Anticipating legislative action on PCBs, Gov. Phil Scott included $4.5 million for testing in the state budget proposal he unveiled in January. But while the House and Senate kept the money in the state budget bills they developed, they never elaborated on what a testing program should look like — including whether tests should be mandatory.
Asked by the media last week why the Senate was pitching a mandate to test for radon but not for PCBs, despite money being available for it, Senate Education chair Brian Campion, D-Bennington, said it appeared to be an oversight. And even though the Legislature was only a week or so away from adjournment, he vowed to find a way to add language making it clear that PCB testing was a requirement.
New language before the committee of conference hashing out a final budget deal between the two chambers now says PCB testing “should be completed by August 2024.” It adds that schools may participate in the program just next year on a voluntary basis.
But the quick-and-dirty work of the session’s last days means that lawmakers will need to return to the subject next year. The budget bill’s new proposed language also says that “additional guidance and authority shall be developed during the 2022 legislative session.”
https://vtdigger.org/2021/05/19/lawmakers-ready-to-require-schools-to-test-for-radon-and-pcbs
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Why are PCBs considered dangerous substances?
PCBs are considered environmentally toxic and dangerous substances because of the causal link with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in humans after long-term exposure. Other health effects include disfiguring dermatitis, problems with the liver, kidney and central nervous system as well as the immune and reproductive systems.
PCBs, asbestos, radon, lead, mercury, and formaldehyde.
PCBs: Congress singled out PCBs in 1976 by implementing a phased ban on the manufacture, processing, use and distribution in commerce of PCBs and requiring EPA to promulgate PCB disposal regulations.
Asbestos: In 1986, Congress enacted the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) and amended the act in 1990 to modify EPA’s school asbestos remediation program.
Radon: Radon received special attention in 1988 when Congress set as a long-term national goal that indoor radon levels are not to exceed outside ambient levels.
Lead: In 1992, Congress enacted TSCA Title IV to create a national program to achieve the national goal of eliminating lead-based paint hazards from housing as expeditiously as possible. In 2007, Congress enacted TSCA Title V, authorizing EPA to establish a state grant program to provide technical assistance on EPA environmental programs for schools and to implement school environmental health programs. Title V also requires EPA to develop guidance addressing, among other things, school siting.
Formaldehyde: Title VI of TSCA, the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act, establishes limits for formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products: hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard, and particleboard. EPA has been directed by Congress to promulgate final regulations implementing the Act by January 1, 2013.
Mercury: Title I of TSCA also prohibits the sale, distribution, or transfer of elemental mercury by Federal agencies.
Continue reading here:
https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/toxic-substances-control-act-tsca-and-federal-facilities
Six chemical substances receive special attention under TSCA
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