480 or
(301)496-6193
The library maintains the Toxicology Data Network
(TOXNET) System, an Online, database file
available through a personal computer and modem
connection. There are four database files in
TOXNET: (1) The Hazardous Substance Data
Base, (2) the Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical
Substances, (3) the Chemical Carcinogenesis
Research Information Service, and (4) the Toxic
Release Inventory. The,' NLM must issue a.
MEDLARS account, for billing purposes, before the
database can be accessed.
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8. GETTING MORE INFORMATION
Table 10. Other Federal Government Resources (continued)
RESOURCE
National Response Center
1-800-424-8802
National Technical Information Service
(NTIS)
Attn: Order Desk
5285 Port Royal Road
SprIngfield,VA 22161
(703) 487-4650
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration
Office of Information and Consumer
Affairs
Department of Labor
200 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20210
(202)523-8151
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
This center is a single continuously staffed location
that receives and refers for action or investigation
all reports of environmental incidents throughout
the United States. Use this hotline only to report
an incident. —
This information service provides government ,
documents. Several EPA publications that are not
available through the EPA Public Information
Center can be ordered through NTIS. There is a
charge for these publications. Orders may be
placed by telephone or by mail. Reference the
NTIS PB order number and the document title. In
most cases, you must also specify a method of
payment for the document. ______
This information office answers questions about
safety and health laws in the workplace. Refers
technical questions to specialists in the appropriate
Program Office of OSHA. Maintains a list of
publications on workplace health and safety.
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Table 11. Private and Nonprofit Organizations*
ORGANIZATION
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
American Chemical Society
| Department of Government Relations
and Science Policy
i 1155 16th Street, NW
! Washington, DC 20036
(202) 872-4395, (202) 872-4391
A member organization of chemists and chemical
engineers. Can help citizens interpret technical
data or can refer citizens to a scientist in their local
community who can.
American Petroleum Institute
! 1220 L Street, NW
! Washington, DC 20005
(202)682-8000
The Health and Environmental Sciences Depart-
ment of the American Petroleum Institute sponsors
research and information programs in the fields of
occupational health, prpduct safety, environmental
biology, environmental technology, arid community
health. Reports and publications are available to
nonmembers for a $0.25 per page fee.
Center for Emergency Response
Planning (CERP)
Workplace Health Fund
!815 16th Street, NW
;Washington, DC 20006
{202)842-7834
A consortium of industrial union departments, AFL-
CIO, and the Workplace Health Fund. CERP is
involved in planning, information dissemination,
and research. CERP provides educational
resources for workers, labor officials, and com-
munity leaders; planning assistance to worker
representatives on LEPCs; and general chemical
information through unions.
Chemical Manufacturers Association
2501 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037 '' '
(202)887-1255
A research organization for chemical companies.
Operates a Chemical Referral Center to provide
nonemergency health and safety information on
chemicals. Call the Referral Center at 1-800-CMA-
8200 in U,S. or 202-887|-1315 (call collect in
Alaska):
Citizens Clearinghouse for Hazardous
Wastes
Box 926
Arlington, VA 22216
(703)276-7070
An organization that provides information about
hazardous wastes to citizens.
onprofit organizations that
ab,e to
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8. GETTING MORE INFORMATION
Table 11. Private and Nonprofit Organizations (continued)
Clean Water Action
186 South Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 423-4661
Electric Power Research Institute
3412 Hillview Avenue
P.O. Box 10412
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(415)855-2411
Friends of the Earth
218 D Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003
(202) 544-2600
Greenpeace
1436 U Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202)462-1177
League of Women Voters
1730 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202)429-1965
National Toxics Campaign
37 Temple Place, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 482-1477
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
A grassroots organization that was organized to
help citizens get information about toxics in their
area. Provides technical assistance and maintains
a list of publications.
A research organization for the electric utility
industry. Conducts research on environmental
assessment issues affecting the electric power
industry. Technical reports are available at a fee
for nonmembers.
A member organization that has recently merged
with the Environmental Policy Institute and the
Oceanic Society. The organization's main function
is lobbying the federal government for grassroots
citizens groups. Can also provide guidance for
lobbying in state and local government and strate-
gies for citizen education and assistance in com-
munity organizing.
-
An international organization dedicated to the pro-
tection of the natural environment through direct
action, education, and legislature lobbying. Main-
tains a number of position papers on environmental
problems. „ , '
Nonpartisan political organization that promotes the
informed and active involvement of citizens in
government and influences public policy through
education and advocacy. A multi-issue
organization with interests including natural
resources and environmental protection.
