Eastwick Lower Darby Creek Area Community Advisory Group Wins Superfund Community Excellence Award

 U.S. EPA News Release:

Eastwick Lower Darby Creek Area Community Advisory Group

Wins Superfund Community Excellence Award

PHILADELPHIA (July 28, 2021) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the selection today of the Eastwick Lower Darby Creek Area (ELDCA) Community Advisory Group (CAG) for Excellence in Community Involvement in this year’s Superfund Notable Achievement Awards. The ELDCA CAG was the only group in the country selected for this award this year.

“Your outstanding commitment to honest communication with EPA to see the Superfund process succeed in your community speaks volumes to the hard work and dedication you all have poured into advocating for the interests of Eastwick,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Acting Regional Administrator Diana Esher. “We look forward to continuing to work closely with the CAG to ensure that the cleanup of the Lower Darby Creek Area Superfund Site benefits the whole community while protecting human health and the environment. Congratulations and well done!”

This award recognizes the strength, persistence, and resilience of community leaders for their dedication in furthering the interests of the Eastwick community to address long-standing concerns about contamination from the Clearview Landfill in their community.

The Lower Darby Creek Area (LDCA) Site was listed on the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) in 2001. This flood prone, bucolic community surrounded by the heavily developed and industrialized section of Southwest Philadelphia, is home to the largest urban renewal project in U.S. history.

Throughout the 1950’s and ‘60’s, the Redevelopment Authority of Philadelphia (RDA) displaced over 8,600 people from their homes, and in the process dismantled one of Philadelphia’s only racially integrated communities at that time. A history of flooding, toxic dumping, and heavy industry made Eastwick an environmentally vulnerable neighborhood.

Eastwick leaders approached EPA in 2015 seeking to establish the ELDCA CAG to advocate for the needs of Eastwick residents’ concerns about contamination from the Clearview Landfill. Prior to the CAG formation, several community groups were actively communicating with EPA about overlapping issues.

During its six-year existence, the CAG has met monthly. The predictability and consistency of CAG meetings coupled with transparent communications have resulted in a positive and productive relationship between EPA and the community.

Since its inception, the CAG has shown unwavering leadership, innovation, and a willingness to work with both EPA and the community to achieve progress toward Site cleanup success. Together, the site team and the CAG have become adept when identifying issues, community needs, and quickly disseminating information.

The CAG has effectively leveraged EPA resources through EPA’s Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) program. An environmental consulting firm that works with the CAG’s technical working group and a TAG recipient sits on the CAG as an “expert resource.” Experts from the University of Pennsylvania also serve as CAG members to provide health and geological information.

The CAG’s commitment was evident while dealing with personal property damage due to flood damage from Tropical Storm Isaias. They devoted the time to organize and participate in virtual meetings on short notice with EPA staff and local elected officials, and effectively utilized EPA resources to educate and meet the ever-changing needs of the Eastwick community.

For more information about the Lower Darby Creek Area Superfund Site visit:  https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/SiteProfiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=second.cleanup&id=0305521

EPA awards over $300,000 to University of Colorado Boulder to develop biotechnology software tools

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA awards over $300,000 to University of Colorado Boulder to develop biotechnology software tools

University one of five institutions nationwide receiving funding towards research to assess health and environmental impacts of biotechnology products

 

Boulder, Colo. (July 27, 2021) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced $337,616 to the University of Colorado Boulder to create software tools to quantify and predict the effects of synthetic microorganisms on local, native and microbial communities. Last week, EPA announced $3,041,583 in funding to five institutions to develop science-based approaches to evaluate the potential human health and environmental impacts of new biotechnology products.

“EPA is funding this research to better understand advancements in biotechnology, which have many potential benefits for society, and to ensure public health and environmental protection,” said Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta, Acting Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development and the EPA Science Advisor.

University of Colorado Boulder’s investigative team will use the funding to develop and deploy a Python-based bioinformatic tool called EcoGenoRisk. The software tool will help develop an ecological risk assessment by comparing databases of novel synthetic biological organisms to known local, native and microbial organism communities. The team will develop EcoGenoRisk as an open-source tool so that users may incorporate the software and approach into other bioinformatic pipelines and link with existing EPA ecological risk assessment tools.

