Location:

Airzone One, 222 Matheson Boulevard East, Mississauga, Ontario, L4Z 1X1, (north side of Matheson, east of Hurontario St. between Whittle and McAdam Roads) or (depending on demand) Canadian Standards Association Offices at 178 Rexdale Boulevard, Etobicoke, Ontario, M9W 1R3.

Session Dates:

1^st Seminar:  Industrial Hygiene in the Workplace – Tues. Oct. 18^th, 2011

Worker air exposure assessment topics will include Occupational Health & Safety Acts & Regulations, exposure limits, sampling and analytical methods, results interpretation, and control strategies. [Registration required by Oct. 12^th, 2011]

2^nd Seminar:  Certificates of Approval (C of A [Air & Noise]) in Ontario: Updates and Modernization – Wed. Nov. 23^rd, 2011

Details covered include the criteria required to apply for or to be exempt from a C of A, recent regulatory changes, noise-related requirements and a description of the application package. [Registration required by Nov. 16^th, 2011]

3^rd Seminar:  Indoor Air Quality and the Office Environment – Wed. Jan. 25^th, 2012 (snow date: Thurs Jan. 26^th, 2012)

Indoor air quality issues: Updates on issues and concerns in indoor environments. [Registration required by Jan. 18^th, 2012]

4^th Seminar:  Annual Emissions Reporting – Wed. Mar. 7^th 2012 (snow date: Thurs. Mar. 8^th, 2012)

We will be covering O. Reg. 127/NPRI, City of Toronto and Toxics Reduction Act reporting, including who is required to report, reporting thresholds and calculations, reporting methods and reporting deadlines. [Registration required by Feb. 29^th, 2012]

5^th Seminar:  Mould and Indoor Air Quality – Wed. Apr. 11^th 2012

The effects of mould on human health will be explored, assessment and sampling strategies outlined and requirements for remediation described. [Registration required by Apr. 4^th, 2012]

Registration:

Please send your RSVP and contact details by email, Attention:  Natalie De Sousa.

If you would like to receive our notifications via email, please sign up at www.airzoneone.com/newsletter-sign-up/.

Chemical Hazards

• Liquid (e.g. acids)
• Dust (e.g. total, silica, wood dust)
• Fume (e.g. metallic fume from welding operation)
• Mist (e.g. oil mists)
• Gas (e.g. CO, H₂SO₄, CH₄)
• Vapour (e.g. solvents such as toluene, acetone, formaldehyde)

Physical Hazards

• Noise
• Vibration (i.e. whole body, hand/arm etc.)
• Radiation (i.e. ionizing/non-ionizing)
• Lighting (i.e. inadequate or inappropriate lighting)
• Temperature Extremes (i.e. too hot or cold)
• Pressure Extremes (i.e. in aviation and deep sea diving)

Biological Hazards

• Bacteria
• Viruses
• Fungi
• Enzymes

Ergonomic Hazards

• Awkward posture, excessive force, increased frequency & duration of exposure as a result of:
• Workplace design, or
• Equipment design.

Occupational Hygienists

When is it necessary to use outside health professionals to assist with hazard identification, assessment, and mitigation?

It is necessary to consult with a health professional such as an Occupational Hygienist, when an employer is no longer able to ensure:

• The protection of employees
• Compliance with provincial regulations
• Complaints or requests regarding hazard exposure are addressed
• Adequate engineering controls

Why Hire an Occupational Hygienist?

Hygienists are able to provide assistance with:

• Identifying hazards
• Monitoring worker exposure
• Interpretation of results
• Recommendations and solutions for unsafe work environments

Hygienists are:

• Professional
• Reliable
• Knowledgeable
• Trusted
• Ethical

Worker Exposure Monitoring

Airzone can provide assistance in assessing worker exposures to occupational hazards.  Our occupational hygienists have the knowledge and skills to assess work exposure to chemical, physical, and biological hazards.  We can also assist with health and safety program development.

