This is the second brochure in the Hazardous Materials Emergencies Citizen's Guide series. Other brochures in the series include, "Planning for Hazardous Materials Emergencies" and "Evacuation From A Hazardous Materials Incident".
The release of a hazardous chemical in Bhopal, India which killed and injured thousands of people, led Congress to pass Title III, "The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act" (EPCRA), of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986. In Bucks County, EPCRA is administered by the Emergency Management Agency (EMA).
Under Title III, facilities holding any of over 366 extremely hazardous substances (EHS) listed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), above specific threshold planning quantities must report their inventory to the county and state annually on March 1. These facilities must also notify the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and local fire company, identify a facility emergency coordinator, and submit an emergency plan.
Those facilities which hold more than 10,000 pounds of a hazardous chemical, as defined by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, must also report their inventory. Facilities are all buildings, equipment, structures and other items located in a single or adjacent site and owned or operated by the same person.
Using the information provided by these facilities, the EMA and the LEPC assess the hazards involved and update the county's Comprehensive Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Plan.
This brochure briefly describes what has been learned about chemicals stored in the county and how citizens can obtain more information.
1. What are Extremely Hazardous Substances?
These are over 366 chemicals identified by the EPA as extreme hazards based on their inherent dangerous characteristics that may pose a threat to the public if accidentally released to the environment.
2. How Many Facilities in Bucks County Store Extremely Hazardous Substances?
To date, 202 facilities in Bucks County have reported the storage of one or more of the extremely hazardous substances.
3. What Kind of Facilities in Bucks County Use Extremely Hazardous Substances?
Facilities that use industrial processes of a range of consumer products may use some EHS materials. The most widespread use of an EHS chemical is for the chlorination of water. Chlorine gas is the EHS typically used for this process.
The EMA and the LEPC review facility chemical inventories and emergency plans in order to incorporate this information into the county's Comprehensive Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Plan. They also share this information with the local fire departments where the reporting facilities are located.
4. Is the EMA Aware of Other Hazardous Chemicals That are Located Throughout
the County?
Any facility required to have a material safety data sheet (MSDS) for a hazardous chemical defined by OSHA, must report their inventories if they hold more than 10,000 pounds of that chemical. This information is reported on inventory forms called Tier II reports. The EMA compiles this information in a computer database which can be accessed during emergency incidents.
5. Where Can Citizen's Obtain Additional Information on These Facilities?
Contact the Emergency Management Agency, Administrative Building, Broad and
Court Streets, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, 18901, or call 215-348-7518.