Z

United States 

Environmental Protection 

Agency 

The 2012 Annual Effluent
 

Guidelines Review Report
 

September 2014 
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
 

Office of Water (4303T)
 

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
 

Washington, DC 20460
 

EPA-821-R-14-004
 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page 

PART I: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................I
 

1. 2012 ANNUAL REVIEW EXECUTIVE SUMMARY..............................................................1-1
 

1.1 References for 2012 Annual Review Executive Summary..................................1-5
 

2. BACKGROUND..................................................................................................................2-1
 

2.1 The Clean Water Act and the Effluent Guidelines Program................................2-1
 

2.2 Effluent Guidelines Review and Planning Process..............................................2-2
 

2.2.1	 Effluent Guidelines Review and Prioritization Factors ...........................2-2
 

2.2.2	 Annual Review Process ...........................................................................2-3
 

2.2.3	 Effluent Guidelines Program Plans........................................................2-11
 

2.3 References for Background................................................................................2-11
 

PART II: EPA'S 2012 ANNUAL REVIEW METHODOLOGY AND ANALYSES.......................... II
 

3. INTRODUCTION TO EPA’S 2012 ANNUAL REVIEW ........................................................3-1
 

4. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDER INPUT ON THE PRELIMINARY
 

2012 EFFLUENT GUIDELINES PROGRAM PLAN ....................................................................4-1
 

4.1 Public Comments and Stakeholder Input.............................................................4-1
 

5. CONTINUED REVIEW OF SELECT POINT SOURCE CATEGORIES....................................5-1
 

5.1 Meat and Poultry Products (40 CFR Part 432) ....................................................5-1
 

5.1.1	 Meat and Poultry Products Category Background...................................5-1
 

5.1.2	 Results of the 2011 Annual Review.........................................................5-5
 

5.1.3	 Results of the 2012 Annual Review.........................................................5-8
 

5.1.4	 Summary of Findings from EPA’s Review of Meat and Poultry
 

Products Category..................................................................................5-18
 

5.1.5	 References for Meat and Poultry Products Category.............................5-18
 

5.2 Petroleum Refining (40 CFR Part 419) .............................................................5-21
 

5.2.1	 Petroleum Refining Category Background............................................5-21
 

5.2.2	 Results of the 2011 Annual Review.......................................................5-22
 

5.2.3	 Results of the 2012 Annual Review.......................................................5-23
 

5.2.4	 Summary of Findings from EPA’s Review of Petroleum Refining
 

Category.................................................................................................5-29
 

5.2.5	 References for Petroleum Refining Category........................................5-29
 

5.3 Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard (40 CFR Part 430) ...............................................5-42
 

5.3.1	 Pulp and Paper Category Background ...................................................5-42
 

5.3.2	 Results of the 2011 Annual Review.......................................................5-43
 

5.3.3	 Results of the 2012 Annual Review.......................................................5-43
 

5.3.4	 Summary of Findings from EPA’s Review of Pulp and Paper
 

Category.................................................................................................5-50
 

5.3.5	 References for Pulp and Paper Category ...............................................5-51
 

6. NEW DATA SOURCES AND HAZARD ANALYSES..............................................................6-1
 

6.1 Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge.................6-2
 

v 
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) 

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6.1.1	 
 

6.1.2	 OW’s TNSSS...........................................................................................6-5
 

6.1.3	 EPA’s 2012 Annual Review of Sewage Sludge Analyses.......................6-8
 

6.1.4	 Additional Analyses Completed ............................................................6-35
 

6.1.5	 Summary of Findings from EPA’s Review of Industrial
 

Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge..............................................6-38
 

6.1.6	 References for Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge .....6-39
 

6.2	 Review of Chemical Action Plans .....................................................................6-48
 

6.2.1	 OPPT Chemical Action Plans Background ...........................................6-49
 

6.2.2	 OPPT Chemicals Reviewed...................................................................6-51
 

6.2.3	 Additional Review of Long-Chain PFCs...............................................6-72
 

6.2.4	 Summary of OW’s Findings from Chemical Action Plans Review ......6-80
 

6.2.5	 References for Review of Chemical Action Plans.................................6-82
 

6.3	 Identification of Wastewater Discharges Related to Air Pollution Control
 

Not Currently Covered by ELGs .......................................................................6-86
 

6.3.1	 Air Pollution Control Regulations Background.....................................6-86
 

6.3.2	 Review of NSPS and NESHAPs ...........................................................6-87
 

6.3.3	 Summary of Findings from EPA’s Review of Air Pollution Control
 

Regulations ............................................................................................6-93
 

6.3.4	 References for Air Pollution Control Regulations.................................6-94
 

6.4	 Review of TRI Industry Sectors Expansion.....................................................6-117
 

6.4.1 TRI Industry Sectors Expansion Background......................................6-117
 

6.4.2 Iron Ore Mining (40 CFR Part 440) ....................................................6-118
 

6.4.3 Phosphate Mining (40 CFR Part 436)..................................................6-120
 

6.4.4	 Steam Generation from Coal and/or Oil (Not Currently Regulated)...6-121
 

6.4.5	 Petroleum Bulk Storage (Not Currently Regulated)............................6-121
 

6.4.6	 Solid Waste Combustors and Incinerators (40 CFR Parts 437 and
 

444) ......................................................................................................6-122
 

6.4.7	 Large Dry Cleaning (Not Currently Regulated) ..................................6-123
 

6.4.8	 Summary of Findings from EPA’s Review of TRI Industry Sectors
 

Expansion.............................................................................................6-124
 

6.4.9	 References for Review of TRI Industry Sectors Expansion ................6-125
 

6.5	 Review of Analytical Methods ........................................................................6-127
 

6.5.1	 Data Sources ........................................................................................6-127
 

6.5.2	 EAD .....................................................................................................6-128
 

6.5.3	 OGWDW .............................................................................................6-130
 

6.5.4	 ORD .....................................................................................................6-132
 

6.5.5	 Summary of EPA’s Findings from Analytical Methods Review.........6-133
 

6.5.6	 References for Review of Analytical Methods....................................6-134
 

6.6	 Review of Industrial Wastewater Treatment Technologies.............................6-141
 

6.6.1 Industrial Wastewater Treatment Technologies Data Collection ........6-142
 

6.6.2 Industrial Wastewater Treatment Technologies Data Storage.............6-145
 

Background..............................................................................................6-3

vi 
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) 

Page 

6.6.3	 References for Review of Industrial Wastewater Treatment
 

Technologies........................................................................................6-146
 

PART III: RESULTS OF EPA’S 2012 ANNUAL REVIEW .........................................................III
 

7. RESULTS OF THE 2012 ANNUAL REVIEW........................................................................7-1
 

7.1	 Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories.........................................7-1
 

7.2	 New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses Results................................................7-2
 

7.3	 References for Results of the 2012 Annual Review ............................................7-3
 

vii 
LIST OF TABLES
 

Page 

Table 4-1. Comments on the Preliminary 2012 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan EPA 

Docket Number: EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824 ............................................................. 4-4
 

Table 5-1. BAT ELG Limitations for the Meat and Poultry Products Categorya........................ 5-2
 

Table 5-2. Meat and Poultry Category TRI and DMR Discharges for the 2009
 

Through 2011 Toxicity Rankings Analyses ............................................................. 5-4
 

Table 5-3. Meat and Poultry Category Nitrate Compounds Dischargers in the 2009 TRI
 

Database.................................................................................................................... 5-7
 

Table 5-4. Permit Status as of January 2012 and DMR Total Nitrogen Concentrations for
 

Meat and Poultry Treated Process Wastewater Outfalls ........................................ 5-16
 

Table 5-5. Petroleum Refining Category TRI and DMR Discharges for 2007 Through
 

2011 Toxicity Rankings Analysis........................................................................... 5-22
 

Table 5-6. 2010 DMR Petroleum Refinery Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds Effluent
 

Discharge Data (pg/L) ............................................................................................ 5-25
 

