Document 1ggxgL4eOyYXr3x09vMxLB2nq
FILE NAME: DuPont Remington (DRM) DATE: 1974 Oct 25
DOC#: DRM011
DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Federal Register - EPA - Asbestos & Mercury Proposed Amendments to National Emission Standards
October:;25, 1 9 7 4 -- Pages 3 7 9 6 3 -3 8 0 8 3
O
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1974
WASHINGTON, D.C. Volume 3 9 Num ber 2 0 8 Pages 37963-38083.
PART I
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS ISSUE
This listing does not affect the legal status of any document published Inthis Issue. Detailed table of contents appears Inside.
EXECUTIVE ORDERS-- Delegating to the National Capital Planning Commission the function of establishing the metes and bounds of the National Capital Service Area___________________ 37963
Delegation of certain reporting functions under the For eign Assistance Act to the Secretary of the Treasury-- 37965
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME FOR THE AGED, BUND AND DISABLED-- HEW/SSA rules on hearings, ap peals, and Judicial review; effective 1 0 -2 5 -7 4 .__________ 37976
MEDICAL RESEARCH-- HEW proposal on the protection of human subjects_________ :___________________________ 37993
NARCOTIC TREATMENT PROGRAMS-- Justice/DEA estab lishes regulatory controls on registration, security, and recordkeeping; effective 1 1 -1 5 -7 4 ____________________ 37983
VETERANS EDUCATION-- VA amends certain counseling requirements; effective "10-21-74_____ ,_______________ 37986
MEAT AND POULTRY INSPECTION-- USDA/APH1S pro poses reporting requirements for custom operators; com ments by 5 -2 - 7 5 ___________________________________ 37991
AVIATION FUELS-- FEA rules on supplier/purchaser rela tionships and allocation levels_________________________ 37968
URANIUM-- AEC modifies restrictions on use of foreign feed material for domestic utilization__________________ 38016
ELECTRIC UTILITIES-- FPC rules on filing for tariff
changes ....____
37973
(Continued Inside)
PART II:
AIR POLLUTION-- EPA proposes emission stand ards for asbestos and mercury; comments by 1 2 - 9 - 7 4 ____________________________ ________38063
PART III:
MINIMUM WAGES-- Labor/ESA Issues general wage determination decisions for Federal and Fed erally assisted construction____________________38075
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1974
WASHINGTON. D.C. Volume 3 9 * Num ber 2 0 8
PART II
E N V IR O N M E N T A L PROTECTION AGENCY
ASBESTOS A N D MERCURY
Proposed Amendments to National Emission Standards
38064
PROPOSED RULES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[ 40 CFR Part 6 1 J
[EEL 275-1]
ASBESTOS AND MERCURY
Proposed Amendments to National Emis sion Standards for Hazardous Air Pol lutants
On April 6, 1973 (38 FR 8820), pur suant to section 112 of the Clean Air Act, as amended, the Administrator promulgated national emission standards for the hazardous air pollutants asbes tos, beryllium, and mercury. Clarifying amendments to the original standards were promulgated on May 3,1974 (39 FR 15396), to advise the public how the regulations are being interpreted in Agency enforcement activities. The Ad ministrator proposes herein amend ments to the standards for asbestos and mercury. The Administrator also pro poses am endm ents to Appendix B, Test Methods, of this part. In accordance with section 117 of the Act, publication of "these proposed amendments was pre ceded by consultation with appropriate advisory committees, independent ex perts, and Federal departments and agencies.
Interested persons may participate in this rulemaking by submitting w ritten, comments (in triplicate) to the Emis sion Standards and Engineering Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Re search Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, Attention: Mr. Don R. Goodwin. The Administrator will welcome com ments on all aspects of the proposed reg ulations, including economic and tech nological issues, and on the proposed test method. All relevant comments received not later than December 5,1974, will be considered. Comments received will be available for public inspection a t the Of fice of Public Affairs, 401 M Street SW., Washington, D.C. 20460. Background in formation materials explaining the ac tion taken have been published in a re port entitled Background Information on National Emission Standards for Haz ardous Air Pollutants, Proposed Amend ments to Standards for Asbestos and Mercury (EPA-450/2-74-009). This re port is too voluminous to publish in the F ederal R egister; copies are available on request from the Emission Standards and Engineering Division, Research Tri angle Park, North Carolina 27711, At tention: Mr. Don R. Goodwin. The in formation contained in this report is briefly discussed below.
The Environmental Defense Fund, et al., filed on May 7,1973 a Petition for Re view of the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants promulgated on April 6, 1973. As a result of this ac tion, the Agency investigated the need for extending coverage of the standards to additional sources of asbestos and mercury in order to protect public health with an ample margin of safety. In ad dition, experience by the Agency in en forcing the standards promulgated on April 6,1973, revealed th a t several major
sources of asbestos emissions are not cov ered and some portions of the asbestos standard need clarifying. The Adminis trator believes th at the clarifications proposed herein are sufficiently substan tive to warrant proposal for public com ment, rather than inclusion in the clari fying changes which were promulgated, without prior proposal, on May 3, 1974.
Asbeszos
Manufacturing. I t is the Administra tor's judgment th at the manufacture of shotgun shells and the manufacture of asphalt concrete are major sources of as bestos which should be added to the list* of nine manufacturing operations cov ered by the promulgated asbestos stand ard. The asbestos emissions from the two additional manufacturing operations will be limited to the same extent as those of the other nine manufacturing opera tions: Visible emissions to the outside air are prohibited, but an option of using specified air-cleaning methods is pro vided.
Fabrication. Fabrication operations were excluded from the promulgated standard because it was thought that only new construction sites were major fabrication sources of asbestos emissions and these were thought to be adequately controlled by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regula tions. The petition of the Environmental Defense Fund, et al., questioned the ex clusion of fabrication operations from the promulgated standard. In response to these questions, the Agency conducted further investigations of the various fab rication operations involving asbestos products. These investigations showed th at asbestos products other than insu lating products are field-fabricated to only a limited extent and th at the Agency's previous reliance on OSHA regulations to cover field fabrication is unnecessary. However, the investiga tion showed th a t fabrication of some asbestos products in central shops is a major source of asbestos emissions.
I t is the judgment of the Administrator that the only field-fabricating operation for asbestos products which is a major source is the installation of molded as bestos insulating materials. The amend ment proposed herein prohibits the in stallation of the following materials that contain commercial asbestos: Molded insulating materials which are friable and wet-applied insulating materials which are friable after diying.
A wide variety of asbestos insulating products has been used for thermal in sulation. Many, though not all, of the products are friable and produce signifi cant quantities of asbestos-containing dust during cutting to fit contours of specific equipment and dining installa tion. One common type of friable insula tion is _molded, asbestos-reinforced blocks, sheets, and semicircular sections for pipe insulation. Some powdered as bestos cement products which are mixed into a slurry and used to insulate ex tremely irregular shapes are also friable, after drying.
Insulating products which contain no commercial asbestos have been developed for many applications, largely because of the known occupational hazards of in stalling products such as the common types of molded asbestos pipe insulation. Friable, molded thermal insulation which contains asbestos is no longer manufac tured in the United States, and asbestosfree products are now available for the complete range of temperature require ments. Fiberglass is used a t lower tem peratures, and ceramic fibers are used for extremely high temperature require ments. Asbestos-free substitutes are also available for pov/dered asbestos cement insulation.
While control methods are available for the installation of friable asbestos in sulating materials and for their removal during demolition and renovation, the methods permit some asbestos emissions during these operations and during tho disposal of th e accompanying v/asto materials. The availability of an eco nomical and more effective control method, i.e., the use of asbestos-freo in sulating products, together with tho un certainty as to the nature of the dosoresponse curve of asbestos in man, indi cates th at it would be prudent to prohibit the use of friable asbestos insulating products. Even though the use of thcso asbestos products in the United States has been largely discontinued, a regula tion is necessary to stop the use that still exists and to ensure th at such produotc are not used again in the future.
Asbestos is used in numerous manu factured products, and many of tho products undergo some type of fabrica tion prior to application in an end use. Some fabrication involves cutting opera tions which do not generate large quanti ties of asbestos emissions, for example, the cutting to size of vinyl-asbestos floor tile during installation. In other in stances, processing v/hich could be per formed a t fabrication sites is incorpo rated into manufacturing operations: this type of processing is already covered as part of the corresponding manufac turing operation by the standard prom ulgated on April 6,1973. Examples of this practice are the grinding of motor ve hicle brake linings v/hen it is dono at tho site of manufacture, and the custom sizing of asbestos cement sheets for con struction of individual facilities per formed as part of the manufacturing process before the product has reached a hardened condition.
