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. ------- |