Targeted Chemical Reporting FAQ
Targeted Chemical Reporting FAQs
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What is the purpose of the Targeted Chemical Report?
The Targeted Chemical Report (completed by labs in the Lab Safety & Waste Management System) helps Duke comply with the Department of Homeland Security’s Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standard (CFATS) as well as the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). CFATS and EPCRA require Duke to determine aggregate quantities of regulated chemicals. The Targeted Chemical Report collects information about quantities of some chemicals from these lists that could approach regulatory thresholds. (For most of the chemicals on the lists, OESO has determined that our aggregate quantities are well below the regulatory thresholds.)
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What is the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) in 1986. This act was created to help communities plan for emergencies involving hazardous substances. EPCRA requires hazardous chemical emergency planning by federal, state, and local governments, Indian tribes, and industry. It requires Duke to report on the storage, use and releases of hazardous chemicals to federal, state, and local governments.
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How often is the Targeted Chemical Report completed?
The report needs to be completed annually, here. If you are not able to log in, please contact OESO at 919-684-2794.
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When does the Targeted Chemical Report need to be completed?
The Targeted Chemical Report should be completed prior to your lab evaluation.
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Does this have to be completed by the Principal Investigator (PI) or can another lab member do it?
The PI can designate any of his or her staff to complete the online targeted chemical report. The Lab Coordinator will automatically have access to this section of the Laboratory Safety Management System. To designate another employee to complete this report, add that employee as a contact for your lab (go to “Manage Users” tab) and check the box for Chemical Reporting permissions.
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Our lab doesn’t have any of the listed chemicals. Do we still have to submit a report?
Yes; submit the report to indicate that you don’t have any of the targeted chemicals.
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How accurate does the inventory have to be?
If your inventory of chemical materials is variable, make an estimate of the maximum quantity you may have on hand.
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If two (or more) PIs share the same room, are one or two (or more) inventories required?
Each primary laboratory PI should complete a separate targeted chemical report. If chemicals are shared, they should be listed on one PI’s submittal only.
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If I dispose of one of these chemicals, does it have to be put on my inventory?
If you dispose of any of the targeted chemicals prior to submitting your report, you do not have to list it. If you dispose of it after reporting it, you can submit a new report with that item removed.
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I have additional questions. How can I get in touch with you?
Call us at 919-684-8822 or email us at labsafety@duke.edu. If you email, please put Targeted Chemical Reporting in the subject line.