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September 1971
CITIZENS' BULLETINS
Needed State Authorities Detailed By EPA
EPA Announces Auto, Truck Test Results
EPA Sets National Air Quality Standards
Final Regulations on Certification for Federal Permits
EPA Sets Rules on Tax Write-Off for Anti-Pollution Facilities
Regulations to Control Auto Pollution Announced
EPA Explains Position on Publication of Detergent Lists
EPA Sets Ground Rules for Clean Air Act Lawsuits
U.S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY • WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
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CITIZENS* BULLETIN... A compilation of
previously issued news releases reissued occasionally for interested citizens.
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1
(Feb. 21, 1971)
Needed State Authorities Detailed By EPA
Administrator William D. Ruckelshaus of the Environmental Protection
Agency has listed seven specific kinds of legislative authority that will be
needed by State air pollution control agencies to meet the requirements of the
Federal Clean Air Act.
In a letter to State governors, Ruckelshaus invited them to provide
leadership to gain passage of the needed legislation.
Under amendments to the Clean Air Act signed by President Nixon on
December 31, 1970, Ruckelshaus said, Federal and State agencies must "accomp-
lish a great deal within a relatively short time. This task will require
an increased commitment of resources and an increased willingness to come
to grips with the complexities of air pollution control. I ask your
cooperation in this important and exciting endeavor."
Ruckelshaus pointed out that the States must develop, by the end of
January 1972, implementation plans and enforcement procedures to achieve
national air quality standards in all areas of their jurisdiciton. Such
standards were proposed by EPA last month for six classes of pollutants, and
are to be promulgated by April 30, 1971.
Under amendments to the Clean Air Act signed by President Nixon on
December 31, 1970, the States are required to achieve healthful air quality
by mid-1975 and make reasonable progress to further clean the air after that.
If the States fail to submit satisfactory plans to meet these objectives,
Ruckelshaus is required by law to prescribe such plans.
Ruckelshaus' letter said EPA is preparing guidelines, to be available
"within the next several weeks" to assist State governments in formulating
their implementation plans. Federal technical advice and financial assis-
tance would also be stepped up, he added.
The Ruckelshaus letter indicated that a plan could not be considered
satisfactory unless the State air pollution control officials have State-
wide authority to:
1. Adopt emission standards and limitations and any other measures
necessary (e.g., limitations on the sulfur content of fuels) for attainment
and maintenance of national ambient air quality standards.
2. Enforce without delay applicable laws, regulations and standards, with
appropriate sanctions including authority to seek injunctive relief.
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3. Abate pollutant emissions on an emergency basis to prevent sub-
stantial endangerment to public health, i.e., authority comparable to
that available to the Environmental Protection Agency under Section 303
of the Clean Air Act, as amended.
4. Establish and operate a Statewide system under which permits would
be required for the construction and operation of new stationary sources
of air pollution and the construction and operation of modifications to exis-
ting sources. Also required is authority to prevent such construction,
modification, or operation, and any other necessary land use control authority.
5. Obtain information necessary to determine whether air pollution
sources are in compliance with applicable laws, regulation, and standards,
including authority to require record-keeping and to make inspections and
conduct tests of air pollution sources.
6. Require owners or operators of stationary sources to install,
maintain, and use emission monitoring devices and to make periodic reports
to the State on the nature and amounts of emissions from such stationary
sources; also, authority to make such data available to the public as re-
ported and as correlated with any applicable emission standards.
7. Carry out a program of inspection and testing of motor vehicles to
enforce compliance with applicable emission standards when necessary and
practicable, and other authority necessary to control transportation.
The letter said that State or regional air quality standards adopted
under previous legislation would remain in effect if they were equal to or
better than the national air quality standards. He said that States that
had developed regional implementation plans under previous legislation
would be notified within 90 days after promulgation of national air quality
standards as to any modifications that would be needed to achieve the
Federal Standards.
2
(April 12, 1971)
EPA Announces Auto, Truck Test Results
The Environmental Prtoection Agency (EPA) has published Federal emission
test results for prototype 1971 model motor vehicles certified as meeting
the Federal air pollution emission standards.
