06-096 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

Chapter 161 : GRAPHIC ARTS - OFFSET LITHOGRAPHY AND LETTERPRESS 

PRINTING 

Summary: This regulation restricts the volatile organic compound (VOC) 

emissions from Offset Lithography and Letterpress operations. 

1. Applicability 

A. This regulation applies statewide. 

B. This regulation applies to any Offset Lithography (Heatset, Sheet Fed or Coldset) and Letterpress 

printing operation: 

(1) whose maximum actual emissions are greater than three tons of VOCs per rolling 12 month 

period or; 

(2) for non-heatset printing operations, whose total volume of cleaning solution, alcohol fountain 

solution, alcohol substitutes, coatings and ink purchased or used in any 30 day rolling period 

is greater than 64 gallons per month, or equivalently, 768 gallons in any 12 month rolling 

period or; 

(3) for heatset printing operations whose total weight of heatset inks, cleaning solution, fountain 

solution and fountain solution additives purchased or used in any 30 day rolling period is 

greater than 450 pounds per month, or equivalently, 5400 pounds per 12 month rolling 

period. 

Any person claiming exemption pursuant to this subsection shall record and maintain monthly 

operational records sufficient to demonstrate compliance as specified in Subsection 5A(7) of this 

Chapter. 

NOTE: Graphic Arts - Flexography and Rotogravure printing operations are subject to 

Graphic Arts - Rotogravure and Flexography, 06-096 CMR 132 (effective 

February 10, 1993) . 

NOTE: Facilities or any owner that emits greater than 10 pounds per hour, 100 pounds 

per day of VOCs may have additional air licensing requirements and should 

contact the Department to determine whether any licensing requirements apply. 

C. Any owner or operator of an offset lithographic or letterpress printing operation, who is subject to 

this rule, must demonstrate compliance by twelve months from the effective date of this rule. 

For a source that commences operation after May 31, 2010, the owner or operator must determine 

compliance status by 12 months after the date on which the source commences operation, or as 

otherwise specified in a BACT analysis included in an air emission license . 

D. Any printing operation that is subject to this Chapter due solely to exceeding the applicability 

threshold of three tons of VOC emissions per year in subsection 1B, and whose VOC emissions 

subsequently fall below that applicability threshold for a rolling 12 month period will remain 

subject to the requirements of this Chapter for three years following the conclusion of that 12 
06-096 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

month rolling period. The printing operation will become subject to this Chapter anew upon 

exceeding any applicability threshold set forth in subsection 1B . 

2. Definitions 

A. Actual Emissions. "Actual Emissions" means calculating a VOC mass balance over a period of 

time, using invoices and usage records to determine amounts of ink, fountain solution and 

cleaning solutions purchased and used; multiplied by an applicable emission retention factor. 

B. Alcohol . "Alcohol" means any of the following compounds, when used as a fountain solution 

additive for offset lithographic or letterpress printing : ethanol, n-propanol, and isopropanol . 

C. Alcohol substitute. "Alcohol substitute" means any non-alcohol additives that contain VOCs 

and are used in the fountain solution ; including but not limited to ethylene glycol or glycol ether 

compounds. Some additives are used to reduce the surface tension of water: others are added to 

prevent piling (ink build-up). 

D. Automatic Blanket Wash System. "Automatic Blanket Wash System" means equipment used 

to clean lithographic blankets which can include, but is not limited to those utilizing a cloth and 

expandable bladder, brush, spray, or impregnated cloth system . 

E. BACT. "BACT" means Best Available Control Technology as defined in Definitions Regulation 

06-096 CMR 100 (last amended December 24, 2005) . 

F. CAM. "CAM" means Compliance Assurance Monitoring as described in 40 CFR Part 64. 

G. Cleaning Solution. "Cleaning Solution" means any liquid solvent or solution used to clean the 

operating surfaces of a printing press and its parts. For purposes of this rule, cleaning solutions 

include but are not limited to blanket wash, roller wash, metering roller cleaner, plate cleaner, 

impression cylinder washes, rubber rejuvenators, and other cleaners used for cleaning a press, 

press parts, or to remove dried ink or coating from areas around the press. 

H. Control device. "Control device" means equipment used to reduce, by destruction or removal, 

the amount of air pollutant(s) in an air stream prior to discharge to the ambient air. 

I. Dampening System. "Dampening system" means equipment used to deliver the fountain 

solution to the lithographic plate. 

