>EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Pollution Prevention
and Toxics
(7406)
EPA744B-94-001
March 1994
FEDERAL
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
POTENTIALLY AFFECTING THE
COMMERCIAL PRINTING INDUSTRY
Design for the Environment Program
Economics, Exposure and Technology Division
Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Recycled/Recyclable
Printed with Soy/Canola Ink on paperthat
contains at least 50% recycled fiber
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FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
POTENTIALLY AFFECTING THE
COMMERCIAL PRINTING INDUSTRY
EPA744B-94-001
March 1994
Design for the Environment Program
Economics, Exposure and Technology Division
Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Copies of this document are available by contacting:
Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse
U.S. EPA
401 M Street, SW (Mail code 3404)
Washington, D.C. 20460
Phone: 202/260-1023
fax: 202/260-0178
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Acknowledgements
A special thanks is extended to the Flexible Packaging Association, the Screen Printing
Association International and the Technical Committee of the Environmental Conservation Board
of the Graphics Communications Industry for their helpful comments.
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PREFACE
This discussion of environmental statutes potentially affecting the commercial printing
industry is intended for information purposes only. It is not an official EPA guidance document and
should therefore not be relied on by companies in the printing industry to determine applicable
regulatory requirements.
The applicability of many Federal regulations is determined in part by the chemicals being used
at a facility. This draft covers chemicals that the printing industry has identified as being used in the
processes of lithography, flexography, gravure, screen printing and letterpress. However, individual
facilities have their own chemical use patterns, which means that a particular facility may use
chemicals that are not listed in this report or may use some but not all of them. As a result, each
facility must identify the universe of rules that apply to it by examining the regulations themselves.
This report only discusses Federal environmental statutes. However, implementation of many
Federal programs is delegated to States that have programs at least as stringent as the applicable
Federal program. Thus, even where Federal regulations apply, State laws may impose additional
requirements that are not addressed in this document. There may also be State or local requirements
where no Federal regulations exist.
This study covers the following kinds of Federal environmental requirements: Clean Air Act
requirements, Clean Water Act requirements, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
requirements, Superfund and Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know requirements, and
Toxic Substance Control Act requirements. The study provides an overview of regulations affecting
the commercial printing industry and of the specific chemicals used in the industry that may trigger
particular regulatory requirements.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Air Requirements 1
Water Requirements 17
RCRA-Related Requirements 27
Superfund and Community Right-To-Know 46
Toxic Substances Control 51
Appendix A: Federal Air Regulations for Gravure and Flexography Printers
Appendix B: Clean Water Act: Reportable Quantities of Hazardous Substances that may Apply
in the Printing Industry; Underground Injection Control Program
Appendix C: National Permit Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Regulations
Appendix D: CERCLA Reportable Quantities for Some Chemicals in the Printing Industry
Appendix E: Threshold Planning and Reporting Quantities for Some EPCRA-Designated
Extremely Hazardous Chemicals Used in the Printing Industry
Appendix F: Chemicals Used in the Printing Industry That Are Listed in the Toxic Release
Inventory
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CLEAN AIR ACT REQUIREMENTS
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Section A. CLEAN AIR ACT REQUIREMENTS
Law: Federal Clean Air Act (Amended 1990)
The Clean Air Act (CAA), with its 1990 amendments, sets the framework for air pollution
control as it affects the printing industry. This framework has several elements. Several portions of
Title I of the CAA address requirements for the attainment and maintenance of National Ambient Air
Quality Standards (NAAQS). Section A. 1 discusses how the implementation of Title I of the CAA
may affect the printing industry.
Section 112 of the CAA covers emissions of hazardous substances. For a wide variety of
such substances, Congress directed the EPA to base its limits on emissions and technologies rather
than on ambient air quality per se. Section A.2 discusses how controls on hazardous air pollutants
may affect the printing industry.
The 1990 amendments to the CAA provide a new mechanism for implementing both the
National Ambient Air Quality Standards and the Act's hazardous substance limitations. This new
mechanism is the permit, which would be required of major sources of (1) pollutants affecting
ambient air quality, (2) hazardous air pollutants, and (3) new sources. Permits are discussed in
Section A.3 and Appendix C of this report.
Finally, Title VI of the Clean Air Act deals with ozone-depleting chemicals. Several solvents
used in the printing industry are affected by this law. Regulations under Title VT which affect the
printing industry are discussed in Section A.4 of this report.
A.1 EPA RESTRICTIONS ON NATIONAL PRIMARY AND SECONDARY AMBIENT
AIR QUALITY STANDARDS (40 CFR 50)
EPA's National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) establish levels of air quality that
are to be applied uniformly throughout regions in the United States. An air quality control region is
classified as a "nonattainment" area if a NAAQS is violated anywhere in the region. (In the case of
ozone, a violation occurs if the 4th highest reading over any 24-hour period in the past 3 years
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exceeds the NAAQS for ozone.) Two types of NAAQS are set:
(1) Primary standards that define the level of air quality necessary to prevent any adverse
impact on human health, and
(2) Secondary standards that define the level of air quality necessary to protect the public
welfare from any known or anticipated adverse effects of a pollutant.
These standards recognize that the severity of the adverse health effects associated with exposure
often depends on the duration of exposure. Accordingly, "short-term" standards set limits for a 1-
hour, an 8-hour, or a 24-hour period, while "long-term" standards are established on an annual basis.
The EPA has set National Ambient Air Quality Standards for the six pollutants shown in
Exhibit 1. These standards are used as a foundation for the regulatory framework discussed in this
section. Of the six, the NAAQS for ozone, NOX and particulate matter are likely to have a significant
impact on the printing industry Printing facilities are not, of course, major sources of ozone per
se; however, they are sources of emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the
precursors of ozone. Thus, although there is a NAAQS for ozone, the relevant emissions for
monitoring purposes are VOCs.
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EXHIBIT 1. National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Criteria
Pollutants (As of July 1, 1991)
Pollutant
Primary Standards
(Protective of Health)1
Ozone
Carbon Monoxide
Particulate Matter (PM-10)
Sulfur Dioxide
Nitrogen Dioxide
Lead
0.120ppm(235 Mg/m3)
(1-hour average)
9 ppm (10 mg/m3)
(8-hour average)
35 ppm (40 mg/m3)
(1 -hour average)
150 Mg/m3
(24-hour average)
50 Mg/m3
(annual arithmetic mean)
0.140 ppm (365
(24-hour average)
0.03 ppm (80 Mg/m3)
(annual arithmetic mean)
0.053 ppm (100
(annual arithmetic mean)
1.5 Mg/m3
(arithmetic mean averaged
quarterly) _
See 40 CFR Part 50. The Clean Air Act also requires that EPA establish secondary standards, which protect
against adverse effects on the environment. Secondary standards have been established for most of the listed pollutants,
and, in most cases, the levels are lower than those in the primary standards.
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A. 1.1 Existing Sources of Emissions
A. 1.1.1 Ozone non-attainment areas
The "design value" shown in column 3 of Exhibit 2 is the 4th highest reading taken over any
24-hour period in a nonattainment area. Based on this figure, a nonattainment area is classified as
Marginal, Moderate, Serious, Severe, or Extreme. As shown in this exhibit, attainment deadlines are
based on a sliding scale that reflects the severity of the pollution. Areas that are likely to be classified
as Extreme, Severe, or Serious as of late-1990 are presented in Exhibit 3. A single ozone transport
region exists for eleven states and the District of Columbia (the northeast ozone transport region).2
EXHIBIT 2. Classification of Ozone Nonattainment Areas
Deadline to Attain
Classification (from November 15, 1990) Design Value (ppm)
Marginal
Moderate
Serious
Severe
Extreme
3 Years
6 Years
9 Years
15 Years
17 Years
20 Years
0.121 -
0.138-
0.160-
0.180-
0.190-
Above
0.138
0.160
0.180
0.190
0.280
0.280
The States in the northeast ozone transport region are Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts,
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.
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Each State is required to develop a State Implementation Plan (SIP) for all nonattainment
areas. SIPs contain a wide range of requirements that are designed to decrease ambient ozone
concentrations. A source in a nonattainment area defined as "major" must install Reasonably Available
Control Technology (RACT) as prescribed in the applicable SIP.3 A major source is defined both by
the size of the source's facility-wide emissions and the category of the nonattainment area. These
conditions are presented in Exhibit 4. In addition, if a firm has the potential to emit more than 100
tons per year (TPY), it is also considered to be a major source. The statement "potential to emit"
means the maximum capacity of a stationary source to emit a pollutant under its physical and
operational design. Thus, operating below capacity does not exclude a plant from being defined as
a major source. Any physical or operational limitations on the capacity of the source to emit a
pollutant, provided the limitation or its effect on emissions is federally-enforceable, are treated as part
of its design and therefore, could mean exclusion from the major category.
States included in an ozone transport region must submit SIPs to the EPA with special
requirements pertaining to enhanced vehicle inspection and maintenance programs and
implementation of RACT with respect to all sources of volatile organic compounds in the States. In
addition, a stationary source in an ozone transport region that emits or has the potential to emit
at least 50 TPY of VOCs is considered a major source and is subject to the requirements which
would be applicable to major stationary sources if the area were classified as a Moderate
nonattainment area.
EPA has defined RACT as: The lowest emission limitation that a particular source is capable of meeting by the
application of control technology that is reasonably available considering technological and economic feasibility. RACT
for a particular source is determined on a case-by-case basis, considering the technological and economic circumstances
of the individual source. EPA regulations provide that less stringent emission limitations than those achievable with
RACT are acceptable only if the State plan shows that the less stringent limitations are sufficient to attain and maintain
national ambient air quality standards, and show reasonable further progress during the interim before attainment. (44
Fed Reg 53, 762, Sept. 17, 1979)
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EXHIBIT 3. Ozone Nonattainment Areas
Extreme (1 area)
Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside, CA
Severe (8 areas)
Baltimore, MD
Chicago, IL-IN-WI
Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX
Milwaukee-Racine, WI
Muskegon, MI
New York, NY-NJ-CT
Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE
San Diego, CA
Serious (16 Areas)
Atlanta, GA
Bakersfield, CA
Baton Rouge, LA
Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX
Boston, MA
El Paso, TX
Fresno, CA
Hartford, CT
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH
Parkersburg-Marrieta, WV-OH
Portsmouth-Dover-Rochester, NH-ME
Providence, RI
Sacramento, CA
Sheboygan, WI
Springfield, MA
Washington, DC-MD-VA
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EXHIBIT 4. Existing Source RACT Requirements for Each Ozone Nonattainment
Category
SizeofVOCorNOx
Category of Sources Affected
Nonattainment Area (Tons/Year)
Extreme 10
Severe 25
Serious 50
Moderate and Marginal 100
A determination of the necessary RACT requirements for major sources is made on the basis
of a case-by-case review of each facility. In an attempt to issue uniform guidelines, the EPA has
begun to issue Control Techniques Guidelines (CTGs) for industrial categories. The EPA is
developing a CTG for offset lithographic printing which will cover both web and sheet feed and
newspaper offset, as well as fountain solutions, cleaning inks and the VOCs that occur in inks and
heat set printing. A draft document was circulated in October 1991 for comment at a November
1991 public meeting. A revised draft was released for public review on November 8, 1993 at 58
Federal Register 59261. The final document is expected to be completed by Summer 1994. (Contact
Dave Salman 919-541-0859.)
