Archive
Report on the National Stakeholders Conference on Honey Bee Health
Report on the National Stakeholders Conference on Honey Bee Health (PDF)
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
From press release:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released a comprehensive scientific report on honey bee health. The report states that there are multiple factors playing a role in honey bee colony declines, including parasites and disease, genetics, poor nutrition and pesticide exposure.
“There is an important link between the health of American agriculture and the health of our honeybees for our country’s long term agricultural productivity,” said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan. “The forces impacting honeybee health are complex and USDA, our research partners, and key stakeholders will be engaged in addressing this challenge.”
“The decline in honey bee health is a complex problem caused by a combination of stressors, and at EPA we are committed to continuing our work with USDA, researchers, beekeepers, growers and the public to address this challenge,” said Acting EPA Administrator Bob Perciasepe. “The report we’ve released today is the product of unprecedented collaboration, and our work in concert must continue. As the report makes clear, we’ve made significant progress, but there is still much work to be done to protect the honey bee population.”
New From the GAO
New GAO Reports
Source: Government Accountability Office
1. Toxic Substances: EPA Has Increased Efforts to Assess and Control Chemicals but Could Strengthen Its Approach. GAO-13-249, March 22.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-249
Highlights – http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/653277.pdf
2. State and Local Governments’ Fiscal Outlook: April 2013 Update. GAO-13-546SP, April 29.
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-546SP
EPA Survey Finds More Than Half of the Nation’s River and Stream Miles in Poor Condition
EPA Survey Finds More Than Half of the Nation’s River and Stream Miles in Poor Condition
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released the results of the first comprehensive survey looking at the health of thousands of stream and river miles across the country, finding that more than half – 55 percent – are in poor condition for aquatic life.
…
The 2008-2009 National Rivers and Stream Assessment reflects the most recent data available, and is part of EPA’s expanded effort to monitor waterways in the U.S. and gather scientific data on the condition of the Nation’s water resources.EPA partners, including states and tribes, collected data from approximately 2,000 sites across the country. EPA, state and university scientists analyzed the data to determine the extent to which rivers and streams support aquatic life, how major stressors may be affecting them and how conditions are changing over time.
Findings of the assessment include:
- Nitrogen and phosphorus are at excessive levels. Twenty-seven percent of the nation’s rivers and streams have excessive levels of nitrogen, and 40 percent have high levels of phosphorus. Too much nitrogen and phosphorus in the water—known as nutrient pollution—causes significant increases in algae, which harms water quality, food resources and habitats, and decreases the oxygen that fish and other aquatic life need to survive. Nutrient pollution has impacted many streams, rivers, lakes, bays and coastal waters for the past several decades, resulting in serious environmental and human health issues, and impacting the economy.
- Streams and rivers are at an increased risk due to decreased vegetation cover and increased human disturbance. These conditions can cause streams and rivers to be more vulnerable to flooding, erosion, and pollution. Vegetation along rivers and streams slows the flow of rainwater so it does not erode stream banks, removes pollutants carried by rainwater and helps maintain water temperatures that support healthy streams for aquatic life. Approximately 24 percent of the rivers and streams monitored were rated poor due to the loss of healthy vegetative cover.
- Increased bacteria levels. High bacteria levels were found in nine percent of stream and river miles making those waters potentially unsafe for swimming and other recreation.
- Increased mercury levels. More than 13,000 miles of rivers have fish with mercury levels that may be unsafe for human consumption. For most people, the health risk from mercury by eating fish and shellfish is not a health concern, but some fish and shellfish contain higher levels of mercury that may harm an unborn baby or young child’s developing nervous system.
EPA plans to use this new data to inform decision making about addressing critical needs around the country for rivers, streams, and other waterbodies. This comprehensive survey will also help develop improvements to monitoring these rivers and streams across jurisdictional boundaries and enhance the ability of states and tribes to assess and manage water quality to help protect our water, aquatic life, and human health. Results are available for a dozen geographic and ecological regions of the country.
