Environmental Contamination

Issues & Trends Webinar on April 20, 2021: Vapor Intrusion – Acute Risk Associated with TCE

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The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program reminds you that the next webinar in the Issues & Trends series will take place next week, April 20, 2021, from noon to 1:00 p.m.

The scheduled presentation is: Vapor Intrusion – Acute Risk Associated with TCE.

The presentation is a discussion of the acute risk associated with trichloroethylene (TCE) in vapors. Presenters and guests will provide background on TCE and its prevalence in Wisconsin, along with a discussion of short-term, health-related concerns. Speakers will also explain the need to prioritize vapor investigations when TCE is a contaminant of concern, DNR’s authority under NR 708 and the DNR’s partnerships with DHS and local health departments.

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Public Input Opportunity – Publication RR-649, Guidance for Documenting the Investigation of Human-made Preferential Pathways Including Utility Corridors

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The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program is now seeking input on publication RR-649, Guidance for Documenting the Investigation of Human-made Preferential Pathways Including Utility Corridors.

The guidance is intended for persons who perform and document investigation and remediation of sites with environmental contamination under Wisconsin Administrative Code (Wis. Admin. Code) chs. NR 700-799, including the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff who review such submittals.

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Reminder Letter Sent To Responsible Parties To Prioritize Vapor Intrusion Evaluations At Sites With TCE

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The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program is sending a reminder letter regarding vapor intrusion to parties responsible for cleanup at open remediation sites in Wisconsin. A copy of the letter will also be sent to the responsible party’s (RP) environmental consultant.

The letter is a reminder to RPs and consultants that the potential for short-term (i.e., acute) health risks associated with trichloroethylene (TCE) in indoor air are serious enough that it should be one of the first things evaluated as part of a site investigation. This is especially true on sites where contamination may impact sensitive populations and should be routinely reassessed throughout a project’s life to ensure protectiveness.

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DNR Adopts the Department of Health Services’ Recommended Hazard Index (HI) Approach

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DNR Adopts the Department of Health Services’ Recommended Hazard Index (HI) Approach for Evaluating Human Health Risk of Certain PFAS due to Ingestion of Drinking Water

On Nov. 6, 2020, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) provided the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recommended groundwater standards for 16 PFAS substances (known as “Cycle 11”). Shortly thereafter, DHS provided recommendations to DNR for utilizing a hazard index approach to assess the cumulative risk of these PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS from Cycle 10. The hazard index risk assessment approach is used to assess the cumulative risks of compounds with similar health effects that are typically found as mixtures in environmental samples. This approach has been employed by DHS to evaluate certain classes of pesticides and volatile organic compounds as well as by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to evaluate the risk posed by non-carcinogenic chemicals found at Superfund sites.

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DNR Requests NRB Adoption of Permanent Rule RR-10-17 on April 14, 2021

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As part of a continuing effort to ensure efficient and effective guidance and standards for the investigation and remediation of contaminated sites in Wisconsin, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is working with key public and industry stakeholders, state agencies, the State Legislature, the governor and the general public to update portions of chs. NR 700-799, Wis. Adm. Code.

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New Guidance And Training For Investigation And Remediation Of 1,4-Dioxane

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Newly updated and comprehensive information related to the investigation and cleanup of 1,4-dioxane is now available from the Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC).

View the fact sheets and guidance documents on ITRC’s website.

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Public Input Opportunity – Publication RR-606, Guidance on the Case Closure Process and Continuing Obligations: Wis. Admin. Code chs. NR 725 to727

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The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program is now seeking input on the publication RR-606, Guidance on the Case Closure Process and Continuing Obligations: Wis. Admin. Code chs. NR 725 to 727.

The purpose of the guidance is to guide users in preparing for a case closure request, particularly at sites where contamination remains after response actions are complete and continuing obligations are needed to address exposure pathways. This guidance document is intended for use by responsible parties, consultants or other interested parties, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources staff and Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection staff.

The document can be found at the RR Program’s Public Notices & Guidance web page under the “Program Guidance” tab. Comments may be submitted through March 24, 2021 to Jane Lemcke at Jane.Lemcke@wisconsin.gov or DNRRRGuidance@wisconsin.gov.

ITRC’s Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Technical Resources Now Available

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A new, comprehensive series of technical resources covering a variety of vapor intrusion mitigation topics is now available from the Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC). The resources are included on the Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program’s web page of Vapor Intrusion Resources for Environmental Professionals.

ITRC’s technical resources cover a range of topics specific to vapor intrusion mitigation, including:

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Public Input Opportunity – Publication RR-082, Guidance: NR 700 Semi-Annual Site Progress Report, Wis. Admin Code § NR 700.11(1)(a)

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The Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program is now seeking input on the publication RR-082, Guidance: NR 700 Semi-Annual Site Progress Report, Wis. Admin Code § NR 700.11(1)(a).

The purpose of the guidance is to provide information regarding semi-annual progress reports, which are required of responsible parties for open remediation sites.

The document can be found at the RR Program’s Public Notices & Guidance web page under the “Program Guidance” tab.

Comments may be submitted through February 17, 2021 to Tim Zeichert at Timothy.Zeichert@wisconsin.gov or DNRRRGuidance@wisconsin.gov.

U.S. EPA’s Brownfields 2021 Conference Issues “Call for Ideas”

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Organizers of Brownfields 2021, the National Brownfields Training Conference, are requesting your ideas and suggestions for the upcoming event to be held September 27-30, 2021, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

The National Brownfields Training Conference is attended by stakeholders focused on environmental revitalization and economic redevelopment.

The deadline to submit topic and speaker ideas is March 8, 2021.

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