EPA530-R-04-003e
                                
                   MONTHLY CALL CENTER REPORT
                            May 2004

               RCRA, Superfund & EPCRA Call Center
   (Services in support of OUST, OSW, OIAA, OEPPR, and OSRTI)
          National Toll-Free No.: (800) 424-9346
                           Local: (703) 412-9810
      TDD National Toll-Free No.: (800) 553-7672
                           Local: (703) 412-3323

This report is prepared and submitted in support of Contract No. 68-W-01-020.
                               
Scott Maid, Project Officer
Judi Kane, Deputy Project Officer
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC  20460

Availability

The complete text of the 1991 (November and December only), 1992,
1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
and 2004 Monthly Call Center Reports may be accessed from the
Internet.  Go to the Call Center Home Page at
www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hotline and select "Monthly Reports."

The Call Center maintains an electronic mailing list named
callcenter_oswer.  Subscribers can have Call Center announcements
and Monthly Call Center Reports e-mailed to them as they are
released at no charge.

* To subscribe to the Call Center electronic mailing list send a
  blank e-mail to: join-callcenter_oswer@lists.epa.gov
 
* To unsubscribe from an EPA electronic mailing list send a blank
  e-mail to: leave-listname@lists.epa.gov
  For example, leave-callcenter_oswer@lists.epa.gov


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the employee training requirements for universal waste
handlers?

Small quantity handlers of universal waste must inform all
employees that handle or have responsibilities for managing
universal waste.  This information must include the proper
handling and emergency procedures appropriate to the type of
universal waste managed at the facility (40 CFR Section 273.16).
Large quantity handlers of universal waste must ensure that all
employees are thoroughly familiar with proper waste handling and
emergency procedures relative to their responsibilities during
normal facility operations and emergencies (Section 273.36).

Can an owner or operator of a treatment, storage, or disposal
facility (TSDF) use the same mechanism to comply with both
closure and post-closure care financial assurance requirements in
Part 264, Subpart H?

An owner or operator of a TSDF may satisfy the requirements for
financial assurance for both closure and post-closure care by
using a trust fund, surety bond, letter of credit, insurance,
financial test, or corporate guarantee that meets the
specifications for the mechanism in Sections 264.143 and 264.145.
The amount of funds available through the mechanism must be no
less than the sum of funds that would be available if a separate
mechanism had been established and maintained for financial
assurance of closure and post-closure care (Section 264.146).

How long must the owner or operator of a TSDF maintain the
operating record?

The owner or operator must keep the operating record until
closure of the facility (Sections 264/265.73(b)).  In addition,
the retention period for all records required in Parts 264/265 is
extended automatically during the course of any unresolved
enforcement action or as requested by the implementing agency
(Sections 264/265.74(b)).

Is a site that has already been deleted from the National
Priorities List (NPL) eligible for additional fund-financed
remedial actions?

All sites deleted from the NPL are eligible for further fund-
financed remedial actions, should future conditions warrant such
actions.  Whenever there is a significant release from a site
deleted from the NPL, the site shall be restored to the NPL
without application of the Hazard Ranking System (Section
300.425(e)(3)).

What is a field-constructed underground storage tank (UST)?

A field-constructed UST is usually constructed of steel or
concrete, shaped like a flat vertical cylinder, and has a
capacity of greater than 50,000 gallons.  In contrast, factory-
constructed bulk tanks are typically long, horizontal cylinders
of less than twelve feet in diameter.  Tanks principally factory-
built but assembled in the field are factory-built tanks.
Welding two halves of a factory-built tank together in the field
does not qualify as a field-constructed tank (53 FR 37082, 37110;
September 23, 1988).

When completing the off site consequence analysis for a Risk
Management Plan, how does the owner or operator determine the
worst case release quantity?

For substances in vessels, the worst case release quantity is the
largest amount present in a single vessel.  For substances in
pipes, the worst case release quantity is the largest amount in a
pipe.  Facilities may take into account administrative controls
that limit the maximum quantity (Section 68.25(b)).


