Paper and Other Web Coating: National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)
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Rule Summary
This action finalizes national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) for facilities that coat paper and other web substrates and are major sources of hazardous air pollutants (HAP) emissions. The paper and other web coatings source category emits HAP such as: toluene, methanol, methyl ethyl chloride, ethylene glycol, xylenes, phenol, methylene chloride, glycol ethers, hexane, methyl isobutyl ketone, cresols, cresylic acid, dimethyl formamide, vinyl acetate, formaldehyde, and ethyl benzene.
These facilities produce items such as pressure-sensitive tapes and labels, flexible packaging, photographic film, coated vinyl, wall coverings, sandpaper and other abrasives, paperboard boxes, vinyl flooring, industrial and decorative laminates, carbon paper and carbonless paper, circuit boards, and business forms. The standards implement section 112(d) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) to protect public health and the environment by reducing HAP emissions from new and existing facilities. The CAA requires these sources to achieve the maximum degree of reduction in HAP emissions that is achievable.
The final standards will eliminate approximately 80 percent of nationwide HAP emissions from facilities that coat paper and other web substrates. EPA estimates this rule will reduce nationwide emissions of HAP by an estimated 34,500 tons (31,300 Mg) annually. This represents an approximate 80 percent reduction of HAP emissions from the source category.
Rule History
07/09/2020 - Final Rule (July 2020)
09/19/2019 - Proposed Rule (September 2019) (pdf) (684 KB)
05/24/2006 – Proposed Rule (May 2006) (pdf) (150 KB) & Direct Final Rule (pdf) (204 KB)
12/04/2002 – Final Rule (December 2002) (pdf) (256 KB)
09/13/2000 – Proposed Rule (September 2000) (pdf) (334 KB)
Additional Resources
Fact Sheet: Final Amendments to Air Toxics Standards for Paper and Other Web Coating
Fact Sheet and Executive Summary for the NESHAP for Paper and Other Web Coating
Related Rules
Control Techniques Guidelines for Paper, Film, and Foil Coatings (txt)
Pressure Sensitive Tape and Label Surface Coating Industry: New Source Performance Standards (NSPS)
Compliance
Compliance Timeline and Applicability Determination for Paper and Other Web Coating NESHAP
Paper and Other Web Coating NESHAP Questions and Answers
Compliance Options Diagrams for the Paper and Other Web Coating NESHAP
Paper and Other Web Coating National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP): Applicability Determination Memo Mr. Michael Alushin, EPA Office of Compliance to Mr. Timothy Hunt, American Forest & Paper Association. The memo indicates that size presses or size press alternative (SP/SPA) and on-machine coaters that apply sizing or water-based clays as a component of papermaking system are not subject to requirement of Subpart JJJJ.
Applicability Determination Index (ADI) The ADI is maintained by EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) and provides a data base of memoranda dealing with applicability issues. The database is searchable by Subpart.