Center for Industrial Services

In this issue ...

1. TOSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Workshop and Video
2. Video’s Developed By TMEP And TOSHA Now Available
3. Nominations Being Accepted For Prestigious "Green Chemistry" Awards
4. Changes in Universal Waste Record Keeping Requirements
5. DfE Finds Increased Use Of Lead-Free Finishes In Printed Wiring Boards
6. Mold Awareness Training Webcast
7. P2RX Resource Updates
8. Pollution Prevention Ideas
9. Guide Available To Assist In Hazardous Waste Determination
10. EPA Releases Annual Air Trends Report
11. QUALITY, MANAGEMENT, AND ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH AND SAFETY WORKSHOPS – November 2003 through January 2004

1. TOSHA BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS WORKSHOP AND VIDEO

Does your facility provide first aid or medical services. If so, does your facility have an Exposure Control Plan? Get the full details at a workshop scheduled for November, reference training schedule, Section 11 of this newsletter. This workshop covers important changes and frequently misunderstood aspects of the bloodborne pathogens standard. It also explains the standards with which your workplace must comply. A copy of the video is included with workshop attendance.

More information on the video is available below in the following article.

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2. VIDEO’S DEVELOPED BY TMEP AND TOSHA NOW AVAILABLE FOR $20 EACH

A HAZCOM video was produced in 2002 for the industrial audience and is a good addition to any Hazard Communication Training program. The video is designed to help Tennessee workers recognize common chemicals used in the work place, the hazards associated with those chemicals and how to protect themselves. TOSHA has developed seven questions about chemicals in the workplace that employees need to be able to answer and the video focuses on these questions and the answers. Part of the video is a humorous look at a fictitious employee who has ignored his HAZCOM training and struggles with the answers to the seven questions when a TOSHA inspector pays a surprise visit at his workstation.

At the end of the tape the seven questions are reviewed. The instructor stops the tape between each question and discusses with the audience the specific chemicals and procedures for their own facility. Total running time is 13 ½ minutes.

A Bloodborne Pathogens video was produced in 2003 for people in Tennessee who are exposed to human blood and body fluids as part of their work routine. It is a good training tool for healthcare workers. The video was filmed in a hospital in Tennessee and shows real world situations that can lead to exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Emphasis is placed on how employees can protect themselves. HIV, Hepatitis B and C are identified as the most common bloodborne diseases. The video emphasizes Universal Precautions, Personal Protective Equipment and the proper handling of “sharps”.

TOSHA has developed 10 precautions for employees to follow and 5 questions employees need to be able to answer regarding bloodborne pathogens. The video covers these precautions and questions thoroughly. Total running time is 14 ½ minutes.

To obtain these videos, contact TOSHA at (615)741-2793.

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3. NOMINATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR PRESTIGIOUS "GREEN CHEMISTRY" AWARDS

EPA is now accepting nominations for the 2004 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards. These prestigious presidential rank awards recognize innovative chemical technologies that incorporate green chemistry into chemical design, manufacture and use - and that have broad applications in industry. Green chemistry is the use of chemistry to prevent pollution. Nominated technologies should reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances from a chemical product or process. Any individual, group or organization, both nonprofit and for profit, including academia, government and industry, may nominate a green chemistry technology for these awards. Self-nominations are welcome and expected. Typically, five awards are given each year: one to an academic researcher, one to a small business, and the rest in specific areas of green chemistry. Each nominated technology must have reached a significant milestone within the past five years in the United States. Nominations must be postmarked by Dec. 31, to be eligible for the 2004 awards, which will be presented at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C., on June 29, 2004.

The 2003 corporate winners are: Sud-Chemie Inc. (Louisville, KY; sued-chemieinc.com) for a wastewater-free process for making solid oxide catalysts; DuPont (Wilmington, Del.; dupont.com) and Genencor International Inc. (Palo Alto, CA; genencor.com) for a microbial production route to make 1,3-propanediol; Shaw Industries, Inc. (Dalton, GA; shawfloors.com) for a fully recyclable carpet tile; and ArgraQuest, Inc. (Davis, CA; agraquest.com) for an environmentally friendly biofungicide.

For more information, go to: http://www.epa.gov/greenchemistry/howto.html or contact Richard Engler at (202)564-8740 or engler.richard@epa.gov.

