Information Sources

This page will provide a brief guide to the Clearinghouses, Dockets, Hotlines, and other resources that make up OPPTS' and EPA's information distribution system. The OPPTS Chemical Library can often refer you directly to appropriate sources for the information you seek. The EPA Library Network Home Page also contains a listing of all EPA Libraries with contact information.

Hotlines and Clearinghouses

This is a listing of free document distribution and/or telephone services which provide specific information and publications to the public on OPPT programs and regulations.

• OPPT-related Clearinghouses and Hotlines
  
  
  • Asbestos and Lead Programs Hotline (1-800-462-6706) - Provides information and publications on EPA asbestos and lead programs. (May not necessarily be for the general public.)
  • National Lead Information Center (NLIC) (1-800-424-LEAD)
  • Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse (PPIC) (202-566-0799)
  • RCRA/UST/EPCRA Hotline (1-800-424-9346) - The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act / Underground Storage Tanks / Emergency Preparedness and Community Right-to-Know Act Hotline distributes hardcopy versions of the Toxics Release Inventory's Annual Data Release Report, along with other materials.
  • Small Business Ombudsman Hotline (1-800-368-5888) - Source for information and publications about TSCA and other EPA programs geared toward Small businesses.
  • Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Assistance Information Service (202-554-1404) Also known as the TSCA Hotline
  
  
• All EPA Clearinghouses and Hotlines

Dockets

Dockets are responsible for maintaining the Administrative (Public) Records related to the Agency's rulemaking process on EPA regulations and Program areas. For more information, see EPA's Federal Register site.

• TSCA Nonconfidential Information Center (NCIC) (202-566-0280)
• Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) Public Docket (703-305-5805)
• Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) Regulatory Docket
• Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) Docket
• All EPA Dockets

Libraries

Most of the Regional, Headquarters, and Laboratory Libraries in the EPA Library Network offer some level of public access service.

• OPPTS Chemical Library (202-566-0800)
• Headquarters Information Resources Center (IRC) (202-566-0556)
• EPA National Library Network Program

Sources for OPPT Publications

These are links to document sources both inside and outside EPA. Some of the sites listed here provide order info for hard copies of documents, some have searchable databases which will allow you access to a particular product, and Some also list copies of electronic documents available for download.

• Design for the Environment (DfE) Publications - The DfE Publications page links to info on publications for each program area of DfE, to online documents, and to order info for available hard copies.
  • Automotive Refinishing
  • Computer Displays
  • Flexography
  • Formulator Initiative
  • Garment and Textile Care
  • Gravure Printing
  • Industrial and Institutional Laundry
  • Integrated Environmental Management Systems
  • Lithography
  • Printed Wiring Boards
  • Screen Printing
  
  
• Environmental Accounting Project Resources - Management resources for budgeting for environmental improvements.
• Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse (PPIC) Resource List - This form can be used to order Pollution Prevention documents via E-Mail. It also includes direct links to many documents available through the OPPT Web Site.
• National Lead Information Clearinghouse (NLIC) Document Order Form - Use this form to order documents related to lead poisoning and prevention, or to contact the Clearinghouse.
  
  Other Resources
• National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP) Catalog - Formerly the National Center for Environmental Publications and Information (NCEPI).
• National Environmental Publications Internet Site (NEPIS) - Sponsored by NSCEP, this site provides access to EPA's largest document database, with over 6,000 EPA documents to browse, view, and print online.
• National Technical Information Service (NTIS) - The main distribution center for Federal scientific and technical publications. Documents are available to the public for a fee.
• U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) - GPO sells approximately 12,000 different printed and electronic publications that originate in various Government agencies, including EPA. They also provide free online access to more than 70 databases of Federal Government publications, including the Congressional Record and the Federal Register. GPO's online information service, GPO Access, may be reached at http://www.access.gpo.gov/.

Databases and Software

• OPPT databases and Software
• EPA databases and Software

Other EPA Resources (Organized by Topic)

Browse a list of EPA Topics organized into broad categories to find information on a wide variety of environmental topics from EPA Headquarters and Regional sources.