NOTICE This document has been prepared to assist those responsible for administering or improving environmental management programs at small labs. To do this, the document outlines management and Federal regulatory issues for improving lab environmental performance, but does not prescribe in detail all required factors and considerations. For example, many important state, tribal or local requirements are not addressed. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency does not make any guarantee or assume any liability with respect to the use of any information contained in this document. It is recommended that users of this document requiring additional information or advice consult a qualified professional. This document was prepared for the Small Business Division of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Important guidance was provided by numerous EPA staff in headquarters, regions, and lab facilities. Also providing valuable review and comments were representatives from: Radiation Safety Associates; Quest Diagnostics Inc.; and the University of Wisconsin System. The authors would also like to thank the dozens of experts who responded to the request for review during the "1999 Laboratory Safety and Environmental Management Conference." Your suggestions and assistance were greatly appreciated. Finally, the authors would like to thank those involved in the development and review of the first edition of the Guide, the success of which generated the interest in, and need for, this second edition. SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS This is the second edition of the Environmental Management Guide for Small Laboratories. Concentrated effort was made to ensure this document's usefulness to small labs and to address comments on the first edition, but additional improvements are always possible. Comments and suggested improvements are always welcome and should be directed to: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency |