Chemical industries create a multitude of products for consumer and industrial use. Industrial activities often generate constituents of concern that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates to prevent harm to human health and the environment. Chemical industries are regulated under The Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 (TSCA) for the products they manufacture. Additionally, under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA), they are required to ensure generation, storage, transport, treatment, and disposal of hazardous waste is carefully managed to prevent pollution. Industries are subject to permitting, on-site evaluations, and facility specific testing and monitoring.
The Clean Water Act of 1972 (CWA) formed the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. Under NPDES, industries are required to meet specific criteria for discharging into US waters. Authorities often require testing for permit application and compliance monitoring. Testing data is used to determine if pollutants are present and if effluent limits are needed in the discharge permit based on the Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). Depending on discharge composition and permit specifications, a monitoring program may be required.
Additionally, remediation of accidental spills or legacy contamination may require periodic testing to monitor remedial effectiveness or plume migration. Scheduled monitoring is implemented to mitigate risk, manage water quality, and ensure compliance. Testing frequency can vary or be a set periodic program. No matter what testing frequency is implemented, AAI provides site specific testing for monitoring requirements.