Control Techniques Guideline documents already exist for rotogravure and flexographic
printing, fabric coating, and paper coating. Many of the state regulations for rotogravure and
flexographic printing are based on guidance provided by EPA in the 1978 control techniques
guidelines for these printing processes. These regulations often apply only to sources with potentially
uncontrolled VOC emissions greater than 100 tons per year. Many of the regulations for fabric
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coating and paper coating are based on guidance provided by EPA in a 1977 CTG for these
processes. The fabric coating regulations cover vinyl printing and coating which include printing on
such items as vinyl wallpaper and automobile upholstery. The paper coating regulations cover the
application of coatings to paper, film and foil. (See Appendix A for more details on CTGs for
rotogravure, flexographic, and coating operations.)
To the extent that a printing industry source is covered by any of EPA's CTGs, it may be
covered by a State Implementation Plan (SIP) RACT rule even if is not a major source.
The EPA has studied the economic and technical feasibility of control options for small (less
than 100 tons per year potential uncontrolled emissions) rotogravure and flexographic printing
facilities. A 1992 EPA document, Alternative VOC Control Technique Options for Small
Rotogravure and Flexography Facilities. PB93-1223071, can be used as a reference for identifying
capture and control technologies and the costs associated with these technologies. Industry
representatives caution that the costs for capture and control technologies may be severely
underestimated4. Another EPA publication, Best Demonstrated Control Technology Guidelines for
Graphic Arts. PB91-168427, compiles numerous case studies of rotogravure and flexographic
facilities that have achieved VOC control efficiencies of 90% or better.5
A.1.2 New Sources of Emissions
Persons constructing new major stationary sources of air pollution or making major
modifications to major stationary sources are required by the Clean Air Act to obtain an air pollution
permit before commencing construction. The process is called new source review (NSR) and is
required whether the major source or modification is planned for an area where the NAAQS are
Industry representatives at the Technical Meeting of the Environmental Conservation Board of the Graphics
Communications Industry, September 22, 1993.
These documents are available to the public through the National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal
Road, Springfield, Virginia 22161 (1-800-553-6847).
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exceeded (nonattainment areas) or an area where air quality is acceptable (attainment and
unclassifiable areas). Permits for sources in attainment areas are referred to as prevention of
significant air quality deterioration (PSD) requirements and include the following:
• Installation of Best Available Control Technology (BACT)6;
• A detailed air quality analysis showing that there will be no violation of PSD
"increments;"
• Prediction of future air quality standards; and
• Possible monitoring of air quality for one year prior to the issuance of the permit.
• Demonstration of standard attainment through the undertaking of an air quality
analysis.
Restrictions in nonattainment areas are more severe. The principal requirements of
NSR in nonattainment areas are:
• Installation of Lowest Achievable Emission Rate (LAER)7 technology;
• Provision for "offsets" (see Exhibit 5) representing emission reductions that must be
made from other sources.
EPA determines BACT requirements by: (1) identifying all control technologies; (2) eliminating technically
infeasible options; (3) ranking remaining control options by control effectiveness; (4) evaluating the most effective
controls and documenting results; and (5) selecting BACT. See Draft New Source Review Workshop Manual, U.S.
EPA, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, October 1990.
LAER is the most stringent emission limitation derived from either of the following: (1) the most stringent emission
limitation contained in the implementation plan of any State for such class or category of source: or (2) the most
stringent emission limitation achieved in practice by such class or category of source. See CAA 171 (3).
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EXHIBIT 5. Major Source Definitions and Offset Ratios in Ozone
Nonattainment Areas
Category
Marginal
Moderate
Serious
Severe
Extreme
Size of Major Source8
(Tons/Year of VOCs)
100
100
50
25
10
Offset Ratios9
1.1:1
1.15:1
1.2:1
1.3:1
1.5:1
A.2 HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS AND MAXIMUM ACHIEVABLE CONTROL
TECHNOLOGY (MACT) STANDARDS
The National Ambient Air Quality Standards apply only to a small number of the most
common pollutants. Additional requirements that directly restrict the emission of 189 hazardous air
pollutants are established in Part 112 of the Clean Air Act. The EPA is authorized to establish
Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standards for source categories that emit at least
one of the pollutants on the list. Chemicals listed in Part 112 of the Clean Air Act that are used in
States have the option of choosing a major source definition of 5 tons per year (TP Y) (and accepting other
conditions) to avoid complying with the requirement that emissions be reduced by 15 percent over the first 6 years. See
Section 182(b)(l)(A)(ii).
Emissions offsets are generally obtained from existing sources located in the vicinity of a proposed source and must
(1) offset the emissions increase from the new source or modification and (2) provide a net air quality benefit. The
amount of net air quality benefit depends on the category of the nonattainment area and is listed in Exhibit 5. In general,
emission reductions which have resulted from some other regulatory action are not available as offsets.
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the printing industry are shown in Exhibit 6. MACT standards for the flexography, publication
gravure and rotogravure sections of the commercial printing industry are currently scheduled for
proposal in 1993, and final in 1994.
EXHIBIT 6. Chemicals Used in the Printing Industry That are Listed as
Hazardous Air Pollutants in the Clean Air Act Amendments
HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANT
Benzene Lead compounds
Cadium compounds Methanol
Carbon tetrachloride Methyl ethyl ketone
Chromium compounds Methyl isobutyl ketone
Cobalt compounds Methylene chloride
Cumene Perchloroethylene
Dibutylphthalate Polycyclic organic matter
Diethanolamine Propylene oxide
Ethyl benzene Toluene
Ethylene glycol 2,4-Toluene diisocyanate
Formaldehyde 1,1,2-Trichloroethane
Glycol ethers Trichloroethylene
Hexane Vinyl chloride
Hydrochloric acid Xylenes
Isophorone
A source will receive a 6-year extension in the compliance date for a MACT standard if it
achieves a 90-percent reduction in its HAP emissions (or 95 percent for particulate emissions) prior
to the date on which the MACT standard is proposed for its industry category. There is no
requirement to notify EPA before issuance of the standard; however, the demonstration of emissions
reduction must be made before the standard is proposed. A source should submit its demonstration
either along with its Title V permit application or as a permit modification. EPA is issuing guidance
that will specify how the demonstration must be made.
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A.3 PERMITS (40 CFR 70)
The CAA Title V (promulgated at 40 CFR 70) defines the minimum standards and procedures
required for State operating permit programs. The permit system is a new approach established by
the Amendments that is designed to define each source's requirements and to facilitate enforcement.
In addition, permit fees will generate revenue to fund implementation of the program.
Any facility defined as a "major source" is required to secure a permit. Part 70.2 defines a
source as a single point from which emissions are released or as an entire industrial facility that is
under the control of the same person(s), and a major source is defined as any source that emits or has
the potential to emit:
• 10 TPY or more of any hazardous air pollutant;
• 25 TPY or more of any combination of hazardous air pollutants; or
100 TPY of any air pollutant.
For ozone nonattainment areas, major sources are defined as sources with the potential to
emit:
• 100 TPY or more of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in areas defined as marginal
or moderate;
• 50 TPY or more of VOCs in areas classified as serious;
• 25 TPY or more of VOCs in areas classified as severe; and
• 10 TPY or more of VOCs in areas classified as extreme.
In addition to major sources, all sources that are required to undergo New Source Review,
are subject to New Source Performance Standards, or are identified by Federal or State regulations,
must obtain a permit. The permit requirement for all other sources has been deferred five years.
By November 15, 1993, each State must submit a design for an operating permit program to
the EPA for approval. The EPA must either approve or disapprove the State's program within one
year after submission. Once approved, the State program goes into effect.
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Major sources, as well as the other sources identified above, must then develop and submit
their permit applications to the State within one year (this will take place near the end of 1995). Once
a source submits an application, it may continue to operate until the permit is issued. This may take
years because permit processing allows time for terms and conditions to be presented to and reviewed
by the public and neighboring States, as well as by the EPA. When issued, the permit will include all
air requirements applicable to the facility. Among these are compliance schedules, emissions
monitoring, emergency provisions, self-reporting responsibilities, and emissions limitations. Five
years is the maximum permit term.
However, for small businesses, such as printers, who are required to obtain a permit, many
States will issue a general permit. A general permit is a single permitting document which can cover
a category or class of many similar sources. Public notice and an opportunity for a public hearing
must be provided by the permitting authority when considering issuance of a general permit, but not
when the individual sources subsequently submit requests for coverage and are evaluated for a permit
reflecting the terms of the general permit. Thus, printers that are eligible for coverage under a general
permit need only submit a single notification form, rather than a detailed application. In addition, such
printers will not have to undergo the time-consuming public notice process associated with issuing
a permit. Permit conditions will be generally applicable to the source category and not tailored to the
individual printing facility.
As established in Title V (40 CFR 70), the States are required to develop fee schedules to
ensure the collection and retention of revenues sufficient to cover permit program costs. CAA sets
a presumptive fee of $25 per ton for all regulated pollutants (except carbon monoxide), but States
can set higher or lower fees so long as they collect sufficient revenues to cover program costs.
If a printing facility is not classified as a major source, the printer should still check with the
appropriate air authorities to determine if their facility requires air permits. Potential air permit
requirements include:
• Federal/State/Local permits required to construct/operate new presses, coaters,
control devices, boilers, cyclones, evaporators, distillation units, and some proofing
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and bindery equipment.
• Federal/State/Local permits required to operate existing presses, coaters, control
devices, boilers, cyclones, evaporators, distillation units, and some proofing and
bindery equipment.
• Federal/State/Local permits required to modify existing equipment or changing
materials (e.g., inks, fountain solutions, coatings, cleaning solvents, and other
chemistries).
A.4 STRATOSPHERIC OZONE PROTECTION (40 CFR 82)
The CAA Amendments provide for a phase-out of the production and consumption of
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other chemicals that are causing the destruction of the stratospheric
ozone layer. Requirements apply to any individual, corporate, or government entity that produces,
transforms, imports, or exports these controlled substances.
Section 602 of the Clean Air Act identifies ozone-depleting substances and divides them into
two classes. Class I substances are divided into five groups; the chemicals that are used by the
commercial printing industry are shown in Exhibit 7. Section 604 of the Clean Air Act calls for a
complete phase-out of Class I substances by January 1, 2000 (January 1, 2002 for methyl
chloroform). Class II chemicals, which are hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), are generally seen
as interim substitutes for Class I CFCs.
EXHIBIT 7. Class I Substances
Group IV Group V
Carbon tetrachloride Methyl chloroform
Class U substances consist of 33 HCFCs. The law calls for a complete phase-out of Class II
substances by January 1, 2030. The schedule for the HCFC phase-out has not yet been finalized;
however, EPA has proposed to begin phase-out of some HCFCs by 2002, with a complete phase-out
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of all HCFCs to take place by 2030. This same proposal would phase-out CFCs, carbon
tetrachloride, hydrobromofluorocarbons, and methyl chloroform by January 1, 1996. Halons used
as fire extinguishers would be phased-out by January 1, 1994.
