EPA Air Toxics Programs Ruben R. Casso Toxics Coordinator EPA Region 6 Phone

The Federal Government/EPA’s Role: The focus with regard to air toxics is for EPA to issue nationwide rules to control air toxics emissions at the source. EPA does not have ambient air quality standards for air toxics Regulatory efforts Stationary sources: major (large) & area (smaller) Mobile source air toxics Voluntary efforts Support for State/Local community air toxics efforts

EPA’s Relationship with the State Congress intended for state agencies to be the primary implementers of Air Quality Programs EPA approves/delegates the implementation of Federal Air Quality Programs to the States States may decide to conduct their air quality programs/activities at levels which go beyond the minimum requirements set forth by EPA

EPA Stationary Source Air Toxics Rulemaking The CAA identified 188 hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and 174 specific categories to be regulated under maximum achievable control technology (MACT) rules technology- based rules for facilities Two phase program for large industrial sources (e.g., chemical manufacturers) Technology-based standards major sources Risk-based review of technology standards Technology-based standards for smaller sources (or “area” sources, e.g., dry cleaners)

EPA MACT Rulemaking EPA promulgated about 100 major source MACT rules for specific facility categories EPA has begun the process of evaluating residual risk on major source MACT rules EPA is developing MACT rules for 70 area (minor) source categories

Mobile Source Air Toxics Regulatory Air Toxics Effort Mobile source air toxics (MSAT) Rule Additional Efforts – Diesel Emission Reduction School Buses Other efforts on vehicles/infrastructure Diesel-powered equipment at: Ports Airports Rail

Mobile Source Air Toxics (MSATs) Diesel Emissions (Diesel Particulate Matter +Diesel Exhaust Organic Gases) Acetaldehyde, Acrolein, Benzene, 1,3-Butadiene, Ethylbenzene Formaldehyde, MTBE, Naphthalene, n–Hexane, Styrene, Toluene, Xylene Arsenic Compounds, Chromium Compounds, Lead Compounds Manganese Compounds, Mercury Compounds, Nickel Compounds Polycyclic organic matter (POM), Dioxin/Furans

Mobile Source Air Toxics (MSAT) Rule Proposed Rule expected February 2006 Final Rule expected February 2007 EPA expects the new MSAT rule to have 3 parts: 1) Fuel controls ( i.e. benzene content in gasoline) 2) Light-Duty vehicles (Evaporation provisions similar to CA requirements and cold temperature VOC reduction provisions) 3) Gas can requirements

Impact of the EPA Air Quality Standards for Ozone include requirements to reduce VOC ozone precursor emissions under the SIP, some of which are air toxics. Houston SIP controls in the time frame should result in emission reductions/improvements for air toxics Highly reactive volatile organic compounds (HRVOC) rules will lower 1,3-butadiene emissions in the area. Benzene emissions will also be reduced through SIP efforts. Additional Ozone SIP State/Local Air Toxics Emissions Reductions

EPA Support for State/Local Community Air Toxics Efforts States may decide to conduct their air quality programs/activities at levels which go beyond the minimum requirements set forth by EPA EPA supports State/local agency efforts to address community air toxics EPA support flexibility for State/Local agencies to address community air toxics in a manner they deem appropriate for specific state/local circumstances