RCC Action Plan: Appendix B - Priority and Toxic Chemicals Reduction | Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC) | US EPA

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RCC 2005 Action Plan Introduction Achieving the National 35 Percent Recycling Rate for Municipal Solid Waste ; Beneficial Use of Secondary Materials ; Priority and Toxic Chemical Reductions ; Green Initiatives—Electronics Appendix A Appendix B 

# Appendix B: Priority and Toxic Chemicals Reduction

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource. Part I—Snapshots of the 2001 Baseline Part II—List of Priority Chemicals Part III—Chemical-Specific Actions 

### Part I—Snapshots of the 2001 Baseline Part I provides a breakdown of priority chemicals reported in 2001 by region, by top seven (high-quantity) priority chemicals, and by the top industrial sectors behind lead and naphthalene reporting. Regional: In 2001, 77 million pounds of priority chemicals were reported. Regions 4, 5, and 6 accounted for 73 percent of the total priority chemicals while Regions 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, and 10 accounted for 27 percent of the total. See Figure 1 for a breakdown by region.
Figure 1

Top of page Top Chemical Quantities: Figure 2 shows that seven high-quantity priority chemicals accountedfor 95 percent of 77 million pounds of all priority chemicals reported in 2001. The top seven highquantity priority chemicals are:

1

. Lead and lead compounds (41 percent); 2

. Naphthalene (15 percent); 3

. Polycyclic aromatic compounds (14 percent); 4

. Hexachloro-1,3-butadiene (7 percent); 5

. Hexachlorobenzene (6 percent); 6

. Hexachloroethane (6 percent); and 7

. 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (3 percent). Wastes Home

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Electronics Outreach Initiatives Resources ShareRCC Action Plan: Appendix B - Priority and Toxic Chemicals Reduction | Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC) | US EPA

http://www.epa.gov/osw/rcc/resources/action-plan/appndx-b.htm [4/25/2011 1:18:45 PM] As in the 1991 baseline, lead and naphthalene are shown as the two top reduction priority chemicals throughout 2008.
Figure 2

Top of page Top Industrial Sectors Behind Lead: Figure 3 shows that 10 high-quantity industrial sectors are behind the total pounds reported for lead and lead compounds. In 2001, the total quantity of all the reported lead and lead compounds was 28.8 million pounds—41 percent of all priority chemicals reported. The total quantity of lead and lead compounds being reported by these 10 top industrial sectors accounted for up to 37 percent of the total of 77 million pounds from all the reported priority chemicals and for up to 95 percent of the total lead and lead compounds.
Figure 3RCC Action Plan: Appendix B - Priority and Toxic Chemicals Reduction | Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC) | US EPA

http://www.epa.gov/osw/rcc/resources/action-plan/appndx-b.htm [4/25/2011 1:18:45 PM] Top of page Top Industrial Sectors Behind Naphthalene: Figure 4 shows the top 10 high-quantity industrial sectors behind the total pounds reported for naphthalene. In 2001, the total quantity of all the reported naphthalene was 10.2 million pounds—15 percent of all priority chemicals reported. The top 10 industrial sectors accounted for 79 percent of the 10.2 million pounds of naphthalene reported in 2001.
Figure 4

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### Part II—List of Priority Chemicals You will need the free Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more. Priority Chemicals Chemical Name and Summary Fact Sheet CASRN Organic Chemicals and Chemical Compounds 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene (PDF) (2pp, 10K) 120-82-1 1,2,4,5-Tetrachlorobenzene (PDF) (2 pp, 10K) 95-94-3 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol (PDF) (1 pg, 9K) 95-95-4 4-Bromophenyl phenyl ether (PDF) (1 pg, 7K) 101-55-3 Acenaphthene (PDF) (2 pp, 12K) 83-32-9 Acenaphthylene (PDF) (2 pp, 11K) 208-96-8 Anthracene (PDF) (2 pp, 12K) 120-12-7 Benzo(g,h,i)perylene (PDF) (2 pp, 12K) 191-24-2 Dibenzofuran (PDF) (1 pg, 9K) 132-64-9RCC Action Plan: Appendix B - Priority and Toxic Chemicals Reduction | Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC) | US EPA