On February 11, 1993, EPA issued a rule under Section 611 of the Clean Air Act that,
effective May 15, 1993, requires both domestically produced and imported goods containing or
manufactured with Class I chemicals to carry a warning label. The rule covers items whose
manufacture involves the use of Class I chemicals, even if the final product does not contain such
chemicals.
Exports are exempt from this rule's labeling requirements, as are products that do not have
direct contact with these chemicals. In addition, if direct contact occurs but is non-routine and
intermittent (e.g., spot-cleaning of textiles), no labeling is required. Moreover, if a second
manufacturer incorporates a product made with an ozone-depleting chemical into another item, the
final product need not carry a label.
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WATER REQUIREMENTS
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Section B. CLEAN WATER ACT REQUIREMENTS
Law: Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act)
The Clean Water Act (CWA) is the basic Federal law governing water pollution control in
the United States today. The commercial printing industry produces a number of pollutants that are
potentially regulated under the CWA. Applicable provisions of the CWA are described below,
including Spills of Oil and Hazardous Substances and the discharge of water into waters of the United
States, publicly owned treatment works (POTWs), storm water discharges and storm sewers. The
Underground Injection Control Program, which may impact the printing industry in the future, is
discussed in Appendix B. Permit program regulations that apply across all industries and specifically
to the printing industry are detailed in Sections B.2, B.3, and B.4, and Appendix C.
Effluent wastewater guidelines for industrial laundries will be proposed by EPA by December
1996. Requirements affecting industrial laundries may also affect printers. At this time, the scope of
the guideline has not yet been defined, although all laundries will be required to have a wastewater
treatment system. This laundry effluent guideline will most affect printers who use launderable shop
towels and rags and currently send them to a laundry that does not have a treatment system. Under
the proposed guideline, these printers will now have to send their used launderable shop rags or
towels to a facility with a treatment system, which will likely increase the cost of the laundry service.
B.I SPILLS OF OIL AND HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
B.1.1 Discharge of Oil (40 CFR 110)
The regulations in this part apply to the discharge of oil, which is prohibited by Section
311(b)(3) of the CWA. These regulations may apply to a printing facility if the facility works
with oil and is located either by a municipal storm sewer that discharges to water or near any
streams or bodies of water. Prohibited discharges include certain discharges into or upon the
navigable waters of the United States or adjoining shorelines or into or upon the waters of the
contiguous zone, those occurring in connection with activities under the Outer Continental Shelf
Lands Act or the Deepwater Port Act of 1974, or those that may affect natural resources belonging
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to, appertaining to, or under the exclusive management of the United States.
These regulations define the term "discharge" used in Section 110.11 of the CWA as including
(but not limited to) any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, or dumping into the
marine environment of quantities of oil that:
(1) Violate applicable water quality standards, or
(2) Cause a film or sheen upon or discoloration of the surface of the water or adjoining
shorelines or cause a sludge or emulsion to be deposited beneath the surface of the
water or upon the adjoining shorelines.
B.1.2 Designation and Reportable Quantities of Hazardous Substances Under the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act (40 CFR 116 and 40 CFR 117)
Part 116 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) designates hazardous
substances under Section 311(b)(2)(a) of the Clean Water Act, and Part 117 of the FWPCA
establishes the Reportable Quantity (RQ) for each substance listed in Part 116. When an amount
equal to or in excess of the RQ is discharged, the facility must provide notice to the Federal
government of the discharge, following Department of Transportation requirements set forth in 33
CFR 153.203. This requirement does not apply to facilities that discharge the substance under an
NPDES Permit or a Part 404 Wetlands (dredge and fill) Permit, or to a Publicly Owned Treatment
Works (POTW), as long as any applicable effluent limitations or pretreatment standards have been
met. RQs for specific chemicals are listed in 40 CFR 117.3. Some of the listed chemicals are used
in the printing industry (e.g. toluene, xylene), and the RQs for these are shown in Appendix B.
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B.2 EPA NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES)
PERMIT PROGRAM (40 CFR 122)
Sections 301, 304, 306, 307 and 402 of the Clean Water Act authorize the establishment of
regulations and the issuance of permits to control the discharge of pollutants to waters of the United
States. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program contains
regulations governing these discharges. Thirty-nine States and territories are authorized to administer
NPDES programs that are at least as stringent as the federal program; the EPA administers the
program in States that are not so authorized.10 The following discussion covers only federal NPDES
requirements; where a State implements the program, the facility may be required to comply with
additional requirements not covered in this document.
The NPDES program requires permits for the discharge of "pollutants" from any "point
source" into "navigable waters". The Clean Water Act defines all of these terms broadly. The term
"pollutant" encompasses almost anything that a source might discharge, including dredge spoil, solid
waste, incinerator residue, sewage, garbage, sewage sludge, munitions, chemical wastes, biological
materials, radioactive materials, heat, wrecked or discarded equipment, rock, sand, cellar dirt, and
industrial, municipal and agricultural wastes discharged into water. The term "point source" means
any discernible, confined and discrete conveyance, such as a ditch or a pipe. The Act defines
"navigable waters" as "waters of the United States". Courts have construed the term "waters of the
United States" very broadly; the waters need not be navigable in fact, and can include wetlands.
Thus, a source will be required to obtain an NPDES permit if it discharges almost anything
directly to surface waters. A source that sends its wastewater to a publicly owned treatment works
(POTW) will not be required to obtain an NPDES permit, but may be required to obtain an industrial
user permit from the POTW to cover its discharge. Even if the source does not produce any
wastewater, it may still be subject to the NPDES permit program if it discharges storm water
The 12 States without an approved NPDES program are: Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Florida,
Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, South Dakota, Arizona, Idaho and Alaska. The District of Columbia, Puerto
Rico, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas, and Trust Territories Pacific Islands also do not have approved
NPDES Programs. No Federally-recognized Indian Tribes have an authorized program.
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associated with industrial activity, including construction activity that results in the disturbance of five
or more acres of land area. Section B.4 of this document discusses when facilities need to obtain a
storm water permit.
For a detailed discussion of NPDES regulations and possible application in the printing
industry, see Appendix C.
B.3 INDIRECT DISCHARGER REQUIREMENTS
B.3.1 Categorical Pretreatment Standards for the Printing Industry
If a facility receives a city or municipal sewer bill, the facility discharges to a Publicly Owned
Treatment Works (POTW). If a facility has a septic tank, they do not discharge to a POTW. If a
facility discharges directly into a stream or other body of water, they should reference Appendix C.
As mentioned above, only those facilities that discharge pollutants directly into United States waters
need to obtain an NPDES permit. Facilities that discharge to a POTW, however, must comply with
pretreatment requirements. These facilities may also be required to obtain industrial user permits from
the POTW. Pretreatment requirements were developed because of concern that such waste containing
toxic, hazardous, or concentrated conventional industry wastes might "pass through" POTWs or
interfere with the proper and continuing operation of the POTW. In the commercial printing industry,
no categorical pretreatment standards are applicable.
B.3.2 General EPA Pretreatment Standards (40 CFR 403)
General pretreatment standards apply to all facilities discharging to a POTW. Contact the
appropriate POTW for permission to discharge process wastewater effluent and for permitting
requirements. The general pretreatment standards prohibit the following from being introduced into
a POTW:
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(1) Pollutants that create a fire hazard in the POTW including, but not limited to,
wastestreams with a closed cup flashpoint of less than 140 degrees Fahrenheit or 60
degrees Centigrade using specified test methods;
(2) Pollutants that will cause corrosive structural damage to the POTW, but in no case
discharges with pH lower than 5.0, unless the works is specifically designed to
accommodate such discharges;
(3) Solid or viscous pollutants in amounts that will cause obstruction to the flow in the
POTW, resulting in interference;
(4) Any pollutant, including oxygen demanding pollutants (Biological Oxygen Demand
(BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), etc.), released in a discharge at a flow rate
and/or pollutant concentration that will cause interference with the POTW;
(5) Heated effluents in amounts that will inhibit biological activity in the POTW, resulting
in interference, but in no case heat in such quantities that the temperature at the
POTW treatment plant exceeds 40 degrees Centigrade, unless the approval authority,
upon request of the POTW, approves alternate temperature limits;
(6) Petroleum oil, nonbiodegradable cutting oil, or products of mineral oil in amounts that
will cause interference or pass through;
(7) Pollutants that result in the presence of toxic gases, vapors, or fumes within the
POTW in a quantity that may cause acute worker health and safety problems; and
(8) Any trucked or hauled pollutants, except at discharge points designated by the POTW
(40CFR403.5).
When a POTW uses physical, chemical, or biological means to reduce the amount of a
pollutant during treatment, industrial users may be granted removal credits to reflect the level of
treatment achieved by the POTW. Removal credits enable the user to revise his/her discharge limits,
which may, in turn, help to ensure that indirect dischargers do not expend resources unnecessarily to
treat their own effluents to levels below the removal level achievable by the POTW.
A single discharger may find it advantageous to combine wastestreams prior to treatment,
which often results in more cost-effective treatment. In Section 403.6(e), EPA provides a "combined
wastestream formula" that incorporates flow, mass, and concentration to establish effluent limits.
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A discharger to a POTW should be aware of the following requirements:
Recording, monitoring and reporting for discharge of wastewater to POTW (40 CFR 403.12
(o))
A business that discharges wastewater to a POTW must keep records, monitor discharges, and
prepare and submit periodic monitoring reports, as determined by the POTW.
Notice of POTW of discharge of wastewater that causes problems (40 CFR 403.12(f))
A business that discharges wastewater to a POTW must immediately notify the POTW of all
discharges that could "cause problems" to the POTW.
Notice to POTW of changed discharge of wastewater (40 CFR 403.12 (j))
A business that discharges wastewater to a POTW must give prompt notice of the POTW if there is
a significant change in the discharge.
Notice to POTW of upset (40 CFR 403.16)
A business that discharges wastewater to a POTW must notify the POTW orally within 24 hours and
in writing within 5 days of becoming aware of an exceptional incident in which there is an
unintentional and temporary noncompliant discharge because of factors beyond the reasonable control
of the business.
Notice to POTW of bypass (40 CFR 403.17)
A business that discharges wastewater to a POTW must notify the POTW (1) ten days in advance
of the known need for an intentional diversion of wastewater streams, if possible, or (2) orally within
24 hours and in writing within 5 days of becoming aware of a bypass.
Notice to POTW of discharge of hazardous waste (40 CFR 403 12 (p))
A business that discharges to a POTW a substance which, if otherwise disposed of, would be a
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hazardous waste must give a one-time notice to the local sanitary district, EPA, and the appropriate
State agency unless exempted. Discharges of more than 33 pounds/month of hazardous waste or any
acute wastes mixed with domestic sewage require written notification to local EPA office, State
waste agency, and POTW.
Notice to POTW of violation (40 CFR 403.12 (g)(2))
A business that discharges wastewater to a POTW must notify the POTW within 24 hours of
becoming aware that it is in violation of a legal requirement. In addition, "significant industrial users,"
those who discharge more than 25,000 gallons per day, must submit to the POTW a semiannual
description of the nature, concentration and flow of pollutants (the POTW will determine the
pollutants for which reporting is required).