A coalition of citizens, consumer organizations,
environmental groups, and others who are dedi-
cated to implementing citizen-based preventive
solutions to toxic and environmental problems.
L
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107
Table 11; Private and Nonprofit Organizations (continued]
ORGANIZATION
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
National Wildlife Federation
Environmental Quality Division
1400 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 797-6800
A nonprofit organization that develops education
programs, publications, and research activities to
promote the wise use of national resources.
Sierra Club
730 Polk Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415)776-2211
A cfub organized to h^lp members and the public
understand environmental problems and their risks
and solutions. Publishes the Sierra Club Hazard-
ous Materials/Water Resources Newsletter for vol-
unteer activists to communicate with each other
about resources, research, and activities.
Working Group on Community Right-
to-Know
218 D Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003
(202)544-2600
A coalition of public interest and environmental
groups that provides information on the Emergency
Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. The
coalition compiles documents on Title III for which
they request donations to cover the cost of copying
and mailing. |
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8. GETTING MORE INFORMATION
Table 12. Printed Information on Hazardous Substances
TITLE AND DESCRIPTION
EPA—An Overview
Environmental Progress and Challenges: EPA's
Update EPA, 1988, EPA-230-07-88-033,140 pages
Provides an overview of environmental problems in
the United States and the steps being taken by EPA
and states and local governments to address these
issues. —
Outdoor Air
Trends in the Quality of the Nation's Air, EPA, 1988,
OPA-87-019,19 pages ..
Contains a general summary of outdoor air quality
with data on six primary air pollutants.
___————————
Outdoor Water
America's Wetlands—Our Vital Link Between Land
and Water, EPA, 1988, OPA-87-016,10 pages
Provides a basic geographical description of wet-
lands, their importance, and statistics on how they
are now being threatened.
Drinking Water
Lead and Your Drinking Water, EPA, 1987.OPA-87-
Gives a comprehensive overview of how lead gets
into drinking water, information on testing, and ways
to reduce your risk.
Health Advisory Summaries, EPA, Office of Water,
1989, about 2 pages for each summary, available for
110 drinking water contaminants
Provides information on health effects of pesticides
and suggests actions to take to ensure a safe drink-
ing water supply. Health advisory information has
been prepared for substances that have the poten- -
tial for reaching drinking water supplies.
WHERE TO WRITE OR CALL
i "* .
Public Information Center PM-211B
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 382-2080
Public Information Center PM-21 IB
U S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 382-2080
Public Information Center PM-211B
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, .SW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 382-2080
Public Information Center PM-211B
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 382-2080
Safe Drinking Water Hotline
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
OS-305
401 M Street, SW
Waterside Mall
Washington, DC, 20460
1-800-426-4791
In Washington, DC and Alaska
(202)382-5533
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109
table 12. Printed Information on Hazardous Substances (continued)
TITLE AND DESCRIPTION
WHERE TO WRITE OR CALL
Hazardous Waste Cleanup
}The New Superfund: What It is, How It Works, EPA,
rl 987,10 pages
Gives a detailed description of the Superfund law, its
provisions for cleaning up hazardous waste sites,
and how individual communities are involved in the
process.
Waste Management
The Solid Waste Dilemma: An Agenda for Action,
EPA, 1989, EPA/530-SW-89-019,70 pages
pffers a concrete strategy for action by EPA, state
and local governments, industry, and citizens for
improving the nation's management of municipal
solid waste.
Waste Minimization: Environmental Quality with
Economic Benefits, EPA, 1987, EPA/530-SW-87-
026, 26 pages
Focuses on EPA's waste minimization program
under the 1984 RCRA amendments. Also describes
general waste minimization practices and lists
federal and state offices that can assist in
generating, initiating, or expanding their programs.
