Short Takes – 10-31-23

Tank cleaning company fined £328,000 for failing to protect workers from toxic gas. HazardExOnTheNet.com article. Pull quote: “The OSHA investigation revealed further lapses on the part of National Tank Services, including failure to assess the workplace for potential respiratory dangers, neglect in monitoring employees for possible exposure to hazardous substances, and inadequate provision of suitable respirators for employees. OSHA proposed penalties of $399,349 (£328,000) to the company after citing nine health violations, including two wilful, three repeat and four serious.”

Johnson’s Israel proposal runs into stiff Senate opposition. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: “Other GOP senators warn that getting into a food fight with Democrats over offsets is guaranteed to slow down any emergency military aid, leaving Israeli and Ukrainian forces without weapons at a critical time.”

National Chemical Transportation Safety Advisory Committee Meeting; November 2023 Meeting. Federal Register CG Meeting Cancellation Notice. Summary: “The meeting of the National Chemical Transportation Safety Advisory Committee scheduled for November 28 through 30, 2023, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST) is cancelled.”

Changes to Reporting Requirements for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and to Supplier Notifications for Chemicals of Special Concern. Federal Register EPA Final Rule. Summary: “The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is adding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) subject to reporting under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) pursuant to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (NDAA) to the list of Lower Thresholds for Chemicals of Special Concern (chemicals of special concern). These PFAS already have a lower reporting activity threshold of 100 pounds. The addition of these PFAS to the list of chemicals of special concern means such PFAS are subject to the same reporting requirements as other chemicals of special concern (i.e., it eliminates the use of the de minimis exemption and the option to use Form A and would limit the use of range reporting for PFAS). Removing the availability of these burden-reduction reporting options will result in a more complete picture of the releases and waste management quantities for these PFAS. EPA is removing the availability of the de minimis exemption for purposes of the Supplier Notification Requirements for all chemicals on the list of chemicals of special concern.”

Trichloroethylene (TCE); Regulation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Federal Register EPA Notice of Proposed Regulation. Pull quote: “The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to address the unreasonable risk of injury to human health presented by trichloroethylene (TCE) under its conditions of use as documented in EPA's November 2020 Risk Evaluation for TCE and January 2023 revised risk determination for TCE pursuant to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). TCE is widely used as a solvent in a variety of industrial, commercial and consumer applications including for hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) production, vapor and aerosol degreasing, and in lubricants, greases, adhesives, and sealants…. EPA determined that TCE presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health due to the significant adverse health effects associated with exposure to TCE, including non-cancer effects (liver toxicity, kidney toxicity, neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and developmental toxicity) as well as cancer (liver, kidney, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma) from chronic inhalation and dermal exposures to TCE. TCE is a neurotoxicant and is carcinogenic to humans by all routes of exposure.”

FAA wraps up safety review of SpaceX's huge Starship rocket. Space.com article. Pull quote: “"The FAA is continuing to work on the environmental review," the agency wrote today in an emailed statement. "As part of its environmental review, the FAA is consulting with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) on an updated Biological Assessment under the Endangered Species Act. The FAA and the USFWS must complete this consultation before the environmental review portion of the license evaluation is completed."”