New Chemical Storage Reporting Deadline Near

 

Facilities that exceed screening threshold quantities of a range of chemicals have until Jan. 19, 2008 (or within 60 calendar days of coming into possession of any such chemical at the corresponding quantity) to complete an online Top Screen questionnaire available through the DHS Web site.
Photo courtesy of Oakridge DOE

A new Homeland Security anti-terrorism rule was adopted in 2007 providing the federal government with the authority to secure chemical facilities and other entities to protect against the threat of terrorism. The reporting deadline is Jan. 19, 2008. A list of over 300 common chemicals, or chemicals by concentration in some cases, is included in a document called Appendix A. Exceeding the screening threshold quantity means a facility owner/operator must complete the on-line assessment in order to determine a facility?EUR??,,????'?????<

All facilities are urged to review the list of chemicals in Appendix A to see whether any chemical STQ is exceeded. For example, if a golf facility posesses ammonium nitrate (used as a fertilizer), at an STQ of 2,000 lbs, or propane at an STQ of 7,500 lbs, they must complete the assessment. Phosphorus is also included in Appendix A, however, this type of phosphorus ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Any facility that manufactures, uses, stores, or distributes a chemical listed in Appendix A at or above the STQ listed must complete the Top Screen questionnaire by Jan. 19, 2008 or face stiff DHS penalties and inspections.