The results, which are attached, show the emission levels of hydrocar-
bons and carbon monoxide for some 90 engines used in nearly 400 foreign
and domestic cars. Models from 28 foreign and nine domestic manufacturers
are listed. Emission test results for hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide are
also listed for 40 heavy duty gasoline engines made by five U.S. companies.
Smoke test results are shown for some 40 heavy duty diesel engine groups,
covering six U.S. and three foreign manufacturers.
Publication of the test results in the Federal Register is called for
in the Clean Air Amendments signed into law by President Nixon on December 31,
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1970. The publication, which took place Saturday, is intended to show
prospective purchasers the comparative performance of the prototype vehicles
and engines tested. No 1971 passenger cars submitted by manufacturers
failed to meet the standards.
National standards to control tailpipe emissions of hydrocarbons and
carbon monoxide from new passenger cars and light trucks first went into
effect beginning with the 1968 model year, and were tightened beginning
with the 1970 model year. Standards to reduce emissions of hydrocarbons by
evaporation from these vehicles went into effect with the 1971 model year.
Beginning with the 1970 model year, standards were imposed to reduce emissions
of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide from heavy duty gasoline engines, and to
reduce smoke emissions from heavy duty diesel engines.
The standards require 1971 model year automobiles to be equipped
with closed crankcase systems to prevent all blowby emissions. The ex-
haust standards allow no more than 2.2 grains per mile of hydrocarbon
emissions and 23 grams per mile of carbon monoxide. In addition, the
loss of gasoline by evaporation from the carburetor and the fuel tank must
be less than 6 grams per test.
More accurate test procedures were announced in November, 1970, to
further reduce hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions from automobiles
in 1972 and later model years.
Emissions from heavy duty gasoline fueled engines are limited to
275 parts per million of hydrocarbons and 1.5 percent carbon monoxide.
Heavy duty diesel engines must meet Federal smoke emission standards
of 40 percent opacity during acceleration, and 20 percent opacity during
lugging. These opacity standards limit the darkness of the exhaust smoke
to a light gray haze.
Detailed results of the tests on any particular car may be obtained
from the Administrative Officer, Air Pollution Control Office, Main Terminal
Building, Willow Run Airport, Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197. Requests should
specify the vehicle of interest by make, model, model year, and engine
displacement.
3
(April 30, 1971)
EPA Sets National Air Quality Standards
William D. Ruckelshaus announced final publication of National air
quality standards for six common classes of pollutants -- sulfur oxides,
particulate matter, carbon monoxide, photochemical oxidants, nitrogen
oxides and hydrocarbons.
The Clean Air Act required him to set pollution limits at levels
that protect the public health and provide an adequate margin of safety.
States are required to plan to meet the standards by 1975,
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"These are tough standards," Ruckelshaus said. "They are based on
investigations conducted at the outer limits of our capability to measure
connections between levels of pollution and effects on man. In the case
of carbon monoxide, one of the most important automobile pollutants, we
have set a standard to protect against effects reported by investigations
which prompt arguments even among our own scientists. In the case of
photochemical oxidants, also largely contributed to by automobiles, our
standards approach levels that occur fairly commonly in nature.
"The legislative history of the Clean Air Act makes it plain, he
added, "that when we talk about protecting the 'public health' against
polluted air, we are talking about protecting those citizens who are
particularly sensitive to it -- in other words, those citizens already
afflicted with cardio-respiratory problems. If we have erred at all in
setting these standards, we have erred on the side of public health."
Ruckelshaus emphasized that meeting these standards in the time
allowed by the law will have a profound effect on U.S. cities. He
said the carbon monoxide problem would be difficult to solve. "Of
seven major cities where we have good enough data to make accurate pre-
dictions, only one -- Cincinnati, Ohio -- will come close with the
presently contemplated automobile controls in the time allowed. And
Cincinnati will not actually reach the standard until 1977," he said.
Ruckelshaus said that in the other six cities -- Chicago, Denver,
Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia and Washington -- the Federal motor
vehicle control program would not bring air pollution down to the standard
until sometime in the 1980's.
"If we are to meet the legal deadline for carbon monoxide, then, some
cities may have to require drastic changes in their commuting habits," he
added.
