Acutely hazardous waste, as defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is a
waste that causes immediate danger of life, health, or the environment upon exposure. These wastes
carry a “P—” waste code number.
Conditionally exempt small quantity generator (CESQG) is a generator who generates less than
100 kg of hazardous waste (or less than 1 kg of acutely hazardous waste) in a calendar month and
accumulates less than 1,000 kg at any one time.
Contingency plan is a document setting out an organized, planned, coordinated course of
action to be followed in case of fire, explosion, or release of hazardous waste or hazardous waste
constituents that could threaten human health or the environment.
Designated facility is a hazardous waste treatment, storage or disposal facility that has received
a permit in accordance with 40 CFR Part 270 and has been designated on the manifest by the generator
as the facility of choice.
Disposal means discharging, depositing, injecting, dumping, spilling, leaking, or placing any
solid or hazardous waste into or on any land or water so that such solid waste or hazardous waste or
any constituent thereof may enter the environment or be emitted into the air or discharged into any
waters, including groundwater.
Disposal facility is a facility or part of a facility where hazardous waste is intentionally placed
into or on any land or water, and where waste will remain after closure.
EPA hazardous waste code number is the number assigned by the EPA to each type of
hazardous waste.
EPA ID number is the number assigned by the EPA to each generator, transporter, and
treatment, storage, and disposal facility (TSDF).
Generator means any person, by site, whose act or process produces hazardous waste
identified or listed in 40 CFR Part 261 or whose act first causes a hazardous waste to become subject
to regulation.
Hazardous waste is a hazardous material that is classified as hazardous under the criteria for
listed waste and/or hazardous characteristics of ignitability, reactivity, corrosivity, and toxicity. (See
further explanation in Chapter 3A.5.)
Large quantity generator (LQG) is a generator who generates more than 1,000 kg of
hazardous waste (or more than 1 kg of acutely hazardous waste) in a calendar month, or accumulates
more than 6,000 kg of hazardous waste at one time.
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Manifest is the shipping document originated and signed by the generator in accordance with
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 262.
RCRA is the acronym for the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, which
established the framework for hazardous waste management requirements for generators, transporters,
or owners and operators of treatment, storage, or disposal facilities.
Small quantity generator (SQG) is a generator who generates more than 100 kg and less than
1,000 kg of hazardous waste in a calendar month, or who accumulates more than 1,000 kg and less
than 6,000 kg of waste at one time.
Solid waste is any discarded material that has served its intended purpose or is a manufacturing
or mining by-product that is not domestic sewage, point source discharge, irrigation return flow,
nuclear by-product, or in-situ mining waste. (See additional explanation in Chapter 3A.4.
TC stands for toxicity characteristic. This term is part of the definition of hazardous waste and
is more fully explained in Chapter 3A.5.2.
TCLP stands for toxicity characteristic leaching procedure. This is the laboratory procedure
that evaluates the potential for certain toxic constituents to leach from waste. Constituents that leach
above certain concentrations are considered to be characteristically toxic hazardous wastes.
TSDF means treatment, storage, and disposal facility.
90-Day hazardous waste accumulation is the accumulation period during which an LQG may
store hazardous waste on-site without permit.
Chapter 3B.2 Key Definitions
Commercial Solid Waste includes all types of solid waste generated by stores, offices,
restaurants, warehouses, and other nonmanufacturing activities, excluding residential and industrial
wastes.
Industrial Solid Waste is solid waste generated by manufacturing or industrial processes that is
not hazardous waste regulated under Subtitle C of RCRA. Such waste may include, but is not limited
to, waste resulting from the following manufacturing processes: electric power generation; fertilizer
and agricultural chemicals; food and related products and by-products; inorganic chemicals; iron and
steel manufacturing; leather and leather products; nonferrous metals manufacturing and foundries;
organic chemicals; plastics and resins manufacturing; pulp and paper; rubber and miscellaneous plastic
products; stone, glass, clay and concrete products; textile manufacturing; transportation equipment;
and water treatment. This term does not include mining wastes or oil and gas waste. It should be
assumed that waste produced by wood manufacturing processes would be considered either industrial
solid waste or hazardous waste.
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Municipal Solid Waste Landfill (MSWLF) is a discrete area of land or an excavation that
receives household waste. This unit may not otherwise be defined as a land application unit, surface
impoundment, injection well, or waste pile. An MSWLF unit may also receive other types of RCRA
Subtitle D wastes, such as commercial solid waste, nonhazardous sludge, small quantity generator
waste, and industrial solid waste. Such a landfill may be publicly or privately owned. An MSWLF unit
may be a new MSWLF unit, an existing MSWLF unit, or a lateral expansion.
Open Burning is the combustion of solid waste without the following: (1) control of
combustion air to maintain adequate temperature for efficient combustion; (2) containment of the
combustion reaction in an enclosed device to provide sufficient residence time and mixing for complete
combustion; and (3) control of emissions of combustion products.
Solid Waste is any garbage, refuse, sludge (i.e., from a waste treatment plant, water supply
treatment plant, or air pollution control facility), and other discarded material (including solid, liquid,
semisolid, or contained gaseous material), resulting from industrial, commercial, mining, and
agricultural operations, and from community activities.
Chapter 3C.2 Key Definitions
The following definitions are necessary to determine whether a tank is subject to part 280:
Regulated Substance means:
· Any substance defined under Section 101(14) of CERCLA, but not including any
substance regulated as a hazardous waste under Subtitle C of RCRA (i.e., any
hazardous substance that is not regulated as hazardous waste under RCRA); and
· Petroleum, including crude oil or any fraction thereof that is a liquid at standard
conditions of temperature and pressure (60 degrees Fahrenheit and 14.7 pounds per
square inch absolute).
Underground Storage Tank (UST) means a tank or combination of tanks (including connected
underground pipes) that are used to contain an accumulation of a regulated substance. The volume of
the tank(s) including the volume of the connected underground pipes must be 10 percent or more
beneath the surface of the ground.
USTs do not include:
· Farm or residential tanks storing less than 1,100 gallons of motor fuel for
noncommercial purposes;
· Tanks used for storing heating oil for consumptive use (not limited to use only for
heating) on the premises where stored;
· Septic tanks;
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· Pipeline facilities (including gathering lines) regulated under:
— The Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968
— The Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Act of 1969;
· An intrastate pipeline regulated under state laws;
· Surface impoundments, pits, ponds, lagoons;
· Stormwater or wastewater collection systems;
· Flow-through process tanks;
· Liquid traps or associated gathering lines directly related to oil or gas production and
gathering operations; or
· Storage tanks situated in a basement, cellar, or other underground area, if the tank is
situated upon or above the floor.
Chapter 4A.2 Key Definitions
CWA means the Clean Water Act, as amended.
Direct Discharge means the addition of any pollutant or combination of pollutants to waters of
the United States.
Effluent Limit means any restriction imposed by an NPDES permitting agency on quantities,
discharge rates, and concentrations of pollutants that are discharged into waters of the United States or
into POTW’s.
Indirect Discharge means the introduction of pollutants to a POTW.
Interference means to inhibit or disrupt a POTW; its treatment processes or operations, or its
sludge processes, use, or disposal thereby causing a violation of any requirement of the POTW’s
NPDES permit or to prevent sewage sludge use or disposal in compliance with the governing
regulations.
NPDES or National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System means the national program for
issuing, modifying, revoking and reissuing, terminating, monitoring, and enforcing permits, and
imposing and enforcing pretreatment requirements, under Sections 307, 402, 318, and 405 of the Clean
Water Act.
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Pass Through means the movement through and exit from a POTW into waters of the United
States in quantities or concentrations which, alone or in conjunction with other discharges to the
POTW, is a cause of violation of any requirement of the POTW’s NPDES permit.