OHS Updates

Reminder:  Ontario has updated O.Reg. 833 as of July 1^st 2011.  Exposure limits for biological and chemical agents can be found in Table 1 of the regulation.  Should the agent not exist in Table 1, then the ACGIH Table applies and must be referenced.  Exposure cannot exceed the TWA, STEL, or Ceiling values.

Bill 160

The Occupational Health and Safety Statue Law Amendment Act received Royal Assent on June 1^st, 2011.  As a result changes were made to the OHSA and the WSIA.  The primary change was that the Ministry of Labour has taken over responsibility for workplace injury and illness prevention from the WSIB.

If you would like further information or if we can help you with any questions or assessments relating to occupational hygiene, please contact us and we will be more than happy to assist you with your needs.

Ryan Dignard: (905)-890-6957  Ext. 103 or 416-892-6924

Charles Geen: (905) -890-6957  Ext. 104

Registration of Activities Replaces CofAs for certain Emission Sources

Beginning September 19, 2011 facilities will be able to register certain contaminant emitting activities rather than apply for a Provincial Certificate of Approval (CofA) from the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) under the new Registry Regulation O. Reg. 245/11 as part of the MOE’s efforts to modernize the regulatory emissions permitting process.  At present, this is limited to: (i) Emergency generators, (ii) comfort heating systems, and, (iii) automotive refinishing (auto body shop spray booths).  However, the MOE intends to add to this list as experience grows.

The registration of these activities avoids the requirements to carry-out an air and noise emission impact assessment for these sources when applying for a CofA.  However, certain pre-requisites must be met.  For example, heating systems must be less than 10 MMBTU/hr site-wide maximum heat input capacity, and emergency generators must not exceed 700 kW in rated capacity.  Also, certain requirements will be set (terms and conditions of registration).  For example, maintenance and complaints logs must be kept by registrants for heating systems; similar requirements will be imposed for emergency generators, in addition to sound attenuation and testing procedure requirements.

New Version of AERMOD means Higher Contaminant POIs Predicted

On February 28 this year the US EPA released an updated version of AERMOD (ver. 11059), the regulatory dispersion model adopted by the Ontario MOE as an acceptable model to demonstrate compliance for air emissions and used to assess compliance when applying for a CofA.  O. Reg. 419 requires that Ontario adopt this new US EPA model upon release and replaces the previous version (ver. 09292).

The new version (further updated as ver. 11103) predicts higher impacts, in certain cases, than the previous version.  Thus, even if emissions remain constant, the new model may predict higher air quality impacts.

This has important implications for a number of groups: (i) facilities that are required to update their ESDMs annually (Schedule 4 and 5 facilities), (ii) facilities holding Comprehensive (aka flexible) CofAs, and, (iii) facilities that are presently in the process of applying for CofA or amending a present CofA.

The implications are especially important if predicted impacts were close to a contaminant limit (using the old version) as compliance may no longer be demonstrated under the new version.  Thus, further refinements may be required to emissions estimates, or dispersion modelling, or additional controls may need to be considered.

Airzone can assess whether your activities qualify for registration and assist with the process and we can assess whether your compliance status will be affected because of the new AERMOD model.  Contact Franco DiGiovanni at ext. 102 (email) or Roy Sabino at ext. 107 (email).

Facilities are Required to Develop Spills Contingency Plans

While it is well know that environmental spills must be reported to the MOE, it is often overlooked that there is a legal requirement to develop and implement plans for “spills,” or abnormal discharges of pollutants (abnormal since they are not covered by CofAs).

Certain classes of facilities are required to develop and implement plans to (i) prevent or reduce the risks of spills, and, (ii) prevent, eliminate or ameliorate any adverse effects that result or may result from the spill.  Regulation 224/07 sets out what should be included in spills prevention and contingency plans.  Plans must be retained on-site for possible inspection and must also be reviewed and updated annually.

However, O. Reg. 675/98 defines classes of spills that are exempt from reporting and also from the need to develop and implement spills plans.  Different levels of exemptions exist for different classes of spills.  For example, spills from household fires are totally exempt from the Spills section of the Environmental Protection Act (Part X of the Act), whereas, a Class VIII gasoline spill (less than 100 L in a restricted area, or less than 25 L in a public area) are only exempt from certain reporting requirements under defined conditions.

