Hotlines and Clearinghouses
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Acid
Rain Hotline
202-343-9620, 202-343-9620 (fax), (then press 3)
email: Mail
Form
The Acid Rain Hotline records questions and document requests covering
all areas of the Acid Rain Program. The Hotline assists callers who have
specific technical or policy questions by forwarding those inquiries to
experienced EPA Acid Rain Division personnel, who review them and respond
to the caller, typically within 24 hours. Utilities may find the Hotline
especially useful for obtaining information that may help them comply
with the acid rain regulations. Order Process: Dial the main hotline
phone number. Listen to categories. Leave technical questions in the mail
box; request documents from a menu, if desired. All documents are free
and will be mailed promptly.
Aerometric
Information Retrieval System (AIRS) - Airs Quality Subsystem (AQS)
1-866-411-4EPA
email: Mail
Form
AIRS is an information management system which is the national
repository for data about airborne pollution in the United States, and
to a limited extent, in various other countries. As with many systems,
the completeness of the data in this data base depends on what data has
been submitted. AIRS comprises three major subsystems. This hotline is
dedicated to AQS and GCS systems:
AQS - Air Quality Subsystem- measurements of ambient concentrations
of air pollutants and associated meteorological and monitoring site data.
GCS - Geo-Common Subsystem- reference information that is used
with all of the AIRS subsystems. Reference information includes codes
and code descriptions to identify places, pollutants, processes, geo-political
entities, etc. The EPA compiles and maintains this information.
Aerometric
Information Retrieval System (AIRS) - AIRS Facility Subsystem (AFS) -
Helpline
1-800-367-1044
email: Mail
Form
AIRS is an information management system which is the national
repository for data about airborne pollution in the United States, and
to a limited extent, in various other countries. As with many systems,
the completeness of the data in this data base depends on what data has
been submitted. AIRS comprises three major subsystems. This hotline is
for users of the AFS subsystem, who must have an I.D. assigned to them
by the National Computer Center. AFS - The AIRS Facility Subsystem
contains estimates of aerometric emissions, regulatory compliance data,
and permit tracking data on point sources in the U. S.
Ambient Monitoring Technology
Information Center
email: amtic@epamail.epa.gov
The Ambient Monitoring Technology Information Center (AMTIC) is operated
by EPA's Monitoring and Quality Assurance Group (MQAG). AMTIC Contains
information and files on ambient air quality monitoring programs, details
on monitoring methods, relevant documents and articles, information on
air quality trends and nonattainment areas, and federal regulations related
to ambient air quality monitoring.
Antimicrobial Information Hotline
1-703-308-6411 (M-F 8:00am - 5:00pm EST), 1-703-308-6467(fax)
email: Info_Antimicrobial@epa.gov
The Antimicrobials Information Hotline provides direct answers to questions
concerning current antimicrobial issues. Please call during normal business
hours (Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or leave a message after hours.
The information provided can cover issues relevant to any or all antimicrobial
pesticides including health and safety issues, registration and reregistration
issues, as well as information on pesticide laws, rules, and regulations
relating to antimicrobials.
Asbestos Ombudsman Hotline (part of the Small Business Ombudsman)
1-800-368-5888, 202-566-1970 (Washington, DC Area Local), 202-566-1505 (fax)
The assigned mission of the Asbestos Ombudsman is to provide to the public
sector, including individual citizens and community services, information
on handling, abatement, and management of asbestos in schools, the work
place, and the home. Interpretation of the asbestos in schools requirements
is provided. Publications to explain recent legislation are also available.
Services are provided to private citizens, state agencies, local agencies,
local public and private school systems, abatement contractors, and consultants.
Best Workplaces For Commuters
Fax: 813-974-5168, Attention:
Phil Winters
email: Mail Form
Best Workplaces for Commuters is a joint EPA and U.S. Department of Transportation
recognition and partnership program that encourages employers to offer
their employees an outstanding level of commuter benefits such as tax-free
transit passes, vanpool benefits, or telecommuting.
