National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Plywood and Composite Wood Products; Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Timber Products Point Source Category; List of Hazardous Air Pollutants, Lesser Quantity Designations, Source Category List

This action promulgates national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) for the plywood and composite wood products (PCWP) source category under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and revisions to the effluent limitations, guidelines and standards for the timber products processing source category under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The EPA has determined that the PCWP source category contains major sources of hazardous air pollutants (HAP), including, but not limited to, acetaldehyde, acrolein, formaldehyde, methanol, phenol, and propionaldehyde. These HAP are associated with a variety of adverse health effects. These adverse health effects include chronic health disorders (e.g., damage to nasal membranes, gastrointestinal irritation) and acute health disorders (e.g., irritation of eyes, throat, and mucous membranes, dizziness, headache, and nausea). Three of the six primary HAP emitted have been classified as probable or possible human carcinogens. This action will implement section 112(d) of the CAA by requiring all major sources subject to the final rule to meet HAP emission standards reflecting the application of the maximum achievable control technology (MACT). The final rule will reduce HAP emissions from the PCWP source category by approximately 5,900 to 9,900 megagrams per year (Mg/yr) (6,600 to 11,000 tons per year (tons/yr)). In addition, the final rule will reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) by 13,000 to 25,000 Mg/yr (14,000 to 27,000 tons/yr). The EPA is also amending the effluent limitations, guidelines and standards for the timber products processing point source category (veneer, plywood, dry process hardboard, particleboard manufacturing subcategories). The amendments adjust the definition of process wastewater to exclude certain sources of wastewater generated by air pollution control devices expected to be installed to comply with the final PCWP NESHAP. The EPA is also amending the list of categories that was developed pursua