United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
May 1980
Toxic Substances
xvEPA Dealing With
Toxic Chemicals
A Citizen's Role
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This handbook supplements an 11-minute slide-tape presentation
developed by the Public Participation Staff of EPA's Office of Pesticides
and Toxic Substances. The presentation, along with this publication,
outlines the prevalent toxic substances issues, the major laws that address
their control, and how citizens can take an active role in toxic-related
issues.
Credits: Aerial slide of Love Canal, W. Phillipson, c/o Photography Unit, Division of
Laboratories and Research, New York State Health Department; Asbestos-covered pipe, c/o
Division of Environmental and Industrial Disease Control, Environmental Health Administra-
tion, Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
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Contents
Slide Presentation Script Page 2
Information Contact Sources
(Federal, State, and Local) Page 9
Instructions for Using Slide-Tape Equipment . . . Page 13
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Script
(1) Blank
(2) Dealing with toxic chemicals: a citizen's role.
(3) If you've ever doubted the place of chemicals in twentieth-
century life, take a look around. Chemicals are everywhere ...
(4) from the fibers and dyes in our clothes . . .
(5) to the pesticides used to grow our food . . .
(6) to the products we rely on daily.
(7) Since the industrial revolution, industry has developed tens of
thousands of chemicals. For several decades we've lived with
and depended on these substances . . .
(8) because they've touched and improved almost every aspect of
our daily lives.
(9) In the last few years, however, we've begun to realize that in
some cases we may be paying a high price for our pervasive
use of chemicals, in terms of human health and environmental
hazards.
(10) Love Canal, New York, is one example. Here, chemical wastes
leaked from their disposal site and contaminated the surround-
ing neighborhood. Unusually high rates of miscarriage, birth
defects, and cancer were reported by residents to New York
State health officials.
(11) Then there are PCBs. For years, industry used polychlorinated
biphenyls, or PCBs, mainly as coolants in electrical equipment.
(12) However, they have caused serious human harm . . . skin
lesions, swollen limbs, eye and liver problems, and possibly
cancer and birth'defects. Due to their toxicity, PCBs can no
longer be made in this country. Even so, PCBs will persist in our
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environment for years to come because they break down very
slowly.
(13) Their presence has already contaminated our food supply,
necessitating destruction of PCB-contaminated chickens and
cattle and the cautious use of fish from certain lakes and rivers.
(14) Even our schools and other public buildings, as well as our
homes, may contain chemical risks in the form of asbestos.
(15) Asbestos was once a standard fireproof ing and insulation
material in pipes, ceilings, and roofs.
(16) If asbestos materials deteriorate and disperse asbestos fibers
into the air, we face the danger of inhaling asbestos particles
that can cause lung inflammation and cancer.
(17) Unfortunately, these are not rare incidents, but illustrations of
our widespread and complex toxic chemical problem.
Sometimes it seems that chemical hazards are everywhere,
and that there's little we can do. But much is being done
already, and there's more for us to do.
(18) Before we see where you can get more information and what
you can do, let's see how Federal, State, and local governments
are working to identify and solve these problems through
numerous environmental protection laws. Recent Federal laws
address the pollution problems of chemicals in the
environment
(19) For example. The Clean Water Act is designed to restore the
chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation's
waters.
(20) The Clean Air Act sets standards for air quality.
(21) The treatment, storage, and disposal oi hazardous wastes are
covered under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
(22) The Occupational Safety and Health Act authorizes setting ex-
posure standards for toxic and hazardous materials in the
workplace.
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(23) Other such laws concern testing, licensing, or registration of
chemical products, or products that have chemicals in them.
For example. The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodent-
icide Act requires registration of pesticides and their uses
before manufacture.
(24) The Consumer Product Safety Act and The Federal Hazard-
ous Substances Act limit or prevent the public from being
exposed to toxic or other hazardous materials in consumer
products.
(25) One of the newest and most far-reaching tools for dealing with
toxic substances is the Toxic Substances Control Act or TSCA.
Administered by EPA, TSCA is a very broad-based and com-
prehensive act. It enables the Government to take preventive
action on new chemical substances and to control ex/sting
chemicals.
(26) Under TSCA, EPA can gather chemical information from manu-
facturers, processors, and importers; identify potentially harm-
ful substances and require industry to test them; review new
chemicals and new uses of chemicals before manufacture; and,
when necessary, take action to control chemicals that pose
unreasonable risks.
(27) These measures range from requiring simple labeling to com-
pletely banning certain chemicals.
(28) But you are probably asking yourself, "what can / and other
citizens do about toxic chemicals? What is our role, and where
do we go for information and action?"
(29) To be most effective, it is usually best to work close to the site
of the problem, at the local. State, or regional level.
(30) You can start right in your home, by becoming aware of pos-
sible chemical problems and of what chemicals your family
may be exposed to.
(31) Carefully check your home for damaged or deteriorating
asbestos material around pipes or on ceilings and for other
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hazardous materials. Read labels on home and garden sprays;
by law, manufacturers are required to provide information on
contents and proper use.
