Press Release

FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1999

RICHARD FARRELL APPOINTED AS ASSOCIATE
ADMINISTRATOR FOR REINVENTION

Luke C. Hester 202-260-1383

Richard Farrell will become EPA's Associate Administrator for the Office of Reinvention on June 14. He has served as Director of Management and Administration at the U.S. Department of Energy since October 1998. From 1995 to 1998, he was Secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the state's largest regulatory and consumer protection department. He was Vice-President for Government Affairs of the Syntex Corporation from 1988 to 1994. For sixteen years, from 1972 to 1988, he served on the staff of Florida's former U.S. Senator, Lawton Chiles, as Chief of Staff and Legislative Director. Farrell holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in government from Florida State University. The agency's Office of Reinvention is responsible for a broad-based agency program directed at protecting the environment and public health through innovative environmental management approaches that promise greater efficiency and effectiveness, including efforts to eliminate outdated and duplicative provisions and innovative ways of achieving better and more cost-effective public health and environmental protection in cleaner, cheaper and smarter ways.

FIVE GRANTS FOR PARTICULATE
MATTER RESEARCH CENTERS

Cathy Milbourn 202-260-2587

EPA is awarding grants to universities for five Airborne Particulate Matter (PM) Research Centers. These centers were established as part of EPA's Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Program through a competitive award process in order to address remaining scientific questions related to the health effects from PM exposures. EPA issued a request for applications encouraging the proposals to include a multi-disciplinary approach and to take advantage of both existing air quality databases and major new databases as they become available in carrying out their proposed research. The five awards were selected from 22 applicants after a merit review by a panel of external scientific experts. These centers will advance the understanding of PM health effects, how they occur, and improve understanding of populations who are susceptible to health effects from exposure. The award recipients will receive about the following amounts for PM research over a five-year period: New York University School of Medicine- $8 million; University of Rochester- $8.3 million; University of California at Los Angeles- $8.7 million; Harvard University's School of Public Health- $7.4 million; University of Washington- $8.2 million. For more information on these grants, contact Peter Preuss at 202-564-6825.

ALERT ISSUED TO EMERGENCY RESPONDERS NOT TO
RELY SOLELY ON MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS

Lauren Milone Mical 202-260-4358

An alert issued by EPA warns local emergency responders not to rely solely on Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) provided or maintained at facilities during a chemical accident. Information about the chemicals involved in an accident is critical to a safe response. Generally responders rely primarily on MSDSs maintained at the facilities. However, MSDSs alone frequently do not provide local responders sufficient information to effectively and safely respond to an accidental release of a chemical. EPA's alert is designed to increase awareness, so that first responders can take proper precautions. The alert identifies additional sources of chemical information that could help prevent the loss of life. MSDSs provide important information on the physical/chemical characteristics and first aid procedures. However, the content of the MSDSs on emergency response procedures, fire and reactive hazards may be insufficient for local responders in an emergency situation. Local officials should recognize the importance of preplanning with facilities in their communities that store or use hazardous materials. Sufficient and correct information regarding chemicals in an accidental release can make the difference between successful emergency response and potential disaster for local responders and the community. The alert is available on EPA's web page at http://www.epa.ceppo under "What's New". Copies also are available through the EPCRA hotline at 1-800-424-9346 or 703-412-9810.

AGREEMENT REACHED ON U.S./MEXICO PUBLIC/PRIVATE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVE, BORDER IMPROVEMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Luke C. Hester 202-260-1383

At the U.S./Mexico Binational Commission meeting in Mexico City on June 4, EPA joined with Mexico's environmental agency, the Secretariat for Environment, Natural Resources and Fisheries, in announcing an historic agreement among the two governments, industry leaders represented by the U.S./Mexico Chamber of Commerce, and the Border Environment Cooperation Commission, to promote voluntary implementation of Seven Principles of Environmental Stewardship within the two countries. The Principles call on the business and trade communities to go beyond environmental compliance by voluntarily intensifying pollution prevention, energy efficiency, overall environmental performance, public accountability and investment in local sustainable development, at all operational locations throughout the two countries. Corporate officials and front line managers would commit to these Principles at all levels and employ a range of tools, such as environmental management systems and environmental auditing, with companies having flexibility in how to use these tools. The intention is to ensure that the Principles become integral parts of a company's culture. The Principles are the cornerstone of a new binational public/private strategic alliance to promote sustainable development throughout both countries, in particular in the border region, as called for in the Border XXI Environmental Framework. The goal is to demonstrate that sustainable development, a clean environment and free trade are consistent and compatible. The U.S. and Mexican environmental agencies and the U.S. Agency for International Development also reached agreement to work cooperatively in areas dealing with global climate change, including updating inventories of U.S. and Mexico's greenhouse gas sources and sinks (places where such gases collect), analyzing the economics of greenhouse gas mitigation and the potential ancillary benefits, exchanging experts, providing training, enhancing public education and outreach, and making reports on accomplishments and challenges to the binational interagency High-Level Contact Group on Climate Change.