Center for
Exposure Assessment Modeling (CEAM) Help Desk
Voice: 706/355-8403, Fax: 706/355-8302
email: Mail Form or ceam@epa.gov
The Center for Exposure Assessment Modeling (CEAM) works to meet the scientific
and technical exposure assessment needs of the EPA other state environmental
and resource management agencies. CEAM provides proven predictive exposure
assessment techniques for aquatic, terrestrial, and multimedia pathways
for organic chemicals and metals and distributes environmental simulation
model and database software for urban and rural nonpoint sources, conventional
and toxic pollution of streams, lakes and estuaries, tidal hydrodynamics,
geochemical equilibrium, and aquatic food chain bioaccumulation.
Clean Air Technology Center
(CATC) Infoline formerly Control Technology Center
919-541-0800 (English), 919-541-1800 (Spanish), 919 541-3207 (fax)
email: catcmail@epa.gov
The CTC provides technical support and assistance to state and local agencies
and others in evaluating air pollution problems and pollution prevention
and control technology applications at stationary air pollution sources.
Specifically, hotline assistance provides quick access and consultation
with appropriate EPA staff on air pollution technology questions. It also
provides information on EPA's RACT/BACT/ LAER Clearinghouse (RBLC), Federal
Small Business Assistance Program (SBAP), and International Technical
Information Center for Global Greenhouse Gases.
Clearinghouse for Inventories
and Emission Factors' Info CHIEF Help Desk
email: info.chief@epa.gov
The Clearinghouse for Inventories and Emission Factors is a means of exchanging
information regarding air pollutant emissions between state and local
pollution control agencies, private citizens, universities, contractors,
and foreign governments. It addresses criteria pollutants and toxic pollutants
from both stationary and area sources.
Compliance
Assistance Centers
202-564-7076
Compliance Assistance Centers help businesses, local governments, and federal facilities understand and comply with federal environmental requirements and save money through pollution prevention techniques.
Emissions
Measurement Center (EMC)
email: emc@epa.gov or Mail
Form
The Emissions Measurement Center hotline
provides callers with a variety of technical emissions testing information.
EMC also includes connections to technical material through an automatic
facsimile link and with technical staff during working hours.
Endangered Species Protection Bulletin (Pesticides) Request Line
1-800-447-3813
email: opp-web-comments@epa.gov or Mail Form
This toll-free Information Line is maintained to aid people striving to protect endangered species from harm that may result from the use of some pesticides. Please call Monday - Friday during normal business hours (Eastern Time), or leave a message after hours to request bulletins describing locations where pesticides may not be used due to endangered species concerns. The Web page, www.epa.gov/espp, provides an introduction to the Endangered Species Protection Program (ESPP) and its goals: 1) to protect endangered species from harmful pesticides and 2) to minimize the impact of the program on pesticide users. Questions or publication requests other than bulletins should be directed to the email address shown above. Questions about endangered species that are not related to pesticide issues should be directed to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/.
Energy Star
1-888-STAR-YES, (1-888-782-7937)
email: hotline@energystar.gov
ENERGY STAR was a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient
products, in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. EPA partnered with
the US Department of Energy in 1996 to promote the ENERGY STAR label, with each agency taking responsibility for particular product categories. ENERGY STAR has expanded to cover new homes, most of the buildings sector, residential
heating and cooling equipment, major appliances, office equipment, lighting,
consumer electronics, and more product areas. Call to receive helpful
information regarding your household products.
Environmental
Education Clearinghouse
1-800-424-4372, 206-553-1200 (Washington, DC Area Local)
Region 10's searchable database of environmental education material available
in the Pacific Northwest. Resources from hundreds of organizations have
been organized in a number of categories.
