Final Rule to Reduce Toxic Air Pollutants from Printing Coating and Dyeing of Fabrics and Other Textiles Fact Sheet

FINAL RULE TO REDUCE TOXIC AIR POLLUTANTS FROM
PRINTING, COATING, AND DYEING OF FABRICS AND OTHER TEXTILES
FACT SHEET
TODAY'S ACTION
! The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a final rule to reduce toxic air pollutant
emissions from fabric and other textile coating, printing, and dyeing facilities. Toxic air
pollutants, also called air toxics, are those pollutants known or suspected to cause cancer or
other serious health and environmental effects.
! The final rule applies to new and existing facilities that are a "major source" of air toxics or are
part of a facility that is a "major source" of air toxics.. A "major source" emits 10 tons per year
or more of a single toxic air pollutant listed in the Clean Air Act or 25 tons per year or more of
a combination of those pollutants.
! "Coating and printing" is the process of applying a coating or printing material to one or both
sides of a continuous web substrate, such as a roll of fabric, for decorative or functional
purposes. Dyeing is the application of color to the whole body of a textile material such as
yarn, thread, cord, fiber, fabric ,or other textile material. Finishing is a process performed after
dyeing that improves the appearance or usefulness of a textile substrate.
! EPA estimates that there are approximately 135 existing major sources, nationwide, that will be
affected by this rule. Another three new major sources are expected to be constructed within
the 5-year period following publication of the final rule, and they will also be affected by the
rule.
! The final rule will require existing facilities that are subject to the rule to limit air toxic emissions.
These facilities will have up to 3 years from the date of publication of the final rule to comply
with its requirements.
! For both new and existing sources, the emission limits can be met by pollution prevention
techniques.
BACKGROUND
! Under the Clean Air Act, EPA is required to regulate emissions of 188 listed toxic air
pollutants. The Act also requires EPA to identify industrial or source categories that emit one
or more of these pollutants. The Act further requires EPA to develop emissions standards
requiring stringent air pollution reduction measures for each of the identified source categories.
! EPA's published list of industry groups to be regulated includes fabric coating, printing, and

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dyeing.
! Coating, printing, and dyeing operations emit a number of toxic air pollutants including toluene,
methyl ethyl ketone, methanol, xylenes, methyl isobutyl ketone, methylene chloride,
trichloroethylene, n-hexane, glycol ethers, and formaldehyde. Health effects associated with
these pollutants include irritation of the eye, lung, and mucous membranes; effects on the central
nervous system; and damage to the liver. Methylene chloride and trichloroethylene are
classified as carcinogens.
BENEFITS AND COST
! The final rule will reduce total emissions of air toxics by approximately 4,100 tons per year.
This represents a 60-percent reduction from the estimated 1997 baseline.
! Many of these air toxics are also volatile organic compounds. These compounds contribute
significantly to the formation of ground-level ozone, or smog, which has been shown to cause
adverse effects on human health and can damage forests and crops.
! EPA estimates that the total nationwide annualized cost would be about $14.5 million per year.
! After assessing the impact of the final rule on small businesses, EPA determined that it will not
significantly impact a substantial number of small businesses.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
! To download the standard from EPA's website on the Internet, go to "Recent Actions" at the
following address: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/ramain.html.
! For general information about the standards, contact Mr. Paul Almodovar of EPA's Office of
Air Quality Planning and Standards, Emission Standards Division, Coatings and Consumer
Products Group at (919) 541-0283, or by electronic mail at: almodovar.paul@epa.gov. Or
visit the fabric coating, printing, and dyeing (surface coating) website at:
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/coat/fabric/.
! The EPA's Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) homepage on the Internet contains a wide range
of information on the air toxics program and many other air pollution programs and issues. The
OAR's home page address is: http://www.epa.gov/oar/.
! This source category was assigned electronic docket number OAR-2003-0014.

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