Document Z4gB0DRYX54rq04o26rVB9j1J

4> American Petroleum Institute 1220 L St, NW Washington, DC 20005_________________ 202 682-8319 Health & Environment BULLETIN Monthly Newsletter Number 8 September 1989 LEGISLATIVE/REGULATORY HIGHLIGHTS Federally Permitted Releases. On July 11, EPA issued a supplemental notice to its proposed rule on federally permitted releases under CERCLA. Currently, many types of oil industry releases are exempt from CERCLA reporting requirements because they have Federal Clean Air Act permits; however, this proposal would eliminate some of the exemptions. API's response will point out that EPA's interpretation is much more narrow than Congress intended. (Usa Thomas x8323) RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Ozone SIPs. API contractors are examining the reasons why seven cities are failing to attain the ozone standard. These cities indicated in their 1982 State Implementation Plans (SIPs) that they would meet the standard by 1987. Preliminary results indicate that the SIP commitments were generally fulfilled but that emissions inventories available at the time may have been inadequate; EPA's guidance may also have been too simplistic. The final report will be available in October. (Howard Feldman x8340) Benzene. A grant is being awarded to the Chemical Industry institute of Toxicology to continue the ongoing research investigating an animal model of benzene-related leukemia. Mice of two strains, exposed to benzene for 3 months, will be held for life to characterize their leukemogenic responses. In addition, studies will be initiated to identify the metabolite(s) responsible for benzene toxicity and leukemogenesis, characterize the roles of liver and bone marrow in metabolism, and relate exposure dose to dose of active metabolites in the target organ. (Edmond Varnot x8342) requirements. API estimates that the cost to the petroleum industry alone would be S4.6 billion per year. The key issues raised m the petition are the impacts of the rule, the significant technical flaws m the procedure, and lack of opportunity for public comment on important aspects of the rule. (Sharon Kneiss x847S) Drinking Water Standards. On August 21. API submitted comments on EPA's Phase II drinking water standards proposal (54 FR 22062). The comments recommend that the "zero risk policy" for carcinogens be changed and suggest that the methodology for deriving MCLGs for noncarcinogens be modified. Specific toxicological input is included for eight chemicals of particular interest. (Stephanie Meadows x8475) API Publications (Order from the Publications Section, API x8375> Effects of Offshore Petroleum Operations on Cold Water Marine Mammals: A Literature Review, API 04485 ($33) Assessment of the Adaptability of the API Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery System to the Current Vehicle Population, API 04489 ($8) Measuring Natural Resource Damages: An Economic Appraisal, API 04490 ($16) Effect of Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Surface Roughness on Heavier-than-Air Gas Dispersion, Volumes I & II, API 04491/4492 ($27 each) Fuel Weathering, API 04493 ($8) Monitoring Near Refineries for Airborne Chemicals on the SARA Title ill Section 313 List -- Volume II: A Generic Study Design Protocol, API 04494 ($20) COMMENTS FILEO/COMPLETEO REPORTS Toxicity Characteristic Petition. On July 27, API petitioned EPA to repropose its rulemaking on the waste toxicity characteristic (TC). The TC is a procedure to determine whether a waste should be defined and handled as hazardous due to its toxicity and thereby subject to stringent RCRA Monitoring Near Refineries for Airborne Chemicals on the SARA Title III Section 313 List -- Volume III: Literature Survey, API 04495 ($6) Monitoring Near Refineries for Airborne Chemicals on the SARA Title II Section 313 List -- Volume IV: Sampling and Analytical Protocols for Selected DTH 000033590 SARA Title III Chemicals in Airborne Emissions, API 04496 ($25) Departmental Reports (Oder from the information Specialist. MESD x83i9) 28-Day Dermal Toxicity Study of API 85-01 (Stoddard Solvent) m the Rabbit Assay of the Vapor Phase of Commercial Hexane Using the Desiccator Methodology Short-term Dermal Tumorigenesis Study of Selected Petroleum Hydrocarbons m Male CD-1 Mice -Initiation and Promotion Phases Three-Generation Reproduction/Fertility Study in Rats with C9 Aromatic Hydrocarbons MEETINGS Meetings Held (Minutes may be obtained by contacting me staff person noted) Waste Program Group - August 3 (Sharon Kneiss x8476) Air Fuels Program Group -* August 17 (Carol Scott x848t) Water Program Group - August 22 (Frank Prince x8339> Upcoming Meetings Health and Product Safety Program Group -September 11, San Francisco (Anita Ducca x8326. David Mongillo x8341) Air/Fuels Program Group -- September 14, API Headquarters (Carol Scott x8481) Health and Environment Subcommittee -- September 20, LOS Angeles (Bdon Pucker xS3T3) Waste Program Group - September 28, API Headquarters (Sharon Kneiss x8476) Health and Environment Annual Meeting October 23-27. Houston, Inn on the Park. A schedule of business meetings for October 23, 26, and 27 has been distributed. Plenary sessions on the 24th will focus on the role of "good science" in regulatory decision making, impact of environmental decision-making capacity of state governments versus that of the federal government, and evolution in environmental ethics. There will also be four discussion groups focusing on topics of the speaker's choice. Sessions on October 25 will include the Management Committee's STF effort; client presentations reviewing future health/environmental issues of concern; summaries of API activity on key issues; and updates on Page 2 RCRA, epidemiology, clean air auto-oil deliberations, and PIRO. A final schedule will be distributed in early September. (Maoe/eme Sellouk x8332) MISCELLANEOUS API Adopts a Global Climate Change Position Paper. In July, the Public Policy Committee adopted a position on Global Climate Change prepared by the HEGC Global Climate Change Task Force, which recommends that a responsible U S. policy should contain three broad tenets. First, the uncertainty concerning potential impacts of both climate changes and governmental policies must be recognized. Second, because climate change would have global consequences, international cooperation and coordination are essential. Third, the U.S. should take steps now that are consistent with broader economic or environmental goals. (Anne Fellows x8578> Joint DOI/API Spill Response Research Program. Six areas of research for immediate implementation have been recommended to DOI's Minerals Management Service (MMS): Thickness Sensor addresses development of an airborne oil thickness sensor; Evaluation of Oil Skimmers addresses effectiveness of current skimmer capabilities; Behavior of Heavy Oil a modeling study of oils that are of "neutral" buoyancy; In-Situ Burning - development work on burning technology; Chemical Treatment evaluate dispersant effectiveness, fate and effects; and Beach/Shoreline Cleanup evaluate environmental impact of shoreline cleanup technology being tested in Prince William Sound including recovery of the ecosystems. A written agreement for this program is being negotiated. Once it is signed, MMS and API should move forward to define the scope of projects and implement them. Jack Gould will be technical manager of the program for API. (Jack Gould x832l) Court Ruling on Natural Resource Damage Assessment On July 14, the D.C. Circuit Court rendered decisions on ten issues in the case of the State of Ohio versus DOI. The rulings were in favor of industry on seven issues. Two of the adverse issues could have severe economic impacts on the industry. Copies of an analysis of the decisions are available. (Jack Gould x832t) HESD/HEAD Budget Deficits. At the present time, both HEAD and HESD are anticipating operating budget deficits due in part to increases in travel and meeting expenses. Therefore, it is requested whenever possible for the rest of 1989 that meetings be held in the API offices in Washington, D.C. (Robert Drew x8308) DTH 000033591