Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic Chemicals: A Printer’s Roadmap

Jones, Gary A.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/104644 Copy

Description

Title

Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic Chemicals: A Printer’s Roadmap

Author(s)

Jones, Gary A.

Issue Date

2000

Keyword(s)

• Persistent pollutants -- Regulation
• Printing industry -- Environmental aspects

Abstract

EPA’s activities surrounding the development of regulations for addressing persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) chemicals is increasing. Since 1998, EPA has undertaken several approaches to address the identification and control of PBTs. EPA has released a multimedia strategy, instituted a voluntary initiative designed to address PBTs under the waste minimization requirements of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and finalized two rule changes for Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reporting. While the impact on the printing industry is not necessarily obvious, the thresholds for some of the requirements, especially the mandatory Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reporting, are so low that many printers may have to file reports. The TRI reporting is mandatory and any printer with more than 10 full time employees using enough material with PBTs in them are required to file an annual report with EPA. Besides dramatically lowering the reporting threshold, EPA also now requires the printer to account for the specific PBT when it is found in any concentration. At this point it appears that EPA’s multimedia strategy and waste minimization program will not affect printers to an appreciable degree. However, before the impact on the printing industry and an individual printer can be fully assessed, it is important to understand the scope of EPA’s actions. Presented below is a summary of the current programs, an analysis of their impact, and an action plan for response.

Publisher

Champaign, IL : Printers' National Environmental Assistance Center

Series/Report Name or Number

PNEAC Fact Sheet

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/104644

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