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COMMENT PERIOD EXTENDED ON PROPOSED RULE FOR LOWERING LEAD THRESHOLDS

Release Date: 11/04/99
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FOR RELEASE: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1999

COMMENT PERIOD EXTENDED ON PROPOSED RULE FOR
LOWERING LEAD THRESHOLDS


EPA is extending, for the second time, the comment period for the proposed rule that would lower the reporting threshold for lead and lead compounds under the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). The new comment period will be extended until Dec.16. In addition the Agency will hold public meetings to seek comments on this rule. EPA is committed to timely and meaningful outreach to all parties, including small businesses potentially affected by the Agency’s actions. Lowering the reporting threshold is appropriate for lead and lead compounds based on their persistence and bioaccumulation potential. Currently facilities are not required to report their lead and lead compound releases to the air, water and land unless they manufacture or process more than 25,000 pounds annually or use more than 10,000 pounds annually. These high thresholds severely limit the reporting of lead and lead compounds. Under this proposal, the reporting threshold would be lowered to 10 pounds per facility per year and substantially increase the amount of information made available to the public. The extension of the comment period on the proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on Oct. 29, 1999 and is available at: https://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr or by calling 1-800-553-0202. General information about lead is available at: https://www.epa.gov/lead. General information about the TRI program and future dates for the public meetings are available at: https://www.epa.gov/opptintr/tri.

R-137 ###