J. Fountain Solution. "Fountain solution : means a mixture of water and other volatile and nonvolatile chemicals and additives that maintains the quality of the printing plate including 

preventing debris build up (e.g ., spray power, paper fiber, coating particles, dried ink particles 

and other materials), and increases viscosity and reduces the surface tension of the water so that is 

spreads easily across the printing plate service . The fountain solution wets the non-image area so 

that the ink is maintained within the image areas. Non-volatiles additives include mineral salts 

and hydrophilic gums. Alcohol and alcohol substitutes are the most common VOC additives used 

to reduce the surface tension of the fountain solution. 

Chapter 161 : Graphic Arts - Offset Lithography and Letterpress Printing 

-2- 
06-096 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

K. Fountain Solution Reservoir. "Fountain Solution Reservoir" means the collection tank that 

accepts fountain solution recirculated from printing unit(s) . In some cases, the tanks are equipped 

with cooling coils for refrigeration of the fountain solution. 

L. Heatset. "Heatset" means any operation where the printing inks are set by the evaporation of the 

ink oils in a heatset dryer. 

M. Heatset Dryer. "Heatset dryer" means any device used in heatset web offset lithographic 

printing to heat the printed substrate and to promote the evaporation of ink oils . 

N. Inking System. "Inking System" means a series of rollers used to meter ink onto the lithographic 

plate. The system can include agitators, pumps, totes, and others types of ink containers. 

O. Letterpress printing press. "Letterpress Printing press" means a printing press that uses a relief 

method which uses type directly . Printing is done from cast metal type or plates on which the 

image or printing areas is raised above the nonprinting areas. Ink rollers touch on the surface of 

the raised areas. The surrounding (nonprinting) areas are lower and do not receive ink . The 

inked image is transferred directly to the paper. 

P. Lithography. "Lithography" means a planographic printing process where the image and 

nonimage areas are chemically differentiated; the image area is oil receptive and the nonimage 

area is water receptive . This method differs from other printing methods, where the image is 

typically printed from a raised or recessed surface . 

Q. Non-heatset . "Non-heatset" means a printing process where the printing inks are set by 

absorption and/or oxidation of the ink oil, not by evaporation of the ink oils in a dryer. For the 

purposes of this rule, use of an infrared heater or printing conducted using ultraviolet-cured or 

electron beam-cured inks is considered non-heatset . 

R. Offset. "Offset" means a printing process that transfers the ink film from the lithographic plate to 

an intermediary surface (blanket), which, in turn, transfers the ink film to the substrate . 

S. Press. "Press" means printing production assembly composed of one or more units used to 

produce a printed substrate including any associated coating, spray power application, heatset 

web dryer, ultraviolet or electron beam curing units, or infrared heating units. 

T. Sheet fed. "Sheet fed" means any operation where paper is fed to the press in individual sheets. 

U. Substrate. "Substrate" means the surface to which a coating is applied . 

V. VOC Composite Partial Vapor Pressure - "VOC Composite Partial Vapor Pressure" means the 

sum of the partial pressure of the compounds defined as VOCs. VOC composite partial vapor 

pressure is calculated as follows : 

" (W,.) (VP,) l MW,. 

PP = ~ W,, + W +  W 

MW,, MW~ ~ MW, 

Chapter 161 : Graphic Arts - Offset Lithography and Letterpress Printing 

-3- 
06-096 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

Where: 

Wi = Weight of the "i"th VOC compound, in grams 

W, = Weight of water, in grams 

W, = Weight of exempt compound, in grams 

MWi = Molecular weight of the "i"th VOC compound, in g/g-mole 

MWw= Molecular weight of water, in g/g-mole 

MW, = Molecular weight of exempt compound, in g/g-mole 

PP, = VOC composite partial vapor pressure at 20°C (68°F), in mm Hg 

VPi = Vapor pressure of the "i"th VOC compound at 20°C (68°F), in mm Hg 

W. Web. "Web" means a continuous roll of paper used as a printing substrate . 

3. Emission Control Limits 

A. Work Practice Standards, Fountain and Cleaning Solution VOC Limits 

Any owner or operator of a facility that utilizes any type of heatset, coldset or sheet fed offset 

web lithography printing press, or letterpress printing press system is subject to the following 

requirements for : 

(1) Work Practice Standards Each owner or operator shall use the following work practices : 

(a) New and used VOC-containing ink, fountain solution and cleaning solvent, 

including solvents mixed on the premises, shall be stored in a nonabsorbent, non-leaking 

container. Such a container shall be kept closed at all times except when 

the container is being filled, emptied or is otherwise actively in use; 

(b) Spills and leaks of VOC-containing ink, fountain solution and cleaning solvent 

shall be minimized. Any leaked or spilled VOC-containing ink, fountain solution 

or cleaning solvent shall be absorbed and removed immediately to a sealed storage 

container. Spills of hazardous waste may also be subject to reporting pursuant to 38 

MRSA § 1318-B (1) and the Hazardous Waste Management Rules, 06-096 CMR 

Chapters 850-857 . 

