Is the RQ exceeded?

A Reportable QuantityThe quantity of a hazardous substance or extremely hazardous substance that, if released, must be reported to the State Emergency Response Commission and Local Emergency Planning Committee for areas likely to be affected by the release. If the substance is regulated under CERCLA, the release must also be reported to the National Response Center. (RQ) is a specific amount of either a hazardous substance specified in CERCLAComprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (also known as Superfund). Creates a framework for federal involvement in response and cleanup activities following hazardous substance releases. For more information, see www.epa.gov/superfund/superfund-cercla-overview. or an Extremely Hazardous SubstanceEHS chemicals have been identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as particular threats. They are listed under EPCRA in the appendices to 40 CFR 355, Emergency Planning and Notification. (EHS) specified in EPCRAEmergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (also know as SARA Title III). Defines list of chemicals that are classified as Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHSs) and requires planning for and reporting of EHS releases from facilities (www.epa.gov/epcra). Section 302 (learn more about these federal regulations). If a chemical is released in amounts exceeding the RQ within a 24-hour period, specific notification requirements must be followed.

  • CERCLA RQs: Facilities or vessels that release more than the RQ of a listed chemical within any 24-hour period must immediately report it to National Response Center (1-800-424-8802), as well as notifying the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC).
  • EPCRA RQs: Any time an EHS聽is released beyond the boundaries of a facility in an amount that exceeds the chemical's RQ, the owner or operator of the facility must immediately notify the LEPC and the SERC.
Note:聽For reporting notification details, including exemptions to the reporting requirements, see the regulations.

Finding an RQ and Checking Whether it's Exceeded

You can use CAMEO 365bet娱乐 to check whether there is an RQ for a substance on scene:

  1. Search for the chemical.
  2. In the Search Results pages, find the chemical datasheet, and click View Datasheet.
  3. Look in the Regulatory Information section of the datasheet for the CERCLA RQ data and the EPCRA 304 EHS RQ data from the EPA Consolidated List of Lists.

    Chlorine is regulated as a Hazardous Substance under CERCLA and has a Reportable Quantity of 10 pounds. Chlorine is also regulated as an Extremely Hazardous Substance under EPCRA Section 304 and has a Reportable Quantity of 10 pounds.
  4. Determine whether the RQ is exceeded by comparing the estimated release amount to the RQ. If the release amount is smaller, the release need not be reported under CERCLA or EPCRA. If the release amount is equal or larger, continue to step 5. See how to convert from gallons to pounds to compare the release amount to the RQSee how to convert from gallons to pounds to compare the release amount to the RQ

    If the release amount is in gallons, you'll need to convert it to pounds to compare it to the RQReportable Quantity. The quantity of a hazardous substance or extremely hazardous substance that, if released, must be reported to the State Emergency Response Commission and Local Emergency Planning Committee for areas likely to be affected by the release. If the substance is regulated under CERCLA, the release must also be reported to the National Response Center..

    First, find the chemical's specific gravityThe ratio of the density of a substance at a given temperature to the density of water at the same temperature. A substance with a specific gravity greater than 1.0 will sink (rather than float) in water. (in the Physical Properties section of the datasheet). Then multiply that value by 8.32 (the weight of a gallon of water in pounds). The result is the densityThe ratio of the mass (weight) of a substance to the volume it occupies. For example, if 1 cubic foot of a substance weighs 10 pounds, its density is 10 pounds per cubic foot. of the substance in pounds per gallon. Finally, multiply the number of gallons spilled by the density. This yields the weight in pounds of the release substance.

    Here's an example:聽15 gallons of chlorine has spilled. The chemical datasheet shows that the specific gravity is 1.424. Multiply 1.424 by 8.32 to get 11.85 pounds per gallon. Then multiply 11.85 pounds/gallon by 15 gallons to get 177.75 pounds of chlorine spilled.

  5. If the release duration is no more than 24 hours and the release amount is equal or larger than the RQ, the release must be reported. Continue to step 6 if the release duration is longer than 24 hours.
  6. If the release duration is longer than 24 hours, you need to determine the amount released during a 24-hour period and compare that to the RQ. See an example of calculating the amount released in 24 hoursSee an example of calculating the amount released in 24 hours

    If the release has been at a continuous, steady rate for the entire time, you could estimate the 24-hour release amount by: (1)聽dividing 24 hours by the release duration in hours and then (2)聽multiplying that quantity by the release amount.

    Here's an example of that calculation:聽The RQReportable Quantity. The quantity of a hazardous substance or extremely hazardous substance that, if released, must be reported to the State Emergency Response Commission and Local Emergency Planning Committee for areas likely to be affected by the release. If the substance is regulated under CERCLA, the release must also be reported to the National Response Center. for phosphorus trichloride is 1,000 pounds. Assume that 1,500 pounds of phosphorus trichloride was released at a continuous, steady rate over a 40-hour period. First, divide 24 hours by 40 hours to get 0.6. Then multiply 0.6 by 1500 pounds, which gives you 900 pounds released over 24 hours.聽Because 900 pounds is less than the RQ, the release does not need to be reported.

For More Information

  • External link.聽covers frequently asked questions about CERCLA RQs and EPCRA RQs.