Thursday, March 28, 2013

TSCA Risk Assessment Plan For Flame Retardant Chemicals.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced it will begin assessments on 23 commonly used chemicals, with a specific focus on flame retardant chemicals. These assessments are part of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Work Plan which identifies commonly used chemicals for risk assessment. EPA plans to begin by evaluating 20 flame retardant chemicals, conducting full risk assessments for four of the flame retardants, three of which are on the TSCA Work Plan, and one that was the subject of an Action Plan development under TSCA. In addition, EPA plans to conduct assessments of eight other flame retardants by grouping flame retardants with similar characteristics together with the chemicals targeted for full assessment.

EPA also plans to evaluate how eight of the 20 flame retardant chemicals transform and move in the environment. These chemicals were selected because they are likely to persist in the environment, bioaccumulate in humans and/or have high exposure potential, but lack adequate data to conduct full risk assessments. During its review of data on flame retardant chemicals in commerce, EPA also identified approximately 50 flame retardant chemicals that are unlikely to pose a risk to human health, making them possible substitutes for more toxic flame retardant chemicals.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Environmental Review and Environmental Impact Assessment.



Proposed Changes To FTA FHA Categorical Exemptions

The Federal Highway Administration (FHA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) have published a Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) which proposes to amend some Categorical Exemptions the agencies use to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The NPRM provides interested parties with the opportunity to comment on proposed changes to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) joint procedures that implement the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Comments must be received on or before April 29, 2013.

The revisions are in response to the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act. The agencies propos to add new categorical exclusions for projects within an existing operational right-of-way and projects receiving limited Federal funding. Funding thresholds being proposed are projects receiving less than $5,000,000 of Federal funds; or with a total estimated cost less than $30,000,000 and Federal funds comprising less than 15% of the total estimated project cost.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Environmental Review and Environmental Impact Assessment.
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