The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed new national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) for area sources engaged in paint stripping and miscellaneous surface coating operations. Specifically, EPA has listed "Paint Stripping," "Plastic Parts and Products (Surface Coating)," and "Autobody Refinishing Paint Shops" as area sources of hazardous air pollutants (HAP) that contribute to the risk to public health in urban areas under the Integrated Urban Air Toxics Strategy. These three source categories are being combined into one set of standards for the purposes of this rulemaking.

Paint stripping operations subject to the standards being proposed include the use of methylene chloride-containing chemicals to remove paint and other coatings. Plastic parts and products surface coating operations include the application of coatings to miscellaneous parts and/or products made of metal or plastic, or combinations of metal and plastic. Autobody refinishing includes the application of coating to motor vehicles and mobile equipment.

These proposed standards, when finalized, would require all methylene chloride (MeCl) containing paint stripping and miscellaneous surface coating operations at area sources to comply with equipment requirements and/or management practices that minimize specific HAP emissions. The standards would also establish training requirements for employees who apply coatings via spraying. In addition, these standards would apply to all area sources that perform methylene chloride-containing paint stripping and miscellaneous surface coating activities, except when other NESHAP apply.

Comments regarding the proposal must be received on or before Oct. 17, 2007. f anyone contacts EPA requesting to speak at a public hearing concerning the proposed rule by Sept. 27, 2007, the EPA will hold a public hearing on Oct. 2, 2007. To submit comments, log on to www.regulations.gov and reference Docket ID No. EPA- HQ-OAR-2005-0526.

Source: The Federal Register