EPCRA > Chemicals in Washington 2009 Summary Report
Chemicals in Washington
2009 Summary Report
In December of 1984, a deadly cloud of methyl isocyanate
was accidentally released from a pesticide manufacturer in
Bhopal, India. Tragically, thousands of people were killed and
many thousands more were seriously injured.
In August 1985, there was another accidental release at a facility in Institute, West Virginia. These events raised
public concerns about lack of planning and preparation
for responding to chemical accidents. It also led to public
demand for information about toxic chemicals released "beyond
the fence line" of a facility, that could endanger surrounding
communities.
The Emergency Planning and
Community Right-to-Know Act (Exit Ecology), also known as SARA Title III, was created as part of the Superfund
Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, but it is more
commonly referred to as the Community Right-to-Know law or
simply EPCRA. EPCRA facilitates emergency
planning and preparedness, helps to minimize the effects of potential chemical
accidents, and provides the public with information about
potentially dangerous chemicals in their communities.
While EPCRA helps communities deal safely and effectively with hazardous
chemicals, the law also establishes a number of requirements for
businesses and government. EPCRA's primary objective is to help
improve emergency planning for hazardous chemicals at the local
level by:
- Enhancing
emergency response capabilities for chemical incidents.
- Expanding
emergency planning for hazardous chemical incidents.
- Identifying
storage, use, and release of hazardous chemicals in communities.
- Promoting
communication between facilities that handle hazardous
chemicals, the community, local planners, and emergency
responders.
In 1987, Washington State Governor Booth Gardner appointed
the members of the
Washington State Emergency Response
Commission (SERC), which then established
Local
Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) statewide, as directed under federal
law.
Chapter 118-40 of the Washington Administrative Code (Exit Ecology) (WAC)
was established in 1987. This state rule adopted the
federal Community Right-to-Know reporting thresholds and
requirements in accordance with federal Public Law 99-499. The
SERC is responsible for the establishment of a state hazardous
materials emergency preparedness, response, and Community
Right-to-Know program.
Every state has a SERC or an equivalent entity that carries
out these duties. In Washington, the
Military Department (Exit Ecology),
State
Patrol (Exit Ecology), and Department of Ecology share the core implementation
of EPCRA. As required under
Chapter 118-40 WAC (Exit Ecology), Ecology
coordinates the development, implementation, and maintenance of
a state EPCRA program. Ecology receives
reports, manages data, and distributes information on storage
and releases of toxic chemicals under these regulations on
behalf of the SERC. Ecology staff also track facility
compliance and provide technical and regulatory guidance to
businesses, local emergency planning committees, tribal nations,
and the public.
This report summarizes information about chemicals stored
on site or released into the air, land, and water by some
Washington State businesses. It focuses on the two annual EPCRA reporting requirements:
-
Tier Two - Emergency &
Hazardous Chemical Inventory (Section 312) (2009)
-
Toxics Release Inventory (Section 313) for 2009
Some of the terms used on this site are defined
here.