On the basis of information obtained during investigation of the various fabri cation operations involving asbestos products, the Administrator has deter mined that fabrication of the following materials in central fabricating shops is a major source of asbestos emissions: (1) Asbestos-cement building materials, (2) asbestos-cement and asbestos-silicate boards for six major end uses, and (3) asbestos friction products. An amend ment to the asbestos standard is pro posed herein to limit the emissions of asbestos from central fabricating shops which process these types of manufac tured products. The proposed amond-
FEDERAL REGISTER, V O l. 39, NO. 208-- FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1974
PROPOSED RULES
38065
ment prohibits visible emissions to the outside air but provides an option for using specified air-cleaning methods, which is the same emission limit th at is specified for asbestos manufacturing sources. Asbestos cement building prod ucts include flat sheets, corrugated sheets, shingles, and laminated panels which are used for walls and roofs of industrial buildings, canal bulkheads, cooling tower construction, and other applications. The major applications of asbestos cement or.asbestos silicate board which involve fabrication have been identified as ventilation hoods; ovens; electrical panels; laboratory furniture; bulkheads, partitions, and ceilings for marine construction; and flow control devices for the molten- metal industry. Asbestos friction products include brake linings and clutch facings for motor ve hicles. Enforcement of the asbestos standard revealed the existence of facili ties which fabricate automotive brake shoe linings but do not manufacture the linings as th a t term is defined in the promulgated regulations, and therefore are not. covered by the-standard. The fabrication operations performed at these facilities a re similar to those a t asbestos friction^product manufacturing plants, which are covered by the stand ard. The proposed amendment extends coverage of the asbestos standard to these fabrication operations, but does not apply to brake shoe radius-grinding which is sometimes performed during brake shoe replacement on automobiles to ensure good braking immediately after installation. Relatively small quan tities of asbestos-containing dust are generated by individual installers, and even these small quantities were being controlled at facilities inspected by the Agency. Combination brake drum, grind ing and brake shoe radius-grinding ma chines are in general use which are equipped with a local dust pick-up and fabric-typ.e filter for collection of th brake lining dust: Also, the emissions are generally vented into the room where the operation takes place rather than into the outside air.
Demolition and Renovation. Amend ments to the demolition provisions of the asbestos standard are proposed herein. A definition of "friable asbestos material" is proposed, and an exemption from certain wetting requirements under subfreezing conditions is proposed. I t is also proposed th a t the standard cover renovation operations and stripping of apparatus other than pipes, boilers, and load-supporting structural members. . The demolition provisions, 40 CFR P art 61, require a report to the Adminis trator of intention to demolish. I t has been questioned whether friable asbestos materials may be removed from a build ing, structure, facility, or installation prior to submitting the report, and with out following the work practices of the standard. The intent of the standard is to control emissions of asbestos from the stripping and removal-of "the friable as bestos materials as.well as from the ac tual wrecking operations. Consequently, it is proposed to revise the definition of
"demolition" (39 PR 15396) to clarify th at demolition includes the removal or stripping of friable asbestos materials or specified items insulated or fireproofed with friable asbestos materials prior to the wrecking and removal of load-sup porting structural members.
The current demolition provisions of the asbestos standard apply only to "friable asbestos materials." Enforcing the standard led to questions about which materials are "friable" and which materials are not "friable." I t is not possible to specify friability in a quanti fiable way because there is no standard ized test method for friability; however, the provisions proposed herein include a definition for "friable asbestos material." The definition is "any material th a t con tains more than 1 percent asbestos by weight and that can be crumbled, pul verized, or reduced to powder, when dry, by hand pressure." The use of the term "friable asbestos material" in the stand ard is intended to distinguish between materials such as vinyl-asbestos floor tile and molded asbestos pipe insulation. The asbestos fibers in floor tile are tightly bound and cannot escape easily; however, asbestos fibers in molded mate rials are readily released.
The Agency has received comments from demolition trade associations con cerning the friability of corrugated as bestos paper insulation. The determina tion of whether this type of insulation is friable is complicated. Friability of such paper after installation appears to de pend on the degree of deterioration of the paper binders. New paper Insulation does not seem to be friable, but insula tion which has been installed for a long period of time is more likely to have undergone some deterioration and be come friable. Therefore, the determina tion of,w hether corrugated asbestos paper insulation is friable will be made on a case-by-case basis.
The proposed definition of "friable as bestos material" excludes those materials th at contain less than 1 percent asbestos by weight. This exclusion is Intended to make the demolition provisions consist ent with the spraying provisions which permit the use of spray-applied asbestos insulation or fireproofing that contains less than 1 percent asbestos by weight. Asbestos insulation or fireproofing ma terials have in the past generally con tained between 10 and 90 percent asbestos by weight. No materials are known that contain below 1 percent asbestos by weight, with the exception of recently developed spray-on insulation or fire proofing products and materials that contain asbestos as a natural contami nant.
The promulgated asbestos regulation does not apply to renovation operations where load-supporting structural mem bers are not wrecked; or to stripping and removal in sections of apparatus other than pipes, boilers and load-supporting structural members covered with friable asbestos materials. Investigations con ducted by the Agency Indicate that the following operations can potentially gen
erate asbestos emissions similar in mag nitude to operations covered by the promulgated standard, and these opera tions are therefore major sources of as bestos emissions:
1. During renovation of buildings or structures, the stripping of significant amounts of friable asbestos material from pipes, boilers, tanks, reactors, tur bines, furnaces, or structural members; or the removing of such pipes and appa ratus in sections.
2. During demolition of buildings or structures, the stripping of friable as bestos materials from tanks, reactors, turbines, furnaces, and non-load-sup porting structural members; or the re moving of such apparatus In sections.
3. Dining demolition of buildings or structures, the stripping of friable as bestos material from previously removed units or sections of pipes, boilers, re actors, turbines, furnaces, and structural members covered with friable asbestos materials.
The Administrator has determined th at a four-unit apartment building, the maximum size apartment building th at is excluded from the asbestos standard, typically contains 80 meters of insulated pipe and 15 square meters of insulation on a steam boiler. Renovation operations Involving such quantities of friable as bestos materials couldtherefore generate asbestos emissions of the same magnitude as the demolition operations presently covered by the standard. Therefore, th e. Administrator proposes to extend the asbestos standard to cover renovation operations with emission potential of a magnitude similar to*that of demolition* operations covered by the standard.
I t is recognized th at in some renova tions, such as the replacement of a boiler in an apartment building* it may not be feasible to provide 10 days' notice as re quired by the asbestos standard. Accord ingly, the amendments proposed herein specify that notice of any renovation,op eration must be provided "as early as possible" prior to the commencement of renovation. When lO.days* notice Is pos sible, the notice should be postmarked, th at early.
I t is proposed that the demolition pro visions be amended to allow load-sup porting structural members to be wrecked before friable asbestos material is re moved from the entire building or struc ture, provided th at: (a) The friable asbestos material in the area th a t is be ing actively wrecked is previously re moved according to the procedures re quired by the standard, and (b) the friable asbestos material in areas not be ing wrecked still can be stripped or re moved prior to susbequent active wreck ing in those areas. The proposed provi sion does not alter the stringency of the asbestos standard but does provide some flexibility to the contractor carrying out a demolition operation.
The demolition industry commented th at the promulgated asbestos standard should permit pipes or apparatus to be taken out of buildings or structures in units or in sections without first stripping the asbestos insulation or fireproofing.
FEDERAL REGISTER, V O L 39, NO. 208-- FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1974
38066
PROPOSED RULES
The promulgated standard does not pro hibit this practice; but since such ques tions had been raised, amendments were promulgated (39 PR 15396) to clarify that this practice is permitted. The units or sections can be stripped at the demolition site or other unenclosed area after removal, or possibly in an enclosed building. The stripping operations for units or sections are considered by the Administrator to be major asbestos emission sources similar to stripping per formed in place in buildings or struc tures. Therefore, it is proposed herein that the requirement for wetting friable asbestos insulating and fireproofing ma terials during stripping in buildings and structures be extended to cover the stripping of pipes or apparatus removed in sections or in units from the buildings or structures with the asbestos materials intact. An option is also included for using specified air-cleaning equipment if the stripping is carried out in an en closed area.
