EPA Designates Two Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) as Hazardous Under CERCLA
The Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) defines a hazardous substance as any element, compound, mixture, solution, or substance (designated under Section 102 of CERCLA) that may present substantial danger to public health,...
Connecticut’s Newest Underground Storage Tank Proposal
At the time of conception of underground storage tanks (USTs), inventory losses were the lone inspiration for tank regulation. The year 1984 marked a shift in focus from financial losses to environmental and health protection; the Subtitle I RCRA amendments developed...
Part 361-5 Construction and Demolition Processing Facilities Marketing F4 and F5 Materials as per Part 360.13 Restrictions
On July 22, 2023, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) promulgated the new Part 360 series. While there are several major operating changes, there are even more significant and major changes to the marketing of the product materials....
OSHA’s Updated HCS (HAZCOM) Standard: What Do You Need to Know?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the United States Department of Labor first published the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS or HAZCOM Standard) [29 CFR 1910.1200] in 1983, which required those who produce or import chemicals to assess the...
OSHA Rule Allowing Third Parties to Attend Walkaround Inspections Finalized
In late March 2024, OSHA amended the OSH Act in the section pertaining to representatives on walkaround inspections. Specifically, the regulation had stated that only employees of an organization could be authorized as employee representatives on inspections. ...
EPA’s New Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Regulations
Background For many decades, Americans have unknowingly been exposed to toxic chemicals, including those called “forever chemicals,” like per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), with no oversight from the government. These chemicals are known to have a negative...
NYSDEC Proposes Amendments to Rule 6 NYCRR Part 490: Projected Sea Level Rise
In 2014, the Community Risk and Resiliency Act (CRRA) added a new section to the New York State Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) that required the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to adopt science-based sea level rise projections. DEC is proposing...
Proposed Rulemaking: 6 NYCRR Parts 494 and 495 Are Now Open for Public Comment
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) introduced two proposed amendments to New York State environmental regulations that are currently open for public comment. They involve chemical use, storage, and emissions. The proposed regulations...
DOB Releases Second Major Rule Package with Changes to Make LL97 Compliance More Affordable
The deadline for submitting the first compliance reports for buildings covered by New York City’s Local Law 97 (LL97) is May 1, 2025. As this deadline approaches, the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) is providing more guidance on how building owners can be...
New EPA Proposed Standards for Air Emissions from Municipal Solid Waste Burning Facilities
An announcement by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has called for the setting of higher compliance standards for air emissions from large solid waste facilities burning municipal waste. This action comes from the requirement of the Clean Air Act, which...