Surface Coating and Other Shipyard-Related Environmental Issues
- April 2008 -

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Lead Paint Regulations
On April 22, EPA published a final rule extending requirements governing renovation of lead paint contaminated buildings to child-occupied facilities such as day-care centers and preschools.  The original proposal in January 2006 applied only to residential buildings but a modified proposal was issued in June 2007.  EPA also announced the availability of a pamphlet to provide information regarding lead hazards and precautions that should be taken.

Coatings Solvent Toxicological Review
On April 22, EPA released a draft toxicological review for ethylene glycol mono-butyl ether (EGBE), a solvent used in some paints and coatings.  The review suggests lowering both the reference concentration (RfC) and the reference dose (RfD) in EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) database.  Comments are due June 24.  The document is available at http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid=189631.

California Port Initiatives
In exchange for a commitment by environmental groups to drop their opposition to a $170 million Port of Los Angeles expansion, harbor officials have agreed to pay about $12 million over the next year to fund pollution control initiatives in the area.

Ship Diesel Engine Regulations
On April 4, the International Maritime Organization approved international rules that will impose progressively lower limits on the sulfur content of fuel used in ship engines, culminating in a 0.5% standard by 2020.  IMO also established diesel engine nitrogen oxide limits based on their d