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ERNS Top Five CERCLA Hazardous Substances Reported (1987-1994)
5,263
5,185
3,086
Anhydrous
Ammonia
Polychlorinated
Biphenyls
Ethylene
Glycol
Sulfuric Acid Chlorine
Why Report a
Release?
Failing to report a release of a CERCLA hazardous substance that
equals or exceeds its RQ, or submitting false or misleading
information, are violations of the law. The U.S. EPA can impose
criminal penalties and/or levy fines for such offenses. In addition
to reporting violations, an owner or operator of a vessel or facility
is liable for all costs of assessment and repair of damages to
natural resources, cleanup costs, and the costs of any health study
resulting from a release of a CERCLA hazardous substance. Even
if the release is not subject to the notification requirements of
CERCLA; that is, even if the release is less than the applicable RQ,
the owner or the operator of the facility may still be liable.
When in doubt,
call the NRC !
1-800-424-8802
What Happens
After a Release
is Reported?
Release information is incorporated into ERNS and is given to the appropriate Regional EPA
or U.S. Coast Guard On-Scene Coordinator. This information may also be given to other
organizations, for example:
State environmental agencies
Department of Transportation
Federal Emergency Management
Agency
Department of Defense
Department of Energy
Chemical Transportation Emergency Center
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration
Obtaining
ERNS Data
Additional information on the ERNS
database may be obtained by calling the
ERNS Information Line at (202)
260-2342, by sending an e-mail request
to erns.info@epamail.epa.gov, or by
writing to EPA at the following address:
ERNS Manager
U.S. EPA
Mail Code 5202G
401 M Street SW
Washington, DC 20460
ERNS data are also
available through the
Internet at the following
addresses:
World Wide Web: http://www.epa.gov
EPA Gopher Server: gopher.epa.gov
Anonymous FTP Server: ftp.epa.gov
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