Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy

Dale Phenicie mentioned CGLI has begun efforts to outreach to industry for dioxin issues as documented in their report distributed at the meeting. The workgroup identified iron sintering, the steel industry (electric-arc furnaces), and secondary copper smelting as three sectors to initially focus on in the outreach effort. Dale agreed to begin conversation with these sectors. Focus of the engagement would be on: 1) information on emission levels; 2) what progress has been made in reducing emissions; 3) what plans are in place; and 4) what are impediments to progress. It was suggested that the governments could help frame the issues and hone the questions for contacting these industries. EC/EPA will set up a teleconference with Dale for this purpose. Dale agreed CGLI would initiate contacts and report back in February via CGLI?s quarterly report that are prepared for the EPA. This information will also be shared during the dioxin workgroup call to be scheduled in February.

Another major source area that was discussed was combustion of garbage. Three aspects were discussed:

1. Compliance assistance for major commercial combusters that are already regulated, for example, municipal waste combusters. These efforts would be directed at sectors in transition between regulations and compliance. Ideas proposed for potential consideration included:

• sharing technology and processes for reaching compliance;
• incentives for early compliance;
• local community involvement in 'watching', i.e., monitoring progress towards compliance;
• coordination with federal and state compliance efforts.

It was agreed to post a 'call for interest' in the minutes to determine the interest of workgroup members in focusing on compliance monitoring, assistance, and acceleration efforts. This serves as that call and this issue will be discussed on the next workgroup conference call.

2. Open or uncontrolled burning of residential or small commercial waste (barrel burning). There was a significant interest expressed in this issue. There was discussion of how well characterized this source was, with some members cautioning that it may be too early to proceed, and others maintaining the problem is known, only the extent is unknown. USEPA is currently collecting emissions data on barrel burning. It was agreed that a conference call could be arranged for a subgroup of interested stakeholders to begin discussion of possible education, outreach, and compliance assistance activities related to open burning of trash. It was suggested that there should be a focus on the Lake Superior region and local government involvement. This effort will be coordinated with the Lake Superior Team efforts within EPA.

3. Waste minimization. Reduction of waste into combusters was identified as perhaps the only known factor that is simply linearly related to dioxin production and one of the most effective methods for reducing emissions.

The final sector addressed was the pulp and paper industry. There was agreement that there have been dramatic reductions in dioxin/furan releases to water from this sector and it was suggested that release reductions in the pulp and paper industry could be highlighted as a ?success story? at the next stakeholder meeting. A caution was also expressed that while significant progress has been made, there may still be unfinished business in light of continual use of chlorine in the bleaching process.

Action Items & Next Steps

1. CGLI will contact the ferrous and non-ferrous metals processing industry (electric-arc steel furnaces, iron sintering, and secondary copper smelting).

• EPA will arrange a conference call to prepare for the contacts.
• CGLI will report back by February.
• A conference call will be held in February to discuss results.

2. A conference call will be held on open or uncontrolled burning of residential or small commercial waste ('open barrel burning'). EC/EPA will develop an agenda and schedule the call.

3. A call for interest in pursuing compliance monitoring, assistance and acceleration efforts will be placed in the minutes and the issue discussed on the next workgroup conference call.

4. The workgroup agreed to regular conference calls at approximately 6 to 8 week intervals with the first call scheduled for January 6 at 10:00 a.m. CST. A preliminary agenda is attached. Comments on the agenda should be forwarded to Sandro Leonardelli with EC. Subsequent calls are tentatively scheduled for February 19, 1999, and March 31, 1999.

5. Dwain Winters will report back on the interpretation of Pulp & paper mill water releases referenced on page 2 in Battelle's report. This action item was resolved at the end of the day with confirmation that the numbers do represent dioxin and furan emissions for all three estimates on page 2. It should be noted the estimates from the '94 Assessment' is not associated with data collected in 1994 or any specified reference year.

6. Sandro Leonardelli will report back on how measurements below the detection limit were handled in the Canadian inventory.

7. Other government actions:

• Canada and the U.S. will proceed with inventory finalization. Canada's final inventory is expected to be released in time to be discussed on the January 6 conference call
• Linkage will be made between Canada's multi-stakeholder group for the national dioxin/furan task force and the BNS
• Canada will finalize its LOQ
• Progress of adding dioxin to TRI and NPR will be monitored and reported to the workgroup.

* The next BNS stakeholders meeting is planned for April 1999 in Ontario.

Draft Agenda
BNS Dioxins Workgroup Conference Call
January 6, 1999

1. Summary of Final Canadian Inventory
2. Discussion of Dioxin in Products, Particularly PCP Treated Wood
3. Discussion of Compliance Monitoring and Assistance Possibilities for the Workgroup
4. Continue November 16's Discussion on the BNS Workgroup's Work Plan
5. Action Items & Next Steps.