He said most regions of the country can meet the deadline for sulfur
oxides and particulates by switching to low sulfur fuels already available
to these regions, and by a much more rigorous application of existing
methods for controlling particulate matter. He said some increase in
electric bills might result, "but the resources are there."
He said seven metropolitan areas might have serious trouble meeting
the sulfur oxides and particulate standards. "The problem is particulates,
and the most difficult case from a control stand-point is New York," he
said. ''We estimate that to bring air pollution levels down to the standard
for particulates in New York will require a 300 percent increase in natural
gas usage in the city. The only encouraging feature in the prognosis is
that curing the particulate problem with natural gas will also take care
of the sulfur oxides problem." He forecast somewhat less serious difficulties
for Chicago, St. Louis, Baltimore, Hartford, Buffalo, and Philadelphia.
"All in all," he explained, "meeting the particulate standard in
the time allowed by the law in these seven cities will require increasing
our total national use of natural gas by about 15 percent, and almost half
that increase would go to New York City alone. Unless other sources of
natural gas are developed, such an increase in the use of this fuel might
soon reduce what has been considered a desirable balance between reserves
and consumption."
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Ruckelshaus said the relationship between levels of hydrocarbons and
nitrogen oxides in the air and the production of photochemical oxidants
is so complex and at this juncture so little understood, that it is difficult
to predict whether or not the Nation will meet the standards for these
pollutants in the time allowed by the law. "I am advised that the prospects
for achieving significant control of existing stationary sources of the
nitrogen oxides themselves in the time allowed by the law are bleak," he
said. "However, the picture has its promising aspects. The Federal
program for reducing emissions of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides from
new automobiles, plus the regulations that we will soon issue for control-
ling nitrogen oxide emissions from new and modified electric power plants,
should carry us a considerable distance down the road to an air quality
that we and our children can enjoy."
NATIONAL AIR QUALITY STANDARDS
Under the law, EPA sets two types of air quality standards. Primary
standards protect the public health. Secondary standards protect against
effects on soil, water, vegetation, materials, animals, weather, visibility,
and personal comfort and well being.
Within nine months after a National air quality standard is set, the
States must submit plans to meet it. If a State fails to submit a plan,
or if a plan is inadequate, the Administrator issues a Federal plan for the
State. Mr. Ruckelshaus may allow a State up to 27 months to submit plans
to achieve secondary standards.
The Environmental Protection Agency proposed National air quality
standards for the six classes of pollutants on January 30, 1971 and in-
vited comments at that time. The standards published today are:
SULFUR OXIDES -- Sulfur oxides come primarily from the combustion
of sulfur-containing fossil fuels. Their presence has been associated
with the increased incidence of respiratory diseases, increased death
rates, and property damage.
Primary Standard
--80 micrograms per cubic meter (0.03 ppm) annual arithmetic
mean.
--365 micrograms per cubic meter (0.14 ppm) as a maximum 24-hour
concentration not to be exceeded more than once a year.
These are identical with the standards proposed in January.
Secondary Standard
--60 micrograms per cubic meter (0.02 ppm) annual arithmetic
mean.
--260 micrograms per cubic meter (0.1 ppm) maximum 24-hour con-
centration not to be exceeded more than once a year.
--1,300 micrograms per cubic meter (0.5 ppm) as a maximum three-
hour concentration not to be exceeded more than once a year.
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These standards are as proposed in January, except for the
addition of the three-hour limit, which was adopted to minimize the
impact of emissions from large sources during brief periods of adverse
weather conditions.
PARTICULATE MATTER -- Particulate matter, either solid or liquid,
may originate in nature or as a result of industrial processes and other
human activities. By itself or in association with other pollutants,
particulate matter may injure the lungs or cause adverse effects elsewhere
in the body. Particulates also reduce visibility and contribute to property
damage and soiling.
Primary Standard
--75 micrograms per cubic meter annual geometric mean.
--260 micrograms per cubic meter as a maximum 24-hour concentration
not to be exceeded more than once a year.
These are identical with the standards proposed in January.