The environmental agencies also announced an agreement on participation in the U.S./Mexico Border XXI Program by U.S. and Mexican border states and U.S. tribal nations on the border. The agreement lauded the long tradition of tribal communities throughout the border region in environmental stewardship and set the stage for increased state/tribal/federal collaboration in protecting the border environment. Preparedness and response to environmental emergencies in the border area are the focus of a U.S./Mexico Joint Contingency Plan also signed at the Binational Commission meeting. It establishes mechanisms for rapid response to chemical accidents in the border area. In addition, the achievements of the Border Environment Cooperation Commission and the North American Development Bank were praised by U.S. and Mexican environmental officials. These institutions were established during the NAFTA negotiations to develop environmental infrastructure in the border area. Since 1995, 27 projects have been certified, representing an investment of approximately $625 million, which will benefit seven million border residents. A copy of the Principles and other information on border issues will be available at: http://www.epa.gov/USMEXICOBORDER. Information is also available through EPA's border offices, 915-533-7273 and 619-235-4765.

TECHNICAL BRIEFING ON TWO
ORGANOPHOSPHATE PESTICIDES

Ellen Kramer 202 260-4376

To increase stakeholder involvement in the implementation of the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), EPA is sponsoring a technical briefing for the organophosphate pesticides bensulide and profenofos on Wednesday, June 16, as announced in a Federal Register notice on June 2. The briefing will provide an opportunity for the public to learn about the data, information, and methods that the Agency used to develop and revise the risk assessments for bensulide and profenofos. The technical briefing is part of a pilot public participation process that EPA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are now using for involving the public in the reassessment of pesticide tolerances under FQPA and the reregistration of organophosphates under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. This will be the second such meeting to present to the public a revised risk assessment for organophosphate pesticides. Representatives from USDA will provide ideas on possible risk management for these pesticides. On the day of these technical briefings, EPA will release for public viewing the bensulide and profenofos revised risk assessments. Following the briefing, EPA will issue a Federal Register notice announcing an opportunity for a 60-day public participation period for the public to submit risk management ideas and proposals. The technical briefing for bensulide is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon, and the briefing for profenofos is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on June 16. Both briefings will be held at the Holiday Inn - Old Town, 625 First Street, Alexandria, Virginia (703-548-6300). Additional information can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/OP/status.htm.

TOLERANCE PROCESSING FEES RULE PROPOSED

Ellen Kramer 202-260-4376

The Office of Pesticide Programs is seeking public comment on a proposed rule regarding the collection of fees for establishing and reassessing pesticide tolerances and exemptions. Once promulgated, the fees charged for processing pesticide tolerance actions under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act will be self-sustaining. The Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 expanded the number of regulatory actions that now fall under the heading of tolerance processing along with the responsibilities associated with reviewing tolerance petitions and other tolerance actions. The statute requires EPA to collect fees that will be sufficient to cover the costs of evaluating tolerances for pesticide products. Factors such as more comprehensive data requirements, scientific advancements in risk assessments, improvements in data base management and tracking systems, and the increasing complexity of scientific review of petitions have resulted in costs substantially exceeding the fees currently charged. The fees for tolerances will be based on the resources needed for each type of tolerance action. This marks the first major increase in tolerance fees in almost 15 years. A copy of the proposed rule, Tolerance Processing Fees, is available at the EPA website at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr. The proposal was published in the Federal Register on June 9, and EPA is accepting comments through September 7, 1999.