If you require assistance with determining whether spills planning applies to your operations, or with developing prevention or contingency plans contact Franco DiGiovanni at ext. 102 (email).

CANADIAN FEDERAL NEWS

Air Quality Management System (AQMS)

The development of a Canadian Air Quality Management System has been on-going since 2009 and was introduced as an alternative to the Federal government’s Turning the Corner plan (AQMS was originally known as the Comprehensive Air Management System, CAMS).

The main elements of the new system are to: (1) set new Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS), (2) set Base Level Industrial Emissions Requirements (BLIERS), (3) establish air quality management within so-called air zones, which will be Provincially led, and, (4) have the Federal government coordinate Airshed management (“airsheds” will contain a number of “air zones”).

Initial CAAQS will be set for PM_2.5 and ozone.  BLIERS are likely to be intensity-based emission standards applied to operations such as oil sands, aluminum, steel, pulp and paper, base metal smelting, cement, electricity generation, refineries, boilers and turbines.  The BLIERS will also likely be based on NO_x, SO_x VOCs and total particulate emissions.

AIRZONE NEWS

Our occupational health and safety specialists continue to assistance industrial clients with identifying worker exposures to airborne contaminants, including:  isocyanates, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, silica, nuisance odours and noise in occupational settings.  Moreover, we have been characterizing and measuring chemicals in vapour intrusion studies, providing consulting, sampling and laboratory services.  Finally, our staff has been performing IAQ assessments in office settings for comfort and chemical parameters.

Our permitting group continues to work on CofA’s (air & noise) to ensure that companies meet regulatory requirements, specifically for the Federal and Municipal governments, the aerospace industry, automotive and furniture manufacturers and large office property owners, among other clients.  Staff has also completed NPRI and TRA annual emission reports for a large number of clients in various industrial sectors.

Our lab continues to support our hygiene efforts analyzing aldehydes, PAHs and VOCs for our projects as well as for various private sector clients and government organizations.  We are also currently providing rapid on-site reduced sulphur compound analysis at a wastewater treatment facility.

In addition, our staff has aided in international project training for operating HiVol samplers to characterize and quantifying persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the high Arctic.  This winter, we had the opportunity to act as QAQC for an international PCB and organochlorines compounds remediation study.

Dr. Lucas Neil joined Airzone in the spring of 2011.  Dr. Neil’s specialty is in aerosol science and technology, including chemical, optical and fluid dynamic properties of particles and their measurement with a variety of instrumentation.  Dr. Neil has commenced air modeling for CofAs and has helped initiate a continuous particulate monitoring project where data collection and interpretation from multiple sources is essential.

Contact Franco DiGiovanni [ext. 102, email] or Phil Fellin (ext. 105) to enquire about these topics, or to review your air quality issues in light of new regulations.

To subscribe to our newsletter via email please take a moment and sign up at www.airzoneone.com/newsletter-sign-up/.

Occupational Health and Safety

Airzone One’s occupational health and safety group is experienced in the design and management of programs, audits, policies and procedures and training programs. Our staff of occupational hygienists have the expertise to perform inspections, conduct training sessions, identify toxic agents, and make recommendations to achieve regulatory compliance, thus reducing risks and personal and property losses, improving productivity, employee morale and the overall effectiveness of health and safety at a facility.

Air Dispersion Modelling

In addition to providing routine modelling of airborne pollutants with regulatory models, we also provide consulting services related to air dispersion modelling such as input and output data interpretation.

Air Monitoring Services

Airzone One provides a variety of air quality services with a base of experience spanning more than 30 years. We deal with regulatory requirements for air quality monitoring but we also have unique capabilities to deliver many other air quality services.

Passive Sampling

Passive air sampling is a method of determining airborne concentrations of volatile contaminants using a passive sampling device (PSD). Instead of using bulky pumps and sorbents, such as charcoal in glass tubes, or summa canisters, air samples are collected with a small badge-like device that relies on the diffusion of compounds to a collection surface or sorbent.