Table 5-7. DMR Metal Discharges, 2000–2010........................................................................ 5-26
 

Table 5-8. Treatability Data from 2009 Steam Electric Power Generation Detailed
 

Study Report ........................................................................................................... 5-27
 

Table 5-9. 2010 Petroleum Refineries Metals Data from DMR................................................ 5-28
 

Table 5-10. Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Discharges from Petroleum Refineries Reported to
 

TRI in 2004–2009................................................................................................... 5-32
 

Table 5-11. 2010 DMR Metals Data from DMR Loading Tool................................................ 5-35
 

Table 5-12. List of Full Refinery Names................................................................................... 5-40
 

Table 5-13. Pulp and Paper Category TRI and DMR Discharges for 2007 Through 2011
 

Toxicity Rankings Analysis.................................................................................... 5-42
 

Table 5-14. Facilities Using Monitoring Data to Estimate 2009 TRI Dioxin and
 

Furans Discharges................................................................................................... 5-45
 

Table 5-15. Pulp and Paper Dioxin and Furans at Mills with Detectable Concentrations
 

(pg/L)a..................................................................................................................... 5-47
 

Table 5-16. Grams and TWPE Associated with Discharges Above the ML............................. 5-48
 

Table 5-17. Facilities Using Engineering Calculations to Estimate 2009 TRI Discharges....... 5-48
 

viii 
LIST OF TABLES (Continued) 

Page 

Table 5-18. Facilities Using Other Methods to Estimate 2009 TRI Discharges ....................... 5-49
 

Table 5-19. Dioxin Data from WADOE.................................................................................... 5-50
 

Table 5-20. Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Discharges from Pulp and Paper Category Reported
 

to TRI in 2004–2009............................................................................................... 5-53
 

Table 6-1. Additional Hazard Data Sources Evaluated for the 2012 Annual Review................. 6-1
 

Table 6-2. TNSSS Analyte Groups and Applicability to EPA Programs and Regulations......... 6-6
 

Table 6-3. TNSSS-Sampled POTWs That Receive Wastewater from Industrial Facilities
 

Reporting to TRI..................................................................................................... 6-10
 

Table 6-4. Ranking of Point Source Categoriesa by the Count of Facilities Discharging to
 

a TNSSS POTW Included in TRI........................................................................... 6-12
 

Table 6-5. Pollutants Included in Both the TNSSS and TRI ..................................................... 6-14
 

Table 6-6. Pollutant Differences between TNSSS and TRI ...................................................... 6-15
 

Table 6-7. Pollutants Transferreda to POTWs, Ranked by TWPE ............................................ 6-16
 

Table 6-8. Point Source Category Rankings by Metals TWPE Potentially Transferred to
 

Sewage Sludgea....................................................................................................... 6-17
 

Table 6-9. Comparison of TNSSS Maximum Sewage Sludge Concentration to 40 CFR
 

Part 503 Regulatory Limitsa ................................................................................... 6-18
 

Table 6-10. POTWs with Highest Chromium Sewage Sludge Concentrations......................... 6-19
 

Table 6-11. TRI Point Source Categories Ranked by Total Chromium TWPE Transferred
 

to POTWsa .............................................................................................................. 6-21
 

Table 6-12. TNSSS POTWs Receiving Chromium Transfers from TRI Facilities................... 6-22
 

Table 6-13. Chromium Sewage Sludge Concentrations from TNSSS POTWs With and
 

Without Reporting TRI Facilities (mg/kg) ............................................................. 6-23
 

Table 6-14. Identification Information for Top-Ranking TNSSS POTWs for Nickel .............. 6-23
 

Table 6-15. TRI Point Source Categories Ranked by Total Nickel TWPEa

.............................. 6-25
 

Table 6-16. TNSSS POTWs Receiving Nickel Transfers from TRI Facilities ......................... 6-26
 

Table 6-17. Nickel Sewage Sludge Concentrations from TNSSS POTWs With and
 

Without Reporting TRI Facilities (mg/kg) ............................................................. 6-28
 

ix 
LIST OF TABLES (Continued) 

Page 

Table 6-18. Identification Information for Top-Ranking TNSSS POTWs for Zinc.................. 6-28
 

Table 6-19. TRI Point Source Categories Ranked by Total Zinc TWPE Transferred to
 

POTWsa .................................................................................................................. 6-30
 

Table 6-20. TNSSS POTWs Receiving Zinc Transfers from TRI Facilities............................. 6-31
 

Table 6-21. Zinc Sewage Sludge Concentrations from TNSSS POTWs With and Without
 

Reporting TRI Facilities (mg/kg) ........................................................................... 6-32
 

Table 6-22. Top TNSSS POTWs Sampled for Triclosan.......................................................... 6-33
 

Table 6-23. Data for All TNSSS POTWs Sampled for Triclosan ............................................. 6-33
 

Table 6-24. Top Estriol and Estrone Sewage Sludge Concentrations from TNSSS POTWs.... 6-35
 

Table 6-25. Data for All TNSSS POTWs Sampled for Estriol and Estrone.............................. 6-35
 

Table 6-26. Receiving Watershed Data for TNSSS POTWs..................................................... 6-36
 

Table 6-27. Analytes Sampled in the TNSSSa

........................................................................... 6-41
 

Table 6-28. Analytes Analyzed in the TNSSS: Applicability of Relevant EPA Programs....... 6-43
 

Table 6-29. Potential Actions Identified in CAPs ..................................................................... 6-50
 

Table 6-30. Discharges of BPA by Point Source Category as Reported to TRI in 2011 .......... 6-54
 

Table 6-31. NP Water Quality Criteria ...................................................................................... 6-60
 

Table 6-32. Phthalates in CAP Regulated by ELGs and/or Listed in TRI ................................ 6-66
 

Table 6-33. ELG Limits for Regulated Phthalates..................................................................... 6-67
 

Table 6-34. Discharge of Di-n-butyl phthalate by Point Source Category as Reported to
 

DMR and TRI (2011) ............................................................................................. 6-67
 

Table 6-35. Discharge of Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate by Point Source Category as
 

Reported to DMR and TRI (2011).......................................................................... 6-68
 

Table 6-36. Range of Average Phthalate Discharges Reported to DMR (2011)a ..................... 6-69
 

Table 6-37. Mean DuPont Chambers Works Monthly PFOA Concentrations and Mass
 

Loadings at Outfall 662, 2006–2009 ...................................................................... 6-76
 

Table 6-38. Detailed DuPont Chambers Works Monthly PFOA Concentrations and Mass
 

Loadings at Outfall 662, 2010–2011 ...................................................................... 6-78
 

x 
LIST OF TABLES (Continued) 

Page 

Table 6-39. Summary of the 2011 Maximum Concentration Data for 3M Decatur Plant,
 

Outfall 001 (Process Wastewater Discharge) ......................................................... 6-79
 

Table 6-40. Summary of the 2011 Maximum PFOA Concentration Data for Daikin
 

America, Inc. .......................................................................................................... 6-79
 

Table 6-41. Summary of the 2010 Average PFOA Concentration and Data for EI DuPont
 

de Nemours............................................................................................................. 6-80
 

Table 6-42. Counts of Brick and Structural Clay Products Manufacturing Facilities in the 

U.S. ......................................................................................................................... 6-89
 

Table 6-43. Existing ELGs for Industries Affected by the NESHAP for Industrial,
 

Commercial, or Institutional Boilers ...................................................................... 6-90
 

Table 6-44. Air Regulations Potentially Resulting in Wastewater Discharges in Industries
 

with No Existing Effluent Limitations Guidelines ................................................. 6-96
 

Table 6-45. Air Regulations Potentially Resulting in Wastewater Discharges not Included
 

in the Scope of Existing ELGs Prioritized for Further Review During EPA’s
 

2012 Annual Reviews............................................................................................. 6-99
 

Table 6-46. Air Regulations Potentially Resulting in Wastewater Discharges not Included
 

in the Scope of Existing ELGs Requiring Further Investigation in Future
 

Annual Reviews.................................................................................................... 6-101
 

