Miscellaneous coating Manufacturing MACT Summary

1. What is the purpose of this rule?

The Clean Air Act requires EPA to establish standards to control HAP emissions from source categories identified under section 112(c) of the Act.  An initial source category list was published by EPA in 1992. This list identified Miscellaneous Coating Manufacturing as a source category because these operations are a major source of HAP emissions. Facilities producing paints, inks or adhesives will most likely be affected by this rule.   

The purpose of this rule is to establish National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) to control emissions of these air toxics at major sources in this source category.  Facilities affected by this rule will be required to install “maximum achievable control technology” (MACT) for process vessels, storage tanks, equipment leaks, wastewater systems and transfer facilities covered by this rule.  As a result, emissions of these air toxics will be reduced by 4,900 tons per year.  Because many of the HAP emitted by miscellaneous coating manufacturing facilities are also VOC (volatile organic compounds), this rule will also reduce VOC emissions, which contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone.  The primary air toxics emitted during the production of organic chemicals used in coatings are xylene, glycol ethers, methyl isobutyl ketone and toluene.

This rule also establishes requirements to demonstrate initial and continuous compliance with the emission limits and work practice standards.