Environmental Decisions in the Face of Uncertainty
Environmental Decisions in the Face of Uncertainty
Source: Institute of Medicine
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is one of several federal agencies responsible for protecting Americans against significant risks to human health and the environment. EPA estimates the nature, magnitude, and likelihood of risks to human health and the environment; identifies the potential regulatory actions that will mitigate those risks and protect public health and the environment; and uses that information to decide on appropriate regulatory action. Uncertainties in the data and analyses on which these decisions are based enter into the process at each step. As a result, the informed identification and understanding of the uncertainties inherent in the process is an essential feature of environmental decision making.
The EPA asked the IOM to provide guidance to its decision makers and their partners in states and localities on approaches to managing risk in different contexts when uncertainty is present. It also sought guidance on how information on uncertainty should be presented to help risk managers make sound decisions and to increase transparency in its communications with the public about those decisions.
CRS — Cars, Trucks, and Climate: EPA Regulation of Greenhouse Gases from Mobile Sources
Cars, Trucks, and Climate: EPA Regulation of Greenhouse Gases from Mobile Sources (PDF)
Source: Congressional Research Service (via Federation of American Scientists)
On October 15, 2012, the Obama Administration took a major step toward reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from motor vehicles when it promulgated GHG emission standards for model year 2017-2025 light duty vehicles. Under the standards, GHG emissions from new cars and light trucks will be reduced about 50% by 2025 compared to 2010, and average fuel economy standards will rise to nearly 50 miles per gallon. EPA had previously set GHG emission standards for MY2012-2016 vehicles as well as for 2014-2018 model year medium- and heavy-duty trucks.
These steps have been taken as the Congress (particularly the House) and the Administration have reached an impasse over climate issues. The Administration has made clear that its preference would be for Congress to address the climate issue through new legislation. Nevertheless, in the wake of a 2007 Supreme Court decision, it has moved forward on several fronts to define how the Clean Air Act will be used and to promulgate regulations.
The key to using the CAA’s authority to control greenhouse gases was for the EPA Administrator to find that GHG emissions are air pollutants that endanger public health or welfare. EPA Administrator Jackson promulgated such an endangerment finding in December 2009. With the endangerment finding finalized, the agency has proceeded to regulate emissions from motor vehicles.
In all, EPA has received 12 petitions asking that it make endangerment findings and proceed to regulate emissions of greenhouse gases. Ten of the 12 petitions addressed mobile sources: besides motor vehicles, the petitions cover aircraft, ships, nonroad vehicles and engines, locomotives, and fuels, all of which are covered by Title II of the CAA. This report discusses the full range of EPA’s authority under Title II and provides information regarding other mobile sources that might be regulated under this authority, in addition to describing the car and truck regulations.
Regulation of GHGs from mobile sources has led the agency to establish controls for stationary sources, such as electric power plants, as well. Stationary source options, the authority for which comes from different parts of the CAA, are addressed in CRS Report R41212, EPA Regulation of Greenhouse Gases: Congressional Responses and Options.
EPA Updates Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data from Large Facilities
EPA Updates Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data from Large Facilities
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) posted the second year of greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions data on its website, which provides public access to emissions data by sector, by greenhouse gas, and by geographic region such as county or state.
Greenhouse gases are the primary driver of climate change, which can lead to hotter, longer heat waves that threaten the health of the sick, poor or elderly; increases in ground-level ozone pollution linked to asthma and other respiratory illnesses; as well as other threats to the health and welfare of Americans.
…
The 2011 data, collected through the congressionally mandated Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reporting Program, includes information from facilities in 41 source categories that emit large quantities of greenhouse gasses. The 2011 data also contains new data collected from 12 additional source categories, including petroleum and natural gas systems and coal mines.For facilities that are direct emitters of GHGs the data show that in 2011:
- Power plants remain the largest stationary source of GHG emissions, with 2,221 million metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent (mmtCO2e), roughly one-third of total U.S. emissions. 2011 emissions from this source were approximately 4.6 percent below 2010 emissions, reflecting an ongoing increase in power generation from natural gas and renewable sources.
