Document EdDBa6VQdMxR73GXQNMZVOV9V

To: From: Cc: Bcc: Received Date: Subject: ehs-alert <ehs-alert @api.org> 2004-08-2720:54:14 GMT EHS Alert newsletter - 27 August 04 08.27.04 The API EHS Alert is a biweekly summary of environmental, health, and safety activities that API is working on for the benefit of member companies. If you would like to subscribe, or unsubscribe, to the API EHS Alert newsletter, please e-mail the editor at ehs-alert@api.org. AIR EPA Publishes Final Rule To Stay Combustion Turbine MACT. On March 31 st, 2004, EPA proposed to de-list gas-fired turbines from the Combustion Turbine MACT rule and to stay enforcement of the rule for some turbines. EPA signed regulations to stay requirements for new lean premix and diffusion flame gas-fired turbines on July 1st, and this rule was published in the Federal Register on August 18th. API, in conjunction with ACC, had submitted comments on May 24th encouraging EPA to expedite finalizing the stay to avoid unnecessary costs for new gas-fired units currently under construction that otherwise would have had to comply with the Turbine MACT rule. CONTACT: Dick Karp, Regulatory Analysis and Scientific Affairs, 202-682-8067 or karpr@api.org. Health Shanghai Health Study Second Annual Meeting A Success. The Second Annual Meeting of the Shanghai Health Study (SHS), organized by API, was held August 17th-19th, 2004 at Asilomar, California. The retreat atmosphere for the meeting once again facilitated effective scientific communication between investigators and their scientific peers, promoted international collaboration, and updated sponsors on research progress. The SHS is a large-scale research project investigating potential health effects of occupational exposure to benzene in China. The study is investigating mechanisms of benzene-induced disease, as well as the potential association of benzene exposure with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This data may help to reduce uncertainties in benzene risk assessments and occupational standards for benzene exposure to optimize worker safety internationally. The SHS is funded by an independent consortium of petroleum and chemical companies and is administered by API. CONTACT: Lorraine Twerdok, Regulatory Analysis and Scientific Affairs, 202-682-8344 or twerdokl@api.org. API Comments On Final TSCA Section 4 Dermal Absorption Test Rule. On August 19th, 2004, API wrote to EPA seeking clarification on export notification requirements for Class II refinery streams that contain constituents subject to the final dermal test rule. In the letter, API requested that EPA reconsider export notification requirements for these streams. API argued that the final test rule represents a significant departure from existing EPA policy, and would be overly burdensome to both EPA and industry without apparent benefit. CONTACT: Derek Swick, Regulatory Analysis and Scientific Affairs, 202-682-8341 or swickd@api.org. API Responds To Proposed Changes In Hydrogen Sulfide Exposure Limits. On August 27th, 2004, API SH ELL-MCCLU RG-06S232 submitted comments to the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygenists (ACGIH) in response to their proposed 10-fold reduction in the TLV (8-hour workplace exposure standard) for hydrogen sulfide (H2S). These comments were scientifically supported by results of API-funded H2S human and animal health effects research conducted at the CIIT Centers for Health Research and at Rutgers University Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute. Regulatory advocacy for H2S upstream and downstream business interests is leveraged as a cooperative effort by industry stakeholder organizations, and organized by API as the ad hoc Hydrogen Sulfide Coalition. Later this year, the coalition intends to evaluate EPA's update of the Toxicology Profile for H2S, providing a balanced scientific review and critique of the draft documentation. CONTACT: Bruce Jarnot, Regulatory Analysis and Scientific Affairs, 202-682-8473 or jarnotb@api.org. RIGHT-TO-KNOW API Comments On EPA Information Collection Request. On July 20th, 2004, API submitted comments on an EPA Information Collection Request (ICR) for Community Right-to-Know Reporting Requirements under Sections 311 and 312 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). API commented on three issue areas relevant to minimizing burden of the collection of information associated with these Sections: Inconsistent program implementation at the state and federal levels, program revisions to streamline implementation, and clarification