Handbooks

Handbook AS-552 Revision, Pollution Prevention Guide

Effective immediately, Handbook AS-552, Pollution Prevention Guide, is revised to remove the list, “EPA 17 Targeted Chemicals and Associated Compounds,” from Appendix E and replace it with the “USPS Targeted Chem­icals List.” Subchapter 2-2, National Goals, and Chapter 3, Purchasing, are also revised to reflect the change.

Handbook AS-552, Pollution Prevention Guide

* * * * * 

2 Strategy and Goals

* * * * * 

2.2 National Goals

* * * * * 

[Change the last paragraph on page 2-4 to read as follows:]

Appendix E provides the “USPS Targeted Chemicals List,” along with instructions for obtaining detailed information about chemicals targeted by EPA.

* * * * * 

3 Purchasing

* * * * * 

3.2 What is Affirmative Procurement?

* * * * * 

3.2.1 What Is an Environmentally Preferable Product?

* * * * * 

[Delete “17” from the first bullet and the second sidebar on page 3-2:]

* * * * * 

3.3 Sources for Identifying Environmentally Preferable Products

* * * * * 

3.3.1 Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs)

* * * * * 

[Delete “17” from line four of the first paragraph on page 3–4:]

* * * * * 

Appendix E, Chemical/Product Lists

* * * * * 

[Change the title and text of page E-2 to read as follows:]

USPS Targeted Chemicals List

 

USPS Targeted Chemicals	Commonly Found in…
1,1,1-Trichloroethane (Methyl Chloroform, Methyltrichloromethane, Trichloromethylmethane, and Alpha–trichloromethane)	Solvents, Glues, Aerosols, Spot Cleaners
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene	Solvents, Degreasers, Herbicides
Benzene	Gasoline
Lead	Batteries, Pipes, Roof Materials, Wheel Weights
Mercury	Fluorescent Lamps, Thermostats
Methylene Chloride (Dichloromethane)	Solvents, Paint Strippers
Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK, 2–Butanone)	Paints, Glues, Cleaning Agents
Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK, MIK, Hexone)	Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers
Naphthalene	Dyes, Insecticides
Tetrachloroethylene (Tetrachloroethene, Perchlorothylene, PCE, PERC)	Degreasers, Dry-cleaning
Toluene	Gasoline, Paints, Thinners, Adhesives
Trichloroethylene (TCE)	Solvents, Paint Removers, Adhesives
Xylenes	Solvents, Cleaning Agents, Gasoline

This list and additional guidelines are found in an Environmental InfoPak, Screening for Targeted Chemicals, available online at:

• Go to http://blue.usps.gov.
• Under “Essential Links” in the left frame, click on Safety and Environmental Resources.
• Under “Environmental” in the left frame, click on Environmental Home.
• On the Environmental Home page, click on Environmental InfoPaks.
• Click on Screening for Targeted Chemicals.

* * * * * 

We will incorporate this revision into the next printed version of Handbook AS-552 and into the next online update, available on the Postal Service™ PolicyNet Web site:

• Go to http://blue.usps.gov.
• Under “Essential Links” in the left-hand column, click on References.
• Click on HBKs.

(The direct URL for the Postal Service PolicyNet Web site is http://blue.usps.gov/cpim.)

— Safety and Environmental Performance Management,
Employee Resource Management, 8-16-07