SERC-TERC Update: November 2023

 

EPA has finalized a rule that improves TRI reporting of PFAS by eliminating the de minimis exemption that allowed facilities to avoid reporting information on PFAS when those chemicals were used in small concentrations. PFAS are used at low concentrations in many products, and as a result of removing this reporting exemption, facilities in TRI-covered industry sectors that make or use any of the 189 TRI-listed PFAS, will no longer be able to avoid disclosing the quantities of PFAS they manage or release into the environment. The rule also makes the de minimis exemption unavailable for purposes of supplier notification requirements to downstream facilities for all chemicals on the list of chemicals of special concern, which also includes additional chemicals that, like PFAS, remain in the environment for long periods of time and build up in the body like lead, mercury, and dioxins. This change helps ensure that purchasers of mixtures and trade name products containing these chemicals are informed of their presence in mixtures and products they purchase. More details.

 

FEMA is seeking public input on 12 documents related to ground Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and ambulance response as part of the National Incident Management System (NIMS)—the documents focus on public health, healthcare and EMS, including paramedics and ambulances.

 

These resource typing documents aim to enhance interoperability and the effectiveness of mutual aid. They establish baseline qualifications and facilitate sharing resources that can be deployed across all jurisdictional levels.

Updated Toxics Release Inventory data for 2022 are now available in Envirofacts and in the online tools on the TRI website. This dataset updates the preliminary 2022 data released in August 2023. It includes revised and late submissions from facilities received by EPA as of October 18, 2023.

 

Among the updated TRI tools, communities can use EPA’s TRI Toxics Tracker to map the locations of TRI-reporting facilities and find out about their chemical releases, other chemical waste management practices, and pollution prevention activities.

 

EPA's full analysis of the 2022 data will be published early next year in the 2022 TRI National Analysis, and will examine numerous aspects of the data, including trends in environmental releases, waste management reporting by industry sectors, and how facilities are working to reduce pollution.

 

CAMEO Chemicals is available as a website, mobile website, desktop program, and an app for iOS and Android mobile devices. This release includes a new mapping tool to plot initial isolation and protective action distances from the Emergency Response Guidebook. This feature is similar to the one that had previously been available in WISER. Map objects can also be exported as KML files to view in other mapping tools, such as MARPLOT.

 

For more details, see the official CAMEO Chemicals release announcement that was sent to the CAMEO News Service subscribers.