[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 220 (Wednesday, November 15, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57382-57386]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-28183]



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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 372

[OPPTS-400062; FRL-4045-4]


Hydrochloric Acid; Toxic Chemical Release Reporting; Community 
Right-To-Know

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: EPA is granting a petition by proposing to modify the listing 
for hydrochloric acid on the list of toxic chemicals subject to section 
313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 
(EPCRA). Specifically, EPA proposes to delete non-aerosol forms of 
hydrochloric acid from the list of toxic chemicals subject to section 
313. The proposal to delete non-aerosol forms of hydrochloric acid is 
based on the Agency's conclusion that releases of non-aerosol forms of 
hydrochloric acid do not cause adverse effects to human health or the 
environment under ordinary exposure scenarios, and therefore, do not 
meet the section 313(d)(2) criteria. This proposed rule does not 
contain an analysis of aerosol forms of hydrochloric acid because they 
are not the subject of the petition.

DATES: Written comments must be received by January 16, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted in triplicate to: OPPT 
Docket Clerk, TSCA Nonconfidential Information Center (NCIC), also 
known as, TSCA Public Docket Office (7407), Environmental Protection 
Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460, Attention: Docket Control 
Number OPPTS-400062.
    Comments and data may also be submitted electronically by sending 
electronic mail (e-mail) to: [email protected]. Electronic comments 
must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the use of special 
characters and any form of encryption. Comments and data will also be 
accepted on disks in WordPerfect in 5.1 file format or ASCII file 
format. All comments and data in electronic form must be identified by 
the docket number OPPTS-400062. No confidential business information 
(CBI) should be submitted through e-mail. Electronic comments on this 
proposed rule may be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries. 
Additional information on electronic submissions can be found in Unit 
VII. of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maria J. Doa, Petitions Coordinator, 
202-260-9592, e-mail: [email protected], for specific 
information on this proposed rule, or for more information on EPCRA 
section 313, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know 
Hotline, Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Code 5101, 401 M St., 
SW., Washington, DC 20460, Toll free: 1-800-535-0202, in Virginia and 
Alaska: 703-412-9877 or Toll free TDD: 1-800-553-7672.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

A. Statutory Authority

    This action is taken under sections 313(d) and (e)(1) of the 
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA), 42 
U.S.C. 11023. EPCRA is also referred to as Title III of the Superfund 
Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA) (Pub. L. 99-499).

B. Background

    Section 313 of EPCRA requires certain facilities manufacturing, 
processing, or otherwise using listed toxic chemicals to report their 
environmental releases of such chemicals annually. Beginning with the 
1991 reporting year, such facilities must also report pollution 
prevention and recycling data for such chemicals, pursuant to section 
6607 of the Pollution Prevention Act (42 U.S.C. 13106). When enacted, 
section 313 established an initial list of toxic chemicals that was 
comprised of more than 300 chemicals and 20 chemical categories. 
Hydrochloric acid was included in the initial list of chemicals and 
chemical categories. Section 313(d) authorizes EPA to add chemicals to 
or delete chemicals from the list, and sets forth criteria for these 
actions. Under section 313(e)(1), any person may petition EPA to add 
chemicals to or delete chemicals from the list. EPA has added and 
deleted chemicals from the original statutory list. Pursuant to EPCRA 
section 313(e)(1), EPA must respond to petitions within 180 days either 
by initiating a rulemaking or by publishing an explanation of why the 
petition has been denied.
    EPA issued a statement of petition policy and guidance in the 
Federal Register of February 4, 1987 (52 FR 3479), to provide guidance 
regarding the recommended content and format for petitions. On May 23, 
1991 (56 FR 23703), EPA issued a statement of policy and guidance 
regarding the recommended content of petitions to delete individual 
members of the section 313 metal compound categories. EPA has published 
a statement clarifying its interpretation of the section 313(d)(2) and 
(3) criteria for adding and deleting chemicals from the section 313 
toxic chemical list (November 30, 1994; 59 FR 61439).

