Many state and federal agencies oversee chemical use and management and have rules and regulations to prevent hazardous chemicals from harming people and the environment. Below is a description of what each does and links to the agency’s website for more information.
The Department of Environmental Conservation
DEC is made up of various divisions which all share the mission of preserving, enhancing, restoring and conserving Vermont’s natural resources and protecting human health. The following rules have been enacted to aid the Department in these goals.
Groundwater Protection Rule and Strategy – It is the purpose of this rule to establish standards for the protection of groundwater quality and a process to ensure that activities that present a potential threat to groundwater are designed, managed and permitted to protect groundwater resources.
https://dec.vermont.gov/sites/dec/files/dwgwp/DW/2019.07.06%20-%20GWPRS.pdf
Investigation and Remediation of Contaminated Properties Rule - This rule is intended to protect public health and the environment by establishing procedures and requirements for conducting investigations and corrective actions at properties where a release of hazardous materials has occurred.
https://dec.vermont.gov/sites/dec/files/wmp/Sites/0706.IRULE_.pdf
Hazardous Waste Management Regulations (VHWMR) – This rule is intended to protect public health and the environment by comprehensively regulating the generation, storage, collection, transport, treatment, disposal, use, reuse, and recycling of hazardous waste in Vermont.
https://dec.vermont.gov/waste-management/hazardous/regulations
Solid Waste Management Rule - These rules establish procedures and standards to protect public health and the environment by ensuring the safe, proper, and sustainable management of solid waste in Vermont.
https://dec.vermont.gov/sites/dec/files/documents/dec-solid-waste-management-rules-2012-03-15.pdf
Salvage Yard Rule - This rule establishes procedures and standards to protect human health and the environment by ensuring the safe, proper, and sustainable operation of salvage yards in Vermont.
https://dec.vermont.gov/sites/dec/files/documents/SalvageYardRuleFinalAdopted-09-01-2015.pdf
Environmental Assistance Publications & Factsheets - Fact sheets and compliance guidebooks offered by the Environmental Assistance Office (EAO) describe single topics or entire business or regulatory sectors and provide context, compliance assistance information and best management practices.
https://dec.vermont.gov/assistance/resources/fact-sheets
Vermont Air Pollution Control Statutes - The Air Quality and Climate Division works to protect the public and the environment from the effects of adverse air quality through monitoring, regulation and permitting.
https://dec.vermont.gov/sites/dec/files/aqc/laws-regs/documents/VTAirStatutes07-01-2018.pdf
Vermont Department of Health (VDH)
VDH works to protect and promote the best health for all Vermonters.
Manufacturers submit notices to the Health Department when their toys contain Chemicals of High Concern to Children: https://www.healthvermont.gov/environment/children/chemicals-childrens-products
Lead and asbestos are regulated by the Health Department: https://www.healthvermont.gov/environment/asbestos-lead
The Health Department oversees the use of some radioactive materials in Vermont: https://www.healthvermont.gov/environment/radiological
Some harmful chemicals occur naturally in the groundwater. To find out what chemicals VT recommends testing for in private water, click here: https://www.healthvermont.gov/environment/drinking-water.