Maine’s New PFAS in Products Law: A Rulemaking Update

In July 2021, the Maine Legislature passed LD 1503, An Act To Stop Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Pollution, requiring manufacturers of products with intentionally added PFAS to report these products to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (Maine DEP) by Jan. 1, 2023. The law delegates rulemaking authority to the Maine DEP, and that process is
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An Update on PFAS in Maine

By now, most people have heard about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), widely known as “forever chemicals,” and the threats they pose to communities here in Maine and across the country. Over on the St.Germain blog, we’re going beyond the headlines to explain what PFAS are, why they’re a big problem with a difficult solution,
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The New Phase I ESA Standard is Here. Here’s What You Need to Know.

On November 1, 2021, the ASTM International Committee on Environmental Assessment, Risk Management and Corrective Action (ASTM Committee-50) approved a new standard for conducting Phase I ESAs. The ASTM E1527-21 (Standard) was approved by ASTM International; however, it has not yet been approved by the EPA, and the ASTM E1527-13 standard continues to be recognized
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Maine Chapter 890, Designation of PFOS as a Priority Chemical

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has reposted Chapter 890 to a 30 day public comment period, with comments due November 4, 2019 by 5:00 PM. “Since the initial posting and the April 23 public hearing, the Department has amended the draft rule to clarify the products covered. Also since the original posting, the authority
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OSHA Releases Preliminary List of FY 2019 Most Cited Violations

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced the preliminary Top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety violations for fiscal year 2019: 1. Fall Protection – General Requirements (6,010 violations)2. Hazard Communication (3,671 violations)3. Scaffolding (2,813 violations)4. Lockout/Tagout (2,606 violations)5. Respiratory Protection (2,450 violations)6. Ladders (2,345 violations)7. Powered Industrial Trucks (2,093 violations)8. Fall Protection –
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Maine Department of Environmental Protection Proposes the Regulation of PFOS in Children’s Products

Two years ago St.Germain wrote about “emerging” contaminants known collectively as PFAS, a family of complex compounds primarily consisting of Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Since then there’s been a flurry of activity in Maine, with the latest being the Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s proposed regulation of PFOS in childrens products. Because
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PFAS Regulations

In 2017 we wrote about “emerging” contaminants known as PFAS. Since then, Maine Governor Janet Mills established a task force, and there have been numerous news articles about these “forever chemicals” right here in Maine. We’ll continue to share with you how this issue may impact environmental due diligence, remediation and environmental health and safety
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Sentry EHS Is Getting an Upgrade

Sentry EHS is getting an upgrade. We have been working behind the scenes to bring you the following improvements: Attachment Icons: In Sentry List View, an icon now appears if there is a document uploaded to that task. Tank Field: The tank field has been updated to include state and federal inspection dates, allowing tank compliance
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Proposed Rule Change Affects Definition of WOTUS

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and US Army Corp of Engineers (ACE) recently proposed changes to redefine the definition of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS).  This definition has applicability for SPCC plans, SWPPPS, FRPs and site development regulations. You may find the following summary helpful in determining the impact of this proposed rule:
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Chapter 101 Maine DEP

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is proposing changes to Chapter 101: Visible Emissions Regulation. Chapter 101 regulates opacity limits for fuel burning equipment, process, and fugitive emission sources. Currently, a certain number of opacity limit exceedances are allowed for these sources over a specified time average within a certain period of time. For
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