II. Description of Petition and Related Activities

    On September 11, 1991, EPA received a petition from BASF 
Corporation, E.I. du Pont de Nemours, Monsanto Company, and Vulcan 
Materials 

[[Page 57383]]
Company to qualify the listing for hydrochloric acid by requiring 
release reporting only for hydrochloric acid aerosols and deleting 
other forms of hydrochloric acid from the list of chemicals under EPCRA 
section 313. The petitioners maintain that non-aerosol forms of 
hydrochloric acid do not meet the statutory criteria for acute, 
chronic, or environmental effects. For the purposes of this proposal, 
EPA considers the term aerosol to cover any generation of airborne 
hydrochloric acid (including mists, vapors, gas, or fog) without regard 
to particle size.
    On February 1, 1993 (58 FR 6609), EPA published a notice announcing 
that a public hearing would be held to address petitions to modify the 
listings for both hydrochloric and sulfuric acids (on December 24, 
1990, a petition was received from the Environmental Policy Center on 
behalf of American Cyanamid to modify the listing of sulfuric acid to 
include only aerosols). In the February 1, 1993 notice, EPA requested 
comment on a number of the issues raised by commenters in response to 
the proposed rule to modify the listing for sulfuric acid (July 26, 
1991, 56 FR 34156). The Agency believed that these issues would also 
apply to hydrochloric acid. Specifically, these issues were: (1) The 
extent to which EPA should rely on existing regulatory controls under 
other statutes to support a determination that continuous or frequently 
recurring releases of these acids are unlikely to cause adverse acute 
human health effects or significant adverse environmental effects; (2) 
the sufficiency of the evidence required to determine if the non-
aerosol forms of these acids meet the EPCRA section 313(d)(2)(A) and 
(C) criteria; (3) whether EPA should consider accidental release data 
in making a finding for environmental effects under EPCRA section 
313(d)(2)(C); (4) the relevance of release reporting under other 
statutory provisions to the issue of whether non-aerosol forms of these 
acids meet the listing criteria; and (5) other reporting options.
    The public meeting was held on March 3, 1993. At this meeting, EPA 
discussed the specific issues described in the February 1, 1993 notice 
and presented data on accidental and routine releases of sulfuric and 
hydrochloric acids. Comments were then presented by the public. 
Responses to the major issues raised by the comments presented and/or 
submitted at the public meeting specific to the listing for 
hydrochloric acid will be addressed at the time final regulation is 
promulgated. Many of the issues discussed above have been addressed by 
the Agency in the final rulemaking delisting non-aerosol forms of 
sulfuric acid (June 30, 1995; 60 FR 34182).

III. EPA's Technical Review of Hydrochloric Acid

    EPA's technical review of non-aerosol forms of hydrochloric acid is 
detailed in the support document for today's proposal (Technical 
Support Document for the Petition to Delist Non-aerosol Forms of 
Hydrochloric Acid from EPCRA Section 313, Ref. 1). A summary of the 
chemistry, health, and environmental effects associated with non-
aerosol forms of hydrochloric acid follows.

A. Chemistry

    Hydrogen chloride is a colorless, corrosive, nonflammable gas, 
having a characteristic pungent odor. Aqueous hydrochloric acid (also 
commonly known as muriatic acid) refers to solutions of hydrogen 
chloride gas in water.
    Like all strong acids, hydrogen chloride is virtually completely 
dissociated in aqueous solutions. It is the hydrogen ion species that 
is responsible for the acidic characteristics of aqueous hydrochloric 
acid. Such solutions can be very mild to severe irritants, depending 
upon concentration.