“Developing techniques that better identify risks associated with synthetic biology organisms informs both product design and appropriate disposal processes for a new material,” said Dr. Cresten Mansfeldt, principal investigator on the grant and assistant professor in Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder. “Uniquely, the identical genomic information and databases that are driving this biotechnological product evolution can be mined to identify and mitigate potential risks to our built and natural environments.” 

Each research team is receiving a grant of up to $760,000 through EPA’s Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Program. Their projects will lead to the development of tools and methods that allow decision makers to better understand and monitor how biotechnology products might impact public health and the environment before they are used or released into the environment.

Background on STAR Program

EPA’s STAR Program aims to stimulate and support scientific and engineering research that advances EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment. It is a competitive, peer-reviewed, extramural research program that provides access to the nation’s best scientists and engineers in academic and other nonprofit research institutions. The STAR program funds research on the environmental and public health effects of air quality, climate change, environmental justice, water quality and quantity, hazardous waste, toxic substances, and pesticides.

For more information on EPA’s STAR recipients:  https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/recipients.display/rfa_id/663/records_per_page/ALL

For more information on EPA’s Chemical Safety for Sustainability research program

Learn more about EPA’s STAR Program.

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA settles chemical accident prevention planning violations at eight Yakima Valley cold storage facilities.

EPA: “Zillah and Yakima families deserve better protection from chemical hazards.”

(Seattle – July 22, 2021) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has settled alleged civil chemical accident prevention and preparedness violations with three separate companies operating a total of eight cold storage facilities in Yakima County, Washington. Today’s settlements, reached under Section 312 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), are part of EPA’s nationwide campaign to protect unfairly burdened communities and reduce or eliminate accidental releases at industrial and chemical facilities sited in or near neighborhoods similar to those in Zillah and Yakima.

Each facility owner or operator has agreed to pay a penalty as part of these settlements:

1. Company:  Stadelman Fruit LLC                                      Penalty: $238,875 

Facilities:

• 1st Avenue, Zillah, Washington
• Cheyne Road, Zillah, Washington
• Bella Terra Road, Zillah, Washington                    
• West Northstone Parkway, Zillah, Washington 

2. Company:  Hollingbery and Sons, Inc.                            Penalty $21,600

Facility: 

• North 1st Avenue, Yakima, Washington 

3. Company: Hollingbery CA and Cold Storage LLC           Penalty $96,600

       Facilities:

• North 1st Avenue, Yakima, Washington (3 facilities )

All involved facilities use Anhydrous Ammonia for Refrigerated Cold Storage.  Because Anhydrous Ammonia can cause serious, often irreversible health effects when released, it is considered an Extremely Hazardous Substance. Under EPCRA, Anhydrous Ammonia has a 500-lb. reporting & planning requirement threshold.  In addition to its potential harmful health effects from inhalation and skin contact, Anhydrous Ammonia is highly flammable.

EPCRA Section 312 requires companies to file hazardous chemical inventory report forms with the State Emergency Response Commission, the Local Emergency Planning Committee, and the local Fire Department each year by March 1^st.  Timely, accurate reporting helps protect responders and surrounding communities in the event of an accidental, uncontrolled release of hazardous chemicals.

 

 

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EPA Releases Cyanobacteria Assessment Network (CyAN) Web Tool to Help Monitor Water Quality

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA Releases Cyanobacteria Assessment Network (CyAN) Web Tool to Help Monitor Water Quality

WASHINGTON (July 21, 2021) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the release of a new tool, CyANWeb, that can help federal, state, Tribal, and local partners identify when a harmful algal bloom (HAB) may be forming where people swim, fish, and boat. The tool uses satellite data to alert users based on specific changes in the color of the water in over 2,000 of the largest lakes and reservoirs across the United States. 

Cyanobacteria, also called blue-green algae, occur naturally in many water bodies. However, when they multiply, they can form potentially toxic HABs, which can increase drinking water treatment costs for communities and impact lakes and other recreational areas. CyANWeb, developed by the Cyanobacteria Assessment Network (CyAN) with input from users across the country, makes cyanobacteria satellite data more accessible to water quality managers, communities, and anyone interested in knowing more about water quality in their area. 

“Making this satellite data available across more platforms will improve our ability to respond to harmful algal blooms,” said Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta, Acting Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development and the EPA Science Advisor. “The release of this update is another step towards ensuring the quality of our nation’s drinking and recreational waters.” 