Environmental Finance Information Network (EFIN)
202-564-4994, 202-565-2587 (fax)
email: efin@epa.gov
The EFIN Center operates an infoline that provides callers with reference assistance, referrals to authoritative sources, and a point of contact for ordering documents.
Environmental
Justice Hotline
1-800-962-6215
email: environmental-justice@epa.gov
Established to receive calls from concerned citizens about justice issues
in their communities, the purpose of the Hotline is to make information
easily accessible to the public and to the media, and to assist in the
resolution of environmental justice issues. The Hotline is answered by
staff of OEJ. A procedure has been established to ensure thorough follow-up.
A brochure describing the Hotline (in both English and Spanish) is available.
EPA
Enforcement Economic Models Helpline
1-888-ECONSPT, (1-888-326-6778)
email: benabel@indecon.com
EPA Enforcement Economic Models helpline offered by OECA provides information
and assistance with enforcement financial computer models that calculate
an individual's, municipality's or corporation's financial ability to
pay environmental penalties. This service is primarily targeted at local
state, and federal agency employees. This service is staffed by a agency
contractor.
EPA Grants and Fellowships Info (STAR, P3, and GRO)
1-800-490-9194
This Hotline will cease operations on August 1, 2011 - all questions will then be handled
electronically through the extramural research contact us mail form. This electronic request service provides easy access to research funding opportunities for
grants and fellowships as well as past and present research projects and programs.
EPA Imported Vehicles and Engines Public Help Line
734- 214-4100, 734-214-IMPO (4676) (fax)
e-mail: Imports@epa.gov
The EPA Imported Vehicles and Engines Public Help Line is an automated
telefax system which lets callers order documents about the importation
of vehicles. Additional information can be found on the EPA Office of
Transportation and Air Quality's (OTAQ) [formerly the Office of Mobile
Sources (OMS)] Web site at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/index.htm and the U.S. Customs Service's Web site at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/basic_trade/importing_car.xml.
The Importation Section of the EPA Vehicle Programs and Compliance Division,
which can be reached at 734- 214-4100 during business hours (Eastern Standard
Time), may also be helpful.
EPA Test Methods
617-918-1991, 617-918-1992 (fax)
email: nelson.peg@epa.gov
This is a referral point for information on EPA measurement methods. These
test methods are used in complying with Agency regulations and for general
environmental monitoring.
Ground Water and Ecosystem Restoration Information Center (GWERIC)
580-436-8502, 580-436-8503 (fax)
email: gwerd_pub@epa.gov
GWERIC, developed by and through the Ground Water and Ecosystems Restoration Research Division, maintains a repository of highly specialized scientific and technical information relating to ground-water and ecosystem restoration. This information includes fact sheets, project summaries, environmental research briefs, reports, models and user's guides, issue papers, journal articles, symposium papers, conference proceedings, book chapters, presentations, posters, and other documents.
Inspector
General Hotline
1-888-546-8740, 202-566-2476 (Washington, DC Area Local), 202-566-2549
(fax)
email: Mail Form
The Inspector General Hotline was established to receive and control complaints
alleging fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement within the Environmental
Protection Agency.
Integrated Risk Information
System (IRIS) Hotline
202-566-1676, 202-566-1749 (fax)
email: Hotline.IRIS@epa.gov
IRIS is a database of human health effects that may result from exposure
to various substances found in the environment. The hotline can assist
you in using IRIS and understanding the methods used by the EPA for deriving
values and the limitations of use.
Local Government
Reimbursement Program Helpline
1-800-431-9209
email: lgr.epa@epa.gov
In 1987, Congress established the Local Government Reimbursement program
under Superfund. The purpose of this program is to help defray expenses
incurred by local municipalities in responding to hazardous substance
threats such as chemical fires and explosions, tire fires, or fires at
landfills. The reimbursement limit is $25,000 per response. The Agency
employed its major contractor to help inform local governments about the
program.
