EPA says no new toxic air emissions 
standards for three industries

WASHINGTON (10/26/05) -- Based on a recent analysis showing that current air toxics standards for cooling towers, ethylene oxide sterilization plants, and magnetic tape manufacturing operations protect public health, the U.S. EPA is proposing that further emission controls are not necessary. EPA issued separate national rules to limit emissions of toxic air pollutants from these facilities in 1994. 

Since 1990 EPA has issued 96 hazardous air pollutant regulations that require 174 industry source categories to eliminate 1.7 million tons per year of hazardous air pollutants. The Clean Air Act requires EPA to assess the impact of its air toxics standards eight years after they are issued. EPA must require additional emissions reductions if the review shows that the standards do not sufficiently protect human health or the environment. The agency also must require additional reductions if new emission-control technology or pollution prevention practices have become available. EPA will take comment on the proposals for 60 days after notice is published in the Federal Register. 

1) Ethylene Oxide Sterilization: EPA's 1994 air toxics standards limit emissions at commercial sterilization facilities that use ethylene oxide to sterilize heat- and moisture-sensitive products and as a fumigant to control microorganisms or insects. After these facilities implemented the standards, EPA analyzed their remaining air emissions to determine whether they pose a risk to human health or the environment. The analysis found that the risks to humans, as well as ecological effects from these facilities, are low enough that further controls are not warranted. The technology assessment did not find any advancement in emissions control or prevention practices. Under the existing standards, these facilities will continue to reduce hazardous air pollutants by 1,000 tons per year. More information on this action is available online.

2) Industrial Cooling Towers: EPA's 1994 air toxics standards for industrial process cooling towers eliminated the use of chromium-based water treatment chemicals that EPA suspects causes cancer or have other serious health or environmental effects. The rule prevents 25 tons per year of chromium from being emitted into the air. As a result of the rule, the cooling towers Industry substituted several chemicals for chromium, including three other toxic air pollutants: methanol, ethylene thiourea and chloroform. After implementation of the 1994 standards, EPA conducted a risk assessment to determine whether current air emissions posed a risk to human health or the environment. The risk assessment found that the risks posed by current emissions from cooling towers are low enough that further controls are not warranted. The technology assessment did not find any advancement in emissions control or prevention practices. More information on this action is available online.

3) Magnetic Tape Manufacturing: EPA's 1994 air toxics standards limit emissions at facilities that manufacture magnetic tape, including audio and video tape for consumer use. After these facilities implemented the standards, EPA analyzed their remaining air emissions to determine whether they pose a risk to human health or the environment. The analysis showed a low risk from each of the six magnetic tape producing facilities in the country. The technology review found that no new emissions controls or pollution prevention practices have become available for this industry. Under the existing standards, these facilities will continue to reduce hazardous air pollutants by 2,300 tons per year. More information on this action is available online.