CyANWeb uses historical and current satellite data to develop daily and weekly images that serve as an early warning system for HABs. These images can help federal, state, Tribal, and local partners in their efforts to monitor and assess water quality. They can also help lake managers and people who swim, fish, or boat in lakes identify when a HAB may be forming. CyANWeb is easy to use and has features that let users view comparisons of multiple water bodies over time, as well asmark locations for future reference.

Users can access CyANWeb with the help of a desktop computer, tablet, smart phone, and most other internet-browsing devices. CyANWeb uses satellite data that was previously only available within the CyAN Android™ app EPA released in 2019. CyAN Android™ is available for download in the Google Play™ store for Android™ devices. 
EPA researchers developed CyANWeb as the latest effort stemming from the CyAN partnership with researchers at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

For more information on EPA’s CyANWeb: www.epa.gov/water-research/cyanapp

EPA Proposes Cleanup Plan for Properties near the Facet Enterprises, Inc. Superfund Site in Elmira Heights, New York

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA Proposes Cleanup Plan for Properties near the Facet Enterprises, Inc. Superfund Site in Elmira Heights, New York

NEW YORK (July 22, 2021) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a plan to address vapor intrusion at certain residential and commercial properties in the vicinity of the Facet Enterprises, Inc. Superfund site in Elmira Heights, New York. Vapors from the chemical contamination, primarily trichloroethylene (TCE), have seeped into more than 65 properties in the vicinity. TCE can produce emissions that rise through the soil and potentially affect indoor air quality, a condition known as vapor intrusion. The proposed plan calls for the installation of mitigation systems that vents the gases to reduce potential exposure from soil vapors.

“Vapors from groundwater and soil can move through the soil and seep through cracks in basements, foundations, sewer lines and other openings. EPA’s plan will result in the reduction of indoor air contamination to protect people’s health,” said acting Regional Administrator Walter Mugdan. “Working in consultation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, our plan is to offer the installation of these mitigation systems free of charge and at no cost to the residential or commercial property owners.”

To date, 264 residential and commercial properties have been sampled for vapor intrusion of volatile organic compounds, primarily trichloroethylene. EPA has installed 60 systems and recommends the installation of an additional seven properties based on recent sampling, as well as the installation of additional systems should future sampling indicate they are necessary.

The Facet Enterprises, Inc. facility, a 31-acre parcel of land, is in the Village of Elmira Heights. The facility was previously used to make products such as bicycle parts, automobile engine components and small arms for the military.

Because of the nature and complexity of the contamination at the site, the investigations and cleanup of the site has been conducted in stages. EPA selected a remedy in September 1992 to address the groundwater contamination at the site. Purolator Products Inc., a potentially responsible party, entered into an agreement with EPA to perform the cleanup activities set forth in the 1992 remedy. These activities included excavating contaminated soil and sediments from the site, installing wells to extract contaminated groundwater from the aquifer, and installing a treatment system for the extracted groundwater using the air stripping method. The groundwater pump and treat system located at the site has been operational since 1997.

Because contamination remains on-site, EPA conducts reviews every five years to ensure the effectiveness of the cleanup. The agency continues to conduct five-year reviews of the site and has concluded that the pump and treat system is functioning according to the 1992 remedy. The fourth five-year review was completed in 2017 and recommended further evaluation of the potential for vapor intrusion at residential properties.

A 30-day public comment period for the proposed plan will occur from July 22, 2021 to August 23. EPA will hold an in-person and virtual public meeting on July 28, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. to explain the proposed plan and take public comments. The in-person meeting will be held at the Thomas A. Edison High School Auditorium, 2083 College Avenue, Elmira Heights, New York. To participate virtually, interested parties should register at:  https://facet.eventbrite.com.

Written comments on the proposed plan should be postmarked no later than August 19, 2021 to Aidan Conway, Remedial Project Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway, 19th Floor, New York, New York 10007-1866 or via email to conway.aidan@epa.gov.