http://www.epa.gov/osw/rcc/resources/action-plan/appndx-b.htm [4/25/2011 1:18:45 PM] Dioxins/Furans (PDF) (2 pp, 13K) (considered one chemical on this list) 1746-01-6 Endosulfan, alpha (PDF) (2 pp, 16K) and Endosulfan, beta (PDF) (2 pp, 12K) (considered one chemical on this list) 959-98-8 33213-65-9 Fluorene (PDF) (2 pp, 13K) 86-73-7 Heptachlor (PDF) (2 pp, 11K) and Heptachlor epoxide (PDF) (2 pp, 11K) (considered one chemical on this list) 76-44-8 1024-57-3 Hexachlorobenzene (PDF) (2 pp, 11K) 118-74-1 Hexachlorobutadiene (PDF) (2 pp, 10K) 87-68-3 Hexachlorocyclohexane, gamma- (PDF) (2 pp, 12K) 58-89-9 Hexachloroethane (PDF) (2 pp, 11K) 67-72-1 Methoxychlor (PDF) (2 pp, 11K) 72-43-5 Naphthalene (PDF) (2 pp, 11K) 91-20-3 PAH Group (PDF) (2 pp, 13K) (as defined in TRI ) Pendimethalin (PDF) (2 pp, 10K) 40487-42-1 Pentachlorobenzene (PDF) (2 pp, 10K) 608-93-5 Pentachloronitrobenzene (PDF) (2 pp, 10K) 82-68-8 Pentachlorophenol (PDF) (2 pp, 10K) 87-86-5 Phenanthrene (PDF) (2 pp, 11K) 85-01-8 Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) (PDF) (4 pp, 104K) 1336-36-3 Pyrene (PDF) (2 pp, 11K) 129-00-0 Trifluralin (PDF) (2 pp, 10K) 1582-09-8 Metals and Metal Compounds Cadmium (PDF) (2 pp, 12K) 7440-43-9 Lead (PDF) (2 pp, 11K) 7439-92-1 Mercury 7439-97-6

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### Part III—Chemical-Specific Actions EPA will add other toxics reduction actions throughout the implementation of this Priority and Toxic Chemicals Reduction Action Plan.
First Chemical Action: "Issue and Implement EPA's Roadmap for Mercury " (Coordinated by OPPT) EPA's Roadmap for Mercury describes the Agency's current and future actions to address mercury and provides the public with information about the wide range of actions taking place to reduce mercury exposure. EPA's Roadmap for Mercury identifies six focus areas for future action to ensure a holistic approach for addressing mercury:

1

. Further reducing mercury releases to air, water, and land; 2

. Further reducing mercury uses, which later result in releases to the environment; 3

. Enhancing risk communication; 4

. Safely managing commodity-grade mercury supplies; 5

. Conducting research and monitoring; and 6

. Engaging in multilateral and bilateral agreements to facilitate global mercury reductions.RCC Action Plan: Appendix B - Priority and Toxic Chemicals Reduction | Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC) | US EPA

http://www.epa.gov/osw/rcc/resources/action-plan/appndx-b.htm [4/25/2011 1:18:45 PM] Following are some of the chemical use reduction activities described in EPA's Roadmap for Mercury

. Specific elements (emphasis will vary by region and program): Establish Mercury-Free Product Labeling Program (Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery, ORCR) EPA/ORCR is evaluating the potential for establishing a "Mercury-Free" product label for products with no intentionally added mercury. EPA will establish partnerships with manufacturers of mercury-containing and mercury-free products to enhance the market for mercury-free products and reduce the use of mercury in products. Promote Mercury Product Use Reduction Partnerships (OPPT and ORCR). Many current mercury uses in products have cost-effective, mercury-free alternatives. Through the Green Suppliers Network , the Partnership for Environmental Priorities (NPEP) Program , and other voluntary initiatives, ORCR and OPPT are collaborating with manufacturers of mercury-containing and mercury-free products to establish voluntary reduction partnership programs partnerships with commitments to mercury product use reduction and phase-out goals. As a component of these partnerships, ORCR promotes mercury-containing product take-back/recycling programs. Explore Using TSCA Authorities to Promote Further Mercury Use Reductions in Appropriate Manufacturing Sectors (OPPT). EPA will conduct a preliminary market analysis of mercury switches, relays, and measurement devices to identify candidate product manufacturers to partner with the Agency to reduce risks, as indicated above. Building upon successful state regulatory programs, EPA will consider further risk reduction mechanisms under TSCA (for example, TSCA section 5 significant new use rules and/or TSCA section 6 control regulations) and other authorities, as appropriate. Outreach Activities to Consumers on Mercury Products and Mercury-Free Substitutes for Use in the Home (OPPT and ORCR). Building upon the information already available from states and other groups about consumer products that contain mercury, ORCR will develop outreach materials (such as brochures) and make information available on its Web site. Additionally, ORCR will investigate the potential for developing public service announcements to make consumers aware of the hazards of mercury and availability of mercury-free product substitutes. Promote the Proper Collection and Recycling of Dental Office Amalgam Waste (ORCR). ORCR is currently developing a dental office amalgam recycling program called its "gray bag" program. This program will assist dentists to properly collect and manage dental amalgam wastes generated in their offices in an effort to minimize mercury releases to air, land, and water resulting from current amalgam land disposal, incineration, and pretreatment practices at POTWs.
Top of page Mercury Automobile Switches (OPPT and ORCR). Building on successful state auto switch removal efforts, OPPT and OPEI are developing a partnership with the steel industry, auto scrap suppliers, the automotive industry, and mercury recyclers to remove mercury switches from scrapped autos in the U.S. prior to melting in scrap furnaces. Concurrently, OPPT is considering using a TSCA Section 5 Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) for auto switches to complement voluntary actions already taken by American automobile manufacturers. The SNUR could require notification to EPA prior to any renewal. Manufacture, import, or processing of mercury for use in auto switches. The notice to EPA would allow the Agency to control the uses before they start, if appropriate. Characterize Mining Releases (ORCR). EPA is initiating a program to examine releases to land from active gold mines. This effort will attempt to characterize these mercury releases and assess their potentialRCC Action Plan: Appendix B - Priority and Toxic Chemicals Reduction | Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC) | US EPA

