By Shawna Griffin
e-Manifest, the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) national system for electronically tracking shipments, is live. e-Manifest requirements are effective immediately in every state, including Washington.
What do you need to do?
- Verify your information is current in TurboWaste.
- If you are a generator or transporter, check with your hazardous/dangerous waste vendor to find out how they plan to move forward with the new e-Manifest requirements.
- If you are a treatment, storage, and disposal facility, register for e-Manifest in RCRAInfo.
Questions?
By Janna Ryan
Firefighters from the 916th Air Force Reserve Fire Protection Flight fight a fire during an exercise on a mock fuselage. USAF photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian E. Christiansen.
A 2018 Washington state law restricts the use of a class of chemicals called PFAS (per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances) in firefighting foam and personal protective equipment (PPE). These restrictions affect manufacturers and users of:
- PFAS-containing firefighting foam.
- Firefighting PPE treated with PFAS.
What does the law include?
Firefighting foam training ban
Beginning July 1, 2018, use of PFAS-containing Class B firefighting foam for training is prohibited across Washington. There are no exceptions in the law for training.
Firefighting foam sales ban
Beginning July 1, 2020, this law will prohibit the manufacture, sale, and distribution of PFAS-containing Class B firefighting foam. Four exemptions to this prohibition include: military, Federal Aviation Administration-certified airports, petroleum refineries and terminals, and certain chemical plants.
Firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE) notice
Beginning July 1, 2018, manufacturers and sellers of PFAS-containing firefighting PPE must notify purchasers in writing if the equipment contains PFAS and the reasons for using the chemicals. The manufacturer, seller, and purchaser must keep the notice on file for at least three years, and provide it to Ecology if requested.
Why do we care about PFAS?
In recent years, PFAS contamination above EPA's health advisory level has been found in drinking water wells in:
- City of Issaquah.
- Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
- Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
- Fairchild Air Force Base/City of Airway Heights.
Check out our website for more information, including frequently asked questions. For other questions, contact Anne Knapp at 360-407-7601 or
anne.knapp@ecy.wa.gov.
By Rob Rieck
On August 9, 2018, Ecology proposed amendments to the Dangerous Waste Regulations, Chapter 173-303 of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC).
We expect to adopt new rules January 2019. You can formally comment on these proposed changes until October 5. You can also attend a public hearing in-person or online:
- 1:00 p.m., September 26, 2018, online
- 10:00 a.m., September 28, 2018, in-person:
- Ecology Northwest Regional Office
3190 160th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98009
- Ecology Eastern Regional Office (by video conference)
4601 N Monroe St, Spokane, WA 99205
The proposed revisions include recent changes to the federal hazardous waste regulations and changes initiated by the state. We had intended to also propose dangerous waste pharmaceutical regulations similar to Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2015 proposed hazardous waste pharmaceutical rule. We decided not to do this, since we discovered there could be significant changes between EPA’s proposed rule and the final adopted regulations. We intend to restart our rulemaking process for this set of rules in the near future, as EPA has indicated they intend to adopt a final regulation this fall.
In response to informal public comments we received last fall on our draft revisions, we changed:
- The definition of “weekly inspection.”
- Language about hazard labels.
- Clarifications on other unclear language.
Read more about this rulemaking process. Also,
subscribe to our dangerous waste emails to stay updated on meetings and other dangerous waste rulemaking activity.
OSHA 7225 Transitioning to Safer Chemicals
September 5-6, 2018 Seattle
Register online
This course will guide participants through OSHA’s substitution planning process for understanding and evaluating chemical use, identifying and assessing alternatives, and implementing safer alternatives. OSHA 7225 is for professionals at all levels of chemistry understanding who play a role in product and materials selection.
Green Chemistry Online Certificate Program
Graduates of this three-course program will make a difference after learning to design safer chemicals and industrial processes. Today, businesses face increasing market and regulatory pressures to use less toxic chemicals in their manufacturing processes and products. They need professionals who can provide innovative solutions and more sustainable substitutes.
Program Dates: September 24, 2018 - June 7, 2019
Register for the three courses:
COURSE I: Sustainability, Toxicology, and Human Health
September 24, 2018 - December 7, 2018 | Cost: $910 | CEUs: 5, Course I Deadline: September 15, 2018
Overview of fundamental principles of toxicology, human health, and material science. Participants will review their own business’ sustainability drivers and barriers while investigating the health and environmental hazards that contribute to human disease.
COURSE II: Principles of Green Chemistry
January 7, 2019 - March 15, 2019 | Cost: $910 | CEUs: 5, Course II Deadline: December 22, 2018
Fundamental principles of green chemistry, including the human and ecological reasons for considering less toxic alternatives and the various green applications to chemical design. Overview of new tools and cutting edge research for the design of 21
st century chemicals that minimize hazards to health and the environment.
COURSE III: Assessment Tools for Safer Chemical Decisions
April 1, 2019 - June 7, 2019 | Cost: $910 | CEUs: 5, Course III Deadline: March 17, 2019
Decision-making tools and methods used for comparative chemical hazard assessments. Participants will have an opportunity to use these tools through the completion of a culminating project.