FINAL LEAD ACCREDITATION AND CERTIFICATION FEE RULE

Cathy Milbourn 202-260-2587

EPA issued a final rule establishing fees for the accreditation of training programs, and the certification of lead-based paint activities contractors. This rule fulfills a statutory requirement to recover the costs of administering and enforcing the lead-based paint training and certification program. These fees apply to training programs seeking accreditation and for contractors seeking certification to engage in lead-based paint activities. This rule applies only in States, Territories, and Indian country without authorized lead programs. As directed by statute, training programs operated by a State, federally recognized Indian Tribe, local government, or nonprofit organization are exempt from fee payment. In addition to accreditation and certification fees the rule establishes fees for examinations, replacement of lost certificates or identification cards, and registration in multiple jurisdictions. For more information on this rule and general information on lead call the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) at 1-800-424-LEAD, or visit the EPA Lead Homepage at http://www.epa.gov/lead. Also, contact the NLIC to obtain information about authorization status of States, Territories or Indian Tribes.

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CASE STUDIES
OF BROWNFIELDS REDEVELOPMENT SITES

Tanya Meekins 202 260-1387

EPA conducted a series of case studies to determine whether the redevelopment of brownfields have been impeded by Title VI environmental justice complaints and to address concerns that these complaints may deter businesses from redeveloping brownfield sites. The study, "The Brownfields Title VI Case Studies," showed that community residents were not likely to file Title VI complaints because they were actively involved in the redevelopment process and could identify and address their concerns; and residents were more interested in the economic benefit. Also, most brownfield sites did not require environmental permits, therefore limiting the chance of a Title VI complaint being filed. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, a person can file a complaint alleging discriminatory environmental and health effects from actions taken by recipients of EPA financial assistance, including environmental (pollution control) permits. The cases studies were conducted in Miami, Fla.; Chicago, Ill.; Lawrence, Mass.; Detroit, Mich.; Camden, N.J.; and Charlotte, N.C. The selected cities had to meet the following criteria: was an EPA Brownfields Assessment pilot; had a minority population greater than 10 percent; listed a proposed redevelopment activity that seemed likely to require an environmental permit; had a high number of existing facilities with environmental permits; identified at least two sites for redevelopment in its application; and, had provided quarterly reports on its Assessment Pilot to EPA.

Additionally, two Pilots were selected for each population range of (a) greater than 500,000, (b) between 100,000 and 500,000 and (c) less than 100,000. Copies of the case studies can be accessed at http://www.epa.gov/brownfields or by calling the hotline at 1-800-424-9346.

ENFORCEMENT WRAP-UP

Tanya Meekins 202-260-4366

TWO LCP OFFICIALS RECEIVE LONG SENTENCES

Two former officers and managers of LCP Chemicals of Brunswick, Ga., a bankrupt subsidiary of the Hanlin Group Inc., of Delaware, received long sentences for their environmental crimes on June 2, in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia in Brunswick. Christian A. Hansen of Highlands, N.J., former Chairman of the Board of Hanlin was sentenced to serve nine years in prison and pay a $20,000 fine. This is the longest federal prison term handed down for environmental crimes. Alfred R. Taylor of Brunswick, former Plant Manager at LCP Chemicals was sentenced to six and one-half years in prison. Both defendants were convicted on one count of conspiring to operate the plant in violation of environmental laws, and one count of knowing endangerment under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). In addition each defendant was individually convicted on a variety of other environmental offenses. Workers at the Brunswick plant were repeatedly exposed to imminent danger of death and serious bodily injury by working conditions which repeatedly exposed them to possible chemical burns, electrocution, and poisoning from inhalation of mercury vapors and from other contacts with mercury-contaminated and corrosive wastes. LCP manufactured chlor-alkalai bleach, caustic soda, hydrogen gas and hydrochloric acid. In the process, the defendants caused mercury and chlorine to be released into Purvis Creek. Contact with sufficient quantities of mercury can lead to neurological disorders, and chlorine is a highly caustic material which can cause chemical burns in people and can be harmful to aquatic life. Cleanup at the LCP site has cost approximately $55 million so far, and additional cleanup of sediments, if feasible, could cost an additional $100 million. The case was investigated by EPA's Criminal Investigation Division, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with the assistance of EPA's National Enforcement Investigations Center, and was prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice.