National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Source Categories; National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Steel Pickling FacilitiesHCl Process

Resumen

This action proposes national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) for new and existing hydrochloric acid (HCl) process steel pickling lines and HCl regeneration plants pursuant to section 112 of the Clean Air Act (Act) as amended in November 1990. Steel pickling lines that employ the HCl process and associated HCl acid regeneration plants have been identified by the EPA as potentially significant emitters of hydrochloric acid, a chemical identified in the Act as a hazardous air pollutant (HAP). Chronic exposure to HCl has been reported to cause gastritis, chronic bronchitis, dermatitis, and photosensitization. Acute inhalation exposure may cause coughing, hoarseness, inflammation and ulceration of the respiratory tract, chest pain, and pulmonary edema. Hydrochloric acid regeneration plants have been identified as significant emitters of HCl and chlorine (CL 2 ), the latter of which is also identified in the Act as a HAP. Acute exposure to high levels of CL 2 in humans results in chest pain, vomiting, toxic pneumonitis, pulmonary edema, and death. At lower levels CL 2 is a potent irritant to the eyes, the upper respiratory tract, and lungs. This rulemaking will