(32) If you or a member of your family works with chemicals, find
out exactly what chemicals they are. Insist on full information
about them and learn how they should be handled for minimum
risk.
(33) If you come upon an immediate toxic chemical problem, such
as a chemical spill into a waterway, call the Coast Guard's
National Response Center and the local EPA office. Both are
listed under "U.S. Government" in the phone book.
(34) Sometimes a pattern to toxic chemical effects will provide
evidence of a particular problem. Try to gather all pertinent
facts. This helps to clarify and define the problem and may sug-
gest solutions.
(35) For example, an unusual number of cases of animal or human
disease, such as cancer cases in local residents, may suggest a
pollution problem. Health officials may have records to check
that would clarify trends, and they can initiate studies to deter-
mine the source of the problem.
(36) If you've found what appears to be a persistent chemical prob-
lem, you should be able to obtain information and action at
county and State agencies. Contact the proper authorities in
departments of environmental protection, water resources,
water management, solid waste, or public health.
(37) If you have no specific grievance, but want to keep apprised of
local activities to prevent problems, find out which local
government offices handle environmental affairs.
(38) Also check to see what toxic substances provisions are in
Federal and State laws. These include water pollution, land use,
and other environmental laws.
(39) To learn how you can get involved in State-level activities, con-
tact a representative of your State government for advice.
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(40) Find out about permits issued through your State's department
of health, environmental protection, or natural resources. State
officials may be able to tell you which chemicals are being
manufactured, processed, and disposed of, how this is being
done, and whether the substances are likely to be harmful.
(41) EPA's headquarters in Washington, D.C., provides information
on toxic chemicals and environmental laws. Also, each of its 10
regional offices can provide this information. Start by checking
with the EPA toxic substances coordinator in your nearest EPA
regional office.
(42) Several information sources are useful for monitoring Federal
developments in a particular area of pollution or toxic
substances law.
(43) The daily Federal Register publishes the rules of all Federal
agencies. It tells you about proposed rulemaking; describes
proposed rules or issues; quotes the legal authority; and gives
the date, place, and nature of the hearings on proposed
rulemakings.
(44) It also contains the final rule, which is written only after the
public has commented on the proposed rule.
(45) The Code of Federal Regulations contains the body of Federal
regulation, organized by subject
(46) For information about public hearings on environmental issues,
including permits and licenses, look in the legal notices section
of your local newspaper and check the Federal Register. Have
your name placed on an agency mailing list to receive informa-
tion regularly.
(47) Don't forget your congressman and senator. They can obtain
information for you or direct you to the proper information
source.
(48) Almost all environmental protection laws include provisions
for citizen participation. Under TSCA, for example, you can
petition to issue, amend, or repeal a rule, and you can take civil
action against individuals or Government agencies.
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(49) In the past environmental groups have had major impacts on
environmental policy. In 1976, for example, four environmental
groups filed a suit under the Clean Water Act which caused a
major review of limitations for industrial effluents.
(50) Legal action on the Federal level, however, is costly and time
consuming, and desired results can often be achieved through
efforts at the State and local levels.
(51) Today, we live with and depend on tens of thousands of
chemicals in every aspect of our daily lives.
(52) Yet we also now know how harmful some chemicals can be to
environment. . .
(53) to our health, and possibly, our futures.
(54) Government agencies are tackling the problem at local.
State, regional, and national levels. But Government cannot act
alone . ..
(56) even with the legislation to control and prevent toxic chemical
pollution.
(56) The problems associated with chemical use belong to all of us.
And now that we have the information systems and the legal
structures to act...
(57) it's up to all of us to use them.
(58) (0)
(59) (0)
(60) Blank
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Information/Contact
Sources
'ENVIRONMENTAL
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EPA FEDERAL REGIONAL OFFICES
For assistance and information on toxic chemicals and other environmental issues,
contact either the Toxic Substances Program or the Public Awareness Office of the
nearest EPA regional office.
Region 1: Connecticut Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode
Island, Vermont
Toxic Substances Program Public Awareness Office
Phone: (617) 223-0585 Phone: (617) 223-7223
Address for either office:
John F Kennedy Federal Building
Boston, Massachusetts 02203
Region 2: New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands
Toxic Substances Program Public Awareness Office
Phone: (212) 264-4296 Phone: (212) 264-2515
Address for either office:
26 Federal Plaza
New York, New York 10007
Region 3: Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia,
District of Columbia
Toxic Substances Program Public Awareness Office
Phone: (215) 5974058 Phone: (215) 597-9370
Address for either office:
6th and Walnut Streets
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
Region 4: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
Toxic Substances Program Public Awareness Office
Phone:(404)881-3864 Phone:(404)881-3004
Address for either office:
345 Courtland Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
Region 5: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin
Toxic Substances Program Public Awareness Office
Phone: (312) 353-2291 Phone: (312) 353-2072
Address for either office:
230 South Dearborn Street
Chicago, Illinois 60604
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Region 6: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
Toxic Substances Program Public Awareness Office
Phone: (214) 767-2734 Phone: (214) 767-2630
Address for either office:
First International Building
Dallas, Texas 75270
Region 7: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska
Toxic Substances Program Public Awareness Office
Phone: (816) 374-3036 Phone: (816) 374-5894
Address for either office:
1735 Baltimore Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64108
Region 8: Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah,
Wyoming
Toxic Substances Program Public Awareness Office
Phone: (303) 837-3926 Phone: (303) 837-5927
Address for either office:
1860 Lincoln Street
Denver, Colorado 80203
Region 9: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada
Toxic Substances Program Public Awareness Office
Phone: (415) 55&4606 Phone: (415) 556-6695
Address for either office:
215 Fremont Street
San Francisco, California 94105
Region 10: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington
Toxic Substances Program Public Awareness Office
Phone: (206) 442-1090 Phone: (206) 442-1203
Address for either office:
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98101
EPA HEADQUARTERS (WASHINGTON, D.C.)