Table 6-47. Air Regulations with Less Likely Wastewater Impacts – Scope of Air
 

Regulation and Applicable ELG........................................................................... 6-111
 

Table 6-48. Analytes in OGWDW’s 2012 UCMR.................................................................. 6-130
 

Table 6-49. ORD Drinking Water Methods Developed Within Last Five Years.................... 6-132
 

Table 6-50. 2012 CWA Method Update Rule ......................................................................... 6-135
 

Table 6-51. Pesticide Chemicals Measured by EPA Approved Methods Without Limits
 

Under the Pesticide Chemicals Manufacturing, Formulating, and Packaging
 

ELGs (40 CFR Part 455) ...................................................................................... 6-140
 

xi 
 

LIST OF FIGURES
 

Page 

Figure 2-1. Odd-Year Annual Review of Existing ELGs............................................................ 2-7
 

Figure 2-2. Odd-Year Identification of Possible New ELGs....................................................... 2-8
 

Figure 2-3. Even-Year Annual Review of Existing ELGs and Identification of
 

Possible New ELGs .................................................................................................. 2-9
 

Figure 2-4. Further Review of Industrial Categories Identified During Odd- and
 

Even-Year Annual Reviews ................................................................................... 2-10
 

Figure 5-1. Relationship Between Total Nitrogen Compounds................................................... 5-5
 

Figure 6-1. Industrial Facility Wastewater Discharge Options ................................................... 6-4
 

Figure 6-2. Universe of Industrial Facilities and Connection to POTWs Included in
 

TNSSS .................................................................................................................... 6-13
 

Figure 6-3. POTW Universe and POTWs Used to Analyze Industrial Wastewater
 

Pollutants in Sewage Sludge................................................................................... 6-14
 

Figure 6-4. Top Chromium Discharges to POTWs in TRI........................................................ 6-20
 

Figure 6-5. Top Nickel Dischargers in TRI............................................................................... 6-24
 

Figure 6-6. Top Zinc Dischargers in TRI .................................................................................. 6-29
 

Figure 6-7. Triclosan (2,4,4′-Trichloro-2′-Hydroxy-Diphenyl Ether) ....................................... 6-33
	

Figure 6-8. Estriol and Estrone Chemical Structures................................................................. 6-34
 

Figure 6-9. Perfluorooctanoic Acid (CAS Number: 335-67-1)................................................. 6-73
 

xii 
PART I: INTRODUCTION
 

I
 
Section 1—2012 Annual Review Executive Summary 

1. 2012 ANNUAL REVIEW EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

Effluent limitations guidelines and standards (ELGs) are an essential element of the 

nation’s clean water program, which was established by the 1972 Clean Water Act (CWA). 

ELGs are technology-based regulations used to control industrial wastewater discharges. EPA 

issues ELGs for new and existing point source categories that discharge directly to surface 

waters, as well as those that discharge to publicly owned treatment works (POTWs). These ELGs 

are applied in permits to limit the pollutants that facilities may discharge. To date, EPA has 

established ELGs to regulate wastewater discharges from 58 point source categories. This 

regulatory program substantially reduces industrial water pollution and continues to be a critical 

aspect of the effort to clean the nation's waters. 

In addition to developing new ELGs, the CWA requires EPA to revise existing ELGs 

when appropriate. Over the years, EPA has revised ELGs in response to developments such as 

advances in treatment technology and changes in industry processes. To continue its efforts to 

reduce industrial wastewater pollution and fulfill CWA requirements, EPA has established an 

annual review and effluent guidelines planning process with three main objectives: (1) review 

existing ELGs to identify candidates for revision, (2) identify new categories of direct 

dischargers for possible development of effluent guidelines, and (3) identify new categories of 

indirect dischargers for possible development of pretreatment standards. To achieve these 

objectives, EPA conducts a two-phase review. First, EPA screens industrial discharges based on 

the relative hazard they pose to human health and the environment. Then, for those categories 

identified as a hazard priority, EPA conducts a more detailed evaluation to determine if the 

category is a candidate for new or revised ELGs. 

Beginning with the 2012 Annual Review, EPA is augmenting the methods and data 

sources it uses to identify industrial categories for which new or revised effluent limitations 

guidelines and standards may be developed. This new approach, described in detail in this report, 

combines the traditional toxicity rankings analysis (TRA) and the analyses of new hazard data 

sources (not included in the TRA) coupled with an expanded review of new or improved 

treatment technologies. EPA will perform these review efforts in alternate years—completing the 

TRA in odd years and the analyses of additional industrial hazard data sources and new 

treatment technologies in even years. EPA has already completed its review for 2011 using the 

TRA and published the results in the Preliminary 2012 Plan (78 FR 48159). 

For the 2012 Annual Review, EPA is primarily evaluating new hazard data sources and 

initiating a review of new treatment technologies. These new, even-year reviews will expand 

EPA’s ability to identify new pollutants of concern and to identify wastewater discharges in 

industrial categories not currently regulated by ELGs. The new reviews will also enhance EPA’s 

ability to screen industrial wastewater discharges based on a broader set of hazard data and 

enable EPA to account for advances in treatment technologies much earlier in the review 

process. Both of these factors are keys to improving the effectiveness of the Effluent Guidelines 

Program. 

For the 2012 Annual Review, EPA reviewed public comments submitted on the 

Preliminary 2012 Plan, continued preliminary category reviews for three categories identified as 

warranting additional review in the Preliminary 2012 Plan (meat and poultry products (40 CFR 

Part 432); petroleum refining (40 CFR Part 419); and pulp, paper, and paperboard (40 CFR Part 

430)), and investigated and conducted analyses on six new industrial wastewater hazard data 

1-1
 
Section 1—2012 Annual Review Executive Summary 

sources (described below), the first four of which it had identified during the 2011 Annual 

Review (78 FR 48159). EPA selected these new hazard data sources based on how likely they 

are to be useful in identifying unregulated pollutants or industrial discharges, as well as their 

utility in identifying new wastewater treatment technologies and pollution prevention practices. 

	 Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge. EPA 

examined the Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey (TNSSS), which includes 

data on pollutants of concern in sewage sludge, to determine if the pollutants 

could be attributed to specific industrial wastewater discharges (or point source 

categories), particularly for the pollutants that may impact the beneficial use of 

sewage sludge. For more information on the TNSSS seehttp://water.epa.gov/scitech/wastetech/biosolids/tnsss-overview.cfm. 

	 Review of Chemical Action Plans. EPA reviewed data and plans from its Toxic 

Chemical Control Programs, specifically the Office of Pollution Prevention and 

Toxics (OPPT) Chemical Action Plans (CAPs), to determine whether the 

information identified new pollutants of concern or industrial wastewater 

discharges that are not currently regulated. 

	 Identification of Wastewater Discharges Related to Air Pollution Control Not 

Currently Covered by ELGs. Changes to or implementation of new air 

regulations may lead to new air pollution control requirements. As a result, some 

of these regulations have the potential to generate new or changed wastewater 

discharges with new pollutants of interest, depending upon the type of pollutants 

removed from the air and whether the affected industry adopts wet air pollution 

controls. For example, the wet scrubbers for flue-gas desulfurization at steam 

electric generating plants generate a wastewater discharge that is regulated by 40 

CFR Part 423 (Steam Electric Power Generation); however, the only pollutants 

currently regulated are total suspended solids, oil and grease, and pH. Discharges 

of flue-gas desulfurization wet scrubber blowdown contain toxic metal pollutants, 

which are now the focus of the proposed Steam Electric Rulemaking (78 FR 

34432). EPA assessed current federal air regulations to identify industries that, as 

a result, may be discharging new wastestreams or specific pollutant discharges not 

currently regulated. 

