United States
Environmental Protection
Agency

EPA530-R-08-001
February 2008

National Priority Chemicals Trends Report (2001-2005)

Section 4

Chemical Specific Trends Analyses for Priority Chemicals (2001-2005):

Phenanthrene

Hazardous Waste Minimization and Management Division
Office of Solid Waste
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Contact Information:

Bill Kline, Senior Data Analyst
Analysis & Information Branch
(540) 341-3631
kline.bill@epa.gov

Tammie Owen, Data Analyst
Analysis & Information Branch
(703) 308-4044
owen.tammie@epa.gov

Ben Lesser, Chief
Analysis & Information Branch
(703) 308-0314
lesser.ben@epa.gov


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Phenanthrene

Chemical Information:

Alternate Names - PhenAnthracene

General Uses - Phenanthrene is used to make dyes, plastics, pesticides, explosives and drugs. It has
also been used to make bile acids, cholesterol and steroids.

How Much Phenanthrene Was Generated?

Exhibit 4.148. National Generation of Phenanthrene (2001-2005)

TRI Reporting Year

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

Total Quantity of Phenanthrene (pounds)

236,791

2,309,918

1,817,968

2,376,755

1,429,592

Number of TRI Facilities Reporting Phenanthrene

52

51

57

57

58

For 2005, 58 facilities reported approximately 1.4 million pounds of phenanthrene, representing an increase of
approximately 1.2 million pounds, or 504 percent, compared to the total quantity of phenanthrene reported for
2001 (Exhibit 4.148). Although the number of facilities has increased only slightly since 2001, the quantity
reported has fluctuated significantly each year with changes of approximately: an increase of 2.1 million pounds
in 2002, a decrease of 492,000 pounds in 2003, an increase of 559,000 pounds in 2004, and a decrease of
947,000 pounds in 2005.

Exhibit 4.149. Distribution of Quantities for Facilities Reporting Phenanthrene (2005)

Phenanthrene (1,429,592 pounds)

Quantity Reported

Number of Facilities Reporting
This Quantity (2005)

Percent of Total Quantity of
Phenanthrene (2005)

up to 10 pounds

3

< 0.1%

between 11 -100 pounds

10

< 0.1%

between 101 -1,000 pounds

21

0.7%

between 1,001 - 10,000 pounds

17

4.5%

between 10,001 - 100,000 pounds

4

7.7%

between 100,001 - 1 million pounds

4

87.0%

> 1 million pounds

0

0.0%

Four of the 58 facilities accounted for 87 percent of the total reported quantity of phenanthrene for 2005
(Exhibit 4.149).

4-106


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WASHINGTON

(maineV
EPA
Region 1

north

DAKOTA

MONTANA

MINNESOTA

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——Region 8

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EPA \

Region
\wisconsin

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yEPA i
Region 2

[ Huron

NEWHAMPSH

SOUTH
DAKOTA

MASSAT-HWSET1

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WYOMING

ICHIGAN

NEBRASKA

IOWA

NEVADA

EW JERSEY

OHIO

J ^EPASJ
f*EST Region 3^

^VIRGINIA	^

VIRGINIA

EPA
Region 9

ILLINOIS

ELAWARE
[RYLAND

COLORADO

KANSAS

MISSOURI

KENTUCKY

NORTH CAROLII

ARIZONA

HEW
MEXICO

SOUTH
CAROLINA

ARKANSAS

UNITED STATES

ALABAMA

TEXAS

Alaska

•XI CO

FLORID/

Where Was Phenanthrene Generated?

	Exhibit 4.150. Location of Facilities that Reported Phenanthrene (2005)

'^7

Facilities Reporting Phenanthrene (2005)

Office of Solid Waste - Fall 2007
Analysis and Information Branch

Pacific
Ocean

58 Facilities Reporting Phenanthrene

A 10 largest facilities reporting phenanthrene
• Other facilities reporting phenanthrene

Atlantic
Ocean

For 2005, 59 facilities in 25 states reported phenanthrene (Exhibit 4.150).

