EPA to Amend Air Toxics Emission Standards to Address HAP Definitions

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will amend its air toxics emissions standards for small paint and adhesive manufacturers to include a definition of hazardous air pollutants that addresses non-carcinogens, according to a direct final rule to be published in the Federal Register on June 3. The direct final rule will not alter the national emissions standards for hazardous air pollutants for paints and allied products manufacturing that are area sources of air toxics; instead, the rule will amend the definition of "material containing hazardous air pollutants" to include non-carcinogens in quantities of 1.0 percent by mass or more, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

EPA had intended to include that language in its final rule, which was published Dec. 3, 2009.

The air toxics standards set opacity limits to reduce particulate matter and requires work practices such as covering processing vessels to reduce emissions of hazardous air pollutants like benzene, methylene chloride, cadmium, chromium, lead, and nickel.

For more information: contact ACA's John Hopewell.

Date Posted: June 17, 2010