	 Review of Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Industry Sectors Expansion. EPA’s 

Office of Environmental Information (OEI) is currently evaluating expanding the 

TRI Program to include several new industrial sectors including Iron Ore Mining, 

Phosphate Mining, Steam Generation from Coal and/or Oil, Petroleum Bulk 

Storage, Solid Waste Combustors and Incinerators, and Large Dry Cleaning (the 

TRI expansion is schedule to be proposed in December 2014). This expansion 

would require covered facilities in these industries to report data for specific toxic 

chemicals or other waste released. EPA reviewed publically available industry 

profile information, pollutants of concern, and public comments submitted on the 

rulemaking to date to determine if these industries represent new wastestreams 

and/or discharge pollutants not currently regulated. 

1-2
 
Section 1—2012 Annual Review Executive Summary 

	 Review of Analytical Methods. EPA periodically develops new analytical 

methods, or updates existing ones, in response to developments, such as the 

identification of a new class of pollutants, or impairments to water bodies that 

indicate the need for altered or new methods. EPA focused its review on recent 

updates to the wastewater analytical methods listed in 40 CFR Part 136 as well as 

drinking water methods developed by EPA’s Office of Ground Water and 

Drinking Water and Office of Research and Development to determine whether 

new methods are available that apply to unregulated pollutants in industrial 

wastewater discharges, or if changes to existing analytical methods provide for 

increased sensitivity. Such new or altered methods might allow EPA to identify 

previously undetected pollutants or regulate the discharge of currently-regulated 

pollutants to more stringent levels. 

	 Review of Wastewater Treatment Technologies. EPA began reviewing 

technical papers and research articles regarding the performance of new and 

improved industrial wastewater treatment technologies. EPA is working to 

capture this data and information in a searchable industrial wastewater treatment 

technology database to facilitate screening of industrial categories for new or 

revised ELGs based on the availability and effectiveness of technologies for 

removing pollutants of concern from the specific industrial wastewater 

discharges. 

Based on the data and analyses conducted for the 2011 and 2012 Annual Reviews, and 

public comment and stakeholder input, EPA has identified the following: 

	 EPA’s TRA in 2011 identified a recent increase in dioxins and dioxin-like 

compounds as well as metals discharges from petroleum refineries (40 CFR Part 

419) (U.S. EPA, 2012). In the 2012 Annual Review, EPA’s preliminary category 

review for petroleum refineries indicated that the metals discharges may be 

attributed to new air pollution control requirements and a change in feedstock (see 

Section 5.2). EPA’s review of air regulations in the 2012 Annual Review 

confirmed that new and revised regulations for petroleum refineries may result in 

a new wastestream containing metals, resulting from the use of wet air pollution 

controls (see Section 6.3). In addition, from EPA’s preliminary category review 

for petroleum refineries in 2012 EPA has not been able to confirm whether dioxin 

is being discharged at concentrations above 1613B Minimum Levels or 

conclusively identify the primary source of the discharge (e.g., stormwater or 

process wastewater from catalytic reforming and catalyst regeneration 

operations). 

	 EPA’s TRA in 2011 (U.S. EPA, 2012) and review of TNSSS data in the 2012 

Annual Review (see Section 6.1) identified the metal finishing point source 

category (40 CFR Part 433) as potentially discharging high concentrations of 

metals, particularly chromium, nickel, and zinc to POTWs that could then transfer 

to sewage sludge and impact its beneficial use. 

 EPA’s review of CAPs (see Section 6.2) identified the following pollutants that 

are potentially present (and unregulated) in industrial wastewater discharges: 

1-3
 
Section 1—2012 Annual Review Executive Summary 

benzidine dyes, bisphenol A (BPA), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), 

nonylphenol and nonylphenol ethoxylates, perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), 

phthalates, short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs), hydrolysis byproducts of 

toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI). 

	 EPA’s review of new wastewater discharges from air pollution controls (see 

Section 6.3) identified three industries that have air regulations that may result in 

an unregulated wastewater discharge; brick and structural clay product 

manufacturing, industrial, commercial, and institutional boilers, and industrial, 

commercial, and institutional steam generating units. In addition, EPA identified 

13 industries with existing ELGs, for which new air regulations may result in the 

discharge of new or additional pollutants. 

	 EPA’s review of the planned TRI sector expansion information (see Section 6.4) 

in the 2012 Annual Review suggests that selenium discharges from phosphate 

mines (regulated under 40 CFR Part 136) may be a new pollutant of concern. 

However, because the TRI sector expansion rulemaking and supporting 

information have not yet been published (projected publication is December 

2014), EPA was not able to fully evaluate the impact of selenium discharges from 

phosphate mines at this time. 

	 EPA’s review of recent analytical method developments (see Section 6.5), 

identified that there are reduced detection limits for some metals and additions of 

new methods for detecting other pollutants of concern from industrial wastewater 

discharges, including: free cyanide, acid mine drainage, nonylphenol, and 

bisphenol A. 

In addition, EPA identified several pesticides measured by some of the approved 

pesticide analytical methods (listed in 40 CFR Part 136) that do not currently have 

effluent limits under the Pesticide Chemicals Manufacturing, Formulating, and 

Packaging ELGs (40 CFR Part 455). 

EPA also reviewed OGWDW and ORD drinking water analytical methods and 

identified two relatively new methods developed by ORD to measure 

concentrations of PFCs and 1,4-dioxane. OGWDW is using these methods in its 

UCMR to evaluate PFCs and 1,4-dioxane in drinking water. EPA has identified 

industrial wastewater discharges for both PFCs and 1,4-dioxane. 

This report details EPA’s methodology for its 2012 Annual Review and supports EPA 

Office of Water’s Final 2012 and Preliminary 2014 Effluent Guidelines Program Plans (U.S. 

EPA, 2014). The Plans, pursuant to Section 304(m) of the Clean Water Act (CWA),1 discuss the 

findings of the 2011 and 2012 Annual Reviews and detail EPA’s proposed actions and followup. The Plans also identify any new or existing industrial categories selected for effluent 

guidelines rulemaking and provide a schedule for such rulemaking. 

1 Available at: http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/lawsguidance/cwa/304m/. 

1-4
 
Section 1—2012 Annual Review Executive Summary 

1.1	 References for 2012 Annual Review Executive Summary 

1.	 U.S. EPA. 2012. The 2011 Annual Effluent Guidelines Review Report. Washington, D.C. 

(December). EPA-821-R-12-001. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824-0195. 

2.	 U.S. EPA. 2014. Final 2012 and Preliminary 2014 Effluent Guidelines Program Plans. 

Washington, D.C. (September). EPA-820-R-14-001. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 

07756. 

1-5
 
Section 2—Background 

2. BACKGROUND 

This section explains how the Effluent Guidelines Program fits into EPA’s National 

Water Program, describes the general and legal background of the Effluent Guidelines Program, 

and summarizes EPA’s process for making effluent guidelines revision and development 

decisions (i.e., effluent guidelines planning), including details of its annual review process. 

2.1 The Clean Water Act and the Effluent Guidelines Program 

The Clean Water Act (CWA) is based on the principle of cooperative federalism, with 

distinct roles for both EPA and the states, in which the goal is to restore and maintain the 

chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters. To that end, the Act is 

generally focused on two types of controls: (1) water-quality-based controls, based on water 

quality standards and (2) technology-based controls, based on effluent limitations guidelines and 

standards (ELGs). 

The CWA gives states the primary responsibility for establishing, reviewing, and revising 

water quality standards. Water quality standards consist of the following elements: (1) 

designating uses for each water body (e.g., fishing, swimming, supporting aquatic life), (2) 

establishing criteria that protect the designated uses (numeric pollutant concentration limits and 

narrative criteria, e.g., “no objectionable sediment deposits”), and (3) developing an antidegradation policy. EPA develops recommended national criteria for many pollutants, pursuant 

to CWA section 304(a), which the states may adopt or modify as appropriate to reflect local 

conditions. 

