National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Solvent Extraction for Vegetable Oil Production

This action promulgates national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) for solvent extraction for vegetable oil production. This industry is comprised of facilities that produce crude vegetable oil and meal products by removing oil from listed oilseeds through direct contact with an organic solvent. The EPA has identified solvent extraction for vegetable oil production processes as major sources of a single hazardous air pollutant (HAP), n-hexane. The EPA does not consider n-hexane classifiable as a human carcinogen. However, short-term exposure to high levels of n-hexane is reported to cause reactions such as irritations, dizziness, headaches, and nausea. Long-term exposure can cause permanent nerve damage. This final rule will require all existing and new solvent extraction for vegetable oil production processes that are major sources to meet HAP emission standards reflecting the application of the maximum achievable control technology (MACT). The EPA estimates that this final rule will reduce nationwide emissions of n-hexane from solvent extraction for vegetable oil production processes by approximately 6,800 tpy. The emissions reductions achieved by these NESHAP, when combined with the emissions reductions achieved by other similar standards, will provide protection to the public and achieve a primary goal of the Clean Air Act (CAA).