I t is proposed herein that the require ment of the promulgated standard for wetting of asbestos insulation and fire proofing during stripping from a build ing, structure, facility or installation be suspended when the temperature is below 0C (32F) at the place of wetting the friable asbestos materials. Demolition contractors have commented th at wet ting a t temperatures below this level pro duces freezing of oversprayed water and hazardous footing for workers. On the basis of observations by the Agency of demolition sites during freezing weather, the Administrator has determined th at the spraying of water in those areas where workers will be walking presents a serious hazard. A narrow exemption from the wetting requirement during freezing weather is therefore proposed. However, friable asbestos materials must still be removed from the building or structure prior to wrecking, and proce dures have been specified in the proposed amendment which will minimize asbestos emissions when the wetting requirements are suspended because of freezing weather. Pipes and specified apparatus with friable asbestos materials intact must be removed in sections prior to wrecking whenever possible. Once these sections are removed from buildings, subsequent stripping of friable asbestos materials is not exempted from the wetting requirements, regardless of out side temperature. Additionally, friable asbestos material wastes must be wetted under all circumstances. I t is the Ad ministrator's judgment that, when the above measures are taken, the suspen sion of the wetting requirements during periods of freezing weather wifi continue to protect human health with an ample margin of. safety.
A revision is proposed herein which makes the reporting requirements for emergency demolition operations more explicit and requires wetting during such
operations. Only buildings, structures, fa cilities, and installations which have been
ordered to be demolished because they are structurally unsound and in danger of imminent collapse would be exempted
from the requirement of stripping or re moving of friable asbestos materials be fore demolition. The order for emergency demolition must be made by an author ized representative of the appropriate State or local governmental agency. The proposed amendments require that the report of intention to demolish be post marked as early as possible prior to the commencement of demolition. In such emergency operations, the portions of the structure containing friable asbestos ma terial must be wetted during the wreck ing operation. This requirement applies even in freezing weather, since such spraying will not endanger workmen within the building.
Waste Disposal. The petition of the En vironmental Defense Fund, et al., ques tioned the exclusion of asbestos waste disposal operations and some portions of asbestos mill-tailings disposal operations from the promulgated standard. In re sponse to the questions raised, the Agency initiated a more extensive study of emissions from the disposal of asbes tos-containing waste materials. Asbestos ambient air monitoring studies were con ducted at an asbestos mill-tailings dis posal site, and a t a waste disposal site for asbestos manufacturing and fabricat ing operations. In addition, seven as bestos waste disposal or landfill opera tions, and six asbestos mill-tailings dis posal sites were inspected. Discussions were held with asbestos manufacturing plant operators, asbestos fabricating plant operators, and demolition contrac tors. The results of this investigation in dicated th at asbestos waste disposal should be regulated by .the national emis sion standard for asbestos. Amendments are proposed herein for the disposal of asbestos wastes generated by asbestos mills; and for asbestos manufacturing, fabricating, demolition, and spraying op erations which are covered by either the promulgated standard or'provisions pro posed herein. The proposed standard con trols the waste disposal operations of packaging, transporting, and deposition at a waste disposal site, and operation of the asbestos v/aste disposal site.
The proposed provisions for the dis posal of asbestos waste require th at there be no visible emissions to the outside air dining any stage of the disposal process, extending from collection of the waste through deposition of the waste a t an ultimate disposal site. The use of specified disposal practices i.sproposed as an alter native to complying with the no-visibleemissions requirement of the regulation-
The method proposed as an alternative to the no-visible-emission requirement for asbestos mill v/aste disposal requires th a t the waste be adequately wetted with a specified dust suppression agent, with
out creating visible emissions to the out side air, and subsequently deposited at a disposal site.
Two methods are proposed as alterna tives to the no-visible-emission require ment for the asbestos waste generated at asbestos manufacturing, fabricating, demolition, and spraying operations. One method allows wetting the v/aste with
water without creating visible emissions to the atmosphere, then sealing the v/etted v/aste into impermeable con tainers, labeling the containers to pro vide ngtice that a hazardous material is contained within, and depositing tho filled containers a t a disposal site. Tho second method allows for the asbestos waste to be formed into non-frlable pel lets without creating visible emissions to the outside air and then depositing the pelletized waste a t a disposal site.
The Agency investigation revealed th at in some cases empty paper and plastic bags that previously contained asbestos were contaminated with asbestos fibers and v/ere incinerated. There is no known control device available that allows most solid v/aste incinerators to control par ticulate emissions to the level achievable for such sources as asbestos mills and manufacturing operations covered by the promulgated regulation. There are envi ronmentally acceptable alternative dis posal methods for disposing of such waste, such as landfilling. Accordingly, it is proposed herein to prohibit the incin eration of containers such as paper or plastic bags that previously contained commercial asbestos.
The .proposed provisions for v/aste dis posal Kites require that there be no vlsiblo emissions to the outside air from the operations performed at the site and from the deposited v/aste. In addition, it is proposed that warning signs be in stalled to alert the general public of tho potential asbestos hazard, and that fences be installed to restriot access of the general public to the disposal site. The intent of the fencing requirement is to provide a positive deterrent to tho general public, especially children, in gaining entrance to the disposal site, creating asbestos dust by disturbing tho surface of the v/aste site, and becoming exposed to asbestos emissions. If the as bestos v/aste is disposed of in a landfill operation that is covered by at least 60 centimeters of non-asbestos-containlng material or 15 centimeters of non-asbes tos-containlng material on which an adequate vegetative cover is maintained, minor disturbances of the surface such as walking will not cause the generation of asbestos, emissions. Therefore, such sections of a disposal site are exempt from the fencing requirement.
The proposed alternatives for compli ance with the no-visible-emisslohs re quirement for v/aste disposal sites are divided into two groups. The disposal sito must comply with at least one of tho specified disposal methods for the active sections of the site and a t least one speci fied management method for inaotivo sections of a site. The proposed regula tion distinguishes between active and in active sections of a site because tho meth ods for controlling asbestos emissions from each section differ.
For an active site, spraying the surface of the v/aste with a resinous or petro leum-based dust suppression agent, or covering the waste with at least 15 centi meters of non.-asbestos material at the
FEDERAL REGISTER, V O L 39, NO. 208-- FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1974
PROPOSED RULES
38067
end of each operating day, will reduce emissions.
The Agency's guidelines for Land Dis posal of Solid Waste which were promul gated on August 14, 1974 (39 FR 29333), . recommend th a t the thickness of com pacted final cover for waste disposal sites should not be less than 60 centimeters (ca. 2 feet). However, these guidelines do not apply to mining .wastes. Since as bestos tailings piles are generally large in area, over 400,000 square meters (ca. 100 acres) in some cases, the requirement that a finalnon-asbestos-containing ma terial cover of 60 centimeters (2 feet) be applied to such large, steeply sloped .areas is usually not practical. According ly, the proposed alternatives for inactive sections of asbestos mill tailings disposal
sites include the use of dust suppression agents, which is not included for other
asbestos waste disposal sites th at are reg ulated. Emissions from inactive asbestos mill tailings disposal sites, or inactive
sections of such sites, are regulated by the following alternative methods that reduce asbestos emissions:
1. Spraying the surface of the site with
a resinous or petroleum-based dust sup
pression agent according to the manu
facturer's recommended application rate,
or
'
2. Covering the disposal site with 15 centimeters of nonlasbestos-containing material, and establishing and maintain
ing a cover of vegetation on the disposal site adequate to control wind and water erosion.
3. Covering ihe disposal site with 60
centimeters of non-asbestos-containing material and maintaining such a cover in an erosion-free condition.
Emissions from inactive asbestos waste disposal sites, or inactive sections of such sites, other than asbestos mill tailings piles, are regulated by the following al
ternative methods th a t reduce asbestos emissions:
1. Covering the inactive asbestos-con taining section of the disposal site with 15 centimeters of non-asbestos-contain
ing material, and establishing and main taining a cover of vegetation on this area adequate to control wind and water ero sion, or
2. Covering the inactive section of the asbestos-containing section of the dis posal site with 60 centimeters of nonasbestos-containing material and main taining such cover in an erosion-free condition.
M ercury
An amendment to the mercury stand ard is proposed herein to limit mercury emissions from ihe incineration and dry ing of wastewater treatment plant sludges to a maximum of 3,200 grams per day. The emission limit was calculated from dispersion estimates to ensure that such sources wouldnot cause ihe ambient mercury concentration to exceed 1 mi crogram per cubic meter averaged over a 30-day period. The meterological esti mating procedure is the same as that used to develop standards for mercury ore processing facilities and mercury ehlor-alkali plants (38 HR 8820), except
th at emission release conditions repre sentative of sludge incineration sites have been Used. The assumptions and equa tions used to make the dispersion esti mates are discussed in the background information report.
At the time of proposal (36 HR 23239) and promulgation (38 FR 8820) of the national emission standard for mercury, the Agency had no information which
indicated th at sewage sludge incinera tion plants emit mercury in quantities th at could cause the ambient concen tration to exceed 1 microgram per cubic meter averaged over a 30-day period. The information available to the Admin
istrator included stack tests for mercury emissions a t five sewage sludge incinera tion plants. The maximum emission rate
was 125 grams of mercury per day based on one of the tests which was later judged to be invalid on the basis of moss balance calculations. Emissions for the remaining four tests ranged from 1 to 40 grams of mercury per day.
