[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 230 (Thursday, November 30, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61550-61552]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-29113]



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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5335-8]


Delisting of Source Category and Revision of Initial List of 
Categories of Sources and Schedule for Standards Under Section 112(c) 
of the Clean Air Act

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Removal of the asbestos processing area source category from 
the initial list of categories of sources and schedule for standards 
for major and area sources of hazardous air pollutants.

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SUMMARY: This notice removes the asbestos processing source category 
from the initial list of categories of sources of hazardous air 
pollutants (HAP), published on July 16, 1992 (57FR31576), and the 
schedule for promulgation of emission standards, published on December 
3, 1993 (58FR63941).
    This action finalizes the notice published in the Federal Register 
(FR) on January 24, 1995 by removing an area source category (asbestos 
processing) that was listed on July 16, 1992 (57FR31576). As presented 
in 60FR4624, this decision is based on data obtained during the initial 
stage of standards development for this source category. Under this 
listing, asbestos emissions from asbestos processing sources were 
studied to determine whether they could be further reduced beyond the 
levels achieved under the existing National Emission Standards for HAP 
(NESHAP) that apply to these sources. These data conclusively show that 
asbestos emissions from specific plants that were the basis for the 
initial listing are significantly lower than previously estimated. As a 
result, the Agency believes that no source in the category emits 
asbestos in quantities that pose an individual risk greater than one in 
one million and that the previous determination that asbestos emissions 
from these plants pose a threat of adverse health effects is no longer 
supportable. The asbestos processing source category should therefore 
be removed from the source category list.
    Docket. Docket No. A-94-69, containing supporting information used 
in developing this notice, is available for public inspection and 
copying between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the 
Agency's Air Docket, 401 M Street SW., Washington, D.C. 20460. A 
reasonable fee may be charged for copying.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information concerning specific 
aspects of this notice, contact Susan Fairchild-Zapata, Minerals and 
Inorganic Chemicals Group, Emission Standards Division (MD-13), U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, 
telephone number (919) 541-5167.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Clean Air Act requires under section 112 that the Agency list 
and promulgate regulations requiring control of emissions of HAPs from 
categories of major and area sources. Section 112(c)(1) requires the 
Administrator to publish, and from time to time revise, if appropriate, 
in response to comments or new information, a list of all categories 
and subcategories of major and area sources of HAPs. Section 112(c)(3) 
requires that the Administrator list any area source category (one 
which emits less than 10 tons per year of any one HAP and less than 25 
tons per year of all HAPs) that the Administrator finds poses a threat 
of adverse effects to human health or the environment. Pursuant to the 
specific listing requirements in section 112(c), the Agency published 
on July 16, 1992 (57FR31590) a finding of adverse effects (specifically 
carcinogenic effects from exposure to asbestos) for the source category 
of asbestos processing. The asbestos processing source category was 
then listed as a source category that would be subject to emission 
standards. Following this listing, pursuant to requirements in section 
112(e), the Agency on December 3, 1993 (58FR63941) published a schedule 
for the promulgation of emission standards for each of the 174 listed 
source categories. The reader is directed to 

[[Page 61551]]
these two notices for information related to development of the initial 
list and schedule.
    EPA published a notice on January 24, 1995 (60FR4624) that, when 
finalized, would remove the asbestos processing source category from 
the section 112 source category list and schedule. In this notice, EPA 
is finalizing that proposal. The reader is directed to that notice for 
information related to the proposal.

Summary of Comments Received

    During the comment period between January 24, 1995 and February 23, 
1995, Docket No. A-94-69 received a total of three comments in response 
to the 60FR4624 notice. No comments were received within 30 days after 
the close of the comment period and there was no request for a public 
hearing on issues related to the proposed deletion. All comments 
received were in support of the Agency's preliminary decision to revise 
the source category list by removing the asbestos processing area 
source category from the list.
    Comments addressed the completeness of EPA's study, the adequacy of 
the extent of new information collected, the appropriateness of the 
(proposed) revision to the list, and the adequacy of existing 
regulations for controlling asbestos emissions from asbestos processing 
facilities. The commenters expressed the opinion that EPA's decision to 
revise the list as proposed is both accurate and reasonable.
     Mr. Russell K. Snyder, Executive Vice President of the 
Roof Coating Manufacturers Association (RCMA) commented, ``* * * RCMA 
feels that the extensive information obtained by the Agency from over 
250 companies, indicating that many companies no longer process 
asbestos and those remaining use appropriate control equipment, lends 
additional support and credence to the decision on the part of the 
Agency to de-list the asbestos processing industry. RCMA endorses the 
notice as consistent with the Clinton Administration's Common Sense 
Initiative regarding legislation and regulation based on thorough 
scientific and technical justification. Furthermore, RCMA feels that 
this notice is an excellent example of EPA working with industry and 
environmentalists to develop necessary, intelligent and effective 
regulation.''
     Mr. B.J. Pigg, President of the Asbestos Information 
Association (AIA/NA) commented that ``AIA/NA previously filed comments 
with the Agency on its plans to assess asbestos processing emissions on 
October 26, 1992. As (AIA) noted there, U.S. processors currently 
employ very effective baghouse collection methods to minimize fiber 
release. These control methods will continue to be employed even after 
the area source category is delisted.''
     Mr. Frank P. Collis, environmental specialist with the 
Occidental Chemical Corporation commented, ``* * * most facilities that 
would have been subject to the asbestos processing area source MACT 
standard are already subject to the existing asbestos NESHAP standard 
(i.e., 40 CFR 61 Subpart M). The development of an additional MACT 
standard would be duplicative, confusing to the regulated community and 
not the best use of the Agency's limited resources.''
    No comments took exception to the technical basis for the 
delisting, the new information received, the analyses conducted by the 
U.S. EPA to determine the validity of that information, or the 
rationale for the technical decision being made. The EPA analysis 
showed less than 10-6 maximum individual risk (MIR) and emission 
estimates 150 times less than the estimate originally used to list the 
asbestos processing source category as an area source category. 
Additionally, no comments were received regarding the specific legal 
basis for deletion.

