We’ve inserted this page because the EPA will be coming to Inspect Cornell Labs starting sometime this fall. Click here if you want to move on to Cornell’s Chemical Waste page.
Impending EPA Inspection Of Campus
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) informed Cornell University, as well as other colleges and universities in New York, New Jersey, the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, that they will be audited for compliance with environmental regulations The letter from the EPA. In response, the university administration informed all deans, directors, department heads and faculty of the EPA's plans and advised them that they are expected to conduct all activities in compliance with regulatory requirements The Letter to the Cornell community from the Provost.
We expect that the audit will follow the same process the EPA used last year for audits of educational institutions in New England. A wide range of regulatory requirements were evaluated at these institutions. However, special emphasis was placed on the management of hazardous waste, particularly in research and teaching laboratories. These inspections were very through. New England schools endured as many as 17 "person-days" of EPA inspector scrutiny. Audit results varied, but most institutions were judged deficient in waste management practices and a number of institutions were fined several hundred thousand dollars.
The audit of Cornell University will be unannounced and may take place at any time. It is essential that everyone who oversees a location where hazardous chemicals are used or stored assess their areas and take corrective actions as needed. EH&S suggests that each principle investigator and area supervisor complete our suggested EPA Compliance Action Plan.
Links:
The Environmental Regulations
What to do if an EPA inspector comes to your workplace
EH&S's role in compliance with the environmental regulations
ECO: Cornell’s Environmental Compliance Office
For more information about the contents of this page
contact : Mike Lonon
Last Updated : 02.09.05