What is TSCA?  The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is a United States law that regulates the manufacture, importation, distribution, processing, use, and/or disposal of specific and potentially hazardous chemicals that pose a risk to people, workplaces, communities, and the environment. The law is intended to protect the public from exposure to harmful substances like PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), asbestos, radon, elemental mercury, formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products, and lead-based paint. TSCA gives the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) administrative oversig ..read more

Contaminated soil disposal has become a major issue throughout Maine, New England, and the country. Instances of contaminated soil were long thought of as an urban problem stemming from former industrial sites, where dumping industrial waste into the ground was once a common practice. However, we now know, with so many farmlands contaminated by “forever chemicals” in the past decades, that soil contamination is an urban and rural problem, and that soil can be contaminated anywhere by any number of human activities. Whether on a farm or at a factory, knowing what to do when soil is found to be ..read more

Shipping an electric bike battery presents its own set of unique challenges. The bikes are challenging enough to ship. They’re larger than a standard bike, and bulky, with a weighty frame that makes for odd-sized packaging. Because of the motor and battery, the average electric bike weighs approximately 44 to 55 pounds, or 20 to 25 kilograms, about twice as much as a traditional bike. But what about safely shipping electric bike batteries? Electric Bike Battery Shipping Obstacles The primary obstacle for shipping is dealing with what powers the electric bike—its lithium battery. The first ..read more

In 1978, EPA lead paint regulations were established banning the use of lead as an additive to paint due to its toxic effects. Known as the EPA’s Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule, the regulation is intended to protect the public from the serious health hazards and consequences presented by lead-based paint during renovation, repair, and painting projects. Such activities are known to generate hazardous dust laden with lead particles as surfaces with lead-based paint are disturbed, which can lead to lead poisoning.  The RRP regulation is in place to protect the ..read more

In Maine, asbestos removal regulations, including the transportation and disposal of asbestos-containing material (ACM) waste, are regulated by the state’s Department of Environmental Protection. By law, ACM waste can only be transported to an approved landfill by a DEP-licensed “non-hazardous waste transporter.” The landfill must be able to accept “friable asbestos,” a term that refers to a specific characteristic of asbestos-containing materials.  As a hazardous substance, asbestos is subject to numerous federal, state, and local regulations. The dangers and health risks posed by asbest ..read more

Can EV batteries be recycled? One would think recycling EV batteries—the rechargeable batteries that power electric vehicles (EVs)—would be a straightforward process. After all, on the one hand, batteries are bought, used, and then recycled by the millions each year. On the other, how a particular battery is recycled depends on what type of battery it is.  Understanding EV Battery Regulations There are many different kinds of batteries on the market designed to meet the power and performance requirements of many different applications. Each is manufactured differently with different mixtu ..read more

Once expired, local hazardous waste disposal agencies and waste disposal companies advise that disinfectants used by various industries be treated as hazardous waste. To be certain, disinfectants are not considered hazardous waste until they pass their expiration date. However, due to their chemical composition, disinfectants are classified as hazardous material beforehand and, whether expired or not, should be handled responsibly to protect human health and the environment.  The pressing issue of addressing expired disinfectants as hazardous waste is related to COVID-19. During the pande ..read more

Hazmat shipping companies specialize in all services related to the safe and compliant transportation of hazardous materials and dangerous goods. As shipping hazardous materials is subject to stringent regulation and oversight, industries and institutions that require such services often turn to hazmat shipping companies as much for their expertise to ensure compliance with the law as to field numerous questions about hazmat shipping. Though the who, what, and why for managing the safe transportation of hazardous materials is lengthy, here are 10 common hazmat shipping FAQs to better grasp haz ..read more

E-waste disposal methods refer to the systematic handling and managing of electronic waste streams created by or resulting from discarded or obsolete electronic devices and equipment. Essentially, this would include anything that runs on electricity or contains electronic components. Electronic waste, or e-waste, is considered the fastest-growing waste stream worldwide. Estimates of over 50 million tons of e-waste are generated each year. Companies and organizations must establish proper e-waste disposal methods to prevent dangerous or hazardous materials from damaging the environment or ecosy ..read more

Hazmat emergency response plans are required by law for any company, business, or institution that works with hazardous materials. Operators and personnel at facilities that manage hazardous materials must know what to do and how to react in the event that an accident occurs. At a minimum, plans should outline a set of procedures, protocols, and responsibilities to ensure a correct response to any incidents that involve hazardous materials.  The list of hazardous materials is lengthy, but suffice it to say that it includes various chemicals, gases, flammable liquids, radioactive substance ..read more