Products: Hazardous Chemical Release Analysis
Background
My town is one of a very few in the U.S. that has an Environmental Advisory Commission. The Commission was formed because we are directly adjacent to large petro-chemical processing facilities, and occasional releases by some facilities were causing concern. The Commission was tasked with trying to find ways to reduce emissions and improve chemical safety.
I have been a Commissioner in that group for over 30 years. During that time, I learned details of what emitting entities had to report to the EPA. I worked as a software application developer for 25 years, so I went looking for what EPA data was available to the public.
Each year, companies and other entities that release hazardous chemicals into the environment are required to report how many pounds of those chemicals are released into the air, water, ground, etc. This data is available under Community Right To Know federal legislation passed in 1987. We download data from appropriate EPA databases as the basis for our analysis and reporting for clients.
I developed the following for use with my Commission and the results have been well-received by the local community. I am now making them available for other clients.
Work Products
Reports Of Annual Chemical Release Data Submitted By Facilities To EPA
We evaluate all data submitted to the EPA by facilities for every year they have submitted reports to the EPA. Get reports at the State, County, City and specific facility for any combination of reporting years. Much information about actual releases is available, but especially useful are the chemical name, pounds released, as well as minimum and maximum pounds of the chemical that is onsite during the year.
Reports Of Relative Chemical Risk Indicators, By Facility
The EPA computes a relative-risk factor for each chemical released by many facilities in the country. The EPA created the RSEI (Risk-Screening Environmental Indicators) Methodology to estimate the potential health risk of a given chemical release by a facility. They use many factors to derive the value, but the pounds released of a particular chemical is a key component.
Reports Of Specific Chemical Properties
Once we know the chemicals that are being released, it’s imperative to know more details about the properties of any given chemical. Information about potential health effects from exposure and guideline for first responders can be critical. We use an application developed by the EPA to provide this data (for specific chemicals available in the app)..
Modeling Specific Chemical Dispersion Scenarios
Having a better understanding of the effects of a potential release of a given chemical can be extremely beneficial for risk planning or responses to actual releases. How far will the chemical dispersion potentially spread, and how severe might the risk be?
Information about potential health effects from exposure can be critical. We use an application developed by the EPA to provide this data (primarily for air releases).
Other Initiatives To Reduce Emissions
Responding to Odor Complaints
Learn about a grassroots initiative we have developed in concert with local government and industries in our area. Focused on providing more effective responses to nuisance odors reported by residents, the program also provides local industry the chance to fix minor releases before EPA is notified. Program highlights include:
Voluntary for all facilities
Endorsed by EPA
For participating facilities:
Initial response by Fire Dept determines it is “Nuisance odor”
Complaint is logged; local weather conditions are recorded
Local Complaint Coordinator notifies potential sources of odor
Facilities are notified on Complaint
Facilities have 2 hours to identify and rectify the situation
If conditions persist after 2 hours, EPA is formally notified
Complainant is notified of resolution status
For non-participating facilities, EPA is immediately notified
Focusing On High Risk Chemicals
We use the EPA Risk Screening Environmental Indicators (RSEI) to identify the chemicals that appear to be of highest risk if released to the air. We create a report of the RSEI risk factor for chemicals that have been modeled, based on how much was released. We also create a similar report using the same risk factors, but focused on the maximum amount of the chemical is onsite during the year. We feel this is a better indicator of risk level for planning purposes.
We can then support a collaboration of all stakeholders to investigate opportunities for better chemical management to reduce risks of exposure.
Note: These services and work products are provided under a services contracting agreement. Contact us for more information and a free 1 hour consultation of your needs.
Call us today to discuss your needs and how we can assist you.
630-343-0971 (Office)