One way EPA selects facilities to be inspected is by “Vulnerable Zones”. These are areas that could be affected by a release from a chemical accident at a facility subject to the risk management program requirements in 40 CFR Part 68. So how can a facility determine if they are one of the many facilities that impact a “vulnerable zone” and is higher on the “radar” list EPA uses to establish inspection frequencies?
The Vulnerable Zone Indicator System (VZIS) allows citizens to quickly find out if an address of interest could be affected by a chemical accident at a facility that has submitted a risk management plan (RMP). VZIS is available at the following URL: https://www.epa.gov/rmp/forms/vulnerable-zone-indicator-system
The VZIS is also available by contacting the RMP Reporting Center at 703-227-7650 or [email protected].
Citizens should also work with their local emergency planning committees (LEPCs) to learn more about chemicals in their community. LEPCs develop comprehensive emergency response plans and also receive chemical inventory reports from facilities in the community.