POTW or Publicly Owned Treatment Works is a treatment works owned by a state or
municipality. This includes any devices and systems used in the storage, treatment, recycling and
reclamation of municipal sewage or industrial wastes of a liquid nature. It also includes sewers, pipes
and other conveyances if they convey wastewater to the POTW.
Pretreatment means the reduction of the amount of pollutants, the elimination of pollutants, or
the alteration of the nature of pollutant properties in wastewater prior to or in lieu of discharging such
pollutants into a POTW. The reduction or alteration may be obtained by physical, chemical, or
biological processes; process changes; or by other means.
Process Wastewater means any water which, during manufacturing or processing, comes into
direct contact with or results from the production or use of any raw material, intermediate product,
finished product, byproduct, or waste product.
Chapter 4B.2.1 Key Definitions
Oil means oil of any kind or in any form, including, but not limited to, petroleum, fuel oil,
sludge, oil refuse, and oil mixed with wastes other than dredged spoil.
Discharge includes but is not limited to, any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting,
emptying, or dumping.
Spill Event means a discharge of oil into or upon the navigable waters of the United Sates or
adjoining shorelines in harmful quantities.
Discharge of oil in harmful quantities means a discharge that violates applicable water quality
standards, or causes a film or sheen on the water surface or shoreline, or causes a sludge deposit in the
water.
Navigable waters are defined as “water of the United States,” which, in turn, are defined at
40 CFR Section 122.2 to include all waters affected by commerce, tidal waters, and intrastate rivers,
lakes, streams, (whether flowing or not), wetlands, mudflats, sloughs, and natural ponds that could be
used for recreational, fishing, or industrial purposes.
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Chapter 5.2 Key Definitions
Source Reduction–Any practice which:
· Reduces the amount of any hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant entering
any waste stream or otherwise released into the environment (including fugitive
emissions) prior to recycling, treatment, or disposal; and
· Reduces the hazards to public health and the environment associated with the release of
such substances, pollutants, or contaminants.4
The term includes equipment or technology modifications, process or procedure modifications,
reformulation or redesign of products, substitution of raw materials, and improvements in
housekeeping, maintenance, training, or inventory control.
The term does not include any practice which alters the physical, chemical, or biological
characteristics or the volume of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or containment through a process or
activity which itself is not integral to and necessary for the production of a product or the provision of a
service.
Pollution Prevention–Source reduction and environmentally sound recycling activities.5
Waste Minimization–Officially, this term refers to pollution prevention specific to hazardous
waste.6
Unofficially, it is often used to refer to other types of pollution prevention.
Chapter 6.4 Key Definitions
Attainment Area means any area that meets the national primary or secondary ambient air
quality standard for the pollutant.
BACT means best available control technology and is the control level required for sources
subject to PSD. From the regulation (reference 40 CFR Part 52.21[b]), BACT means
Building, structure, facility, or installation means all of the pollutant-emitting activities which
belong to the same industrial grouping, are located on one or more contiguous or adjacent properties,
and are under the control of the same person (or person under common control). Pollutant-emitting
activities shall be considered as part of the same industrial grouping if they belong to the same “Major
Group” (i.e., which have the same first two-digit code) as described in the SIC Manual, 1972, as
amended by the 1977 Supplement (U.S. Government Printing Office stock numbers 4101-0066 and
003-005-00176-0, respectively).
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Continuous Compliance means, with respect to an applicable emission limitation or standard,
that:
(1) An owner or operator has obtained quality-assured data from an enhanced monitoring
protocol for all periods in a reporting period during which the enhanced monitoring
protocol is required to operate.
(2) Such data demonstrate that an owner or operator has complied with the applicable
emission limitation or standard during all monitored periods during the reporting
period; and
(3) Any other data collected for the purpose of determining compliance during the period
demonstrate that an owner or operator has complied with an applicable emission
limitation or standard during the periods in which such data were collected.
