[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 3, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33121-33123]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-13886]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[Docket No. RCRA-2003-0012; FRL-7506-9]


Announcement of a Public Stakeholder Meeting on Management of 
Hazardous Waste in Research and/or Academic Laboratories

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of a public stakeholder meeting.

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SUMMARY: EPA's Office of Solid Waste is holding a public meeting on 
Wednesday, June 18, 2003, to discuss issues associated with hazardous 
waste management in research and/or academic laboratories. The purpose 
of this meeting is to present our progress to date on issues specific 
to waste management in research and academic laboratories and solicit 
input from individual stakeholders on approaches to addressing these 
issues. A tentative agenda is available upon request. The following 
topics are planned for discussion: when/where to make a hazardous waste 
determination, waste labeling requirements, personnel training 
requirements, satellite accumulation, and types of treatment that are 
performed in laboratories. Interested parties may choose to attend the 
meeting or submit written comment. The Agency's goal is to improve the 
program to better protect human health and the environment through 
standards that are harmonious with the way laboratories operate.

DATES: The stakeholder meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 18 from 
12 p.m. to 5 p.m. eastern time. Submit written comments on or before 
July 18.

ADDRESSES: EPA will hold the meeting in Washington, DC at EPA East 
(Conference Room 1153), 1201 Constitution Ave., NW. Interested parties 
also may participate via videoconferencing at the following locations:
    1. North Chelmsford--EPA Region I Laboratory (Kennebunkport Room), 
11 Technology Drive, North Chelmsford, MA 01863.
    2. Chicago--EPA Region V Office (Lake Erie Conference Room), 77 W. 
Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604.
    3. San Francisco--EPA Region IX Office (Conference Room R1915), 75 
Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105.
    Comments may be submitted electronically, by mail, by facsimile, or 
through hand delivery/courier. Follow the detailed instructions as 
provided in Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate Davis, Office of Solid Waste 
(5304W), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, 
NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (703) 308-0091; fax 
number: (703) 308-0514; e-mail address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does This Meeting Apply To Me?

    While the meeting is open to the public in general, the identified 
topics may be of particular interest to persons who work in research 
and/or academic laboratory settings or persons who are concerned about 
the implementation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) 
in these settings. Potentially interested parties may include but are 
not limited to: Government laboratories; research and development 
laboratories; academic laboratories; Federal, State and local 
regulators; academic institutions; non-governmental organizations; and 
trade associations representing environmental health and safety 
professionals at research and/or academic laboratories. If you have any 
questions regarding the applicability of this meeting to a particular 
entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT.

B. How Can I Get Electronic Access to This Document and Other Related 
Information?

    1. Docket. EPA has established an official public docket for this 
action under Docket ID No. RCRA-2003-0012. The official public docket 
consists of the documents specifically referenced in this action, any 
public comments received, and other information related to this action. 
Although a part of the official docket, the public docket does not 
include Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information 
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. The official public docket 
is the collection of materials that is available for public viewing at 
the EPA Docket Center, (EPA/DC) EPA West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution 
Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center Public Reading Room is 
open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding 
legal holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is (202) 566-
1742, and the telephone number for the EPA Docket Center is (202) 566-
0270.
    2. Electronic Access. You may access this Federal Register document 
electronically through the EPA Internet under the ``Federal Register'' 
listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/. An electronic version of the 
public docket is available through EPA's electronic public docket and 
comment system, EPA Dockets. You may use EPA Dockets at http://www.epa.gov/edocket/ to submit or view public comments, access the 
index listing of the contents of the official public docket, and to 
access those documents in the public docket that are available 
electronically. Once in the system, select ``search,'' then key in the 
appropriate docket identification number.
    Certain types of information will not be placed in the EPA Dockets. 
Information claimed as CBI and other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute, which is not included in the official public 
docket, will not be available for public viewing in EPA's electronic 
public docket. EPA's policy is that copyrighted material will not be 
placed in EPA's electronic public docket but will be available only in 
printed, paper form in the official public docket. To the extent 
feasible, publicly available docket materials will be made available in 
EPA's electronic public docket. When a document is selected from the 
index list in EPA Dockets, the system will identify whether the 
document is available for viewing in EPA's electronic public docket. 
Although not all docket materials may be available electronically, you 
may still access any of the publicly available docket materials through 
the docket facility identified in Unit I.B. EPA intends to work towards 
providing electronic access to all of the publicly available docket 
materials through EPA's electronic public docket.
    For public commenters, it is important to note that EPA's policy is 
that public comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, 
will be made available for public viewing in EPA's electronic public 
docket as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment 
contains copyrighted material, CBI, or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. When EPA identifies a comment 
containing copyrighted material, EPA will provide a reference to that 
material in the version of the comment that is placed in EPA's 
electronic public docket. The

