Methods for the Polymers and Resins I Rule; Appendix A, Test Methods 310, 312, 313

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 63

[FRL-5217-5]

Methods for the Polymers and Resins I Rule; Appendix A, Test

Methods 310, 312, 313

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: Methods 310, 312, and 313 are being proposed in conjunction

with the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants

(NESHAP) for the Manufacture of Major Elastomers, commonly referred to

as the Polymers and Resins I Rule. The proposed methods were adapted

from industrial methods submitted by the facilities in the polymers and

resins industry and reviewed by the EPA. After consideration of public

comments, the methods will be promulgated, in conjunction with the

Polymers and Resins I rule, as EPA methods 310, 312, and 313, 40 CFR

part 63, appendix A. [[Page 30818]]

Method 310 is applicable for determining the residual amount of

solvent (hexane being the most commonly used solvent) and diene monomer

in ethylene-propylene terpolymer (EPDM) as produced in the solution

polymerization process. Method 312 is applicable for determining the

residual amount of styrene in styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) as

produced in the emulsion polymerization process. Method 313 is

applicable for determining the residual amount of toluene, dimer, and

styrene in polybutadiene rubber (PBR) and SBR crumb as produced in the

solution polymerization process. All three-method analysis is through

the use of gas chromatography.

DATES: Comments. Comments must be received on or before August 11,

1995.

Public Hearing. If anyone contacts the EPA requesting to speak at a

public hearing by July 3, 1995, a public hearing will be held on July

12, 1995 beginning at 10 a.m. Persons interested in attending the

hearing should call Ms. Marguerite Thweatt at (919) 541-5607 to verify

that a hearing will be held.

Request to Speak at Hearing. Persons wishing to present oral

testimony must contact the EPA by July 3, 1995 by contacting Ms.

Marguerite Thweatt, Organic Chemicals Group (MD-13), U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711,

telephone number (919) 541-5607.

ADDRESSES: Comments. Comments should be submitted (in duplicate, if

possible) to: Air Docket Section (LE-131), Attention: Docket No. A-92-

44, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street SW., Washington,

DC 20460. The EPA requests that a separate copy also be sent to the

contact person listed below. The public hearing, if required, will be

held at the EPA's Office of Administration Auditorium, Research

Triangle Park, North Carolina.

The docket is located at the above address in room M-1500,

Waterside Mall (ground floor), and may be inspected from 8 a.m. to 4

p.m., Monday through Friday; telephone number (202) 382-7548. A

reasonable fee may be charged for copying docket materials.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information concerning the

methods, contact Mr. Solomon Ricks at (919) 541-5242, Emission

Measurement Center, Emission Monitoring and Analysis Division (MD-19),

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North

Carolina 27711.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed regulatory text of the proposed

rule is not included in this Federal Register document. The regulatory

text is available in Docket No. A-92-44; or a limited number of copies

of the regulatory text are available from the EPA contact person

designated in this document. This document with the proposed regulatory

language is also available on the Technology Transfer Network (TTN) on

the EPA's electronic bulletin boards. The TTN provides information and

technology exchange in various areas of air pollution control. The

service is free, except for the cost of a telephone call. Dial (919)

541-5742 for up to a 14,400 bps modem. If more information on TTN is

needed, call the HELP line at (919) 541-5384.

Other materials related to this rulemaking are available for review

in the docket.

I. Introduction

These methods will apply to ethylene-propylene elastomers

production, polybutadiene rubber production, and styrene-butadiene

rubber and latex production, using stripping technology as the method

of compliance. As stated in the Polymers and Resins I rule, if

compliance is to be demonstrated by sampling, samples of the stripped

wet crumb or stripped latex must be taken immediately after the

stripper and analyzed to determine the residual HAP content.

II. Summary of Proposed Methods

A. Method 310

The proposed method is adapted from a test method submitted to the

EPA by the Exxon Chemical Company. The basic principle of the method is

dissolving an EPDM crumb rubber sample in a polymer dissolving stock

solution with an internal heptane standard. The solution is then

analyzed for hexane and diene using a gas chromatograph (GC) with a

flame ionization detector (FID). The solvent actually used in the

production of the rubber is determined by the manufacturer. The

particular solvent used by Exxon is hexane, therefore the proposed

method is aimed towards the determination of residual hexane in the

crumb rubber.