Certificates of Approval

Airzone One’s permitting experience includes involvement in permit applications for many industrial, commercial and institutional facilities over the past ten years. The permitting group’s leader, Franco DiGiovanni, has been involved in the consultative processes leading to the development of the new guidance documents for the new application process and he continues to serve in technical groups guiding the implementation of the new application procedures.

Noise Assessments

Airzone One is experienced in conducting noise impact assessments that are acceptable to the Ministry of the Environment.

Vapour Intrusion Monitoring

Airzone has been involved in many vapour intrusion projects.  In particular, we assist with the design and implementation of the indoor and ambient sampling surveys to delineate the extent of the impact of contaminated sites and the potential for exposure of residents.  We continue to work on these projects and have been involved in consulting with industries on mitigating the effects of chemical exposures in indoor environments.  Furthermore, we provide sampling and laboratory services to monitor chemicals in the affected indoor environments.

Emissions Reporting

We provide comprehensive emissions reporting services.  Our staff, through frequent interaction with government agencies, stays current with existing and proposed reporting standards.  We can help your company organize, quantify and submit emission reports for O. Reg. 127, NPRI, GHG (Federally and Provincially), the Toxics Reduction Act and Toronto’s ChemTRAC reporting.  Moreover, we can assist with recent requirements in reporting and modelling for municipalities.

Many areas with vapour intrusion potential are identified during Phase I and Phase II assessments mandated when commercial or industrial properties change hands.  This increased surveillance, coupled with advances in both measurement technology and toxicological risk assessment about low-level, chronic exposures, has identified many sites with potential vapour intrusion problems.

Although assessment of ground water and soil vapour contamination normally leads to identifying areas potentially affected by vapour intrusion, ultimately the exposure of occupants is of most concern and the indoor air needs to be assessed to ensure that exposures are within acceptable limits requiring direct measurement of indoor air.

Traditionally, three types of methods are used to assess indoor air levels of VOCs.  No method is perfect or suitable for all compounds or in all situations, so it is important to select the one that satisfies the requirements of the assessment for the target compounds.  Moreover, indoor levels fluctuate due to many factors including diurnal variations, building activities and occupancy.  Also, as weather systems move over contaminated areas, the passage of successive low and high-pressure systems results in a pumping effect that causes indoor levels to fluctuate.  To determine the concentrations of the target compounds, the collection method should have sufficient sensitivity, accuracy and precision over the required assessment period.

The typical methods available for indoor (and outdoor) measurements are as follows:

• Canister sampling – entails using a stainless steel canister with a passivated inner surface and inert inlet and outlet valves.  The canister is cleaned, tested for purity and evacuated, fitted with a calibrated orifice, and activated at the measuring point.  Typically, after 24 hours the canister valves are sealed, and the air is analyzed with GC/MS and cryogenic focusing, for example, to determine the concentrations of target VOCs.
• Sorbent tubes – sorption tubes are deployed and contaminants collected with a calibrated, battery-operated sampling pump. Sorbents are selected to collect and ultimately recover the target contaminants with thermal or solvent desorption.  Then, the extract or eluent gas stream is processed with a GC/MS, for example, to determine the concentration of target VOCs.
• Passive samplers – much like the sorbent tubes above, passive samplers with specific sorbents are selected to collect and ultimately release target contaminants.  However, rather than using a sampling pump, passive samplers collect contaminants by passive diffusion on the sorbent at known rates.  Samples are processed in a similar manner to that for regular sorbent tubes.

Each of the methods has advantages and disadvantages.  Canisters and solid sorbent tubes generally provide the best sensitivity.  So, if sensitivity is a major consideration and can not be adequately addressed otherwise, then these should be the methods of choice.  In contaminated indoor environments this is generally not an issue, however.  Canister and solid sorbent methods can be noisy and obtrusive indoors and may not be suitable for measuring the broad range of concentrations that occur.  Moreover, they can be very expensive to use.  The cost issue can limit their usefulness in large-scale surveys sometimes necessary to delineate the extent of sub-surface contamination.  The analysis methods can also be complex and lengthy, resulting in long reporting intervals.  This can make residents anxious as they await results about their living or work space.

