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):

Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PACs)

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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Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PACs)

Chemical Information:

General Uses - PACs, also known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are a group of more
than 100 different chemicals that are characterized by hydrogen and carbon arranged in two or more
fused benzene rings. As pure chemicals, PACs generally exist as colorless, white, or pale yellow-green
solids. Most, if not all, PACs are byproducts of combustion or impurities and not created for use
themselves. PACs may be formed as byproducts of both human and natural activities. They are
produced or emitted during thermal processes, such as the incomplete combustion of organic
compounds, pyrolysis, or the processing of fossil fuels, bitumens, or nonfossil fuels. There are presently
no known commercial uses for PACs. In the past, some PACs were produced in small quantities for
research purposes or used in medicines or in the production of dyes, plastics, or pesticides. Other
industrial contributors are the aerospace industry, coke ovens (various activities), petroleum refining,
and primary aluminum production.

How Much Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds Were Generated?

Exhibit 4.165. National Generation of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (2001-2005)

TRI Reporting Year

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

Total Quantity of PACs (pounds)

11,388,419

9,597,096

9,299,558

9,238,514

9,593,150

Number of TRI Facilities Reporting PACs

670

653

678

688

702

For 2005, 702 facilities reported approximately 9.6 million pounds of PACs, representing a decrease of
approximately 1.8 million pounds, or 16 percent, compared to the total quantity of PACs reported for 2001
(Exhibit 4.165). Since the significant decrease in 2002, approximately an average of 9.4 million pounds was
reported for 2002 to 2005.

Exhibit 4.166. Distribution of Quantities for Facilities Reporting Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (2005)

Polycyclic aromatic compounds (9,593,150 pounds)

Quantity Reported

Number of Facilities Reporting
This Quantity (2005)

Percent of Total Quantity of
PACs Reported (2005)

up to 10 pounds

248

< 0.1%

between 11 -100 pounds

185

0.1%

between 101 -1,000 pounds

145

0.5%

between 1,001 - 10,000 pounds

77

3.0%

between 10,001 - 100,000 pounds

33

11.5%

between 100,001 - 1 million pounds

11

44.1%

> 1 million pounds

3

40.8%

Three of the 702 facilities that reported PACs for 2005 reported approximately 41 percent of the total quantity;
14 facilities reported approximately 85 percent of the total quantity (Exhibit 4.166).

4-120


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Where Were Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds Generated?

	Exhibit 4.167. Location of Facilities that Reported Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (2005)

702 Facilities Reporting Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PAC)

~ 10 largest facilities reporting PAC

s - f

Atlantic
Ocean

THE

UNITED STATES





Facilities Reporting PAC (2005)

Office of Solid Waste - Fall 2007
Analysis and Information Branch

Since 2001, facilities in 55 states and territories reported PACs, including 702 facilities in 2005 (Exhibit 4.167).
Exhibit 4.168. Quantity of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds, by EPA Region and State, for Facilities Reporting

95 Percent of t

le Total Quantity in 2005

EPA
Region

State

2001
(pounds)

2002
(pounds)

2003
(pounds)

2004
pounds)

2005
(pounds)

Percent of
Total National
Quantity of
PACs (2005)

4

TN

3,223,956

555,317

1,274,029

1,813,901

1,790,754

18.7%

4

KY

709,075

866,507

1,536,928

1,704,434

1,509,917

15.7%

6

AR

630,063

749,317

824,508

1,048,647

1,013,072

10.6%

4

NC

231,377

159,737

239,277

518,008

1,012,972

10.6%

6

TX

593,425

1,453,099

1,349,946

305,688

1,001,895

10.4%

1

ME

474,454

541,375

525,086

519,024

524,649

5.5%

5

IN

365,493

441,039

452,043

450,492

486,046

5.1%

5

OH

439,765

327,983

35,007

35,937

413,468

4.3%

3

WV

290,437

132,348

141,384

312,824

330,151

3.4%

5

Ml

3,638

2,561

81,667

70,898

309,490

3.2%

6

LA

1,043,348

1,155,319

1,225,648

1,285,502

236,624

2.5%

4-121


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Exhibit 4.168. Quantity of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds, 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
PACs (2005)