II. Description of Revision

    In today's notice, the Agency is removing the asbestos processing 
area source category on the Administrator's own motion, pursuant to 
section 112(c). As described in the proposed notice 60 FR 4624, the 
Agency has new information showing that no source or group of sources 
in the category emits asbestos in quantities which may cause a lifetime 
risk of cancer greater than one in one million. This refutes EPA's 
initial finding of a threat of adverse health effects on which the 
initial listing for this area source was based under section 112(c)(3).
    EPA has, therefore, determined that no source or group of sources 
in the category emits asbestos in quantities which may cause a lifetime 
risk of cancer greater than one in one million to the individual most 
exposed to asbestos emissions and that the previous determination under 
section 112(c)(3) is no longer supportable. EPA based its initial 
listing of this area source category solely on the risk to human health 
caused by the carcinogenic properties of asbestos emissions. New 
information contained in the docket thoroughly refutes the original 
data upon which EPA based its initial listing. EPA received no comment 
rebutting the statement that the Agency has met the legal requirements 
of section 112(c). Hence removal of this source category from the list 
of area source categories is appropriate in this instance.
    Most friction product manufacturing facilities have discontinued 
their use of asbestos, but have significant emissions of other HAP. EPA 
notes that the information collected in connection with this decision 
also shows that a subcategory of asbestos processing sources, the 
friction product manufacturing subcategory, has individual facilities 
which emit more than 10 tons/year of a single non-asbestos HAP or more 
than 25 tons per year of a collection of non-asbestos HAPs (methyl 
chloroform, methyl ethyl ketone, formaldehyde, phenol, and toluene). 
Therefore, EPA intends to add a new friction products manufacturing 
category, including friction product manufacturing facilities that do 
not use asbestos, to the source category list as a major source 
category in a general revision to the source category list that is 
currently being developed.

III. Administrative Requirements

A. Docket

    The docket (Docket no. A-94-69) is an organized and complete file 
of all the information submitted to or otherwise considered by the 
Agency in the development of this proposed revision to the initial list 
of categories of sources. The principal purpose of this docket is to 
allow interested parties to identify and locate documents that serve as 
a record of the process engaged in by the Agency to publish today's 
proposed revision to the initial list and schedule.

B. Executive Order 12866

    Under Executive Order 12866 (58FR51735, October 4, 1993), the 
Agency must determine whether a regulation is ``significant'' and 
therefore subject to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) review and 
the requirements of the Executive Order. The criteria set forth in 
section 1 of the Order for determining whether a regulation is a 
significant rule are as follows:
    (1) Is likely to have an annual effect on the economy of $100 
million or more, or adversely and materially affect a sector of the 
economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public 
health or safety, or State, local, or tribal government communities;
    (2) Is likely to create a serious inconsistency or otherwise 
interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency;
    (3) Is likely to materially alter the budgetary impact of 
entitlements, 

[[Page 61552]]
grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of 
recipients thereof; or
    (4) Is likely to raise novel or policy issues arising out of legal 
mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in 
the Executive Order.
    This action raises the issue of delisting an area source category 
from the section 112 list of categories and sources and is therefore 
subject to OMB review.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    This action does not contain any information collection 
requirements subject to OMB review under the Paperwork Reduction Act, 
55 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

D. Regulatory Flexibility Act Compliance

    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 605(6), I hereby certify that this action will 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities because it imposes no new requirements.

E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act Compliance

    As shown in the Information Collection Request Document (ICR), this 
action imposes no costs on State, local and tribal governments. 
Accordingly, the EPA estimates that there is no direct cost to the 
private sector in any one year, and no total marginal costs to industry 
under this action in any one year. Therefore, the Agency concludes that 
it is not required by Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 
of 1995 to provide a written statement to accompany this action because 
promulgation of the action would not result in any expenditure by 
State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate or by the 
private sector, in any one year.

    Dated: November 14, 1995.
Carol M. Browner,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 95-29113 Filed 11-29-95; 8:45 am]
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