Passive sampling alleviates many of these concerns and deficiencies.  Passive samplers are small and unobtrusive.  In addition, since they require no pump, they make no noise.  They are easily deployed and retrieved, and in general meet the requirements for accuracy, precision and sensitivity for most target compounds.  Moreover, handling and processing is simplified so costs are reduced significantly and response times are quicker.

Airzone has developed specific expertise with passive sampling devices (PSDs) as a result of over 30 years of development work in our test atmosphere generation systems.  We have used PSDs in large scale surveys, in diagnostic studies, for evaluation of personal exposures, in traffic studies, etc., in cooperative projects with governments and universities.  With this extensive experience and through careful development of handling and analysis procedures, we have developed protocols with measurement attributes (precision, accuracy and detection limits) that meet Ministry of Environment guidelines.  Moreover, PSDs allow variation in sampling intervals, allowing not just daily sampling but extended sampling intervals (1-week, 1-month) more suitable for toxicological evaluations of exposures.  By using this method, we are able to deploy fewer specialists in the field and improve the speed for reporting results.

For information about our air sampling services, please send us an email or give us a call.

NPRI and Ontario Reg 127 Reporting

The National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) program is administered by Environment Canada and requires an emissions report for over 300 substances annually, due on June 1^st of every year.  The program tracks releases to the air and water and solid waste disposals and is required of facilities that Manufacture, Process, or Otherwise (MPO) use one or more of the NPRI substances.

Under Ontario Reg. 127, the only reportable substance is acetone.

Ontario’s Toxics Reduction Act (O. Reg. 455/09)

Toxic substances are defined as:  All substances and substance groupings under NPRI as well as acetone (adopted from O.Reg.127/01).  The regulation will be introduced in two phases:

• Phase I: 47 priority substances and substance groupings (listed in Table A O.Reg. 455/09) tracking January 1, 2010 — December 31, 2010.  The first report is due by June 1, 2011.
• Phase II: All remaining substances under NPRI and including acetone tracking January 1, 2012 — December 31, 2012.  The first report is due by June 1, 2013.

TRA Reporting thresholds align with the rules, exemptions and thresholds of NPRI.  TRA prescribed facilities are identified using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code commencing with the digits 31, 32 or 33 (covering all manufacturing facilities); and Facilities commencing with the digits 212 that process minerals using chemicals to extract, refine or concentrate an ore.

ChemTRAC – the City of Toronto Bylaw (Municipal Code Chapter 423)

The Environmental Reporting and Disclosure Bylaw requires local facilities to report on any of the listed toxic chemicals that a facility manufactures, uses or releases to the environment if the amounts exceed the reporting thresholds.  Facilities and businesses exempt from the Bylaw include:

• Facilities engaged solely in retail sales
• Medical or dental offices
• Construction and building maintenance sites
• Food and accommodation services
• Facilities that distribute, store or sell fuels
• Facilities that maintain and repair vehicles (if no painting or rebuilding is involved).

Green House Gas Reporting (Provincial and Federal)

Under Ontario Reg. 452, reporting of specified GHG data by all facilities in Ontario exceeding the minimum threshold of 25,000 tonnes of Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) or more per year is required.  Starting in 2012 (Sept. 1) verification is required by an accredited body.

Federal GHG Emissions Reporting

(Subsection 46(1) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999)

In 2010, the reporting threshold for GHG across Canada was lowered from 100,000 tonnes of CO₂e to 50,000 tonnes.  All persons who operate a facility that emits 50,000 tonnes of (CO₂e) or more of the GHGs listed in Table 1 of Schedule 1 in the 2010 calendar year are subject to the reporting requirements.

A ChemTRAC Bylaw Primer:

ChemTRAC is the reporting program that falls under the Environmental Reporting and Disclosure Bylaw in the City of Toronto.  The Bylaw requires facilities to report the use and release of 25 priority substances.  It also provides the public access to this information.  It is an offence for a facility not to report and if found guilty the fines range from:

• $5,000 for a first offence;
• $25,000 for a second offence; or
• $100,000 for a third or subsequent offence.