EPA is responsible for developing technology-based ELGs, based on currently available 

technologies for controlling industrial wastewater discharges. Permitting authorities (states 

authorized to administer the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit 

program, and EPA in the few states that are not authorized) then must incorporate these 

guidelines and standards into discharge permits as technology-based effluent limitations, where 

applicable (U.S. EPA, 2010). 

While technology-based effluent limitations in discharge permits are sometimes as 

stringent as, or more stringent, than necessary to meet water quality standards, the effluent 

guidelines program is not specifically designed to ensure that the discharges from each facility 

meet the water quality standards of its receiving water body. For this reason, the CWA also 

requires authorized states to establish water-quality-based effluent limitations, where necessary 

to meet water quality standards. Water-quality-based limits may require industrial facilities to 

meet requirements that are more stringent than those of a national effluent guideline regulation. 

In the overall context of the CWA, effluent guidelines must be viewed as one tool in the broader 

set of tools and authorities Congress provided to EPA and the states to restore and maintain the 

quality of the nation’s waters. 

The 1972 CWA directed EPA to promulgate effluent guidelines that reflect pollutant 

reductions that can be achieved by categories or subcategories of industrial point sources through 

the implementation of available treatment and prevention technologies. The effluent guidelines 

are based on specific technologies (including process changes) that EPA identifies as meeting the 

statutorily prescribed level of control (see CWA sections 301(b)(2), 304(b), 306, 307(b), and 

2-1
 
Section 2—Background 

307(c)). See Appendix A of this report for more information on the CWA and an explanation of 

the different levels of control for ELGs. 

Unlike other CWA tools, effluent guidelines are national in scope and establish pollutioncontrol obligations for all facilities within an industrial category or subcategory that discharge 

wastewater. In establishing these controls, under the direction of the statute, EPA assesses, for 

example, (1) the performance and availability of the best pollution-control technologies or 

pollution-prevention practices for an industrial category or subcategory as a whole; (2) the 

economic achievability of those technologies, which can include consideration of the 

affordability of achieving the reduction in pollutant discharge; (3) the cost of achieving effluent 

reductions; (4) non-water-quality environmental impacts (including energy requirements); and 

(5) such other factors as the EPA Administrator deems appropriate. 

Creating a single national pollution-control requirement for each industrial category, 

based on the best technology the industry can afford was seen by Congress as a way to reduce 

the potential creation of “pollution havens” and to set the nation’s sights on eliminating the 

discharge of pollutants to waters of the U.S. Consequently, EPA’s goal in establishing national 

effluent guidelines is to ensure that industrial facilities with similar characteristics, regardless of 

their location or the nature of their receiving water, will at a minimum meet similar effluent 

limitations, representing the performance of the best pollution control technologies or pollution 

prevention practices. 

In addition to establishing technology-based effluent limits, effluent guidelines provide 

the opportunity to promote pollution prevention and water conservation. This may be particularly 

important in controlling persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic pollutants discharged in 

concentrations below analytic detection levels. ELGs also control pollutant discharges from 

industrial facilities and cover discharges directly to surface water (direct discharges) and 

discharges to publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) (indirect discharges). 

2.2 Effluent Guidelines Review and Planning Process 

In addition to establishing new regulations, the CWA requires EPA to review existing 

effluent guidelines annually. EPA reviews all point source categories subject to existing effluent 

guidelines and pretreatment standards to identify potential candidates for revision, consistent 

with CWA sections 304(b), 301(d), and 304(g). EPA also reviews industries consisting of directdischarging facilities not currently subject to effluent guidelines to identify potential candidates 

for effluent guidelines rulemakings, pursuant to CWA section 304(m)(1)(B). Finally, EPA 

reviews industries consisting entirely or almost entirely of indirect-discharging facilities that are 

not currently subject to pretreatment standards, to identify potential candidates for pretreatment 

standards development under CWA section 307(b). 

2.2.1 Effluent Guidelines Review and Prioritization Factors 

In its annual reviews, EPA considers four major factors for prioritizing existing effluent 

guidelines or pretreatment standards for possible revision, or identifying new industries of 

concern through alternate analyses. These factors were developed in EPA’s draft National 

Strategy, described at http://water.epa.gov/scitech/wastetech/guide/strategy/fs.cfm. 

2-2
 
Section 2—Background 

The first factor EPA considers is the amount and type of pollutants in an industrial 

category’s discharge and the relative hazard posed by that discharge. This enables the Agency to 

set priorities for its rulemaking that will achieve significant environmental and health benefits. 

The second factor EPA considers is the performance and cost of applicable and 

demonstrated wastewater treatment technologies, process changes, or pollution prevention 

alternatives that could effectively reduce the concentrations of pollutants in the industrial 

category’s wastewater and, consequently, reduce the hazard to human health or the environment 

associated with these pollutant discharges. 

The third factor EPA considers is the affordability or economic achievability of the 

wastewater treatment technology, process change, or pollution prevention measures identified 

using the second factor. If the financial condition of the industry indicates that it would not be 

affordable to implement expensive and stringent new requirements, EPA might conclude a less 

stringent, less expensive approach to reduce pollutant loadings would better satisfy applicable 

statutory requirements. 

The fourth factor EPA considers is the opportunity to eliminate inefficiencies or 

impediments to pollution prevention or technological innovation, or opportunities to promote 

innovative approaches such as water-quality trading, including within-plant trading. This factor 

might also prompt EPA, during annual reviews, to decide against revising an existing set of 

effluent guidelines or pretreatment standards where the pollutant source is already efficiently and 

effectively controlled by other regulatory or non-regulatory programs. 

2.2.2 Annual Review Process 

EPA has instituted a two-step annual review process. In the odd-year reviews, EPA 

screens industrial dischargers through a toxicity ranking analysis (TRA) that identifies and ranks 

those categories whose pollutant discharges pose a substantial hazard to human health and the 

environment (the first draft National Strategy factor). For the TRA, EPA relies on discharge 

monitoring report (DMR) and Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data to rank and prioritize for 

review industrial discharge categories based on toxic-weighted pound equivalents (TWPE) 

released. EPA relies on facility and state contacts, permits, and publicly available data sources to 

review top ranking industrial categories (see Section 2.2.2.1 for more detail on the TRA). 

In the even years, EPA reviews additional hazard data sources and conducts alternate 

analyses to enhance the identification of industrial categories for which new or revised ELGs 

may be appropriate, beyond those that traditionally rank high in the TRA. This is consistent with 

the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) recommendation that EPA’s annual review 

approach include additional industrial hazard data sources to augment its screening-level review 

of discharges from industrial categories.2 Furthermore, EPA recognizes the need to consider in 

the screening phase the availability of treatment technologies, process changes, or pollutionprevention practices that can reduce the identified hazards (the second and fourth draft National 

Strategy factors). Specifically, in the even-year reviews, EPA plans to target new data sources 

2 GAO published its recommendations for the review of additional hazard data sources in its September 2012 report 

Water Pollution: EPA Has Improved Its Review of Effluent Guidelines But Could Benefit from More Information on 

Treatment Technologies, available online at: http://www.gao.gov/assets/650/647992.pdf. 

2-3
 
Section 2—Background 

that will provide information on other considerations not currently captured as part of the TRA, 

including, but not limited to: 

 Industrial process changes. 

 Emerging contaminants of concern. 

 Advances in treatment technologies and pollution prevention practices. 

 Availability of new, more sensitive analytical methods. 

 Other hazard data and information not captured in the TRI or DMR databases 

and/or suggested by stakeholders or from public comments. 

Using the TRA in the odd-year review in conjunction with additional analyses and hazard 

data in the even-year review, EPA is considering more cohesively and comprehensively the 

factors laid out in EPA’s draft National Strategy. This approach allows the Agency to prioritize 

existing effluent guidelines or pretreatment standards for possible revision or identifying new 

industries of concern through alternate analyses. See Section 2.2.2.2 for an overview of EPA’s 

even-year analyses. 