The proposed plan and information about the site are available at the Horseheads Town Hall, Town Clerks Office at 150 Wygant Road, Horseheads, N.Y., or at www.epa.gov/superfund/facet-enterprises

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://twitter.com/eparegion2 and visit our Facebook page, http://facebook.com/eparegion2

 

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EPA settlement with MDV SpartanNash resolves Clean Air Act violations at Norfolk, Va. food distribution center

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA settlement with MDV SpartanNash resolves Clean Air Act violations
at Norfolk, Va. food distribution center

PHILADELPHIA (July 21, 2021) – MDV SpartanNash LLC will pay a $47,429 penalty to resolve alleged Clean Air Act violations at its food distribution center in Norfolk, Virginia, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today.

EPA cited the company for violating the “General Duty Clause,” Section 112r(1) of the Clean Air Act, which makes the owners and operators of facilities that have regulated and other extremely hazardous substances responsible for ensuring that their chemicals are managed safely. 

Specifically, EPA alleged that MDV SpartanNash failed to take necessary steps to prevent releases by failing to install appropriate alarms, failing to properly seal around ammonia refrigeration pipes, and failing to inspect and repair pipe insulation and more.

The facility is in a community considered to be in an area of potential environmental justice concern. This settlement will benefit the surrounding community by reducing the potential release of hazardous substances.

As part of the settlement, the company has certified that it is now in compliance with applicable requirements.

For more information on the “General Duty Clause” Section 112r(1) of the Clean Air Act, see http://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2013-10/documents/gdc-fact.pdf

For more information on EPA’s environmental justice initiatives, see: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice.

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 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA settles with heavy steel fabricator Fought & Company Inc. for federal storm water violations at Tigard, Oregon, facility

(Seattle – July 20, 2021)  The United States Environmental Protection Agency has settled a series of alleged industrial storm water violations under the federal Clean Water Act by Fought & Company, Inc, located in Tigard, Oregon.  Fought & Company, Inc. agreed to pay a civil penalty of $82,000 to resolve EPA’s allegations. 

Fought & Company, Inc. fabricates structural steel components for large-scale construction projects such as bridges, high-rises, stadiums, and industrial buildings.  During storm events, the facility discharges storm water offsite and into nearby Fanno Creek.

An EPA inspection at the facility in 2019 found Fought & Company, Inc. had a deficient Storm water Pollution Control Plan, failed to properly implement corrective actions and failed to monitor all storm water discharge points.

In addition to paying a civil penalty, Fought and Company, Inc. has agreed to conduct a storm water evaluation period, revise and update its Storm water Pollution Control Plan, and install additional treatment capacity at its facility to address excess zinc discharges. These improvements are expected to improve Fought & Company’s storm water discharge to Fanno Creek. (For additional case details, see the signed Consent Agreement and Final Order)

Managing storm water responsibly at industrial facilities prevents erosion and protects local water quality. Uncontrolled storm water runoff can cause serious problems for people and the environment by introducing polluted water into nearby waters, cause sediment choked rivers and streams; intensify flooding and property damage; reduce fishing and swimming opportunities, and in some extreme cases, threaten public drinking water systems.

 

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EPA Proposes Plan to Address Contaminated Groundwater at the Dorado Superfund Site in Puerto Rico

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA Proposes Plan to Address Contaminated Groundwater at the Dorado Superfund Site in Puerto Rico

NEW YORK (July 20, 2021) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a plan to address contamination that is impacting wells previously used to supply drinking water to the local communities. The public is not currently drinking water from these closed wells, but EPA is taking action to address contamination from the site over the long-term. EPA is taking public comment on its plan and will host a public meeting on August 5, 2021.

“This proposed plan calls for the long-term monitoring and measures for preventing exposure to contaminated groundwater until concentrations are below drinking water standards and safe to consume,” said acting Regional Administrator Walter Mugdan. “EPA is committed to working with the Maguayo and Dorado communities and believes this plan fully protects their health and the environment.”

The Maguayo and Dorado Urbano public water systems have drinking water wells that serve approximately 67,000 people. Groundwater samples collected by the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) found tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene, solvents commonly used in industrial processes, in part of the system. Those impacted wells were closed in the 1990s and are no longer in service. EPA performed a thorough investigation of the area surrounding the wells but did not identify a source of the groundwater contamination.

To address the site, EPA is proposing to restrict  the use of the impacted groundwater so that it will not be used for drinking water while it is monitored in the long-term to ensure that the levels of contamination in the groundwater decline naturally. The proposed plan is based on the fact that no active source of contamination can be found, and levels of contamination are very low and are expected to naturally decline according to sampling data collected and analyzed by EPA.