After promulgation of the national emission standard for mercury, ques tions concerning the impact on public health of mercury emissions from sewage
sludge incinerators were raised by the Environmental Defense Fund in their Petition for Review of the national emis sion standards for hazardous air pol lutants. Similar questions were raised in connection with proposals to construct several large sludge incineration facil ities. In response, the Agency Initiated a study to more completely characterize emissions of mercury from sewage sludge incinerators.
Results from one emission test con ducted during the more recent investi gation gave an emission factor of 1.65 grams of mercury per metric ton of sludge incinerated, dry solids basis. The mercury stack sampling method de scribed in Method 101 (38 FR 8835) was used during the most recent test. The results of all tests suggest th at a sig
nificant quantity of mercury is collected by water scrubbers.
Mercury is emitted from the drying
of municipal sludges and the incinera tion of industrial wastewater sludges,
as well as from the incineration of mu nicipal sludges. The pretreatment of in dustrial wastewater streams to remove mercury before discharge into municipal wastewater treatment streams may be required in the future. This could pro duce sludges, which might be incinerated, with higher concentrations of mercury than municipal or combined municipalindustrial wastewater treatment plant sludges. Mercury concentrations of sew age sludges nationally average approxi mately 5 ppm on a dry solids basis*, however, approximately 10 percent of the sludge samples have mercury concentra tions in excess of 15 ppm. Very large sludge incineration facilities are being contemplated for the future; for ex ample, one existing facility will in the near future incinerate 900,000 kg (ca. 2,000,000 pounds) of dry solids per day. If this plant burned sludge with the highest reasonably expected mercury content of 15 ppm, and if only 50 percent
of the mercury In the sludge were emitted into the atmosphere, the plant would emit 6,800 grams of mercury per day. This amount is over twice the maximum allowable mercury emission necessary to protect public health with an ample mar gin of safety. Sludge incineration facil ities with capacities of 1,800,000 kg (ca. 4,000,000 pounds) per day are being planned for operation in 2005.
In view of the potentially large mer cury emissions from sludge incineration plants, the Administrator has determined th at it is prudent to limit mercury emis sions from this source. While no sludge incineration facilities are known to be exceeding the proposed mercury emis sion limitation a t this time, the proposed limitation will prevent a mercury emis sion problem from occurring in the fu ture by ensuring th a t new and modified facilities Investigate and provide for con trol of potential mercury emissions prior to construction.
Compliance with the proposed stand ard can be demonstrated either by deter mining the mercury content and charg ing rate of sludge and showing th a t the mercury input into the incineration plant is less than the maximum allowable emis sion, or by mercury stack sampling. Most affected facilities are expected to choose the less expensive sludge sampling op tion; relatively few, if any, will find it necessary to sample stack emissions.
Both the original national emission standard for mercury and the proposed amendments are designed to control the concentration of mercury in the ambient air adjacent to the point source. Since the standard is concerned primarily with the threat posed by Inhalation of mer cury in air immediately proximate to the point source, it does not deal with the long-range hazard posed by the addi tion of mercury from these point sources to the total environmental burden. Not addressed, for example, is the mercury discharged from ehlor-alkali, ore proc essing, and slude incineration plants th at is eventually transported in water, and methylated and bioconcentrated in, fish. The Agency has become increasingly concerned about the total environmental burden of mercury, however, and is initi ating studies to determine how this as pect can most effectively be addressed under the provisions of the Clean Air Act and other authorities.
EuviRoirMENTAi. I mpact
The proposed amendments will have significant beneficial effects by reducing emissions of asbestos and mercury to the outside air; they may also have limited adverse effects on land and water re sources. In the judgment of the Admin istrator, however, the beneficial effects of the proposed amendments-outweigh the following potentially adverse effects
th a t were considered:
1. More asbestos waste will be collected
in control devices and will have to be
disposed of.
-
2. The use of dust suppression agents to prevent wind erosion of asbestos waste
may cause water pollution.
FEDERAL REGISTER, ViD L 39, NO. 208-- FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1974
38068
PROPOSED RULES
3. Other possibly harmful fibers such as fiberglass and mineral wool are sub
stituted for asbestos in friable insulat
ing materials. 4. Alternative disposal methods to the
incineration of wastewater treatment plant sludges may cause mercury pollu tion of land and water.
The proposed amendments will force more efficient cleaning of gases now being emitted to the outside air from some as bestos manufacturing and fabrication plants; this action in turn will result in the production of more asbestos-contain ing material for disposal. However, the land disposal of such waste will be regu lated by the proposed standard, which will ensure protection against emissions to the outside air during all steps of the
disposal process. Further, potential as bestos water pollution problems at dis
posal sites can be prevented by proper selection, design and, operation of the sites. All landfill sites where asbestos
wastes are deposited should be selected so as to prevent horizontal and vertical migration of asbestos fibers to ground or surface waters. In cases where geo logic conditions may not reasonably en sure this, adequate-precautions, such as the installation of impervious liners for the waste disposal site, should be taken to ensure long-term protection of the en vironment. Further, the intrusion of moisture into land disposal sites for as bestos should be minimized. To assist in the appropriate future use of asbestos waste disposal sites, the location of such sites should be permanently recorded in the appropriate office of the legal juris diction where the site is located. The as bestos waste disposal standard will be beneficial in reducing the amount of as bestos wastes th at are disposed of, since it will stimulate some manufacturers who produce large quantities of poten tial wastes to reuse more of these wastes in their processes. The proposed stand ard will not increase the total quantity of asbestos waste to be disposed of from demolition and renovation operations, but will result in the segregation of the asbestos waste from large quantities of other demolition and renovation debris. Because the asbestos waste will then be more concentrated, the strict control of the disposal operations under the pro posed standard will be more economical and manageable.
The use of dust suppression agents as optional methods to control wind erosion on all portions of asbestos mill tailings piles and on active sections of other as
bestos waste disposal sites should reduce the total amount of asbestos entering surface waters from such sites. Such agents have been used successfully to prevent wind erosion of dust from vari
ous sources such as dirt roads, mine tail ings disposal areas, farm lands and air ports. While these agents could possibly cause land and water pollution prob lems, the history of usage over a period of more than 10 years has not revealed any substantial pollution problems. These agents are not toxic in the dilute form in which they are applied. After the
agents have cured for a few hours, they will erode away only with long-term weathering.
Although asbestos is no longer used in manufacturing friable insulating mate rials in the United States, the proposed standard bans the use of asbestos and therefore allows the use of substitute fibers such as ceramic wool, mineral wool, and fiberglass. In contrast with as bestos, there is no evidence that these materials cause adverse health effects in the concentrations found in occupa tional or .ambient environments.
The proposed amendment to the mer cury standard will force sludge incinera tion and drying plants to use alternative sludge disposal methods in only a few cases. While the use of land disposal could potentially cause mercury pollu tion of land and water, the amount of sludge th a t would have to be disposed of by this method will be very small com pared to the quantity of sludge already being disposed of by methods other than incineration. Adverse environmental ef fects to land and water can be minimized by proper selection, design, and opera tion of a land disposal method.
E conomic I mpact
Although the proposed amendments are not based on economic considera tions, the Agency has evaluated the eco nomic impact and considers it to be rea sonable. Estimated costs for compliance for the several sources covered by the amendments, and the resulting economic impact, are discussed in the background information document.
Compliance with the proposed amend ments to the asbestos standard will be achieved by the installation of small gas cleaning devices, the use of asbestos-free materials, wetting during wrecking or renovation operations, the application of dust suppression agents to asbestos waste disposal piles, and other methods. Costs will vary greatly among the categories of asbestos sources because a wide variety of sources of both fugitive and process emissions are covered. Costs will also vary greatly among individual asbestos sources within a category, since the de gree of control practiced now is variable; some sources can comply without addi tional expenditures. The proposed amendments may adversely affect some individual marginal operations, but the impact to the asbestos industries as a whole should not be large.
The economic impact of the proposed mercury standard on existing sludge in cineration and drying plants is expected to be minimal. No known existing plants will exceed the standard, and the cost of demonstrating compliance will be only about $200 for most individual sources. Only those new sludge incineration and drying plants th a t process high-mercurycontent sludge, or extremely large quan tities of sludge, will be affected by the proposed standard. The size of such new sludge incinerators will be limited, with the result th a t a portion of the sludge will have to be disposed of by alternative methods. While the alternative methods
may increase disposal costs for a few facilities, the impact of the proposed standard on new sludge incinerators is also estimated to be small.
This notice of proposed rulemaking is issued under the authority of sections 112 and 114 of the Clean Air Act as amended (42 U.S.C. 1857C-6 and 9).