(e) 

(f) 

(c) Absorbent applicators, such as cloth and paper, which are moistened with VOC 

containing ink, fountain solution or cleaning solvent, shall be stored in a closed, 

non-absorbent, non-leaking container for disposal or recycling; 

(d) VOC-containing ink, fountain solution and cleaning solvents shall be conveyed 

from one location to another in closed containers or pipes; and 

Cleaning shall be performed to minimize associated VOC emissions . 

VOC waste containing materials as well as any hazardous waste may not be stored in any 

container which is rusted, bulging or leaking . For specific details, refer to the Standards 

for Generators of Hazardous Waste, 06-096 CMR Chapter 851 . Additionally, the tanks 

and containers used to store VOC or hazardous waste must be compatible with the waste 

stored in them, be labeled and stored according to hazardous waste management rules. 

Chapter 161 : Graphic Arts - Offset Lithography and Letterpress Printing 

-4- 
06-096 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

Refer to Maine's Hazardous Waste Management Rules, 06-096 CMR Chapters 850-857, 

as well as the federal regulations: 40 CFR 265.172 and 40 CFR 265 .177 regarding 

incompatible containers and wastes . 

(2) Fountain Solution VOC Requirements for heatset, sheet fed and coldset offset lithographic 

and letterpress presses . Any owner or operator of a subject printing press shall meet the 

following emission requirements: 

(a) Heatset Web Offset VOC Requirements for on-press fountain solution, shall achieve 

one of the following limits for fountain solution used on each heatset press; 

(i) If the fountain solution contains only alcohol substitutes, maintain the as-applied 

VOC content of the fountain solution at or below 5.0 percent, by weight, and use no 

alcohol in the fountain solution 

(ii) If the fountain solution contains alcohol ; maintain the as-applied VOC content of the 

fountain solution at or below 1 .6 per cent, by weight; or 

(iii) If the fountain solution contains alcohol and is refrigerated; maintain an as-applied 

VOC content of the fountain solution at or below 3 .0 per cent, by weight and 

refrigerate to sixty degrees Fahrenheit or less. 

(b) Sheet-Fed Web Offset VOC Requirements for on-press fountain solution shall achieve 

one of the following limits for fountain solution used on each sheet fed press : 

(i) If the fountain solution contains only alcohol substitutes, maintain the as-applied 

VOC content of the solution at or below 5.0 per cent, by weight, and use no alcohol 

in the fountain solution . 

(ii) If the fountain solution contains alcohol; maintain the as-applied VOC content of the 

fountain solution at or below 5 .0 per cent, by weight, or 

(iii) If the fountain solution contains alcohol and is refrigerated ; maintain the as-applied 

VOC content of the solution at or below 8.5 per cent, by weight and refrigerate to 

sixty degrees Fahrenheit or less. 

(iv) Exemption: sheet-fed presses with sheet size of 11 x 17 inches or smaller or with 

total fountain solution reservoir of less than one gallon. 

(c) Coldset Web Offset Requirements for on press fountain solution shall maintain the asapplied VOC content of the fountain solution used on each non-heatset press at or below 

5 .0 per cent, by weight, and use no alcohol in the fountain solution . 

(d) Where it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Department that a subject 

lithographic printing press cannot be operated with fountain solutions meeting the limits 

in this Section for reasons of technological and/or economic infeasibility, the Department 

may establish site-specific limits based upon evidence of technological or economic 

feasibility, subject to approval by the EPA. 

Chapter 161 : Graphic Arts - Offset Lithography and Letterpress Printing 

-5- 
06-096 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

(3) Cleaning Solvent Limits : The owner or operator of an offset lithographic or 

letterpress printing presses shall use cleaning solvents that: 

(a) Have composite partial vapor pressure less than 10 mm Hg at 20°C, or; have a VOC 

content less than 70 per cent by weight ; and 

(4) Exemptions 

(a) Fountain Solution Limits for Sheet-Fed Web Offset or Letterpress presses : sheet-fed 

presses with sheet size of 11 x 17 inches or smaller or with total fountain solution 

reservoir of less than one gallon. 

(b) Fountain Solution Limits for Coldset Web Offset or Letterpress presses : sheet-fed 

presses with sheet size of 11 x 17 inches or smaller or with total fountain solution 

reservoir of less than one gallon. 

(c) Cleaning Solution Limits: For non - press or press parts cleaning processes, a facility is 

allowed to use a maximum 110 gallons of higher VOC content cleaning solvents within 

any consecutive twelve month period. This includes cleaning solutions used on 

electronic components of a press, pre-press cleaning operations (e.g . platemaking), postpress cleaning operations (e.g . binding), cleaning supplies (e.g . detergents) used to clean 

floors (other than dried ink) in an area around a press, or cleaning performed in parts 

washers or cold cleaners. 