EPA also conducts a more detailed preliminary category review of those industrial 

discharge categories that rank highest in terms of TWPE (i.e., pose the greatest hazard to human 

health and the environment) in the TRA or are identified as warranting further review during the 

even-year analyses. If EPA determines that further review is warranted for an industrial category, 

EPA may complete a preliminary or detailed study of the point source category (see Section 

2.2.2.4), which may eventually lead to a new or revised guideline. 

2.2.2.1 Overview of the Toxicity Ranking Analysis and Odd-Year Annual Reviews 

In the odd-year annual reviews, EPA conducts a TRA using data from the TRI and data 

from DMRs contained in the Permit Compliance System (PCS) and the Integrated Compliance 

Information System for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (ICIS-NPDES). 

Figure 2-1 details how EPA uses the TRA to identify existing ELGs that may warrant revision; 

Figure 2-2 addresses how EPA identifies new categories that may warrant regulation. 

TRI and DMR data do not identify the effluent guideline(s) applicable to a particular 

facility. However, TRI includes information on a facility’s North American Industry 

Classification System (NAICS) code, while DMR data include information on a facility’s 

Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code. Thus, the first step in EPA’s TRA is to relate each 

SIC and NAICS code to an industrial category.3 The second step is to use the information 

reported in TRI and DMR for a specific year to calculate the pounds of pollutant discharge to 

U.S. waters. These calculations are performed for toxic, nonconventional, and conventional 

pollutants. For indirect dischargers, EPA adjusts the facility discharges to account for removals 

at the POTW. The third step is to apply toxic weighting factors (TWFs)4 to the annual pollutant 

discharges to calculate the total discharge of toxic pollutants as TWPE for each facility. EPA 

3 For more information on how EPA related each SIC and NAICS code to an industrial category, see Section 5.0 of 

the 2009 Technical Support Document for the Annual Review of Existing Effluent Guidelines and Identification of 

Potential New Point Source Categories (U.S. EPA, 2009). 4 For more information on TWFs, see Toxic Weighting Factor Development in Support of CWA 304(m) Planning 

Process (U.S. EPA, 2006). 

2-4
 
Section 2—Background 

then sums the TWPE for each facility in a category to calculate a total TWPE per category for 

that year. EPA calculates two TWPE estimates for each category: one estimate based on data in 

TRI and one estimate based on DMR data. EPA combines these two estimates to generate a 

single TWPE value for each industrial category. EPA takes this approach because it found that 

combining the TWPE estimates from TRI and DMR data into a single TWPE number offered a 

clearer perspective of the industries with the most toxic pollution.5 

EPA then ranks point source categories according to their total TWPE discharges. To 

identify categories for further review, EPA prioritizes categories accounting for 95 percent of the 

cumulative TWPE from the combined DMR and TRI data. For more information on EPA’s oddyear review process and methodology, see Section 3 of EPA’s Preliminary 2012 Plan (U.S. EPA, 

2013). As illustrated in Figure 2-1, EPA typically excludes from further review categories for 

which an effluent guidelines rulemaking is currently underway or for which effluent guidelines 

have been promulgated or revised within the past seven years.6 EPA also excludes categories in 

which only a few facilities account for a large majority of toxic-weighted pollutant discharges. 

EPA generally does not prioritize such a category for additional review, but suggests that 

individual permits may be more effective in addressing the toxic-weighted pollutant discharges 

than a national effluent guidelines rulemaking. For more information on the results of the 2011 

Annual Review, see Section 4 of EPA’s Preliminary 2012 Plan (U.S. EPA, 2013). 

As illustrated in Figure 2-2, EPA may also evaluate discharges in the odd-year TRA that 

are associated with SIC or NAICS codes that are not currently regulated or that may be a 

potential new subcategory of an existing ELG. EPA evaluates these discharges to determine if 

new ELGs are warranted for the new industrial category (or subcategory). Similarly, EPA can 

supplement this information with findings from new analyses conducted in the even-year annual 

review and review of treatment technology performance data to identify new industrial 

categories that may warrant ELGs (see Section 2.2.2.2). 

2.2.2.2 Overview of Even-Year Annual Reviews 

In the even-year annual reviews, EPA identifies additional hazard data and reviews 

treatment technologies to augment the TRA completed in each odd-year review. EPA prioritizes 

the review of these additional hazard data sources based on (1) the likelihood of identifying 

unregulated industrial discharges, (2) the utility of identifying new wastewater treatment 

technologies or pollution prevention alternatives, and (3) representativeness of the data for an 

industrial category. These new analyses take into account a broader set of hazard data and 

advancements in treatment technologies. In addition to the new hazard data sources, the evenyear reviews will include information from the public comments received on the Preliminary 

Plan and any continuing preliminary category reviews identified during the odd-year review, as 

illustrated in Figure 2-3. The specific methodologies and analyses of EPA’s 2012 Annual 

Review are described in more detail in Part II of this report. 

5 Different pollutants may dominate the TRI and DMR TWPE estimates for an industrial category due to the 

differences in pollutant reporting requirements between the TRI and DMR databases. The single TWPE number for 

each category highlights those industries with the most toxic discharge data in both TRI and DMR. Although this 

approach could have theoretically led to double-counting, EPA's review of the data indicates that, because the two 

databases focus on different pollutants, double-counting is minimal and does not affect the order of the top-ranked 

industrial categories.

6 EPA chose seven years because this is the typical length of time for the effects of effluent guidelines or 

pretreatment standards to be fully reflected in pollutant loading data and TRI reports. 

2-5
 
Section 2—Background 

2.2.2.3 Preliminary Category Reviews 

For the industrial categories with the highest hazard potential identified in the TRA, or 

identified as a priority from any of the even-year review analyses, EPA may conduct a 

preliminary category review, particularly if it lacks sufficient data to determine whether 

regulatory action would be appropriate, as illustrated in Figure 2-4. EPA will complete 

preliminary category reviews as part of the odd- or even-year review cycle depending on the 

industrial categories warranting review at that time. In its preliminary category reviews EPA 

typically examines the following: (1) wastewater characteristics and pollutant sources, (2) the 

pollutants driving the toxic-weighted pollutant discharges, (3) availability of pollution prevention 

and treatment, (4) the geographic distribution of facilities in the industry, (5) any pollutant 

discharge trends within the industry, and (6) any relevant economic factors. In executing 

preliminary category reviews, EPA first attempts to verify the toxicity ranking results and fill in 

data gaps. These assessments provide an additional level of quality assurance on the reported 

pollutant discharges and number of facilities that represent the majority of toxic-weighted 

pollutant discharge. After the ranking results are verified, EPA next considers costs and 

performance of applicable and demonstrated technologies, process changes, or pollutionprevention alternatives that can effectively reduce the pollutants in the point source category’s 

wastewater. Finally, and if appropriate based on the other findings, EPA considers the 

affordability or economic achievability of the technology, process change, or pollution 

prevention measure identified using the second factor. During a preliminary category review, 

EPA may consult data sources including, but not limited to: (1) the U.S. Economic Census, (2) 

TRI and DMR data, (3) trade associations and reporting facilities that can verify reported 

releases and facility categorization, (4) regulatory authorities (states and EPA regions) that can 

clarify how category facilities are permitted, (5) NPDES permits and their supporting fact sheets, 

(6) EPA effluent guidelines technical development documents, (7) relevant EPA preliminary data 

summaries or study reports, and (8) technical literature on pollutant sources and control 

technologies. 

2.2.2.4 Preliminary and Detailed Studies 

After conducting the preliminary category reviews, as shown in Figure 2-4, EPA may 

next conduct either a preliminary or detailed study of an industrial category. Typically these 

studies profile an industry category, gather information about the hazards posed in its wastewater 

discharges, gather information about availability and cost of treatment and pollution prevention 

technologies, assess economic achievability, and investigate other factors in order to determine if 

it would be appropriate to identify the category for possible effluent guidelines revision. During 

preliminary or detailed studies, EPA typically examines the factors and data sources listed above 

for preliminary category reviews. However, during a detailed study EPA’s examination of a 

point source category and available pollution prevention and treatment options is generally more 

rigorous than the analyses conducted during a preliminary category review or a preliminary 

study and may, if appropriate, include primary data collection activities (such as industry 

questionnaires and wastewater sampling and analysis) to fill data gaps. 