CALL CENTER QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

EPCRA

1.   Metal Conversion Not Occurring During Waste Management

  A TRI-covered facility exceeds the processing activity
threshold for lead and must file a Form R documenting all
releases and other waste management activities of lead.  During
on-site processing of a mixture containing lead, all of the lead
in the mixture is oxidized and converted to lead oxide, a lead
compound.  Some of the mixture is subsequently managed as waste.
Although lead compounds are coincidentally manufactured when the
mixture is processed, the facility does not exceed activity
thresholds for the lead compounds category.  Must the facility
document the waste management activities associated with the
coincidentally manufactured lead compounds on its Form R for
lead?

  The facility is not required to document any releases or waste
management activities associated with the coincidentally
manufactured lead compounds on its Form R for lead.  If a
facility does not exceed an activity threshold for lead
compounds, it is not required to account for the releases and
other waste management activities of the lead compounds unless
the chemical conversion from lead to lead compounds occurred
after the lead entered as wastestream.
  
2.  EPCRA Section 313 Reporting of Chemical Conversions
    Occurring in Process

  A TRI-covered facility exceeds an activity threshold for Toxic
Chemical A and reacts Toxic Chemical A in a process to create
Toxic Chemical B.  One hundred percent of Toxic Chemical A is
converted during the process.  Is Toxic Chemical A considered
"treated for destruction" and, therefore, reportable in Section
7A (On-site Waste Treatment) and in Section 8.6 (Quantity Treated
Onsite) on the Form R?

  Toxic Chemical A is not considered "treated for destruction"
and is not reportable on the Form R assuming the conversion did
not occur in a wastestream.  Treatment for destruction is defined
as destruction of a toxic chemical in waste such that the
substance is no longer the toxic chemical subject to reporting
under EPCRA Section 313 (40 CFR Section 372.3).  Chemical
conversions that occur in a wastestream meet the regulatory
definition of treatment for destruction and are reportable.
Chemical conversions that occur in process (i.e., chemical
conversions that do not occur in a wastestream) are not
reportable as treated for destruction.  If the chemical
conversion results in the creation of an EPCRA Section 313 toxic
chemical then the quantity of that toxic chemical must be counted
toward the manufacturing threshold for that toxic chemical.


NEW PUBLICATIONS

How to order.
  NTIS Publications are available by calling (800) 553-6847 or
                   (703) 605-6000, or writing
NTIS, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA  22161.  Use the NTIS
             Order Number listed under the document.
                                
NSCEP Publications are available by calling (800) 490-9198 or by
 writing USEPA/NSCEP, PO Box 42419, Cincinnati, OH  45242-0419.
       Use the EPA Order Number listed under the document.
                                
Call Center Publications are available by calling the Call Center at:
                                
 RCRA, Superfund & EPCRA National Toll-Free No.: (800) 424-9346
                                          Local: (703) 412-9810
                     TDD National Toll-Free No.: (800) 553-7672
                                          Local: (703) 412-3323

RCRA

TITLE: Plug-In to eCycling: Guidelines for Materials Management
PUBLICATION DATE: May 2004
EPA ORDER NO.: EPA530-K-04-004
AVAILABILITY: Internet Only
URL: www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/conserve/plugin/guide.pdf

This document contains facility guidelines for considering the
acceptance of partners to the Plug-In to eCycling Campaign.  EPA
developed these guidelines based on what they believe to be the
most important elements for protection of human health and the
environment in managing end-of-life electronics.  However, EPA
recognizes that there may be facility specific practices that do
not conform to every element of these guidelines but still ensure
the protection of human health and the environment.

TITLE: Puedes Hacer Una Diferencia: Aprende Sobre las Carreras
para el Manejo de Desechos (Spanish - You Can Make a Difference:
Learn about Careers in Waste Management)
PUBLICATION DATE: March 2004
EPA ORDER NO.: EPA530-F-02-011s
AVAILABILITY: Internet/NSCEP
URL: www.epa.gov/epaoswer/general/espanol/sp-careers.pdf

This publication is the Spanish translation of You Can Make a
Difference: Learn about Careers in Waste Management (EPA530-F-02-
011).  This document is a general resource for students and
others interested in starting a career in waste management.  It
contains information on how to get a job with EPA, how to apply
for EPA internships and fellowships, and options for advanced
education.