How Do I Know If I Need To Report Under The Bylaw?

If your business is manufacturing, you are located in the City of Toronto (which includes, the former cities of Toronto, East York, Etobicoke, North York, York and Scarborough) and are using or releasing one of the listed priority substances, you may be required to report each year under the Environmental Reporting and Disclosure Bylaw (Municipal Code Chapter 423).

When Does It Apply?

There are three phases in the ChemTRAC reporting Bylaw.  Although the first reporting deadline is June 30th 2011, not all facilities are required to report during the 1st year.  The table below highlights when different facilities and industries are required to report emissions:

Facilities that are exempt from reporting include:

•  Facilities engaged solely in retail sales
•  Medical or dental offices
•  Construction and building maintenance sites
•  Food and accommodation services
•  Facilities that distribute, store or sell fuels
•  Facilities that maintain and repair vehicles (A facility that maintains and repairs vehicles such as cars, trucks, locomotives, ships or aircraft are exempt ONLY if the facility does not paint or strip vehicles or their components, rebuild or remanufacture vehicle components. This means that you aren’t required to report if your facility only does general mechanical and electrical repair and maintenance services for motor vehicles, such as engine repair and maintenance, exhaust system replacement, transmission repair and electrical system repair, oil change, lubrication, washing, or tire repair. If your facility is an auto body shop or similar facility then you may need to report to ChemTRAC. Auto body shops include facilities that repair and paint vehicles after a collision.)

What Do I Need To Report?

If you emit the substances listed below to the air, and in an amount (during the calendar year) more than listed, then you are required to report your emissions to the City:

Chemical Name	Mass Reporting Threshold kg/yr
GROUP A
Acetaldehyde	100
Acrolein	100
Benzene	100
1,3-Butadiene	100
Cadmiuma	1
Carbon Tetrachloride	100
Chloroform (Trichloromethane)	100
Chromium, Hexavalenta	10
Chromium, Non-hexavalenta	100
1,2-Dibromo ethane (Ethylene dibromide)	100
1,4-Dichlorobenzene	100
1,2-Dichloroethane (Ethylene dichloride)	100
Dichloromethane (Methylene Chloride)	100
Formaldehyde	100
Leada	10
Manganesea	10
Mercurya	1
Nickela	100
Tetrachloroethylene (Perchloroethylene)	100
Trichloroethylene	100
Vinyl Chloride	100
GROUP B
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)	10b
GROUP C
Nitrogen Oxidesc (NOx)	200
Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5)	30
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) total	100

a. and its compounds, expressed as the metal.
b. PAHs released as a result of wood preservation using creosote must be reported even if below the mass reporting threshold
c. NO + NO2, expressed as NO2

If you have questions regarding the ChemTRAC Bylaw, or desire information on estimating emissions and pricing, please contact us.

Heat Stress & Strain

This can be a serious danger to people working outdoors who are exposed to direct sun and also to those working in indoor environments that are impacted by warmer ambient temperatures and radiant heat from processes in the work area.

Symptoms
Some signs of heat strain include:

• Body core temperature of 38.5 ^o C (normal body temperature is 37 ^oC)
• Symptoms such as sudden and severe fatigue, nausea, dizziness, light-headedness

Controls

Outdoor workers can mitigate the effects of sun exposure by following simple steps such as:

• Staying hydrated with water and electrolyte fluids
• Wearing appropriate clothing to promote heat removal from the body by evaporation (sweating)
• Applying sunscreen with an appropriate SPF number
• Taking breaks and using shade when necessary
• Job acclimatization where by a worker is eased into a task to minimize heat strain

Indoor work environments that contain radiant heat should ensure:

• Proper shielding exists
• Workers are wearing appropriate clothing
• Ventilation maintains an appropriate ambient temperature
• Appropriate air velocity is maintained (fan usage)

Legal Requirements
Ministry of Labour (MOL) Requirements

There is no specific regulation that enforces heat stress and strain, however the General Duty clause in the Occupational Health and Safety Act 25(2)(h) states that employers must take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of the worker.  There are guidelines that can be found on the MOL website http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/pdf/gl_heat.pdf or the ACGIH website www.ACGIH.org.

