National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Chemical Recovery Combustion Sources at Kraft, Soda, Sulfite, and Stand-Alone Semichemical Pulp Mills

This action promulgates national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) for new and existing sources used in chemical recovery processes at kraft, soda, sulfite, and stand-alone semichemical pulp mills. Hazardous air pollutants (HAP) that are regulated by this final rule include gaseous organic HAP and HAP metals. The adverse health effects of exposure to these HAP can include cancer, reproductive and developmental effects, gastrointestinal effects, damage to the nervous system, and irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system. Emissions of other pollutants from these sources include particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOC), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO<INF>2</INF>), and nitrogen oxides (NO<INF>X</INF>). This final rule implements section 112(d) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) and is based on the Administrator's determination that chemical recovery combustion sources at kraft, soda, sulfite, and stand-alone semichemical pulp mills are major sources of HAP emissions. The final rule is intended to protect public health by requiring chemical recovery combustion sources to meet standards reflecting the application of the maximum achievable control technology (MACT) to control HAP emissions from these sources. Implementation of this rule will reduce emissions of HAP by approximately 2,500 megagrams per year (Mg/yr) (2,700 tons per year (tpy)) and emissions of other pollutants by approximately 107,900 Mg/yr (118,900 tpy).