Secondary Standard
--60 micrograms per cubic meter annual geometric mean.
--150 micrograms per cubic meter as a maximum 24-hour concentration
not to be exceeded more than once a year.
These are identical with the standards proposed in January.
CARBON MONOXIDE -- Carbon monoxide is a by-product of the incom-
plete burning of carbon-containing fuels and of some industrial processes.
It decreases the oxygen-carrying ability of the blood and, at levels often
found in city air, may impair mental processes.
Primary and Secondary Standards
--10 milligrams per cubic meter (9 ppm) as a maximum eight-hour
concentration not to be exceeded more than once a year.
--40 milligrams per cubic meter (35 ppm) as a maximum one-hour
concentration not to be exceeded more than once a year.
The eight-hour limit was proposed in January. The one-hour limit
was revised. Both the one-hour limit and the eight-hour standard afford
protection against the occurrence of carboxy-hemoglobin levels in the blood
of 2 percent. Carboxy-hemoglobin levels above 5 percent have been associated
with physiological stress in patients with heart disease. Blood carboxy-
hemoglobin levels approaching 2 percent have been associated by some re-
searches with impaired psychomotor responses.
PHOTOCHEMICAL OXIDANTS -- Photochemical oxidants are produced
in the atmosphere when reactive organic substances, chiefly hydrocarbons,
and nitrogen oxides are exposed to sunlight. Photochemical oxidants
irritate mucous membranes, reduce resistance to respiratory infection,
damage plants, and contribute to the deterioration of materials.
Primary and Secondary Standards
--160 micrograms per cubic meter (0.08 ppm) as a maximum one-
hour concentration not to be exceeded more than once a year.
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The limit proposed in January was 125 micrograms (0.06 ppm).
Evidence was produced that such a limit is reached naturally in some areas,
and serious questions were raised about data used as a basis for that pro-
posal. The revised standard includes a margin of safety that is substantially
below the most likely threshold level for adverse effects.
HYDROCARBONS -- Hydrocarbons in the air come mainly from the
processing, marketing and use of petroleum products. Some of the hydro-
carbons combine with nitrogen oxides in the air to form photochemical
oxidants. The hydrocarbons standards, therefore, are for use as a guide
in devising implementation plans to achieve the oxidant standards.
Primary and Secondary Standards
--160 micrograms per cubic meter (0.24 ppm) as a maximum three-
hour concentration (6 to 9 a.m.) not to be exceeded more than once a
year.
The limit proposed in January was 125 micrograms (0.19 ppm). Re-
vision of these standards was necessary to achieve consistency with the
related standards for photochemical oxidant.
NITROGEN OXIDES -- Nitrogen oxides usually originate in high-
temperature combustion processes. The presence of nitrogen dioxide in
the air has been associated with a variety of respiratory diseases. Nitro-
gen dioxide is essential in the natural production of photochemical
oxidant.
Primary and Secondary Standards
--100 micrograms per cubic meter (0.05 ppm) annual arithmetic
mean.
This standard was proposed in January, along with a 24-hour
average value. Attainment of the annual average alone was judged adequate
to provide for the protection of public health.
The Environmental Protection Agency is examining other pollutants
to determine whether any may be covered by future air quality standards.
4
(May 8, 1971)
•
Final Regulations on Certification for Federal Permits
Final regulations governing certification for industrial discharges
that require a Federal permit or license have been issued by the Environmental
Protection Agency.
The certification is required by Section 21 (b) of the 1970 amendments
to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
The regulations explain the Federal and State procedures by which an
industrial discharger receives certification, in most instances by the
State, that his wastes are in compliance with the applicable water quality
standards.
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By Executive Order last December, President Nixon directed that the
Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA initiate a permit program as a nation-
wide means of controlling the discharge of pollutants into navigable
waters.
The certification is one of the requirements that each discharger
must meet in order to receive a permit from the Corps of Engineers. The
permits are required under the River and Harbor Act of 1899. Industries
must make application for the permit by July 1.
Under the regulations, EPA Regional Administrators review the appli-
cations, certifications and any supplemental information. If the Regional
Administrator determines that the discharge may affect the quality of the
waters of any other State or States, he must notify the other affected
States.