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4. CHANGES IN UNIVERSAL WASTE RECORD KEEPING REQUIREMENTS

Tennessee is expected to have a change in its universal waste regulations by the end of this year. This section is found in Tennessee Rule Chapter 1200-1-11-.12 of the Tennessee Hazardous Waste Management Regulations. Revision “w” of Tennessee’s Hazardous Waste Management Regulations is currently under review at the Attorney General’s office. Revision “w” of the hazardous waste regulations will require that small quantity handlers retain records of universal waste that they receive and ship. Previously, small quantity handlers did not have to retain their universal waste records. This change is expected to potentially affect most Tennessee businesses and organizations. This record keeping regulatory requirement’s purpose is to encourage recycling and also provides a mechanism to assist in the monitoring and prevention of the illegal disposal of universal waste.

Small quantity handlers of universal waste are defined as those who handle less than 11,000 pounds (5,000 kilograms) of universal waste at any one time. Universal waste consists of specific common type items (such as batteries or fluorescent bulbs) that are identified as being subject to reduced regulation, as opposed to full regulation as a hazardous waste.

The transaction records may take the form of a log, invoice, manifest, bill of lading, or other shipping document for the universal waste the handler receives and ships. This record keeping change is meant to help insure small quantity handlers can demonstrate their compliance with the universal waste standards by providing a documented verification method that their universal waste was shipped to the proper destination.

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5. DfE FINDS INCREASED USE OF LEAD-FREE FINISHES IN PRINTED WIRING BOARDS

The Design for the Environment (DfE ) Program and the University of Tennessee (UT) recently conducted a study on the use of alternative, lead-free surface finishes in the printed wiring board (PWB) industry, as a follow-up to the work conducted by the DfE PWB Partnership. UT found that there has been a significant increase in the use of lead-free surface finishes, and that the results of the 2001 Surface Finishes Cleaner Technologies Substitutes Assessment conducted by the partnership have had substantial impacts on the industry's move toward cleaner technologies for manufacturing PWBs. UT estimates that if the alternatives continue to gain more widespread use, as is projected by the industry trade association, lead savings could approach 1,000 tons per year over the next 3 years, even with the recently poor economic conditions in the industry. Please call Kathy Hart at hart.kathy@epa.gov if you have any questions on this submission.

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6. MOLD AWARENESS TRAINING WEBCAST

Mold has become the hot indoor air quality topic of the 21st century. Former "Tonight Show" co-host Ed McMahon filed a $20 million lawsuit over mold contamination in his home. Many schools, offices, and buildings have been hit with lawsuits and complaints regarding mold as well, which are costly in terms of time and productivity, in addition to any damages involved. Everyone from insurance companies to building owners and managers have been held accountable even in the absence of laws regulating mold contamination. If you're responsible for an indoor area, then mold is your concern too.

Learn what steps you can take to protect yourself and your company from liability at the on-line training, Mold Awareness Training Webcast. This intensive 6-hour class presented over two consecutive days is an interactive, instructor-led program designed to give you an overview of the major environmental, health, and safety issues relating to mold and general industry, as well as cover the overall consequences of water intrusion and moisture on mold, mold growth, and related insurance claims.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive the registration of your choice as either a Registered Indoor Air Quality Manager (RIAQM), Registered Contractor Mold Manager (RCMM) or Registered Professional Member (RPM) from the Environmental Education Foundation (EEF). Local municipalities, states, Federal agencies, the insurance industry, the United Nations, and EPA recognize these registrations.

Training is provided by the Environmental Education Foundation, EH&S consultants to the United Nations and a recognized training provider by the insurance industry to meet mold insurance requirements. EEF offers the leading and most authoritative mold risk management program available today.

Visit http://www.ercweb.com/train/train2.asp#mold to find a date that best fits your schedule.

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7. P2RX RESOURCE UPDATES

The national directory of P2 programs housed at P2Rx has been recently updated. Check it out at http://www.p2rx.org/Networking/NationalProgram.cfm. This directory contains current information on P2 programs in every state. P2Rx (Pollution Prevention Resource Exchange) is a consortium of regional information centers covering the United States. Each center maintains the information, "close to home" and the combined product is available on the P2Rx.org web site. Find other P2 programs in your state, region, or across the country by using this convenient directory. Call Beth Anderson at (202)564-8833 or Jean S. Waters at (402)595-1826 or jwaters@mail.unomaha.edu.

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8. POLLUTION PREVENTION IDEAS

EPA Regions III and IV have jointly produced a database of pollution prevention ideas, case studies, grants, vendors, and programs. It also includes links to state programs in these regions. Pollution prevention makes sense! Save money while protecting the environment, for details, click here or visit http://wrrc.p2pays.org/.

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9. GUIDE AVAILABLE TO ASSIST IN HAZARDOUS WASTE DETERMINATION

The State of Connecticut has published a plain-English guide to using generator knowledge (as opposed to testing) when performing hazardous waste determinations. The guide refers exclusively to the federal regulations, so it would be helpful in most states. The guide recommends that hazardous waste determinations be updated annually or whenever there are changes in the waste. It also provides guidance as to when the use of generator knowledge is unacceptable. The guide is available on the Web at http://dep.state.ct.us/wst/hazardous/hwd.htm.

