Hazardous Air Pollutants Assessment, Liabilities, and Regulatory Compliance

9780815513865

0815513860

During the past ten years, state and federal regulations affecting hazardous air pollutants have produced an escalating dilemma for industrial facilities. While struggling to remain competitive and in compliance with environmental regulations, industry faces increasing requirements and potential liabilities due to emissions of hazardous air pollutants. Many states began establishing regulations governing the emissions of hazardous air pollutants after the 1984 accidental release of methyl isocyanate in Bophal, India. After thirteen years of extended debate, the U.S. Congress passed significant amendments to the Clean Air Act in 1990. These various regulations require industrial facilities to evaluate, control, monitor, permit and assess risk for a variety of listed chemicals considered hazardous air pollutants. Title III of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments provides for the permitting and control of sources emitting as little as ten tons per year of one of 189 federally listed hazardous air pollutants. In addition, sources emitting lesser quantities of 100 of these 189 hazardous air pollutants have to develop risk management plans to prevent accidental releases. This requirement is very similar to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulation for protecting workers from accidental releases. Approximately ten other federal regulations also deal with emissions of hazardous pollutants. In addition, state regulations address up to 460 hazardous air pollutants. Deadlines for establishing compliance with the federal requirements, are currently being implemented for some industry categories and are scheduled to be completed by 2003. To effectively respond to this myriadof hazardous air pollutant regulations and maintain a viable business, owners and operators of industrial facilities need to understand: the pollutants that are regulated as hazardous, applicable state and federal requirements