i '' - , ""-"'* - -
A Survey of Household Hazardous Wastes and
Related Collection Programs, EPA, 1986, EPA-530-
SW-86-038, PB 87-108072,128 pages
Summarizes the results of a study that addressed
the quantities of household hazardous wastes in the
rnunicipal waste stream and the impacts o,f house-
hold hazardous wastes on homeowners and the
environment. Also provides information on collec-
tion programs conducted at state and local levels
and the benefits and problems associated with these
programs. •
Public Information Center PM-211B
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460 "'
(202)382-2080
RCRA/Superfund Hotline
OSW/OPMS Hotline
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
OS-305
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
1-800-424-9346
In Washington, DC:
(202)382-3000
RCRA/Superfund Hotline
OSW/OPMS Hotline
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
OS-305
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
1-800-424-9346
In Washington, DC:
(202)382^3000
RCRA/Superfund Hotline
OSW/OPMS Hotline
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
OS-305 i
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
1-800-424-9346
In Washinqton, DC: ,
(202)382-3000
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8. GETTING MORE INFORMATION
1
Table 12. Printed Information on Hazardous Substances (continued)
TITLE AND DESCRIPTION
and Community R3aht-to-
Chemicals in Your Community: A Guide to the
Emeraency Planning and Community Right-to-Know
Act EPA OSWER-88-002,1988,36 pages
Describes the EPCRA Act passed by Congress, how
it affects various groups, and what rights each group
has in terms of getting information about hazardous
substances in its area.
Community Right-to-Know and Smalt Business,
EPA, 1988, OSWER-88-005,23 pages .
Provides information for small businesses to help
them comply with the Community Right-to-Know Act.
It's Not Over in October: A
Emergency Planning Committees, EPA/FEMA/CMA
and Working Group on Community Right-to-Know,
1988, OSWER-88-004,27 pages
Provides information for the Local Emergency
Planning Committees on implementing Title III and
on creative solutions to problems that may arise.
Hazardous Materials Emergency Planning Guide,
U.S. EPA, 1987 (NRT-1) .„..'''
Provides information to assist communities in
planning for hazardous materials incidents. This
guide outlines how to develop planning teams and
hazardous materials emergency plans.
Technical Guidance for Hazards Analysis:
Emergency Planning for Extremely Hazardous
Substances, EPA, 1987,186 pages
This guidebook supplements the Hazardous
Materials Emergency Planning Guide by providing
technical assistance to LEPC to assess the lethal
hazards related to potential airborne releases of
extremely hazardous substances.
WHERE TO WRITE OR CALL
Emergency Planning and Community
Right-to-Know Information
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
OS-120 .
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
Emergency Planning and Community
Right-to-Know Information
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
OS-120
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
Emergency Planning and Community
Right-to-Know Information
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
OS-120
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
Hazmat Planning Guide (NRT-1)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
OS-120
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
Emergency Planning and Community
Right-to-Know Information
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
OS-120 ,
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
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111
Table 12. Printed Information on Hazardous Substances (continued)
TITLE AND DESCRIPTION
WHERE TO WRITE OR CALL
Emergency Planning and Community Rlaht-to-
'Know Act—Title III (cont'd)
The Community Plume, a publication for the
members of America's Local Emergency Planning
Committees, Environmental Policy Institute
($10 donation)
Provides news and information to Local Emergency
Planning Committees and other emergency man-
agement personnel about incidents involving toxic
substances and other aspects of complying with
Title III.
,'i
Chemical Risk Communication—Preparing for
Community Interest in Chemical Release Data,
American Chemical Society, 1988,28 pages
Presents a basic explanation of risk assessment and
risk communication that can be used when respond-
ing to public questions about chemical releases.
_ This booklet is written for public information person-
nel in the chemical industry and local leaders.
Layperson's Guide to Reading MSDSs, '•.
Massachusetts Department of Environmental
Quality, 4 pages
Explains how to interpret Material Safety Data
Sheets (MSDSs). MSDSs are the fact sheets on
health effects and treatment information on specific
Chemicals that are prepared by manufacturers and
must accompany certain chemicals under Title III
requirements.
Reducing the Risk of Chemical Disaster: A Citizen's
Guide, National Wildlife Federation, 1989,85 pages
($7 donation) ,.
Explains different elements of gathering information
and using it for emergency planning and discusses
barriers to effective planning.
Using Community RighHo-Know: A Guide to a New
Federal Law, 1988, OMB Watch, 72 pages ($25 for
businesses and national organizations, $5 for
communities and individuals)
Presents information for citizens on understanding
the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-
Know Law and on the different types of information
available.
Friends of the Earth
218,D Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003
(202) 544-2600
American jChemical Society
Department of Government Relations
and Science Policy
1155 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 872-4395, (202) 872-4391
;l . '
Massachusetts Department of
Environmental Quality
1 Winter Street
Boston, MA 02108
(617)292-5993
National Wildlife Federation
Environmental Quality Division
1400 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202)797-6800
OMB Watch
1731 Conriecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 234-8494
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8. GETTING MORE INFORMATION
Table 12. Printed Information on Hazardous Substances (continued)
" WHERE TO WRITE OR CALL
TITLE AND DESCRIPTION
Emergency Planning and nnmmunltv RIaht-to-
Know Act—Title III (cont'd) .