EPA will monitor progress and conduct a review of the cleanup at least every 5 years to ensure its effectiveness.

The EPA will hold a public meeting on August 5, 2021 at Teatro Juan Boria, Mendez Vigo St. Dorado, Puerto Rico from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm to explain the proposed plan.

Written comments on the proposed plan, postmarked no later than close of business August 18, 2021, may be mailed or emailed to Luis Santos, Remedial Project Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, City View Plaza II – Suite 7000, 48 RD, 165 Km. 1.2, Guaynabo, PR 00968-8069, Email: santos.luis@epa.gov

For site background and more information on EPA’s proposed plan, visit: https://www.epa.gov/superfund/dorado-ground-water-contamination

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://twitter.com/eparegion2 and visit our Facebook page, http://facebook.com/eparegion2

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EPA orders Clarksburg to identify homes, businesses with lead service lines

 U.S. EPA News Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: 
R3Press@epa.gov
DHHRCommunications@wv.gov

EPA orders Clarksburg to identify homes, businesses with lead service lines

PHILADELPHIA (July 15, 2021) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued an emergency administrative order Wednesday afternoon directing the Clarksburg Water Board to identify homes and businesses with lead service lines and provide an alternative source of drinking water or filters certified to remove lead to all customers who may be impacted by the lead exposure.

EPA, in coordination with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (WVDHHR), determined this action is necessary to protect public health after determining that conditions in the Clarksburg water system may present an imminent and substantial endangerment to human health.

The EPA order directs the Water Board to immediately identify homes that may be impacted and provide an alternate source of drinking water and/or point-of-use filters certified for lead removal for homeowners where elevated lead levels are known or where suspected lead service lines exist.
 
Additionally, the Water Board must provide EPA with a copy of its notification to the Clarksburg homeowners indicating steps they can take to reduce lead exposure and that an alternate water supply has been made available or that certified filters were provided. The Water Board must also keep a daily log of which homes have received alternative water or certified filters.

According to the order, the Water Board failed to timely notify the public about the risk of lead exposure as required in an administrative order issued by the WVDHHR on July 2. EPA’s order reinforces the state’s efforts, as well as re-affirming deadlines for work to be performed by the Water Board.

The WVDHHR issued a notice of violation on July 14 citing the Water Board for failing to comply with its July 2 order. Link to WVDHHR press release, which includes links to the notice of violation and WVDHHR’s administrative order can be found here: https://dhhr.wv.gov/News/2021/Pages/DHHR-Issues-Notice-of-Violation-to-Clarksburg-Water-Board.aspx

The issue of lead service lines was first identified by staff in the WVDHHR’s Bureau for Public Health’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program during environmental lead assessments conducted at the homes of children diagnosed with elevated blood lead levels. Drinking water sampling in several homes confirmed lead levels were above the EPA’s action level.

The Clarksburg water system serves approximately 17,686 persons and has 7,913 service connections.  In addition, the system provides water to other public water systems that serve an additional 38,225 persons.

Parents of children under age 6 who are living in older homes serviced by the Clarksburg Water Board should discuss the risks of lead exposure with their child's pediatrician to determine if precautionary blood lead testing is needed. 

Additional steps all consumers can take include flushing water lines used for drinking and cooking and using bottled water for making baby formula. Boiling water does not remove lead from water and should not be practiced for lead abatement.

For more information about lead in drinking water, visit: https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water

Link to EPA administrative order: https://yosemite.epa.gov/oa/rhc/epaadmin.nsf/07a828025febe17885257562006fff58/c070540d207ab27d8525871300486660!OpenDocument

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EPA Updates Cleanup Plan for Tutu Wellfield Superfund Site on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA Updates Cleanup Plan for Tutu Wellfield Superfund Site on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

The revised plan includes updated costs and additional well sampling

 

NEW YORK (July 14, 2021) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that it has proposed modifications to its 2018 cleanup plan at the Tutu Wellfield Superfund site on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Previous industrial and commercial activities at the site contaminated the soil and groundwater with chlorinated volatile organic compounds. EPA’s proposed action expands and enhances the groundwater cleanup system that is currently operating at the site and updates costs associated with the cleanup.

