United Slates Solid Waste and
Environmental Protection Emergency Response EPA530-F-95-003
Agency (5305) January 1995
Office of Solid Waste
&EPA Environmental
Fact Sheet
Regulatory Determination Issued
For Cement Kiln Dust
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has concluded that
additional control of cement kiln dust (CKD) is warranted in order to protect
human health, and to prevent environmental damage associated with current
disposal practices of this waste. The Agency intends to take a "common-
sense" approach by developing tailored requirements that work in
conjunction with its existing authorities. EPA believes this approach will
provide adequate environmental safeguards that impose minimal economic
burdens on the cement manufacturing industry.
Action
After extensive evaluation and public involvement, EPA has decided
that cement kiln dust requires stricter management controls.
Consequently, the Agency plans to develop specific controls that: (1)
prevent damage to ground and potable water and (2) reduce health
risks associated with breathing and ingesting dust from cement kilns.
As appropriate, EPA will use a combination of authorities to manage
CKD. Protection against potential releases to ground water and air will
be provided through tailor-made requirements using the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Clean Air Act. The
Agency believes that existing requirements under the Clean Water Act
already provide adequate control over releases to surface water.
Until EPA promulgates new regulatory controls, cement kiln dust
remains exempt from RCRA hazardous waste management
requirements. This action does not affect cement kiln clinker or other
products of cement production. Cement facilities that burn RCRA
hazardous waste in their kilns still must test their dust to see that it
remains unaffected by the combustion of hazardous waste. Dust that is
affected by combustion must be managed according to appropriate
RCRA regulations.
Background
When Congress developed legislation governing the disposal of
hazardous waste, it identified six categories of wastes that were
believed to pose less risk to human health and the environment. These
-------
"special" wastes— known as Bevill wastes—were exempt from RCRA
Subtitle C requirements, pending studies and regulatory
determinations by the Agency. One of the Bevill wastes, cement kiln
dust is very fine particulate material that is carried out by gases exiting
the cement kiln during burning, and collected in air pollution control
devices. This action on CKD is the last regulatory determination
required for the special Bevill wastes.
Contact
For additional information or to order a copy of the Federal Register
notice, contact the RCRA Hotline, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30
p.m. EST. The national, toll-free number is (800) 424-9346; TDD (800)
553-7672 (hearing impaired).
Copies of documents applicable to this rule may be obtained by
writing: RCRA Information Center (RIG), U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Office of Solid Waste (5305), 401 M Street SW, Washington,
D.C. 20460.
------- |