Dated: October 10,1974.
J ohn Qi/aiiles, Acting Administrator.
It is proposed to amend Part 61 of Chapter I, Title 40 of the Code of Fed eral Regulations by revising subparts A, B, and E and by adding Method 105 to Appendix B as follows:
Subpart A-- General Provisions
1. Section 61.14 is amended by revis ing paragraph (c) and adding para graph (d). The revised and added para graphs read as follows:
61.14 Source test and analytical m eth
ods.
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*
4
(c) The Administrator may, after no tice to the owner or operator, withdraw
approval of an alternative method granted under paragraphs (a), (b), or (d) of this section. Where the test results using an alternative method do not ade quately indicate whether a source is in compliance with a standard, the Admin istrator may require the use of the ref erence method or its equivalent.
(d) Method 105 in Appendix B to this part is hereby approved by the Admin istrator as an alternative method for sources subject to 61.52(b).
Subprt B-- National Emission Standard for Asbestos
2. Section 61.21 is amended by revis ing paragraph (j) and adding para graphs (k), (1), (m), (n), (o), (p), (q), and (r). The revised and added para graphs read as follows:
61.21 Definitions.
(j) "Demolition" means the v/reoldng or taking out of any load-supporting structural member and any related re moving or stripping of friable asbestos materials.
(k) "Friable asbestos material" means any material that contains more than 1 percent asbestos by weight and that can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder, when dry, by hand pressure.
(l) "Control device asbestos wasto" means any asbestos-containing wasto material that is collected in a control device.
(m) "Renovating" means the remov ing or stripping of friable asbestos mate rial used to insulate more than 80 meters (ca. 260 feet) of pipo; or the removing or stripping of more than 15 square meters (ca. 160 square feet) of friable asbestos material used to insu late or fireproof any boiler, tank, reac tor, turbine, furnace, or structural mem ber. Operations in which load-support ing structural members are wrecked or taken out are excluded.
FEDERAL REGISTER, VOL. 39, NO. 208-- FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1974
PROPOSED RULES
38069
(n) "Removing" means taking out asbestos material used for insulation or
friable asbestos materials used to insu fireproofing.
late or fireproof any pipe, boiler, tank, (iv) Address or location of the build
reactor, turbine, furnace, or structural ing, structure, facility, or installation.
member from any building, structure, (v) Scheduled starting and comple
facility, or installation.
tion dates of demolition or renovation.
(o) "Stripping" means taking off fri (vi) Nature of planned demolition or
able asbestos materials used for insula renovation and method (s) to be em
tion or fireproofing from any- pipe, ployed.
boiler, tank, reactor, turbine, furnace, or (vii) Procedures to be employed to
structural member.
meet the requirements of this paragraph
(p) "Fabricating" means any process and paragraph (j) of this section.
ing of a manufactured product contain (vili) Name, title, and authority of the
ing commercial asbestos, withthe excep State or local governmental represent
tion of processing a t temporary sites for ative who has ordered a demolition sub
the construction or restoration of build ject to paragraph (d) (4) of this section.
ings,- structures, facilities, or installa (2) The following procedures shall
tions.
used to prevent emissions of particulate
(q) "Inactive section of disposal site" asbestos material to outside air:
means any section of a disposal site (i) Friable asbestos materials, used to
where additional asbestos waste mate insulate or fireproof any pipe, boiler, tank,
rial will not be deposited and where th e reactor, turbine, furnace, or structural
surface is not disturbed by vehicular member, shall be removed from any
traffic.
building, structure, facility, or installa
(r) "Active section of disposal site" tion subject to this paragraph. Such re
means any section of a disposal site moval shall occur before wrecking or
other than an inactive section.
dismantling of any portion of such build
3. Section 61.22 is amended by revising, structure, facility, or installation
ing paragraphs (c) (10) and (c) (11), th at would break up th e friable asbestos
(d), (f), and (g) and adding paragraphs materials or that would preclude access
(h), (i), (j), (k), and (1). The revised to such materials in another portion for
and added paragraphs read`as follows: subsequent removal.
61.22 Emission standard.
(ii) All stripping shall be accom
^
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plished while the friable asbestos mate
rial is adequately wetted, except as pro
(c) * * *
vided in paragraph (d) (2) (vil) of this
(10) The manufacture of shotgun section.
shells.
(iii) Pipes, boilers, tanks, reactors,
(11) The manufacture of asphalt turbines, furnaces, or structural members
concrete.
th at are insulated or fireproofed with
(d) Demolition and renovation: The friable asbestos materials may be taken
requirements of this paragraph shall out of any building, structure, facility, or
apply to any owner or operator of installation subject to this paragraph
a demolition or renovation operation who as units or in sections provided the fri
intends to demolish any institutional, able asbestos materials exposed during
commercial, or industrial building (in cutting or disjointing are adequately
cluding apartment buildings having wetted during the cutting or disjointing
more than four dwelling units), struc operation and subsequent removal. Such
ture, facility, installation, or portion units shall not be dropped or thrown to
thereof which contains any pipe, boiler, the ground from any building, structure,
tank, reactor, turbine; furnace, or facility or installation subject to this
structural member th a t is insulated or paragraph but shall be carefully lowered
fireproofed with friable asbestos mate *to ground level.
rial; or who intends to renovate any- (Iv) The stripping of friable asbestos
institutional, commercial, or industrial materials used to insulate or fireproof
building, structure, facility, installation, any pipe, boiler, tank, reactor, turbine,
or portion thereof.
furnace, or structural member th a t has
(1) Written notice of intention to debeen removed as a unit or in sections as
molish or. renovate shall be provided to provided in paragraph (d) (2) (ill) of this
the Administrator by the owner or op section shall be performed in accordance
erator of the demolition or renovation with paragraph (d) (2) (ii) of this section.
operation. Such notice shall be post Rather than comply with the wetting
marked a t least 10 days prior to com requirement, an owner or operator may
mencement of demolition, or as early as elect to use the methods specified in
possible prior to commencement of 61.23 to clean emissions containing par
emergency demolition subject to para ticulate asbestos material before such
graph (d) (4) of this section, and as early emissions escape to, or are vented to, the
as possible prior-to commencement of outside air.
renovation. Such notice shall include (v) Friable asbestos materials used for
the following information:
insulation or fireproofing which are en
(i) Name of- owner or operator.
cased in concrete or other similar struc
(ii) Address of owner or operator. tural material do not have to be removed
(iii) Description of the building, prior to wrecking, but shall be thoroughly
structure, facility, or installation to be wetted when exposed throughout the
demolished or renovated, including the wrecking of such materials.
size, age, and prior use of the structure; (vi) All friable asbestos materials that
and the'approximate amount of friable have been removed or stripped shall be
wetted adequately to ensure th a t such materials remain wet during all stages of demolition, renovation and related handling operations. Such materials shall not be dropped or thrown to the ground from any building, structure, facility or installation subject to this paragraph or from any floor to a floor below. For build ings, structures, facilities, or installations 50 feet or greater in height, such ma terials shall be transported to the ground via dust-tight chutes or containers.
(vil) Except as specified below, the wetting requirements of this paragraph are suspended when the temperature a t the point of wetting of friable asbes betos materials Is below 0'C 32"F ). When ever friable asbestos materials are not wetted due to freezing temperatures, such materials on pipes, boilers, tanks, reac tors, turbines, furnaces, or structural members shall, to the maximum extent possible, be removed in sections prior to wrecking. In no case shall th e require ments of paragraphs (d) (2) (iv) o r (d) (2) (vi) be suspended due to freezing temperatures.
(3) Sources subject to this paragraph are exempt from the requirements of 61.05(a), 61.07, and 61.09.
(4) Any owner or operator of a demoli tion operation who intends to demolish a building, structure, facility, or installa tion, or portion thereof, to which the provisions of this paragraph would apply but which has been ordered tobe wrecked by an authorized representative of the appropriate State or local governmental agency because th a t building is struc turally unsound and in danger of im minent collapse Is exempt from all but the following requirements of paragraph (d) of this section:
(i) The report requirements specified by paragraph (d) (11 of this section;
(ii) The requirements on stripping of friable asbestos materials from previously removed units or sections as specified in paragraph (d) (2) (iv) of this section;
(ill) The wetting, as specified by para graph (d) (2) (vi) of this section, of fria ble asbestos materials th at have been removed or stripped;
(iv) The portion of the structure being demolished th a t contains friable asbestos materials shall be adequately wetted during the wrecking operation.
*
*
(f) Rather than meet the no-visible emission requirements as specified by paragraphs (a), (c), (e), (h), (j), and (k) of this section, an owner or operator may elect to uje the methods specified by 61.23 to clean emissions containing particulate asbestos material before such emissions escape to, or are vented to, the outside air.