Citizens Clearinghouse for Hazardous Wastes
Contains a list of presentations and publications
maintained by the Citizens Clearinghouse.
Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet
Provides summaries of available information on the
health effects of certain chemicals based on poten-
tial exposures and provides information on ways to
reduce exposure.
We HI List of Lists, EPA, 1988, EPA-560/4-88-003
Lists the chemicals subject to reporting under TitleJIl
of SARA. The document lists the extremely hazard-
ous substances with their threshold planning quanti-
ties the CERCLA hazardous substances with their
reportable quantities, the Section 313 toxic chemi-
cals, and the RCRA hazardous wastes.
Chemical Advisories, EPA, 1984-1986
These fact sheets provide information to manufac-
turers, employees, and homeowners of the hazards
from used motor oil and other hazardous substances
such as 2-nitropropane, nitrosamines, p-tert-butyl
benzoic acid, 4,4;-methylene bis(2-chloroanilme),
and toluenediamines.
Publicly Available Title III Documents (A Bibliogra-
phy), EPA, 1989 <_,
Contains title, availability, and a summary of docu-
ments concerning Title III
Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals, Title III and
Communities, EPA 56-1-89-002,1989
This outreach manual is written for community
groups.
Citizens Clearinghouse for Hazardous
Wastes
Box 926
Arlington, VA 22216
(703)276-7070
TSCA Assistance Information Service
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
TS-799
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 554-1404
Emergency Planning and Community
Right-to-Know Information
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
OS-120
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
TSCA Assistance Information Service
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
TS-799
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460 -
(202) 554-1404
Emergency Planning and Community
Right-to-Know Information
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
OS-120
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
Office of Pesticides and Toxic
Substances
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
TS-799
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
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113
Table 12. Printed Information on Hazardous Substances (continued)
TITLE AND DESCRIPTION
WHERE TO WRITE OR CALL
Indoor Air
The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality,
EPA and Consumer Product Safety Commission,
1988, EPA/400/1-88/004, 32 pages
Provides information on sources of indoor air
pollutants, as well as ways to mitigate or eliminate
the problems; discusses indoor air quality in the
workplace; contains good list of where to obtain
additional information,
indoor Air—Asbestos
Asbestos in the Home, EPA and Consumer Product
Safety Commission, 1982,12 pages
Describes what asbestos is, where it may be found
In the home, and possible health risks of exposure to
asbestos; also describes proper procedures to use
for asbestos removal. ,
t '
ABCs of Asbestos, EPA, the National Educational
Association, and the National Parent Teacher
Association, June 1989.
Describes how to avoid asbestos exposure in
schools.
Indoor Air—Radon
A Citizen's Guide to Radon, EPA and U.S. Depart-
ment of Health and Human Services, 1990,
14 pages
Discusses general information on what radon is,
how to test your home, and how radon exposure
increases the risk of lung cancer.
Ration Reduction Methods: A Homeowner's Guide,
EPA, 1986,24 pages
Provides information on various methods for
reducing radon exposure in the home.
Radon Reduction Techniques in Schools, EPA,
October 1989
Provides information on various methods used to
reduce radon exposure in schools.
Public Information Center PM-211B
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
(202)382-2080
"Asbestos in the Home"
Washington, DC 20207
Office of Pesticides and Toxic
Substances
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
TS-799
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
Public Information Center PM-211B
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
(202)382-2080
Public Infoirmation Center PM-211B
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 382-2080
Public Information Center PM-211B
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
-Washington, DC 20460
(202)382-2080 -
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8. GETTING MORE INFORMATION
Table 12. Printed Information on Hazardous Substances (continued)
WHERE TO WRITE OR CALL
TITLE AND DESCRIPTION
Pesticides
A Citizen's Guide to Pesticides, EPA, 1989, OPA-
008-89,24 pages
Contains information on pesticide options, handling
pesticides, determining the correct dosage level and
storage and disposal methods, choosing a pest
control company, reducing your exposure to
pesticides, and helping someone who s been
poisoned.
Pesticides in Drinking-Water Wells, EPA, 1989,
12 pages
Contains information on how pesticides are
regulated, how pesticides get into drinking-water
wells, the health concerns related to pesticides in
drinking-water wells and EPA's advisory guidance,
how to determine if your well water is safe to drink,
testing methods, and actions to take.
