EPA (U. S. Environmental Protection Agency)

Abstract

The EPA's final version of the hazardous substances portion of Section 311 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act was issued in Mar. 1978, and designates 271 compounds as hazardous to aquatic life; 28 additional compounds are still under consideration. The directive categorizes each chemical according to toxicity, specifies a hazardous quantity in pound per day, and establishes a schedule of penalties for spills beyond these limits. For less severe violations, $500-$5000 fines are mandated; for more serious infractions, the fines go as high as $500,000 for onshore facilities and $5 million for ships. To determine the size of the penalties, the EPA has developed an adjustment multiplier ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 for categories based on solubility, density, volatility, and propensity for dispersal in water. Amyl acetate, ethylbenzene, xylene, allyl chloride, benzene, cyclohexane, isoprene, methyl methacrylate, styrene, and toluene, were determined by the EPA to be oil-like compounds, and therefore removable. Their discharge does not subject the spiller to any fines, but does require the spiller to pay the cost of cleanup and removal.