United States Environmental Protection Agency Air and Energy Engineering Research Laboratory Research Triangle Park, NC 27711 Research and Development EPA/600/S8-90/052 Aug. 1990 SEPA Project Summary Evaluation of Emission Factors for Formaldehyde from Certain Wood Processing Operations Ted S.White A search for information on formaldehyde emissions from wood veneer operations was performed to develop emission factors for the industry. Formaldehyde releases of 246 kg (542 Ib) were reported under Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA) from a large plywood plant in Mississippi. However, existing data found during the study period were insufficient to allow reliable emission factors to be calculated. This Project Summary was developed by EPA's Air and Energy Engineering Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, NC, to announce key findings of the research project that is fully documented in a separate report of the same title (see Project Report ordering information at back). Supplemental Study The purpose of this study was to supplement information presented in "Evaluation of Emission Factors for Formaldehyde from Certain Wood Processing Operations," EPA-45073- 87/023 (NTIS PB88-118492), October, 1987, with any additional formaldehyde emission information that became available between October 1987 and May 1989. The focus of this effort was existing data that would allow calculation of emission factors for four unit operations in wood veneer plants: (1) formulating the urea- and phenol-formaldehyde resin glues, (2) applying the glues, (3) curing, and (4) storing the finished products. The methodology used for collecting emission data included: (1) telephone surveys of regulatory personnel, industry contacts, and trade organization con- tacts; (2) a computerized literature search; and (3) a search of data bases containing air toxics emissions data, including The National Air Toxics Information Clearinghouse (NATICH), recent supplements to the Best Available Control Technology/Lowest Achievable Emission Rate (BACT/LAER) Clearinghouse document, and estimates of 1987 releases of formaldehyde from plants provided to EPA under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986. A search for information on formaldehyde emissions from wood veneer operations was performed to develop emission factors for the industry. Formaldehyde releases of 246 kg (542 Ib) reported under SARA Title III from a large plywood plant in Mississippi. However, existing data found during the study period were insufficient to allow reliable emission factors to be calculated. Mandatory submittals of formaldehyde release estimates under SARA Title III and the California Air Toxic Hot Spot Act of 1987 should become available within the next few years. These data could potentially be combined with available ------- production statistics for the wood veneer industry to compile emissions factors. More reliable data may become available from compliance tests that follow permit decisions in States that regulate formaldehyde emissions from wood veneer plants now and in the future. A comprehensive test program performed in several plants and unit operations would provide the highest quality, most useful data for emission factor development. red S. White is with Radian Corp., Reseach Triangle Park, N.C. 27709. T. Kelly Janes is the EPA Project Officer (see below). The complete report, entitled "Evaluation of Emission Factors for Formaldehyde from Certain Wood Processing Operations" (Order No. PB 90-254 988 /AS; Cost: $15.00, subject to change) will be available only from: National Technical Information Service 5285 Port Royal Road Springfield, VA 22161 Telephone: 703-487-4650 The EPA Project Officer can be contacted at: Air and Energy Engineering Research Laboratory U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Research Triangle Park, NC 27711 United States Environmental Protection Agency Center for Environmental Research Information Cincinnati OH 45268 Official Business Penalty for Private Use $300 EPA/600/S8-90/052 ------- |