[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 28 (Friday, February 9, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4992-4993]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-2919]



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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5420-1]


Request for Comments: Automobile Refinishing Solvent Use Survey 
(ARSUS)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 
et seq.), this notice announces that EPA is planning to submit the 
following proposed and/or continuing Information Collection Request 
(ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Before submitting 
the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on 
specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described 
below.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before April 9, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Air Pollution Prevention and Control Division (MD-62), 
Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Charles O. Mann, (919) 541-4593, Fax (919) 541-7891, E-mail 
[email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are 
those which are the owners and operators of the facilities that are 
classified in any of the following SIC codes:

5511--Motor Vehicle Dealers (New and Used)
5521--Motor Vehicle Dealers (Used Only)
7532--Top, Body, and Upholstery Repair Shops and Paint Shops
7538--General Automotive Repair Shops
7539--General Automotive Repair Shops, Not Elsewhere Classified

    Title: Automobile Refinishing Solvent Use Survey (ARSUS).
    Abstract: This information collection is a voluntary one-time 
survey of automobile refinishers requested by the Emissions 
Characterization and Prevention Branch (ECPB) of the Environmental 
Protection Agency's (EPA) Air Pollution and Prevention Control Division 
(APPCD) to support the overall EPA program to investigate the emissions 
of ozone precursors both nationally and at the metropolitan level. Data 
collected are used to validate existing and proposed model-based 
estimates of emissions, develop statistically valid estimates of 
precursors usage in the auto refinishing industry, and investigate 
functional relationships between emissions and factors that may be 
useful predictors of emissions.
    Automobile refinishers make extensive use of solvents in paints, in 
body fillers, and for clean-up both before and after repair operations. 
Most of these solvents evaporate after they are used. As volatile 
organic compounds (VOC) they are precursors in the formation of ground-
level ozone. Paints used in automobile refinishing contain higher 
concentrations of the more reactive VOC than do other types of paint. 
In addition, there is a high degree of uncertainty in emissions 
estimates for automobile refinishing. National solvent usage estimates 
for the category range 

[[Page 4993]]
from as low as 80,000 tons per year to as high as 286,000 tons per 
year. This uncertainty, more than a factor of 3.5, is largely due to 
the uncertainty in the use of thinning and cleanup solvents. It must 
also be noted that this uncertainty is at the national level. 
Additional uncertainty is introduced when a surrogate (such as 
population or accident statistics) is used to allocate national usage 
estimates to the local level.
    Past automobile refinishing emission estimates are based on 
national production data, distribution to regions, States, and local 
areas on the basis of employment and population statistics. Solvent 
emissions from automobile refinishers are currently estimated using a 
per capita emission factor, which does not reflect the variability of 
emissions from different shops and may misrepresent emissions from this 
industry. The emission estimation method is used by State and local air 
pollution agencies in the development of air emission inventories.
    The voluntary survey includes a national survey of auto body repair 
shops and local-area intensive surveys of 6 high-population areas. The 
survey instrument collects information on the quantity and types of 
materials used by the automobile refinishing facilities such as paints, 
primers, cleanup solvents, etc. In addition, information on the usage 
of these solvents is recorded by the survey. Usage includes details on 
when (time of day, day of week and season), how (spary booths, spray 
guns, etc.) and where (location of facilities) the solvents were used.
    The national survey data are divided into two independent sets with 
probability proportional to population. One set is used to estimate 
model parameters (train the technique). The second set is used to 
develop a comparison variable (validating the technique or model for 
emission estimation) with an unbiased estimate of the difference 
between the model estimate and the true value.
    Data are collected using a combined mail and telephone survey 
approach. Respondents are requested to complete on survey that requests 
information on the facility, type of automobile refinishing work 
conducted, solvent usage, temporal and activity variation on solvent 
usage, application equipment, solvent cleaning systems, air pollution 
control equipment, and local industry demographics. The telephone 
survey will prompt nonrespondents and clarify survey responses.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers of EPA's 
regulations are listed in 40 CFR Part 9 and 48 CFR Chapter 15.
    The EPA would like to solicit comments to:
    (i) evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (ii) evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used;
    (iii) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information 
to be collected; and
    (iv) minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submissions of responses.
    Burden Statement: The public reporting and recordkeeping burden for 
this collection of information is estimated to average 47 minutes per 
response. The survey is a one-time data collection. The survey includes 
5,900 field samples. An estimated 4,500 survey responses are expected. 
Since we anticipate that respondents will use existing records and 
equipment to respond to the survey, no capital or start-up cost burdens 
are expected.
    Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources 
expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or 
provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time 
needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize 
technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and 
verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and 
disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to 
comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements; 
train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; 
search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; 
and transmit or otherwise disclose the information.

    Dated: January 31, 1996.
Chalres O. Mann,
Chief, Emissions Characterization and Prevention Branch.
[FR Doc. 96-2919 Filed 2-8-95; 8:45 am]
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