Lesson 94: Managing Current Toxic Chemicals and Waste
In this lesson, we will see how the federal government has passed regulations
to limit discharges into the air and water, and to regulate disposal of solid
waste on land. We will also look at OSHA standards that seek to protect workers
from exposure to toxins and hazards in the workplace.
Both the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act with amendments provide the
legislation to limit discharges into the air and water.
Sewage plants have to have discharge permits called the National Pollution
Discharge Elimination System, or NPDES, permits to discharge into nearby
natural waterways.
The Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act or RCRA prevents unsafe or illegal disposal of solid waste on land.
RCRA requires that all landfills have permits, that toxic chemicals are
converted into forms that do not leach into the soil, and that waste still
going to the landfill must have a ‘cradle to grave' tracking. All landfill
owners and operators have to sign forms attesting to the waste, quantity and
disposal methods used.
Workers face hazards from leaks, accidents and
the wrong use of hazardous chemicals in the workplace.
In the past, workers were often exposed to toxins and hazards that they were
not informed about. In 1970, the Occupational Safety and Health Act or OSHA set
national standards that required all businesses, labs and industries to provide
information on hazardous materials on site or in use. One method is via the
material safety data sheet, or MSDS, that provides information on materials
being shipped, stored and handled. It is up to the worker to read these
documents, however.
The Toxic Substances Control Act, or TSCA, of 1976 requires manufacturers to
supply the EPA with a "pre-manufacturing notice" of all impacts of using a new
chemical and to indicate that it is safe for specific uses. However, many
manufacturers have failed to comply with this requirement citing trade secrets
for their chemical recipes. Only 200 chemicals have been tested.
In addition to these laws, the Emergency Planning and Community Right to
Know Act, or EPCRA, informs people about the storage and release of new
chemicals. Finally, the Department of Transportation (DOT) ensures safe
transport.