DRAFT AGENDA

Mineral Wool and Wool Fiberglass RTRs

Meeting between OMB and EPA 

October 5, 2011

4:00 to 5:00 pm (Eastern Time) 

Call-in Number: 919-541-4376

Agenda Topics:

1. Summary of the Industry and the Current MACT Standard

2. Proposed Amendments 
MINERAL WOOL INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

• Mineral Wool is a building insulation serving primarily the industrial, commercial and institutional 

markets- used for thermal or acoustical insulation, noise attenuation, and fire protection

• Mineral wool is a fibrous, glassy substance made from natural rock, blast furnace slag, or other similar 

materials and consists of silicate fibers typically 4 to 7 micrometers in diameter

• 6 companies, 7 facilities. 5 of the 6 companies are Small Businesses

• SBAR Panel convened June 1, 2011.

• All facilities are major sources of HAP emissions 

DRAFT 2011 RTR Amendments

112(d)(3) MACT

• Proposing to correct deficiencies for pollutants that were not regulated in the 1999 MACT 

o HF

o HCl

o COS (Surrogacy removed)

o Phenol (Surrogacy removed)

o Methanol (Surrogacy removed)

o Formaldehyde 

• Proposing to correct deficiency for the collection process that was not regulated in the 1999 MACT

o Collection/curing are being ‘bundled’ together

o Subcategorizing according to 3 types of collection/curing

112(f)(2) Risk Review

• Risk is acceptable at current levels and within an ample margin of safety; no amendments are proposed 

based on 112(f)(2)

112(d)(6) Technology Review

• No changes proposed based on 112(d)(6)

Other Changes

• Startup and Shutdown- emission limits (in lb/hour units) equivalent to production-based emission limits 

for periods during which no production exists

• Malfunction-Affirmative defense language

• Clarifying that ‘incinerator’ in rule means ‘thermal oxidizer’ to avoid confusion with 129 rules

Mineral Wool 1999 MACT

Cupola Existing Sources 0.10 lb PM per ton of melt 

New Sources 0.10 lb PM per ton of melt 

0.10 lb CO per ton of melt, or 

Reduce uncontrolled CO emissions ≥ 99% 

Curing Oven Existing and New Sources 0.06 lb formaldehyde per ton of melt, or

Reduce uncontrolled formaldehyde emissions ≥ 80% 
WOOL FIBERGLASS INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

• Wool fiberglass is a building insulation serving primarily the residential housing market- thermal and 

acoustical insulation for buildings, automobiles, aircraft, appliances, ductwork, and pipes; other uses 

include liquid and air filtration.

• 30 facilities and 80 furnaces use a variety of processes and formulations depending on end use market

• Most of industry is phasing out the use of formaldehyde-based binders

• Some facilities are using a new technology to extend furnace life that creates high hexavalent chromium 

emissions

• 2010 voluntary ICR, including some emissions testing, was conducted by industry. 

DRAFT 2011 RTR Amendments

112(d)(3) MACT

• Proposing to correct deficiencies for pollutants that were not regulated in the 1999 MACT 

o HF

o HCl

o Phenol (Surrogacy removed)

o Methanol (Surrogacy removed)

o Formaldehyde 

112(f)(2) Risk Review

• Hexavalent chromium is the primary risk driver, followed by formaldehyde.

• We are proposing chrome limits to the rule

112(d)(6) Technology Review

• Proposing revised limits based on improved PM control technologies

• Proposing to add chrome limits based on new technology to extend furnace life

Other Changes

• Startup and Shutdown- emission limits (in lb/hour units) equivalent to production-based emission limits 

for periods during which no production exists

• Malfunction-Affirmative defense language

• Clarifying that ‘incinerator’ in rule means ‘thermal oxidizer’ to avoid confusion with 129 rules

Wool Fiberglass 1999 MACT

Glass- Melting Furnaces Existing and New Sources 0.50 lb PM per ton of glass pulled 

Rotary Spin (RS) Lines Existing Sources 1.2 lb formaldehyde per ton of glass pulled

New Sources 0.8 lb formaldehyde per ton of glass pulled 

Flame Attenuation (FA) Lines New Sources Heavy-Density 7.8 lb formaldehyde per ton of glass pulled 

Existing & New

Sources

Pipe Product 6.8 lb formaldehyde per ton of glass pulled