EPA Issues New Hazardous Emissions Rule for Body Shops

As previously announced in a GCADA publication, the initial notification deadline for the new EPA hazardous emissions rule is January 11, 2010.  Please review the information below for complete details on the rule. 

Taking aim at hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) containing cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese and nickel, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a tough area source rule covering body shops. The rule, which mandates full compliance by December 2010, requires body shops to:

1. Paint only inside filtered, ventilated paint booths or prep stations.

2. Use high transfer efficiency application equipment.

3. Clean guns with non-hazardous solvents, in gun-enclosed washers, or using a method that does not involve atomized spraying to the open air. 

4. Have painters trained and certified every five years.

5. Make a one-time facility compliance notification to EPA and the state by January 11, 2010.Click HERE to download a sample initial notification form to be completed by the body shop.  Basic records demonstrating compliance must be kept for at least 5 years after the date of each record.

The rule also:

1. Allows a shop to petition for an exemption if it does not spray coatings with any of the above-listed HAPs of concern.  The standard does not specify a date for submitting the petition, however, it is suggested that the petition be submitted by the Initial Notification date of January 11, 2010. The petition must include a description of the coatings used and certification that you do not spray/apply any coatings containing the target HAPs.  Click HERE to download a sample petition for exemption.

Note: If circumstances change such that you intend to use a target HAP- containing coating, you must make notification and comply with the requirements of this Subpart.

2. Excludes the spraying of coatings from hand-held guns with paint cups of 3.0 fluid ounces or less.

Paint stripping involving methylene chloride (MeCl) is significantly regulated, especially for any shop using more than one ton of MeCl per year. Where possible, body shops should avoid the use of strippers containing MeCl. 

GCADA staff will continue to monitor the rule and update you as additional information becomes available.   In the meantime, body shops should be sure to submit the initial notification form by January 11, 2010.  Any shop planning to petition for an exemption should submit their petition along with their initial notification form.

If you have any questions about the information in this update or the S.A.F.E. program, please contact Nick Hanna or Karen Ford.