Emission Units mean the individual emitting facilities at a location that together make up the
source. From the regulation (reference 40 CFR 52.21[b]), it means “any part of a stationary source
which emits or would have the potential to emit any pollutant subject to regulation under the Act.”
Enhanced Monitoring means the methodology used by an owner or operator to detect
deviations with sufficient representativeness, accuracy, precision, reliability, frequency, and timeliness in
order to determine if compliance is continuous during a reporting period. Such monitoring shall be
conducted through an enhanced monitoring protocol established in accordance with 40 CFR 64.4.
Fugitive emissions means those emissions from a stationary source that could not reasonably
pass through a stack, chimney, vent, or other functionally equivalent opening. Under §112 of the
CAA, all fugitive emissions are to be considered in determining whether a stationary source is a major
source.
HAP means hazardous air pollutant. The EPA has promulgated a list of 189 HAPs (see Table
6B.3-1).
Increment means the maximum permissible level of air quality deterioration that may occur
beyond the baseline air quality level. Increments were defined statutorily by Congress for SO2 and PM.
Recently the EPA also has promulgated increments for NOx and PM10 (replacing PM). Increments are
consumed or expanded by actual emissions changes occurring after the baseline date and by
construction-related actual emissions changes occurring after January 6, 1975, and February 8, 1988
for PM (PM10)/SO2
and NO2, respectively.
LAER means the lowest achievable emissions rate and is the control level required of a source
subject in a nonattainment area based on the following:
(a) The most stringent emissions limitation which is contained in the implementation plan
of any state for such class or category of stationary source, unless the owner or
operator of the proposed stationary source demonstrates that such limitations are not
achievable; or
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(b) The most stringent emissions limitation which is achieved in practice by such class or
category of stationary sources. This limitation, when applied to a modification, means
the LAER of the new or modified emissions units within a stationary source. In no
event shall the application of the term permit a proposed new or modified stationary
source to emit any pollutant in excess of the amount allowable under an applicable new
source standard of performance.
MACT means maximum achievable control technology and is the technological basis for
controlling HAPs. For new sources, MACT is the best emission control achieved by similar sources.
For existing sources, MACT is based on the best-performing 12 percent of sources for categories
comprising 30 or more sources, or on the best-performing 5 sources for categories comprising fewer
than 30 sources.
Modification means any physical change in, or change in the method of operation of, an
existing facility which increases the amount of any air pollutant (to which a standard applies) emitted
into the atmosphere by that facility or which results in the emission of any air pollutant (to which a
standard applies) into the atmosphere not previously emitted.
NAAQS means National Ambient Air Quality Standards; they are federal standards for the
minimum ambient air quality needed to protect public health and welfare. They have been set for six
criteria pollutants: SO2, PM/PM10, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), CO, O3 VOC, and lead (Pb).
NESHAP means National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants, and is a
technology-based standard of performance prescribed for HAPs from certain stationary source
categories under Section 112 of the CAA. Where they apply, NESHAP represent absolute minimum
requirements for BACT.
Nonattainment Area means any area that does not meet (or that contributes to ambient air
quality in a nearby area that does not meet) the national primary or secondary ambient air quality
standard for that pollutant.
NSPS means new source performance standard, and is an emission standard prescribed for
criteria pollutants from certain stationary source categories under Section 111 of the CAA. Where
they apply, NSPS represent absolute minimum requirements for BACT.
Potential to Emit means the maximum capacity of a stationary source to emit a pollutant under
its physical and operational design. Any physical or operational limit on a unit’s capacity to emit a
pollutant shall be treated as part of its design, provided the limitation is federally enforceable.
PSD means prevention of significant deterioration and is a construction air pollution permitting
program designed to ensure air quality does not degrade beyond the NAAQS levels or beyond
specified incremental amounts above a prescribed baseline level. The PSD also ensures application of
BACT to major stationary sources and major modifications for regulated pollutants and consideration
of soils, vegetation, and visibility impacts in the permitting process.
