Environmental Protection Agency August 17, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The EPA is proposing revised standards to limit emissions of methylene chloride (MC), perchloroethylene (PCE), and trichloroethylene (TCE) from existing and new halogenated solvent cleaning machines. In 1994, EPA promulgated technology-based emission standards to control emissions of methylene chloride (MC), perchloroethylene (PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), 1,1,1,-trichloroethane (TCA), carbon tetrachloride (CT), and chloroform from halogenated solvent cleaning machines. Pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA) section 112(f), EPA has evaluated the remaining risk to public health and the environment following implementation of the technology-based rule and is proposing more stringent standards in order to protect public health with an ample margin of safety. The proposed standards are expected to provide further reductions of MC, PCE, and TCE beyond the 1994 national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP), through application of a facility-wide total MC, PCE, and TCE emission standard. In addition, EPA has reviewed the standards as required by section 112(d)(6) of the CAA and has determined that, taking into account developments in practices, processes, and control technologies, no further action is necessary at this time to revise the national emission standards. The term ``facility-wide'' applies to facilities with emissions associated with halogenated solvent cleaning activities only.