B.4 STORM WATER PERMITS (40 CFR 122.26)
Storm water permits are required for areas where material handling equipment or activities,
raw materials, intermediate products, final products, waste materials, by-products, or industrial
machinery are exposed to storm water which drains to a municipal separate storm sewer system or
directly to a receiving water. A storm water permit is not required for storm water discharges to
combined municipal sewer systems (such as for those systems that carry both storm water and
sewage to a POTW for treatment prior to discharge), but notification to the POTW is required.
Storm water permit applications must include a site map showing the topography of the facility,
including: drainage and discharge structures; the drainage area of each storm water outfall; paved
areas and buildings within each drainage area; areas used for outdoor storage or disposal; each
existing structural control measure to reduce pollutants in storm water runoff; materials loading and
access areas; areas where pesticides, herbicides, soil conditioners, and fertilizers are applied; each of
the facility's hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facilities; each well where fluids from
the facility are injected underground; and springs and other surface water bodies that receive storm
water discharges. An estimation of the area of impervious surfaces, the total area drained by each
outfall, and a description of the storage, handling, and disposal of "significant" materials in the three
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years prior to the submittal of the application must also be documented.
A certification that all outfalls have been tested or evaluated for the presence of non-storm
water discharges that are not covered by a NPDES permit must be made, and this certification must
include a description of the method used, dates, and the observed on-site drainage points.
Quantitative data based on samples collected during storm events from all outfalls for the
following must be documented:
(1) Any pollutant limited in an effluent guideline to which the facility is subject;
(2) Any pollutant listed in the facility's NPDES permit;
(3) Oil, grease, pH, BODS, COD, Total Suspended Solids (TSS), total phosphorus, total
Kjeldahl nitrogen, and nitrate plus nitrite nitrogen;
(4) Certain pollutants known to be in the discharge;11
(5) Flow measurements or estimates of the flow rate, and the total amount of discharge
for the storm event(s) sampled and the method of the measurement; and
(6) The date and duration of the storm event(s) sampled and rainfall measurements and
the duration between the storm event sampled and the end of the previous measurable
storm event.
EPA's general permits cover the majority of storm water discharges associated with
industrial activity. Storm water discharges associated with industrial activity that cannot be authorized
by EPA's general permits include those:
• With an existing effluent limitations guideline for storm water;
• That are mixed with non-storm water, unless the non-storm water discharges are in
compliance with a different NPDES permit;
• With an existing NPDES individual or general permit for the storm water discharges;
• That are or may reasonably be expected to be contributing to a violation of a water quality
standard;
11
See discussion of effluent characteristics at Appendix C-l and Table C.2.
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• That are likely to adversely affect a listed or proposed to be listed endangered or threatened
species or its critical habitat;
• From inactive mining, or inactive oil and gas operations or inactive landfills occurring on
Federal lands where an operator cannot be identified (industrial permit only).
A facility must submit a Notice of Intent (NOT) to the EPA to be authorized by the general
permit. A NOT does not require the collection of discharge sampling data. Facilities which discharge
to a large or medium municipal separate storm sewer system must also submit signed copies of the
NOT to the operator of the municipal system. Operators of all facilities covered by EPA's general
permits must prepare and implement a storm water pollution prevention plan. Questions can be
directed to the Storm Water Hotline at (703) 821-4823.
In September 1992, EPA issued general permits for construction and industrial activities
which were intended to initially cover the majority of storm water discharges associated with
industrial activity in 12 States and 6 territories without authorized NPDES programs. As of March
1994, 36 of the 39 authorized NPDES States have the authority to issue general permits.12 Facilities
in authorized NPDES States should contact their State permitting agencies to determine the status
of the general permitting program.
The three authorized NPDES States without authority to issue general permits are Kansas, Michigan and the Virgin
Islands.
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RCRA-RELATED REQUIREMENTS
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Section C. RCRA-RELATED REQUIREMENTS
(Hazardous and Solid Waste Management)
Law: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (Amended in 1984)
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1976 (as amended in 1984) may
have a direct regulatory impact on the printing industry in three ways. First, RCRA sets up a cradle-
to-grave system for tracking and regulating hazardous wastes; this system affects all segments of the
printing industry. Second, Subtitle I of RCRA sets up a system for regulating underground storage
tanks containing petroleum or other hazardous substances; a facility in the printing industry would
be affected by regulations issued under Subtitle I only if it owns an underground storage tank
containing petroleum or hazardous substances. Third, Subtitle D of RCRA sets up a framework for
regulating solid wastes that are not classified as hazardous wastes. In general, the impacts of
Subtitle D on the industry are indirect, i.e., come into play as a result of the industry's use of solid
waste disposal facilities, including municipal solid waste landfills, under Federal or State regulations.
Subtitle I and Subtitle D requirements are not discussed further in this report because they will not
directly impact most printing industry facilities.
The EPA has issued regulations, found in 40 CFR Parts 260-299, which implement the
Federal statute. These regulations are Federal requirements. As of March 1994, 46 States have been
authorized to implement the RCRA program and may include more stringent requirements
in their authorized RCRA programs. In addition, non-RCRA-authorized States (Alaska,
Hawaii, Iowa and Wyoming) may have State laws that set out hazardous waste management
requirements. A facility should always check with the State when analyzing which
requirements apply to their activities.
The Federal regulations are summarized in the 1990 edition of the RCRA Orientation Manual
(#055-000-00364-5), copies of which are available from the Superintendent of Documents at the
Government Printing Office (202-512-0000) for $16.00. The federal regulations are updated annually
and additional provisions to RCRA may have been added or amended since the printing of the 1990
RCRA Orientation Manual. For up-to-date information, the current regulations should be consulted.
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Since the EPA anticipates that most printing facilities which generate hazardous waste will not be
subject to the permitting requirements for treatment, storage or disposal facilities and full RCRA
regulation, the EPA has set forth in this survey a summary only of key RCRA provisions that are
likely to affect waste generators. It is anticipated that very few (if any) facilities in the industry will
be regulated as treatment, storage, or disposal (TSD) facilities (reference Section C.2 in this
document). Owners and operators of TSD facilities are urged to review the RCRA regulations at
Parts 264-267 of Title 40.
Many printers are generators of used or waste oil through their daily operations. In 1992, the
EPA issued management standards for used oil that provide safeguards against any potential types
of mishandling that may occur. These standards are codified in Part 279 of Title 40 and are discussed
in Section C.4. Printers are also often generators of used industrial wipers and shop towels. The
regulatory status of these materials is discussed in Section C.5.
C.I HAZARDOUS WASTE CLASSIFICATION
Assuming the material is a solid waste, the first evaluation to be made is whether it is also
considered a hazardous waste. Part 261 of 40 CFR addresses the identification and listing of
hazardous waste. The waste generator has the responsibility for determining whether a waste is
hazardous, and what classification, if any, may apply to the waste. The generator must examine the
regulations and undertake any tests necessary to determine if the wastes generated are hazardous.
Waste generators may also use their own knowledge and familiarity with the waste to determine
whether it is hazardous. Generators may be subject to enforcement penalties for improperly
determining that a waste is not hazardous.
Wastes can be classified as hazardous either because they are listed by EPA through
regulation and appear in the 40 CFR Part 261 or because they exhibit certain characteristics. Listed
wastes are specifically named, e.g., discarded commercial toluene, spent non-halogenated solvents.
Characteristic wastes are defined as hazardous if they "fail" a characteristic test, such as the RCRA
test for ignitability.
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C.I.I. Listed Wastes
There are four separate lists of hazardous wastes in 40 CFR 261. If any of the wastes from
a printing facility is on any of these lists, the facility is subject to regulation under RCRA. The listing
is often defined by industrial processes, but all wastes are listed because they contain particular
chemical constituents (these constituents are listed in Appendix VII to Part 261). Section 261.31 lists
wastes from non-specific sources and includes wastes generated by industrial processes that may
occur in several different industries; the codes for such wastes always begin with the letter "F." F001,
F002, F003, F004, and F005 which designate various types of spent solvent wastes, are examples of
wastes from non-specific sources that may be generated by facilities in the printing industry. The
second category of listed wastes (40 CFR 261.32) includes hazardous wastes from specific sources;
these wastes have codes that begin with the letter "K." The remaining lists (40 CFR 261.33) cover
commercial chemical products that have been or are intended to be discarded; these have two letter
designations, "P" and "U." Waste codes beginning with "P" are considered acutely hazardous, while
those beginning with "U" are simply considered hazardous. Listed wastes from chemicals that are
commonly used in the printing industry are shown in Exhibits 8 and 9; the lists do not include
chemicals with "P" or "K" waste codes because these chemicals were not identified by industry
representatives as generated in the printing industry. While these exhibits are intended to be as
comprehensive as possible, individual facilities may use other chemicals and generate other listed
hazardous wastes that are not included in Exhibits 8 and 9. Facilities may wish to consult the lists at
40 CFR 261.31-261.33.13
Due to the 1980 EPA adoption of the "mixture rule" and the "derived-from" rule, generators
cannot evade hazardous waste regulations by diluting or otherwise changing the composition of listed
waste. The mixture rule provides that any mixture of a listed hazardous and non-hazardous waste is
considered hazardous waste. The derived-from rule provides that wastes derived from a listed
13Lists of the "F, P, K and U" hazardous wastes can also be obtained by calling the EPA RCRA/Superfund/EPCRA
Hotline at (800) 424-9346.
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hazardous waste (such as the ash residue from incineration of a listed waste) are also deemed
hazardous waste. These rules were struck down by a 1991 D.C. Circuit court ruling, but at the court's
suggestion, the EPA has temporarily reenacted the rules on an interim basis while it conducts a new
rulemaking to consider them.
Environmental media (such as soil or ground water) that contain a hazardous waste may also
be considered hazardous. EPA is currently investigating a number of solvent wastes and may propose
to list some or all as hazardous wastes. Exhibit 10 summarizes those solvents and gives projected
rulemaking deadlines. Of these solvents, only cumene and isophorone are common in the printing
industry.
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EXHIBIT 8. Examples of Listed Wastes (F) Found in the Printing Industry
Waste Code Name or Description of Waste
FOOl The following spent halogenated solvents used in degreasing: Tetrachloroethylene,
trichloroethylene, methylene chloride, 1,1,1 -trichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride, and
chlorinated fluorocarbons; all spent solvent mixtures/blends used in degreasing
containing, before use, a total of ten percent or more (by volume) of one or more of the
above halogenated solvents or those solvents listed in F002, F004, and F005; and still
bottoms from the recovery of these spent solvents and spent solvent mixtures.
F002 The following spent halogenated solvents: Tetrachloroethylene, methylene chloride,
trichloroethylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, chlorobenzene, 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-
trifluoroethane, ortho-dichlorobenzene, trichlorofluoromethane, and 1,1,2-trichloroethane;
all spent solvent mixtures/blends containing, before use, a total of ten percent or more (by
volume) of one or more of the above halogenated solvents or those listed in FOO1, F004,
or F005; and still bottoms from the recovery of these spent solvents and spent solvent
mixtures.