B. VOC Emission Control Requirements for Heatset Dryers 

(1) 

(3) 

An owner or operator of a Lithographic or Letterpress heatset dryer system whose actual 

emissions are greater than 25 tons per year of VOC emissions from the dryer, before controls, 

shall be equipped with a control system and shall operate the control system to meet the following 

requirements. 

Exemption: Heatset presses used for book printing and heatset presses with maximum web 

width of 22 inches or less are excluded from the add-on control requirements. 

(2) For a control system first installed before the effective date of this rule the control system 

shall reduce VOC emissions from each dryer by at least ninety per cent or maintain a 

maximum VOC outlet concentration of twenty ppmv, as hexane (C6H,4) on a dry basis, 

whichever is less stringent ; or 

For a control system first installed on or after the effective date of this rule, the control 

system shall reduce VOC emissions from each dryer by at least ninety-five per cent or 

maintain a maximum VOC outlet concentration of twenty ppmv, as hexane (C61114) on a dry 

basis, whichever is less stringent ; or 

(4) An owner or operator of a heatset lithographic or heatset letter press printing press and 

dryer(s) equipped with a control system shall maintain the dryer air pressure lower than the 

pressroom air pressure at all times the press is operating; and ensure that : 

Chapter 161 : Graphic Arts - Offset Lithography and Letterpress Printing 

-6- 
06-096 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

(a) The capture system and control device are operated at all times that the printing press is 

in operation; and the manufacturer's minimum recommended operating temperature for 

the control device or as such other minimum operating temperature as specified in a 

BACT or CAM analysis included in a license issued after 1997, shall be maintained 

whenever the presses are in operation, and 

(b) The control device is equipped with the applicable monitoring equipment specified in 

Section 4 Compliance Test methods, and the monitoring equipment is installed, 

calibrated, operated, and maintained according to the manufacturer's specifications or as 

otherwise specified in a BACT or CAM analysis included in a license issued after 1997 at 

all times the control device is in use. 

C. Any owner or operator shall demonstrate compliance with this section through the applicable 

coating analysis and test methods specified in Section 4 Compliance Test Methods of this rule 

and in accordance with the capture efficiency test methods in Chapter 126. 

4. Compliance Test methods. 

The following test methods shall be used, except where the use of an adaptation or alternative to any 

of the analytical methods specified in this section shall be approved by the Department and US EPA 

on a case-by-case basis . The owner or operator shall submit sufficient documentation for the 

Department and US EPA to find that the analytical methods specified below would yield inaccurate 

results and that the proposed adaptation is appropriate. 

A. For any heatset web offset or heatset web letterpress printing press that is subject to the 

requirements of Section 3B VOC Emission Control Requirements for Heatset Dryers, compliance 

shall be determined by performing emission tests in accordance with the following : 

(1) For the purpose of demonstrating compliance with the emission control requirements in 

Section 3B of this rule, the affected source shall be run at typical operating conditions and 

flow rates compatible with scheduled production during any emission testing . 

(2) The negative dryer pressure shall be established during the initial test using an airflow 

direction indicator, such as a smoke stick or aluminum ribbons, or differential pressure gauge. 

(3) The following US EPA test methods (in 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix A) shall be used to 

demonstrate compliance with the applicable emission control requirement in Section 3B of 

this rule. 

(a) US EPA Method 1 or lA, as appropriate, shall be used to select the sampling sites . 

(b) US EPA Method 2, 2A, 2C, or 2D, as appropriate, shall be used to determine the velocity 

and volumetric flow rate of the exhaust stream. 

(c) US EPA Method 3 or 3A, as appropriate, shall be used to determine the concentration of 

OZ and COZ. 

(d) US EPA Method 4 shall be used to determine moisture content . 

Chapter 161 : Graphic Arts - Offset Lithography and Letterpress Printing 

-7- 
06-096 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

(e) US EPA Method 18, 25, or 25A shall be used to determine the VOC concentration of the 

exhaust stream entering and exiting the control device, unless the alternate limit of twenty 

ppmv as specified in Section 3B of this rule is being met, in which case only the VOC 

concentration of the exit exhaust shall be determined. In cases where the anticipated 

outlet VOC concentration of the control device is less than fifty ppmv as carbon, Method 

25A shall be used. 

(i) If the average concentrations in the outlet of a thermal or catalytic oxidizer measured 

by Method 25A are greater than fifty ppmv as carbon, Method 18 or 25 may be used 

to determine non-VOC components (methane and ethane) to correct the outlet VOC 

readings, unless the director determines that the uncorrected Method 25A results are 

acceptable. 