4

SC

236,108

140,024

203,089

197,719

172,408

1.8%

3

PA

365,149

306,730

567,362

173,880

139,560

1.5%

2

NY

121,258

109,488

116,590

112,878

104,480

1.1%

4

FL

32,566

15,975

97,734

92,043

88,989

0.9%

Total

8,760,110

6,956,819

8,670,297

8,641,876

9,134,474

95.2%

For 2005, facilities in EPA Region 4 reported approximately 49 percent of the total national quantity of PACs
(Exhibit 4.168). Some highlights concerning trends for the reported quantity of PACs in states include:

•	In Tennessee, a facility reported approximately 528,000 pounds for 2001, but none since. Another
facility (same company) in Tennessee reported a decrease of approximately 2.1 million pounds for 2002
and then an increase of approximately 669,000 pounds for 2003.

•	A facility in North Carolina reported an increase of approximately 512,000 pounds for 2005.

•	A facility in Kentucky reported approximately 1.3 million pounds for 2003 - more than double the
quantity it reported for 2002.

•	A facility in Texas reported approximately 1.2 million pounds for both 2002 and 2003, but none for
either 2004 or 2005. Another facility in Texas reported an increase of approximately 745,000 pounds for
2005.

•	A facility in West Virginia reported a decrease of approximately 139,000 pounds for 2002 and an
increase of approximately 286,000 pounds for 2004.

•	For 2005, a facility in Ohio reported PACs for the first time, reporting approximately 358,000 pounds.
Another facility in Ohio reported approximately 249,000 pounds of PACs for 2001, but none since,
while another facility in Ohio, undergoing shutdown, reported approximately 296,000 pounds for 2002,
but none since.

•	A facility in Washington reported approximately 354,000 pounds of PACs for 2001, but none since.
Another facility in Washington reported a decrease of approximately 572,000 pounds for 2003.

•	A facility in Michigan reported an increase of approximately 240,000 pounds for 2005.

•	A facility in Oklahoma reported an increase of approximately 1.2 million pounds for 2002, followed by
a decrease of approximately 1.1 million pounds for 2003.

4-122


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Exhibit 4.169. Quantity of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds, by State and County, for Facilities Reporting

90 Percent of the Total Quantity (2005)

State

County

Quantity (pounds) of PACs

Percent of
Total National
Quantity of
PACs (2005)

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

TN

Maury

2,623,047

517,956

1,187,144

1,775,195

1,728,070

18.0%

KY

Hancock

522,415

625,035

1,278,130

1,389,221

1,171,896

12.2%

NC

Burke

206,287

124,741

199,879

498,756

1,010,636

10.5%

TX

Harris

14,180

8,160

4,783

13,308

757,202

7.9%

AR

Pope

388,420

456,714

492,086

674,556

628,392

6.6%

ME

Aroostook

471,782

528,832

523,972

518,380

521,138

5.4%

IN

Lake

319,626

421,457

444,717

428,671

462,774

4.8%

AR

Franklin

221,218

276,468

315,609

364,642

371,159

3.9%

OH

Scioto

32

0

0

0

357,962

3.7%

KY

Fulton

183,270

236,406

248,460

299,761

327,672

3.4%

Ml

Wayne

3,581

2,493

81,618

70,505

309,338

3.2%

WV

Brooke

263,679

125,060

132,717

299,080

305,310

3.2%

TX

Nueces

190,999

161,693

120,137

168,061

177,787

1.9%

SC

Berkeley

88,203

86,027

94,615

132,318

135,408

1.4%

LA

Calcasieu

180,560

138,256

42,571

93,146

112,638

1.2%

PA

Alleqheny

15,429

15,619

275,931

137,460

82,628

0.9%

NY

St. Lawrence

91,125

84,971

78,021

75,221

80,615

0.8%

FL

Escambia

21,591

6,876

82,073

77,369

73,928

0.8%

Exhibit 4.169 shows the quantity of PACs for 2001-2005, by state and county, reported by facilities that
accounted for 90 percent of the total quantity of PACs for 2005.

