Chemical Release Notifications for Facilities

Chemical releases at facilities above the reportable quantity (RQ) on the EPA's Consolidated List of Lists fall under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) reporting requirements.

Timeline Description automatically generated

*The Chemical Safety Board notification may also be completed by website or email according to:

 https://www.csb.gov/incident-reporting-rule-submission-form 

Notification Timeline

Immediate (15 minutes) Emergency Release Reporting

EPCRA Section 304 requires the immediate reporting of accidental releases of an extremely hazardous substance (EHS) above its reportable quantities (RQ) on the EPA List of List.

  • National Response Center 800-424-8802
  • State Emergency Reponses Commission (SERC) 800-858-0368
  • Local Emergency Planning Committee (often met by contacting 911). 

Local notifications should be first. When the SERC/24-Hour Watch is contacted for a chemical release, the notification is pushed to the local emergency manager, NCEM Area Coordinator, hazardous materials Regional Response Team (if actively leaking), environmental quality and public health. Additional agency notifications are situation dependent. 

The notice must include as much of the following information known at the release time.

  1. The chemical name or identity of any substance involved in the release.
  2. Indicate if the substance is an EHS.
  3. Provide an estimate of the release quantity into the environment.
  4. State the release time and duration.
  5. The medium or media into which the release occurred (air, water, etc.).
  6. Any known or anticipated acute or chronic health risks associated with the emergency and medical advice and needs for exposed individuals.
  7. Proper precautions to take because of the release, including evacuation (unless the information is readily available to the community emergency coordinator in the emergency plan).
  8. The name and telephone number of the individual (or individuals) to be contacted for further information.

30 Day Written follow-up emergency release reporting notification.

The Section 304 Follow-up Notification must be submitted in E-Plan for submission to the SERC. The NC SERC only accepts electronic submission and many counties and LEPCs accept E-Plan submission.

Except for releases that occur during transportation, facilities must provide a written follow-up emergency notice as soon as possible after the release to the SERC and LEPC. The written follow-up emergency notice must provide and update the information from the immediate notification and include:

  1. Actions taken to respond and contain the release.
  2. Any known or anticipated acute or chronic health risks from the release.
  3. Where appropriate, medical attention advice for exposed individuals.

Additional Resources

EPA How to Report Spills and Environmental Violations

EPA EPCRA Section 304 Release Notification Requirements

Chemical Safety Board Notification

Facilities are required to report an accidental release within eight hours of a qualifying event. See 40 C.F.R. §1604.

Facilities may report an accidental release pursuant to 40 C.F.R. Part 1604.3 in one of three ways:

  1. Contact the CSB by telephone at 202-261-7600 and answer a series of questions based on the Incident Reporting Rule Submission Form available at: https://www.csb.gov/incident-reporting-rule-submission-form/
  2. Fill out and submit the form with appropriate response to the CSB by email to report@csb.gov; or
  3. If you have submitted a report to the National Response Center for the same incident under CERCLA, 40 CFR 302.6 email the CSB with the NRC report identification number at report@csb.gov. You are not required to submit the CSB reporting form.