Search

Happy Birthday, EPCRA!

Posted on 10/25/2011 by Roger Marks

The U.S. EPA last week celebrated the 25th anniversary of its Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA). Web site.
 
The authorization of EPCRA in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan closely followed one of the worst industrial disasters in history. In December 1984, in Bhopal, India, water leaked into a tank of methyl isocyanate, catalyzing an exothermic reaction that resulted in the release of toxic gas which immediately killed over 2,000 people, and within weeks had reportedly caused the death of about 10,000 from gas-related disease.
 
EPCRA was designed to provide U.S. citizens access to information regarding hazardous chemicals being used in their communities. Under EPCRA, facilities that use hazardous chemicals must provide State and local officials, as well as local fire departments, with Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) describing the hazardous chemicals in use. State and local governments work together to prepare and maintain annually the “chemical emergency response plans” required under the Act.
 
The EPA has made available a timeline of important events in the history of EPCRA on its website.
 

Tags: EPA, EPCRA, reporting and recordkeeping

Find a Post

Recent Posts

Compliance Topics

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

Very well structured, comprehensive, and comparable to live training seminars I've participated in previously. I will recommend the online course to other colleagues with training requirement needs.

Neil Luciano

EHS Manager

Very witty instructor, made the long times sitting bearable. One of the few training courses I can say I actually enjoyed.

John Hutchinson

Senior EHS Engineer

The instructor did an excellent job presenting a very dry subject; keeping everyone interested and making it enjoyable.

Marc Bugg

Hazardous Waste Professional

The instructor was very patient and engaging - willing to answer and help explain subject matter.

Misty Filipp

Material Control Superintendent

The price was reasonable, the time to complete the course was manageable, and the flexibility the online training allowed made it easy to complete.

Felicia Rutledge

Hazmat Shipping Professional

I was able to present my scenario to the instructor and worked thru the regulations together. In the past, I attended another training firm's classes. Now, I have no intention of leaving Lion!

Diana Joyner

Senior Environmental Engineer

Lion does a great job summarizing and communicating complicated EH&S-related regulations.

Michele Irmen

Sr. Environmental Engineer

This is the best RCRA training I've experienced! I will be visiting Lion training again.

Cynthia L. Logsdon

Principal Environmental Engineer

The instructor was energetic and made learning fun compared to dry instructors from other training providers.

Andy D’Amato

International Trade Compliance Manager

This course went above my expectations from the moment I walked in the door. The instructor led us through two days packed with useful compliance information.

Rachel Stewart

Environmental Manager

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

A guide to developing standard operating procedures, or SOPs, that help you select, manage, and audit your hazmat agents and contractors.

Download
Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.