TITLE: Reutilizacion + Reciclaje = Reduccion de Desechos: Una
Guia para Escuelas y Grupos (Spanish - Reuse + Recycling = Waste
Reduction: A Guide for Schools and Groups)
PUBLICATION DATE: March 2004
EPA ORDER NO.: EPA530-K-03-001s (also listed as EPA530-K-03-0014s)
AVAILABILITY: Internet/NSCEP
URL: www.epa.gov/epaoswer/general/espanol/sp-school.pdf

This publication is the Spanish translation of Reuse + Recycling
= Waste Reduction: A Guide for Schools and Groups (EPA530-K-03-
001).  This document discusses how waste reduction efforts save
money, energy, and natural resources, and educates children and
young adults about how solid waste affects their lives and the
environment.

TITLE: El Ciclo de Vida de un CD o DVD (Spanish - The Life Cycle
of a CD or DVD)
PUBLICATION DATE: February 2004
EPA ORDER NO.: EPA530-H-03-002s
AVAILABILITY: Internet/NSCEP
URL: www.epa.gov/epaoswer/general/espanol/sp-lifecd.pdf

This poster is the Spanish version of The Life Cycle of a CD or
DVD (EPA530-H-03-002).  This poster follows the life cycle of a
CD or DVD, including how these products are made and how to
reduce their environmental impacts.

TITLE: Haciendo An Ms Verde ("Greenscaping") su Csped y Jardn
(Spanish - "Greenscaping" Your Lawn and Garden)
PUBLICATION DATE: February 2004
EPA ORDER NO.: EPA530-K-03-002s
AVAILABILITY: Internet/NSCEP
URL: www.epa.gov/epaoswer/general/espanol/sp-lawn.pdf

This document is the Spanish version of "Greenscaping" Your Lawn
and Garden (EPA530-K-03-002).  This document discusses how
landscaping practices produce large amounts of waste and lists
some simple waste reduction practices to improve your lawn and
garden and the environment.

RMP

TITLE: Identifying Chemical Reactivity Hazards: Preliminary
Screening Method
PUBLICATION DATE: May 2004
EPA ORDER NO.: EPA550-F-04-004
AVAILABILITY: Internet Only
URL: yosemite.epa.gov/oswer/ceppoweb.nsf/content/RecentAdditions.html

This document discusses a simple method developed by the Center
for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS) to screen small and medium
facilities for chemical reactivity hazards.  The CCPS preliminary
screening method is a tool to help facilities identify where
chemical reactivity hazards are likely to occur on site and may
be applicable to a wide range of activities including
warehousing, repackaging, blending, mixing, and processing.

FEDERAL REGISTERS

Availability
You may order copies of all major RCRA, Superfund & EPCRA
Federal Registers by calling the Call Center.
 RCRA, Superfund & EPCRA National Toll-Free No.: (800) 424-9346
                                          Local: (703) 412-9810
                     TDD National Toll-Free No.: (800) 553-7672
                                      Local TDD: (703) 412-3323
                                
                     Electronic Availability
  Federal Registers from October 1994 to the present related to
 the Call Center's program areas are accessible via the Internet
                    at: www.epa.gov/fedrgstr

For RCRA/UST and selected CERCLA Federal Registers, choose: Waste.
For selected EPCRA Federal Registers, choose: Toxic Release Inventory.
For CAA Section 112(r) Federal Registers, choose: Air.

FINAL RULES

RCRA

"Hazardous Waste Management System; Identification and Listing of
Hazardous Waste; Proposed Exclusion"
May 27, 2004 (69 FR 30227)

EPA granted a petition submitted by the Bekaert Corporation
to exclude (i.e., delist) wastewater treatment sludge from
electroplating operations generated by its Dyersburg, Tennessee,
facility from the lists of hazardous waste.  This final rule
conditionally excludes the petitioned waste from the hazardous
waste requirements under RCRA when disposed of in a lined,
Subtitle D landfill that is permitted, licensed, or registered by
a state to manage industrial waste.  The effective date of this
rulemaking is May 27, 2004.