To obtain information and publications on toxic chemicals and other environmental
issues, or to report an environmental problem in your community, contact:
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Public Information Center (PM-215)
Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
(202) 755-0707
(The information distributed by this office is written in non-technical language for
the general public).
For information and publications on the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA),
contact:
Office of
Pesticides and Toxic Substances (TS-799)
Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
800-424-9065 (toll free)
554-1404 (In Washington, D.C.)
(The information distributed by the Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances is
primarily material to assist the chemical industry in its compliance with TSCA provi-
sions; therefore, it is more technical in nature than the information issued by the
office listed above.)
To contact the Public Participation Staff of EPA's Office of Pesticides and Toxic
Substances, write or call:
Office of
Pesticides and Toxic Substances (TS-793)
Public Participation Staff
Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
(202) 755-4854
STATE OFFICES
On the State level most environmental planning and problems are handled under
offices of the Governor. Your Governor's office will refer you to the appropriate
environmental or public health affairs office for toxic chemical concerns.
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EMERGENCY CHEMICAL SPILLS
Phone local authorities—police, fire department or local health department
to advise them of the spill.
Also report all oil or hazardous material spills to the Coast Guard at the emergency
number listed below. They will immediately contact the nearest Federal EPA
Regional Office and take any other necessary action to control the spill and its
effects.
U.S. Coast Guard
National Response Center
(800) 424-8802
(toll free/24-hour service)
426-2675 (in Washington, D.C.)
FEDERAL PUBLICATIONS & SOURCES
The Federal Register (published 5 days a week) and The Code of Federal
Regulations (several volumes published annually) carry notices of proposed and
final Federal regulations. To obtain copies of either of these, contact Government
depository libraries or write to:
Superintendent of Documents
U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, D.C. 20402
Information about national environmental developments is available in the EPA
Journal. For an annual subscription, send a check or money order for $12 ($15 for
a foreign address) to:
Superintendent of Documents
U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, D.C. 20402
A recorded phone announcement from the Federal Register Office provides infor-
mation on upcoming Federal Register contents. This service, known as Dial-A-
Reg. highlights the information contained in the following day's Federal Register.
Dial-A-Reg is currently available in three cities:
Washington, D.C. Chicago, Illinois Los Angeles, California
(202) 523-5022 (312) 633-0884 (213) 688-6694
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Instructions For Using
Slide-Tape Equipment
PROVIDED:
60 slides
They are numbered in the sequence in which they are to be placed in the slide tray.
11-minute cassette tape
(The tape cassette side you use depends on the kind of tape recorder you
have—see below.)
Side (a), labeled "inaudible pulses," silently and automatically advances each slide
at the proper time throughout the narration if the tape recorder is connected to or
"synched" with a projector.
Side (b), labeled "audible tone," provides an audible "beep" sound throughout the
narration. At the sound of the beep, you advance to the next slide by using a
manual control unit. The tape recorder and projector do not need to be "synched."
EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
Projector screen (or a white or light-colored wall).
Slide projector.
Slide tray.
(Use one with a maximum capacity for 80 slides. Trays that hold up to 140 slides
can present problems, such as slides failing to drop down into place.)
Tape recorder.
To use the side of the cassette tape marked "inaudible pulses," you need a tape
recorder that is "synched" with the projector. (The tape recorder must connect to a
projector to advance the slides.) The recorder must be able to play back 1,000 Hz
pulses.
To use the side of the cassette tape marked "audible tone," you need a tape
recorder that can handle a cassette. Advance slides manually each time the "beep"
sound is heard.
PREPARATION:
Put slides in the tray with numbers in the upper righthand corner. Start the show by
projecting the first (blank) slide and beginning the tape. If you are using the inaudi-
ble pulsed side of the tape, with a projector synched to the tape recorder, the slides
will advance automatically. If you are using the audible pulsed side of the tape, you
must advance the slides manually each time you hear a "beep" sound.
IF YOU HAVE NO TAPE RECORDER:
If you do not have a tape recorder, read the script provided at the front of this hand-
book and change the slides as indicated. Focus the second slide (the first is a
blank), and then begin reading the script, changing the slide every time a number
appears in the script.
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