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RACT means reasonably available control technology which is the lowest emission limitation
that a particular source is capable of meeting by the application of control technology that is reasonably
available considering technological and economic feasibility.
SIP means State Implementation Plan and is the federally approved state (or local) air quality
management authority’s statutory plan for attaining and maintaining the NAAQS. Generally, this refers
to the state/local quality rules and permitting requirements that have been accepted by EPA as evidence
of an acceptable control strategy.
Source Category means a segment of industry that is subject to regulatory analysis,
development, and possibly promulgation of a NESHAP rule.
Stationary Source means any building, structure, facility, or installation that emits or may emit
any air pollutant.
Stationary Sources means, for PSD purposes, all emissions units at one location under
common ownership or control. From the regulation (reference 40 CFR Parts 52.21[b][5] and
51.166[b][5]), it means “any building, structure, facility, or installation which emits or may emit any air
pollutant subject to regulation under the Act.”
Wood Furniture Manufacturing Operations means the finishing, gluing, and cleaning operations
associated with the production of wood furniture or wood furniture components. Examples of
facilities that are likely to have wood furniture manufacturing operations are those described by any of
the following standard industrial classification codes: 2434, 2511, 2512, 2517, 2519, 2521, 2531,
2541, and 2599.
VOHAP means volatile organic hazardous air pollutant and includes those hazardous air
pollutants that are listed in section 112(b) that are organic.
Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) means any organic compound which participates in
atmospheric photochemical reactions, that is, any organic compound other than those which the
Administrator designates as having negligible photochemical reactivity. VOC may be measured by a
reference method, an equivalent method, an alternative method, or by procedures specified under any
rule. A reference method, an equivalent method, or an alternative method, however, may also measure
nonreactive organic compounds. In such cases, the owner or operator may exclude the nonreactive
organic compounds when determining compliance with a standard. For a list of compounds that the
Administrator has designated as having negligible photochemical reactivity, refer to 407 CFR 51.00.
Chapter 7.3 Key Definitions
The following terms are commonly used when discussing the Superfund program:
Applicable requirements are cleanup standards, standards of control, and other substantive
requirements, criteria, or regulations promulgated under federal or state environmental or facility siting
law, which specifically address a hazardous substance, action, or other circumstances of a Superfund
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site. Relevant and appropriate requirements are federal or state requirements, criteria, or limitations
that are not legally binding, but address situations similar to those encountered at the site.
Facility means any building, structure, installation, equipment, pipe or pipeline, well, pit, pond,
lagoon, impoundment, ditch, landfill, storage container, vehicle, stock, or aircraft, or any site or area,
where a hazardous substance has been deposited, stored, disposed of, or placed, but does not include
any consumer product in consumer use or any vessel (CERCLA §101[19]).
Feasibility Study (FS) is a study and analysis process for developing, evaluating, and selecting
remedial actions. The term also refers to a report which describes the results of the study.
Hazardous Ranking System (HRS) scores are calculated using computer model (“Pre-Score”).
The HRS score is used by EPA to assess risk at a site and determine if the site qualifies for the
National Priority List (NPL). Sites which score over 28.5 out of 100 are placed on the NPL.
Hazardous substances, which are defined in CERCLA Section 101(14), include any substance
designated pursuant to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, Section 102 of CERCLA, the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Section 112 of the Clean Air Act, or Section 7 of
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The definition excludes any form of petroleum, including
natural gas, unless it is mixed with a specifically listed or characteristically hazardous substance not
inherent in the petroleum. The CERCLA hazardous substances are listed in a table codified at 40 CFR
§302.4
Lead Agency is the responsible organization that provides the primary funding for a Superfund
action and provides the on-scene coordinator and remedial project manager (OSC/RPM) to plan and
implement response actions under the NCP.
The National Contingency Plan (NCP) outlines steps EPA must take in areas of potential
contamination.
National Priorities List (NPL), which is developed pursuant to CERCLA Section 105, is a list
of uncontrolled hazardous substance release sites in the United States that are priorities for long-term
remedial evaluation and response.
