What Does
Toxic Substance Control Act Mean?
The Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) of 1976 bestows the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to demand reports, records, and testing related to chemical substances or mixtures used by an organization. TSCA promulgates rules that protect public health and addresses environmental concerns regarding the risks posed by the use of chemical substances.
As per the EPA spent drilling mud is a special waste. The drilling process generates used drilling fluid and drill cutting, both of which need to be disposed of safely, away from groundwater sources and fields, to prevent contamination.
Trenchlesspedia Explains Toxic Substance Control Act
Regulatory practice for waste disposal has undergone radical changes since the 1980s, with acts such as Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Clean Water Act (CWA) and Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA). The main purpose of TSCA is to protect human health and the environment from the harmful effects of toxic chemicals used in any industry, including the trenchless industry.
Different technologies such as solids control, onsite disposal, incineration, bioremediation, waste recycling, and thermal desorption are available for companies to implement and manage drilling waste. Since regulations pertaining to disposal have to be followed by the contractors and owners, it is practical to utilize proper disposal methods most suitable to the site and project conditions.
Recycling and reusing muds are not just environmentally friendly, it is also cost-effective and time-saving.