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On June 18, 2020, EPA finalized its decision to add 1-bromopropane (1-BP), CAS 106-94-5, also known as n-propyl bromide (nPB), to the Clean Air Act List of Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs). I-BP is a common solvent used in dry cleaning, as a metal degreaser, in lubricants, asphalt production and adhesive sprays.
EPA's next step will be a formal announcement adding 1-BP to the HAPs list through the notification in the Federal Register. A webinar about this change will be available on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, at 1:30 - 2:30 PM (CDT). To register, you must provide your full name, organization, phone number, and email address to Rhonda Wright by email at wright.rhonda@epa.gov.
While this listing will require sources to track their emissions from 1-BP as HAPs, there are no EPA emission standards in place for 1-BP. After 1-BP is listed, EPA will evaluate whether new emissions standards need to be promulgated or if current standards, such as the Halogenated Solvent Cleaning NESHAP (40 CFR Part 63, subpart T), need to be revised to include 1-BP emission standards.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency partnered with The Chemours Company to provide a training that will teach the basics of refrigerants/refrigeration systems, their history, potential environmental impacts, as well as current and proposed regulations impacting these systems. Attendees will be able to further educate and share best practices with local business operations. Ultimately this training will enable food and beverage retailers (grocery, convenience, and liquor stores, etc.) to effectively plan and deploy cost effective and environmentally sustainable refrigerant management programs.
Trainees will be able to:
- Understand the potential environmental impact of refrigerants and refrigeration systems
- Understand current and proposed regulations impacting the selection, installation, operation, and service of refrigeration systems and refrigerants
- Understand various types of refrigerants and their properties, uses, safety, and handling (includes legacy as well as new generation refrigerants)
- Effectively plan and manage an installed base of refrigerant systems, including:
- refrigerant conversions/upgrades for existing systems
- selecting new systems/refrigerants
- Understand best practices for leak prevention and maintenance
- Understand best practices for maximizing energy efficiency
- Understand best practices for maximizing system reliability and performance
The webinar will take place June 28, 2020 at 12:00 PM CDT. Register for the webinar: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3367806723066593293.
The EPA's Small Business Innovation Research Program is seeking applications for its 2021 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 1 Solicitation. The goal of the funding is to help small businesses develop technologies in several areas, including sustainable materials management. The deadline to apply is August 28, 2020.
Projects related to sustainable materials management can include:
- Innovative technologies that prevent food waste
- Technologies that will improve the US recycling system
- New applications for industrial non-hazardous secondary materials and food processing byproducts
- Safe Building Deconstruction Tools or Safety Equipment
- Building materials that improve energy efficiency and have reduced embodied impacts
The EPA held a webinar on this funding opportunity on June 19. Link to PDFs of the presentation and Q&A.
If you have been looking for safer, less toxic products to use at your facility in your processes, EPA's Safer Choice website has a searchable listing that will assist you to identify Safer Choice chemical replacements for use in your facility operations.
One example from the website under the listing for degreasers, Safer Choice has 116 alternative chemicals you can review to determine which one would be right for the specific task needed performed.
Making the switch from less toxic materials to environmentally friendly materials can reduce your hazardous waste, air emissions, and employee exposures.
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