National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Manufacturing of Nutritional Yeast

This action finalizes national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) for the nutritional yeast manufacturing source category. The EPA has identified the nutritional yeast manufacturing source category as a major source of hazardous air pollutants (HAP) emissions of acetaldehyde. These standards implement section 112(d) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) by requiring all major sources to meet HAP emission standards reflecting the application of the maximum achievable control technology (MACT). These final standards will eliminate approximately 13 percent of nationwide acetaldehyde emissions from these sources. Acute (short term) and chronic (long term) inhalation exposure to acetaldehyde is associated with adverse health effects including irritation of the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. Acetaldehyde is a potential developmental toxin and a probable human carcinogen.