Solid and Hazardous =EF=BB=BFWaste Newsletter |
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EPA Requests Independent Study on the Risks to Public Health from the Use of Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) Slag in Residential Areas and Launches New Web Page
As part of EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment, EPA requested that the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (National Academies) produce an independent report by a panel of experts to evaluate potential public health risks from unencapsulated uses of EAF slag in residential settings. The National Academies will review existing information on EAF slag to better determine what, if any, human health risks are associated with this use. The study will include a focus on communities that are disproportionately impacted by pollution.
EAF slag is a rock-like material generated during the steel-making process. It is commonly used as road base material, and in some states, it is also marketed for use in landscaping and driveways. To learn more about EAF slag, ongoing research, and our current recommendations for those who have this material in their yards or driveways or work with this material, please visit our new web page:
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Open for Public Comment: Draft Memorandum "Applicability of Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Organic Air Emission Standards to Equipment and/or Closure Devices"
EPA=E2=80-is in the process of developing a memorandum to provide guidance to EPA and state permit writers and inspectors for determining whether certain equipment and/or closure devices located on covers of hazardous waste tanks, containers, and surface impoundments are regulated as equipment or as closure devices.
EPA aims to improve implementation and enforcement of the RCRA Organic Air Emission Standards at hazardous waste large quantity generator sites and treatment, storage, and disposal facilities by clarifying the applicable regulations for certain pieces of equipment and/or closure devices.
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2020 RCRA Corrective Action Goals Closeout
In July, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) celebrated the immense progress made cleaning up contaminated facilities and working toward the 2020 goals set by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action hazardous waste facility cleanup program.
EPA and states oversaw facilities' investigations and cleanups and:
- Completed determinations that 95 percent of facilities ensured that communities were not exposed to unacceptable levels of contaminants.
- Completed determinations that 91 percent of facilities ensured that contaminated groundwater was not spreading and further contaminating groundwater resources.
- Ensured that 74 percent of facilities completed construction of the final remedy and made sure it was designed to achieve long-term protection of human health and the environment.
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Final Publication of SW-846 Methods 3512 and 8327 for Testing of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Non-Potable Waters
On July 26, 2021, EPA published final versions of SW-846 Methods 3512 and 8327 for laboratory preparation and analysis of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in non-potable waters. Availability of these methods will support the implementation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) by providing scientists, project managers, and regulators with tools to generate testing data and associated quality controls needed to support risk management decisions related to waste management and contaminated site cleanup. These methods may be used or modified as needed to generate data to support project management decisions in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible, consistent with the Methods Innovation Rule.
These final methods are approved for use in complying with RCRA regulations. They do not add to, change, or impact RCRA regulations. EPA routinely updates its compendium of over 200 SW-846 laboratory test methods for the sampling and analysis of solid waste and other matrices.
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The Importance of Properly Managing Used Lithium-ion Batteries
EPA released a report analyzing the impacts of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries, generally from consumer devices (e.g., cell phones, tablets, vacuums, etc.), going into the municipal solid waste management process. EPA compiled and analyzed information from publicly available news sources on fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in the waste management system.
EPA's=E2=80-analysis found that at least 240=E2=80-fires=E2=80-occurred at recycling centers, landfills, and other waste management facilities between 2013 and 2020, though=E2=80-the actual number of fires is=E2=80-likely=E2=80-much larger.=E2=80- The report also highlights the negative impacts of fires ignited by lithium-ion batteries in the waste stream.=E2=80-These fires threaten worker safety, create air pollution, and decrease the efficiency of recycling=E2=80-by driving up cost and disrupting operations. More broadly,=E2=80-improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries also causes valuable metals inside the batteries to get landfilled or incinerated instead of being recycled into new batteries. EPA continues=E2=80-working=E2=80-to address=E2=80-these end-of-life issues through public awareness efforts and additional stakeholder outreach and collaboration.=E2=80-
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