- Petroleum and natural gas systems were the second largest sector, with emissions of 225 mmtCO2e in 2011, the first year of reporting for this group.
- Refineries were the third-largest emitting source, with 182 mmtCO2e, a half of a percent increase over 2010.
Evaluation of Hydrogen Peroxide Fumigation for HVAC Decontamination
Evaluation of Hydrogen Peroxide Fumigation for HVAC Decontamination
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Homeland Security Research)
The primary objective of this project was to determine the efficacy of the Vaporous Hydrogen Peroxide (VHP) fumigation method on deactivating spores inside a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) duct. Secondary objectives were to determine the effect that flow rate, distance from injection point, flow and pressure points at turns such as elbows, inlet concentration of fumigant, and fumigant residual effects may have on the decontamination efficacy. Two types of duct were tested: galvanized metal and galvanized metal lined internally with fiberglass duct insulation.
EPA Updates Science Assessment for Dioxins / Air emissions of dioxins have decreased by 90 percent since the 1980s
EPA Updates Science Assessment for Dioxins / Air emissions of dioxins have decreased by 90 percent since the 1980s
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized its non-cancer science assessment for dioxins, which was last reviewed in the 1980s. Dioxins are toxic chemicals that naturally exist in the environment and can be released into the environment through forest fires, backyard burning of trash, certain industrial activities, and residue from past commercial burning of waste. Today’s findings show that generally, over a person’s lifetime, current exposure to dioxins does not pose a significant health risk.
Over the past two decades EPA has worked to reduce emissions from all of the major industrial sources of dioxins. As a result of efforts by EPA, state governments and industry, known and measurable air emissions of dioxins in the United States have been reduced by 90 percent from 1987 levels. The largest remaining source of dioxin emissions is backyard burning of household trash.
Most Americans have low-level exposure to dioxins. Non-cancer effects of exposure to large amounts of dioxin include chloracne, developmental and reproductive effects, damage to the immune system, interference with hormones, skin rashes, skin discoloration, excessive body hair, and possibly mild liver damage.
EPA has identified many known sources of dioxins. Working with other federal partners, such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, EPA has taken steps to address dioxin. This includes supporting research on dioxin exposure and effects; assessing dioxin human health risks; measuring dioxin levels in the environment, our diet and in our bodies; and reducing exposure to dioxin.
The non-cancer health assessment for dioxin released today could be considered in a range of agency activities, from establishing cleanup levels at Superfund sites, to reviewing the dioxin drinking water standard as part of EPA’s regularly scheduled review process, to evaluating whether additional Clean Air Act limits on dioxin emissions are warranted.
EPA Finalizes Air Toxic Emissions Standards for Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Production Facilities/Standards will cut harmful emissions that impact local communities
EPA Finalizes Air Toxic Emissions Standards for Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Production Facilities/Standards will cut harmful emissions that impact local communities
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today issued strong final standards requiring facilities that produce polyvinyl chloride and copolymers (PVC) to reduce harmful air emissions, which will improve air quality and protect people’s health in communities where facilities are located. Exposure to toxic air pollutants, like those emitted from PVC facilities, can cause respiratory problems and other serious health issues, and can increase the risk of developing cancer. In particular, children are known to be more sensitive to the cancer risks posed by inhaling vinyl chloride, one of the known carcinogens emitted from PVC facilities.
The final standards are based on currently available technologies and will reduce emissions of air toxics, such as dioxin and vinyl chloride. Facilities will have the flexibility to choose the most practical and cost-effective control technology or technique to reduce the emissions. Facilities will be required to monitor emissions at certain points in the PVC production process to ensure that the standards are met.
