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Reducing Risks from Specific Chemicals
More on Reducing Risks from Specific Chemicals
OPPT develops regulations and policies designed to reduce risks to human health and the environment from several specific priority chemicals, known as National Program Chemicals. The National Program Chemicals include chemicals that have specific statutory requirements (e.g., lead, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)) as well as other multimedia pollutants of concern (e.g., mercury and dioxin).
Accomplishments
- In March 2008 OPPT finalized, a rule requiring persons engaged in renovation, repair and painting activities in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities to be trained and to use lead-safe work practices for activities that disturb lead-based paint.
- EPA awarded more than $9.2 million in grant dollars for national, tribal and local lead poisoning prevention projects to address populations at risk for elevated blood-lead levels through three grant programs in 2007.
- On April 2, 2007, EPA published the brochure, Current Best Practices for Preventing Asbestos Exposure Among Brake and Clutch Repair Workers, giving automotive professionals and home mechanics information on preventing exposure to brake and clutch dust that may contain asbestos fibers.
- Effective October 9, 2007, EPA transferred management of most of the PCB cleanup and disposal program from OPPTS to the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response; however, OPPTS will continue to administer the “use” portion of the PCB program.
- In 2007, EPA hosted commodity-grade mercury stakeholder panel meetings to discuss options for managing non-federal supplies of mercury in the United States.
- Working with the states, EPA promoted recycling, collection, and reduction of mercury-containing products such as mercury thermostats, industrial non-fever thermometers and fluorescent lamps.
- On October 5, 2007, EPA issued a final Significant New Use Rule on mercury auto and convenience switches.
- EPA continued in 2007 to participate in the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Mercury Products Partnership to reduce mercury in products internationally by helping to build capacity for countries to take further action on mercury use in products.
Read more about EPA’s lead, asbestos, PCBs, and mercury programs.