U.S. Chemical Storage’s Post

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it’s reviewing vinyl chloride under the Toxic Control Substance Act (TSCA), which could lead to restrictions or a ban on the widespread, toxic chemical. Vinyl chloride is used primarily to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics. The chemical is already classified by the U.S. EPA as a carcinogen, and is linked to higher rates of lung and liver cancer, as well as liver disease, neurological problems and miscarriage. Still, billions of pounds are produced annually in the U.S. A report published in April found 19 PVC factories in the U.S. released more than 400,000 pounds of vinyl chloride into the air in 2021. According to this article, 5 companies – Westlake Chemical, Formosa Plastics, Occidental Chemical, Shintech and Orbia (Mexichem) – were the worst offenders. #insurance #underwriting #insuranceindustry #reinsurance

"That compound is PFAS, or polyfluoroalkyl, a group of chemicals linked to severe illness, including cancer. The compound is often called the “forever chemical” because it does not break down naturally." Many people do not realize how prevalent PFAS are and how many industries use them. This article points out one example, the carpet industry. At AIMM we are working on better PFAS capture for water filtration. #safewater #safewaterforall #pfas #waterfilter #waterfiltration #waterfilters #nanomaterials #nanotechnology #nanotech #aimmlabs #water https://lnkd.in/gw2DsJwg

Important #cleanair news from US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today: #USEPA announced its "Final Rule to Strengthen Standards for Synthetic Organic Chemical Plants and Polymers and Resins Plants." This rule is aimed at safeguarding communities near chemical plants across the nation. The regulation specifically targets ethylene oxide and chloroprene, classified as likely carcinogens. These chemicals pose significant health risks, especially in areas like Louisiana's "Cancer Alley," where industrial activity is dense. Under the new rule, over 200 chemical plants, primarily in Texas, Louisiana, and the Gulf Coast region, will be required to monitor and reduce emissions of these harmful pollutants. The regulation is expected to cut toxic emissions by 6,200 tons annually and significantly reduce ethylene oxide and chloroprene emissions by 80%. The rule also mandates monitoring and emission reductions for benzene, 1,3-butadiene, ethylene dichloride, and vinyl chloride, further enhancing community safety. This rule is also a significant step forward for the #environmentaljustice movement as many affected communities, predominantly Black and/or Latino, have long faced disproportionate health risks. https://lnkd.in/e3QHmuZR

There is growing global recognition that #PFAS substances contribute to widespread environmental contamination with associated harmful human health impacts. While remediators including EPOC Enviro are working apace to deliver effective PFAS remediation solutions, have you ever wondered what led to the creation and commercialisation of these man made chemicals in the first place? PFAS first made its way into the world way back in 1934 when it was synthesized by Fritz Schloffer and Otto Scherer at a German chemical company. Since its initial discovery, this #foreverchemical in all its many forms has gone from a laboratory accident, to a World War II atomic bomb component, to an ingredient in a wide array of everyday household products. Find out more about the early evolution of PFAS in this article by Manufacturing Dive 👇 #PFASremediation #PFASSolutions #SurfaceActiveFoamFractionation #SAFF #PartOfTheSolution

As an inventor and market researcher, I've learned a lot about endocrine disruption caused by exposure to infinitesimally small amounts of contaminants. Effects include the decline in fertility and other impacts on the reproductive system of both men and women, impairments in disease resistance, and erosions in intelligence. Given what is known from wildlife, laboratory studies, and from examples of well-studied human exposure, what health effects would make you read the ingredients of the products you use in your home? #ourstolenfuture #endocrinedisruption #functionalmedicine

The major industrial use of trichloroethylene (TCE) is in metal cleaning/degreasing. A powerful solvent that can dissolve oil, grease, and other contaminants from metal surfaces. It is used to clean metal parts in a variety of industries, including automotive, aerospace, and electronics manufacturing. It is used as a feedstock in the production of other chemicals, such as tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene) and 1,1,1-trichloroethane. It is a known carcinogen and has been linked to other health problems, such as neurological damage and reproductive problems. As a result, the use of this substance is being phased out in many industries and replaced with safer alternatives. https://lnkd.in/dCRF7Wzy

Final Rule to Strengthen Standards for Synthetic Organic Chemical Plants and Polymers and Resins Plants Read more at https://lnkd.in/gBG9XQcD, and review the prepublication version of the final rule at https://lnkd.in/gVRrvNcE.

⚠️ Understanding the updated HON rule: Impacts on air monitoring at chemical plants ⚠️ On 9 April 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released an update to the Hazardous Organic National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), or HON. The HON rule mandates stronger emissions regulations and requires additional air monitoring from about 220 chemical plants across the USA. The industries affected are those that manufacture synthetic organic chemicals and a variety of polymers and resins. The key motivation for this update is to reduce air toxics exposure-related cancer risks in communities near chemical plants that emit air toxics, including ethylene oxide (EtO) and chloroprene. The changes to the HON are predicted to reduce risks from air toxics around large facilities by 96%. Read more about this in our new blog by Hannah Calder, and find out how Markes’ thermal desorbers and preconcentrators can help ➡️ https://loom.ly/y8OFgYw #EPAMethod325 #FencelineMonitoring #AirAnalysis

The new Hazardous Organic NESHAP (HON) is here. Now what? Let Picarro help you simplify compliance with the US Environmental Protection Agency's new rule for monitoring of ethylene oxide, chloroprene, benzene, 1,3-butadiene, ethylene dichloride and vinyl chloride. Picarro has proven regulatory expertise and a comprehensive suite of emissions management solutions including: ▪️Workplace exposure monitoring ▪️Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) ▪️Fenceline Monitoring Networks, and ▪️Mobile Emissions Monitoring Surveys Learn more about how our services and solutions help chemical facilities monitor emissions at their fenceline with an unmatched ability to detect and resolve leaks. 📍https://bit.ly/4atnENt #ambientairanalysis #benzene #CRDS #EPA #ethyleneoxide #fencelinemonitoring #NESHAP #VOCs

The EPA is banning most uses of methylene chloride, a solvent used in paint stripping, metal cleaning, and decaffeination. This poses a challenge for many industries that relied on it. While some critical uses will remain with stricter safety measures, consumer products and most industrial applications will be phased out within the next two years. Biosynth knows this will be a challenge and are ready to help you find a new solvent for your application. https://lnkd.in/g6A8pHsH #Biosynth #EPA