For an existing affected source, the compliance deadline is Jan. 10, 2011, and full compliance status is due by March 11, 2011. These rules became effective in January 2008.
In September 2007, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued proposed air toxics standards for smaller emitting sources. These emitting sources were referred to as area sources, and were involved in three industry sectors, including paint stripping and surface coating operations.
Area sources are defined as those having the potential to emit less than 10 tons per year of a single toxic air pollutant or less than 25 tons per year of any combination of toxic air pollutants.
Sources affected by the rule need to implement equipment and management practices in compliance with the new standards. The practices both reduce toxic material consumption and produce a savings to the facility.
The restrictions include the following rules:
- For paint stripping operations, the proposed rules would
also require new and existing area sources to implement
management practices that minimize evaporative loss of MeCl.
Existing area sources consuming more than 150 gallons per year
of paint stripping formulation must also develop and implement a
minimization plan designed to reduce their consumption of MeCl
by identifying alternatives, when possible.
- For surface coating operations, the proposed rule would also require new and existing area sources to implement equipment and management practices that minimize the amount of coating required and to capture toxic metal particulates from the process. The toxic metal compounds are those containing cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese and nickel. The equipment practices include confining spray operations to within a properly filtered spray booth or preparation station, using high volume low pressure or equivalent spray equipment, and either cleaning spray guns manually or by using an enclosed spray gun washer. The management practices include proper training and certification of HVLP equipment operators.
The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from both the mechanical and collision repair segments of the automotive service industry. ASA’s headquarters is in Bedford, Texas.
ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. For additional information about ASA, including past news releases, go to , or visit ASA’s legislative website at www.TakingTheHill.com.