B. Method 312

The proposed method is adapted from a test method submitted to the

EPA by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. The basic principle of the

method is coagulating the SBR latex sample with an internal standard

and analyzing the extract to determine styrene concentration using a GC

with a FID. The internal standard is prepared by mixing alpha-

methylstyrene with either ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol.

C. Method 313

The proposed method is adapted from a test method submitted to the

EPA by the American Synthetic Rubber Corporation (ASRC). The basic

principle of the method involves the use of a headspace analyzer in

determining the residual amount of toluene, dimer, and styrene in PBR

and SBR samples. As is the case with Method 310, the solvent used in

the production of the rubber is determined by the manufacturer. ASRC

uses toluene as its manufacturing solvent, therefore this proposed

method highlights the determination of residual toluene as the solvent.

III. Adminstrative Requirements

A. Public Hearing

In accordance with section 307(d)(5) of the Clean Air Act as

amended by Pub. L. 101-549, the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, a

public hearing will be held, if requested, to discuss the proposed

methods. Persons wishing to make oral presentations should contact EPA

at the address given in the ADDRESSES section of the preamble in the

Polymers and Resins I rule. Oral presentations will be limited to 15

minutes each. Any member of the public may file a written statement

with the EPA before, during, or within 30 days after the hearing.

Written statements should be addressed to the Air Docket Section

address given in the ADDRESSES section of the Polymers and Resins I

rule.

A verbatim transcript of the hearing and written statements will be

available for public inspection and copying during normal working hours

at EPA's Air Docket Section in Washington, D.C.

B. Docket

The docket is an organized and complete file for all information

submitted or otherwise considered by EPA in the development of this

proposed rulemaking. The principal purposes of the docket are: (1) To

allow interested parties to identify and locate documents so that they

can effectively participate in the rulemaking process, and (2) to serve

as the record in case of judicial review (except for interagency review

materials) (Clean Air Act section 307(d)(7)(A)).

C. Office of Management and Budget Review

Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735 October 4, 1993)), the EPA

is required to judge whether a regulation is ``significant'' and

therefore subject to Office of Management and Budget

[[Page 30819]] (OMB) review and the requirements of this Executive

Order to prepare a regulatory impact analysis (RIA). The Order defines

``significant regulatory action'' as one that is likely to result in a

rule that may: (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million

or more or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of

the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public

health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or

communities; (2) create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere

with an action taken or planned by another agency; (3) materially alter

the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan

programs, or the rights and obligation of recipients thereof; or (4)

raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the

President's priorities, or the principles set forth in the Executive

Order.

D. Regulatory Flexibility Act Compliance

The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) of 1980 requires the

identification of potentially adverse impacts of Federal regulations

upon small business entities. The RFA specifically requires the

completion of an analysis in those instances where small business

impacts are possible. This rulemaking does not impose emission

measurement requirements beyond those specified in the current

regulations, nor does it change any emission standard. Because this

rulemaking imposes no adverse economic impacts, an analysis has not

been conducted.

Pursuant to section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5

U.S.C. 605(b), the Administrator certifies that this rule will not have

a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities because

no additional cost will be incurred by such entities.

E. Paperwork Reduction Act

The rule does not change any information collection requirements

subject of Office of Management and Budget review under the Paperwork

Reduction Act of 1980, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

F. Unfunded Mandates

Under Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

(``Unfunded Mandates Act''), signed into law on March 22, 1995, EPA

must prepare a budgetary impact statement to accompany any proposed or

final rule that includes a Federal mandate that may result in estimated

costs to State, local, or tribal governments in the aggregate; or to

the private sector, of $100 million or more. Under section 205, EPA

must select the most cost-effective and least burdensome alternative

that achieves the objectives of the rule and is consistent with

statutory requirements. Section 203 requires EPA to establish a plan

for significantly or uniquely impacted by the rule.

EPA has determined that the action proposed today does not include

a Federal mandate that may result in estimated costs of $100 million or

more to either State, local, or tribal governments in the aggregate, or

to the private sector. Therefore, the requirements of the Unfunded

Mandates Act do not apply to this action.

G. Statutory Authority

The statutory authority for this proposal is provided by section

112 of the Clean Air Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C., 7412.

Dated: May 30, 1995.

Carol M. Browner,

Administrator.

[FR Doc. 95-13923 Filed 6-9-95; 8:45 am]

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