Exhibit 4.151. Quantity of Phenanthrene, by EPA Region and State, for Facilities Reporting

EPA
Region

State

2001
(pounds)

2002
(pounds)

2003
(pounds)

2004
(pounds)

2005
(pounds)

Percent of Total
National Quantity of
Phenanthrene
(2005)

4

KY

0

1,500

740,470

804,786

759,162

53.1%

5

IN

5,423

90

200,452

170,452

180,134

12.6%

4

AL

1,235

1,917

3,901

118,803

156,592

11.0%

6

LA

19,355

10,679

5,234

325,024

155,912

10.9%

6

TX

99,828

1,884,994

757,623

873,999

68,038

4.8%

5

Ml

0

4,128

12,311

6,380

28,314

2.0%

3

WV

22,979

14,900

34,351

26,628

26,620

1.9%

5

IL

8,591

10,134

8,778

12,332

16,956

1.2%

3

PA

8,698

10,700

29,237

18,622

15,793

1.1%

9

CA

1,133

1,244

5,213

5,157

8,890

0.6%

Total

167,242

1,940,287

1,797,570

2,362,183

1,416,411

99.1%

4-107


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From 2001 to 2004, facilities in EPA Region 6 reported the largest quantities of phenanthrene (Exhibit 4.151).
For 2005, facilities in EPA Region 4 reported approximately 64 percent of the total national quantity of
phenanthrene. Some highlights concerning trends for the reported quantity of phenanthrene in states include:

•	In Kentucky, the large increase in 2003 resulted primarily from a facility that began reporting
phenanthrene for 2003. This facility produces carbon rods for aluminum smelting. Quantities correlate
with the production of carbon rods.

•	In Indiana, a facility reporting phenanthrene for the first time for 2003, reported 200,000 pounds and has
reported the largest quantity of this PC each year since 2003.

•	In Alabama, a facility reported an increase of approximately 117,000 pounds for 2004. The increased
quantity resulted from the shutdown of the facilities, including the clean-up and cleanout of tanks and
processing of residuals.

•	In Louisiana, a facility reported 320,000 pounds for 2004 as a result of using a fuel oil (containing
phenanthrene) as an alternative source of energy for its boiler.

•	In Texas, a facility reported an increase of approximately 1.8 million pounds for 2002 followed by a
decrease of approximately 1.1 million pounds for 2003.

Exhibit 4.152. Quantity of Phenanthrene, by State and County, for Facilities Reporting
	 95 Percent of the Total Quantity (2005)		

State

County

Quantity (pounds) of Phenanthrene

Percent of Total
National Quantity
of Phenanthrene
(2005)

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

KY

Hancock

0

0

739,970

804,286

758,174

53.0%

IN

Lake

8

0

200,000

170,000

180,000

12.6%

AL

Jefferson

1,235

937

2,921

118,165

155,954

10.9%

LA

East Baton Rouqe

8,453

7,062

4,327

323,480

154,198

10.8%

TX

Jefferson

0

7,450

7,411

34,888

30,834

2.2%

Ml

Wayne

0

4,128

12,311

6,380

28,314

2.0%

TX

Galveston

55,169

44,604

8,262

26,335

28,231

2.0%

WV

Brooke

22,979

14,900

34,351

26,628

26,620

1.9%

One facility in Hancock County, Kentucky reported 53 percent of the total quantity of phenanthrene for 2005
(Exhibit 4.152).

4-108


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Which Industries Generated Phenanthrene?

Exhibit 4.153. Industry Sector Quantities of Phenanthrene for Facilities Reporting in 2005

Primary
SIC
Code

SIC Description

Number of
Facilities
Reporting
Phenanthrene
in This SIC
Code (2005)

Quantity (pounds) of Phenanthrene

Percent
of Total
Quantity of
Phenanthrene
(2005)