Methods
Information Communication Exchange Service (MICE)
703 818-3238, 703 818-8813 (fax)
email: mice@techlawinc.com
The Methods Information Communication Exchange (MICE) Service provides
answers to questions and takes comments over the telephone on technical
issues regarding the EPA Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery's methods manual known
as "Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste: Physical/ Chemical Methods"
or SW-846. Questions regarding the status of the methods, organic analyses,
inorganic analyses, characteristics tests, and quality control issues
are answered by chemists, groundwater monitoring specialists, and sampling
experts who are experienced and knowledgeable in SW-846 procedures.
Mexico Border Hotline
1-800-334-0741 (English/Spanish)
email: border.team@epa.gov
This hotline answers questions concerning the the U.S.-Mexico Border XXI
Program. This binational effort is working to ensure sustainable development
through protection of human health and the environment and proper management
of natural resources in both countries.
National Service Center for
Environmental Publications (NSCEP, formerly NCEPI)
1-800-490-9198, 301-604-3408 (fax)
email: nscep@bps-lmit.com
The National Service Center for Environmental Publications maintains and
distributes EPA publications in hardcopy, CD ROM and other multimedia
formats. The publication inventory includes over 7,000 titles, NSCEP also
develops and distributes the annual EPA National Publications Catalog.
National Lead
Information Center Hotline
1-800-424-LEAD, (1-800-424-5323)
email: Mail Form
The National Lead Information Center (NLIC) provides the general public and professionals with information about lead hazards and their prevention. NLIC operates under a contract with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with funding form EPA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
National Pesticide Information
Center 
1-800-858-7378, 541-737-0761 (fax)
email: npic@ace.orst.edu
A cooperative effort of Oregon State University and the EPA, this hotline
offers science-based information about a wide variety of pesticide-related
subjects and serves as a source of factual chemical, health, and environmental
information about more than 600 pesticide active ingredients incorporated
into over 50,000 different products registered for use in the United States
since 1947.
National Poison Control Hotline
1-800-222-1222 (emergency only), 202-362-3867 (for administrative and
materials requests), 202-362-8563 (TDD)
The National Poison Control Hotline was established to respond to emergency
calls from concerned citizens about poison prevention. Housed in The National
Capital Poison Center in Washington, DC, this hotline is manned 24 hours
a day/7 days a week by registered nurses or pharmacists with backgrounds
in critical care. All specialists have passed a national certification
exam in toxicology. The Poison Center staff has access to a 24 hour interpreter
service, with over 140 languages available, so callers who do not speak
English are able to receive immediate help for emergency calls.
National Radon Hotlines
785-532-6026, 785-532-6952 (fax),
email: Radon@ksu.edu, website: www.sosradon.org
See also http://iaq.supportportal.com
1-800-SOS-RADON, (1-800-767-7236) Purchase radon test kits by phone.
1-800-55-RADON (1-800-557-2366) Get live help for your radon questions.
1-800-644-6999 Get general information on fixing or reducing the radon levels in your home.
Run by Kansas State University, the hotlines provide answers to questions regarding radon. KSU provides additional National Radon Program Services, including the National Radon Poster Contest, Referrals to State Radon Programs, Radon Test Kit Coupons, Radon Mitigation Promotion and other outreach activities.
National Response Center
Hotline
1-800-424-8802, 202-267-2675 (Washington, DC Area Local)
email: Mail Forms or lst-nrcinfo@comdt.uscg.mil
The National Response Center is the federal government's national communications
center, which is staffed 24 hours a day by U.S. Coast Guard officers and
marine science technicians. The NRC receives all reports of releases involving
hazardous substances and oil that trigger the federal notification requirements
under several laws. Reports to the NRC activate the National Contingency
Plan and the federal government's response capabilities.
National Small
Flows Clearinghouse Hotline
1-800-624-8301, 304-293-4191 (West Virginia Local)
email: info@mail.nesc.wvu.edu
Managed by West Virginia University, the National Small Flows Clearinghouse
provides information and technical assistance to help small communities
and homeowners reach practical, affordable solutions to their waste water
treatment problems.
