Trichloroethylene TCE Health Risk Assessment Completed

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released the final health assessment for trichloroethylene (TCE) to the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) database. The final assessment characterizes the chemical as carcinogenic to humans and as a human noncancer health hazard. TCE is one of the most common man-made chemicals found in the environment and is frequently found at contaminated sites across Michigan. TCE can move from contaminated ground water and soil, into the indoor air of overlying buildings (known as vapor encroachment), which is a concern to regulators. TCE toxicity values as reported in the assessment will be considered in:

1. Establishing cleanup methods at the 761 Superfund sites where TCE has been identified as a contaminant




2. Understanding the risk from vapor intrusion as TCE vapors move from contaminated groundwater and soil into the indoor air of overlying buildings




3. Revising EPA’s Maximum Contaminant Level for TCE as part of the carcinogenic volatile organic compounds group in drinking water, as described in the agency’s drinking water strategy




4. Developing appropriate regulatory standards limiting the atmospheric emissions of TCE – a hazardous air pollutant under the Clean Air Act
   

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Michigan to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.

For further information contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

Michigan Inert and Compost Rules Comment Deadline

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) has extended the public comment period for the Inert and Compost Rules, which are proposed amendments to the Solid Waste Management Act Administrative Rules. The new deadline for the public to submit written comments is Feb. 28, 2011.

The rule amendments are intended to promote waste utilization in conformance with Michigan's Solid Waste Policy and the Recommendations of the Environmental Advisory Council on the Land Application of Waste Derived Material. The amendments update and expand provisions for the utilization of inert material and industrial by-products. They also establish minimum location and operating standards and registration requirements for organics composting facilities.

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Michigan to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.

For further information contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

Michigan Great Lakes Restoration Grants

Nearly $2 million in federal grants will be given to five Michigan organizations by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. A total of 99 grants for an estimated $63 million are expected to be awarded in Michigan.

The five grants are:


•Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment, $856,046 for implementing state and regional mercury control and prevention strategies to help shield pregnant women, children and subsistence populations from the toxic effects of mercury.
•Saginaw Bay/Lake Huron Land Policy Project, Michigan State University, $399,287 for technical assistance to local governments and land owners to implement land use planning, protection and restoration strategies.
•Michigan State University, $65,001 for a project to improve forecasting of beach and nearshore health effects, and protect public health by informing people when beach water is clean enough for swimming.
•Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, $295,000 for development of a sustainable hazardous waste collection program to serve tribal and non-tribal community members in Baraga County, and help prevent toxic contaminants from entering Lake Superior.
•Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa, $196,148 to improve habitat and water quality in the Bear River Watershed, which directly affects waters flowing into Little Traverse Bay on Lake Michigan.

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Michigan to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.

For further information contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

RCRA, SWPPP, Hazcom, SPCC Training

Many of the regulatory programs that affect our clients include some requirements for employee training. In order to maintain compliance, improve performance and reduce liabilities and costs, many of our clients may also conduct employee training that may not be required by specific regulations

RCRA Training & Universal Waste Handling Training
Some facilities are required to provide routine training to employees regarding hazard waste management. Facilities that generate only “universal wastes”, such as spend light bulbs, batteries, etc, need to document that employees have been trained on the proper handling of wastes. Caltha will develop RCRA training materials specific to your facility for you to present, or can provide an experienced RCRA trainer to present waste handling training to your employees.

Hazard Communication Training, HazCom Training
OSHA’s Hazard Communication standard includes a strong training component. Caltha prepares HazCom Training Programs for your trainers to present, or we can supply one of our expert trainers.

EMS Awareness and ISO 14001 Training
One of the key compliance elements is development of an Employee Training Program. Based on an individual employees job responsibilities, different level of training may be required, included training certification. Caltha provides stormwater training in a number of flexible formats, including “train the trainer” to maximize your training investment.

Stormwater and SWPPP Training
Caltha has provided SWPPP training to meet State stormwater permit requirements in over 40 different States. Stormwater training has included Employee SWPPP Awareness Training, Inspector Training, Stormwater Monitoring Training, and Overall Permit Compliance Training modules.