Currently, there are 17 PVC production facilities throughout the United States, with a majority of these facilities located in Louisiana and Texas. All existing and any new PVC production facilities are covered by the final rule.
+ Full Document (PDF)
EPA Finalizes 2012 Renewable Fuel Standardsw
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today finalized the 2012 percentage standards for four fuel categories that are part of the agency’s Renewable Fuel Standard program (RFS2). EPA continues to support greater use of renewable fuels within the transportation sector every year through the RFS2 program, which encourages innovation, strengthens American energy security, and decreases greenhouse gas pollution.
The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) established the RFS2 program and the annual renewable fuel volume targets, which steadily increase to an overall level of 36 billion gallons in 2022. To achieve these volumes, EPA calculates a percentage-based standard for the following year. Based on the standard, each refiner and importer determines the minimum volume of renewable fuel that it must ensure is used in its transportation fuel.
The final 2012 overall volumes and standards are:
- Biomass-based diesel (1.0 billion gallons; 0.91 percent)
- Advanced biofuels (2.0 billion gallons; 1.21 percent)
- Cellulosic biofuels (8.65 million gallons; 0.006 percent)
- Total renewable fuels (15.2 billion gallons; 9.23 percent)
EPA Issues First National Standards for Mercury Pollution from Power Plants/ Historic ‘mercury and air toxics standards’ meet 20-year old requirement to cut dangerous smokestack emissions
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, the first national standards to protect American families from power plant emissions of mercury and toxic air pollution like arsenic, acid gas, nickel, selenium, and cyanide. The standards will slash emissions of these dangerous pollutants by relying on widely available, proven pollution controls that are already in use at more than half of the nation’s coal-fired power plants.
EPA estimates that the new safeguards will prevent as many as 11,000 premature deaths and 4,700 heart attacks a year. The standards will also help America’s children grow up healthier – preventing 130,000 cases of childhood asthma symptoms and about 6,300 fewer cases of acute bronchitis among children each year.
Gulf Coast Task Force Releases Ecosystem Restoration Strategy
Gulf Coast Task Force Releases Ecosystem Restoration Strategy
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force has held a series of public meetings and listening sessions to gather input from local stakeholders for use in developing the Gulf of Mexico Regional Ecosystem Restoration Strategy (Preliminary). In addition, we have accepted online discussion in conjunction with those meetings. Public views received during this process have been presented to the Task Force Members and Staff. Beginning October 5, 2011, the Gulf of Mexico Regional Ecosystem Restoration Strategy (Preliminary) will be available for public review and feedback.
In order to make it easy for the public to provide feedback and make the public review process as transparent as possible, the Task Force is using the features and capabilities of Regulations.gov, an electronic public docket and on-line comment system that allows federal agencies to post documents for public review and feedback. (A docket serves as a container for information related to a particular action.) Although Regulations.gov is routinely used to obtain public comment on proposed regulatory actions, it also allows agencies to solicit and post on-line public comments on a particular agency action and/or initiative, such as the Gulf of Mexico Regional Ecosystem Restoration Strategy (Preliminary), which is NOT a regulatory action.
The Task Force has created a docket on Regulations.gov, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OA-2011-0798, where you can find the Gulf of Mexico Regional Ecosystem Restoration Strategy (Preliminary). As comments are received, they will be posted to this docket.
+ Full Document (PDF)
EPA Proposes Air Pollution Standards for Oil and Gas Production/Cost-effective, flexible standards rely on operators’ ability to capture and sell natural gas that currently escapes, threatens air quality
EPA Proposes Air Pollution Standards for Oil and Gas Production/Cost-effective, flexible standards rely on operators’ ability to capture and sell natural gas that currently escapes, threatens air quality
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed standards to reduce harmful air pollution from oil and gas drilling operations. These proposed updated standards – which are being issued in response to a court order – would rely on cost-effective existing technologies to reduce emissions that contribute to smog pollution and can cause cancer while supporting the administration’s priority of continuing to expand safe and responsible domestic oil and gas production. The standards would leverage operators’ ability to capture and sell natural gas that currently escapes into the air, resulting in more efficient operations while reducing harmful emissions that can impact air quality in surrounding areas and nearby states.
