Environmental Training Institute ETI Environmental Protection Agency EPA

Environmental Training Institute (ETI) Environmental Protection Agency EPA Enforcement

Lesson Objectives • Discuss the support provided by the EPA • Identify the methods used by EPA to enforce regulations • Review the cost of non-compliance • Discuss the environmental impacts of uncontrolled releases

The Environmental Protection Agency • What does the EPA do for you? – Develop regulations • 40 Code of Federal Regulations – Educate – Publish – Study environmental issues – Issue grants – Enforce regulations

Regulatory Authorities • Environmental Protection Agency • State (Region 6) – Arkansas – Louisiana – New Mexico – Oklahoma – Texas • Tribal • Local

State Specific Requirements • • Waste Air Releases Water Releases Health/Chemical

What happens when releases are not controlled? Use Production Activity Disposal

FMC Plant: Idaho • Produced elemental phosphorus from other products – Phosphorus uses: • • Safety matches Pesticides Fireworks Detergents Water softener Fertilizers Steel production

FMC Plant: Idaho • Waste generated – Liquid streams, hazardous waste – Managed in a lined surface – Groundwater contamination found in 1976 • Arsenic • Lead • Cadmium

FMC Plant: Water Contamination • Arsenic • Lead • Cadmium • What are the routes of exposures? • What are the hazards?

FMC Plant: Water Contamination Arsenic • Routes of exposures: – – Breathing Digesting Skin contact Eye contact • Hazards: – – Skin diseases Central nervous system Lung cancer Death

FMC Plant: Water Contamination Lead • Routes of exposures: – Breathing – Digesting • Hazards: – – – Malaise Anemia Central nervous system Reproductive system Blood cell development Death

FMC Plant: Water Contamination Cadmium • Routes of exposures: – Breathing – Ingestion – Eye • Hazards: – – – Malaise Pulmonary edema Cancer Kidney damage Bone disease

Environmental Response: Actions Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)

Environmental Releases: Controls • Controls: – Identify the releases – Implement plans – Technologies – Monitoring – Inspections – Training – Communication

FMC Plant: Idaho • Pond Management – 1976 – 2006 – Cap placed to cover 10 acres of phosphorus containing waste – Prevent waste from entering water – Air emissions of: • Phosphine gas • Hydrogen cyanide • Hydrogen sulfide

FMC Plant: Water Contamination • Phosphine Gas • What are the routes of exposures? • Hydrogen Cyanide • What are the • Hydrogen hazards? Sulfide

FMC Plant: Water Contaminants Chemical Phosphine Routes of Exposure Hazards Inhalation, Ingestion and Skin nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea; breathing difficulty; muscle pain, chills; pulmonary edema; Inhalation, Ingestion, Injection Eye Contact, & Skin asphyxia; weakness, exhaustion, headache, vomiting; respiratory distress; thyroid, blood changes Inhalation, Ingestion and Skin Sore throat, cough, impaired lung function, unconsciousness, neurological effects Gas Hydrogen Cyanide Hydrogen Sulfide

Environmental Releases: Planning • Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)

What happens when the requirements are not met? • Penalties – – Administrative Civil Criminal Citizen

What happens when the requirements are not met? • Penalties – – Administrative Civil Criminal Citizen

What happens when the requirements are not met? • Penalties – – Administrative Civil Criminal Citizen

What happens when the requirements are not met? • Penalties – – Administrative Civil Criminal Citizen

What happens when the requirements are not met? • Penalties – – Administrative Civil Criminal Citizen

EPA Compliance Activities • • Permits Monitoring/Sampling Recordkeeping Inspections

Can a complaint be filed with the EPA? • EPA on the internet • EPA by phone: 800 -887 -6063

Environmental Release Cycle Air CAA ESA TSCA FIFRA EPCRA Use Production Activity Waste RCRA Water CWA SDWA OPA Disposal CERCLA

Lesson Objectives • Discussed the support provided by the EPA • Identified the methods used by EPA to enforce regulations • Reviewed the cost of non-compliance • Discussed the environmental impacts of uncontrolled releases