SPCC Training & 40 CFR 112 Compliance Training
Facilities that exceed the SPCC rule oil storage threshold of 1,320 gallons need to prepare a Spill Prevention, Control & Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan and comply with the US EPA SPCC Rule. Caltha prepares SPCC Plans, including the new SPCC Template Plan used by smaller facilities, and assists facilities in developing their SPCC rule compliance program, including SPCC inspections and SPCC training.

Environmental Training & EHS Compliance Training
Caltha has several training programs designed to provide an overview of environmental and EHS regulations that affect a typical facility. Training modules have including RCRA, EPCRA, CERCLA, above ground and underground tanks, wastewater, air emissions, hazard communication, hazardous material management, environmental management systems, compliance audits, and numerous State rules. A training program can be customized to meet our client’s special requirements

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Michigan to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.

For further information contact Caltha LLP at

info@calthacompany.

or

Caltha LLP Website

EPCRA Exemption for Farm Operations

Effective January 20, 2009, US EPA is providing an administrative reporting exemption that applies to certain releases of hazardous substances from farm operations. The exemption applies to releases of hazardous substances to the air from animal waste at farms.

The final rule does not change the notification requirements if hazardous substances are released to the air from any source other than animal waste at farms (e.g., ammonia tanks), or if any hazardous substances from animal waste are released to any other environmental media, (e.g., soil, ground water, or surface water) when the release of those hazardous substances is at or above its reportable quantity.

Ammonia and hydrogen sulfide are the most common hazardous substances that are emitted from animal waste. Ammonia is a by-product of the breakdown of urea and proteins that are contained in animal waste, while hydrogen sulfide is another by-product of the breakdown of animal waste under anaerobic conditions. However, other hazardous substances, such as nitrogen oxide and certain volatile organic compounds may also be released from animal waste. This rule extends the administrative reporting exemption to all hazardous substances emitted to the air from animal waste at farms.

Caltha LLP assists facilities regulated under CERCLA and EPCRA in meeting their reporting requirements, including EPCRA 311 – EPCRA 312 reporting of releases of hazardous substances.

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Michigan to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.

For further information contact Caltha LLP at
info@calthacompany.com
or
Caltha LLP Website

Michigan Environmental Consulting Services - Environmental Consultant

Caltha LLP provides expert technical consulting services to private and public sector clients across Michigan. For further information, click on links below:

Michigan (MDEQ) Auditing – Compliance Audit – System Audit Services
Michigan (MDEQ) Stormwater Permit Compliance – Storm Water Permitting Services
Michigan Integrated Contingency Plan - SPCC Plan Services
Michigan (MDEQ) EPCRA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Compliance
Michigan (MDEQ) RCRA Compliance Services
Michigan Haz Com – Product Stewardship Compliance Services
Michigan EHS Staffing - Contract Employee Services
Michigan (MDEQ) Wastewater Compliance - NPDES Permitting Services

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Michigan to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.

For further information contact Caltha LLP at
info@calthacompany.com
or
Caltha LLP Website

Mercury Export Ban Act - Additional Restrictions on Mercury

In October 2008, the Mercury Export Ban Act of 2008 was signed into law. The Act amendments the existing Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The Act, sponsored by Senator Barack Obama, places controls on the use, export and storage of elemental mercury. Key elements of the Act are:

PROHIBITION ON SALE, DISTRIBUTION, OR TRANSFER OF ELEMENTAL MERCURY BY FEDERAL AGENCIES. Beginning in October 2008, no Federal agency can convey, sell, or distribute to any other Federal , State or local government agency, or any private individual or entity any elemental mercury.

PROHIBITION ON EXPORT OF ELEMENTAL MERCURY. Effective in 2013, the export of elemental mercury will be banned. This part also requires that a report be made to Congress by October 2009 that summarizes the current and projected production, uses and export of mercury from the US. This part also offers case-by-case exemptions for "essential uses" of mercury for which suitable alternatives are not available.

LONG-TERM STORAGE. The Mercury Export Ban Act also requires that the Federal government create by 2013 storage facilities for mercury wastes generated in the US.

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Michigan to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.

For further information contact Caltha LLP at
info@calthacompany.com
or
Caltha LLP Website