On-Scene Coordinator is the federal official predesignated by the EPA or the U.S. Coast
Guard to coordinate and direct federal response to oil spills or to coordinate and direct removal
actions.
Operable Unit (OU) is a discrete part of a response action, such as groundwater cleanup or
removal of contaminated soil, that addresses site problems. The cleanup of a site can be divided into a
number of operable units depending of the complexity of the problems associated with the site.
Preliminary Assessment (PA) is the initial assessment of site conditions by EPA.
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Remedial Investigation (RI) is a data collection and site characterization process at a remedial
action site.
Record of Decision (ROD) is the legal and administrative documentation of the selection of
remedial action, and the reasons and findings on which it is based.
Remedial Project Manager is a federal official or contractor designated by the EPA, the U.S.
Coast Guard, or the Department of Defense to coordinate, monitor, or direct remedial activities.
Site Inspection (SI) follows a PA if the EPA determines that the site is of concern.
Chapter 8.2 Key Definitions
Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980:
This act established the “Superfund” program for hazardous substance site cleanup.
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) of 1986 includes the
emergency planning and chemical reporting requirements establshed under SARA Title III (see SARA
below)
Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS) is a list of 366 hazardous substances specified under
Section 302 as chemicals that are considered to be a potential threat and require reporting when total
quantities exceed the Threshold Planning Quantity (TPQ) or 500 lbs whichever is lower (40 CFR 355).
Hazardous Chemical: This term, used in Section 311 and 312 of EPCRA, refers to the OSHA
definition of any chemical which represents a physical hazard or a health hazard. These chemicals are
not on one specific list. Under this broad definition, many thousands of chemicals meet the OSHA
definition of a hazardous chemical. See Section 8.5 of this chapter.
Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) is the local emergency response planning group
mandated by EPCRA.
National Response Center (NRC) is the national center for organizing responses to emergency
incidents; Any significant spill, fire, explosion or other hazardous substance emergency should be
reported to the NRC (1-800-424-8802).
National Response Team (NRT) is the organization composed of 14 federal agencies with
emergency response responsibilities. This team was organized under EPCRA and required to develop
guidance on emergency response planning. This guidance was published in March 1987 as the
“Hazardous Materials Emergency Planning Guide.”
State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) is the state-level group established to provide
emergency response planning and coordination on a state level.
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Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986: This act was passed to
amend and reauthorize programs established under CERCLA. SARA Title III established emergency
response systems and and chemical inventory and use reporting requirements. This portion of SARA
was given the name Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-know Act (EPCRA).
Threshold Planning Quantity (TPQ): the quantity (by weight) of Extremely Hazardous
Substances that triggers reporting under Section 302 and 311/312.
Chapter 10.2 Key Definitions
An applicator is an individual who uses or supervises the use of pesticides. There are several
types of applicators: certified, commercial, licensed, and private.
A pesticide is any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying,
repelling, or mitigating any pest; and any substance or mixture of substances intended for use as a plant
regulator, defoliant, or desiccant.
Chapter 12.2 Key Definitions
For purposes of this section, it is important to distinguish between the following statutory
definitions: (1) hazardous materials and (2) hazardous substances.
Hazardous Materials (49 CFR § 171.8)
“A substance or material which has been determined by the Secretary of Transportation to be
capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported in
commerce, and which has been designated. The term includes hazardous substances, hazardous
wastes, marine pollutants, and elevated temperature materials, materials designated as hazardous
under the provisions of §§ 172.101 and 172.102 of this subchapter, and materials that meet the
defining criteria for hazard classes and divisions in part 173 of this subchapter.”
Hazardous Substances
A material, including its mixtures and solutions, that is:
· Listed in the appendix to 49 CFR Section 172.101 (Table 1–Hazardous Substances Other Than
Radionucleotides); and
· Offered for transportation in a package (or vehicle when not packaged) in a quantity at or above
its designated reportable quantity (RQ).