Toxics Reduction Act (TRA)
The goal of the Toxics Reduction Act is to reduce the use and emissions of toxic substances. It requires subscribed facilities within Ontario to:
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- Track and Account for toxic substances used, created, emitted, disposed of at their facility
- Report to the MOE and the public
- Prepare a plan to reduce toxic substance
Does the Toxic Reductions Act Apply to my Company
Toxic substances are defined as: All substances and substance groupings under NPRI as well as acetone (adopted from O.Reg.127/01). The regulation is being introduced in two phases:
Phase I:
For 47 priority substances and substance groupings (listed in Table A O.Reg. 455/09) tracking January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010. The first report was due by June 1, 2011.
Phase II:
All remaining substances under NPRI and acetone tracking January 1, 2012 to 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.
Accounting and Reporting Requirements
The Act requires prescribed facilities to track and account for the use, creation, disposal, and in product use of toxic substances at a facility. The facility must report these by June 1st for the previous calendar year to the MOE and public. This report is due annually for as long as the facility meets reporting requirements as described above.
Toxics Reduction Plan
The Act requires that a facility prepare a plan to reduce the use, creation, disposal and emissions of toxic substances. The plan is due December 31st based on the previous year’s data, and is valid for 5 years or until there is a major change to the facility. The plan must be certified by a certified planner and the highest ranking employee.
The deadline for Toxics Reduction Plans for Phase I facilities is fast approaching (Dec 31st, 2012). If you are looking for a certified planner contact Farida Dehghan Ph.D., P.Eng. at 905 890 6957 ext. 110 or by email at (fdehghan[at]airzoneone.com).
More Provincial News
Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR) Proposed Regulations
The Ministry of the Environment is taking public reviews and comments for 45 days starting on July 25th 2012 to consult on proposed regulations to allow three additional activities to register under the EASR and proposed changes to the standby power system requirements for current EASR eligible power system activities.? The proposal would affect small ground-mounted solar units, lithographic, screen and digital printing and non-hazardous waste transportation systems.? For more detailed information you can review the MOE document directly , contact us on the web, or directly contactFranco DiGiovanni at 905 890 6957 ext. 102 or by email at (Farida Dehghan Ph.D., P.Eng. at ext 107 (fdehghan[at]airzoneone.com).
Federal News
Guidance For Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) in Residential Indoor Air
The Minister of Health has given notice that previous guidance for PM2.5 exposure, made by Health Canada in 1987, be rescinded. There are no exposure limits given by the Minister. In place of concrete guidance, the Minister recommends decreasing PM2.5 exposure as much as possible. It is believed that less exposure is equated with health benefits. Two simple recommendations are to not smoke indoors and to use a stove top fan while cooking.
Airzone One News
We have recently updated our lab capabilities with the acquisition of two new GC-MS systems, one of which has thermal desorption capabilities. Additionally we acquired a new GC TCD/FPD to continue to position ourselves as leaders in reduced sulfur compound analysis. Furthermore, we have decided to upgrade our gas systems and are now, with the purchase of gas generators, able to generate our own hydrogen, Zero Air and Nitrogen.? All of these upgrades are in line with our continued commitment to lab excellence and accuracy and will help us provide more accurate analysis and quicker turnaround times for our clients.
To inquire about lab analysis contact Phil Fellin at 905 890 6957 ext. 105 (pfellin[at]airzoneone.com)
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