B. Toxicological Evaluation

    Toxicological data on non-aerosol forms of hydrochloric acid were 
reviewed for evidence indicating acute toxicity, chronic toxicity, 
carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, developmental 
toxicity, and environmental effects.
    1. Acute toxicity. Hydrochloric acid is a strongly acidic, 
corrosive substance that is acutely toxic to all human tissue. The 
extent of tissue damage is dependent upon concentration (pH) and 
duration of exposure, and can range from a mild, transient irritation, 
to corrosion, chemical burn, and, in extreme and isolated cases, death. 
Non-aerosol forms of hydrochloric acid pose a significant health hazard 
only under aberrant conditions of exposure (e.g., deliberate 
ingestion).
    2. Chronic toxicity. EPA has not identified any evidence that 
indicates that chronic exposures to low doses of non-aerosol forms of 
hydrochloric acid at low concentrations in food or water produces 
adverse health effects. Chronic exposure to more concentrated forms 
(lower pH), may affect metabolism, growth, nutritional status, and 
produce lethality. These effects are dependent upon pH.
    3. Carcinogenicity. Data available to the Agency are insufficient 
to classify the carcinogenic potential of hydrochloric acid. The 
currently available animal bioassays are not sufficient for this 
purpose, and the available epidemiological evidence is limited. The 
total weight of evidence is not strong enough to draw a causal 
conclusion.
    4. Mutagenicity. The overall weight of evidence suggests that 
hydrochloric acid is not mutagenic in vitro. No in vivo mutagenicity 
studies on hydrochloric acid have been reported.
    5. Reproductive and developmental toxicity. There is insufficient 
information to determine whether hydrochloric acid may cause 
reproductive or developmental effects in humans.
    6. Environmental effects. The pH range of 6.5 to 9.0 corresponds to 
the EPA Water Quality Criteria for freshwater organisms. Available data 
indicate that non-aerosol forms of hydrochloric acid can produce acute 
effects to freshwater aquatic organisms below pH 5. Chronic exposure of 
fish to hydrochloric acid resulted in abnormal behavior and deformed 
fish at pH 4.5 and 5.2, but not at pH 5.9; at pH values less than 5.9, 
reduction was noted in egg production and egg hatchability.
    Hydrochloric acid is not a persistent chemical. In addition, 
hydrochloric acid, a very hydrophilic and water soluble substance, is 
not expected to undergo bioconcentration or bioaccumulation.

C. Release and Exposure

    In making listing determinations under EPCRA section 313, there are 
limited circumstances under which it is appropriate for EPA to consider 
exposure factors (see 59 FR 61440). The Agency believes that exposure 
considerations are appropriate in making determinations (1) under 
section 313(d)(2)(A), (2) under section 313(d)(2)(B) for chemicals that 
exhibit low to moderately low toxicity based on a hazard assessment 
(i.e., those chemicals for which the value of listing under EPCRA 
section 313 on hazard alone is marginal), and (3) under section 
313(d)(2)(C) for chemicals that are low or moderately ecotoxic or do 
not induce well-documented serious adverse effects. The Agency believes 
that exposure considerations are not appropriate in making 
determinations (1) under section 313(d)(2)(B) for chemicals that 
exhibit moderately high to high human toxicity based on a hazard 
assessment and (2) under section 313(d)(2)(C) for chemicals that are 
highly ecotoxic or induce well-established adverse environmental 
effects. Based on its most recent 

