FACT SHEET

FINAL AIR TOXICS RULE FOR POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE POLYMER AND
STYRENE-BASED THERMOPLASTIC POLYMERS PRODUCTION

TODAY'S ACTION...
     
     Under authority of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, the
     Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a 
     regulation to reduce emissions of air toxics from the
     manufacture of polyethylene terephthalate polymers and
     certain styrene-based thermoplastics.

     These polymers are used to produce such products as
     polyester fibers, soft drink bottles, automotive plastic
     parts, appliance parts, packing materials, and plastic toys. 
     EPA worked in partnership with major stakeholders, including
     industry representatives, in developing the final rule.

WHAT ARE THE HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS?

     EPA's final rule will reduce emissions of a number of air
     toxics, including styrene, butadiene, and methanol.  Air
     toxics are those pollutants that are known or suspected of
     causing cancer or other serious health effects.  

     EPA's final rule will reduce emissions of air toxics from
     existing sources by approximately 3,880 tons annually,
     representing a 20 percent reduction from current levels. 
     Many facilities subject to EPA's final rule have already
     installed stringent air pollution controls.

BACKGROUND

     Under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, EPA is required
     to regulate emissions of 189 listed toxic air pollutants. 
     On July 16, 1992, EPA published a list of source categories
     that emit one or more of these air toxics.  For listed
     categories of "major" sources (those that emit 10 tons/year
     or more of a listed pollutant or 25 tons/year or more of a
     combination of pollutants), the Clean Air Act requires EPA
     to develop standards that require the application of
     stringent air pollution controls, known as maximum
     achievable control technology (MACT).  

     EPA's published list of industry groups (known as "source
     categories") to be regulated includes major sources that
     manufacture polyethylene terephthalate polymers and certain
     styrene-based thermoplastics.

WHO MUST COMPLY WITH THE REGULATION?

     There are about 66 facilities nationwide that manufacture    
     polyethylene terephthalate polymers and certain styrene-based
     thermoplastics that will be affected by the final
     rule.

     EPA's regulation covers seven of the twenty-seven polymers
     and resins source categories that may be regulated under the
     air toxics provision of the Clean Air Act.

     Today's action also adds another polymers and resins source
     category (nitrile resins) to the list of source categories
     regulated under the Clean Air Act's air toxics program. 
     Nitrile resin manufacturing facilities will be subject to
     this final regulation.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN COMPONENTS OF EPA'S FINAL RULE?

     EPA's final rule will set a limit for the following
     emissions points at affected sources or facilities: storage
     vessels, process vents (continuous and batch), equipment
     leaks, and wastewater operations. For some existing and new
     sources or facilities, emission limits will also be set for
     process contact cooling towers.

     The monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements are
     outlined in the final rule.

HOW MUCH WILL THE RULE COST?

     The estimated capital costs for EPA's final rule will be
     about $11 million for existing sources or facilities and
     about $6.5 million for new sources or facilities.

     The estimated annual costs will be about $3.7 million for
     existing sources or facilities.  Because of cost-saving
     pollution prevention measures required for new sources or
     facilities, EPA estimates that the final rule will result in
     annual cost savings of about $5 million for new facilities.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION...

     About two weeks after signature the rule should be available
     on the TTN.  Anyone with a computer and a modem will be able
     to  download the rule from the Clean Air Act Amendments
     bulletin board (under "Recently Signed Rules") on EPA's
     Technology Transfer Network (TTN) by calling (919) 541-5742. 
     For further information about how to access the bulletin
     board, call (919) 541-5384.  For further information about the
     rule, contact Robert Rosensteel of EPA's Office of Air Quality
     Planning and Standards at (919) 541-5608.