Frequently Asked Questions
National Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- General EPA FAQs
- Energy Star and Energy Star Portfolio Manager
- Environmental Education
- Kids (grades K-5)
- Students (grades 6-8)
- High School (grades 9-12)
- Teachers
- Indoor Air Quality
- Radiation
- Safe Drinking Water (Ground Water and Drinking Water)
- Superfund and Superfund information systems
- Toxics Release Inventory
- Waste
- Even more FAQs
Region 5 Environmental Hotline:
1-800-621-8431
8:15am - 4:45pm Central time
(312-886-2395 for callers outside
IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, and WI)
To report oil and chemical spills, call the National Response Center: 1-800-424-8802
These are frequently asked questions we receive on our environmental Hotline and by e-mail.
- Who do I call about Illinois vehicle emissions testing?
- I'm concerned about treated wood. Where can I get some answers?
- Where can I get information about asbestos and vermiculite?
- I'm concerned about West Nile Virus. Where should I report dead birds?
- Where can I find out about Superfund sites?
- I've lost my EPA card for universal handling of refrigerant; how can I get a replacement?
- I am concerned about mold in my home/ my children's school/ my workplace. Is it dangerous? Who can I contact?
- I'm trying to import a car from another country; what do I need to do to meet US emission requirements? What forms do I need?
- Where can I recycle computers/fluorescent bulbs/batteries?
- I want to make a complaint about noise or about odors.
- Where can I learn about mercury in dental amalgam?
Who do I call about Illinois vehicle emissions testing?
This is not a US EPA program. In the Chicago area, contact the state of Illinois Vehicle Emissions Testing Programat (847) 758-3400 or (800) 635-2380.
I'm concerned about treated wood. Where can I get some answers?
- EPA has factsheets about disposing of treated wood, including Questions & Answers about wood treated with chromated copper arsenate.
- What is being done about wood treated with CCA (chromated copper arsenate)?
- Where can I find information on wood treated with creosote?
Where can I get information about asbestos and vermiculite?
I'm concerned about West Nile Virus. Where should I report dead birds?
Where can I find out about Superfund sites?
Here's a whole list of resources to help you find Superfund and other hazardous waste sites.
- CERCLIS Hazardous Waste Sites
- National Priorities List (NPL) Fact Sheets for Region 5
- Superfund Sites
- National Priorities List (NPL) -try the Basic Search Form
- National Priorities List (NPL) Site Status Information (Current, Proposed, Final, Construction Completion, Partially Deleted, Deleted)
- Superfund FAQs and Superfund information systems FAQs
I'm an HVAC apprentice, and I've lost my EPA card for universal handling of refrigerant. How do I get a replacement?
- Call 800-296-1996 for information on replacing lost CFC cards or visit Technician Certification (Section 608): Steps for replacing a lost card
- Where can I find air conditioning and heating / refrigerant servicing certification programs?
- How do I obtain a new copy of my EPA 608 or 609 refrigeration (or universal) certification card if mine has been lost or stolen?
I am concerned about mold in my home/ my children's school/ my workplace. Is it dangerous? Who can I contact?
Call your local health department first. You can also call the Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse at (800) 438-4318. The number for the National Hispanic Air Quality Hotline is (800) SALUD-12 (800-725-8312). More EPA information on mold:
- Indoor Air - Mold
- Indoor Air Quality Mold Resources
- A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home EPA Publication #402-K-02-003
- Where can I get information about mold?
- Where can I find information about asthma?
- Where can I learn about air quality in my home, school, or workplace and who can I contact about indoor air quality?
I'm trying to import a car from another country; what do I need to do to meet US emission requirements? What forms do I need?
- There's lots of information on importing vechicles and engines at EPA's Office of Transportation & Air Quality. Try the Quick Overview of Vehicle Import Requirements or the Automotive Imports Facts Manual
- What do I need to do if I want to import a car or have a personal vehicle shipped back to the United States?
- How may I obtain the Certificate of Conformity for a vehicle?
Where can I recycle computers?
- Visit our Web site on Waste Prevention, Reuse, Recycling and Disposal and find out how to recycle all kinds of things
- Can I recycle a computer?
- Where do I recycle used electronics in my community?
- How do I know what materials are recyclable in my community, and where can I take these materials to be recycled?
Where can I learn about mercury in dental amalgam?
- On October 8, 2003, Geoffrey Grubbs, Director, Office of Science and Technology, Office of Water, testified before the House Committee on Government Reform, Subcommittee on Wellness and Human Rights. Read his testimony (PDF, 9pp, 81K, About PDF )
- Read about State Mercury Medical/Dental Waste Programs
- Mercury and human health