Pesticide Fact Sheets
Describes the chemical composition, use patterns
and formulations, scientific findings (on health
effects), regulatory positions and rationale, labeling
statements, summary of data gaps, and an EPA
contact person for each of 206 pesticides.
Health Advisory Summaries, EPA Office of Water,
1989 (2 pages each) '.._,••
Provides information on health effects of pesticides
and suggests actions to take to ensure a safe
drinking water supply. Health advisory information
has been prepared for substances that have the
potential for reaching drinking water supplies.
Public Information Center PM-2116
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW '
Washington, DC 20460
(202)382-2080
Public Information Center PM-211B
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 382-2080
Information about:
Office of Pesticide Programs
Document Management Section
(H7502G)
JSB/PMSD
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 557-4474
Order from:
National Technical Information Service
Attn. Order Desk
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA 22161
(703)487-4650 ,
Safe Drinking Water Hotline
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
OS-120
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
1-800-426-4791
In Washington, DC and Alaska
(202)382-5533 .
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8. GETTING MORE INFORMATION
115
Table 12. Printed Information on Hazardous Substances (continued)
TITLE AND DESCRIPTION
WHERE TO WRITE OR CALL
Food
Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer Prevention: The Good
News, U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, 1986,15 pages
Provides general recommendations and information
on food choices that reduce cancer risk and promote
better health; good listings of high-fiber and low-fat
foods. ,
Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer Prevention; A Guide to
Food Choices, U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, 1987,39 pages
Presents comprehensive information on healthy diet
and nutrition; contains information on low-fat and
high-fiber goods, shopping tips, recipes, and
explanations of how to calculate the percentage of
fat in your diet.
Diet and Health: Implications for Reducing Chronic
Disease Risk, National Research Council, 1989,
748 pages ($49.95)
General Sources of Health Effects Information
Everything Doesn't Cause Cancer, U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services, 1987,16 pages
Answers common questions about the causes and
prevention "of cancer and about the laboratory
animal tests that can identify cancer-causing
substances.
Good News, Better News, Best News—Cancer
Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, undated, 22 pages
Describes various factors that increase the risk of
cancer and simple things that you can do to lower
your risk.
Office of Cancer Communications
National Cancer Institute
Bethesda,, MD 20892
1-800^4-GANCER
On Oahu, Hawaii
524-12341
(neighbor islands call collect)
Office of Cancer Communications
National Cancer Institute
Bethesda, MD 20892
1-800-4-CANCER
On Oahu, Hawaii
.524-12341,
(neighbor islands call collect)
National Academy Press
2101 Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20418
(202)334-3313
Send prepayment
. Office of Cancer Communications
National Cancer Institute
Bethesda, MD 20892
1-800-4-CANCER
On Oahu, Hawaii
524-1234 _
(neighbor islands call collect)
Office of Cancer Communications
National Cancer Institute
Bethesda, MD 20892
1-800-4-CANCER ,
On Oahu, Hawaii
524-1234 |
(neighbor islands call collect)
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116
8. GETTING MORE INFORMATION
Table 12 Printed Information on Hazardous Substances (continued)
I TITLE AND DESCRIPTION WHERE TO WRITE OR CALL
General Sources of Health Effects
information (cont'd)
Good News for Blacks About Cancer, U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services,
1987, 8 pages
Describes preventive steps that blacks can
take to reduce their risk of various forms of
cancer.
Toxicological Profiles, ATSDR
Provides profiles for the hazardous
substances most commonly found at
Superfund sites. Each profile charactenzes
the toxicological and health effects
information for the substance and identifies
and reviews key literature that describes the
substances toxicological properties. Written
for health professionals and for the public.
Office of Cancer Communications
National Cancer Institute
Bethesda, MD 20892
1-800-4-CANCER ,
On Oahu, Hawaii
524-1234 ' '
(neighbor islands call collect)
Information about:
Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry (F-38)
U.S. Public Health Service
Department of Health and Human
Services
Caffilene Allen, Public Relations
1600 Clifton Rd., NE
Atlanta, GA 30333
(404) 488-4630
Order from:
National Technical Information Service
(NTIS)
Attn: Order Desk
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA 22161
(703)487-4650
Publication list is current as of November 1989.
