OSHA has amended the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) with regard to aerosol can classification. The agency has determined that the revisions in this final rule will enhance the effectiveness of the HCS by ensuring employees are appropriately apprised of the chemical hazards to which they may be exposed, thus reducing the incidence of chemical-related occupational illnesses and injuries. The modifications to the standard include revised criteria for classification of certain health and physical hazards, revised provisions for updating labels, new labeling provisions for small containers, new provisions related to trade secrets, technical amendments related to the contents of safety data sheets (SDSs), and related revisions to definitions of terms used in the standard. This final rule is effective July 19, 2024.  Additional information.

The EPA is soliciting public comment on the draft risk evaluation for 1,1-dichloroethane and the draft human health hazard technical support document for 1,2-dichloroethane (also known as ethylene dichloride). The draft documents were prepared under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and will be submitted to the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) for peer review. There will be two virtual public meetings of the SACC: On August 27, 2024, a preparatory meeting for the SACC to consider the scope and clarity of the draft charge questions for the peer review (comments due August 23rd); and on September 17 through 20, 2024, the peer review meeting for the SACC to consider the draft documents and public comments (comments due September 10th).

The Wisconsin DNR announced three new regional Secretary’s Directors, effective July 14. Connie Antonuk will be the new Secretary’s Director for the Northeast region, Jill Schoen for the West Central region, and Shelly Allness for the South Central region. The DNR’s Secretary’s Directors serve within their respective regions to ensure prompt attention to local issues and improved responsiveness to opportunities. 

Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and related implementing regulations, the EPA is proposing to designate acetaldehyde, acrylonitrile, benzenamine, vinyl chloride, and 4,4-methylene bis(2-chloroaniline) as High-Priority Substances for risk evaluation. EPA is providing a 90-day comment period, during which interested persons may submit comments on the proposed designations of these chemicals as High-Priority Substances for risk evaluation.

Comments must be received on or before October 23, 2024. 

This action supplements the proposed amendments to the new source performance standards (NSPS) and emission guidelines (EG) for the Other Solid Waste Incineration (OSWI) units source category published in the Federal Register on August 31, 2020. In that action, the EPA proposed changes to OSWI subcategories and related maximum achievable control technology (MACT) floor redeterminations, applicability-related changes and testing and monitoring flexibilities for certain small OSWI units, among other proposed changes.  

Comments must be received on or before September 9, 2024. 

The EPA is proposing to amend the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) from Hazardous Waste Combustors (HWC) to remove the exemptions and revise other provisions associated with emission standard exemptions for periods of malfunction, to add electronic reporting provisions, to amend emergency safety vent provisions, and to correct other minor provisions.

Comments must be received on or before September 9, 2024.