4-123


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Which Industries Generated Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds?

Exhibit 4.170. Industry Sectors Quantities of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (2001-2005)

Primary
SIC
Code

SIC Description

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

Quantity (pounds) of PACs

Percent of Total
National
Quantity of
PACs (2005)

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

3624

Carbon and graphite products

19

4,292,839

1,696,360

2,581,881

3,709,255

4,226,513

44.1%

2865

Cyclic crudes and intermediates

9

414,759

518,982

239,008

485,559

1,791,619

18.7%

3334

Primary aluminum

12

1,798,358

1,394,522

1,436,079

1,559,987

1,341,676

14.0%

2992

Lubricating oils and greases

3

318,494

421,399

444,658

457,270

493,779

5.1%

2037

Frozen fruits and vegetables

1

345,565

386,531

381,671

377,822

424,685

4.4%

2911

Petroleum refining

88

878,223

2,663,935

1,649,707

457,122

342,068

3.6%

2824

Organic fibers, noncellulosic

3

26,975

87,238

183,822

206,106

197,076

2.1%

2491

Wood preserving

49

579,571

410,844

343,288

112,208

133,428

1.4%

2048

Prepared feeds, nec

1

126,217

142,301

142,901

185,130

96,453

1.0%

3312

Blast furnaces and steel mills

8

21,963

14,585

279,226

141,352

86,509

0.9%

2869

Industrial organic chemicals, nec

17

273,615

112,439

125,490

95,660

85,246

0.9%

2621

Paper mills

29

28,321

57,695

24,320

73,443

65,408

0.7%

2999

Petroleum and coal products, nec

3

182,838

137,742

42,060

84,546

62,158

0.6%

2022

Cheese, natural and processed

3

50,920

21,898

56,743

30,456

30,043

0.3%

2895

Carbon black

19

687,687

906,637

1,024,715

1,059,367

27,573

0.3%

3052

Rubber and plastics hose and belting

5

271

201

22,217

26,197

27,310

0.3%

2952

Asphalt felts and coatings

63

13,277

9,369

8,828

10,469

22,089

0.2%

2015

Poultry slaughtering and processing

1

27,399

17,042

55,737

6,154

18,219

0.2%

2819

Industrial inorganic chemicals, nec

2

9,002

8,000

14,122

20,190

14,248

0.1%

For 2005, facilities in 85 industry sectors (SIC codes) reported PACs. Exhibit 4.170 shows the quantity of PACs for the 19 industry sectors in which
facilities reported approximately 99 percent of this PC for 2005. Facilities in three of the industry sectors: SIC 3624 (Carbon and graphite products),
SIC 2865 (Cyclic crudes and intermediates), and SIC 3334 (Primary Aluminum) reported approximately 77 percent of the total quantity of PACs for
2005. Some highlights concerning trends for the reported quantity of PACs within industry sectors include:

4-124


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SIC 3624 (Carbon and graphite products)

•	A facility in Tennessee reported approximately 528,000 pounds of PACs for 2001, but none since.
Another facility (same company) in Tennessee reported a decrease of approximately 2.1 million pounds
for 2002 and then an increase of approximately 669,000 pounds for 2003. These facilities use coal tar
pitch for producing carbon electrodes. PACs are contained in the coal tar pitch.

•	A facility in North Carolina reported an increase of approximately 512,000 pounds for 2005.

