FACT SHEET Final Amendments to Air Toxics Standards for Paint Stripping and Miscellaneous Surface Coating Operations at Area Sources ACTION • On November 1, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized amendments to the 2008 National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Paint Stripping and Miscellaneous Surface Coating Operations at Area Sources. • Following a technology review conducted under the Clean Air Act (CAA), EPA determined that there are no cost-effective developments that would further reduce air toxics. Therefore, the agency is not amending existing emissions standards based on the technology review. • However, EPA is finalizing the following clarifying edits, due to stakeholder input or technical updates, and amendments to the rule consistent with other recent rulemakings and court decisions: o Provide a simplified alternative to the exemption process for sources that do not spray apply coatings containing "target HAP" emissions (hazardous air pollutant (HAP) compounds of chromium, lead, manganese, nickel, or cadmium), o Acknowledge that emissions standards apply at all times, including during periods of startup, shutdown and malfunction (SSM). The NESHAP's SSM exemption issue was previously resolved by a change to the General Provisions. Therefore, rule-specific revisions are not necessary, o Require electronic reporting; and o Other minor technical updates and clarifications. TECHNOLOGY REVIEW • The CAA requires EPA to assess, review, and revise air toxics standards, as necessary, taking into account developments in practices, processes, and control technologies. • The technology review of the Paint Stripping and Miscellaneous Surface Coating Operations area source standards did not identify any developments that would further reduce air toxics emissions for area sources regulated under the original NESHAP. BACKGROUND • On January 9, 2008, EPA promulgated the NESHAP for area sources engaged in paint stripping, surface coating of motor vehicles and mobile equipment, and miscellaneous surface coating operations (subpart HHHHHH; also referred to as "subpart 6H"). • The standards address HAP emissions of methylene chloride from paint stripping and the target HAP from surface coating operations. • Approximately 40,000 sources are subject to these standards. These sources are primarily small refinishing shops located across the United States. 1 ------- FOR MORE INFORMATION • Interested parties can download a copy of the final rule notice from EPA's website at the following address: https://www.epa.gov/stationary-sources-air-pollution/paint-stripping- and-miscellaneous-surface-coating-operations. • Today's action and other background information are also available electronically at https://www.regulations.gov/. EPA's electronic public docket and comment system. • For further technical information about the rule, contact Ms. Lisa Sutton, EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, at (919) 541-3450 or sutton.lisa@epa.gov. 2 ------- |