The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to add benzene and 2-ethoxyethanol to the list of solvents whose mixtures with wastewater are exempted from the definition of hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
EPA studied two other solvents, 1,1,2-trichloroethane and 2- nitropropane, and is not proposing at this time to add them to the current exemption.
Besides adding the two solvents to the exemption, EPA is proposing to provide flexibility in the way compliance with the rule is determined by adding the option of directly measuring solvent chemical levels at the headworks of the wastewater treatment system to the current requirements. EPA also is proposing to make additional listed hazardous wastes (beyond discarded commercial chemical products) eligible for the de minimis exemption, as well as adding non-manufacturing facilities to those that qualify for this exemption if certain conditions are met.
EPA is requesting comments on these and other potential exemptions involving wastes managed in a wastewater system regulated under the Clean Water Act (CWA).
To be considered by EPA, comments must be postmarked by June 9, 2003. Comments may be submitted electronically or through hand delivery/courier or by mail. Send an original and two copies of your comments to RCRA Docket Information Center, Office of Solid Waste, Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode: 5305W, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460, Attention Docket ID No. RCRA-2002- 0028.
For general information, contact the RCRA Call Center at 800-424-9346 or TDD 800-553-7672 (hearing impaired). In the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, call 703-412-9810 or TDD 703-412-3323. For more detailed information on specific aspects of this rulemaking, contact Ron Josephson (phone: 703-308-0442, e-mail: [email protected]) or Laura Burrell (phone: 703-308-0005, e-mail: [email protected]).
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