Ozone Protection Hotline
1-800-296-1996, (202) 343-9210 (Washington, DC Area Local)
The Stratospheric Ozone Information Hotline offers consultation on ozone
protection regulations and requirements under Title VI of the Clean Air
Act Amendments (CAAA) of 1990. Title VI covers the following key aspects
of the production, use, and safe disposal of ozone-depleting chemicals:
1) production phaseout and controls; 2) servicing of motor vehicle air
conditioners; 3) recycling and emission reduction; 4) technician and equipment
certification; 5) approval of alternatives; 6) a ban of nonessential uses;
7) product labeling; and 8) federal procurement. The hotline also sends
out publications: Title VI of CAAA and all published rules, Federal Register
notices, science and policy reports, and fact sheets.
Pay-As-You-Throw
(PAYT) Helpline
1-888-EPA-PAYT, (1-888-372-7298)
email: canterbury.janice@epa.gov or Publications Order
Form
In communities with pay-as-you-throw programs (also known as unit pricing
or variable-rate pricing), residents are charged for the collection of
municipal solid waste-ordinary household trash-based on the amount the
throw away. This creates a direct economic incentive to recycle more and
to generate less waste. EPA supports this new approach to solid waste
management because it encompasses environmental sustainability, economic
sustainability, and equity. The hotline provides information and tools
to support this ongoing effort.
Pollution
Prevention Information Clearinghouse (PPIC)
202-566-0799, 202-564-8901 (fax)
email: ppic@epa.gov
The Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse (PPIC) is a free, nonregulatory
service of the U.S EPA. PPIC is dedicated to reducing or eliminating industrial
pollutants through technology transfer, education, and public awareness.
A Reference and Referral Telephone Service is available to answer questions,
take orders for documents distributed by PPIC, or refer callers to appropriate
contacts.
Reasonably
Available Control Technology/ Best Available Control Technology/ Lowest
Achievable Emission Rate Clearinghouse (RBLC)
919-541-0800, 919-541-0242 (fax)
The RBLC provides information on the application of pollution prevention
and control technologies to stationary air pollution sources through the
OAQPS Technology Transfer Network (TTN) Bulletin Board System (BBS). The
RBLC offers an on-line database with menu based searching, downloading
of user-selected information, complete data viewing capabilities, context
sensitive help functions, and data entry capabilities. It also offers
a brochure, an informational flyer, the RBLC User's Manual (EPA- 456/B-98-002),
and annual reports documenting additions and changes to the system (1999
edition: EPA456/R-99-004).
Safe Drinking
Water Hotline
1-800-426-4791, 703-412-3333 (fax)
email:Mail Form
The SDW Hotline provides information about EPA's drinking water regulations
and other related drinking water and ground water topics to the regulated
community, State and local officials, and the public. Specifically, the
Hotline clarifies drinking water regulations, provides appropriate 40
CFR and Federal Register citations, explains EPA-provided policies and
guidelines and gives update information on the status of regulations.
The Hotline can also provide State and local contacts.
Small Business Ombudsman Hotline
1-800-368-5888, 202-566-2075 (Washington, DC Area Local), 202-566-1505
(fax)
email: suber.angela@epa.gov
The mission of the EPA Small Business Ombudsman Clearinghouse/Hotline
is to provide information to private citizens, small communities, small
business enterprises, and trade associations representing the small business
sector regarding regulatory activities. Mailings are made to update the
audience on recent regulatory actions. Special attention is directed to
apprising the trade associations representing small business interests
with current regulatory developments. Technical questions are answered
following appropriate contacts with program office staff members. Questions
addressed cover all media program aspects within EPA.
SmartWay Program Hotline
1-734-214-4767
e-mail: smartway_transport@epa.gov
SmartWay is the EPA's flagship climate program for the transportation sector. The SmartWay Transport Partnership helps freight sector companies reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency through fuel-saving strategies, financing, and advanced technologies.