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entire printed comment, including the copyrighted material, will be 
available in the public docket.
    Public comments submitted on computer disks that are mailed or 
delivered to the docket will be transferred to EPA's electronic public 
docket. Public comments that are mailed or delivered to the Docket will 
be scanned and placed in EPA's electronic public docket. Where 
practical, physical objects will be photographed, and the photograph 
will be placed in EPA's electronic public docket along with a brief 
description written by the docket staff.
    For additional information about EPA's electronic public docket 
visit EPA Dockets online or see 67 FR 38102, May 31, 2002.

C. How and to Whom Do I Submit Comments?

    You may submit comments electronically, by mail, by facsimile, or 
through hand delivery/courier. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, 
identify the appropriate docket identification number in the subject 
line on the first page of your comment. Please ensure that your 
comments are submitted within the specified comment period. Comments 
received after the close of the comment period will be marked ``late.'' 
EPA is not required to consider these late comments. However, late 
comments may be considered if time permits.
    1. Electronically. If you submit an electronic comment as 
prescribed below, EPA recommends that you include your name, mailing 
address, and an e-mail address or other contact information in the body 
of your comment. Also include this contact information on the outside 
of any disk or CD ROM you submit, and in any cover letter accompanying 
the disk or CD ROM. This ensures that you can be identified as the 
submitter of the comment and allows EPA to contact you in case EPA 
cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties or needs further 
information on the substance of your comment. EPA's policy is that EPA 
will not edit your comment, and any identifying or contact information 
provided in the body of a comment will be included as part of the 
comment that is placed in the official public docket, and made 
available in EPA's electronic public docket. If EPA cannot read your 
comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for 
clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment.
    i. EPA Dockets. Your use of EPA's electronic public docket to 
submit comments to EPA electronically is EPA's preferred method for 
receiving comments. Go directly to EPA Dockets at http://www.epa.gov/edocket, and follow the online instructions for submitting comments. To 
access EPA's electronic public docket from the EPA Internet Home Page, 
select ``Information Sources,'' ``Dockets,'' and ``EPA Dockets.'' Once 
in the system, select ``search,'' and then key in Docket ID No. RCRA-
2003-0012. The system is an ``anonymous access'' system, which means 
EPA will not know your identity, e-mail address, or other contact 
information unless you provide it in the body of your comment.
    ii. E-mail. Comments may be sent by electronic mail (e-mail) to 
[email protected], Attention Docket ID No. RCRA 2003-0012. In 
contrast to EPA's electronic public docket, EPA's e-mail system is not 
an ``anonymous access'' system. If you send an e-mail comment directly 
to the Docket without going through EPA's electronic public docket, 
EPA's e-mail system automatically captures your e-mail address. E-mail 
addresses that are automatically captured by EPA's e-mail system are 
included as part of the comment that is placed in the official public 
docket, and made available in EPA's electronic public docket.
    iii. Disk or CD ROM. You may submit comments on a disk or CD ROM 
that you mail to the mailing address identified in Unit 1.C.2. These 
electronic submissions will be accepted in WordPerfect or ASCII file 
format. Avoid the use of special characters and any form of encryption.
    2. By Mail. Send your comments to: OSWER Docket, EPA Docket Center, 
Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode: 5305T, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460, Attention Docket ID No. RCRA-2003-
0012.
    3. By Hand Delivery or Courier. Deliver your comments to: OSWER 
Docket, EPA Docket Center, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., EPA West 
Building, Room B-102, Washington, DC, 20004, Attention Docket ID No. 
RCRA-2003-0012. Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's 
normal hours of operation as identified in Unit I.B.1.
    4. By Facsimile. Fax your comments to: (202) 566-0224, Attention 
Docket ID. No. RCRA-2003-0012.