http://www.epa.gov/osw/rcc/resources/action-plan/appndx-b.htm [4/25/2011 1:18:45 PM] impact to determine if further action is warranted. Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign (SC3) (ORCR) and Other Efforts. The RCC has initiated the Schools Cleanout Campaign (SC3), which promotes removal of existing stocks of hazardous chemicals from secondary schools, safe chemical management, and national awareness. The ultimate goal of the SC3 is to create a chemically safer school environment in which chemicals are purchased wisely, stored safely, handled by trained personnel, used responsibly, and disposed of properly. Recover Mercury from Fluorescent Bulbs (ORCR). In FY 2002 and 2003, ORCR awarded ten cooperative agreements to state agencies and nonprofit organizations to conduct outreach promoting the recycling of fluorescent bulbs and other mercury containing lamps. ORCR currently provides coordination and technical expertise to support these outreach programs. ORCR is also determining which programs should be expanded nationally and where to place future resources in order to increase the recycling rate. Reduce Mercury in Healthcare Facilities (OPPT). EPA will continue to partner with the healthcare industry to eliminate the purchase of mercury-containing products such as measurement and control devices. EPA plans to expand its current efforts and build on past successes by doubling recruitment of facilities by 2007. Develop Database to Track Reductions in Mercury in Key Sectors (OPPT). EPA will compile and assess the quality of mercury use and substitutes data from current sources. This information will allow the Agency to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of its mercury reduction programs. Promote the Procurement of Non-Mercury Products by Federal Agencies (OPPT). Using EPA's Environmentally Preferable Products Database , EPA is compiling a list ofalternative non-mercury products with special emphasis on those that contain nonmercury switches, relays, and measuring devices. EPA will make this information available to other interested buyers including state, tribal, and local governments; large industrial purchasers; hospitals; schools; and individuals.
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Second Chemical Action: "Increase Early Retirement of PCBs" (Within OPPT and the Regions) Encourage early retirement of transformers and capacitors containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) through a national voluntary phaseout program in accordance with the goals of the Priority Organic Pollutants (POPs) treaty. Conduct outreach to owners of PCB equipment. Emphasize the benefits of early retirement: Cost savings with newer, energy-efficient equipment. Reduced liability from owning PCB equipment that can leak and spill. Possible reduced disposal. Reward participants who phase out equipment with public recognition, removal from the PCB transformer registration database, and possibly discounts for purchasing and disposal. Track progress of phaseout on the PCB transformer registration database. Top of page
Third Chemical Action : "Get the Lead Out" This will be managed by OPPT. The electronics industry approached DfE, based on a relationship built through other collaborations, to work together to understand alternatives to lead solder. DfE and the industry have worked together to examine the toxicological and performance characteristics of lead-free solder and alternatives for circuit board applications. The transition to lead-free solders presents a significant opportunity for the reduced use of lead because the electronics industry is facing legislative and market pressure to phase out the use of tin-lead solders (e.g., by the European Union's Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive). Worldwide estimates of tin-lead solder use in 2002 are over 176 million pounds. Workable lead-freeRCC Action Plan: Appendix B - Priority and Toxic Chemicals Reduction | Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC) | US EPA

http://www.epa.gov/osw/rcc/resources/action-plan/appndx-b.htm [4/25/2011 1:18:45 PM] EPA Home Privacy and Security Notice Contact Us http://www.epa.gov/osw/rcc/resources/action-plan/appndx-b.htm Print As-Is Last updated on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 alternatives have emerged and are likely to be implemented to replace a significant portion of the tin-lead solder that is used annually by the industry.ORCR may profile efforts of NPEP/non-NPEP entities that are eliminating and/or reformulating leadsoldering practices and want to showcase lead-free solder alternatives as part of an RCC LeadSoldering Challenge.

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