News Briefs: (1) EPA Posts Results of Additional Samples Taken at the Murphy Oil Site; (2) Cleaner Small Engines are Safe, EPA Study Concludes; (3) New Requirement to Help Assess Potential Chemical Risks
*News Briefs *If you need more information on any of these subjects, call the listed Press Officer. For Release: (Washington, D.C. -- Friday, March 17, 2006) *(1) EPA Posts Results of Additional Samples Taken at the Murphy Oil Site (2) Cleaner Small Engines are Safe, EPA Study Concludes* *(3) New Requirement to Help Assess Potential Chemical Risks * *(1) EPA Posts Results of Additional Samples Taken at the Murphy Oil Site* Contact: Dale Kemery, (202) 564-4355 / kemery.dale@epa.gov On March 17, EPA updated its website to include the results from additional samples collected at the Murphy Oil Site. Pursuant to a FEMA mission assignment, US EPA is overseeing Murphy Oil's ongoing sampling activities of residential and other properties. Today EPA posted samples taken as part of two ongoing efforts. The first set of samples relates to ongoing activities to assess the level of contamination at residential and other sites. Ten percent of the samples Murphy collects are split between Murphy and EPA. EPA sends the split samples for independent analysis. Thus far, Murphy has collected 7230 sediment samples from 4271 properties. Of the 7230 sediment samples collected, US EPA has sent 748 split samples for separate analyses. US EPA has received, evaluated and is posting the results of the first 722 samples. Additional soil samples are taken after cleanup at each property to confirm that Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality's Risk Evaluation/Corrective Action Program (RECAP) Standards have been met. Ten percent of the confirmatory samples Murphy collects are split between Murphy and EPA. EPA sends the split samples for independent analysis. Thus far, US EPA has sent 15 split samples for separate analyses. US EPA has received, evaluated and is posting the results of these 15 samples. The levels of compounds detected in the samples were below their respective RECAP standards. For more information on these results, visit: http://www.epa.gov/katrina/testresults/murphy [ http://www.epa.gov/katrina/testresults/murphy ] *(2) Cleaner Small Engines are Safe, EPA Study Concludes *Contact: John Millett, (202) 564-4355 / millett.john@epa.gov In a report that clears the way for less-polluting gas-powered lawn equipment and watercraft, EPA has concluded that the technology needed to meet potential tougher standards for gasoline engines below 50 horsepower will not increase the risk of fire or burns to consumers. Mandated by Congress, the study was peer reviewed and developed in coordination with the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Other federal agencies and more than twenty outside experts, including fire marshals and engine manufacturers, were consulted during the study. EPA plans to propose new standards for this class of engines this year. To read the report, go to http://www.epa.gov/otaq/equip-ld.htm [ http://www.epa.gov/otaq/equip-ld.htm ] *(3) New Requirement to Help Assess Potential Chemical Risks *Contact: Enesta Jones, 202-564-4355 / jones.enesta@epa.gov * *EPA today issued a final test rule that will enable the* *Federal and State governments, industry, academia, the public and the Agency in evaluating potential health and environmental risks associated high production volume (HPV) chemicals. The rule requires 52 manufacturers of 17 HPV chemicals to conduct screening level tests related to physical and chemical properties, toxic effects and environmental fate, and to provide this information to EPA. HPV chemicals are manufactured or imported into the United States in amounts over 1 million pounds per year. To date, more than 400 companies have voluntarily committed to making information available on 2200 HPV chemicals as part of the Agency's High Production Volume Challenge Program. The 17 chemicals were not sponsored under the program. For a copy of the rule, go to: http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-TOX/2006/March/Day-16/t2483.htm [ http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-TOX/2006/March/Day-16/t2483.htm ] Additional information on the HPV program can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/chemrtk/index.htm [ http://www.epa.gov/chemrtk/index.htm ] R068 You can update or cancel your subscription at any time [ https://www.govdocs.com/service/user.html?code=USAEPA ]. You need only your e-mail address (and your password if you have selected one). This service is provided free of charge by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. If you have any questions or problems about this service, please contact help@govdelivery.com [ mailto:help@govdelivery.com ] for assistance. Sent by the the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency . 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW . Washington DC 20460 . 202-564-4355