Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism: TICs & TIMs

Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism
Training Support Package
Participant Guide
Slide 12
Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism:
TICs & TIMs
SARA
• Emergency Planning and Community Right -to-Know
Act of 1986 (SARA Title III)
• State Emergency Response Commissions
• Local Emergency Planning Committees
• Chemical facilities submit annual inventory reports
about hazardous chemicals
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_04/40cfr372_04.html
Module One – Toxic Industrial Gases as Terrorist Threats
12
In response to the Bhopal tragedy and increasing community concern regarding
hazardous materials, the US Congress passed several laws intended to minimize the
likelihood and consequences of catastrophic chemical events
The SARA Title III is the first of several laws that were passed by Congress. This law is
known as the “Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).” It
requires states to create State Emergency Response Commissions (SERCs) and
communities to form Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) for the goal of
preparing emergency response plans for chemical accidents. It also requires chemical
facilities to provide annual inventory reports and information about hazardous chemicals
for use in emergency planning. The focus of these laws is on ACCIDENTAL releases.
SARA Title III: The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)
establishes requirements for Federal, State and local governments, Indian Tribes, and
industry regarding emergency planning and “Community Right-to-Know” reporting on
hazardous and toxic chemicals. The Community Right-to-Know provisions help increase
the public’s knowledge and access to information on chemicals at individual facilities,
their uses, and releases into the environment. States and communities, working with
facilities, can use the information to improve chemical safety and protect public health
and the environment.
December 2008 Version 2.0 Page 136