DHS issues new chemical rules

The Department of Homeland Security released revisions Friday exempting colleges and universities from new regulations for documenting common chemicals set to take effect later this month.

When implemented, the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) will require labs working with "Chemicals of Interest" (COIs) to report the quantities they have if they are over a minimum amount. The list of COIs includes 300 chemicals, including common industrial ones like chlorine, propane and anhydrous ammonia, as well as specialty chemicals like arsine and phosphorus trichloride.

The revised policy means that colleges and universities will not have to report some ordinary laboratory chemicals, such as acetone, urea and carbon monoxide, though they will still be required to report other chemicals that are dangerous if released, mixed with other materials or stolen and converted into weapons.

Robin Izzo, associate director of the University's Office of Environmental Health and Safety, said in an email that it is unlikely the University has any COIs above the threshold quantities for reporting, but added that there were security concerns with releasing such information.

As one of the 12 higher education officials on CFATS Working Group, Izzo is working "to come to a consensus on how the regulations would apply to institutions of higher education and to develop a framework for risk assessment and security measures consistent with the academic campus environment," she said.

Before last week's revisions to CFATS, Izzo said, university officials across the country were concerned that the regulations would place a large burden on many institutions by requiring them to inventory material in hundreds — if not thousands — of laboratories.

Izzo said that the University follows state and federal requirements for measuring and submitting inventories of chemicals, abiding by the "New Jersey Right to Know" standards and rules set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Part of this process includes inspecting laboratories and surveying chemical storage and use areas and reporting the findings to the Department of Homeland Security.

Facilities that are considered to pose a high security risk will be required to comply with the substantive requirements of the CFATS, a Homeland Security website said, while those who do not represent risks will not be regulated any further.

Despite the stricter federal policy, new standards for reporting COIs will not necessarily affect the chemicals used in University courses.

Chemistry professor Andrew Bocarsly said that though he had not looked over the regulations, he did not expect them to affect the work he does with students.

"We are not trying to expose students to anything that could harm them," he said. "We are trying to minimize danger."