Air Quality: Revision to Definition of Volatile Organic CompoundsExclusion of Volatile Methyl Siloxanes and Parachlorobenzotrifluoride

Résumé

The EPA proposes to revise EPA's definition of volatile organic compounds (VOC) for purposes of preparing State implementation plans (SIP's) to attain the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for ozone under title I of the Clean Air Act (Act) and for the Federal implementation plan (FIP) for the Chicago ozone nonattainment area. This revision adds parachlorobenzotrifluoride (PCBTF) and volatile methyl siloxanes (VMS) to the list of compounds excluded from the definition of VOC on the basis that these compounds have negligible contribution to tropospheric ozone formation. In the final rules section of this Federal Register, the EPA is approving this definition revision as a final rule without prior proposal because the Agency views this as a noncontroversial revision amendment and anticipates no adverse comments. A detailed rationale for the approval is set forth in the final rule. If no adverse comments or requests for a public hearing are received in response to the final rule, no further activity is contemplated in relation to this proposed rule. If EPA receives adverse comments or requests for public hearing on the final rule, the final rule will be withdrawn and all p