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EPA Finalizes Two Rules to Reduce Toxic Air Emissions from Facilities that Apply Coatings to the Surface of Metal Cans and to Various Metal Parts

Release Date: 08/22/2003
Contact Information:

David Deegan 202-564-7839/deegan.dave@epa.gov

(08/22/03) On Aug. 14, EPA issued a final rule to reduce toxic air pollutant emissions from metal can surface coating operations. Metal can surface coating operations include processes that coat metal cans or ends (including decorative tins) or metal crowns or closures during any stage of the can manufacturing process. Metal can surface coating operations emit a number of toxic air pollutants including ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (EGBE) and other glycol ethers, xylenes and hexane. The health effects associated with exposure to these air toxics can include cancer, respiratory irritation and damage to the nervous system. This rule will reduce total emissions of air toxics by approximately 6,800 tons per year. This represents a 70 percent reduction from the estimated 1997 baseline.

The surface coating of miscellaneous metal parts and products is a process of applying a protective, decorative, or functional coating to metal parts of items such as railcars, steel drums, construction equipment, iron and steel pipe, structural steel, extruded aluminum products, motorcycles and musical instruments. The EPA final rule issued on Aug. 14 will reduce total emissions of air toxics by approximately 26,000 tons per year. This is a 48-percent reduction from the estimated 1997 emissions levels. Miscellaneous metal parts and products surface coating operations emit a number of toxic air pollutants including xylenes, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, phenol, ethyl benzene and glycol ethers. Health effects associated with these pollutants can include irritation of the eye, lung, and mucous membranes; effects on the central nervous system; and damage to the liver. For more information, see: https://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/new.html .