2-6
 
Section 2—Background 

Figure 2-1. Odd-Year Annual Review of Existing ELGs 

2-7
 
Section 2—Background 

Figure 2-2. Odd-Year Identification of Possible New ELGs 

2-8
 
Section 2—Background 

Figure 2-3. Even-Year Annual Review of Existing ELGs and Identification of
 

Possible New ELGs
 

2-9
 
Section 2—Background 

Figure 2-4. Further Review of Industrial Categories Identified During Odd- and
 

Even-Year Annual Reviews
 

2-10
 
Section 2—Background 

2.2.3	 Effluent Guidelines Program Plans 

CWA section 304(m)(1)(A) requires EPA to publish an Effluent Guidelines Program 

Plan (Plan) every two years that establishes a schedule for the annual review and revision, in 

accordance with section 304(b), of the effluent guidelines that EPA has promulgated under that 

section. EPA publishes the results of the TRA and preliminary category review conducted during 

the odd-year review in a Preliminary Plan and takes public comment. In the even year following 

publication of the Preliminary Plan, EPA identifies and evaluates additional data sources and 

hazard analyses to supplement the TRA. EPA then publishes a Final Plan in the even year. The 

Final Plan presents the compilation of the odd- and even-year reviews and public comments 

received on the Preliminary Plan. EPA may initiate, continue, or complete preliminary category 

reviews, or in-depth studies during the odd- or even-year reviews, depending upon when it 

identifies a category warranting further review. Additionally, EPA may publish the findings from 

these studies as part of the Preliminary or Final Plan, based on when during the planning cycle 

the study or review is completed. 

EPA is coordinating its annual reviews under section 304(b) with publication of Plans 

under section 304(m) for several reasons. First, the annual reviews are inextricably linked to the 

planning effort because the results of each year of review can inform the content of the 

Preliminary and Final Plans (e.g., by identifying candidates for effluent guidelines revision for 

which EPA can schedule rulemaking in the plans, or by identifying point source categories for 

which EPA has not promulgated effluent guidelines). Second, even though it is not required to 

do so under either section 304(b) or section 304(m), EPA believes it can serve the public interest 

by periodically describing to the public the annual reviews (including the review process used) 

and the results of the reviews. Doing so at the same time as publishing the Preliminary and Final 

Plans makes both processes more transparent. Third, by requiring EPA to review all existing 

effluent guidelines each year, Congress appears to have intended for each successive review to 

build on the results of earlier reviews. 

2.3	 References for Background 

1.	 U.S. EPA. 2006. Toxic Weighting Factor Development in Support of CWA 304(m) 

Planning Process. Washington, D.C. (June). EPA-HQ-OW-2004-0032-1634. 

2.	 U.S. EPA. 2009. Technical Support Document for the Annual Review of Existing 

Effluent Guidelines and Identification of Potential New Point Source Categories. EPA821-R-09-007. Washington, D.C. (October). EPA-HQ-OW-2008-0517-0515. 

3.	 U.S. EPA. 2010. U.S. EPA NPDES Permit Writers’ Manual. Washington, D.C. 

(September). EPA-833-K-10-001. Available online at: 

http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/writermanual.cfm?program_id=45. 

4.	 U.S. EPA. 2013. Preliminary 2012 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan. Washington, D.C. 

(May). EPA-821-R-12-002. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824-0194. 

2-11
 
PART II: EPA'S 2012 ANNUAL REVIEW
 

METHODOLOGY AND ANALYSES
 

II
 
Section 3—Introduction to EPA’s 2012 Annual Review 

3.	 INTRODUCTION TO EPA’S 2012 ANNUAL REVIEW

The even-year review provides EPA with an opportunity to identify additional available

hazard data sources and conduct further analyses at the pollutant, industry, or wastewater 

treatment technology levels. As described above in Section 2.2.2.2, EPA identified and 

prioritized additional hazard data sources for the 2012 Annual Review based on (1) the 

likelihood that they would assist in identifying unregulated industrial discharges, (2) their utility 

in identifying new wastewater treatment technologies or pollution prevention alternatives, and 

(3) how well the data represent the activity of an industrial category. 

EPA is using the data sources and hazard analyses identified in this 2012 Annual Review 

to screen additional industrial discharge categories and pollutants of concern and to identify for 

further review those that potentially pose a hazard to human health or the environment. The 2012 

Annual Review consisted of three components: 

	 Considering public comments and other stakeholder input received on the

Preliminary 2012 Plan (see Section 4).

	 Continuing the preliminary category reviews (e.g., collecting more data,

contacting permit writers, evaluating available treatment technology information)

of specific point source categories that EPA identified as warranting additional

review in the Preliminary 2012 Plan (i.e., odd-numbered years) (see Sections 5.1,

5.2, and 5.3).

	 Identifying and evaluating new industrial hazard data sources and analyzing these

data to (see Section 6.1 through Section 6.6):

—	 Identify new wastewater discharges or pollutants not previously regulated; 

and 

—	 Identify wastewater discharges that can be more effectively treated or 

eliminated. 

The specific data sources, analyses, and findings for each of the 2012 Annual Review 

components listed above are described in detail in Section 4 through Section 6.6. A summary of 

the 2012 Annual Review findings is presented in Part III of this report. 

3-1
 
Section 4—Public Comments and Other Stakeholder Input 

on the Preliminary 2012 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 

4.	 PUBLIC COMMENTS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDER INPUT ON THE

PRELIMINARY 2012 EFFLUENT GUIDELINES PROGRAM PLAN

EPA’s annual review process considers information provided by the public and other

stakeholders regarding the need for new or revised effluent limitations guidelines and 

pretreatment standards. Public comments received on EPA’s prior reviews and Plans helped the 

Agency prioritize its analysis of existing effluent guidelines and pretreatment standards. This 

section presents a summary of the public comments and stakeholder input received on the 

Preliminary 2012 Plan. 

4.1	 Public Comments and Stakeholder Input 

EPA published its Preliminary 2012 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan (Preliminary 2012 

Plan) and provided a 60-day public comment period starting on August 7, 2013 (see 78 FRN 

48159). The Docket supporting this Final Plan includes a complete set of the comments 

submitted, as well as the Agency’s responses (see DCN 07979). 

Commenting organizations representing industry included: 

 Westlake Vinyls Company  Petroleum Association of Wyoming

 CONSOL Energy, Inc.  Ohio Oil and Gas Association

 American Petroleum Institute  Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc.

 WPX Energy, Inc.	  Coalbed Methane Association of Alabama

 Enervest Operating, LLC  American Forest & Paper Association

 At Sea Processors Association  Independent Petroleum Association of America

 Western Energy Alliance  Pacific Seafood Processors Association

 American Chemistry Council  Montana Petroleum Association, Inc.

 Freezer Longline Coalition  Independent Oil and Gas Association of West

 Vinyl Institute	 Virginia

Six environmental groups commented, including:

 Cook Inletkeeper	  Northern Plains Resource Council

 Clean Water Action	  Powder River Basin Resource Council

 Wyoming Outdoor Council  Natural Resources Defense Council

Four additional organizations also provided comments including the Association of Clean

Water Administrators (a state representing organization), the National Association of Clean 

Water Agencies (a publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) group), the Native Village of 

Eklutna (a tribal government), and the Tuscaloosa County Commission (county government). 