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8. GETTING MORE INFORMATION
117
Table 13. Computerized Information on Hazardous Substances
TITLE AND DESCRIPTION
WHERE TO WRITE OR CALL
Toxicology Data Network System (TOXNET),
i Bethesda, MD, National Library of Medicine
Available on line through a personal computer
and modem connection, or in a medical library.
The database provides citations, and often
! abstracts, for journal articles and monographs.
TOXNET contains four databases:
!« Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB),
which focuses on toxicology of potentially
hazardous chemicals;
• Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical
Substances (RTECS), which contains informa-
tion on the toxic effects of some 90,000
chemicals; _
• Chemical Carcinogenesis Research
Information System (CCRIS), which contains
information on carcinogenicity of substances;
• Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), which contains
information on the annual estimated releases
of toxic chemicals in the environment.
To access these files by personal computer, you
must receive a MEDLARS account by calling the
National Library of Medicine.
The Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)
An electronic on-line database that provides risk
iassessment and regulatory information on
chemical substances of environmentalconcern.
IRIS provides reference citations and EPA
contacts for finding further information.
Publication list is current as of November 1989.
National Library of Medicine (NLM)
8600 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 2D894
1-800-638-8480 or
(301)496-6193
IRIS can be purchased from either
Dialcom Inc. at (301) 770-4280
or
Stu Wiseman
National Technical Information Service
5285 Port Royal Road, R32
Springfield, VA 22161
(703) 487-4807
Also, state and local health departments can contact
The Public Health Foundation, which provides IRIS
through the Public l-lealth Network. Contact Paul
Johnson at (202) 898-5600 for more information.
For other questions about IRIS contact:
IRIS User Support
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development
Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office,
MS-114
Cincinnati, OH 45286
(513)569-7254
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GLOSSARY
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GLOSSARY
119
Aflatoxin—A mycotoxin produced by molds that grow on nuts and seeds,
especially corn or oil-seed meals. Humans exposed may have an increased
risk of liver cancer. !
Air Quality Standards—The level of air pollutants prescribed by regulations
that may not be exceeded during a specified time in a defined area.
Alar—Trade name for daminozide, a pesticide once used to make apples
redder, firmer, and less likely to drop off trees before growers were ready to
pick them. It also was used to a lesser extent on peanuts, tart cherries,
concord grapes, and other fruits. Humans exposed to Alar residues may have
an increased risk of cancer.
!• -
Ammonia—A pungent colorless gaseous alkaline compound of nitrogen and
hydrogen that is very soluble in water. Ammonija is a household cleaning
product, and ammonia compounds are used as fertilizers.
Arsenic—A solid, brittle, poisonous element that is used to harden lead alloys
that end up as bullets, bearings, battery grids, and cable sheathings. Large
dose causes acute poisoning leading to convulsions and death. Chronic
exposure to small amounts may cause a number of health effects including
cancer.
Asbestos—A mineral fiber that can pollute air or water and cause cancer or
asbestosis when inhaled. In the past, was used in manufacturing,
construction, and fireproof fabrics. EPA has banned or severely restricted its
use. • .
Ban—Legal prohibition.
i ( -
Benzene—A colorless, volatile, flammable, toxic liquid used in organic
synthesis, as a solvent, and as a motor fuel. Also given off by new carpets.
Humans exposed have an increased risk of leukemia, other blood disorders,
and other cancers.
By-product—Material, other than the principal product, that is generated as a
consequence of an industrial process. i
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120
GLOSSARY
CAA-Clean Air Act-provides the basic legal authority for the nation's air
poll^ncontrol programs and is designed to enhance the quality of air
resources.
Cadmium-A bluish white, toxic metallic element used7 in electroplating,
alloys, batteries, pigments (dyes), and fungicides.
Cancer-A tumor of potentially unlimited growth that can expand locally and
to other prgans. ,
Carbon-* nonmetallic element often found as a constituent of coal
petroleum, and asphalt; limestone and other carbonates; and orgamc
compounds. Can be obtained artificially in varying degrees of punty.
Carbon
°
ej— A colorless nonflammable toxic liquid that has an
Has been used as a solvent for greases,
a aiit; and in fire extinguishers. In 1970, EPA banned the
use of carbon tetrachloride in consumer products.
Carcinogen— A substance or agent capable of causing cancer.
CERCLA-Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation, and
Liabintv Act-* federal law passed in 1980 and modified in 1986 by the
Super^nd Amendments and Reauthorization Act. The acts <*««**»"*.
tex that goes into a trust fund, commonly known as Superfund, to nves 'gate
art dean up abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. Under
lupeSlJEPAcan either pay for site cleanup when parties responsible for -
fhe Salivation cannot be located or are unwilling or unable to perform the
SiK?S^"4al action to force parties responsible for site contam.nat.on
to clean up the site or pay back the federal government for the cost of the
cleanup.