When another State has an objection to the issuance of a permit, the
Corps of Engineers will hold a public Hearing. At this hearing, the EPA
Regional Administrator will evaluate and make recommendations on the ob-
jection.
The EPA Administrator will himself certify that a discharge will not
violate water quality standards in only two instances. These instances are
when the Administrator has promulgated the water quality standards or when
there is no State or interstate agency with the authority to issue a
certification.
If a State or interstate agency fails to issue a certification within
a reasonable time (generally considered to be six months, but in any event
not over one year) the statute provides that the requirement for certifi-
cation will be waived.
Ruckelshaus said, "The permit program is part of the major effort to
overcome the country's environmental problems. It will require a high
degree of cooperation, both within the Federal Government and between the
Federal Government, the States and industry.
EPA's Regional Administrators and their staffs will offer all
possible assistance to the States in their effort to process the thousands
of certifications which will be required."
The regulations were published May 8 in the Federal Register.
5
(May 27, 1971)
EPA Sets Rules on Tax Write-Off for Anti-Pollution Facilities
The Environmental Protection Agency has announced the adoption of
final regulations for certifying those pollution-control facilities of
businesses which qualify for rapid amortization under Section 169 of the
Internal Revenue Code. Section 169 was added to the code by the Tax Re-
form Act of 1969.
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Treasury Department regulations for the fast tax write-off of such
facilities were published in the Federal Register on May 17, 1971. They
provide in general that a taxpayer may amortize over a 60-month period the
cost of any treatment facility that has been certified by appropriate
State agencies and by EPA.
The new EPA regulations, published in the Federal Register on May 26,
1971, provide guidelines as to facilities that may be eligibTe for the
certification. Forms for the certification will be made available through
EPA Regional Offices, which will make the Agency's determination as to the
eligibility of such facilities.
Under the new regulations, certification may be made for a treatment
facility installed after December 31, 1968, when it is used in connection
with a plant or other property that was in operation before January 1, 1969.
A treatment facility is one that abates or controls air or water pollution
by removing, altering, disposing of, or storing a pollutant, contaminant,
waste, or heat.
A facility which is not a building may qualify for the tax deduction
even though it performs functions in addition to the abatement of pollution.
In such a case, EPA will determine the percentage of the cost of the
facility which is allocable to its abatement function.
A building must be exclusively devoted to pollution control in order
to qualify for the rapid write-off. The Treasury's regulations contain a
detailed definition of a "building".
A facility used in connection with both pre-1969 and newer plants may
also qualify for the fast tax write-off, with EPA determining the percentage
of the cost of the facility that is allocable to the pre-1969 plant.
Section 169 does not apply to facilities whose costs will be re-
covered by profits they generate. Certification, therefore, will be
denied for pollution-control facilities that are used to abate pollution
generated by others than their owners, when fees are charged by the owners
for the use of such facilities.
(June 30, 1971)
Regulations to Control Auto Pollution Announced
Administrator Ruckelshaus announced a series of final regulations by
which 1975 and 1976 model cars will be judged for their compliance with
the Clean Air Act of 1970.
Major provisions include:
-- Standards for carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons beginning
with the 1975 model year. These would limit emissions to 3.4 grams
of carbon monoxide and 0.41 grains of hydrocarbons per vehicle mile.
By comparison, allowable emissions from 1970 automobiles were 34.0
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grains of carbon monoxide and 4.1 grams of hydrocarbons per vehicle
mile. The 90% reduction in permissible levels is called for in the
Clean Air Act.
-- A new exhaust emission standard for nitrogen oxides, which
will limit emissions to 3.0 grams per vehicle mile beginning with
the 1973 model year. This will be the first Federal limit placed
on emissions of nitrogen oxides from motor vehicles. By comparison,
emissions from 1971 cars that are not equipped with nitrogen oxides
control systems are 4.0 grams per vehicle mile.
-- A further reduction in the nitrogen oxides limit to 0.4
grams per vehicle mile beginning with the 1976 model year.
-- Changes in the present EPA testing procedure, beginning
with the 1975 model year, which will more accurately reflect the
driving experience of the motor vehicle population in major urban
areas.
