Search Frequent Questions

Displaying 1 - 15 of 31 results

• What state or federal agencies are responsible for evaluating records from the PADOH cancer registry? Are all types of cancers considered in this evaluation [including rare and/or environmentally associated cancers]?

  A few important items to note regarding the Pennsylvania Cancer Registry:  PADOH’s Pennsylvania Cancer Registry is a statewide data system responsible for collecting information on all new cases of cancer diagnosed or treated in Pennsylvania. It is part of the National Program of Cancer Registries administered by the Centers for…

  • Last published: March 4, 2024

• How do the different parts of particulate matter (PM) fit together?

  The various parts of PM in the NEI are related as follows. PM10-FIL > PM25-FIL because PM10-FIL includes PM25-FIL PM25-PRI = PM25-FIL + PM-CON This equation only applies at the process level. Because some sources only can report PM2.5 (due to test method differences), this equation does not apply to…

  • Last published: April 17, 2024

• How does PM2.5 relate to PM species such as EC, OC, SO4, NO3, PMFINE, and DIESEL-PM25?

  Primary PM2.5 estimates are speciated into the five PM species in the NEI: elemental (black) carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC), nitrate (NO3), sulfate (SO4), and the remainder of PM25-PRI (PMFINE). Diesel engine PM25-PRI and PM10 emissions are also labeled as DIESEL-PM25 and DIESEL-PM10 for mobile source diesel engines. For all…

  • Last published: April 17, 2024

• Underground Storage Tanks in SPCC Plans

  If a gas station that has less than 42,000 gallons completely buried oil storage capacity and no aboveground oil storage capacity installs a new aboveground tank with a capacity greater than 1,320 gallons, must the facility’s Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan address the underground storage tanks (USTs) in…

  • Last published: May 31, 2024

• Container capacity less than 55 gallons

  Do facilities need to consider containers that are less than 55 gallons for applicability under 40 CFR Part 112? No. The third column of page 47066 of the July 17, 2002 Preamble states that "You need only count containers of 55 gallons or greater in the calculation of the regulatory…

  • Last published: May 31, 2024

• Oil-filled equipment capacity

  When counting against the 1,320 aboveground storage capacity threshold, would operational storage of oil (such as in a hydraulic press) be used? Oil which is contained in equipment is required to be factored into the storage capacity for the facility even though the oil may be only used for ancillary…

  • Last published: May 31, 2024

• If your farm does not have fuel storage that will flow into US waters by a ditch, river, stream, or lake, do you have to prepare a SPCC Plan?

  No. EPA suggests you use a common sense approach. If one of your oil storage tanks leaks, and the spilled oil would not flow into navigable waters or adjoining shorelines, you do not have to prepare a Plan. Remember that you still have the responsibility to clean up any spilled…

  • Last published: June 5, 2024

• Ground water pathways related to reasonably expected to discharge

  The SPCC Rule applies to facilities that could reasonably be expected to discharge into navigable waters (40 CFR §112.2(a)). Does a facility need to consider ground water pathways when determining if a discharge of oil could reasonably be expected to reach navigable waters? Owners and operators should consider whether on-site…

  • Last published: June 5, 2024

• SPCC responsibility for tanks on leased property

  What if I leased some parcels, and there are tanks already present? Am I responsible for these tanks? You could be. If you plan to use these tanks, make sure in your lease agreement, it states who is responsible for these tanks. If the lease does not state who is…

  • Last published: August 5, 2024

• Is there a Pennsylvania registry that tracks non-cancer diseases or immunological disorders?

  PADOH and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services do not have a registry for multiple sclerosis (MS), MS-related diseases or immunologic disorders. Despite extensive research on the mechanisms of MS development and progress, the exact mechanism is not known and there are no definitive studies to show causation…

  • Last published: March 1, 2024

• How do I determine if my farm could reasonably discharge oil into or upon navigable waters or adjoining shorelines?

  You can determine this by considering the geography and location of your farm relative to nearby navigable waters (such as streams, creeks and other waterways). You should consider if ditches, gullies, storm sewers or other drainage systems may transport an oil spill to nearby streams. Estimate the volume of oil…

  • Last published: May 31, 2024

• Mixture with oil as an additive (e.g., oil-based paint)

  SPCC applicability thresholds for aboveground and completely buried oil storage capacities are established in 40 CFR §112.1(d)(2). If a facility has a tank that contains a mixture with oil as an additive, such as oil-based paint, should the entire mixture be counted towards a facility’s threshold capacity? Yes; if a…

  • Last published: May 31, 2024

• Do service tanks on service trucks or pickups count in the calculation of the total storage on the farm?

  Yes, you should include fuel tanks mounted on trailers, fuel trucks used exclusively on the farm and tanks in pickups toward the overall threshold of 1,320 gallons. Also, count 55-gallon drums, but don’t count any container smaller than that.

  • Last published: June 5, 2024

• Is my farm covered by SPCC?

  For updated information on the WRRDA changes to farm applicability see the new farm fact sheet (PDF) .

  • Last published: June 5, 2024

• What does an annual emissions value in the NEI represent (one year or multiple years)?

  The NEI provides total annual emissions for a single year.

  • Last published: January 29, 2024