[[Page 57384]]
assessment, EPA has preliminarily determined that non-aerosol forms of 
hydrochloric acid exhibit low chronic human toxicity and moderate 
environmental toxicity.
    The principle pathways for the release of non-aerosol forms of 
hydrochloric acid to the environment include wastewater discharges, 
underground injection of dilute solutions, and releases to land.
    1. Releases to water. Under the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1251-
1387), parameters such as pH may be subject to both technology-based 
and water quality-based limitations. The technology-based limitations 
are either derived from nationally applicable effluent guidelines or 
pre-treatment standards (many of which limit pH to a range of 6.0 to 
9.0) or are based on (1) The permit writer's ``Best Professional 
Judgement'' if there is no applicable guideline for a direct discharge 
or (2) local pretreatment requirements. Water quality-based limitations 
generally are established to ensure that applicable water quality 
standards are attained and maintained. Dischargers are typically 
subject to monitoring provisions under which permittees are to report 
discharges of controlled parameters.
    2. Accidental releases to water. Under the Comprehensive 
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA; 42 
U.S.C. 9601-9675), a release into the environment of hydrochloric acid 
equaling or exceeding 5,000 pounds within a 24-hour period must be 
reported to the National Response Center (see 40 CFR part 302). These 
release reports are entered into the Emergency Response Notification 
System (ERNS) computer data base maintained by EPA. The Agency believes 
that although limited to non-coastal regions, the data in ERNS are 
representative of spills of hydrochloric acid in the United States from 
nontransportation sources. EPA analyzed all releases of hydrochloric 
acid reported to ERNS during calendar year 1991 (this analysis is 
described in Ref. 1). Of the releases reported to ERNS, only three may 
have potentially resulted in adverse environmental effects, i.e. fish-
kills, due to a transient lowering of the pH of the receiving stream. 
No data were available to confirm such an impact. As these releases of 
hydrochloric acid resulted in only transient lowering of the pH in the 
receiving stream, they cannot reasonably be anticipated to have caused 
chronic ecotoxicity.
    In addition to ERNS, EPA analyzed accidental release data from the 
Accidental Release Information Program (ARIP) and the Acute Hazardous 
Events Data Base (AHE/DB). Consistent with the ERNS data, the available 
information present in ARIP and AHE/DB indicate that accidental 
releases of non-aerosol forms of hydrochloric acid are isolated and 
infrequent occurrences. Thus, releases of non-aerosol forms of 
hydrochloric acid are not expected to cause significant adverse 
ecological effects (a complete discussion of this analysis is provided 
in Ref. 1).
    3. Underground injection. In the case of underground injection, 
regulations promulgated under the Underground Injection Control (UIC) 
Program of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), 42 U.S.C. 300f-300j-26, 
specify that deep industrial waste disposal must occur in either Class 
I or Class V wells. The standards, requirements, and the permitting 
process for the design, operation, monitoring, and closure of Class I 
wells were designed to prevent contamination of underground sources of 
drinking water (USDW).
    In addition to controls under the SDWA, regulations issued under 
the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA 42 U.S.C. 6901-6992k) 
at 40 CFR part 148 allow underground injection into a Class I well of 
aqueous wastes with a pH of 2 or less only if the waste is the subject 
of a successful ``no migration'' petition. This petition must 
demonstrate that there will be no migration of hazardous constituents 
for as long as the waste remains hazardous. The petition must also show 
that the injected fluid will not migrate within 10,000 years. There is 
currently no evidence which indicates that underground injection of 
hydrochloric acid into Class I wells would result in such migration.
    Injection of hazardous waste into shallow injection wells is 
prohibited under RCRA section 3020 and the UIC program of the SDWA (40 
CFR 144.13). The disposal of nonhazardous industrial waste, such as 
treated hydrochloric acid, into shallow injection wells is the subject 
of the Agency's current Class V rulemaking proceedings (EPA published a 
proposed rule in the Federal Register of August 28, 1995; 60 FR 44652). 
In the interim, such wells are still subject to the prohibition in 
section 1422 of the SDWA against any injection which may endanger a 
drinking water source, as defined in section 1421(d)(2).
    4. Releases to land. Total on-site land releases of hydrochloric 
acid reported to the Toxics Release Inventory in 1993 were 359,506 
pounds, or 0.16 percent of total on-site releases. Of the off-site 
transfers of hydrochloric acid sent from facilities reporting greater 
than 100,000 pounds sent off-site (which accounts for 90 percent of all 
off-site transfers of hydrochloric acid), 2.3 percent was released to 
land off-site. Regulations promulgated under RCRA at 40 CFR 261.22 
provide that aqueous wastes that exhibit a pH of less than or equal to 
2 are hazardous wastes. Land disposal of such wastes may take place 
only after pH adjustment above 2 or a successful ``no migration'' 
petition. Hydrochloric acid at a pH above 2 is not considered a 
hazardous waste under RCRA. Thus, land disposal of hydrochloric acid at 
a pH above 2 is not regulated under RCRA at 40 CFR 261.22. There is no 
available national information on releases of hydrochloric acid to land 
at pHs greater than 2.

C. Summary of Technical Review

    Non-aerosol forms of hydrochloric acid are acutely toxic to human 
tissue, producing effects ranging from irritation to corrosion to risk 
of early death. The extent of damage, however, is dependent upon 
concentration and duration of exposure. EPA's analysis of releases of 
non-aerosol forms of hydrochloric acid indicate that releases will not 
result in levels of concern.
    The effects produced by chronic exposure to non-aerosol forms of 
hydrochloric acid are highly dependent on concentration and duration of 
exposure. Non-aerosol forms of hydrochloric acid cause adverse effects 
only at relatively high dose levels. EPA's analysis of releases of non-
aerosol forms of hydrochloric acid indicate that releases will not 
result in concentrations of concern.
    The data indicate that accidental releases of hydrochloric acid to 
surface waters are infrequent and isolated occurrences. In only a few 
circumstances could evidence of adverse environmental effects (e.g., 
fish kills) be found.