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10. EPA RELEASES ANNUAL AIR TRENDS REPORT

EPA released its annual air trends report and also released new acid rain data, both of which show air quality improvement. This environmental progress comes even as the country has experienced a 164 percent increase in gross domestic product, a 42 percent increase in energy consumption and a 155 percent increase in vehicle miles traveled.

The report, "Latest Findings on National Air Quality: 2002 Status and Trends," shows that since 1970 emissions of the six principle air pollutants have been cut 48 percent. Acid rain data released at the same time demonstrates the cap and trade program's success in reducing harmful sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from power plants.

According to the data, SO2 emissions from power plants were 10.2 million tons in 2002, nine percent lower than in 2000 and 41 percent lower than 1980. NOx emissions from power plants also continued a downward trend, measuring 4.5 million tons in 2002, a 13 percent reduction from 2000 and a 33 percent decline from 1990 emissions levels.

The President's Clear Skies proposal is based on this same market-based cap and trade approach, widely acknowledged as a model air pollution control program because it provides significant and measurable environmental and human health benefits at low implementation costs.

EPA and the Administration have proposed, and are implementing, a number of initiatives to continue the trend in air quality improvement. The NOx SIP call, which will reduce summertime emissions of ozone-producing NOx by over 60 percent; the Clear Skies Act, which calls for a 70 percent reduction of SO2, NOx and mercury; and EPA's proposed rule to cut emissions from non-road diesel engines, together will make significant progress in cleaning our nation's air. By 2020, 111 of 129 counties will meet national fine particle standards and 263 of 290 counties will attain national ozone standards. With these changes in place, a significant drop in ozone and PM levels will be seen within the next several years.

The annual Trends Report summarizes air quality information and facility emissions data for the six principal, or criteria, air pollutants: carbon monoxide (CO), lead (Pb), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), particulate matter (PM) and sulfur dioxide (SO2). The report, based on monitoring at thousands of locations across the country, focuses primarily on national trends for the 20-year period between 1983-2002 and the 10-year period between 1993-2002.

The Acid Rain Program is on the way to achieving its goal of a 50 percent reduction from 1980 SO2 emissions. Trading under the Acid Rain Program has created financial incentives for electricity generators to look for new and low-cost ways to reduce emissions, and improve the effectiveness of pollution control equipment, at costs much lower than predicted. The level of compliance under the Acid Rain Program continues to be uncommonly high, measuring over 99 percent.

Additional information about EPA's Trends Report is available online at http://www.epa.gov/airtrends. Additional information about EPA's Acid Rain Program is available online at http://www.epa.gov/air/acidrain/index.html. EPA's acid rain data is available online at http://www.epa.gov/airmarkets.

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11. QUALITY, MANAGEMENT, AND ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH AND SAFETY WORKSHOPS – November 2003 through January 2004

For more information about the courses listed below, please visit our Web site. Or, call us: (615)532-8657 or toll-free at (888)763-7439. To register for any of these courses, please use this registration form.

Certain courses are underwritten by TDEC Division of Community Assistance funding under the Waste Reduction Assistance Program contract. Tennessee Pollution Prevention Partnership (TP3) Partners and Performer-level members receive a discount on registration fees for these open-enrollment courses. To learn more about TP3, please call George Smelcer at (615)532-4912, gsmelcer@tennessee.edu; Harding Aslinger at (615)253-6381, haslinge@tennessee.edu or contact Don Stone at (615)532-4924, dstone1@tennessee.edu. Or, you may visit the TDEC Web site at www.state.tn.us/environment/dca/tp3.htm.

** TP3 discount applies to Partner and Performer Level Members
† Government Employee Discount Available

In-plant courses on topics such as Lean Manufacturing, Quality Management, Human Performance Technology, Manufacturing Management and Operations, and Environment, Health and Safety also are available on your schedule. Please visit our Web site for course information, or call us at (615)532-8657 or (888)763-7439 to request a catalog.

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SUBSCRIBE FREE: http://www.tmep.utk.edu/

Feedback by e-mail: gsmelcer@tennessee.edu or buggeln@tennessee.edu
Feedback by phone: (615) 532-8657 or (888) 763-7439
WRAP Sheet archive: http://www.tmep.utk.edu/
WRAP Sheet is published by the Tennessee Manufacturing Extension Program: http://www.tmep.utk.edu

The University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services
Tennessee Manufacturing Extension Program
193 Polk Avenue, Suite C
Nashville, TN 37210
Phone: (615) 532-8657
Fax: (615) 532-4937

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