Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy

1999 Workgroup Updates
Benzo(a)pyrene/Hexachlorobenzene Status

The biggest effort over the last quarter has been to work with the Hearth Products Association (HPA) to try to implement a wood stove change-out program in an area around the Great Lakes. Meetings were held with both national and local representatives of the HPA. In addition, clean burning wood stoves, both catalytic and non-catalytic, as well as pellet and gas stoves were observed in operation at the HPA's annual exposition. Older wood stoves are the leading source of Benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) emissions in the Great Lakes Statnd a stove change-out program, in which incentives would be provided to replace older stoves with new stoves that meet EPA standards, would be the most effective way of reducing these emissions.

There are significant hexachlorobenzene (HCB) inventory issues. The EPA's 112(c)(6) inventory lists utility coal combustion and rubber tire manufacturing as two of the biggest sources of HCB. However, there are conflicting utility coal combustion test results which indicate that this may not be a significant HCB source. There is also uncertainty about the rubber tire HCB emission factors and additional testing will be done in the spring to establish new emission factors.

An additional issue deals with catalytic cracking units at petroleum refineries, which are identified to be the second largest source of B(a)P emissions in the Great Lakes States. The proposed National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Petroleum Refineries requires complete combustion to destroy organic hazardous air pollutants. Testing is needed to determine the effect of a complete combustion control option on B(a)P emissions.

B(a)P and HCB Work group Status Update - April 1999, Canada
HIGHLIGHTS OVER THAT LAST QUARTER:

• A draft HCB emission/release inventory for Ontario has been completed. The draft is being circulated for stakeholder comments and is expected to be finalized in June. A similar inventory for B(a)P is being compiled, a draft is expected for August, 1999.

• A pilot project is being implemented with Algoma Steel ( a major Ontario steel mill) to develop a facility based approach to addressing environmental priorities. The project is similar to the Dofasco Environmental MOU and is expected to bring about significant reductions of priority substances.

• A Wood Stove Change Out program has been implemented in Eastern Ontario with the Hearth Products Association of Canada to promote the replacement of old "dirty" woodstoves with (200) new, clean burning "certified" clean burning appliances. Potential release reduction (from an old wood stove) is estimated to be better than 90%.