F003 The following spent non-halogenated solvents: Xylene, acetone, ethyl acetate, ethyl
benzene, ethyl ether, methyl isobutyl ketone, n-butyl alcohol, cyclohexanone, and
methanol; all spent solvent mixtures/blends containing, before use, only the above spent
non-halogenated solvents; and all spent solvent mixtures/blends containing, before use,
one or more of the above non-halogenated solvents, and, a total of ten percent or more (by
volume) of one or more of those solvents listed in FOOl, F002, F004, and F005; and still
bottoms from the recovery of these spent solvents and spent solvent mixtures.
F005 The following spent non-halogenated solvents: Toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, carbon
disulfide, isobutanol, pyridine, benzene, 2-ethoxyethanol, and 2-nitropropane; all spent
solvent mixtures/blends containing, before use, a total of ten percent or more (by volume)
of one or more of the above non-halogenated solvents or those solvents listed in FOO 1,
F002, or F004; and still bottoms from the recovery of these spent solvents and spent
solvent mixtures.
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EXHIBIT 9. Examples of Listed Wastes (U) Found in the Printing Industry
Waste Code
Name or Description of Waste
U002
U019
U211
U055
U056
U069
U112
U359
U359
U122
U154
U226
U080
U159
U161
U210
U220
U223
U228
U043
U239
Acetone
Benzene
Carbon tetrachloride
Cumene
Cyclohexane
Dibutyl phthalate
Ethyl acetate
Ethanol, 2-ethoxy
Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether
Formaldehyde
Methanol
Methyl chloroform
Methylene chloride
Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)
Methyl isobutyl ketone
Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene)
Toluene
Toluene diisocyanate
Trichloroethylene
Vinyl chloride
Xylene
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Exhibit 10 Solvents under EPA Investigation for Listing as Hazardous Wastes
Solvents III (Proposal by April 1994, Final by June 1995)
Cumene, phenol, isophorone, acetonitrile, furfural, epichlorohydrin, methyl chloride, ethylene
dibromide, benzyl chloride, p-dichlorobenzene
Solvents II (Proposal by September 1997, final by September 1998)
2-methoxyethanol, 2-methoxyethanol acetate, 2-ethoxyethanol acetate, cyclohexanol
Solvent Study (Due September 1996)
Diethylamine, aniline, ethylene oxide, allyl chloride, 1,4-dioxane, 1,1 -dichloroethylene bromoform
C.1.2 Characteristic Wastes
EPA also considers a waste hazardous if it exhibits one or more of four characteristics. The
first three characteristics are determined by the physical properties of the waste; these characteristics
(and the section of the CFR defining the tests and applicable waste codes) are:
Ignitability (40 CFR 261.21, D001)14;
Corrosivity (40 CFR 261.22, D002)15; and
If a solid waste is a liquid, other than an aqueous solution containing less than 24 percent alcohol by volume, and
has flash point less than 60°C, (140°F), as determined by a Penskey-Martens Closed Cup Tester (ASTM Standard D-
93-79 or D-93-80), or a Setaflash Closed Cup Tester (ASTM Standard D-3278-78) or another EPA approved test, it
exhibits the characteristic of ignitability. For non-liquids, ignitable compressed gases and oxidizers, reference §261.22.
A solid waste exhibits the characteristic of corrosivity if it is aqueous and has a pH less than or equal to 2 or
greater than or equal to 12.5, as determined by a pH meter using either an EPA test method (Method 5.2 in "Test
Methods for the Evaluation of Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods") or an EPA approved test method. If a solid
waste is a liquid and corrodes steel at a rate greater than 6.35 mm (0.250") per year when tested at 55°C as determined
by the test method specified in the National Association of Corrosion Engineers (Standard TM-01 -69) or by an
approved EPA test method, than it is considered corrosive.
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Reactivity (40 CFR 261.23, D003)16.
Several waste streams in the printing industry may be characterized as hazardous because they exhibit
one of these characteristics.17
The fourth characteristic is toxicity. The toxicity characteristic applies to a list of 40
substances, including metals, non-metals, pesticides, and other organic chemicals. If a waste leachate
(derived from putting the waste through a test called the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure,
or TCLP) contains any one of these 40 constituents at levels above the level of regulatory concern,
the waste is considered a hazardous waste. Exhibit 11 lists some of the toxicity characteristic
substances that are likely to be constituents of printing industry wastes. Individual facilities may
generate wastes containing other constituents that exhibit the toxicity characteristic.
EXHIBIT 11. EPA Toxic Characteristic Contaminants That May be Found
in Printing Industry Waste
Waste Code Contaminant
D005 Barium
D007 Chromium
DO 19 Carbon tetrachloride
DOS 5 Methyl ethyl ketone
DO 11 Silver
D040 Trichloroethylene
D043 Vinyl chloride
A solid waste is considered reactive if it exhibits any of the following properties: (1) is normally unstable and
readily undergoes violent change without detonating; (2) reacts violently or forms potentially explosive mixtures with
water; (3) when mixed with water, generates toxic gases, vapors or fumes in a quantity that can present a danger to
human health or the environment (for a cyanide or sulfide bearing waste, this includes when exposed to pH between 2
and 12.5); (4) is capable of detonation or explosive reaction if subjected to a strong initiated source or if heated under
confinement; or (5) is readily capable of detonation or explosive decomposition or reaction at standard temperature and
pressure.
For example, solvent-based inks such as packaging rotogravure or flexographic inks have flash points which are
below 141 °F. These inks would be hazardous wastes due to ignitability.
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C.2 GENERATOR STATUS
Generator status defines how to dispose of a listed or characteristic waste. The hazardous
waste generator is defined as any person, by site, who creates a hazardous waste or makes a waste
subject to RCRA Subtitle C. Generators are divided into three categories:
• Large Quantity Generators -These facilities generate at least 1000 kg (approximately
2200 Ibs.) of hazardous waste per month, or greater than 1 kg (2.2 Ibs) of acutely
hazardous waste18 per month.
• Small Quantity Generators (SQG) — These facilities generate greater than 100 kg
(approx. 220 Ibs.) but less than 1000 kg of hazardous waste per month, and up to 1
kg (2.2 Ibs) per month of acutely hazardous waste.
• Conditionally exempt small quantity generators (CESQG) — These facilities generate
no more than 100 kg (approx. 220 Ibs) per month of hazardous waste and up to 1 kg
(2.2 Ibs) per month of acutely hazardous waste.
Large and small quantity generators must meet many similar requirements. 40 CFR 262
provides that SQGs may accumulate up to 6000 kg of hazardous waste on-site at any one time for
up to 180 days without being regulated as a treatment, storage, or disposal (TSD) facility and thereby
having to apply for a TSD permit. The provisions of 40 CFR 262.34 (f) allow SQGs to store waste
on-site for 270 days without having to apply for TSD status provided the waste must be transported
over 200 miles. Large quantity generators have only a 90-day window to ship wastes off-site without
needing a RCRA TSD permit. Keep in mind that most provisions of 40 CFR 264 and 265 (for
1 8
The provisions regarding acutely hazardous waste are not likely to affect printers. Acutely hazardous waste includes
certain "F" listed wastes that do not apply to printers, and "P" listed wastes, none of which were identified as in use in the
commercial printing industry. (See 40 CFR 261.31-33 formore information).
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hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities) do not apply to generators who send
their wastes off-site within the 90- or 180-day window, whichever is applicable.
Hazardous waste generators that do not meet the conditions for conditionally exempt small
quantity generators must (among other requirements such as record keeping and reporting):
• Obtain a generator identification number;
• Store and ship hazardous waste in suitable containers or tanks (for storage only);
• Manifest the waste properly;
• Maintain copies of the manifest, a shipment log covering all hazardous waste
shipments, and test records;
• Comply with applicable land disposal restriction requirements; and
• Report releases or threats of releases of hazardous waste.
The latter five requirements are discussed further below.
C.2.1 Requirements That Apply to All Generators But Vary In Accordance With the Volume
of Waste Generated
C.2.1.1. Waste Containers
All generators must ensure that hazardous wastes to be shipped off site are kept in areas that
meet basic safety requirements. The wastes must be properly stored in containers in good condition
to prevent leaks and must be labeled as hazardous waste.
(1) 40 CFR Part 262.34 requires that containers maintained on site be labeled
with the words "HAZARDOUS WASTE."
(2) 40 CFR Parts 262.31 and 262.32 require that containers be labeled with the
name of the waste and that labels and placards be used in accordance with
applicable EPA (40 CFR 262.32 and 262.33) and Department of
Transportation (49 CFR Part 172 Subpart F) requirements.
(3) 40 CFR Part 262.34 requires that the date on which accumulation begins be
shown on the container.
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(4) 40 CFR 265 Subpart I requires that, except when adding or removing waste,
hazardous waste must be stored in a closed container that is in good
condition, be inspected at least weekly (40 CFR 265.174), and be compatible
with the waste to be stored. This subpart also explains special requirements
for ignitable (40 CFR 265.176) and incompatible wastes (40 CFR 265.177).
Wastes stored in tanks or tank systems and waste generators that use drip pads are subject
to more extensive requirements (see 40 CFR 265 Subparts J and W, respectively).
A generator may accumulate up to 55 gallons of hazardous waste in containers at or near any
point of generation where wastes initially accumulate without triggering the more onerous permit
requirements for treatment, storage and disposal facilities (40 CFR 262.34(c)). The storage site must
be under the control of the operator and containers must be marked hazardous waste. In addition, the
containers must be in good condition, must be made of or lined with materials that will not react with,
and are otherwise compatible with, the hazardous waste being stored, and must always be closed,
except when adding or removing waste.
Owners and operators of facilities that use tank systems for storing hazardous waste must
meet numerous requirements outlined in 40 CFR 265 Part J. These requirements include an
assessment of an existing tank system's integrity in which the owner or operator must determine that
the tank system is not leaking or is unfit for use. To prevent the release of hazardous wastes or
constituents to the environment, secondary containment meeting the requirements of 40 CFR 265.193
must be provided. Inspections of the entire tank system must occur each operating day. Owners or
operators of new tank systems or components must ensure that the foundation, structural supports,
seams, connections, and pressure controls (if applicable) are adequately designed and that the tank
system has sufficient structural strength, compatibility with the waste(s) to be stored, and corrosion
protection so that it will not collapse, rupture, or fail. Special requirements exist for generators of
between 100 and 1000 kg (220-2200 lbs)/month that accumulate hazardous waste in tanks (40 CFR
265.201).
C.2.1.2. Determination of When a Generator Becomes a Treatment. Storage, or Disposal Facility
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Any generator (except some conditionally exempt small quantity generators (see 40 CFR
261.5 (g)), no matter what monthly waste output, who disposes of waste on site is classified as a
treatment, storage, or disposal facility. A small quantity generator who stores waste on site for more
than 180 days without seeking an extension is also classified as a hazardous waste storage facility,
as is any large generator who stores waste on site for more than 90 days without seeking an
extension. Every hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facility must comply with 40 CFR
264 through 267 and 40 CFR 270, including requirements to apply for a permit and meet certain
technical and financial responsibility requirements.
C.2.1.3. Biennial Reporting (40 CFR Part 262.41}
Large quantity generators must submit a biennial report of their hazardous waste generation
and management activity by March 1 of every even-numbered year. In the report, the generator must
identify each waste transporter and each TSD facility used throughout the year. The generator also
must describe hazardous waste generated and shipped, efforts made to reduce the volume and toxicity
of the waste, and changes made in the volume and toxicity of the waste compared with those achieved
in previous years. For generators who treat, store, or dispose of wastes on-site, additional reporting
is required on methods of treatment, storage, or disposal.
