x>EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
September 2005
EPA530-F-05-018
www.epa.gov/osw
National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants
       The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking action to remove mercury, lead
    and other hazardous substances from the environment by reducing air pollutants from
    hazardous waste combustors. EPA's National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air
    Pollutants achieve significant long-term ecological and human health benefits without
    imposing significant regulatory burdens on hazardous waste combustors.

    Action
       EPA is issuing national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from
    hazardous waste combustors (HWCs). The standards implement section 112(d) of the
    Clean Air Act by requiring hazardous waste combustors to meet HAP emission standards
    reflecting the application of the maximum achievable control technology (MACT).
       The combustors affected by this rule detoxify or recover energy from hazardous waste
    and include incinerators, cement kilns, lightweight aggregate kilns, boilers and process
    heaters, and hydrochloric acid production furnaces. EPA estimates that 145 facilities
    operate 265 devices that burn hazardous waste.
       These technology-based standards reduce emissions of hazardous pollutants, including
    lead, mercury, arsenic, dioxin and furans, and hydrogen chloride and chlorine gas. In
    addition, emissions of particulate matter are also reduced.
       Better control of air pollutants is expected to result in fewer cases of chronic bronchitis,
    reduced hospitalizations for severe respiratory conditions and cardiovascular problems in
    adults and children, and fewer cancer cases. Populations residing near hazardous waste
    combustors may benefit the most from implementation of these standards.
    Background
       EPA promulgated MACT standards for most HWCs on September 30, 1999. These
    emission standards created a technology based national cap for hazardous air pollutant
    emission from the combustion of hazardous waste in these devices.
       A number of parties, representing both industrial and environmental communities,
    requested judicial review of this rule, and challenged its emission standards and several
    implementation provisions. On July 24, 2001, the United States Court of Appeals for the
    District of Columbia Circuit vacated the emission  standards; however, it allowed EPA to
    promulgate interim standards that have been in place since February 13, 2002.
       EPA proposed new standards on April 20, 2004. Today's standards result from the
    above judiciary and regulatory actions.
    For More Information
       This fact sheet and other documents are available on the Internet at http://
    www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/combust/. For answers to specific questions, visit http://
    waste.custheIp.com and click on Find an Answer or Submit a Question.

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