Surface Coating and Other Shipyard-Related Environmental Issues
- February 2010 -

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) Ambient Air Standards
On February 9, EPA published the final rule revising the NO2 primary ambient air quality standards by adding a new 1-hour standard of 100 parts per billion (ppb). The annual standard of 53 ppb will remain unchanged. The rule also requires monitoring and corresponding nonattainment designations along highways where short-term NO2 concentrations are believed to be higher than elsewhere. The new short-term standard is expected to be problematic when facilities must model NO2 concentrations associated with proposed new combustion source projects.

Canadian Listing of 2-Nitropropane
Environment Canada and Health Canada have made a finding that 2-nitropropane - a solvent used in inks, adhesives, varnishes, and paint and varnish removers - poses a risk to human health and warrants controls.

Stationary Engine Regulations
On February 18, EPA announced a final rule governing hazardous air pollutant emissions from existing stationary engines less than 500 brake horsepower. Larger engines and new engines were regulated under previous rules. Rules for spark ignition engines were deferred until August. The rule is based on installing catalytic reduction devices on gasoline and natural gas engines and afterburners or catalyzed diesel particulate filters on diesel engines. The rule also imposes operating and maintenance work practices and obligations to minimize emissions during start-up and requires the use of ultra-low sulfur fuel in diesel engines over 300 horsepower.