May 7, 2007—The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that approximately 50 of the largest degreasing facilities will reduce air toxics emissions under tighter EPA standards that will prevent an additional 1,700 tons of solvent emissions and save the industry more than $1 million per year.
Degreasers, also known as the halogenated solvent cleaning industry, use solvents to remove soils such as grease, oils, waxes, carbon deposits, and tars from metal, plastic, fiberglass, and other surfaces, explains EPA.
Most degreasing facilities are well-controlled and already meet the amended standards, notes EPA—the rule focuses on the remaining higher-emitting sources. For these degreasers, EPA is requiring facilities to reduce emissions of the solvents methylene chloride, perchloroethylene and trichloroethylene. The emission limits will provide affected facilities with the flexibility to reduce their emissions using any traditional methods available.
For a fact sheet on the final rule, or a copy of the final rule, visit EPA’s Web site.