C.2.1.4. Document Retention Period
Large and small quantity generators must maintain copies of each manifest, exception
report, test result, and waste analysis, for at least three years (40 CFR Part 262.40). Large quantity
generators must maintain copies of their biennial report for the same period of time. This time period
is automatically extended during the course of an unresolved EPA enforcement action regarding the
regulated activity, or as requested by the Administrator.
The generator must keep a copy of each land disposal restriction notification form for at
least 5 years (40 CFR Part 268.7).
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C.2.1.5. Training. Preparedness, and Emergency Procedures (40 CFR Part 262.34(a)(4\ (d)(5)(iii))
These sections, respectively, apply only to large or small quantity (between 100 and 1000
kg/month of hazardous waste) generators who store on-site for up to 90/180 days. The requirements
in these sections state that, among other things, personnel must be familiar with emergency
procedures to be followed in the event of spills, fires or other releases of hazardous wastes. Large
quantity generators must establish an appropriate hazardous waste handling training program for their
employees. Small quantity generators must ensure that employees handling hazardous wastes are
familiar with proper waste handling procedures and that there is always a person on call or at the
premises with responsibility for coordinating all response measures in the event of an emergency.
Large quantity generators also must prepare for each facility a contingency plan designed to minimize
hazards to human health or the environment from fires, explosions or any unplanned release of
hazardous waste or hazardous waste constituents.
C.2.1.6. Exception Reporting (40 CFR 262.42^
If a signed manifest copy has not been received from the designated facility within 35 days
of shipment, large quantity generators must contact the transporter and/or the designated facility to
determine the status of the hazardous waste. If the manifest copy has still not been received at
45 days, an exception report must be submitted to the EPA (exception reports are submitted to the
Regional Administrator of the appropriate EPA Regional Office). This exception report must
include:
• A legible copy of the manifest, and
• A cover letter signed by the generator explaining efforts taken to locate the
waste and the results of those efforts.
Small quantity generators must submit a legible copy of the manifest, with an indication that
the generator has not yet received confirmation of delivery, to the appropriate Regional Administrator
if they do not receive a signed copy of the manifest within sixty days of shipment. (States may impose
more stringent requirements for exception reporting.)
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C.2.2 Requirements for All Generators Other Than Conditionally Exempt Small
Quantity Generators
C.2.2.1. Hazardous Waste Shipments
Hazardous wastes being shipped off site must go to a RCRA- permitted facility. Large and
small quantity generators must complete a Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest (40 CFR Part
262.20), which can usually be obtained from State environmental agencies. (Small quantity
generators who have a contractual agreement with a reclaimer that specifies the waste types and
frequency of shipments and states that the reclaimer provides the vehicle used to transport the waste
do not need to manifest these wastes if they maintain a copy of the agreement in their files. See 40
CFR 262.20 for details.) The manifest must have enough copies to provide the generator, each
transporter, and the owner or operator of the designated facility with one copy each for their records,
and another copy to be returned to the generator. If the State to which the shipment is manifested
supplies the manifest, then the generator must use that manifest. If the State to which the shipment
is manifested does not supply the manifest, but the State in which the generator is located supplies
the manifest and requires its use, then the generator must use that State's manifest. If neither of these
States supplies the manifest, then the generator may obtain the manifest from any source.
C.2.2.2. Land Disposal Restriction Notification
To prevent wastes that can be safely treated or disposed of by other means from being land
disposed, 40 CFR 268 sets up a series of restrictions on the land disposal of solid waste and methods
of enforcing these restrictions. 40 CFR Part 268.7 requires that a written land disposal restriction
notification be transmitted to the destination facility with each shipment of hazardous waste.
(1) The notification must be signed by the generator and must include the following:
• EPA hazardous waste number (e.g., F002);
• The corresponding treatment standard(s) (see 40 CFR 268.7(a)(l)(ii) for
details);
• The manifest number associated with the shipment of waste; and
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• Waste analysis data, where available.
(2) A copy of the written notification and certification statement must be filed with the
associated manifest copies.
Most printing industry hazardous wastes are covered by the land disposal restrictions. For
example, spent solvents that are hazardous wastes are banned from land disposal unless treated to
appropriate levels.
C.2.2.3. Release or Threat of Release Reporting
(40 CFR Part 26234}
In case of fire, explosion, or other release of hazardous material which could threaten human
health outside the facility,, the generator must immediately notify the National Response Center at
800-424-8802 and be prepared to supply the following information:
• Generator name, address, and EPA Identification Number;
• Date, time, and type of incident;
• Quantity and type of hazardous waste(s) involved;
• Extent of injuries, if any;
• Estimated quantity and disposition of recovered material, if any; and
• For large quantity generators, an assessment of the actual or potential hazards
to human health and the environment.
C.3 UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK MANAGEMENT
Subtitle I of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (as amended) establishes a
program to control and prevent leaks from underground storage tanks. Subtitle I covers underground
storage tanks containing petroleum products and hazardous substances as defined by Superfund19,
except for hazardous waste storage tanks, which are regulated under Subtitle C of RCRA. A storage
See the next section for a partial listing of hazardous substances covered by Superfund.
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tank is defined as underground if 10 percent or more of the volume, including the volume of
underground pipes, is beneath the surface of the ground. Thus a tank that is 90 percent aboveground
is classified as an underground storage tank. Some types of underground storage tanks are not
covered by Subtitle I. For example, in the printing industry, the following Subtitle I exceptions may
apply: underground storage tanks storing heating oil used on the premises, septic tanks and other
tanks for collecting waste water and storm water, flow-through process tanks, and emergency spill
tanks that are emptied immediately after use.
If a facility in the printing industry owns or operates an underground storage tank that is not
covered by any of the allowed exemptions, the facility must comply with the requirements set forth
in 40 CFR 280 or, if the facility is located in a State authorized to carry out the Underground Storage
Tank program, with the requirements of the approved State program. These generally include
requirements for:
• Design, construction, installation, and notification;
• General operations;
• Release detection;
• Release reporting, investigation, and confirmation;
• Release response and corrective action (for petroleum underground storage tanks);
• Closure of underground storage tanks; and
• Financial assurance (for petroleum underground storage tanks).
C.4. REGULATORY STATUS OF USED AND WASTE OIL
In May 1992, the EPA determined that listing used oil destined for disposal as a hazardous
waste was unnecessary. The EPA has issued management standards for used oil that provide strong
safeguards against any potential types of mishandling that may occur. By using management standards
to control potentially unsafe practices associated with improper storage of used oil and contamination
of used oil from hazardous waste, listing used oil as a hazardous waste is not necessary. The
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management standards cover all segments of the used oil recycling system, and are codified in a new
Part 279 of Title 40 of the CFR.20 While generators are the largest segment of this industry, the most
stringent standards apply to used oil processors and re-refiners because they handle the largest
quantity of used oil.
A generator is any business which produces used oil through commercial and industrial
operations, or that collects it from these operations or private households. Facilities in the printing
industry that produce used oil through printing operations would be classified as generators.
Approximately 700,000 facilities qualify as generators, including vehicle repair shops, service stations
and shipyards. Generators simply must:
• Keep storage tanks and containers in good condition;
• Label storage tanks, "used oil";
• Clean up any used-oil spills or leaks to the environment; and
• Use a transporter with an EPA identification (ID) number when shipping
used oil off-site.
C.5. REGULATORY STATUS OF USED INDUSTRIAL WIPERS/SHOP TOWELS
The commercial printing industry is affected by the question of whether used industrial wipers
and shop towels are hazardous waste under RCRA regulation. As of February 1994, the U.S. EPA
Office of Solid Waste has not made any generic statements that all wipers/rags are hazardous waste
or that all are not.21 This ambiguity is due to the many applications of wipers. Because there are no
explicit listings for "used wipers" in Part 261, Subpart D, a wiper can only be defined as listed
hazardous waste if the wiper either contains listed waste, or is otherwise mixed with hazardous waste.
For additional information, 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); in Washington, D.C., the number is
(703) 920-9810, TDD (703) 486-3323.
This policy was outlined in a memorandum dated February 14, 1994, from Michael Shapiro, Director, Office of
Solid Waste, to EPA Waste Management Division Directors and Regions I-X.
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Whether or not a used wiper contains listed hazardous waste, is mixed with listed hazardous waste,
only exhibits a characteristic of hazardous waste, or is not a waste at all, is dependent on site-specific
factors. As a result, any determinations or interpretations regarding this diverse and variable
wastestream should be made by the regulatory agency (i.e. EPA Region or State) implementing the
RCRA program for a particular State. A printing facility should contact their RCRA-authorized State
or EPA Region for specific guidance regarding the identification and/or management of wipers;
several implementing agencies have developed workable approaches to this issue.
One of EPA's concerns in determining whether the hazardous waste regulations apply to
wipers in specific cases is to prevent situations where someone is improperly disposing of spent
solvents (or other hazardous wastes) by mixing them in with wipers, and then sending the wipers to
a laundering facility or non-hazardous landfill. This is clearly not allowed under the federal
regulations.
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SUPERFUND AND EMERGENCY PLANNING AND COMMUNITY
RIGHT-TO-KNOW ACT
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Section D. SUPERFUND AND COMMUNITY RIGHT-TO-KNOW REQUIREMENTS
Laws: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
(CERCLA, or commonly known as Superfund) and Emergency Planning and
Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)
This section describes the reporting requirements established by the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (also known as CERCLA, or more
commonly as Superfund) and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.
CERCLA is the Act that created the Superfund and set up a variety of mechanisms to address risks
to public health, welfare, and the environment caused by hazardous substance releases. CERCLA was
enacted in 1980 and, among other amendments, was amended in 1986 by Title I of the Superfund
Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA). Title III of SARA is the Emergency Planning and
Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), which created an emergency planning framework and
established the right of local governments and members of the public to obtain information on the
hazards posed by potential toxic substance releases. This section does not address Superfund liability
rules, but focuses instead on regulatory reporting requirements.
The relevant regulatory reporting requirements derived from these acts mandate the reporting
of: (1) releases of CERCLA hazardous substances equal to or exceeding the reportable quantity to
the National Emergency Response Center (40 CFR 302); (2) the presence of certain amounts of
extremely hazardous substances at a facility (40 CFR 355 and 370); (3) the emergency release of
certain extremely hazardous substances to the State and local emergency response authorities (40
CFR 355); and (4) other toxic chemical releases (40 CFR 372). Although these reporting
requirements often use similar phrases, e.g., "reportable quantity," and "threshold planning quantity,"
these terms may have different definitions or may apply differently under various requirements.
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D.I REPORTING OF RELEASES TO THE NATIONAL RESPONSE CENTER
Substances deemed hazardous by CERCLA are listed in 40 CFR 302.4. Based on criteria that
relate to the possibility of harm associated with the release of each substance, CERCLA assigns a
substance-specific reportable quantity (RQ); RQs are either 1, 10, 100, 1000, or 5000 pounds (except
for radionuclides). Appendix D lists RQs for some of the chemicals used in the commercial printing
industry. Any person in charge of a facility (or a vessel) must immediately notify the National
Response Center as soon as a person has knowledge of a release (within a 24-hour period) of an
amount of a hazardous substance that is equal to or greater than its RQ.22 There are some exceptions
to this requirement, including exceptions for certain continuous releases and for Federally permitted
releases.