(ii) A compliance test shall consist of up to three separate runs, each lasting a minimum 

of sixty minutes, unless the director determines that process variables dictate shorter 

sampling times. 

(iii) US EPA Method 25 specifies a minimum probe temperature of two hundred sixtyfive degrees Fahrenheit. The probe shall be heated to at least the temperature required 

to prevent condensation as specified in the stack test protocol required by the 

governing air emission license, or otherwise approved in writing by the Department 

and EPA. 

(iv) US EPA Method 25A specifies a minimum temperature of two hundred twenty 

degrees Fahrenheit for the sampling components leading to the analyzer . The 

sampling components and flame ionization detector block shall be heated to at least 

the temperature required to prevent condensation as specified in the stack test 

protocol required by the governing air emission license, or otherwise approved by the 

Department and EPA. 

B. For any offset lithographic printing press that is subject to the requirements of Section 3A(2) 

Fountain Solution limits of this rule, compliance with the VOC content of the as-applied fountain 

solution shall be determined by one of the methods in paragraphs 4B(l) and (2) (below) of this 

rule except when paragraph 4B(4) is applicable: . 

(1) US EPA Method 24 shall be used to determine the VOC content of the as-applied fountain 

solution; 

(2) If diluted prior to use, a calculation shall be performed for VOC content that combines US 

EPA Method 24 analytical data for the concentrated materials used to prepare the as-applied 

fountain solution and the proportions in which they are mixed to make the as-applied fountain 

solution . The analysis of the concentrated material(s) may be performed by the 

manufacturer/supplier(s) of those material(s) . The analytical data may be derived from a 

material safety data sheet (MSDS) or equivalent information from the supplier as long as it is 

based on US EPA Method 24 results; or 

(3) If not diluted prior to use, the owner or operator shall use formulation information provided 

by the supplier, such as a MSDS sheet or equivalent information from the supplier . In the 

Chapter 161 : Graphic Arts - Offset Lithography and Letterpress Printing 

-8- 
06-096 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

event of a dispute between information provided by the supplier and data obtained by US 

EPA Method 24, the data obtained by US EPA Method 24 shall be employed. 

(4) For any offset lithographic printing press that is subject to the Fountain Solution requirements 

of Sections 3A(2)(a) (ii) and (iii) of this rule, when adding alcohol to a fountain solution 

batch previously tested in accordance with one of the compliance test methods contained 

herein, in lieu of the methods in paragraphs 4B(1) to (3) above, the owner or operator shall 

determine the VOC (alcohol) content of the altered fountain solution using a hydrometer. 

C. For any offset lithographic printing press that is subject to the refrigerated fountain solution 

temperature requirements of 3B(2)(a)(iii) and 3B(2)(b)(iii) of this rule, a thermometer or other 

temperature detection device capable of reading to 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit shall be used to ensure 

that any refrigerated fountain solution reservoirs are maintained at or below sixty degrees 

Fahrenheit at all times. 

D. For any offset lithographic printing press that is complying via the Cleaning Solution 

requirements for VOC content of 70% by weight limits of this rule, the VOC content of cleaning 

solutions shall be determined by one of the following methods: 

(1) US EPA Method 24 shall be used to determine the VOC content of the cleaning solution; 

(2) If diluted prior to use, a calculation shall be performed for VOC content that combines US 

EPA Method 24 analytical data for the concentrated materials used to prepare the cleaning 

solution and the proportions in which they are mixed to make the as-applied cleaning 

solution . The analysis of the concentrated material(s) may be performed by the supplier(s) of 

those material(s) . The analytical data may be derived from a material safety data sheet 

(MSDS) or equivalent information from the supplier as long as it is based on US EPA 

Method 24 results ; or (c) If not diluted prior to use, the owner or operator shall use 

formulation information provided by the supplier, such as MSDS sheet or equivalent 

information from the supplier . In the event of a dispute between information provided by the 

supplier and data obtained by US EPA Method 24, the data obtained by US EPA Method 24 

shall be employed. 

E. For any offset lithographic printing press that is complying via the Cleaning Solution 

requirements for VOC composite vapor pressure limits of this rule, the VOC composite partial 

vapor pressure of cleaning solutions shall be determined by one of the following methods : 

(1) If diluted prior to use, calculate the VOC composite vapor pressure of the as-applied solvent 

by using the formula for "VOC composite vapor pressure" as follows : 

(a) Determine the identity and quantity of each compound in a blended organic solvent by 

using ASTM D2306, or by using ASTM E260 for organics and ASTM D3792 for water 

content, if applicable, or the manufacturer's product formulation data. 