SIC 2865 (Cyclic crudes and intermediates)

•	A facility in West Virginia reported a decrease of approximately 139,000 pounds for 2002 and an
increase of approximately 286,000 pounds for 2004.

•	For 2005, a facility in Ohio reported PACs for the first time, reporting approximately 358,000 pounds.

•	A facility in Ohio, undergoing shutdown, reported approximately 296,000 pounds for 2002, but none
since. Another facility in Michigan and in the same company reported an increase of approximately
240,000 pounds for 2005. PACs quantities were primarily generated from residual processing, tank
cleanouts, etc. resulting from shutting down these facilities.

•	A facility in Texas reported an increase of approximately 745,000 pounds for 2005 as a result of
demolition and tank/releases cleanup efforts.

SIC 3334 (Primary Aluminum)

•	A facility in Kentucky reported approximately 1.3 million pounds for 2003 - more than double the
quantity it reported for 2002. This facility uses coal tar pitch and coke to produce carbon rods (anodes)
for aluminum smelting. PACs are contained in the coal tar pitch. Quantities of PACs correlate with the
production of carbon rods.

•	A facility in Ohio reported approximately 249,000 pounds of PACs for 2001, but none since.

•	A facility in Washington reported approximately 354,000 pounds of PACs for 2001, but none since,
while another facility in Washington reported a decrease of approximately 572,000 pounds for 2003.

SIC 2911 (Petroleum refining)

•	A facility in Oklahoma reported an increase of approximately 1.2 million pounds for 2002 followed by a
decrease of approximately 1.1 million pounds for 2003.

•	A facility in Texas reported approximately 1.2 million pounds in both 2002 and 2003, but none in either
2004 or 2005. The facility attributed the quantities to compliance with air pollution standards and a
change in how material sent to flaring was calculated.

4-125


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How Did Facilities Manage Poly cyclic Aromatic Compounds?

Exhibit 4.171. Trends in Management Methods for Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (2001-2005)

Management Method for
Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

Disposal Quantity (pounds)

1,624,822

570,600

701,700

815,211

975,406

Energy Recovery Quantity (pounds)

5,507,041

3,886,621

2,962,545

3,542,875

4,025,725

Treatment Quantity (pounds)

4,256,557

5,139,875

5,635,313

4,880,427

4,592,020

Recycled (pounds)29

2,763,026

2,293,459

1,634,434

1,370,285

2,777,773

Exhibit 4.171 shows the national trends for how facilities managed PACs in 2001-2005.

Disposal: Compared to the quantity disposed of in 2001, the quantity decreased by approximately 649,000
pounds in 2005. However, this was an increase compared to the quantity disposed of in 2002 - 2004.

Energy Recovery: Since 2001, facilities used PACs for energy recovery for approximately an average of 4
million pounds. Compared to the quantity sent to energy recovery in 2001, the quantity decreased by
approximately 1.5 million pounds in 2005. However, this was an increase compared to the quantity sent to
energy recovery in 2003 - 2004.

Treatment: Since 2001, facilities treated approximately an average of 4.9 million pounds of PACs. The
quantity treated in 2005 was the smallest since 2001.

Recycling: In 2005, facilities recycled approximately 2.8 million pounds of PACs - the largest quantity during
2001-2005 and an increase of approximately 1.4 million pounds compared to the quantity recycled in 2004.

29 For additional information on recycled quantities see footnote 8.

4-126


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Exhibit 4.172. Management Methods for Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds in Industry Sectors, for Facilities Reporting
		95 Percent of the Total Quantity in 2005 			

Primary
SIC
Code

SIC Code Description

Onsite
Disposal
(pounds)

Offsite
Disposal
(pounds)

Onsite
Energy
Recovery
(pounds)

Offsite
Energy
Recovery
(pounds)

Onsite
Treatment
(pounds)

Offsite
Treatment
(pounds)

Onsite
Recycling
(pounds)

Offsite
Recycling
(pounds)