of multiple reporting requirements such as chemical substances (i.e. petroleum streams) vs. mixtures. CONTACT: Derek Swick, Regulatory Analysis and Scientific Affairs, 202-682-8341 or swickd@api.org. TRAINING, EDUCATION & MEETINGS API Aboveground Storage Tank Training Course API is offering its "Introductory Course on Aboveground Storage Tank Training" again on October 4-6, 2004 in Portland, Maine. This 2-Y2 day class is taught by John Cornell, Industry Tank Specialist, and provides a thorough introduction to API Standards 620, 650, and 653 for anyone involved with tank inspection or maintenance, environmental and safety regulatory compliance, or tank design and construction. For more information, visit www.api.org/petroteam or phone 740-892-2284 or email: storagetanks@earthlink.net. New PSM Workshop Scheduled in New Orleans API is holding the second event in its PSM educational series: Workshop on Process Safety Management Best Industry Practices. It will be held on September 22 - 23, 2004 in New Orleans, LA. This informative program covers three main topic areas: Mechanical Integrity, Training, and Contractor Issues. The workshop is being presented on behalf of API by Risk, Reliability and Safety (RRS) Engineering, and facilitated by John Alderman, who is Managing Director of RRS. The keynote speaker will be David Heller, Investigation Manager, U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board. Case studies about process safety management at BP, Inc. will be given, along with presentations by other experts. In addition, representatives from several contractor safety councils will discuss issues related to pre-qualification, security, and training. For more information, send an email to: training@api.org or contact Christy Franklyn, RRS Engineering, phone: 281 334-4220, or visit: www.api.org/petroteam. API Security Training Continues This Fall API is continuing its security training courses this fall. A 1-Y2 day workshop about the new U.S. Coast Guard requirements for Facility Security Officers (FSO) is scheduled for October 6-7 in Los Angeles, CA; October 20- SH ELL-MCCLU RG-06S233 21 in Houston, TX; and November 3-4 in Philadelphia, PA. Immediately afterwards in the same locations, API will hold its Security Vulnerability Assessment (SVA) workshop: on October 7-8 in Los Angeles, CA; October 2122 in Houston, TX; and November 4-5 in Philadelphia, PA. For more information, send an email to: training@api.org or contact Janet Colbert, AcuTech Consulting, phone: 415- 772-5972 ext. 5903, or visit www.api.org/petroteam. API Refining Courses Taught in England API's popular downstream training courses are being taught in Manchester, England this fall with the following schedule: * Damage Mechanisms in Refining (based on API RP 571) Sept. 29 - October 1); * Fitness-for-Service for Engineers (based on API RP 579) (October 4-6); * Pressure Relieving Systems (based on API RP 520/521) October 5-7; * Risk-Based Inspection (based on API RP 580/581) October 7-8. These courses, which are developed and taught by Equity Engineering Group, are also presented in Houston, TX and other locations throughout the year. For more information, send an email to: training@api.org or contact: Georgia Zellhofer, Equity Engineering, phone 216-283-9519 ext. 6013, or visit: www.api.org/petroteam. API and DOE Hold 3rd Conference to Address Climate Change The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and API are holding the "3rd Conference on Voluntary Actions by the Oil and Natural Gas Industry to Address Climate Change." It's scheduled for September 29-30 in Arlington, VA. This event will provide a forum for a broad range of perspectives from API member companies, federal and state agencies, academia and others. Attendees will benefit from the exchange of information on known voluntary best practices and partnership experiences. They will also learn about other practices that companies may be using, but have not reported or discussed with a broad audience. For more information, visit www.api.org/petroteam. CONTACT: Madeleine Sellouk, Training, Education & Meetings, 202-682-8222 or sellouk@api.org. PUBLISHER'S CORNER We welcome your comments and suggestions and encourage distribution to member company staff. The Alert is not intended for distribution beyond member companies; it has been developed as a benefit of API membership. Questions or comments about API EHS Alert newsletter? Contact the editor at ehs-alert@api.org. Copyright 2004 - American Petroleum Institute, All rights reserved. www.api.org SH ELL-MCCLU RG-06S234