Storet Water Quality System
Hotline
1-800-424-9067
email: STORET@epa.gov
The EPA maintains two data management systems containing water quality
information: the Legacy Data Center (LDC)and STORET. STORET contains data
collected beginning in 1999, along with older data that has been properly
documents and migrated from the LDC. Both systems contain raw biological,
chemical and physical data on surface and ground water collected by federal,
state and local agencies, Indian Tribes, volunteer groups, academics,
and other. All 50 States, territories, and jurisdictions of the US, along
with portions of Canada and Mexico are represented in these systems.
Superfund Document Center
202-566-0276, 202-566-0224 (fax)
email: superfund.docket@epa.gov
The Superfund Docket maintains the rulemaking materials from the Superfund
and Oil Spill Programs for the Office of Emergency and Remedial Response
(OERR) within the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER).
The Docket fulfills the requirement for public participation under CERCLA
by serving as the EPA public access point for Superfund rulemaking material,
which is contained in individual "dockets."
Superfund and EPCRA Call Center
Note: The RCRA, Superfund and EPCRA Call Center will no longer provide
support for the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Underground
Storage Tanks (UST), and Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (LUST) programs
at the close of business on March 31, 2005. For more information, see
the Federal
Register Notice - March 4, 2005 [PDF File, 2 pages, 63 KB, About
PDF].
It will still respond to Superfund and EPCRA questions.
1-800-424-9346, 703-412-9810 (Washington, DC Area Local), 1-800-553-7672 (TDD)
, 703-412-3323 (Washington, DC Area Local TDD) For RCRA information, please
try the RCRA
FAQs Database.
This database enables users to search frequently asked questions or submit
their own question or comment on a variety of RCRA issues and topics.
Toxics Release Inventory - Information Center Hotline
1-800-424-9346 (select option 3);
703-412-9810 (within the Washington, D.C. area);
1-800-553-7672 (TDD); 703-412-3323 (TDD - within the Washington, D.C. area)
email: submit your question here
The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) contains information on toxic chemical releases and waste management activities reported annually to EPA by facilities in certain industrial sectors. TRI was created in 1986 by Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA), and expanded in 1990 by Section 6607 of the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA). The TRI Information Center provides assistance for TRI regulatory and reporting issues, including questions about TRI regulations and guidance, TRI reporting requirements, and TRI-MEweb form completion.
Toxics Release Inventory – General Program Inquiries
202-566-1415
email: tri.help@epa.gov
This phone number and email may be used to request additional TRI information or assistance not found on the TRI Web site and not addressed by specific TRI points of contact found above or on the TRI “Contact Us” page.
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Hotline
202-554-1404, 202-554-5603 (fax)
email: tsca-hotline@epa.gov
The TAIS provides technical assistance and information about programs
implemented under TSCA, the Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act (ASHAA),
the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), the Asbestos School
Hazard Abatement Reauthorization Act (ASHARA), the Residential Lead-Based
Paint Hazard Reduction Act (Title X of TSCA), and EPA's 33/50 program.
Water Efficiency Clearinghouse - WaterWiser
1-800-926-7337, 303-347-0804 (fax)
email: bewiser@watewiser.org
Operated by the American Water Works Association and the US Bureau of
Reclamation, the WaterWiser program offers information on water conservation.
WasteWise Helpline
1-800-EPA-WISE, (1-800-372-9473), 703-308-8686 (fax)
email: OSWWasteWise@epa.gov
WasteWise is a free, voluntary, EPA program through which organizations
eliminate costly municipal solid waste, benefiting their bottom line and
the environment. WasteWise provides free technical assistance to help
you develop, implement, and measure your waste reduction activities. WasteWise
offers publicity to organizations that are successful in reducing waste
through EPA publications, case studies, and national and regional events.