“This proposal will amplify the capability of the existing groundwater pump and treat system to better capture and address the sources of contamination in the groundwater, which will better protect the community’s health,” said acting Regional Administrator Walter Mugdan. “This update enhances the proposed 2018 groundwater cleanup plan to reflect the results of recent residential and site-wide well samples.”

The 1.5 square-mile site is in the Anna’s Retreat section of St. Thomas. In response to past releases of hazardous substances from area businesses, EPA required each responsible party to address soil contamination on their respective properties as well as the groundwater contamination that came from their respective operations. EPA also conducted a soil cleanup at the Virgin Islands Department of Education Curriculum Center and constructed a system to pump and treat groundwater, which began operation in 2004. The U.S. Virgin Islands government is currently running this system.

EPA’s proposed cleanup plan in this action would add additional wells to extract groundwater from more of the areas that have been determined to be sources of contamination and thus make the system more effective. The cleanup proposal also includes reinjection of treated, clean groundwater to create an underground barrier downgradient of the source area. In addition, the proposal calls for long-term monitoring of the groundwater and restrictions on its use in the vicinity of the site.

EPA will accept public comment on the proposed plan from July 14 to August 13, 2021. A pre-recorded presentation for the Proposed Plan will be available to the public via YouTube starting on July 14, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time. To subscribe to the Tutu Wellfield email list and receive a link to the pre-recorded presentation, contact Donette Samuel, Community Involvement Coordinator, at samuel.donette@epa.gov. To access the proposed plan and a pre-recorded presentation on or after its release date, please visit: www.epa.gov/superfund/tutu-wellfield.

Written comments on the proposed plan must be postmarked or emailed no later than August 13, 2021 to: Caroline Kwan, Remedial Project Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway, 18^th Floor, New York, NY 10007-1866, or kwan.caroline@epa.gov.

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://twitter.com/eparegion2 and visit our Facebook page, http://facebook.com/eparegion2

 

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EPA’s Safer Choice Program Highlighted in Sustainable Shopping Initiative

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA’s Safer Choice Program Highlighted in Sustainable Shopping Initiative

 

WASHINGTON - Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly initiative has announced that it now includes cleaning and other products certified by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Safer Choice program. Safer Choice is now one of 30 sustainability certifications highlighted under Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly initiative which helps customers shop for more than 75,000 products through the company’s online store. Highlighting Safer Choice-certified products makes it easier for consumers to locate products that contain safer chemical ingredients without sacrificing quality or performance.

“We are pleased that Amazon is increasing awareness of products with safer ingredients by including EPA’s Safer Choice certification in its initiative,” said EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Assistant Administrator Michal Freedhoff. “EPA’s Safer Choice program provides national and international leadership for our chemical safety mission in a way that benefits families, children, workers, communities, pets, and the environment.”

EPA reviews all ingredients in Safer Choice-certified products, regardless of percentage, and they must meet specific human health and environmental criteria. For example, they cannot contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and must meet low-toxicity limits and biodegrade quickly. Limiting VOCs can improve indoor air quality. Ensuring low toxicity and rapid biodegradation can help protect water resources impacted by climate change. This is particularly important when products like detergents go down the drain or when products are used outside and may go directly into the environment and waterways.

Products identified as Climate Pledge Friendly are distinguished on Amazon’s website by an hourglass-with-wings symbol. The company also provides its customers with detailed web pages that include information on how and why products are certified as sustainable.

Later this year, EPA will award the 2021 Safer Choice Partner of the Year awards. In support of the Biden-Harris Administration’s goals, EPA will select winners with consideration for those that show how their work in the design, manufacture, selection and use of those products promotes environmental justice, bolsters resilience to the impacts of climate change, results in cleaner air or water, or improves drinking water quality. 

Learn more about EPA’s Safer Choice program.
Learn more about Amazon’s Climate Friendly Initiative.

Background

Safer Choice is an EPA Pollution Prevention (P2) program, which includes practices that reduce, eliminate, or prevent pollution at its source, such as using safer ingredients in products. EPA’s Safer Choice program certifies products containing ingredients that have met the program’s rigorous human health and environmental safety criteria. The Safer Choice program allows companies to use its label on products that meet the Safer Choice Standard. A complete list of Safer Choice-certified products is available at www.epa.gov/saferchoice/products.