“This administration has been clear that natural gas is a key component of our clean energy future, and the steps announced today will help ensure responsible production of this domestic energy source,” said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “Reducing these emissions will help cut toxic pollution that can increase cancer risks and smog that can cause asthma attacks and premature death – all while giving these operators additional product to bring to market.”
Today’s proposal would cut smog-forming volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from several types of processes and equipment used in the oil and gas industry, including a 95 percent reduction in VOCs emitted during the completion of new and modified hydraulically fractured wells. This dramatic reduction would largely be accomplished by capturing natural gas that currently escapes to the air and making that gas available for sale through technologies and processes already in use by several companies and required in some states.
Natural gas production in the U.S. is growing, with more than 25,000 new and existing wells fractured or re-fractured each year. The VOC reductions in the proposal are expected to help reduce ozone nonattainment problems in many areas where oil and gas production occurs. In addition, the VOC reductions would yield a significant environmental benefit by reducing methane emissions from new and modified wells. Methane, the primary constituent of natural gas, is a potent greenhouse gas – more than 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Today’s proposed changes also would reduce cancer risks from emissions of several air toxics, including benzene.
Protecting the Public’s Water: Report on Combined Sewer Overflows
Protecting the Public’s Water: Report on Combined Sewer Overflows (PDF)
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Forty years ago, the federal Clean Water Act set the ultimate goal of achieving water quality improvements that would allow people to fish from and swim in our rivers, lakes and streams. The quality of our water is directly related to the quality of our life. It is a vital resource for human health, but water quality is often taken for granted. Forty years after the passage of the Clean Water Act, we must continue the work of enforcing the Clean Water Act while raising awareness about the activities that pollute our waterways.
Among the greatest challenges to the goals of fishable and swimmable waters are discharges and overflows of raw sewage into our waters. Many of the sewer systems in New York State and New Jersey and some in Puerto Rico are combined systems that carry sewage from homes and businesses as well as rainwater collected from street drains. When they overflow during heavy rains, the rainwater mixes with sewage and results in raw sewage being directly discharged into water bodies. This can pose serious environmental and public health risks. EPA has developed this report to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about combined sewer overflows and to raise awareness about this important water quality issue.
Excessive Heat Events Guidebook
Excessive Heat Events Guidebook
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has produced the Excessive Heat Events Guidebook (PDF, 60 pp., 1,796 KB) with assistance from Federal, state and local and academic partners.
Designed to help community officials, emergency managers, meteorologists, and others plan for and respond to excessive heat events, the guidebook highlights best practices that have been employed to save lives during excessive heat events in different urban areas and provides a menu of options that officials can use to respond to these events in their communities.
The Guidebook was developed with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Municipal officials in both the U.S. and Canada provided useful information that can be used to help the public cope with excessive heat.
+ Full Document (PDF)
Evaluation of Household or Industrial Cleaning Products for Remediation of Chemical Agents
Evaluation of Household or Industrial Cleaning Products for Remediation of Chemical Agents
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the primary federal agency responsible for remediation of indoor and outdoor areas in the aftermath of a terrorist incident in which chemical agents are released. Therefore, as a part of EPA’s homeland security research program, EPA conducts research to help first responders and decision-makers minimize environmental impact and human health effects following the release of a chemical agent. EPA has commissioned this evaluation into the efficacy of household or industrial cleaning products when applied to the cleanup of chemical agents. Bench-scale testing was utilized to evaluate the efficacy of household or industrial cleaning products on indoor surfaces contaminated with chemical agents agents (i.e., thickened sulfur mustard [THD], thickened soman [TGD], V-series nerve agent [VX], and sulfur mustard [HD]). The cleaning technologies evaluated were OxiClean® Versatile Stain Remover Powder, Zep® Cleaner and Degreaser Concentrate, K-O-K® Household Bleach (sodium hypochlorite, 5.25%), and Cascade® with Extra Bleach Action Gel dishwashing detergent. For cleaners that may reasonably be expected to react with chemical agents to produce toxic by-products, a qualitative assessment of decontamination by-products was performed. In addition, the corrosive and other potentially damaging effects of the cleaning technologies on the indoor materials were evaluated qualitatively by visual inspection.