In announcing the revisions, Ruckelshaus said: "I realize these
are stringent standards which will challenge the ingenuity of American
industry. At public hearings May 6 and 7, the automotive industry indi-
cated that achievement of the standards—particularly those for oxides of
nitrogen--by the established deadlines would be extremely difficult. The
costs resulting from implementation of these requirements will be substantial
both to the industry and the consumer.
But even though the achievement of these standards poses major
engineering difficulties and will be costly and may, in the case of
NOx emissions, require technological breakthroughs beyond the present
state of the art, the need to protect the Nation's health demands that
effective control of automobile emissions must be placed high on our list
of National environmental priorities. The Congress clearly expressed its
concern in this regard by writing the requirements for the 1975 and 1976
standards into law."
Ruckelshaus stated that significant reductions in auto emissions
from today's levels are essential to achieve the goal of clean air.
The standards announced today provide for a 90% reduction in the levels
of auto emissions, as required by the Clean Air Act.
The purpose of the National Air Quality Standards is to protect
the public health and welfare. These air standards were announced by
EPA last April 30. Achievement of these standards requires restrictions
on auto exhaust because automobiles are the source of nearly two-thirds
of the carbon monoxide, more than half of the hydrocarbons, and some
two-fifths of the nitrogen oxides emissions into the air of the United
States each year.
Adoption of the standards for 1975 and 1976 is called for under the
Clean Air Amendments signed into law by President Nixon in December, 1970.
The 1973 nitrogen oxides standard is not specifically required by the
amendments, but the legislation gives EPA authority to set such a standard.
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In addition to the regulations announced today, EPA administrator
Ruckelshaus also promulgated proposed regulations to adopt, beginning
with the 1973 model year, the test procedure changes that have already
been set to begin with the 1975 model year. Interested persons wishing
to submit comments on this proposal have 60 days to send four copies
of such comments to the Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency,
Attention: Office of Air Programs, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane,
Rockville, Maryland 20852.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON AUTO EMISSION STANDARDS
This statement contains background information on major features
of the regulations relating to control of air pollution from motor
vehicles, as published in the Federal Register on June 29, 1971.
Five major subject areas are involved:
1. Establishment of final exhaust emission standards for carbon
monoxide and hydrocarbons to begin with the 1975 model year. As called for
by the 1970 Clean Air Amendments signed by President Nixon on December 31,
1970, these require a 90% reduction from the levels allowed by the standards
in effect for the 1970 model year.
2. Establishment of a new exhaust emission standard for nitrogen
oxides to begin with the 1973 model year. This is not specifically
required by the Clean Air Act, but the Act does give EPA authority to
set such a standard for any emission it believes causes or contributes
to air pollution endangering public health or welfare.
3. The setting of a final exhaust emission standard for nitrogen
oxides to begin with the 1976 model year. As called for by the 1970
Amendments, this requires a 90% reduction from the emissions from 1971
model cars that had no nitrogen oxides control systems.
4. Establishment of a testing procedure for prototype vehicles to
determine compliance with the nitrogen oxides emission standards.
5. Changes from the present test procedure to become effective
with the 1975 model year testing program.
1975 CARBON MONOXIDE AND HYDROCARBON STANDARDS
The first Federal motor vehicle exhaust standards, issued under
authority of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1965, went into effect
beginning with the 1968 model year. Limits were placed on emissions of
carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. For the 1970 model year, the exhaust
standards were tightened. A new testing and sampling procedure, along
with revised values of the standards to restate the ]evels in terms of
the new testing procedure, went into effect for the 1972 models -- now
being tested for certification purposes.
The 1970 Amendments to the Clean Air Act require that emissions of
carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons from 1975 and later model year cars be
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reduced by a least 90% from the emissions allowed for the 1970 models.
These new standards, promulgated today, will limit exhaust emissions of
carbon monoxide to 3.4 grams per vehicle mile and of hydrocarbons to
0.41 grams per vehicle mile.