(b) Determine the vapor pressure of each pure VOC component by using ASTM D2879 or 

publications such as Perry's Chemical Engineer's Handbook, CRC Handbook of 

Chemistry and Physics, or Lange's Handbook of Chemistry. 

Chapter 161 : Graphic Arts - Offset Lithography and Letterpress Printing 

-9- 
06-096 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

(c) Calculate the VOC composite partial pressure of the solvent by using the formula for 

"VOC composite partial pressure" in Section 2T. For the purpose of this calculation, the 

blended solvent shall be assumed to be an ideal solution where Raoult's Law applies . The 

partial vapor pressures of each compound at twenty degrees Celsius (sixty-eight degrees 

Fahrenheit) shall be used in the formula. 

(2) If not diluted prior to use, the owner or operator shall use formulation information provided 

by the supplier, such as a material safety data sheet (MSDS) or equivalent information from 

the supplier as long as it is based on results determined in accordance with the procedure 

specified above in Section 4E(1) of this rule. 

5. Monitoring and Recordkeeping Requirements 

A. Recordkeeping and reporting. The records required in this section shall be available for 

inspection during normal business hours and copies shall be provided to the Department or US 

EPA upon request . All records must be maintained on site for a period of 6 years. The periods of 

retention are extended automatically during the course of any unresolved enforcement action 

regarding regulated activity or as requested by the Department or by an Administrator of the 

USEPA. 

(1) The owner or operator of any heatset offset lithographic or letterpress printing press that is 

subject to the control system requirements specified in Section 3B of this rule, shall install 

and operate continuous temperature monitoring and recording equipment that measures and 

records temperature data at least once every fifteen minutes or as otherwise approved in 

writing by the Department and EPA, and shall collect and record the following information 

and maintain the information at the facility for a period of 6 years : 

(a) For each day of operation of the press, a log or record of the operating time for the 

control device, monitoring equipment, and the associated press . 

(b) For thermal oxidizers, for each day of operation of the press; 

(i) A log or record showing all three-hour averaged periods of operation during 

which the average thermal oxidizer chamber temperature was more than fifty 

degrees Fahrenheit below the average temperature of the thermal oxidizer 

chamber temperature during the most recent emission test that demonstrated that 

the press was in compliance, or 

(ii) A log or record using ~a shorter averaging period approved in writing by the 

Commissioner and EPA, and as applicable, documenting any shutdowns 

triggered by an oxidizer shutdown threshold temperature as otherwise specified 

in a BACT analysis or CAM requirement included in an air emissions license 

after 1997; and 

(iii) A log or record showing all events when the unit shuts down due to malfunction, 

including an automatic shutdown or any events when alarms are activated shall 

be recorded, and any time that the unit is not operating. 

(c) For catalytic oxidizers, for each day of operation of the press: 

Chapter 161 : Graphic Arts - Offset Lithography and Letterpress Printing 

-10- 
06-096 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

(d) 

(i) 

(ii) 

(iii) 

Note: 

A log or record showing all three-hour averaged periods of operation during 

which the average catalytic oxidizer chamber temperature was more than fifty 

degrees Fahrenheit below the average temperature of the catalytic oxidizer 

chamber during the most recent emission test that demonstrated that the press 

was in compliance, or 

A log or record using a shorter averaging period approved in writing by the 

Commissioner and EPA, and as applicable, documenting any shutdowns. 

triggered by an oxidizer shutdown threshold temperature as otherwise specified 

in a BACT Analysis or CAM requirement included in an air emissions license 

after 1997; and 

A log or record showing all events when the unit shuts down due to malfunction, 

including an automatic shutdown or any events when alarms are activated shall 

be recorded, and any time that the unit is not operating. 

For thermal oxidizers, an owner or operator must comply with either subsection 

(1)(b)(i) or (1)(b)(ii), but must also comply with subsection (1)(b)(iii) . 

For catalytic oxidizers, an owner or operator must comply with either subsection 

(1)(c)(i) or (1)(c)(ii), but must also comply with subsection (1)(c)(iii) . 

For catalytic oxidizers, the catalyst bed material shall be inspected annually, for years in 

which the unit is operated for at least 1000 hours, for general catalyst condition and any 

signs of potential catalyst depletion . The owner or operator shall also collect a 

representative sample of the catalyst from the oxidizer, per manufacturer's 

recommendations, and have it tested to evaluate the catalyst's capability to continue to 

function at or above the required control efficiency. An evaluation of the catalyst bed 

material shall be conducted whenever the results of the inspection indicate signs of 

potential catalyst depletion or poor catalyst condition based on manufacturer's 

recommendations, but not less than once per year, but not less than once every five years, 

regardless of usage. 