(g) Where the presence of uncombined water is the sole reason for failure to meet the no-visible-emission requirementof paragraphs (a), (c), (e), (h), (j), or (k) of this section, such failure shall n o t be a violation of such emission require ments.
/h) Fabricating: There shall be no visible emissions to the outside air, except
FEDERAI REGISTER, V O L 39, NO. 208-- FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1974 '
38070
PROPOSED RULES
as provided in paragraph (f) of this sec tion, from any building or structure in which the following operations are con ducted or directly from any of the follow ing operations if they are conducted out side of buildings or structures:
(1) The fabrication of cement building products.
(2) The fabrication of friction prod ucts, except those operations th at pri marily install asbestos friction materials on motor vehicles.
(3) The fabrication of cement or sili cate board for ventilation hoods; ovens; electrical panels; laboratory furniture; bulkheads, partitions and ceilings for marine construction; and flow control devicesfor the molten metal industry.
(i) Insulating: Molded insulating materials which are friable and wetapplied insulating materials which are friable after drying, installed after the effective date of these regulations, shall contain no commercial asbestos. The pro visions of this paragraph do not apply to insulating materials which are spray applied; such materials are regulated under 61.22(e).
(j) Waste disposal for manufactur ing, fabricating, demolition, renovation, and spraying operations:
(1) There shall be no visible emissions to the outside air, except as provided in paragraph (j) (3) of this section, from the collection, processing, packaging, transporting, or deposition of asbestoscontaining waste which is generated by the sources covered by paragraphs (c), (e), and (h) of this section, and of the friable asbestos waste and control device asbestos waste which is generated by the sources covered by paragraph (d) of this section. The owners or operators of such sources shall take all necessary actions to ensure th a t all steps, from collection through deposition a t a waste disposal site, in the disposal process o f asbestoscontaining wastes generated by the sources comply with the provisions of this paragraph.
(2) The incineration of containers which previously contained commercial asbestos is prohibited.
(3) Rather than meet the require ments of paragraph (j) (1) of this sec tion, an owner or operator may elect to use either of the disposal methods speci fied under (i) and (ii), or an alternative disposal method approved by the Administrator:
(i) Wetting of asbestos-containing waste with water:
(A) Control device asbestos waste shall be thoroughly mixed with water into a slurry and other wastes specified by paragraph (j) (1) of this section shall be thoroughly wetted. There shall be no visible emissions to the outside air from the wetting operation, except as pro vided in paragraph (f) of this section.
(B) All waste specified in paragraph (j) (1) of this section shall be sealed into impermeable containers while wet, and shall be deposited while wet in such con tainers at a waste disposal site.
(C) The containers specified in para graph (j) (3) (i) (B) of this section shall
be labeled with a warning label that shall conform to the requirements of
states:
20" x 14" upright format signs specified
C a tjtion
in 29 CFR 1910.145(d) (4) (37 RR 22239)
- CONTAINS ASBESTOS AVOID O PEN IN G OB BREAKING CONTAINEB BREATHING ASBESTOS IS HAZARDOUS TO TOUR
HEALTH
(ii) Pelletizing of asbestos-containing, waste Into non-friable pellets:
(A) All wastes specified in paragraph
and this paragraph. The signs shall dis play the following legend in the lower panel, with letter sizes and styles of a visibility at least equal to those specified in this paragraph.
Legend Asbestos Waste Disposal S ite
(j) (1) of this section shall be pelletized into non-friable pellets and deposited a t a waste disposal site.
Do Not Create Dust Breathing Asbestos Is Hazardous to Your Health
(B) The collection of all wastes speci
Notation
fied in paragraph (j) (1) of this section
and the pelletizing operation shall not
1" Sans Serif, Gothic or Block
result in the discharge of visible emis
% " Sans Serif, Gothic or Block 14 Point Gothic
sions to the outside air except as specified
in paragraph (f) of this section.
Spacing between lines shall be a t least
(k) Waste disposal for asbestos mills: equal to the height of the upper of the
(l) There shall be no visible emissions two lines.
to the outside air, except as provided in (3) Asbestos-containing sections of the
paragraph (k) (2) of this section, from disposal site shall be fenced in order to
the collection, processing, packaging, deter access to unauthorized individuals,
transporting, or deposition of asbestos unless the requirements of paragraphs
ore tailings or control device asbestos (1) (4) (i) (B) and (1) (4) (ii) are met.
waste which is generated by an asbestos (4) Rather than meet the requirement
m ill.
of paragraph (1) (1) of this section for
(2) Rather than meet the requiremenetmissions after the deposition of as
of paragraph (k) (1) of this section, an bestos-containing waste a t a disposal site,
owner or operator may elect to use the an owner or operator may elect to use
following methods, or an alternative dis one of the methods of paragraph (1)
posal method approved by the Adminis (4) (i) of this section and one or moro of
trator:
the methods of paragraph (1) (4) (11) or
(i) Control device asbestos waste shall (1) (4) (ill) of this section, or alternative
be transferred to the tailings conveyor in control methods approved by the Admin
a manner th at results in the discharge of istrator to control emissions from waste
no visible emissions to the outside air, disposal sites.
except as provided in paragraph (f) of (i) Active sections of disposal sites:
this section. Such waste shall be subse (A) A resinous or petroleum-based
quently processed as specified in para dust suppression agent which effectively
graph (k) (2) (ii) of this section. Alter binds dust and controls wind erosion
natively, such waste may be disposed of shall be applied at the end of each op
as specified in paragraph (j) (3) of this erating day, or a t least once every 24-
section.
hour period while the site is in continu
(ii) All ore tailings and control device ous operation, to all asbestos-containing
asbestos waste shall be adequately wetted, active portions of a disposal site. Such
with a resinous or petroleum-based dust agent shall be mixed in the concentra
suppression agent recommended by the tion and applied a t the rate recom
manufacturer of the agent to effectively mended for the particular dust by the
bind dust and control wind erosion, prior dust suppressant manufacturer. Other
to deposition in the tailings disposal area. equally effective dust suppression agents
Such agent shall be mixed in the concen may be used upon approval by the Ad
tration recommended for the particular ministrator; or
dust by the manufacturer of the agent. (B) A cover of a t least 15 centimeters
Other equally effective dust suppression (ca. 6 inches) of compacted non
agents may be used upon approval by asbestos-containing material shall bo
the Administrator. There shall be no dis applied at the end of each operating day,
charge of visible emissions to the outside or at least once every 24-hour period
air from the wetting operation except as while the site is in continuous operation,
specified in paragraph (f) of this section. to all active asbestos-containing por
(1) Waste disposal sites:
tions of a disposal site.
(1) There shall be no visible emissions (ii) Inactive Sections of Disposal Sites,
to the outside air from any active or Other Than Asbestos Mill Tailings Dis
inactive section of a waste disposal site posal Sites:
where asbestos-containing waste has -(A) Asbestos-containing waste dis
been deposited, except as provided in posal sites, or sections of such sites, shall
paragraph (1) (4) of this section.
be covered with at least 15 centimeters
(2) Warning signs shall be displayed (ca. 6 inches) of compacted non-
at all entrances and along the property asbestos-conteining material, and a
line at intervals of 100 m (ca. 330 ft) or cover of vegetation shall be grown and
less of all active or inactive asbestos maintained on the area adequate to pre
waste disposal sites. Signs shall be posted vent exposure of the asbestos-containing
in such a manner and location that a material; or
person may easily read the legend. The (B) Asbestos-containing waste dis
warning signs required by this paragraph posal sites, or sections of such sites, shall
FEDERAL REGISTER, VOL. 39, NO. 208-- FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1974
PROPOSED RULES
38071
.be covered with a t least 60 centimeters
Cca. 2 feet) of compacted non-asbestos-
containing material and maintained to
prevent exposure of the asbestos-
containing waste.
,
(in) Inactive Sections of Asbestos Mill
Tailings Dispostal Sites: (A) A resinous or petroleum-based
dust suppression agent which effectively binds dust and controls wind erosion shall be applied to all inactive asbestos mill tailmgs disposal sites, or sections'of such sites. Such agents shall be mixed in the concentration and applied a t the rate recommended for the particular as bestos tailings waste by the dust suppres sant manufacturer. Other equally effec
tive dust suppressant agents may be used upon approval by the Administrator: or
(B) Cover as provided in paragraphs (1) (4) (ii) (A) or (1) (4) (ii) (B) of this section shall be applied to all inactive asbestos mill tailings disposal sites or
sections'of such sites. 4. The first sentence in 61.23 is re
vised as follows:
61.23 Air-Cleaning.
If air-cleaning is elected, as permitted by 61.22(f) an d 61.22(d) (2) (iv), the requirements of this section must be m e t
*****
Subpart E--National Emission Standard for. Mercury
5. Section 61.50 is revised to read as follows:
61.50 Applicability.
The provisions .of this subpart are ap plicable to those stationary sources which process mercury ore to recover mercury, use mercury chlor-alkali cells to produce chlorine gas and alkali metal hydroxide, and incinerate or dry wastewater treat m ent plant sludge.