+ Full Paper (PDF)
Laboratory Environmental Sample Disposal Information Document
Laboratory Environmental Sample Disposal Information Document
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Homeland Security Research)
The document includes information regarding laboratory responsibilities, waste minimization, federal and state regulations, treatment, storage, packaging, disposal, and decontamination procedures. The information provided in this document is intended only as a guide and is based on the current federal and state regulations cited; laboratories must consult and comply with these regulations prior to initiating sample disposal activities.
+ Full Document (PDF)
Planning for an Emergency Drinking Water Supply
Planning for an Emergency Drinking Water Supply
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
This document reviews roles and responsibilities among various levels of government regarding emergency water supplies and seeks to encourage collaboration and partnership between said levels regarding emergency water supply planning.
+ Full Document (PDF)
New information underscores increased efficiency, fuel savings achieved under the Obama Administration’s historic national car rule
New information underscores increased efficiency, fuel savings achieved under the Obama Administration’s historic national car rule
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation/U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today are unveiling new fuel economy labels that will help consumers take advantage of the increased efficiency standards achieved under the Obama Administration that will save families money at the pump starting this year. The new labels, which are the most dramatic overhaul to fuel economy labels since the program began more than 30 years ago, will provide more comprehensive fuel efficiency information, including estimated annual fuel costs, savings, as well as information on each vehicle’s environmental impact. The new labels underscore the benefits of the historic, bipartisan passenger car and truck fuel economy rule adopted under this administration by the EPA and DOT in 2010.
These improvements will give consumers better, more complete information to consider when purchasing new vehicles that are covered by the increased fuel economy standards. Starting with model year 2013, the improved fuel economy labels will be required to be affixed to all new passenger cars and trucks – both conventional gasoline powered and “next generation” cars, such as plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles.
Upon taking office, President Obama directed DOT and EPA to prioritize the development of new fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions standards, resulting in the historic standards that will be represented by these new labels. This is the latest step in EPA’s and DOT’s joint efforts to improve the fuel economy and environmental performance of vehicles and to provide consumers with useful information to inform their purchasing decisions.
The 2010 fuel economy rule, developed with input from major automakers, environmental groups, and the states, will dramatically increase the energy efficiency of cars and trucks built in model years 2012 through 2016, saving 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the life of the program and the average consumer $3,000 in fuel costs.
In July, the Administration plans to finalize the first-ever national fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards for commercial trucks, vans and buses built in 2014 to 2018. These standards are expected to save hundreds of millions of barrels of oil over the life of the vehicles covered and promote the development and deployment of alternative fuels, including natural gas. The Administration is also developing the next generation of joint fuel economy/greenhouse gas emission standards for model year 2017-2025 passenger vehicles and expects to announce the proposal in September 2011.The new labels announced today will help consumers take advantage of the new, more energy efficient fleet, allowing them to save money at the pump. Consumers will see the new labels in showrooms early next year, when 2013 models begin arriving. Automakers may also voluntarily adopt the new labels earlier for model year 2012 vehicles.
TTEP Technology Information Summaries
TTEP Technology Information Summaries
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Homeland Security Research)
This is a collection of summaries of commercially available products that can be used in response to a homeland security event. The information is supplied by the vendors. TTEP is the Technology Testing and Evaluation Program of the US EPA , Office of Research and Development, National Homeland Security Research Center.