Game Warden Saves Egret From Dogs | Lone Star Law

Illegal goldfish dumping leads to issues in lakes

EPA announces $200,000 to City of Fort Collins, Colorado to support Healthy Homes program

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA announces $200,000 to City of Fort Collins, Colorado to support Healthy Homes program

Funding part of $50 million for Environmental Justice initiatives under the American Rescue Plan

 

Fort Collins, Colo. (July 13, 2021) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced it will provide $200,000 to the City of Fort Collins, Colorado to address indoor air quality and health concerns for underserved community residents. The funding is part of $50 million for Environmental Justice (EJ) initiatives allocated to EPA under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) to identify and address disproportionate environmental or public health harms and risks in underserved communities through a range of local initiatives.

“In June, we celebrated National Healthy Homes Month—an annual reminder of the importance of protecting and improving the health of children and families, especially in environmentally overburdened and economically underserved areas,” said Acting Regional Administrator Debra H. Thomas. “We are pleased to provide the City of Fort Collins with this funding under the American Rescue Plan to address indoor air quality and other environmental health concerns for those who need it most.”

With the funding, the City of Fort Collins will build off existing indoor air quality, energy efficiency and emergency preparedness efforts and partnerships to engage with underserved and at-risk community members. Project objectives include identifying residential indoor air quality and energy use needs; assessing existing program capabilities, gaps, barriers and best practices; updating existing program implementation plans; and developing and piloting new home assessment tools.

Established in 2011, the City’s Healthy Homes Indoor Air Quality program provides community members with information and simple actions they can take to improve their indoor air quality. The City also has assistance programs to support energy and water efficiency in homes.

“Safe and comfortable at home has taken on new meaning after 2020, when Fort Collins residents navigated both a pandemic and some of the worst wildfires in Colorado history. These types of disruptions highlight vulnerabilities and disparities in residential indoor air quality, with combined impacts from household behaviors and inequities in housing quality,” said City of Fort Collins Mayor Jeni Arndt. “We are thrilled to have been awarded this grant from the EPA, which we will use to help align and supplement our municipal programs, such as the Healthy Homes indoor air quality program and the Epic Homes program for energy efficiency, that support health, comfort, and resilience at home.”

Under EPA’s State Environmental Justice Cooperative Agreement program, the agency is awarding competitive grants focusing directly on the unequal impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had on communities of color, low-income communities, and other vulnerable populations. EPA is assisting under-resourced communities by quickly getting out ARP funding to leverage important programs that improve air quality, drinking water, brownfields revitalization and diesel emissions from buses in low-income communities and communities of color. Projects include training, developing citizen science tools, pollution monitoring and educational campaigns to enable EJ advocates, scientists and decision-makers to address pollution and create thriving communities.

Moving forward, EPA will also work to award an additional $50 million provided under the ARP for enhanced air quality monitoring, including plans to use a portion of these funds to solicit proposals from community groups, state, local and tribal air agencies to conduct monitoring of pollutants of greatest concern in communities with health outcome disparities.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was signed into law in March 11^th, 2021. It provides funds to address health outcome disparities from pollution and the COVID–19 pandemic. To learn more about the ARP, visit: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1319/text

EPA to start phase two to remove lead and arsenic-contaminated tailings near Telluride, Colorado

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA to start phase two to remove lead and

arsenic-contaminated tailings near Telluride, Colorado

 

DENVER (July 12, 2021):  Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will initiate a removal action at the Telluride Valley Floor/Boomerang Road Site starting the week of July 19^th  in Telluride, San Miguel County, Colorado. This action involves the cleanup and disposal of lead and arsenic-contaminated soil and mine tailings along the San Miguel River on Federal and private land.

“This action is an important step in our ongoing efforts to address human health and environmental risks at the Telluride Valley Floor Site/Boomerang Road Site,” said Betsy Smidinger, director of EPA Region 8’s Superfund and Emergency Response Division. “The removal of these tailings and restoration of the San Miguel River will protect the community from lead and arsenic, improve aquatic habitat, and enhance a highly valued and visited natural area.”

Work is expected to begin in late-July and continue through October, with river restoration work to potentially continue into 2022. Work plans include removal and disposal of tailings and soil found in and near the streambank; as well as stream restoration to re-establish aquatic habitat and mitigate bank erosion. 