3624

Carbon and graphite products

7,930

16,312

2,050,984

0

2,147,727

3,559

153,974

1,490

2865

Cyclic crudes and intermediates

0

651,714

358,027

780,538

560

780

139,193

74,114

3334

Primary aluminum

1,566

46,929

0

0

1,291,146

2,035

284,488

0

2992

Lubricating oils and greases

0

31,092

0

0

462,687

0

0

0

2037

Frozen fruits and vegetables

0

0

424,685

0

0

0

0

0

2911

Petroleum refining

3,738

26,944

3,249

33,975

266,236

7,926

178,696

1,439

2824

Organic fibers, noncellulosic

0

1

73,867

0

123,208

0

0

0

2491

Wood preserving

0

1,569

0

84,606

11,076

36,177

1,517,118

0

2048

Prepared feeds, nec

0

0

96,453

0

0

0

0

0

3312

Blast furnaces and steel mills

0

32,368

683

0

53,228

230

106,954

50,000

2869

Industrial organic chemicals, nec

3,147

1,589

0

1,377

67,556

11,577

5,500

67

2621

Paper mills

474

393

45,856

0

17,343

1,343

0

0

2999

Petroleum and coal products, nec

12

62,146

0

0

0

0

0

159,354

2022

Cheese, natural and processed

0

0

30,043

0

0

0

0

0

2895

Carbon black

306

23,404

955

0

2,460

448

0

235

3052

Rubber and plastics hose and belting

0

1,309

0

0

26,000

0

375

178

2952

Asphalt felts and coatings

117

12,165

0

369

0

9,438

3

2,173

2015

Poultry slaughtering and processing

0

0

0

0

18,219

0

0

0

2819

Industrial inorganic chemicals, nec

14,110

0

138

0

0

0

0

0

2631

Paperboard mills

644

45

13,176

0

85

0

0

0

Exhibit 4.172 shows, by industry sector (SIC code), how facilities that reported approximately 99 percent of this PC for 2005, managed PACs.
Facilities in SIC 3624 (Carbon and graphite products) used both onsite energy recovery and treatment equally to manage approximately 4.1 million
pounds of PACs. Facilities in SIC 2865 (Cyclic crudes and intermediates) reported approximately 72 percent of the quantity disposed of offsite, as
well as approximately 87 percent of the quantity used for energy recovery offsite; much of these were reported by two facilities being shutdown.
Facilities in SIC 3334 (Primary aluminum) primarily used onsite treatment for their PACs.

4-127


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Facilities Only Recycling Poly cyclic Aromatic Compounds

Exhibit 4.173. Facilities That Only Recycled Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds in 2005

Primary
SIC
Code

SIC Code Description

State

County

Onsite
Recycling
(pounds)

Offsite
Recycling
(pounds)

Total
Recycling
(pounds)

2869

Industrial organic chemicals, nec

TX

Jefferson

0

47,899

47,899

3312

Blast furnaces and steel mills

NY

Erie

14,083

0

14,083

AL

Jefferson

13,000

0

13,000

PA

Erie

1,229

0

1,229

2952

Asphalt felts and coatings

MN

Scott

0

2,463

2,463

IN

La Porte

0

401

401

2951

Asphalt paving mixtures and blocks

MA

Middlesex

1,117

0

1,117

TN

Shelby

560

0

560

MS

Hinds

341

0

341

MS

Lauderdale

264

0

264

2491

Wood preserving

LA

Rapides

740

0

740

2851

Paints and allied products

OH

Erie

274

0

274

For 2005, 56 facilities in 13 industry sectors reported they only used recycling to manage 83,216 pounds of
PACs. Exhibit 4.173 shows the facilities that reported 99 percent of the recycled only quantity. A facility in
SIC 2869 (Industrial organic chemicals, nec) reported approximately 58 percent of this quantity, while facilities
in SIC 3312 (Blast furnaces and steel mills) reported approximately 34 percent of this quantity.

4-128


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