A point of possible confusion is that the 1975 standards initially
proposed on February 26, 1971, were 4.7 grams of carbon monoxide and
0.46 grams of hydrocarbons per vehicle mile. These represented a 90%
reduction from the allowed emission levels in 1970. However, they were
related to the testing method currently used. A different, more represen-
tative testing method will be used to check the 1975 cars. Therefore,
it was necessary to make tests of the current method and the 1975 method
to determine their equivalency in comparison to 1970 model year automobiles.
These tests established that a car having the 1970 allowable emissions
of 47 grams of carbon monoxide and 4.6 grams of hydrocarbons per vehicle
mile in terms of the current test method, would have emission values of
34 grams and 4,1 grams, respectively, in terms of the method to be used
in 1975. Thus, in establishing the final value of the 1975 standards,
the latter emission values are the ones to which the 90 % reduction is
applied.
1975 OXIDES OF NITROGEN STANDARD
Previous Federal motor vehicle emission standards have not included
nitrogen oxides. The standard of 3.0 grams per mile, to be effective
with the 1973 models, will be the first limitation of emissions of this
contaminant from motor vehicles by the Federal government. By comparison,
emissions from uncontrolled 1971 vehicles is approximately 4 grams per
mile.
1976 OXIDES OF NITROGEN STANDARD
The 1970 Amendments to the Clean Air Act require that emissions
of nitrogen oxides from 1976 and later model year cars be reduced by at
least 90% from the levels emitted by 1971 cars that did not have control
systems for oxides of nitrogen.
A series of tests on such 1971 cars showed that nitrogen oxides
emissions were 4.0 grams per vehicle mile. A 90% reduction this places
the 1976 standard at 0.40 grams per vehicle mile.
NITROGEN OXIDES TESTING PROCEDURE
The testing procedure is similar to the one used for carbon monoxide
and hydrocarbons except, of course, that different instruments are used
to measure the level of nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gases. Some
changes in the general procedure from that currently used have been
introduced to begin with the 1975 model year. These are described below.
It is further proposed that these test procedures be applied for in testing
the 1973 emission standard.
CHANGES IN TEST PROCEDURE
The test procedures now in effect were first put to use to test the
1972 model year vehicles for conformance with the standards. This exhaust
emission test was designed to determine mass emissions of exhaust pollutants
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while simulating an average trip of 7.5 miles in an urban area from a
cold start. The test consists of engine startup and vehicle operation
on a chassis dynamometer through a specified driving schedule. A propor-
tional part of the exhaust is collected in a bag, and the composite
sample is analyzed for the various gases.
As a result of experience with the testing procedure, and based on
more recent studies of vehicle operational experience, some changes in
the procedure have been made to become effective with the 1975 model year
testing program. Most of these are technical changes, but one bears
mentioning.
Under current test procedures, which had originally been proposed
to be applicable to 1975 and 76 vehicles, the entire test is composed of
a single vehicle-run on a dynamometer that begins with the vehicle com-
pletely cold. Analysis of vehicle operation data shows that in addition
to the usual early morning cold-start, vehicles make several hot-starts
each day. A test procedure was developed that also includes a hot-start,
(which presents special engineering problems to assure that emissions
are controlled under these conditions) and that is weighted to reflect
the emissions from a car over a twenty-four hour period (instead of solely
during the morning commute-trip as in the present procedure). Analysis
of results obtained show that, for purposes of protecting air quality
in the most critical areas, the alternate test procedure will more accurately
weight the cold-start operation of vehicles during the early morning hours
than would the use of the current test procedure.
The new procedure will involve a dynamometer run that will consist of
two tests--a "cold" start test begun after the vehicle has been shut off
for 12 hours, followed by a "hot" start test, begun after the same engine
has been turned off for ten minutes following the first cold test. The
samples for each test will be collected in separate bags, the contents
analyzed, and the results combined in a weighted manner so that the total
result to be compared with the standard will consist of 43$ of the cold
start emissions and 57% of the hot-start emissions.
