미국 환경보호청(EPA)이 원유 유출에 대응하고 이를 계획할 국가 역량을 향상시키기 위해 ‘국가 석유 및 위험물질 오염 긴급사태 계획(NCP)’ 하에 Subpart J의 자격요건을 개정할 것을 발의했다고 발표했다. 이 제안은 시민, 정부, 산업 사무관 등 2010년 Deepwater Horizon 원유 유출과 관련된 관계자들에 의해 발의된 문제들을 다룬다.

 

 

 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it is proposing to amend requirements of Subpart J under the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP) to improve the nation's ability to plan for and respond to oil spills. The proposal addresses issues raised by the public, responders, government, and industry officials in relation to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.

 

"Our emergency officials need the best available science and safety information to make informed spill response decisions when evaluating the use of specific products on oil discharges," said Mathy Stanislaus, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. "Our proposed amendments incorporate scientific advances and lessons learned from the application of spill-mitigating substances in response to oil discharges and will help ensure that the emergency planners and responders are well-equipped to protect human health and the environment."

 

EPA is also proposing product chemical ingredient disclosure options and new evaluation criteria as well as a process for removing products from the Product Schedule. The proposed Subpart J revisions include:

ㆍNew and revised product toxicity and efficacy test methodologies for dispersants and other chemical and biological agents
ㆍNew toxicity and efficacy criteria for listing agents on the Subpart J Product Schedule
ㆍAdditional human health and safety information requirements from manufacturers
ㆍRevised area planning requirements for chemical and biological agent use authorization
ㆍNew dispersant monitoring requirements when used on certain oil discharges

 

Dispersant manufactures will be able to use a new, well-tested and peer-reviewed laboratory method for determining the effectiveness of their dispersant on two types of crude oils at two temperatures measured against proposed performance criteria. The Agency is also proposing an aquatic toxicity threshold such that products that meet both the performance and toxicity criteria will offer greater performance at less environmental impact.

 

EPA is also proposing product chemical ingredient disclosure options and new evaluation criteria and a process for removing products from the Product Schedule.

 

[출처 = Water World / 2015년 1월 23일]