(2) The owner or operator of a heatset web or sheet-fed offset lithographic printing press subject 

to the requirements for Fountain Solution containing alcohol limits pursuant to this rule shall 

measure: 

(a) The VOC (alcohol) content, in accordance with Section 4B(4)of this rule, of any altered 

fountain solution, at the time of alteration, in per cent by weight, of the fountain solution 

employed in the press and shall maintain records of the results of the measurements at the 

facility for a period of six years. 

(b) On a daily basis, the temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit, of the fountain solution, if the 

owner or operator refrigerates the fountain solution containing alcohol in accordance with 

paragraph 3B(2)(a)(iii) and 3B(b)(iii) of this rule, . and shall maintain records of the results 

of the measurements at the facility for a period of six years. 

Chapter 161 : Graphic Arts - Offset Lithography and Letterpress Printing 

-11- 
06-096 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

(5) 

(3) The owner or operator of a subject lithographic printing press shall maintain records of all 

recipes used to prepare the as-applied fountain solution to meet the limits specified in Section 

3A(2) Fountain Solution VOC requirements. A fountain solution that is continuously 

blended with an automatic mixing unit is considered to be the same batch until such time that 

the recipe or mix ratios change. Each recipe shall be maintained in the recipe log for a period 

of six years from the date the recipe was last prepared for a press. Each recipe shall clearly 

identify the following : 

(a) The volume and VOC content of each concentrated alcohol substitute, added to make a 

batch of fountain solution, based upon the manufacturer's laboratory analysis using US 

EPA Method 24. 

(b) The proportions in which the fountain solution is mixed, including the addition of alcohol 

and/or water. The proportion may be identified as a volume when preparing a discrete 

batch or may be identified as the settings when an automatic mixing unit is employed. 

(c) The calculated VOC content of a final, mixed batch recipe. 

(d) The date, time and any recipe changes or deviations of fountain solution batches that are 

used on a press. 

(4) The owner or operator of a subject lithographic printing press not maintaining a recipe log in 

accordance with Section 5A(3) above, shall maintain records for each batch of fountain 

solution prepared for use in the press, including: 

(a) The volume and VOC content of any concentrated alcohol substitute, added to make a 

batch of fountain solution, based upon the manufacturer's laboratory analysis using US 

EPA Method 24 . 

(b) The volume of any alcohol added to make each batch of fountain solution. 

(c) The volume of water added to make the batch of fountain solution. 

(d) The calculated VOC content of the final, mixed batch. 

(e) The date and time the batch was prepared. 

The owner or operator shall maintain records of the VOC content or VOC composite partial 

vapor pressure of all cleaning materials employed in all the lithographic and letterpress 

printing operations. 

(6) The owner or operator of a subject lithographic printing press or letterpress printing press 

shall maintain records of the following information : 

(a) The total amount, in gallons, of all the cleanup materials used; and 

(b) The total amount, in gallons, of the entire cleanup materials used that exceeds the 

allowable VOC content or VOC composite vapor pressure . 

Chapter 161 : Graphic Arts - Offset Lithography and Letterpress Printing 

-12- 
06-096 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

(7) Exempted printing operations shall maintain monthly purchase records and Material Safety 

Data Sheets (MSDS) for each process chemical, as used to comply with the Occupational 

Safety and Health Administration's Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200. 

The records shall document the quantities and VOC content of cleaning solution, fountain 

solution alcohol, fountain solution alcohol substitutes, coatings, and ink used, to demonstrate 

that the printing operation falls below the applicability thresholds in section 1 B, or as 

specified in a BACT analysis included in an air emission license, onsite for six years . 

B. Reporting Requirements for Monitoring and Record Keeping. 

The owner or operator of a lithographic or letterpress printing facility that is subject to this rule 

shall notify the Department of exceedances within forty-five days after the instance occurs, and it 

shall include a copy of the record showing the instance(s) : 

(1) Each hydrometer measurement that shows an exceedance of the applicable alcohol content 

limits specified in this rule. 

(2) Each temperature reading that shows an exceedance of the temperature limits specified in this 

rule. 

(3) Each calculated VOC content that exceeds the VOC content limits specified in this rule. 

(4) Each instance when an exceedance of the alcohol usage restriction as specified for fountain 

solutions in this rule occurs. 

(5) Each instance when alcohol is used in the fountain solution for a non-heatset web offset 

lithographic printing press. 

(6) Each instance when an exceedance of the VOC content or VOC composite partial vapor 

pressure specified in this rule for cleanup materials occurs. 

(7) All periods of operation during which the average combustion temperature within the thermal 

oxidizer was below the temperature limits specified in Section 5A(1)(b) of this rule. 