It is recommended that employers follow ACGIH guidelines and prevent unacclimatized workers’ core body temperature from rising above 38 °C.  It is recommended that hot environment policies and procedures are developed to prevent heat stress related illness in the workplace.

Worker Exposure Monitoring

Airzone can provide assistance to employers in assessing worker exposure to environments that could cause heat stress and heat stress related illness.  We have equipment available to monitor ambient temperatures to determine if heat stress situations exist and additional equipment to monitor a person’s body temperature.

OHS Updates

Reminder:  Ontario has updated O.Reg. 833 as of July 1st 2010.  Exposure limits for biological and chemical agents can be found in Table 1 of the regulation.  Should the agent not exist in Table 1, then the ACGIH Table applies and must be referenced.  Exposure cannot exceed the TWA, STEL, or Ceiling values.

Individual Designated Substance Regulations were repealed and grouped under O.Reg. 490/09.

If you would like further information on heat stress or if we can help you with any questions or assessments relating to occupational hygiene, please contact us and we will be more than happy to assist you with your needs.

Ryan Dignard: (905)-890-6957  Ext. 103 or 416-892-6924

Charles Geen: (905) -890-6957  Ext. 104

Important New Emissions Reporting Requirements Kick-in this Year

New emissions reporting requirements begin this year including:

• reporting under the Ontario Toxics Reduction Act (OReg 455/09),
• for facilities in Toronto reporting under the City’s ChemTRAC system, and
• reporting under the Provinces Greenhouse Gas Reporting requirements.

Toxics Reduction Act (TRA) – Manufacturing industry (as classified under NAICS code 31, 32 and 33) and mining ore processing facilities (NAICS code 212) will be required to report emissions of 47 priority substances by June 1^st.  Annualized emissions, based on 2010 calendar year were to be tracked by eligible industries; those emission data should now be compiled in preparation for the reporting date.  Usage reduction plans will also be required, for each reportable substance, by the end of 2011 but the Province is considering delaying this requirement by one year.

City of Toronto (ChemTRAC) Reporting – Under the City of Toronto’s Municipal Code Chapter 423, industries in Toronto involved in food, beverage and tobacco manufacturing, printing and publishing, chemical manufacturing, wood industries, power generation and water and wastewater treatment are required to report annualized air emissions.  Reporting of those sectors is required by June 30^th based on 2010 emissions.  Since the reporting thresholds are much lower than for NPRI or TRA, much smaller facilities will be included under this regulation.

Town of Oakville Emissions Reporting – Under s.4 of the Town’s Health Protection Air Quality (HPAQ) by-law all facilities within the Town are required to report their average and maximal 24-hour and annual emissions of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and precursor substances (NO_x, SO₂, NH₃ and VOCs).  Industrial, commercial, institutional and certain residential facilities that possess or require Provincial Certificates of Approval are required to report by May 1.
Greenhouse Gas Reporting – Under O. Reg. 452 total greenhouse gases emitted during 2010 (reported as CO₂ equivalents, or “CO₂e”) must be reported to the Provincial government by June 1^st if CO₂e emissions exceeded 25,000 tonnes in 2010.  So facilities must assess their emissions to see if reporting is required.  The Federal government has a similar reporting requirement, which applies across Canada, but the threshold is 50,000 tonnes.

If you require assistance with the above reporting requirements please contact Roy Sabino (ext. 107) or Margaret Matusik (ext. 101). 

Biomedical Waste Incinerators

The Province is considering revoking Guideline A-1:  Combustion, Air Pollution Control and Monitoring Requirements for Biomedical Waste Incinerators, published in 2002, as it is outdated.  Instead air emissions of new of modified waste incinerators will be governed under the Certificate of Approval O. Reg. 419/05.

Amendments to Provincial Greenhouse Gas reporting Regulation (OReg 452/09)

December 2010 the Province finalized amendments to the GHG reporting regulation.  The amendments are: (i) removing limits on biomass burning allowances, (ii) allowing verification statements to ne reported in-house to the facility rather than the Province, (iii) adding a new GHG (nitrogen trifluoride) to the program, (iv) allowing the Province to request historical emissions data, and, (v) aligning emission estimation methods with those from the Western Climate Initiative jurisdictions and the US EPA.

