EPA Publishes Solvent Contaminated Wipes NODA; Comment Period Extended

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Oct. 27, 2009, published the Solvent Contaminated Wipes Rule Notice of Data Availability (NODA). ACA and a coalition of other trade associations petitioned the agency for an extension of the comment period to allow time for stakeholders to review the available information in sufficient detail. EPA granted the extension and the original due date of Dec. 28, 2009 has been extended to Feb. 26, 2010.

The NODA is in response to a proposed rule that was published on Nov. 20, 2003, in which ACA as well as other organizations commented that the agency had not performed adequate risk analyses, particularly with respect to disposing of solvent contaminated wipes in lined landfills. EPA has now completed a new risk analysis and has identified a new list of solvents of concern (benzene, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, chlorobenzene, methylene chloride, tetrachloroethylene, toluene, trichloroethylene, and xylene).

EPA is requesting comment on two different alternatives for managing contaminated wipes. The first is for a facility to segregate rags based on their solvent profile and to require disposal of wipes with listed solvents in a lined landfill. The other option is to require the disposal of all solvent contaminated wipes in lined landfills. EPA is requesting comment on these two options in anticipation of a new proposed rule on the subject. ACA's Environmental Management Committee is in the process of drafting comments.

For more information: contact ACA's John Hopewell or Alison Keane.

Date Posted: January 29, 2010