Understanding the Latest Facility Siting Regulation Updates
Facility siting is an essential process that evaluates the potential hazards posed to buildings and personnel in industrial settings. As mandated by OSHA’s Process Safety Management (PSM) standard (29 CFR Part 1910), this assessment is crucial for ensuring a safe working environment in facilities handling hazardous materials. Because industrial sites are constantly changing, keeping facility […]
Navigating EPA’s New Methane Reduction Requirements
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently published new rules under Clean Air Act Section 111, setting standards for methane emissions in the oil and gas industry. These rules, known as the OOOO rules, are designed to significantly reduce methane emissions by regulating both new and existing sources across the onshore production, processing, natural gas transmission, […]
Understanding PFAS and TSCA Regulation
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of human-made chemicals that contain carbon-fluorine bonds, known for being extremely strong and resistant to degradation. This chemical structure gives PFAS their unique properties, such as resistance to heat, water, and oil. PFAS are often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down […]
EPA’s Ban on Methylene Chloride
On May 8th, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a ban on most uses of methylene chloride, a highly hazardous chemical known to cause severe health issues, including various forms of cancer, neurotoxicity, and even death. The EPA’s final rule, executed under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), is aimed at protecting individuals from […]
EPA Announces Final Rule Banning Use of Asbestos
In a continued effort to improving public health protection, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a final rule to prohibit ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos, the only form of asbestos currently utilized in or imported to the United States. This landmark decision, unveiled on March 18, 2024, marks the first rule to be […]
TSCA Workplace Exposure Compliance
Navigating TSCA compliance, particularly concerning exposure monitoring for both chemical users and non-users under Section 4 test orders, presents a myriad of complexities. Section 4 of TSCA empowers the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue test orders to gather data on the potential health and environmental effects of chemical substances. However, the challenge arises in […]
E.P.A. Sets New Rules to Limit Damage From Disasters at Chemical Facilities
The Biden administration recently issued new rules designed to prevent disasters at almost 12,000 chemical plants and other industrial sites nationwide that handle hazardous materials. Administration officials called the stronger measures a step forward for safety at a time when hazards like floods and wildfires — made more extreme by global warming — pose a […]