CERCLA

"National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency
Plan; National Priorities List"
May 13, 2004 (69 FR 26506)

EPA announced the deletion of the Florence Land Recontouring
Landfill Superfund Site from the National Priorities List (NPL).
The effective date of this rulemaking is May 13, 2004.

"National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency
Plan; National Priorities List"
May 20, 2004 (69 FR 29076)

EPA announced the deletion of the Odessa Chromium 2, North and
South Plumes, Superfund Site from the NPL.  The effective date of
this rulemaking is July 19, 2004, unless EPA receives adverse
comments by June 21, 2004.

PROPOSED RULES

RCRA

"Intent To Evaluate Whether the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant
Continues To Comply With the Disposal Regulations and Compliance
Criteria"
May 24, 2004 (69 FR 29645)

EPA announced its intention to evaluate and recertify whether
the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) is in compliance with
EPA's environmental radiation protection standards for the
disposal of radioactive waste.  The closing date of the public
comment period will be announced in a subsequent Federal
Register.

UST

"Missouri: Tentative Approval of Missouri Underground Storage
Tank Program"
May 5, 2004 (69 FR 25053)

Missouri applied for approval of its underground storage tank
(UST) program under Subtitle I of RCRA.  EPA reviewed the
application and made the tentative determination that Missouri's
UST program satisfies all requirements necessary to qualify for
approval.  A public hearing will be held to solicit comments on
the application unless insufficient public interest is expressed
by June 4, 2004.

CERCLA

"National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency
Plan; National Priorities List"
May 20, 2004 (69 FR 29120)

EPA announced its intent to delete the Odessa Chromium 2, North
and South Plumes, Superfund Site, OU-1 and OU-2, from the NPL.
Comments must be received by June 21, 2004.

NOTICES

RCRA

"Central Characterization Project Waste Characterization Program
Documents Applicable to Transuranic Radioactive Waste From Los
Alamos National Laboratory Proposed for Disposal at the Waste
Isolation Pilot Plant"
May 4, 2004 (69 FR 24590)

EPA announced the availability of and requested comments on
Department of Energy (DOE) documents applicable to the
characterization by the Central Characterization Project (CCP) of
transuranic radioactive waste located at the Los Alamos National
Laboratory (LANL) proposed for disposal at the WIPP.
Additionally, EPA announced its plans to inspect the CCP at LANL
during the week of April 26, 2004.  Comments must be received by
June 3, 2004.

"Central Characterization Project Waste Characterization Program
Documents Applicable to Transuranic Radioactive Waste From
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Proposed for Disposal at
the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant"
May 12, 2004 (69 FR 26351)

EPA announced the availability of and requested comments on DOE
documents applicable to the characterization by the CCP of
transuranic radioactive waste located at the LLNL proposed for
disposal at the WIPP.  Additionally, EPA announced its plans to
inspect the CCP at LLNL during the week of May 3, 2004.  Comments
must be received by June 11, 2004.

"Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for
Review and Approval; Comment Request; Reporting and
Recordkeeping Requirements Under EPA's WasteWise Program
(Renewal), EPA ICR Number 1698.05, OMB Control Number 2050-0139"
May 25, 2004 (69 FR 29717)

EPA announced the following Information Collection Request (ICR)
has been forwarded to the Office Of Management and Budget (OMB)
for review and approval: "Reporting and Recordkeeping
Requirements Under EPA's WasteWise Program (Renewal)," ICR Number
1698.05, OMB Control Number 2050-0139.  The current expiration
date for this ICR is May 31, 2004.  Comments must be received by
June 24, 2004.

CERCLA

"EPA Region III Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act Program; Transfer of Information
to Contractors and Subcontractors"
May 25, 2004 (69 FR 29727)

EPA announced its intention to authorize certain contractors and
subcontractors access to information submitted to EPA under
CERCLA.  Some of this information may be claimed or determined to
be confidential business information.  Contractor access to this
information will occur June 24, 2004.  Comments must be received
by June 24, 2004.

