Module 1: Regulations - International Association of Fire Fighters

IAFF Training for Hazardous Materials: Technician© Student Text
Comprehensive
Environmental Response
Compensation and Liability
Act (CERCLA)
The Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation
and Liability Act, known as CERCLA, was passed in
December 1980 and amended in 1986. This Act provides
federal authority to respond to environmental hazards posed
by abandoned disposal sites, and provides the resources to
clean up those sites. This Act established the reporting
requirements for the release of hazardous substances and
set up a taxing system to fund site clean-ups.
In addition, CERCLA introduced the term “hazardous
substance.” A hazardous substance is a reportable quantity
of specific materials. In fact, the reportable quantity (RQ)
table was first introduced by CERCLA. CERCLA deemed
specific quantities of certain materials dangerous to public
health and the environment. Quantities are listed in the RQ
table on the far right. Should an amount in excess of the
RQ be released into the environment, the responsible
facility has less than 24 hours to notify federal authorities.
The DOT has adopted RQs. Consequently, if an amount in
excess of the reportable quantity is found in any single
container, then an RQ must appear on the container label
and on the corresponding shipping paper. During transportation,
any RQ container involved in a spill or a leak situation
must follow special federal and local reporting requirements.
Identify reportable quantities (and consequently,
hazardous substances) by the presence of RQ on the label
or shipping paper.
Toxic Substance Control Act
(TSCA)
The office of Toxic Substances Control regulates specific
substances that are hazardous by some measure, but are not
necessarily regulated by other agencies. This regulation
covers asbestos, PCB-containing materials, and the
premanufacture notice by industry for new materials.
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