Synergy Environmental, Inc.
Hazem M. Hijazi, P.E.

January 20, 2014

The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) was promulgated in 1986 to help communities plan for emergencies involving hazardous substances. EPCRA requires, among other things for the industry to report on the storage, use and releases of hazardous chemicals. The Community Right-to-Know provisions help increase the public’s knowledge and access to information on chemicals at individual facilities, their uses, and releases into the environment.

Key Provisions of the Act Include:

Section 304 – Emergency Notification:

Facilities must immediately report accidental releases of certain chemicals and hazardous substances greater than defined quantities.

Section 311 and 312 – Community Right to Know Requirements:

Facilities manufacturing, processing, or storing designated hazardous chemicals must make material Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) available to state and local officials and local fire departments. Facilities must also report an annual inventory of these chemicals by March 1 of each year. In Pennsylvania, reporting is administered by the Department of Labor and Industry, while in New Jersey it is administered by NJDEP.

Section 313 – Toxics Release Inventory (TRI):

Certain facilities must complete and submit a toxic chemical release inventory form annually. The form must be submitted for each of the over 650 TRI chemicals that are manufactured or otherwise used above applicable threshold quantities. Reporting due date is July 1 of each year.

Chemicals requiring reporting include gasoline and diesel fuel. Please contact us to confirm if your facility is covered under this Act or if you have chemicals exceeding threshold quantities.

For additional information check: http://www.epa.gov/oecaagct/lcra.html

Hazem M. Hijazi is a Professional Engineer with Synergy Environmental, Inc.