Handbook of Solvents - George Wypych - ChemTech - Ventech!

19 Regulations 1301
quired by EPA to complete the revision of the PMN. If during the first 90 days, EPA does
not respond to the PMN, the manufacture or import of the chemical can begin. EPA has the
authority to limit, prohibit, or ban the production of chemicals based on insufficient evidence
to conduct a reasonable evaluation of the risk or because the chemical poses an unreasonable
risk to human health and the environment (Section 6). Examples of prohibited
substances by TSCA include asbestos, halogenated chlorofluoroalkanes, and
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
TSCA provides specific guidance and requirements for data gathering and reporting.
This includes information such as production volume, plant size, amount lost to the environment
during production or import, quantity of releases, and worker exposure information
pertaining to controlled or uncontrolled releases. Companies are also required to maintain
records of allegations of significant health or environmental effects (Section 8).
Since 1979, EPA has maintained and published a list of chemical substances manufactured,
imported, or processed for commercial purposes. This list, known as the TSCA Inventory,
currently has almost 80,000 chemicals.
19.6 OCCUPATIONAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS
19.6.1 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ACT 53
19.6.1.1 Background
In April 1971, the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970 was enacted and resulted
in the creation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and
the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The purpose of this Act
is to ensure that workers are provided with workplaces free from recognized safety, health,
and environmental hazards. OSHA is part of the Department of Labor (DOL) and responsible
for developing and enforcing rules to ensure workplace safety and health. NIOSH is a
research agency, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), under the
Department of Health and Human Services. NIOSH is responsible for developing and establishing
new and improved OSH standards and identify potential hazards of new work
technologies and practices.
Since 1970, OSHA has issued more than 500 rules dealing with all aspects of worker
safety and protection in the workplace. Recent amendments to the 1970 Act require employers
to notify employees of potential workplace health hazards, including chemicals.
OSHA regulates exposure to about 400 hazardous and toxic substances in the workplace
that can cause harm. 54 Under Section 18 of the OSH Act, states are allowed to assume the responsibility
for developing and enforcing their own safety and health programs. 53 To date,
25 states have OSHA-approved state plans. 55
Under the OSH Act, employers are required to provide employees with a workplace
free from “recognized hazards.” Employers are also required to maintain accurate records
of employees’ exposure to potentially toxic materials required to be monitored or measured,
conduct periodic inspections, and notify employees if they are exposed to toxic materials at
higher levels than those prescribed by existing health and safety regulations.
19.6.1.2 Air Contaminants Exposure Limits 12-14
Information on exposure limits to solvent emissions in the workplace is provided in Table
19.2. These permissible exposure limit (PEL) values were obtained from OSHA’s Tables
Z-1, Z-2, and Z-3. 13 They are the maximum allowed PELs legally enforceable by OSHA.