Hot Topics

Permit by Rule Cyanide Treatment
Permit by Rule Cyanide treatment: Effective August 6, 2008, facilities conducting treatment of cyanide-containing wastes can obtain authorization under the Permit by Rule (PBR) tier. This change allows facilities previously operating under a Consent Order from DTSC to obtain authorization for treatment of cyanide-containing wastes from the CUPA. The revised PBR forms will be mailed out to all plating facilities within the jurisdiction of San Bernardino County Fire CUPA. If you have any questions, please contact Leslie Heaviside at (909) 386-8401.

September 5, 2006 New Manifest Requirements
Effective September 5, 2006, a new Hazardous Waste Manifest form was implemented for use nationwide by all generators, transporters and treatment, storage, and disposal facilities. The nationwide Hazardous Waste Manifest requirements are described at http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/transportation/manifest/index.htm. For more information go to http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/IDManifest/Manifests.cfm. Contact DTSC for more information the manifest requirements at CAManRegs@dtsc.ca.gov, Phone 916-255-3660/ Fax 916-255-6446.

A video training tool is available at
http://www.pneac.org/hazwastemanifest/.

California Permanent Identification Numbers
Due to State budget and staffing restrictions, effective July 15, 2003, DTSC no longer issues permanent California EPA ID numbers by phone.  These permanent EPA ID numbers must be requested on form DTSC 1358 and submitted by mail, email, or fax. This form is available from this web site under Forms and Guidelines and can be downloaded from the DTSC web site at http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/IDManifest/index.cfm Temporary California ID numbers (90-day ID number) (those beginning with CAC) will continue to be issued by telephone at 800.618.6942 or 916.255.1136.  In August of 2004, the California Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) notified local agencies that there had been a scam involving EPA ID numbers where someone representing themselves as being a DTSC employee went to generators to "sell" EPA ID numbers. We do not know if this scam operated in this County, but please note that obtaining an EPA ID number has no associated fee.

Chemical and Biological Agents
The Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Program has strong working relationships and practiced plans and procedures for coordinating emergency response with law enforcement, public health, fire, and other emergency response agencies and has prepared to respond to incidents involving known or unknown biological, chemical, or radiological agents.  Additional information about emergency preparedness for public health emergencies can be found at the Centers for Disease Control,

Accident Prevention and Site Security
Preventing releases of hazardous materials requires the evaluation of potential causes including equipment failure, power failure, and even intentional acts.  State and Federal agencies have many guidance documents to assist industry in these important prevention efforts, including:

• Department of Toxic Substances Control:  Security Enhancements for Hazardous Waste Handling and Transportation (pdf)  (January 2003)
• US EPA:  Chemical Accident Prevention Site Security (pdf) (February 2000)
• Chemical Safety & Hazard Investigation Board Safety Advisory:  Chlorine Transfer Hose Failure (pdf)  (November 2002)
• EPA Safety Alert:  Chemical Accidents from Electric Power Outages (pdf) 
  (September 2001)

E-wastes & Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs):
Electronic wastes include computers, copiers, fax machines, printers, televisions, and other electronic equipment.  Many components of electronic equipment--including metals, plastic, and glass--can be reused or recycled, while others may present environmental hazards if not managed correctly.  CRTs or "picture tubes," of the type used in televisions and computer monitors, typically contain concentrations of lead that cause them to exhibit the characteristic of toxicity under both Federal and State law. CRTs cannot go into municipal trash.  CRTs (TVs & computer monitors only) from households may be recycled through the San Bernardino Airport Household Hazardous Waste collection facility. The limit is 3 CRTs per household.  Please call 1.800.OILYCAT for additional collection facility locations, applicable fees and further options.  For a list of other facilities that can collect such wastes and additional information on this developing topic, you can check with the California Integrated Waste Management Board. 

List of Identified Hazardous Waste and Substances Sites
CalEPA has amended its web site to provide links to data resources to search for sites belonging on the List of Identified Hazardous Waste and Substances Site ("Cortese List") pursuant by Government Code Section § 65962.5.  When Government Code § 65962.5 was originally enacted in 1985, it required the State of California to prepare and update a list of sites from various state and local sources to be entitled the List of Identified Hazardous Waste and Substances Sites, commonly referred to as the "Cortese List" (named after the legislator who authored the bill enacting it).   In accordance with provisions of Government Code Section § 65962.5, applicants for certain land development actions are required to consult the list and certify whether or not the project's property is on the list.  Because most of these sources are now published electronically, those requesting a copy of the "Cortese List" are now referred directly to the appropriate information resources on the Internet at the web sites for those agencies referenced in the statute.  For further information on the  background and history of Government Code Section § 65962.5, see Background and History, or go directly to the link at CalEPA's web site  List of Identified Hazardous Waste Sites ("Cortese List") (CalEPA) .