Hotlines

Air Risk Information Center Hotline (Air RISC)

919-541-0888

The Air RISC provides technical assistance and information in areas of health, risk, and exposure assessment for toxic and criteria air pollutants. Services include: the hotline for direct access to EPA experts; detailed technical assistance for more in-depth evaluations or information; and general technical guidance in the form of documents, reports and training materials related to health, risk and exposure assessment.

Asbestos Abatement/Management Ombudsman

1-800-368-5888, 202-566-2822 (Washington, DC Area Local)

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.

Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA) hotline

1-800-424-9346, 703-412-9810 (Washington, DC Area Local), 1-800-553-7672 (TDD), 703-412-3323 (TDD)

This hotline provides information about the regulations and programs implemented for the following environmental statutes and associated regulations:

• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
• Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA, or Superfund)
• Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)/Superfund Amendments

Reauthorization Act (SARA) Title III. This hotline also provides referrals for documents related to these programs. Translation is available for Spanish-speaking callers.

ENERGY STAR

1-888-STAR-YES, (1-888-782-7937), 202-775-6650 (Washington, DC Area Local)

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 Financing Information Network (EFIN)

202-564-4994

The EFIN Center operates an information line that provides callers with referrals, assistance with accessing and searching the EFIN database, and a point of contact for ordering documents. EFIN provides essential information services needed by state, sub-state, municipal and EPA officials and small business owners involved in funding environmental programs and projects.

National Alternative Fuels Hotline

1-800-423-1363, 703-934-3069 (Washington, DC Area Local)

Many alternative fuels are being used today in place of fossil fuels like oil. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) classifies the following fuels as "alternatives" to gasoline: biodiesel, electric fuel, ethanol, hydrogen, methanol, natural gas, propane, p-series, and solar fuel. This hotline, offered by DOE, provides information on these fuels, as well as other related resources with more detailed information.

National Lead Information Center Hotline

1-800-424-LEAD, (1-800-424-5323)

The Environmental Health Center (EHC) of the National Safety Council manages the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) under a cooperative agreement with the EPA. The hotline distributes a basic information packet on lead that includes the EPA brochure "Lead Poisoning and Your Children," three fact sheets, and a list of state and local contacts for additional information.

National Pesticide Information Center

1-800-858-7378

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 Response Center Hotline

1-800-424-8802, 202-267-2675 (Washington, DC Area Local)

The National Response Center (NRC) 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.

RCRA, Superfund and EPCRA Hotlines

1-800-424-9346, 703-412-9810 (Washington, DC Area Local), 1-800-553-7672 (TDD) , 703-412-3323 (Washington, DC Area Local TDD)

RCRA was enacted in 1976 to address the issue of how to safely manage and dispose of the huge volumes of municipal and industrial waste generated nationwide. EPCRA also known as SARA Title III, was enacted in November 1986 to provide an infrastructure at the state and local levels to plan for chemical emergencies. The RCRA, Superfund, and EPCRA hotline is dedicated to providing information and fielding requests to assist the public on questions pertaining to these topic areas.

Small Business Ombudsman Hotline

1-800-368-5888, 202-566-2822 (Washington, DC Area Local)

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.

Toxic Release Inventory - User Support Service

202-566-0250

A specialized assistance to individuals seeking TRI data collected by EPA under Section 313 of EPCRA is provided under TRI-US. This program provides comprehensive search assistance for the TRI on-line and CD-ROM databases. In addition to access, user support and search assistance, TRI-US conducts training and demonstrations for both the TRI CD-ROM and the National Library of Medicine/ TOXNET databases.

Toxic Release Inventory - Community Right To Know - EPCRA Hotline

1-800-424-9346, 703-412-9810 (Washington, DC Area Local), 1-800-553-7672 (TDD) , 703-412-3323 (Washington, DC Area Local TDD)

The TRI is a source of information concerning waste management activities and toxic chemicals that are being used, manufactured, treated, transported, or released into the environment. Two statutes, Section 313 of EPCRA and section 6607 of the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA), mandate that a publicly accessible toxic chemical database be developed and maintained by EPA.

Toxic Substances Control Act Hotline

202-554-1404

The TSCA provides technical assistance and information about programs implemented under Toxic Substances Control Act (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.

WasteWise Helpline

1-800-EPA-WISE, (1-800-372-9473)

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.