EPCRA

"Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; Community Right-to-Know Reporting Requirements
Under Sections 311 and 312 of the Emergency Planning and
Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), EPA ICR Number 1352.10, OMB
Control Number 2050-0072"
May 21, 2004 (69 FR 29304)

EPA announced its plans to submit the following ICR to OMB for
review and approval: "Community Right-to-Know Reporting
Requirements Under Sections 311 and 312 of the Emergency Planning
and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)," ICR Number 1352.10, OMB
Control Number 2050-0072.  The current expiration date for this
ICR is October 31, 2004.  Comments must be received by July 20,
2004.

CAA

"National Advisory Committee for Acute Exposure Guideline Levels
for Hazardous Substances; Notice of Public Meeting"
May 26, 2004 (69 FR 29939)

EPA announced that a meeting of the National Advisory Committee
for Acute Exposure Guideline Levels for Hazardous Substances
(NAC/AEGL Committee) will be held June 14 through June 16, 2004,
in the Netherlands.  The NAC/AEGL Committee will address acute
toxicity and the development of acute exposure guideline levels.

Oil Program

"Notice Concerning Certain Issues Pertaining to the July 2002
Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Rule"
May 25, 2004 (69 FR 29728)

EPA announced that it has partially settled litigation over the
SPCC rule and provided clarification regarding loading racks,
impracticability, produced water tanks at dry gas facilities, and
the term "facility."  EPA also announced the availability of a
memo from the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response to the
Petroleum Marketers Association of America concerning integrity
testing, security, and loading racks.

ALL PROGRAMS

"Notice of Open Meeting, Environmental Financial Advisory Board,
Workshop on Financial Assurance Mechanisms"
May 27, 2004 (69 FR 30292)

EPA announced that a meeting of the Preventing Future Non-Funded
Abandoned Sites Project Workgroup of the Environmental Financial
Advisory Board will be held on June 14 and 15, 2004, in New York,
New York.  The meeting will address the financial test for self-
insurance and corporate guarantees; corporate sibling guarantees;
disclosure; the strengths and pitfalls of insurance; insurer
ratings and capitalization requirements; and captive insurance.

SETTLEMENTS AND CONSENT ORDERS

"Proposed Settlement; Gem Park Complex/Old Vermiculite Mine Site"
May 3, 2004 (69 FR 24156)

"Consent Decree; United States v. The Glidden Company"
May 6, 2004 (69 FR 25414)

"Proposed Settlement; PCB Treatment, Inc. Superfund Site"
May 7, 2004 (69 FR 25578)

"Proposed Settlement; Creede Airport Properties Site"
May 12, 2004 (69 FR 26389)

"Proposed Settlement; Tyler Refrigeration Pit Superfund Site"
May 13, 2004 (69 FR 26602)

"Consent Decree; United States of America, State of California,
and South Coast Air Quality Management District v. Keysor-
Century Corporation"
May 13, 2004 (69 FR 26617)

"Consent Decree; United States of America v. Koch Industries,
Inc., Koch Pipeline Company, L.P., and Flint Hill Resources,
L.P."
May 13, 2004 (69 FR 26618)

"Consent Decree; United States v. Madison County, Florida, et
al."
May 13, 2004 (69 FR 26618)

"Consent Decree; United States v. Precision National Plating
Services, Inc."
May 13, 2004 (69 FR 26619)

"Proposed Settlement; Whitmoyer Laboratories Superfund Site"
May 19, 2004 (69 FR 28887)

"Proposed Settlement; General Color Company Superfund Site"
May 19, 2004 (69 FR 28887)

"Proposed Settlement; Diamond Alkali Superfund Site"
May 19, 2004 (69 FR 28887)

"Consent Decree; United States v. Waste Management of Washington,
Inc."
May 19, 2004 (69 FR 28949)

"Consent Decree; United States of America v. Koch Industries,
Inc., Koch Pipeline Company, L.P., and Flint Hill Resources,
L.P."
May 19, 2004 (69 FR 28992)

"Consent Decree; United States v. Heartland Cement Company, Inc.
and Rineco, Inc."
May 27, 2004 (69 FR 30322)

"Consent Decree; United States v. David L. Rieker"
May 27, 2004 (69 FR 30332)