6. Section 61.51 is amended by add ing paragraphs (1) and (m) as follows:
61.51 Definitions.
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*
*
*
*
(l) "Sludge" means sludge produced by a treatment plant th a t processes munici pal or industrial wastewaters.
(m) "Sludge dryer" means a device used to reduce the moisture content of sludge by heating to temperatures above 65C (ca. 150F) with combustion gases.
7. Section 61.52 is revised to read as follows:
61.52 Emission standard.
(a) Emissions to the atmosphere from mercury ore processing facilities and mercury cell chlor-alkali plants shall not exceed 2,300 grams of mercury per 24. hour period.
(b) Emissions to the atmosphere from sludge incineration plants, sludge dry ing plants, or a combination of these th at process wastewater treatment plant sludges shall not exceed 3,200 grams of mercury per 24-hour period.
8. Section 61.53 is amended by adding paragraph (d) as follows:
61.53 Stack sampling.
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*
*
*
(d) Sludge incineration and drying plants.
(1) Unless a waiver of emission test ing is obtained under 61.13, each owner or operator required to comply with 61.52(b) shall test emissions from his source. Such tests shall be conducted either in accordance with the procedures set forth I n paragraph (d) of this sec tion or 61.54.
(2) Method 101 in Appendix B to this part shall be used to test emissions as follows:
(i) The test shall be performed within 90 days of the effective date in the case of an existing source or a new source which has an initial startup date preced ing the effective date;
(ii) The test shall be performed within 90 days of startup in the case of a new source which did not have an in itial' startup date preceding the effective date.
(3) The Administrator shall be noti fied a t least 30 days prior to an emission test, so th at he may a t his option observe the test.
(4) Samples shall be taken over such a period or periods as are necessary to ac curately determine the maximum emis sions which will occur in a 24-hour pe riod. No changes shall be made in the operation which would potentially in crease emissions above the level deter mined by the most recent stack test, until the new emissionlevel has been estimated by calculation and the results reported to the Administrator.
(5) All samples shall be analyzed, and mercury emissions shall be determined within 30 days after the stack test. Each determination shall be reported to the Administrator by a registered letter dispatched before the close of the next business day following such determination.
(6) Records of emission test results and other data needed to determine total emissions shall be retained at the .source and made available, for inspec tion by the Administrator, for a mini mum of 2years.
9. Section 61.54 is added as follows:
61.54 Sludge sampling.
(a) As an alternate means for dem onstrating complance with 61.52(b), an owner or operator may use Method 105 of Appendix B and the procedures specified in this section.
(1) A sludge test shall be conducted within 90 days of the effective date in the case of an existing source or a new source which has an initial startup date preceding the effective date; or
(2) A sludge test shall be conducted within 90 days of startup in the case of a new source which did not have an initial startup date preceding the effective date.
(b) The Administrator shall be noti fied a t least 30 days prior to a sludge sampling test, so that he may a t his op tion observe the test.
(c) Sludge shall be sampled accord ing to paragraph (c) (1) of this section, sludge charging rate for the plant shall be determined according to paragraph (c)(2) of this section, and the sludge analysis shall be performed according to paragraph (c) (3) of this section.
(1) The sludge shall be sampled after dewatering and before incineration or
drying, a t a location th a t provides a representative sample of the sludge th at is normally charged to the incinerator or dryer. Eight consecutive grab samples shall be obtained a t intervals of between 45 and 60 minutes and thoroughly mixed into one sample. Each of the eight grab samples shall have a volume of a t least 200 ml but shall not exceed 400 m l A total of three composite samples shall be obtained within an operating period of 24 hours. When the 24-hour operating period is not continuous, the total sam pling period shall not exceed 72 hours after the first grab sample is obtained. Samples shall n ot be exposed to any con dition that may result In mercury con tamination or loss.
(2) The maximum 24-hour period Sludge incineration or drying rate shall be determined by use of a flow rate measurement device th a t can measure the moss rate of sludge charged to the incinerator or dryer with an accuracy of 5 percent over its operating range. Other methods of measuring sludge mass charging rates, approved by the Administrator, may be used.
(3) The handling, preparation, and analysis of sludge samples shall be ac complished according to Method 105 in Appendix B of this part.
(d) The mercury emissions shall be determined by use of the following equa tion:
E iir3=31 X10*3 C Q where E n=m ercury emissions, g/day
c =>m ercury concentration. oXsludge on a dry solids basis, iS/S (ppm)
Q <=sludge charging rate, kg/day
(e) No changes in the operation of a plant shall be made after a sludge test h as been conducted which would poten tially increase emissions above the level determined by the most recent sludge test, until the new emission level has
been estimated by calculation and the results reported to the Administrator.
(f) AH sludge samples shall be analyzed for mercury content within 30 days after the sludge sample is collected. Each determination shall be reported to the Administrator by a registered letter dispatched before the dose of'the next
business day following such determina tion.
(g) Records of sludge sampling, charg
ing rate determination and other data needed to determine mercury content of wastewater treatment plant sludges shall
be retained a t the source and made avail able, for inspection by the Administrator, for a minimum of 2 years.
*
*
*
*
*
Appen d ix B--T est M ethods
10. Method 105 is added to Appendix B of this part as follows:
*****
METHOD 105. METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OP MERCURY IN WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT SEWAGE SLUDGES
1. Principle and applicability. 1.1 Prin ciple--A weighed portion of the sewage sludge sample is digested in aqua regia for 2 minutes a t 95C, followed by oxida tion with potassium permanganate. Mer-
FEDERAL REGISTER, V O L 39, NO. 208-- FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1974
38072
PROPOSED RUIES
cury in the digested sample is then meas eter) tube containing 20 grams of the
ured by the conventional spectrophotom desiccant magnesium perchlorate. The
eter cold vapor technique. An alterna apparatus is assembled as shown in Fig
tive digestion involving the use of an ure 105-1. In place of the magnesium
autoclave is described in paragraph 4.5.2 perchlorate drying tube, a small reading
of this method.
lamp with 60W bulb may be used to pre
1.2 Applicability--This method is ap
plicable for the determination of total
organic and inorganic mercury content
in sewage, sludges, soils, sediments, and
bottom-type materials. The normal
range of this method `is 0.2 to 5 ^ g/g.
The range may be extended above or be
low the normal range by increasing or
decreasing sample size and through in
strument and recorder control.
2. Apparatus. 2.1 Analysis--The con
ventional cold vapor technique (5) is
used to analyze the sample.
2.1.1 Atomic Absorption Spectropho
tom eter1--Any atomic absorption unit
having an open sample presentation area
in which to mount the absorption cell is
suitable. Instrument settings recom
mended by the particular manufacturer
should be followed.
vent condensation of moisture inside tho cell. The lamp is positioned so as not to interfere with the measurement and to shine on the absorption cell maintaining the air temperature about 5'C above
ambient.
2.1.2 Mercury Hollow Cathode Lamp-- Westinghouse WL-22847, argon filled, or equivalent. -
Figure 105-1. Apparatus for flam eless mercury determination.
2.1.3 Recorder--Any multirange, vari able-speed recorder th a t is compatible with the tJV detection system is suitable.
2.1.4 Absorption Cell--Standard spec trophotometer cells 10 cm long, having quartz end windows may be used. Suit able cells may be constructed from plexi glass tubing, 2.5 cm OX), x 11.4 cm (ca. 1" O.D. x 4Vi"). The ends are ground perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and quartz windows [2.5 cm diameter x 0.16 cm thickness (ca. 1" diameter x thickness) 1 are cemented in place. Gas inlet and outlet ports [also of plexiglass but 0.6 cm O.D. (ca. Vi" OX).) 1 are a t tached approximately 1.3 cm 0/2") from each end. The cell is strapped to a burner for support and aligned in the light beam to give the maximum transmittance. N ote: Two 5.1 cm x 5.1 cm (ca. 2" x 2") cards with 2.5 cm (ca. 1") diameter holes may be placed over each end of the cell to assist in positioning the cell for maximum transmittance.
2.1.5 Air Pump--Any peristaltic pump capable of delivering 1 liter of air per minute may be used. A Masterflex pump with electronic speed control has been found to be satisfactory.' (Regulated compressed air can be used in an open one-pass system.)
2.1.6 Flowmeter--Capable of measur ing an air flow of 1 liter per minute.
2.1.7 Aeration Tubing--Tygon tubing is used for passage of the mercury vapor from the sample bottle to the absorption cell and return. Straight glass tubing terminating in a coarse' porous frit is used for sparging air into the sample.