ADDITIONAL PROPOSALS
In addition to the final regulations published, there also was
published a notice of proposed rule-making that would make the changes
in test procedures applicable beginning with the NOx emission controls
for the 1973 model year. These are the same changes that have been finalized
for the 3975 model year. It may be noted that, because of the difference
in test procedures, there is a necessary revision of the numerical value
of the standards. Thus, if the revised test procedures are used beginning
in 1973, the numerical value of the carbon monoxide standard will be
changed from 39.0 grams per mile to 28.0, the hydrocarbon standard from
3.4 grams per mile to 3.0, and the nitrogen oxides standard from 3.0 to 3.1.
These do not represent actual changes in the standards, but rather
numerical revisions needed to properly relate the standards to the testing
and measuring method used.
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7
(July 2, 1971)
EPA Explains Position on Publication of Detergent Lists
Dr. Stanley M. Greenfield, Assistant Administrator for Research and
Monitoring of the Environmental Protection Agency, explained the Agency's
position on the publication of lists of phosphate contents of laundry
detergents. "We have received many requests for updated lists and questions
as to why we have not published additional lists," he said, "and feel our
position should be publicly clarified."
Dr. Greenfield noted that the Federal Water Quality Administration,
the functions of which are now administered by the Environmental Protection
Agency, had published lists of the phosphate content of a number of common
brand-name detergents in 1970. "I am pleased," he stated, "that the pub-
licity given to this matter by these lists and by the interest and concern
of environmentally-conscious consumers across the Nation has led to
broadened efforts to develop phosphate-free and low-phosphate detergents,
but the Agency has also become increasingly concerned that these new
formulations must be thoroughly evaluated for acceptability, from the
standpoints of environmental quality, public health, and hazard to the
consumer.
"The rate of introduction of new products and reformulation of old
products has become so rapid, " he noted, "that it is essentially impossible
to prepare a list which doesn't become obsolete almost as soon as it is
published. This, coupled with the fact that some manufacturers now
apparently market products of differing composition for different geographical
areas, has led us to decide to refrain from publishing any further lists
at this time and to urge consumers to be aware that lists previously pub-
lished by the Federal Water Quality Administration can no longer be con-
sidered as a reliable basis for comparison of products on today's market.
"The fact that comprehensive and national lists of detergents as to
phosphate content are no longer practical is being considered by the
Environmental Protection Agency," he added, "as part of an overall Adminis-
tration review of the environmental and health problems of detergents. As
pointed out in the testimony of the Chairman, Council on Environmental
Quality, and the Surgeon General1, United States Public Health Service,
at the recent hearings of the Federal Trade Commission on the proposed
FTC requirements for the labelling of detergents, this review has the
goal of developing an overall program to deal with the environmental
effects of detergents while ensuring protection of public health, including
how labelling requirements might fit into the overall program.
"From an environmental standpoint," he added, "attention should be
directed to all constituents of detergents, and not limited to phosphates.
Detergents are unique among consumer products in that over five billion
pounds are produced annually, and essentially all of these products used
go down the drain, adding directly to the burden on waste treatment plants
and the Nation's waters.
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"I urge consumers to avoid overuse of home laundry and dish-washing
products as part of their role in environmental stewardship," he said.
"The amount of detergent required by the individual will vary considerably
according to such factors as hardness of water, type of clothes to be
washed, and type of soil to be removed. By experimenting and using
the minimum amount suited to individual needs, the housewife can contribute
directly to restoring the quality of the Nation's waters."
(July 15, 1971)
EPA Sets Ground Rules for Clean Air Act Lawsuits
The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed rules for giving
notice of civil suits against alleged violators of standards and abatement
orders under the Clean Air Act.
The Act provides that any person may commence a civil action against
the EPA Administrator when there is alleged a failure to perform any non-
discretionary act or duty prescribed in the Act. At least 60 days advance
notice must be given to the Administrator by certified mail at the EPA
headquarters in Washington before such suits are filed.
The proposed guidelines provide for the service of notices of lawsuits
to individual states, alleged violators, the Administrator, and appropriate
EPA regional administrators.
The proposed guidelines say that such notices must identify the
complainant and describe with reasonable specificity the act or failure
to act, or in the case of alleged violators, the violation, the location
and dates of such violations.
The proposed guidelines were published in the Federal Register July 8,
1971.
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Washington. D.C. 20460
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300
POSTAGE AND FEES PAID
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
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