Chlorlne-A heavy greenish-yellow gas of pungent odor used in its liquid
fon-n as ableach, oxidizing agent, and disinfectant in water punf.cat.on.
Chloroform— A colorless, volatile, toxic liquid with an ether odor used
especially as a solvent.
Contamlnant-Any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance
or matter that has an adverse effect on air, water, or soil.
CPSC-Consumer Product Safety Commission-Protects consumers through
proper labeling of products.
CWA—Clean Water Act-the basic authority for water pollution control
programs; goal is to make national waters fishable and swimmable.
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GLOSSARY
121
:. • i •
Cyanide—Found as a highly toxic compound (such as potassium cyanide)
with other elements. Hydrogen cyanide is used as a fumigant for killing
insects and rodents; sodium cyanide is used to extract silver and gold from
ore. - ' - [ /•'•-''•...-.
DDT—The first chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticide (chemical name:
Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichlorometharie). It has a half-life of 15 years and can
collect in fatty tissues of certain animals. EPA banned registration and
interstate sale of DDT for virtually all but emergency uses in the United States
in 1972 because of its persistence in the environment and accumulation in the
food chain. ,..•
DHHS—Department of Health and Human Services.
DOE—Department of Energy—Governs the interstate compact system of low-
level radioactive wastes.
DOT—Department of Transportation—Regulates hazardous substances while
they are in transit.
i
Ecosystem—Any physical area defined by an interrelated group of plants arid
animals, including humans.
Emergency Planning and Community RlghMo-Know Act (SARA Title
III)—-Legislation to set up programs for communicating chemical information to
local agencies or the public, as established by the Superfund Amendments
and Reauthorization Act of 1986.
Emission—Pollution discharged into the atmosphere from smokestacks,
other vents, and surface areas of commercial or industrial facilities; from
residential chimneys; and from motor vehicle, locomotive, and aircraft
exhausts. -
i •
- .
Environment—The sum of all external conditions affecting the life,
development, and survival of an organism.
•* - . • -i . .
. • - • • |: r
EPA—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agenpy, established in 1970 by
Presidential Executive Order, bringing together fiarts of various government
agencies involved with pollution control.
Exposure—The amount of pollutant present in ian environment that may
represent a potential health threat to the living organisms in that environment
FDA—Food and Drug Administration—Monitors prescription drug advertising
and labeling; also develops standards and regulations on the consumption,
quality, and safety of cosmetics and foods, except meat and poultry products.
FD&C Act—Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
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122
GLOSSARY
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Administration.
FIFRA—Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, which provides
the basis for regulations governing the registration, distribution, sale, and use
of pesticides in the United States.
Formaldehyde—A colorless, pungent, irritating gas, used chiefly as a
disinfectant and preservative and in synthesizing other compounds and resins.
Used in pressed wood products (furniture, building products).
Hazard—The inherent characteristic of a substance to cause harm.
Hazardous chemlcal-A chemical for which there is evidence that acute or
chronic health effects may occur in exposed organisms.
Hazardous substance—Any material that poses a threat to human health
and/or the environment.
Hazardous waste—By-product of society that can pose a substantial or
potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly
managed. Possesses at least one of four characteristics (ignitability,
corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity), or appears on special EPA lists.
Insecticide—An agent that kills insects.
L-J-iter—a metric unit of capacity equal to the volume of 1 kilogram of water
at 4 degrees Celcius (°C) and at standard atmospheric pressure of 760
millimeters of mercury; slightly more than 1 quart in volume.
Lead—A heavy metal that is hazardous to health if breathed or swallowed.
The use of lead in gasoline, paints, and plumbing compounds has been
sharply restricted or eliminated by federal laws and regulations.
Lealslatlon—The exercise of the power and function of making rules (as
laws) that have the force of authority by virtue of/their promulgation by an
official organ of a state or other organization.
LEPC—Local Emergency Planning Committee. A commi«ee0^P°illt®d ^ tn
the State Emergency Response Commission, as required by SARA Title III, to
formulate a comprehensive emergency plan for its jurisdiction.
LOG—Level of Concern. The concentration in air of an extremely hazardous
substance above which there may be serious immediate health effects to
anyone exposed to it for short periods of time.
mcg/m3—Micrograms per cubic meter.