D.2 EMERGENCY PLANNING AND NOTIFICATION FOR EXTREMELY
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
For the purposes of emergency response planning, any facility that has an extremely hazardous
substance present or Superfund hazardous substance present at or above threshold planning quantities
needs to notify the State emergency response commission and the local emergency planning
commission. Any facility producing, using, or storing a hazardous chemical, as defined by
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (29 CFR 1910.1200), that releases a reportable
quantity of an extremely hazardous substance or a Superfund hazardous substance must immediately
notify the local emergency planning committee and the State emergency planning commission. (See
40 CFR 355 for further details concerning these reporting requirements.) Appendix E shows the
threshold planning quantities and reportable quantities for some EPCRA-designated extremely
hazardous chemicals used in the printing industry.
Some States have more stringent requirements than the federal regulations. For example,
California requires businesses that handle "acutely hazardous materials" (at or below federal
The national toll-free number for the National Response Center is (800)-424-8802; in Washington, D.C., call
(202)-426-2675.
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thresholds) to file a registration form and may require the business to prepare a risk management
prevention plan.
D.3. REPORTING OF PRESENCE, STORAGE, OR USE OF HAZARDOUS
CHEMICALS
The minimum threshold quantity for reporting hazardous chemicals present at the facility at
any one time is 10,000 pounds; for extremely hazardous chemicals, the minimum threshold quantity
for reporting is the lesser of 500 pounds or the threshold planning quantity (TPQ). Any facility that
is required by OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) to have Material Safety
Data Sheets (MSDSs) for certain hazardous chemicals, and that has such chemicals above certain
minimum threshold levels, must provide copies of the MSDSs for these substances or a list of the
substances to the State emergency response commission, the local emergency planning commission,
and the local fire department. In addition, facilities must annually submit to the State emergency
response commission, the local emergency planning commission, and the fire department a Tier I
report indicating the aggregate amount of chemicals (above threshold quantities) at their facilities,
classified by hazard category. If any agency that receives a Tier I report requests a Tier II report
requiring additional information, facilities must submit this second report to the agency within 30 days
of receiving a request for such a report. Tier II reports include an inventory of all chemicals at the
facility. Since several commonly used chemicals in the printing industry may be stored in quantities
of 10,000 pounds or more, or above the TPQ, these chemicals will be subject to MSDS and Tier
reporting requirements (40 CFR 370). The minimum threshold for reporting in response to requests
for submission of an MSDS or a Tier II form under 40 CFR 370.21(d) or 370.25(c) is zero.
Many States and some communities have similar laws but with lower threshold planning
quantities and additional reporting requirements. For example, California requires a business that
handles "hazardous materials" (at lower thresholds than those set by EPA) to prepare business plans.
Some cities regulate any amount of a hazardous chemical which businesses handle.
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D.4 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR RELEASES OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES
A facility in the printing industry that has more than 10 employees and that manufactures,
processes or otherwise uses more than 10,000 or 25,000 pounds per year of any toxic chemical
listed in 40 CFR 372.65 must file a toxic chemical release inventory (TRI) reporting form (EPA
Form R) covering releases of these toxic chemicals (including those releases specifically allowed by
EPA or State permits) with the EPA and a State agency. The threshold for reporting releases is
10,000 or 25,000 pounds, depending on how the chemical is used (40 CFR 372.25). Form R is filed
annually, covers all toxic releases for the calendar year, and must be filed on or before the first of July
of the following year. Appendix F lists toxic chemicals used by facilities in the printing industry that
are listed in the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). Individual firms may use other chemicals which are
listed in the TRI, but are not in Appendix F.
A supplier notification requirement exists for any business that imports, sells, or otherwise
distributes a product containing listed toxic chemicals to provide notice as specified in 40 CFR 372.45
to recipients of the product. Except for singular instances listed in 40 CFR 372.45(d), printers should
be aware that suppliers of products containing TRI chemicals are required to notify each
printer (to whom the mixture or trade name product is sold or otherwise distributed from the facility)
of the name of each toxic chemical and the percent by weight of each toxic chemical in the
mixture or trade name product
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Toxic SUBSTANCES CONTROL
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Section E. TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL
Law: Toxic Substances Control Act (40 CFR 700 to 799)
The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), originally passed in 1976 and subsequently
amended, applies to the manufacturers, processors, importers, distributors, users, and disposers of
chemical substances or mixtures. The major sections of interest to this report, and their areas of
coverage, are:
• Section 4, which authorizes EPA to require testing of certain chemical substances or
mixtures to determine their potential risk to human health or the environment;
• Section 5, which grants EPA the authority to require testing of new chemical substances;
• Section 6, which provides EPA with the authority to regulate the manufacture,
processing, distribution in commerce, and use and disposal of chemical substances; and
• Section 8, which requires manufacturers and others to keep required records and submit
reports to EPA.
The major requirements having the potential to impact the printing industry are briefly
described below. Printers should note that the importation of a chemical substance or mixture triggers
numerous requirements under TSCA.
Pre-Manufacturing Notice Requirement (Section 5)
A business that manufactures or imports a new chemical substance, or that manufactures,
imports, or processes a chemical substance for a significant new use, must notify EPA at least 90 days
before manufacturing, importing, or processing the substance
(40 CFR 720-723).
Reporting and Recordkeeping for Identified Chemical Substances (Section 8)
A business (except a "small business") that imports, manufactures, or processes chemical
substances listed in 40 CFR 704.225 by rule must keep records and reports as required. Small
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businesses are required to reprint or keep records in some situations. A printing facility may want to
reference this list if it processed film developers or replenishers for commercial purposes or
distribution.
Records of Significant Adverse Reactions to Health or the Environment (Section 8)
A business that manufactures, imports, processes, distributes, or uses chemical substances and
mixtures must keep records of significant adverse reactions to health or the environment as specified.
Notice of Substantial Risk of Injury to Health or the Environment Reporting Requirement
(Section 8)
A business that (1) manufactures, imports, processes, or distributes in commerce a chemical
substance or mixture, and (2) obtains information that reasonably supports the conclusion that such
substance or mixture presents a substantial risk of injury to health or the environment, must report
as required to EPA.
General Import Requirements and Restrictions (Section 13)
Importers of chemical substances and mixtures are responsible for ensuring that chemical
importation complies with TSCA just as domestic manufacturers are responsible for insuring that
chemical manufacturing complies with TSCA. Printers who may be involved in the importation of
inks or other substances should reference 40 CFR 707.20. Printers who import inks are subject to
inventory reporting regulations under TSCA Section 8(a) and should reference 40 CFR 710.
In addition, Section 8(b) of TSCA requires EPA to compile and maintain a list (the TSCA
Inventory) of all chemical substances manufactured or processed in the United States, and the printing
industry is required to report the information necessary to allow EPA to develop and maintain the
inventory.
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APPENDIX A
FEDERAL AIR REGULATIONS FOR GRAVURE AND FLEXOGRAPHIC PRINTERS
(Contact David Salman 919-541-08591.
40 CFR Part 60: Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources
Subpart QQ - Standards of Performance for the Graphic Arts Industry: Publication
Rotogravure
§60.430 The affected facility to which the provisions of this subpart apply is each publication
rotogravure printing press. A facility that commences construction, modification, or reconstruction
after October 28, 1980 is subject to the requirements of this subpart. The provisions do not apply to
proof presses.
§60.432 During the period of performance testing, VOCs discharged to the atmosphere from any
affected facility must be below 16 percent of the total mass of VOC solvent and water used at the
facility during any one 30-day performance averaging period.
§60.433 Performance Test and Compliance Provisions
§60.434 Monitoring of Operations and Recordkeeping
§60.435 Test Methods and Procedures
Subpart FFF - Standards of Performance for Flexible Vinyl and Urethane Coating and
Printing
§60.580 The affected facility to which the provisions of this subpart apply is each rotogravure printing
line used to print or coat flexible vinyl or urethane products at any facility that begins construction,
modification, or reconstruction after January 18, 1983.
§60.582 On and after the date on which the performance test required by §60.8 has been completed,
each owner or operator subject to this subpart shall either: (1) Use inks with a weighted average
VOC content less than 1.0 kilogram VOC per kilogram ink solids at each affected facility, or (2)
Reduce VOC emissions to the atmosphere by 85 percent from each affected facility.
§60.584 Monitoring of Operations and Recordkeeping Requirements
§60.585 Reporting Requirements
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APPENDIX B
CLEAN WATER ACT: REPORTABLE QUANTITIES OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
THAT MAY APPLY IN THE PRINTING INDUSTRY
Hazardous Substance RQ in Pounds
Benzene 10
Carbon tetrachloride 10
Chloroform 10
Cyclohexane 1,000
Ethylbenzene 1,000
Formaldehyde 100
Hydrochloric acid 5,000
Propylene oxide 100
Styrene 1,000
Toluene 1,000
Xylene (mixed) 1,000
UNDERGROUND INJECTION CONTROL PROGRAM (40 CFR 144 AND 40 CFR 146)
The Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water is currently developing regulations for the
Underground Injection Control Program (UIC) designed to expand control over the subsurface
emplacement of fluids via injection wells. These new regulations, which will be amendments to 40
CFR Parts 144 and 146, should be proposed shortly. Parts 144 and 146 establish the general
provisions, and criteria and standards for the Underground Injection Control Program. These parts,
as amended by the future regulation, will set forth minimum federal requirements for the permitting,
operating, monitoring, and closure of several types of shallow injection wells. When these regulations
are finalized, restrictions will be placed on the operation of some types of shallow disposal wells,
particularly wells that inject industrial type wastes.
It is possible that the owner of a print shop that is located in an area without sewers and relies
on shallow waste injection wells to dispose of industrial and non-sanitary waste generated by the
facility would be severely affected by these new regulations. If you need further information about
the direction of these new regulations or about the UIC Program contact Lee Whitehurst at (202)
260-5532.
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APPENDIX C
C.I NATIONAL PERMIT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES) PERMIT
REGULATIONS (40 CFR 122)
Permit application requirements are set forth in 40 CFR 122.21(f) and (g) for discharges of
process wastewater, 40 CFR 122.21(k) for new sources and new discharges, 40 CFR 122.21(h) for
non-process wastewater, and 40 CFR 122.26(c)(l) for storm water. Application requirements for
variances are set forth in 40 CFR 122.21(m).
An application for a permit for process wastewater must include information on the location
of the outfall(s), a line drawing showing the water flow through the facility (with a water balance),
a description of average flows and the treatment of wastewater before discharge, and an estimate of
the facility's actual production if an effluent limitation guideline applies (see below). In addition, the
applicant must report quantitative data for every outfall for the following pollutants:
• Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BODS);
• Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD);
• Total Organic Carbon (TOC);
• Total Suspended Solids (TSS);
• Ammonia (measured as N);
• Temperature (both winter and summer); and
• pH.
