SMALL-BIZ@EPA A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY SEPTEMBER 2014 k EPA Releases Three Final Chemical Risk Assessments / Agency Identifies Health Concern from Chemicals used in Paint Strippers EPA released three final risk assessments for specific uses of three chemicals found in common household products. The risk assessment for Dichloromethane (DCM), which is widely used in paint stripping products, indicates health risks to both workers and consumers who use these products, and to bystanders in workplaces and residences where DCM is used. EPA estimates that more than 230,000 workers nationwide are directly exposed to DCM from DCM-containing paint strippers. "While EPA continues to support much needed reform of this country's chemicals management legislation, we are also using our current authorities as effectively as we can, which includes conducting risk assessments on chemicals to determine if they are safe for the public," said Jim Jones, Assistant Administrator for EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. "Our review indicates that the use of DCM in paint strippers pose risks to human health, so EPA is beginning an effort to determine options for addressing the concern." Risk assessments for the other two chemicals did not show concerns. The other two looked at ecological risks of antimony trioxide (ATO) used as a synergist in halogenated flame retardants and 1,3,4,6,7,8-Hexahydro- 4,6,6,7,8,8,-hexamethylcyclopenta-[a]-2-benzQpyran (HHCB) used as a fragrance ingredient in commercial and consumer products. For additional information on this article, visit: http://vosemite.epa.aov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/9B8C8609521 A27BC85257D420059DA44 Additional information on these final risk assessments and other TSCA Work Plan chemicals can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/riskasses s.html A PAINT STRIPPING PROCESS THE MIDWEST BIO-ECONOMY AND SAFER PRODUCTS SUMMIT: FEBRUAY 18-19, 2015 IN MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA The Minnesota Green Chemistry Forum is pleased to present our fifth annual conference, The Midwest Bio- Economy and Safer Products Summit: Regional innovations Solving Global Problems. The Midwest Bio Economy and Safer Product Summit will examine green chemistry, innovation and sustainability initiatives and will provide lessons learned from market pioneers on getting ahead of the regulatory curve via product and brand innovation and from business entrepreneurs on commercializing biobased chemical production. THE CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS IS NOW OPEN! For more information on how you can participate, visit: http://www.greenchemistrvmn.org/events/midwest-bio- economv-and-safer-products-summit-regional- innovations-solving-global-problems EPA, OSBP, Asbestos and Small Business Ombudsman - Washington, DC 20460 - Phone: 1-800-368-5888 ------- FEDERAL AGENCIES ANNOUNCE 5-YEAR GREAT LAKES RESTORATION ACTION PLAN U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy today released a new GREAT LAKES RESTORATION INITIATIVE (GLRD ACTION PLAN that lays out steps that federal agencies will take during the next five years to protect water quality, control invasive species and restore habitat in the largest surface fresh water system in the world. McCarthy, who chairs the federal Great Lakes Interagency Task Force, released the plan at a meeting of Great Lakes Mayors in Chicago. The new Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan lays out the steps we need to take to get us closer to the day when all Great Lakes fish will be safe to eat, all beaches will be safe for swimmers and harmful algal blooms will not threaten our drinking water supplies," said McCarthy. "During the next five years, federal agencies will continue to use Great Lakes Restoration Initiative resources to strategically target the biggest threats to the Great Lakes ecosystem and to accelerate progress toward long term goals." "We're currently engaged in the largest conservation initiative in American history, with more farmers taking action to preserve clean land and water than ever before. As part of that historic effort, many farmers in the Great Lakes region are working hard to help improve water quality downstream," said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "We're proud to partner with farmers and the many others engaged in voluntary efforts to restore the health of the Great Lakes. For more information on the five year plan, visit: http://vosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d0cf6618525a9e fb85257359003fb69d/5fe612baa854569285257d5d004918 84iopendocument ******************* The EPA Small Business Policy promotes environmental compliance among small businesses by providing them with special incentives. Read more about this policy at: http://www.epa.aov/compliance/incentives/smallbusiness/in dex.html THE ' G P»I AT LAKE^ THE GREAT LAKES OF THE USA DO YOU HAVE ARTICLES FOR THE SMALLBI2 NEWSLETTER? FORWARD TO: LILLIAN HARRIS AT: HARRIS.LILLIANSEPA.GO EPA'S OMBUDSMAN: JOAN B. ROGERS ROGERS.JOANBHEPA.GOV EPA, OSBP, Asbestos and Small Business Ombudsman - Washington, DC 20460 - Phone: 1-800-363-5888 ------- A A FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES: SUBJECT: CARBON POLLUTION EMISSION GUIDELINES FOR EXISTING STATIONARY SOURCES: ELECTRIC UTILITY GENERATING UNITS https://www.federalreqister.gov/articles/2014/09/25/201 4-22832/carbon-pollution-emission-quidelines-for- existinq-stationarv-sources-electric-utiiitv-qeneratinq The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing that the period for providing public comments on the proposed rule published on June 18, 2014, titled "Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units" is being extended by 45 days. Agency: EPA Action: Proposed Rule; Extension of Public Comment Period. SUBJECT: PREVENTION OF SIGNIFICANT DETERIORATION (PSD) FOR PARTICULATE MATTER LESS THAN 2.5 MICROMETERS (PM2.5) THE FEDERAL REGISTER US SETTLES WITH COSTCO TO CUT OZONE-DEPLETING AND GREENHOUSE GAS REFRIGERANT EMISSIONS NATIONWIDE Costco Wholesale Corporation, the nation's second largest retailer, has agreed to cut its emissions of ozone-depleting and greenhouse gas chemicals from refrigeration equipment at more than half of its stores nationwide. In the settlement announced today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Justice (DOJ), Costco will pay $335,000 in penalties for federal Clean Air Act violations and improve refrigerant management at 274 stores at an estimated cost of $2 million over the next three years. "Cutting harmful greenhouse gas emissions is a national priority for EPA, and this settlement will lead to significant reductions of an ozone-depleting gas that is 1,700 times more potent than carbon dioxide," said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. "Fixing leaks of refrigerants, improving compliance and reducing emissions wili make a real difference in protecting us from the dangers of ozone depletion, while reducing the impact on climate change." For more on this settlement, visit: H"n"P://YOSEMITE.EPA.GOV/OPA/ADMPRESS.NSF/0/80F 5F50FFBDB760585257D4800586DEE https://www.federalreoister.gOv/articles/2014/09/16/201 4-21973/prevention-of-sionificant-deterioration-psd-for- particulate-matter-less-than-25-micrometers-pm25 The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing notice that it has responded to a petition for reconsideration and amended rulemaking of certain provisions of the final rule, "Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) for Particulate Matter Less Than 2.5 Micrometers (PM 2.5)—Increments, Significant Impact Levels (SILs) and Significant Monitoring Concentration (SMC)," published on October 20, 2010. Agency: EPA Action: Action Denying Petition for Reconsideration and Amended Rulemaking EPA, OSBP, Asbestos and Small Business Ombudsman - Washington, DC 20460 - Phone: 1-800-368-5888 ------- SMALL-BIZ@EPA MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY SEPTEMBER 2014 SECOND INTEGRATED URBAN AIR TOXICS REPORT SENT TO CONGRESS On August 21, 2014, EPA released the Second Integrated Urban Air Toxics Report to Congress - the final of two reports required under the Clean Air Act (CAA) to inform Congress of EPA's actions and progress in reducing public health risks from urban air toxics. For additional information on the report, visit: http://www2.epa.gov/urban-air- toxics/second-intearated-urban-air-toxics- report-conqress www.epa.gov/osbp WHO DO YOU CALL TO REPORT AN OIL SPILL OR OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCY THAT POSES A SUDDEN THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH? For emergencies and other sudden threats to public health, such as: o oil and/or chemical spills, o radiation emergencies, and o biological discharges, call the National Response Center at 1-800- 424-8802. For pesticide poisoning, call 911 if the person is unconscious, has trouble breathing, or has convulsions. Otherwise, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. ------- |