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GLOSSARY
123
Methylene chloride—A nonflammable liquid used especially as a solvent,
paint remover, and refrigerant. Released by scime factories into the air.
Humans exposed may have an increased risk 6f cancer.
Microorganism—An organism of microscopic size.
*- /
NPDES—National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. A provision of the
Clean Water Act that prohibits discharge of pollutants into waters of the United
States unless a special permit is issued by EPA, a state, or (where delegated)
a tribal government on an Indian reservation. !
NRC—Nuclear Regulatory Commission—Licenses and regulates radioactive
materials users and low-level radioactive waste disposal facilities.
- NRDC—Natural Resources Defense Council.
OSHA—Occupational Safety and Health Admir istration—Agency under US.
Department of Labor that administers and enforces the adoption and
promulgation of occupational standards, regulations, and safety and health
rules for the protection of most employees in the nation's workplaces.
Oxide—A compound of oxygen with a chemical
Parathion-^-An extremely toxic insecticide.
Permit-^An authorization, license, or equivalent control document issued by
EPA or an approved state agency to implement the requirements of an
environmental regulation, e.g., a permit to operate a wastewater treatment
plant or to operate a facility that may generate harmful emissions.
Pesticide—General term for insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides
Insecticides are any substance or mixture of sufcistances intended for
preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating ariy pest. Herbicides are any
substance or mixture of substances intended for use as a plant regulator,
defoliant, or desiccant. Fungicides are used to control plant diseases.
Pesticides can accumulate in the food chain and/or contaminate the
environment. ,
Pollution—Generally, the presence of matter or energy whose nature,
location, or quantity produces undesired environmental effects. Under'the
Clean Water Act, for example, the term is defined as the man-made or man-
mduced alteration of the physical, biological, and radiological integrity of water.
Radon—A colorless, naturally occurring, radioactive, inert gaseous element
formed by radioactive decay of radium atoms in soil or rocks. Long-term
exposure can cause lung cancer.
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124
GLOSSARY
RCRA—Resource Conservation and Recovery Act—A federal law that
esteUbheda regulatory system to track hazardous substances from the time
o?generation to disposal. The law requires safe and secure procedures to be
usedi^ treating^ansporting, storing, and disposing of hazardous substances.
RCRA is designed to prevent new, uncontrolled hazardous waste sites.
Remedial action—The actual construction or implementation phase of a
Superfund site cleanup that follows remedial design.
Risk—Probability or chance of loss or injury; a dangerous element or factor.
Sa/mone/fe-Any of the genus of bacteria that are pathogenic for man and
other warm-blooded animals and cause food poisonmg, gastromtestmal
inflammation, or diseases .of the genital tract.
Salmonellosls— Infection with or disease caused by Salmonella.
SARA—Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986.
SARA Title III—See Title III.
SDWA—Safe Drinking Water Act.
SERC-State Emergency Response Commission. Commission appointed by
each state governor according to the requirements of SARA T.tle III. The
SERCs designate emergency planning districts, appoint local emergency
planning committees (LEPCs), and supervise and coordinate LEPC actwit.es.
Solvent—A liquid substance capable of dissolving or dispersing one or more
other substance(s).
Substance-Physical material from which something is made or which has
discrete existence; matter of particular or definite chemical constitution.
operated under the legislative authority of
that funds and carries out EPA's solid waste emergency
and long-term removal remedial activities. These activities include
establishing ihe National Priorities List, investigating sites for inclus.on on the
list determining their priority level on the list, and conducting and/or
supeS the ultimately determined cleanup and other remed.al act.ons.
Title III—Third part of SARA, also known as the Emergency Planning and
Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986. This Act concerns emergency
planning, emergency notification, community right-to-know reporting and tox.c
chemical release reporting; it requires that detailed information about the ;
Se of hazardous substances be made available to the publ.c; rt prov,des
stiff penalties for companies that do not comply; and it also allows c,t,zens to
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GLOSSARY
125
file lawsuits against companies and government agencies to force them to
obey the law. |
"k
trtl—Toxics Release Inventory. A national inventory of annual toxic chemical
releases from manufacturing facilities.
' *•>•
TSCA—Toxic Substances Control Act.
Xylene—Any of three toxic, flammable substances related to benzene and
obtained from wood tar, coal tar, or petroleum distillates; also a mixture of
xylenes and ethyl benzene used chiefly as a solvent
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