IV. Rationale for Proposed Modification of the Hydrochloric Acid 
Listing

    EPA's decision to propose deletion of non-aerosol forms of 
hydrochloric acid is based on the Agency's evaluation of the toxicity 
of non-aerosol forms of hydrochloric acid and the levels of non-aerosol 
forms of hydrochloric acid exposure to which humans and the environment 
may be subject.
    EPA believes that non-aerosol forms of hydrochloric acid do not 
meet the statutory criteria of section 313(d)(2)(A) regarding acute 
human health effects; specifically, that the ``chemical is known to 
cause or can reasonably be anticipated to cause significant adverse 
acute human health effects at concentration levels that are reasonably 
likely to exist beyond facility site boundaries as a result of 
continuous, or 

[[Page 57385]]
frequently recurring, releases.'' Hydrochloric acid's toxic properties 
are dependent upon concentration (i.e., pH level) and duration of 
exposure. Only under aberrant conditions of exposure (e.g., spills onto 
the skin) do concentrated solutions of hydrochloric acid pose a 
potentially serious acute health hazard. EPA's review of the toxicity 
and exposure information indicates that although hydrochloric acid is 
acutely toxic at low pH levels, it is unlikely that persons will be 
exposed to acutely toxic concentration levels ``beyond facility site 
boundaries as a result of continuous or frequently recurring 
releases.''
    EPA also believes that non-aerosol forms of hydrochloric acid do 
not meet the criteria of section 313(d)(2)(B) regarding chronic human 
health effects; specifically, that the ``chemical is known to cause or 
can reasonably be anticipated to cause in humans'' certain chronic 
health effects (see Unit III.B. of this proposal).
    EPA believes that non-aerosol forms of hydrochloric acid do not 
meet the section 313(d)(2)(C) criteria regarding adverse environmental 
effects. Although accidental releases of concentrated hydrochloric acid 
solutions to surface waters may result in acute ecotoxic effects, such 
as fish-kills, the available information indicates that accidental 
releases of hydrochloric acid to surface waters are isolated and 
infrequent occurrences. As such, the Agency believes that the limited 
number of accidental releases of non-aerosol forms of hydrochloric acid 
do not result in significant acute adverse effects on the environment 
of sufficient seriousness to warrant continued listing under EPCRA 
section 313. In addition, EPA believes that accidental releases of non-
aerosol forms of hydrochloric acid cannot reasonably be anticipated to 
induce chronic ecotoxicity because pH excursions are expected to 
dissipate rapidly due to the chemical's high solubility in water. 
Therefore, the Agency believes that non-aerosol forms of hydrochloric 
acid do not meet the listing criteria of EPCRA section 313(d)(2)(C).
    EPA proposes to modify the listing under EPCRA section 313 for 
hydrochloric acid by deleting non-aerosol forms of hydrochloric acid. 
EPA's proposal to delete non-aerosol forms of hydrochloric acid from 
the section 313 list is not meant to suggest that the Agency considers 
non-aerosol hydrochloric acid to be a ``safe'' chemical. Rather, this 
proposed action reflects the fact that non-aerosol forms of the 
chemical do not meet the criteria set forth in EPCRA section 313(d)(2).
    Currently, most facilities base their threshold determinations for 
reporting under section 313 on the amounts of hydrochloric acid in 
solution form manufactured, processed, or otherwise used. If this 
proposal were adopted, for purposes of threshold determinations of 
hydrochloric acid aerosols for reporting under section 313, a facility 
would consider any generation of airborne hydrochloric acid (including 
mists, vapors, gas, or fog) without regard to particle size as 
manufacture. The quantity of airborne hydrochloric acid manufactured or 
processed, not the amount released, would be compared with the 25,000 
pound threshold. Any otherwise use of aerosol forms of hydrochloric 
acid must also be applied towards the 10,000 pound threshold. 
Generation of aerosol forms of hydrochloric acid is expected to occur 
from, among other processes, the production or processing of solutions 
of hydrochloric acid. However, generation of aerosol forms of 
hydrochloric acid from other processes must also be considered.
    Although not a factor in the delisting decision, deleting non-
aerosol forms of hydrochloric acid from the section 313 list will not 
result in any significant reduction in the information now available to 
the public concerning spills of hydrochloric acid. Since reporting of 
spills under section 313 is only required to be submitted to EPA as 
part of an overall annual release number, no direct and immediate 
notice to the public of such an accidental release or spill of 
hydrochloric acid is available through section 313 reports or through 
the TRI data base, i.e., only annual release figures are available.
    However, other statutory mechanisms exist by which information on 
spills of hydrochloric acid are made available to the public. For 
example, hydrochloric acid is listed as a hazardous substance under 
CERCLA, 40 CFR 302.4. CERCLA section 103 requires that the person in 
charge of a facility or vessel immediately report a release of 5,000 
pounds or more of hydrochloric acid (other than a federally permitted 
release) to the National Response Center. There is a reduced reporting 
requirement for releases determined to be ``continuous and stable in 
quantity and rate'' (40 CFR 302.8). Releases of 5,000 pounds or more 
also must be reported to State and local authorities under EPCRA 
section 304. EPCRA section 304 requires the owner or operator of a 
facility to immediately report to the State Emergency Response 
Commission (SERC) and the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) 
when there is a release of a CERCLA hazardous substance requiring a 
report under CERCLA section 103(a) or when there is a release of 1 
pound or more of a non-CERCLA Extremely Hazardous Substance (EHS) 
listed under EPCRA section 302(a). However, section 304 does not apply 
``. . . to any release which results in exposure to persons solely 
within the site or sites on which a facility is located'' (EPCRA 
section 304(a)(4)).
    In addition, data on the presence of hydrochloric acid for 
emergency planning purposes are already being collected at the local 
level. Under sections 311 and 312 of EPCRA, facilities are required to 
submit lists and inventories of chemicals on-site to LEPCs to help them 
plan for emergencies and inform the public about the types and amounts 
of chemicals being handled in their communities.