The application also must report the results of any biological toxicity tests on its effluent that may
have been conducted within the previous three years. Finally, the facility must provide information
on its "effluent characteristics". Facilities in the industrial category of Printing and Publishing, and/or
in Photographic Equipment and Supplies, will need to test for all 126 priority pollutants listed in 40
CFR 122 Appendix D. Table C.I lists the 126 priority pollutants. Each
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applicant also must indicate whether it knows or has reason to believe it discharges any of the other
hazardous substances, or non-conventional pollutants located at 40 CFR 122 Appendix D.
Quantitative testing is not required for the other hazardous pollutants; however, the applicant must
describe why it expects the pollutant to be discharged and provide the results of any quantitative data
about its discharge for that pollutant. Quantitative testing is required for the non-conventional
pollutants if the applicant expects them to be present in its discharge. Table C.2 lists the non-
conventional and hazardous pollutants likely to be discharges by printing facilities.
For the purpose of reporting on effluent characteristics in permit applications, there exists a
small business exemption (40 CFR 122.21 (g)(8)) for all applicants for NPDES permits with gross
total annual sales averaging less than $100,000 per year (in second quarter 1980 dollars). This
exempts the small business from submitting quantitative data on certain organic toxic pollutants (see
40 CFR 122.21 Table II, Appendix D). However, the small business must still provide quantitative
data for other toxic pollutants (metals and cyanides) and total phenols, as listed in 40 CFR 122.21
Table III, Appendix D. The same regulations apply to the small business concerning the other
hazardous pollutants and non-conventional pollutants as for the larger facilities (see previous
paragraph).
"Standard permit conditions" apply to all NPDES permits and are contained in 40 CFR
122.41. These conditions describe the legal effect of the permit and its revocability, as well as
explaining the affirmative defenses which may be available to a non-compliant permittee. Standard
conditions also put the permittee on notice of penalties which may be assessed if the permit is
violated. Standard permit conditions describe the permittee's duties and obligations during the
effective period of the permit, including the duty to comply with all conditions in the permit. The
permittee must maintain records of all monitoring information for a period of at least three years from
the date of the sample, and monitoring results must be reported at the intervals specified in the permit.
The NPDES permitting authority (either EPA or an approved State) is allowed to enter the facility
at any reasonable time to conduct an inspection or to monitor
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activity. The NPDES permitting authority must be notified if the discharger knows or has reason to
believe that any toxic discharge has exceeded any effluent limitation in the permit. Other generic
requirements are also contained in this section of the permit.
Along with standard permitting conditions, NPDES permits contain technology and water-
quality based effluent limitations, monitoring, reporting, and recordkeeping requirements, and,
potentially, stormwater treatment provisions. Other site- specific conditions ("special conditions")
may be imposed on facilities through their NPDES permits, including:
• Construction schedules
• Best Management Practices (BMPs)
• Additional monitoring for non-regulated pollutants of concern
• Spill prevention plans.
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Table C.I Priority Pollutants (#1-69)
acenaphthene
acrolein
acrylonitrile
benzene
benzidene
carbon tetrachloride
chlorobenzene
1,2,4-tri chlorobenzene
hexachl orob enzene
1,2-dichloroethane
1,1,1 -trichloroethane
hexachloroethane
1,1-dichloroethane
1,1,1 -trichloroethane
1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane
chloroethane
bis (chloromethyl) ether*
bis (2-chloroethyl) ether
2-chloroethyl vinyl ether (mixed)
2-chloronaphthalene
para-chloro meta-cresol
chloroform (trichloromethane)
2-chlorophenol
1,2-di chlorobenzene
1,3 -di chlorobenzene
1,4-di chlorobenzene
3,3'-dichlorobenzidine
1,1 -dichloroethylene
1,2-trans-dichloroethylene
2,4-dichlorophenol
1,2-dichloropropane
1,3-dichloropropylene
2,4-dimethylphenol
2,4-dinitrotoluene
2,6-dinitrotoluene
1,2-diphenylhydrazine
ethylbenzene
fluoranthene
4-chlorophenyl phenyl ether
4-bromophenyl phenyl ether
bis (2 chloroisopropyl) ether
bis (2-chloroethoxy) methane
methylene chloride
methyl chloride
methyl bromide
bromoform
dichlorobromomethane
tri chl orofluoromethane *
dichlorodifluoromethane*
chlorodibromomethane
hexachlorobutadiene
hexachlorocyclopentadiene
isophorone
napthalene
nitrobenzene
2-nitrophenol
4-nitrophenol
2,4-dinitrophenol
4,6-dinitro-o-cresol
N-nitrosodimethylamine
N-nitrosodiphenyl amine
N-nitrosodi-n-propylamine
pentachlorophenol
phenol
bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
butylbenzyl phthalate
di-n-butyl phthalate
di-n-octyl phthalate
*These chemicals have since been deleted from this list
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Table C.I
Priority Pollutants (#70-129)
diethyl phthalate
dimethyl phthalate
b enzo(a)anthracene
benzo(a)pyrene
3,4-benzofluoranthene
b enzo(k)fluoranthene
chrysene
acenaphthylene
anthracene
benzo(ghi)perylene
fluorene
dibenzo(a,h)anthracene
indeno( 1,2,3 -cd)pyrene
pyrene
tetrachloroethylene
toluene
trichloroethylene
vinyl chloride
aldrin
dieldrin
chlordane
4,4'-DDT
4,4'-DDE
4,4'-DDD
alpha-endosulfan
beta-endosulfan
endosulfan sulfate
endrin
endrin aldehyde
heptachlor
heptachlor epoxide
alpha-BHC
beta-BHC
gamma-BHC
delta-BHC
PCB-1242
PCB-1254
PCB-1221
PCB-1232
PCB-1248
PCB-1248
PCB-1260
PCB-1016
toxaphene
antimony
arsenic
asbestos
beryllium
cadmium
chromium, total
copper
cyanide, total
lead
mercury
nickel
selenium
silver
thallium
zinc
TCDD
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Table C.2. Hazardous and Non-Conventional Chemicals
Used In the Printing Industry
Hazardous Pollutants Non-Conventional Pollutants
Cyclohexane Barium, total
Formaldehyde Phosphorus, total
Propylene oxide Surfactants
Xylene
C.2 EFFLUENT GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS FOR THE PRINTING
INDUSTRY
A principal means for attaining water quality objectives under the Clean Water Act is the
establishment and enforcement of technology-based effluent limitations, which are based on the
pollutant control capabilities of available technologies, taking into consideration the economic
achievability of these limitations and a number of other factors. Because of differences in production
processes, quantities, and composition of discharges, separate standards are established for discharges
associated with different industry categories. These standards are referred to as technology-based
effluent limitation guidelines.
The provisions in 40 CFR Part 459 are applicable to point source discharges resulting from
the development or printing of paper prints, slides, negatives, enlargements, movie film, and other
sensitized materials except that this part is not applicable to facilities processing 150 square meters
(1600 square feet) per day or less. Effluent limitations establish the quantity or quality of pollutants
or pollutant properties which may be discharged from a photographic processing source after the
application of the best practicable control technology currently available. The effluents regulated are
silver, cyanide and pH. The effluent limitation maximum for any one day per 1000 m2 of product is
0.14 kg silver and 0.18 kg cyanide. The effluent pH must be within the range 6.0 to 9.0.
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In the absence of effluent limitation guidelines for a facility category, permit writers
established technology-based controls using their Best Professional Judgement to the extent EPA-
promulgated effluent limitation guidelines are inapplicable (40 CFR 125.3(c)(2)). In essence, the
permit writer undertakes and effluent guideline-type analysis for a single facility. The permit writer
will use information such as permit limits from similar facilities using similar treatment technology,
performance data from actual operating facilities, and the scientific literature. Best Professional
Judgement may not be used in lieu of existing effluent guidelines.
C.3 WATER QUALITY-BASED EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS (40 CFR 131)
NPDES permits must also contain any more stringent permit limitations based on state water
quality standards. Unlike the technology-based limitations discussed above, water quality-based
controls focus on the effects of the discharge on the receiving water. Such limitations may be
necessary for surface water discharges to protect local water quality.
States determine the appropriate uses of each water body within the State (e.g., drinking
water supply, fishable/swimmable, agriculture). States then establish water quality standards, or
maximum pollutant levels, for those bodies of water that are necessary to attain or maintain the
designated use. An appropriate standard may be expressed as a numerical ambient water quality
criterion (e.g., a specified amount of dissolved oxygen per unit of water). State standards also may
include a narrative water quality criterion, i.e. no discharge of toxic pollutants in toxic amounts. Some
states may allow for the attainment of water quality standards at some point within the receiving
stream. Consequently, permit writers may calculate available dilution and determine a proper mixing
zone (if allowed by the State) to develop an effluent limit.
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APPENDIX D
CERCLA REPORTABLE QUANTITIES FOR SOME CHEMICALS
USED IN THE PRINTING INDUSTRY
Chemical Reportable Quantity (Ibs)
Acetone 5,000
Ammonia 100
Benzene 10
Cadmium and compounds 1
Carbon tetrachloride 10
Chloroform 10
Chromium and compounds 1
Cumene 5,000
Cyclohexane 1,000
Dibutyl phthalate 10
Ethanol, 2-ethoxy 1,000
Ethyl acetate 5,000
Ethylbenzene 1,000
Formaldehyde 100
Hydrochloric acid 5,000
Isophorone 5000
Lead and compounds 1
Methyl chloroform 1,000
Methylene chlonde 1,000
Methanol 5,000
Methyl ethyl ketone 5,000
Methyl isobutyl ketone 5,000
Perchloroethylene 100
Phosphoric acid 5,000
Propylene oxide 100
Sulfuncacid 1,000
Toluene 1,000
Toluene diisocyanate 100
1,1,1-Tnchloroethane 1,000
1,1,2-Tnchloroethane 100
Trichloroethylene 100
Vinyl chloride 1
Xylene (mixed) 1,000
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APPENDIX E
THRESHOLD PLANNING AND REPORTING QUANTITIES FOR
SOME EPCRA-DESIGNATED EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS
USED IN THE PRINTING INDUSTRY
Chemical Name
Ammonia
Formaldehyde
Hydroquinone
Propylene oxide
Sulfuric acid
Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate
Reportable
Quantity (Ibs)
100
100
1
100
1,000
100
Threshold Planning
500
500
500/10,000*
10,000
1,000
500
*Revised Threshold Planning Quantity based on new or re-evaluated toxicity data
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APPENDIX F
CHEMICALS USED IN THE PRINTING INDUSTRY THAT
ARE LISTED IN THE TOXIC RELEASE INVENTORY
TOXIC CHEMICALS
Acetone Ammonia
Barium Cadmium
Chromium Copper*
Cumene Cyclohexane
Methylene chloride Ethylbenzene
Ethylene glycol Ethylene oxide
Formaldehyde Freon 113
Hydrochloric acid Hydroquinone
Lead Methanol
Methyl ethyl ketone Methyl isobutyl ketone
Phosphoric acid Silver
Sulfuric acid Tetrachloroethylene
Toluene Trichloroethylene
1,1,1-Trichloroethane Xylene
* Copper phthalocyanine pigments delisted in May 1991
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