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Envirobytes - Archive
EnviroBytes, a Summary of Issues and Events for Week Ending May 21, 2010
EPA WEB SITE OFFERS MORE TOXIC CHEMICAL INFORMATION
EPA is increasing the chemical information that certain industries and federal facilities must submit under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). More than 6,300 chemicals and 3,800 chemical facilities are now available for analysis on how they affect our air, water and land. In the months ahead, EPA intends to increase the information and to make the public portion of the TSCA inventory free of charge to the public. For the agency's Envirofacts Web site, go to https://www.epa.gov/enviro/facts/tsca/index.html
For more information, go to https://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/enhanchems.html
LOCAL PROJECT WINS PRESIDENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD
On May 20, former Administrator Lisa P. Jackson recognized the winners of the 2009 President's Environmental Youth Awards (PEYA) at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Illick's Mill Partnership for Environmental Education of Bethlehem, Pa., (consisting of 28 students from Liberty High School in Bethlehem, Pa.), was recognized for transforming the historic Illick's grist mill into an environmental education center and for projects that protect the Monocacy Watershed. For information on winners and project descriptions, go to https://epa.gov/peya/winners.html
EPA UPDATES ITS INSECT REPELLENT WEB PAGE IN TIME FOR SUMMER
EPA has updated its insect repellent Web page providing new information on registered, effective and safe mosquito and tick repellents available on the marketplace. Following label directions in EPA-registered repellents can safely reduce or eliminate insect bites, protect against ticks that transmit diseases such as lyme and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and the mosquito-borne diseases such as St. Louis encephalitis and West Nile virus. For more information on insect repellents, go to https://www.epa.gov/repellentfinder
ELECTRIC UTILITIES RELEASE PLANS TO IMPROVE SAFETY OF THEIR COAL ASH IMPOUNDMENTS
EPA is releasing action plans from 16 electric utility facilities with 40 coal ash impoundments, to keep the public informed on the safety of these impoundments and facilities. The plans explain how the facilities will prevent coal ash impoundment spills such the one that occurred in Kingston, Tn. in 2008. EPA has also proposed regulations for the safe disposal and management of coal ash from coal-fired power plants to protect human health and the environment. For more information, go to https://www.epa.gov/epawaste/nonhaz/industrial/special/fossil/surveys2/index.htm
EPA EXPANDS PUBLIC PARTICIPATION FOR HAZARDOUS WASTE CLEANUP
EPA has launched its Community Engagement Initiative (CEI) to help community participation in decisions related to land cleanup, emergency preparedness and response, and the management of hazardous substances and waste. The initiative helps provide communities with the information to better understand and influence decisions on environmental cleanups. EPA is inviting public comments and will regularly post information on the agency's Web site on the initiative's progress and results. For more information, go to https://www.epa.gov/oswer/engagementinitiative
EPA RELEASES DRAFT EPA DIOXIN REASSESSMENT REPORT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AND PEER REVIEW
EPA is releasing its draft dioxin report for peer review and public comment to protect the public from this contaminant whose slow release persists in the environment for many years. EPA's draft dioxin report will undergo public review and comment as well as an external peer review by an expert panel of scientists to be convened by EPA in July 2010. The public comment period is May 21 to August 19. Comments should be in writing and must be received by EPA by August 19. A Federal Register Notice provides details on how to submit comments, at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2010-05-21/html/2010-12280.htm