V. Precedents for Modified Listings

A. Background

    There are precedents for qualified chemical listings under EPCRA 
section 313. The original list established by Congress contained a 
number of qualified listings including: aluminum (fume or dust), 
ammonium nitrate (solution), asbestos (friable), yellow or white 
phosphorus, vanadium (fume or dust), and zinc (fume or dust). Also, EPA 
recently qualified the aluminum oxide listing by exempting non-fibrous 
forms of aluminum oxide from the reporting requirements so that only 
fibrous aluminum oxide is subject to reporting (40 CFR part 372). EPA 
found that there was no evidence that non-fibrous forms of aluminum 
oxide cause adverse human health or environmental effects as specified 
under section 313. The decision to retain fibrous forms of aluminum 
oxide was based on evidence that exposure to fibrous forms of this 
chemical can reasonably be anticipated to cause cancer in humans. In 
addition, EPA recently added a category, water dissociable nitrate 
compounds, to the EPCRA section 313 list (59 FR 61460) with a qualifier 
that limits reporting to aqueous solutions. The Agency had originally 
proposed (59 FR 1825) to list nitrate ion; however, many commenters 
argued that what the Agency actually proposed was a category of nitrate 
compounds that dissociate in water. EPA agreed with the commenters and 
used the qualified category in the final listing. This category 
indicates that only water dissociable nitrate compounds that are 
manufactured, processed, or otherwise used as an aqueous solution at a 
facility are subject to reporting.