(8) All periods of operation during which the average temperature of the catalyst bed was below 

the temperature limits specified Section 5A(1)(c) of this rule. 

6. Retention Factors and Capture Efficiencies. 

A. For purposes of determining VOC emissions from offset lithographic printing operations, the 

following retention factors and capture efficiencies shall be used: 

(1) A portion of the VOC contained in inks and cleaning solution is retained in the printed web 

or in the shop towels used for cleaning . The following retention factors shall be used; 

(a) A one-hundred percent VOC retention factor for all vegetable ink oils and a twenty per 

cent VOC retention factor shall be used for all other heatset inks printed on absorptive 

Chapter 161 : Graphic Arts - Offset Lithography and Letterpress Printing 

-13- 
06-096 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

substrates, meaning eighty per cent of the VOC in the ink is emitted during the printing 

process and is available for capture and control by an add-on pollution control device. 

(b) A one-hundred percent VOC retention factor for all vegetable ink oils and a ninety-five 

per cent VOC retention factor shall be used for all other sheet-fed and non-heatset web 

inks printed on absorptive substrates, meaning five per cent of the VOC in the ink is 

emitted during the printing process. 

(c) A fifty per cent VOC retention factor shall be used for cleaning solution VOC in shop 

towels for cleaning solutions with a VOC composite vapor pressure of no more than ten 

mm Hg at twenty degrees Celsius (sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit) if the contaminated 

shop towels are kept in closed containers, meaning fifty per cent of the VOC used on the 

shop towels is emitted during the cleaning process. 

(2) A portion of the VOC contained in inks, fountain solutions, and automatic blanket washes on 

heatset presses is captured in the press dryer for control by add-on pollution control devices . 

The following capture efficiencies are to be used; 

(a) A one hundred per cent VOC carry over efficiency shall be used for inks. All the VOC in 

the ink that is not retained is assumed to be volatilized in the press dryer. Capture 

efficiency testing for heatset dryers is not required if it is demonstrated that pressure in 

the dryer is negative relative to the surrounding press room and the airflow is into the 

dryer. 

(b) A seventy per cent VOC carry over efficiency shall be used for fountain solutions 

containing alcohol substitutes . 

(c) A forty per cent VOC carry over efficiency shall to be used for automatic blanket wash 

solutions with a VOC composite vapor pressure of no more than ten mm Hg at twenty 

degrees Celsius (sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit) . 

7. Emission limitations from the handling, storage, and disposal of materials containing VOC 

A. Vapor-tight containers shall be used for the storage of spent or fresh VOC and for the storage or 

. disposal of cloth or paper impregnated with VOC that are used for surface preparation, clean up 

or coating removal . 

B. The use of VOC is prohibited for the cleanup of spray equipment unless equipment is used to 

collect the cleaning compounds and to minimize their evaporation to the atmosphere. 

C. Some VOCs may also be designated as hazardous wastes . The handling, storage and disposal of 

hazardous wastes including such waste VOCs and cloth or paper impregnated with such waste 

VOCs are also subject to hazardous waste management standards as stipulated in Maine's 

Hazardous Waste Management Rules, 06-096 CMR Chapters 850-857 . 

AUTHORITY: 38 M.R.S.A., Section 585-A 

EFFECTIVE DATE : April 6, 2010 

Chapter 161 : Graphic Arts - Offset Lithography and Letterpress Printing 

-14- 
06-096 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

BASIS STATEMENT 

Many inks, fountain and cleaning solutions used in graphic arts contain volatile organic compounds 

(VOC), which are precursors to ground-level ozone formation . This regulation restricts the VOC 

emissions from offset lithography and letterpress printing operations. Under Section 184 of the Clean Air 

Act Amendments of 1990, requires states to implement or update reasonably available control technology 

(RACT) controls on all major VOC and NOx emission sources and on source categories covered by a 

Control Technique Guideline (CTG) document. The State must submit plans to control VOC emissions 

from all sources covered by a Control Technique Guideline (CTG) issued by US EPA. 

This regulation is based on a CTG issued by US EPA on September, 2006 (published on October 5, 2006, 

71 FR 58745) and provides emission control standards for reducing VOC emissions stemming from the 

use of fountain solutions, cleaning materials and inks. It requires all sources within this category to 

determine their emission levels and implement reasonable options for keeping such emissions at a 

minimum, in a cost effective way that includes : control technology approaches, VOC composite vapor 

pressure limits and standards for work practices . The rule provides a variety of approaches for managing 

VOC emissions and complying with the limits stipulated in the rule with flexibility for sources to 

implement the limits in the manner that is most suitable for their facility . 

Chapter 161 : Graphic Arts - Offset Lithography and Letterpress Printing 

-15-