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

3334

Primary aluminum

2

250

1,179

741,470

804,914

759,081

53.1%

2911

Petroleum refininq

25

9,252

17,106

221,409

223,827

233,096

16.3%

2865

Cyclic crudes and intermediates

6

97,255

387,495

51,255

161,904

223,710

15.6%

2869

Industrial orqanic chemicals, nec

8

83,624

66,893

33,886

364,031

188,993

13.2%

3312

Blastfurnaces and steel mills

5

3,165

2,023

29,682

19,418

11,412

0.8%

2491

Wood preservinq

3

399

228

551

386

5,317

0.4%

3272

Concrete products, nec

3

3,630

7,928

6,934

752

4,995

0.3%

3624

Carbon and qraphite products

3

1,854

1,780

1,070

1,490

2,153

0.2%

2952

Asphalt felts and coatinqs

1

250

980

980

638

638

0.0%

2821

Plastics materials and resins

1

828

1,658

1,122

998

168

0.0%

4925

Gas production and/or distribution

1

5,387

27

451

451

29

0.0%

Total

58

205,894

487,298

1,088,810

1,578,809

1,429,592

100.0%

For 2005, facilities in 11 SIC codes reported phenanthrene (Exhibit 4.153); facilities in four industry sectors

reported approximately 98 percent of the total quantity. Some highlights concerning trends for the reported

quantity of phenanthrene in industry sectors include:

SIC 3334 (Primary aluminum)

•	Since 2003, one facility, located in Kentucky, has reported approximately 99 percent of the total
quantity in this industry sector. This facility uses coal tar pitch and coke to produce carbon rods
(anodes) for aluminum smelting. Quantities of phenanthrene generated correlate with the production of
carbon rods.

SIC 2911 (Petroleum refining)

•	Since 2003, one facility, located in Indiana, reported up to 90 percent of the total quantity.

SIC 2865 (Cyclic crudes and intermediates)

•	For 2002, approximately 92 percent of the phenanthrene reported by SIC 2865 facilities resulted from
activities related to the shutdown of a facility in Ohio, including the clean-up and cleanout of tanks and
processing of residuals. For 2004 and 2005, approximately 70 percent of the quantity was reported by
another facility (same company), located in Alabama, that also was being shut down.

SIC 2869 (Industrial organic chemicals, nec)

•	A facility in Louisiana reported 320,000 pounds for 2004 and 150,000 pounds for 2005. These
quantities resulted from the use of a fuel oil (containing phenanthrene) as an alternative source of energy
for its boiler.

SIC 2812 (Alkalies and chlorine) and SIC 2819 (Industrial inorganic chemicals, nec)

•	One facility, located in Texas, reported 100 percent of the quantity for 2001 and 2002. For 2003, this
same facility reported as a SIC 2819 (Industrial inorganic chemicals, nec) facility and accounted for 100
percent of the total quantity reported for this industry sector for 2003 and 2004. The facility did not
report phenanthrene for 2005 and is therefore not included in Exhibit 4.153.

4-109


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How Did Facilities Manage Phenanthrene?

Exhibit 4.154. Trends in

Management Methods for Phenanthrene (2001-2005)

Management Method for Phenanthrene

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

Disposal Quantity (pounds)

74,673

42,529

73,264

86,541

115,881

Energy Recovery Quantity (pounds)

98,317

2,196,260

749,232

1,226,240

283,009

Treatment Quantity (pounds)

63,801

71,129

995,472

1,063,974

1,030,703

Recycled (pounds)2'

477,928

1,000,783

769,120

1,247,335

1,287,911

Exhibit 4.154 shows the national trends for how facilities managed phenanthrene in 2001-2005.

Disposal: From 2002 to 2004, less than 4 percent of phenanthrene was disposed of. In 2005, the quantity of
phenanthrene disposed of increased by approximately 30,000 pounds, primarily as a result of activities related
to the shutdown of two facilities (same company) in Alabama and Michigan.

Energy Recovery: Since 2001, the quantity used for energy recovery has fluctuated widely from year to year.
For 2002, a facility in Texas reported an increase of approximately 1.8 million pounds followed by a decrease
of approximately 1.1 million pounds in 2003, as well as a decrease of approximately 797,000 pounds in 2005.
For 2002, another facility, located in Ohio, reported an increase of approximately 320,000 pounds. For 2004, a
facility in Louisiana reported an increase of 320,000 pounds followed by a decrease of 170,000 pounds in 2005.