[[Page 57386]]


B. Effect of Modifying Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Reporting of 
Hydrochloric Acid

    If the hydrochloric acid listing is qualified to require reporting 
for only hydrochloric acid aerosols, then facilities would determine 
their reporting threshold based on how many pounds of hydrochloric acid 
aerosols they manufactured, processed, or otherwise used during the 
calendar year.
    In 1992, 3,281 facilities reported a total of 77.1 million pounds 
of hydrochloric acid released to air. EPA estimates that the total 
number of reports (Form Rs and certification statements) submitted 
after the modification will be between 333 and 1,514 and that the total 
amount of releases to air will be between 73.6 and 76.8 million pounds 
(Ref. 1). Therefore, modifying the list to cover only hydrochloric acid 
aerosols is not expected to result in any appreciable loss of 
information on releases of hydrochloric acid to air since, at a 
minimum, it is estimated that 95.5 percent of the total air emissions 
reported for 1992 would still be captured.

VI. Request for Public Comment

    EPA requests general comments on this proposal to delete non-
aerosol forms of hydrochloric acid from the list of toxic chemicals 
under EPCRA section 313. Comments should be submitted to the address 
listed under the ADDRESSES unit at the front of this document. All 
comments must be received by January 16, 1996.

VII. Rulemaking Record

    A record, that includes the reference in Unit VIII. below, has been 
established for this rulemaking under docket number OPPTS-400062 
(including comments and data submitted electronically as described 
below). A public version of this record, including printed, paper 
versions of electronic comments, which does not include any information 
claimed as CBI, is available for inspection from 12 noon to 4 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The public record is 
located in the TSCA Nonconfidential Information Center, Rm. NE-B607, 
401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460.
    Electronic comments can be sent directly to EPA at:

    [email protected]

    Electronic comments must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the 
use of any special characters and any form of encryption.
    The official record for this rulemaking, as well as the public 
version, as described above will be kept in paper form. Accordingly, 
EPA will transfer all comments received electronically into printed, 
paper form as they are received and will place the paper copies in the 
official rulemaking record which will also include all comments 
submitted directly in writing. The official rulemaking record is the 
paper record maintained at the address in ADDRESSES at the beginning of 
this document.

VIII. References

    USEPA. 1995. Technical Support Document for the Petition to Delist 
Non-aerosol Forms of Hydrochloric Acid from EPCRA Section 313.

IX. Regulatory Assessment Requirements

A. Executive Order 12866

    Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), the 
Agency must determine whether the regulatory action is ``significant'' 
and therefore subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) and the requirements of the Executive Order. Pursuant to the 
terms of this Executive Order, it has been determined that this 
proposed rule is not ``significant'' and therefore not subject to OMB 
review.
    The cost savings to industry from the modification of the 
hydrochloric acid listing is estimated to be between $4.9 and $7.6 
million per year. The cost savings to EPA is estimated at $135,000 to 
$201,000 per year. The lower bound estimate of the total annual savings 
for industry and EPA from the partial delisting of hydrochloric acid is 
$5,035,000. The upper bound estimate is $7,801,000 in savings annually.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, the Agency must 
conduct a small business analysis to determine whether a substantial 
number of small entities would be significantly affected by the 
proposed rule. Because this proposed rule eliminates an existing 
requirement, it would result in cost savings to facilities, including 
small entities.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    This proposed rule does not have any information collection 
requirements subject to the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1980, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    Pursuant to Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, 
which the President signed into law on March 22, 1995, EPA has assessed 
the effects of this regulatory action on State, local or tribal 
governments, and the private sector. This action does not result in the 
expenditure of $100 million or more by any State, local or tribal 
governments, or by anyone in the private sector. The costs associated 
with this action are described in the Executive Order 12866 unit above.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 372

    Environmental protection, Chemicals, Community right-to-know, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Toxic chemicals.

    Dated: November 3, 1995.
Lynn R. Goldman,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic 
Substances.

    Therefore, it is proposed that 40 CFR part 372 be amended as 
follows:

    1. The authority citation for part 372 would continue to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 11023 and 11048.

Sec. 372.65  [Amended]

    2. Sections 372.65(a) and (b) are amended by changing the entry for 
hydrochloric acid to read ``Hydrochloric acid (acid aerosols including 
mists, vapors, gas, fog, and other airborne forms of any particle 
size)'' under paragraph (a) and under paragraph (b) for CAS number 
entry 7647-01-0.

[FR Doc. 95-28183 Filed 11-14-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F