Provincial Guidelines for Municipal Waste Incinerators

The Province has decided to update Guideline A-7: “Air Pollution Control, Design and Operation Guidelines for Municipal Waste Thermal Treatment Facilities.”  The Guideline sets emission-based limits that incinerators must meet and provide guidance on how to verify those emission limits.  For any new or modified incinerator Guidelines A-7 requirements are additional to Provincial CofA (Air & Noise) requirements.

CANADIAN FEDERAL NEWS

Note that the Federal government also regulates emissions of certain industries or substances such as the Chlor-Alkali Mercury Release Regulations (SOR/90-130), Chromium Electroplating, Chromium Anodizing and Reverse Etching Regulations (SOR/2009-162) and the Vinyl Chloride Release Regulations, 1992 (SOR/92-631).

AIRZONE NEWS

Our occupational health and safety department has continued to provide assistance with identifying worker exposures to airborne contaminants, including:  isocyanates, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, silica and noise in occupational settings.  Moreover, we have been characterizing and measuring chemicals in vapor intrusion studies, where contaminated ground or ground water are sources of indoor airborne contaminants.

Our permitting department continues to work on CofA’s (air & noise) to ensure that companies meet regulatory requirements.  Specifically for brick manufacturers, waste treatment facilities, oil industry pipe manufacturers, flour mills, coffee roasting operations, commercial/office buildings, chrome platers, propane cylinder manufacturers, aerospace industry, office furniture manufacturing and zinc galvanizing facilities.

Contact Franco DiGiovanni [ext. 102, fdi-giovanni{at}airzoneone.com] or Phil Fellin (ext. 105) to enquire about these topics, or to review your air quality issues in light of new regulations.

To receive our newsletter via email please take a moment and sign up at www.airzoneone.com/newsletter-sign-up/

Presentations topics included:

• Occupational Hygiene in Emerging Countries
• Writing Quality MSDSs
• Updates from the Ministry of Labour
• Noise from Wind Turbines
• Indoor Non-Industrial Noise Reduction
• Remediation of Large Scale Methamphetamine Labs
• Occupational Hygiene and LEED Buildings

Overall the Symposium was informative by bringing awareness to changes in legislation and by identifying new avenues and opportunities requiring occupational hygiene attention.  Key points that should be noted include:

MOL Changes to Ontario Regulation 833 that came into effect on July 1, 2010.  These can be found by visiting the MOL website or by contacting Airzone directly.  The changes include but are not limited to:

• The creation of O.Reg 491/09 which introduced a new format for Occupational Exposure Limits (OEL) listings
  • The “Ontario Table” contains approximately 135 listings where Ontario limits differ from the ACGIH and also include the designated substances.
  • The “ACGIH Table” – reference to limits set forth in the ACGIH 2009 TLV handbook.
  • Rules for using the tables include referencing the Ontario Table first and if not listed then referencing the ACGIH Table. In either case the TWA, STEL, or C cannot be exceeded.
• The creation of O.Reg 490/09 which introduced a combined table for all designated substances and revoked the individual designated substance regulations. OELs remained at current values for all 11 designated substances.
• LEED Certification is becoming very popular in Canada and the US as building owners and managers try to reduce their impact on the environment. The difficulty is in finding a balance between reducing environmental impact and negatively impacting the occupants of the building. Occupational hygiene practices can play a role in determining and preventing unwanted hazards in office spaces such as “sick building syndrome”. Airzone’s experience in conducting Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) assessments can help to identify indoor air contamination which can then be compared to governmental guidelines to ensure occupant safety.

If you would like further information on any of the topics listed above or if we can help you with any questions or assessments relating to Occupational Hygiene, please contact us and we will be more than happy to assist you with your needs.

Ryan Dignard (905)-890-6957  Ext. 103 or 416-892-6924

Charles Geen: (905) -890-6957  Ext. 104