Treatment: Since 2003, facilities treated approximately an average of 1 million pounds each year. A Kentucky
facility first reported phenanthrene for 2003 and has treated approximately an average of 767,000 pounds each
year.

Recycling: Since 2001, facilities recycled significant quantities, including approximately an average of 1.1
million pounds per year since 2002. Since 2002, a facility in Texas has recycled approximately an average of
599,000 pounds each year. Another facility in Texas recycled approximately an average of 358,000 pounds in
2004-2005.

27 For additional information on recycled quantities see footnote 8.

4-110


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Exhibit 4.155. Management Methods for Phenanthrene in Industry Sectors (2005)

Primary
SIC
Code

SIC Code Description

Onsite
Disposal
(pounds)

Offsite
Disposal
(pounds)

Onsite
Energy
Recovery
(pounds)

Offsite
Energy
Recovery
(pounds)

Onsite
T reatment
(pounds)

Offsite
T reatment
(pounds)

Onsite
Recycling
(pounds)

Offsite
Recycling
(pounds)

3334

Primary aluminum

907

5,046

0

0

753,128

0

1,060

0

2911

Petroleum refining

611

5,291

67

1,417

224,220

1,491

312,910

142

2865

Cyclic crudes and intermediates

0

91,856

0

125,378

5,746

730

80,464

120,105

2869

Industrial organic chemicals, nec

0

2,088

150,000

690

3,105

33,110

0

616,620

3312

Blast furnaces and steel mills

0

2,977

419

0

91

7,925

25,460

30,000

2491

Wood preserving

0

337

0

4,969

0

11

1,085

0

3272

Concrete products, nec

0

3,972

0

0

0

1,023

0

0

3624

Carbon and graphite products

0

2,153

0

0

0

0

14,007

0

2952

Asphalt felts and coatings

0

638

0

0

0

0

0

0

2821

Plastics materials and resins

0

0

0

69

99

0

0

0

4925

Gas production and/or distribution

0

5

0

0

12

12

86,058

0

Total

1,518

114,363

150,486

132,523

986,401

44,302

521,044

766,867

Exhibit 4.155 shows how facilities, by SIC code, managed phenanthrene in 2005. Two facilities (same company) in SIC 2865 (Cyclic crudes and
intermediates) undergoing shutdown reported approximately 54 percent of the quantity disposed of. One of these facilities also reported
approximately 97 percent of the quantity sent for offsite energy recovery. A facility in SIC 2869 (Industrial organic chemicals, nec), located in
Louisiana, reported virtually 100 percent of the quantity going for onsite energy recovery. Overall, for non-recycled quantities, facilities treated
approximately 69 percent of phenanthrene onsite. Two facilities, one each in SIC 3334 (Primary aluminum) and SIC 2911 (Petroleum refineries)
reported approximately 95 percent of the onsite treatment quantity. A facility in SIC 2869, located in Texas, reported approximately78 percent of the
quantity recycled.

4-111


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Facilities Only Recycling Phenanthrene

Exhibit 4.156. Facilities That On

y Recycled Phenanthrene in 2005

Primary
SIC
Code

SIC Code Description

State

County

Onsite
Recycling
(pounds)

Offsite
Recycling
(pounds)

Total
Recycling
(pounds)

3312

Blast furnaces and steel mills

PA

Allegheny

48,341

0

48,341

AL

Jefferson

10,000

0

10,000

NY

Erie

8,786

0

8,786

PA

Erie

767

0

767

2911

Petroleum refining

VA

York

111

0

111

2851

Paints and allied products

OH

Erie

58

0

58

5171

Petroleum bulk stations and terminals

CA

Los Angeles

0

1

1

Total

68,063

1

68,064

For 2005, seven facilities in four industry sectors reported they only used recycling to manage approximately
68,100 pounds of phenanthrene (Exhibit 4.156). Four facilities in SIC 3312 (Blast furnaces and steel mills)
reported nearly 100 percent of the total quantity.

4-112


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