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EPA Rule to Reduce Mercury, PM Releases from EAF Facilities
12/18/2007 - The EPA issues new air emissions standards for mercury and particulate matter emissions from EAF-based steel manufacturers by requiring them to buy motor-vehicle scrap only from providers that participate in the EPA-approved National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued new air emissions standards for mercury emissions from electric arc furnace (EAF) based steel manufacturers, which are classified as smaller emitting sources, or area sources, as defined by the Clean Air Act.
EPA’s new rule will reduce mercury releases from EAF-based steel manufacturers by requiring them to buy motor-vehicle scrap from providers that participate in the National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program, an EPA-approved program for the removal of mercury switches.
Mercury switches were used for lighting in automotive hoods and trunks. They were also used in some anti-lock braking systems of many vehicles manufactured prior to 2003. The National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program targets the removal of such mercury-containing switches from scrap vehicles before the vehicles are flattened, shredded, melted and further processed in the production of steel.
EPA’s new emissions rule will also reduce emissions of other toxic metal compounds by limiting particulate matter (PM) emissions as a surrogate. Facilities that produce less than 150,000 tons/year of stainless or specialty steel need to comply with an emissions limit of 0.8 pounds of PM per ton of steel. All other facilities are required to meet a PM limit of 0.0052 grains per dry standard cubic foot. Fugitive emissions from EAFs will also be subject to a 6% opacity limit.
Existing area sources affected by the rule tend to be well-controlled by other EPA and state regulations. As a result, EPA says that only a few existing facilities will be required to install additional emission controls or upgrades to existing controls to comply with the standards.
Emissions of toxic air pollutants such as mercury, lead, manganese, nickel, and chromium will also be reduced by EPA’s new rule. These chemicals are known or suspected to cause cancer, other serious health problems, and environmental damage.
EPA estimates the new rule will result in total air toxic reductions of about 57 tons/year, including 5 tons/year of mercury. PM emissions would be reduced by about 865 tons/year.