2.1.8 Drying Tube--15 cm long x 1.9 cm diameter (ca. 6" long x % " diam
1Instrum ents designed specifically for the measurement of mercury using th e cold vapor technique are commerciaUy available and may be substituted for the atomic ab sorption spectrophotometer.
3. Reagents. 3.1 Analysis 3.1.1 Aqua Regia--Prepare immediate ly before use by carefully adding three volumes of concentrated HC1 to one volume of concentrated HNO3. 3.1.2 Sulfuric Acid, 0.5N--Dilute 14.0 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid to 1.0 liter. 3.1.3 Stannous Sulfate--Add 25 g stan nous sulfate to 250 ml of 0.5N sulfuric acid. This mixture is a suspension and -should be stirred continuously dining use. A 10% solution of stannous chloride may be used in place of the stannous sul fate. 3.1.4 Sodium Chloride-Hydroxylamine Sulfate Solution--Dissolve 12 grams of sodium chloride and 12 grams of hydroxylamine sulfate in distilled water and dilute to 100 ml. Hydroxylamine hydro chloride may be used in place of the hy droxylamine sulfate.
3.1.5 Potassium Permanganate--5% solution, w/v. Dissolve 5 grams of potas sium permanganate in 100 ml of distilled water.
3.1.6 Stock Mercury Solution--Dissolve 0.1354 grams of Bureau of Standards cer tified purity mercuric chloride in 75 ml of distilled water. Add 10 ml of concen trated nitric acid and adjust the volume to 100.0 ml. 1 m l= l mg. Hg.
3.1.7 Working Mercury Solution-- Make successive dilutions of the stock mercury solution to obtain a working standard containing 0.1 ug per ml. This working standard and the dilutions of the stock mercury solution should be pre pared fresh daily. Acidity of the working standard should be maintained at 0.15% nitric acid. This acid should be added to the flask as needed before the addition of'the aliquot.
4. Procedures. Samples for mercury analysis are subject to contamination from a variety of sources. Extreme care must be taken to prevent contamination.
Certain interferences may occur during the analysis procedures. Extreme caution must be taken to avoid inhalation of mercury.
4.1 Sample Handling and Preserva
tion 4.1.1 Because of the extreme sensi
tivity of the analytical procedure and tho omnipresence of mercury, care must be taken to avoid extraneous contamina tion. Sampling devices, sample contain ers, and reagents should be ascertained to be .free, of significant amounts of morcury; the sample should not bo exposed to any condition in the laboratory that may result in contact or airborne mer cury contamination.
4.1.2 While the sample may be an alyzed without drying, it has been found to be more convenient to analyze a dry sample. Moisture may be driven off in a drying oven at a temperature of 60C. No significant mercury losses have been observed by using this drying step. Tho dry sample should be pulverized and thoroughly mixed before the aliquot Is weighed.
4.2 Interferences 4.2.1 Interferences that may ocour in sludge samples are sulfides, high copper, high chlorides, etc. 4.2.2 Volatile materials which absorb a t the 253.7 nm will cause a positive in terference. In order to remove any In terfering volatile materials, the dead air space in the BOD bottle should be purged with nitrogen before the addition of stannous sulfate. 4.3 Handling Sample Meroury Vapors After Analysis 4.3.1 Because of the toxic naturo of mercury vapor, precaution must bo taken to avoid its inhalation. Therefore, a bypass should be included In the anal ysis system to either vent the mercury vapor into an exhaust hood or pass the vapor through some absorbing media, such as:
FEDERAL REGISTER, V O L 39, NO. 208-- FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1974
PROPOSED RULES
38073
(a) Equal volumes of 0.1N KMn01_ aeration. Proceed with the standards
and 10% SsSOt
and construct a standard curve by plot
(b) 0.25% iodine in a 3% K I solution ting peak height versus micrograms of
A specially treated charcoal th at will ab
mercury. 4 5 Analysis
sorb mercury vapor is also available 4.5.1 Weigh triplicate 0.2 g 0.001 g
from Bamebey and Cheney, E. 8th Ave. portions of dry sample and place in
and North Cassidy S t, Columbus, Ohio 43219, Catalog No. 580-13 or No. 580-22.s
bottom of a BOD bottle. Add 5 ml of
4.4 Calibration
distilled water and 5 ml of aqua regia. Heat 2 minutes in a water bath a t 95C.
4.4.1 10 ml
Tra aliquots
nsf of
er th
0, e
0.5,1.0, working
2.0, 5.0 a mercury
n
dCool
and
add
50
ml
distilled
water
and
solution containing 0 to 1.0 pg of mer
15 ml potassium permanganate solution to each sample bottle. Mix thoroughly
cury to a series of 300-ml BOD bottles. and place in the water bath for 30 min
Add enough distilled water to each bottle utes at 95C. Cool and add 6 ml of sodium
to make a total volume of 10 ml. Add chloride-hydroxylamine sulfate to re
5 ml of aqua regia and heat 2 minutes duce the excess permanganate. Add 55
in a water bath a t 95C. Allow the sam ml of distilled water. Treating each bot ple to cool and add 50 ml distilled water tle individually, add 5 ml of stannous
and 15 ml of KMnOi solution to each sulfate and immediately attach the
bottle and return to the water bath for bottle to the aeration apparatus. With
30 minutes. Cool and add 6 ml of sodium each sample, continue as described in
chloride-hydroxylamine sulfate solution paragraph 4.4.1 of this method.
to reduce the excess permanganate. Add 4.5.2 An alternative digestion pro
50 ml of distilled water. Treating each cedure using an autoclave may also be
.bottle individually, add 5 ml of stannous used. In this method of 5 ml of concen
sulfate solution and immediately attach trated HcSOi and 2 ml of concentrated
the bottle to the aeration apparatus. At HNOa are added to the 02 grams of
this point,' the sample is allowed to sample. 5 ml of saturated KMnO< solu
stand quietly without manual agitation. tion are added and the bottle is covered
The circulating pump, which has previ with a piece of aluminum foil. The sam
ously been adjusted to a rate of 1 liter ples are autoclaved a t 121*C and 2,1 kg/
per minute, is allowed to run continu cm5 (ca. 15 psig) for 15 minutes. Cool,
ously. The absorbance, as exhibited make up to a volume of 100 ml with dis
either on the spectrophotometer or the tilled water, and add 6 ml of sodium
recorder, will increase and reach- maxi chloride-hydroxylamine sulfate solution
mum within 30 seconds. As soon as the to reduce the excess permanganate.
recorder pen levels off, approximately Purge the dead air space and continue
1 minute, open the bypass valve and con
as described in paragraph 4.4.1 of this method.
tinue the aeration until the absorbance
returns to its minimum value. Close the bypass valve, remove the fritted tubing from the BOD bottle and continue the
2Mention of trade names or specific prod ucts doss not constitute endorsement by tho Environm ental Protection Agency.
5. Calculation. 5.1 Measure the peak height of the unknown from the chart and read the mercury value from the standard curve.
52 Calculate the mercury concen tration in the sample by the formula:
_ , pg Hg in the aliquot pgHg/gm--^ of the aliquotin g
5.3 Report mercury concentrations as follows: Below 0.1 pg/g; between 0.1 and 1 pg/g. to the nearest 0.01 pg/g; between 1 and 10 pg/g, to nearest 0.1 pg; above 10 pg/g, to nearest pg.
6. Precision and accuracy. 6.1 Accord ing to the provisional method in refer ence number 5, the following standard deviations on replicate sediment samples have been recorded a t the indicated levels: 0.29 pg/g0.02 and 0.82 pg/g 0.03. Recovery of mercury a t these levels, added as methyl mercuric chlo ride, was 97 and 94 percent, respectively.
7. References
1. Bishop, J . N. "Mercury In Sediments," O ntario W ater Resources Comm., Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 1971.
2. Salma, M. Private communication, EPA Cal/N cr B asin Office, Alameda, California.
3. Hatch, W. R., and O tt, W. L. "Determina tion of Sub-Mlcrogrom Quantities of Mer cury by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotom etry," Ana. Chem. 40, 2085 (1963).
4. Bradenberger, H. an d Bader, H. "The Determination of Kanogram Levels of Mer cury in Solution by a Flameless Atomic Ab sorption Technique," Atomic Absorption Newsletter 6,101 (19S7).
5. Analytical Quality Control Laboratory (AQCL), Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio, "Mercury in Sediment (Cold Vapor Technique)," Provisional M ethod, April 1972.
(PR Doc.74-24252 FUed 10-24-74:8:45 am ]
FEDERAL REGISTER, V O L 39, NO. 208-- FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1974