II. Background

    EPA recognizes the unique aspects of research and academic 
laboratories compared with large manufacturing processes. For example, 
research and academic laboratories generate small amounts of many 
different wastes while large manufacturing processes tend to generate 
large amounts of a few wastes. EPA supports developing environmentally 
safe management alternatives for hazardous wastes in research and 
academic laboratories. The Agency has participated in several efforts 
to explore alternatives that may help target the unique lab practices 
and wastes more effectively. Recent efforts include the New England 
Labs XL project and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Best 
Management Practices. NE Labs XL is testing the development and 
implementation of an Environmental Management Plan designed to minimize 
and more effectively manage hazardous laboratory wastes (http://www.epa.gov/projectxl/nelabs/index.htm). HHMI partnered with EPA to 
identify best practices for managing hazardous wastes in academic 
research institutions (http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/specials/labwaste/r02008.pdf). The June public stakeholder meeting builds on 
these efforts.

III. Tentative Agenda

    Copies of the tentative agenda for this meeting are available via 
mail, fax, or e-mail. If you would like a copy, please contact the 
person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

IV. How Can I Participate in This Meeting?

    You may attend this meeting in person or submit a written comment. 
The meeting locations have the following capacities: Washington DC, 100 
people; North Chelmsford, 50 people; Chicago, 30 people; San Francisco, 
17 people. Members of the public wishing to have access to the 
Headquarters or Regional conference rooms on the day of the meeting 
should register by June 11 by contacting Kate Davis, Office of Solid 
Waste (5304W), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (703) 308-0091; 
fax number: (703) 308-0514; e-mail address: [email protected]. A photo 
ID will be required to gain access to Headquarters and Regional 
conference rooms. Any person needing special accessibility 
accommodations at this meeting should contact the person identified 
above at least five business days before the meeting so we can make the 
appropriate arrangements.
    Any person who wishes to file a written statement may do so before 
July 18. EPA has established an official public docket for this action 
under Docket ID No. RCRA-2003-0012. Please see Unit I.C. for 
instructions on how to submit written comments.

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V. On What Issues Will EPA Be Soliciting Input?

    Stakeholders repeatedly have identified three issues: hazardous 
waste determination, satellite accumulation, and treatment in satellite 
accumulation areas.
    Hazardous Waste Determination: Currently, you must make a hazardous 
waste determination at the ``point of generation'' of a waste.
    1. When should the hazardous waste determination be made in a 
laboratory setting?
    2. What training is needed for lab personnel concerning hazardous 
waste determinations (e.g., full RCRA training or training that is made 
specific to chemical management duties)?
    3. How should waste be labeled so it can be appropriately managed 
as hazardous waste (e.g., the words ``hazardous waste'' or a detailed 
chemical description)?
    4. Where should the hazardous waste determination be made (e.g., on 
the bench or in the 90 to 180 day storage area)?
    Satellite Accumulation Area (SAA) Accumulation Time: If more than 
55 gallons of hazardous waste or more than 1 quart of acute hazardous 
waste is accumulated at a SAA, the excess must be removed within three 
days.
    1. How should these requirements be applied in a laboratory 
context?
    2. How often do laboratories accumulate more than 55 gallons of 
waste in their SAA?
    3. What, if any, difficulties do environmental health and safety 
personnel have responding to waste pick-up calls, e.g., within the 
three day time limit?
    4. How would a longer time-frame for removal impact the cost of 
waste management and the ability to protect human health and the 
environment?
    Treatment in SAAs: We have heard from numerous stakeholders that 
they would like to perform certain types of treatment.
    1. What types of treatment, other than neutralization, are 
laboratory personnel currently performing or would like to perform?
    2. What would be the benefits of the desired types of treatment?
    Other Issues: The Agency also solicits your thoughts on other 
issues specific to research and academic laboratories. In reviewing 
issues raised by hazardous waste identification and management in 
laboratories, we will particularly focus on the way laboratories 
operate, and we will also take into account factors such as regulatory 
burden, cost, and protection of human health and the environment.

Matt Hale,
Acting Director, Office of Solid Waste.
[FR Doc. 03-13886 Filed 6-2-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P