Signs to inform the public about the removal action, and discourage access to reclaimed areas, will be installed. In addition, safety measures will be in place to protect workers and the community, which includes temporarily redirecting recreational trails around the work area.  

To begin this removal action, the clearing of trees and vegetation will be necessary. As appropriate, removed trees and vegetation will be used for stream restoration or habitat enhancement while some may be chipped for use in revegetation. Stormwater and erosion control management plans will be implemented to mitigate the impacts of the tree and vegetation removal.

The tailings will be loaded in haul trucks that will be operated and inspected in order to ensure contaminants do not spread during transportation. All tailings will be placed on Newmont/Idarado property in a repository known as tailings piles 5/6. Please contact Chris Wardell, EPA Public Information Officer, at (303) 312-6062 or the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Norwood Ranger District office at (970) 327-4261 with questions or concerns regarding the clean-up.

Background: 

This 34-acre Site is located along the San Miguel River South of the Vally Floor Open Space, on lands primarily under the jurisdiction, custody, and control of the USFS. A small portion, approximate five acres, is owned by the Town of Telluride. It is within the boundaries of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests and accessed along Boomerang Road south from west Colorado Avenue (Highway 145 Spur).

The Site was referred to EPA by the USFS in the fall of 2020, after sampling found mine tailings containing high levels of lead and arsenic. A subsequent site visit found tailings along the bank visibly sloughing into the San Miguel River and hiking and biking paths located on tailings piles where dust was being stirred up by visitors. These conditions led to EPA’s initiation of phase one also known as the emergency response actions last fall. 

DHHR, EPA Partnering to Assist Clarksburg Water System to Test Older Homes with Lead Service Lines

 U.S. EPA News Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DHHR, EPA Partnering to Assist Clarksburg Water System
to Test Older Homes with Lead Service Lines

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (July 9, 2021) – The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are partnering to assist the Clarksburg Water System in their efforts to identify and test older homes with lead service lines that may cause elevated lead levels in drinking water.

"The situation in Clarksburg is concerning, and as a precaution we encourage all families living in homes built before 1950 to use bottled water for consumption and have children younger than six years of age evaluated for lead," said Dr. Ayne Amjad, State Health Officer and Commissioner of DHHR’s Bureau for Public Health. "Working together with our federal partner, the Environmental Protection Agency, we will assure safe drinking water for the residents of Clarksburg. Additionally, the state is committing funding toward lab analysis of water samples for lead content."

The issue of lead service lines was first identified by staff in the Bureau for Public Health’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program during environmental lead assessments conducted in the homes of children diagnosed with elevated blood lead levels. Confirmatory water sampling in several homes serviced by the Clarksburg Water System were above the EPA’s action level (15 parts per billion). The Clarksburg Water System will implement a corrective action plan that will include additional sampling, increased frequency of monitoring, installation of a corrosion control system and an alternate source of drinking water and/or point of use filters for homeowners where elevated lead levels are known from existing sample results and where known or suspected lead service lines exist.

"EPA is committed to address lead in the nation’s drinking water to ensure communities like Clarksburg are protected," said Acting EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Diana Esher. "Addressing lead in drinking water requires partnerships, and EPA is dedicated to working with West Virginia to improve public health."

Parents of children younger than six years of age who are living in older homes serviced by the Clarksburg Water System should discuss the risks of lead exposure with their child's pediatrician to determine if precautionary blood lead testing is needed. Additional steps all consumers can take include flushing water lines used for drinking and cooking and using bottled water for making baby formula. Boiling water does not remove lead from water.

Helpful EPA resources:

Basic Information About Lead in Drinking Water: https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water

Important Steps You Can Take to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water: https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water#reducehome

Lead Poisoning and Your Children: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-02/documents/epa_lead_brochure-posterlayout_508.pdf

Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home (translations available): https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-04/documents/lead-in-your-home-portrait-color-2020-508.pdf

Protecting Children’s Health: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-10/documents/ch_pamphlet_oct2020-v4.pdf

Questions regarding the Clarksburg Water System and the risk for lead exposure in the water should be directed to the Bob Davis, Clarksburg Water System Chief Water Operator, at 304-624-5467, extension 121. 

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