EPA extends comment period on lead reporting regulations

Currently, facilities that release lead or lead compounds into the air, water or land do not have to report on these activities unless they manufacture or process more than 25,000 pounds annually or unless they use more than 10,000 pounds annually.

The EPA has proposed a radical change to lead reporting regulations on the basis that lead is known for its “persistence and bioaccumulation potential”. Under the EPA proposal, facilities would have to report on lead releases if they manufacture or use at least 10 pounds per year.

The proposed changes would increase reporting under the EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory by 13% or about 15,000 separate reports.