Comments addressed the following subject areas: 

	 Coalbed methane and shale gas extraction (17 comments)

	 Chlorine and chlorinated hydrocarbon (3 comments)

	 Oil and gas coastal subcategory (2 comments)

4-1
 
Section 4—Public Comments and Other Stakeholder Input 

on the Preliminary 2012 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 

	 Alaska offshore seafood processors (2 comments)

	 Dental amalgam (1 comment)

	 Effluent limitations guidelines and standards (ELGs) and Plan process in general

(1 comment)

	 Other (1 comment)

For coalbed methane extraction (CBM extraction), EPA received 13 comments from 

industry representatives and county government supporting the delisting of CBM extraction for 

three main reasons: 

	 Additional costs would further reduce the feasibility of production, due to the

declining economics of the industry.

	 CBM extraction production and discharges are declining.

	 Discharges are already effectively permitted.

Environmental groups commented that EPA should move forward with developing 

regulations for CBM extraction because EPA should not rely solely on economic considerations. 

The environmental groups suggest that changes in gas production processes, gas demand, and 

wastewater treatment costs could change EPA’s findings. The environmental groups also noted 

there are environmental impacts from CBM extraction discharges that need to be addressed and 

provided data on new produced water treatment technologies that EPA should consider. 

For chlorine and chlorinated hydrocarbon (CCH), two industry trade groups supported 

the delisting for the reasons EPA presented in the Preliminary 2012 Effluent Guidelines Program 

Plan. One company provided a comment correcting EPA’s classification of their facility in 

EPA’s Chlorine and Chlorinated Hydrocarbon Data Collection and Analysis Summary report. 

Two commenters, one environmental organization and one tribal government, asked EPA 

to remove the exemption for Cook Inlet, Alaska from the nationwide zero discharge 

requirements in the oil and gas coastal ELGs. One industry trade group requested that EPA 

revise the requirements under the Alaska Offshore Seafood Processors General Permit AK-G2­

4000. Additionally, two industry trade groups petitioned EPA to initiate a rulemaking to add a 

subpart to the Canned and Preserved Seafood Processing point source category, adding ELGs for 

discharges resulting from the processing of seafood on mobile seafood processing vessels. 

For Dental Amalgam, one POTW group requested that EPA take clear action on the draft 

dental amalgam separator rule and expressed support for dropping it from consideration if EPA 

did take such action. 

One organization representing a number of states suggested improvements to the ELGs 

and 304m process in general, including using additional data sources to consider improved 

hazard data and advances in treatment technology. The commenter suggested that EPA 

incorporate information from other EPA offices and states into the ELG program. The 

commenter also stated that the metal finishing category should be re-examined because there 

have been significant changes in the industry over the last few years. 

4-2
 
Section 4—Public Comments and Other Stakeholder Input 

on the Preliminary 2012 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 

One industry trade group expressed support for EPA’s finding that pulp and paper mills 

present a low risk and that the ELGs should be a lower priority for revision. 

4-3
 
Section 4—Public Comments and Other Stakeholder Input 

on the Preliminary 2012 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 

Table 4-1. Comments on the Preliminary 2012 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 

EPA Docket Number: EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824 

No. Commenter Name Commenter Organization 

EPA 

Docket 

No. Comment Summary 

1 Eric VanderBeek 

Northern Plains Resource 

Council 0198 

Supports the development of CBM extraction ELGs. Also recommends that EPA 

expand their study to include other oil and gas impacts from processes such as 

hydraulic fracturing. 

2 Wayne Stock Westlake Vinyls Company 0200 Provided data to correct facility information in the Chlorine and Chlorinated 

Hydrocarbon (CCH) Data Collection and Analysis Summary. 

3 Lee O. Fuller 

Independent Petroleum 

Association of America 

(IPAA) 

0201 

Supports EPA’s decision to delist the CBM Extraction subcategory from the Effluent 

Guidelines Program Plan because many CBM extraction projects are no longer 

economically feasible and because additional technology costs would further reduce 

the feasibility of existing and future projects. 

4 Kathleen M. 

Sgamma Western Energy Alliance 0202 

Supports EPA’s decision to delist the CBM Extraction subcategory from the Effluent 

Guidelines Program Plan due to the decline in CBM extraction production and 

sufficient state regulation of CBM extraction effluent. 

5 Carrie B. Crumpton CONSOL Energy, Inc. 0203 Supports EPA’s decision to delist the CBM Extraction subcategory from the Effluent 

Guidelines Program Plan due to the decline in CBM extraction production. 

6 Judith Nordgren American Chemistry Council 

(ACC) 0204 Supports EPA’s decision to delist the CCH manufacturing industry from the Effluent 

Guidelines Program Plan. 

7 David Galt Montana Petroleum 

Association, Inc. 0205 

Supports EPA’s decision to delist the CBM Extraction subcategory from the Effluent 

Guidelines Program Plan due to the decline in CBM extraction production and 

sufficient state regulation of CBM extraction effluent. 

8 Richard P. Krock The Vinyl Institute 0206 

Supports EPA’s decision to delist the CCH manufacturing industry from the Effluent 

Guidelines Program Plan for the reasons provided in the 2012 Program Plan and 

because it is consistent with the results of the Voluntary Sampling Program, which 

shows that current discharge levels are superior to international benchmark standards. 

9 W. Hardy 

McCollum 

Tuscaloosa County 

Commission 0207 Supports EPA’s decision to delist the CBM Extraction subcategory from the Effluent 

Guidelines Program Plan due to the decline in CBM extraction production. 

10 Charlie Burd 

Independent Oil and Gas 

Association of West 

Virginia, Inc. 

0208 

Supports EPA’s decision to delist the CBM Extraction subcategory from the Effluent 

Guidelines Program Plan due to the decline in CBM extraction production and the fact 

that ELGs are ill-suited to apply to CBM extraction operations. 

11 Gretchen Kern Pioneer Natural Resources 

USA, Inc. 0209 Supports EPA’s decision to delist the CBM Extraction subcategory from the Effluent 

Guidelines Program Plan due to the decline in CBM extraction production. 

4-4
 
Section 4—Public Comments and Other Stakeholder Input

on the Preliminary 2012 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 

No. Commenter Name Commenter Organization 

EPA 

Docket 

No. Comment Summary 

12 Ryan D. Elliott Vorys on behalf of Ohio Oil 

and Gas Association 0210 

Supports EPA’s decision to delist the CBM Extraction subcategory from the Effluent 

Guidelines Program Plan because the state has adequate regulations for CBM 

extraction effluent, the declining economic viability of the CBM extraction industry, 

and the unreasonable burden such an ELG would impose on producers. 

13 Suzanne Bostrom, 

Sarah Mackie 

Trustees for Alaska on behalf 

of Cook Inletkeeper 0211 

Recommends and provides information supporting that EPA remove the exemption 

for Cook Inlet from the nationwide zero discharge requirement in the Oil and Gas 

Coastal ELGs. 

14 Joe Olson, 

Gretchen Kohler WPX Energy, Inc. 0212 Supports EPA’s decision to delist the CBM Extraction subcategory from the Effluent 

Guidelines Program Plan due to the decline in CBM extraction production. 

15 Chad I. See Freezer Longline Coalition 0213 

Recommends EPA consider revising requirements under the Alaska Offshore Seafood 

Processors General Permit AK-G2-4000, specifically the requirement to grind fish 

waste to 0.5 inches and the quarterly water quality testing requirement. 

16 Amy Emmert American Petroleum Institute 

(API) 0214 

Supports EPA’s decision to delist the CBM Extraction subcategory from the Effluent 

Guidelines Program Plan due to the decline in CBM extraction production and 

sufficient federal, state, and local level regulation of CBM extraction effluent. 

17 Dennis Lathem Coalbed Methane 

Association of Alabama 0215 

Supports EPA’s decision to delist the CBM Extraction subcategory from the Effluent 

Guidelines Program Plan because of the adverse economic impact and the fact that 

state regulation has proven effective to accomplish the same goals as the ELG. 

18 Cynthia A. Finley 

National Association of 

Clean Water Agencies 

(NACWA) 

0217 

Requests that EPA take action on the draft dental amalgam separator rule, but 

expresses support for dropping it from consideration. Recommends that EPA allow 

POTWs, states, and regions to develop their own dental amalgam separator programs, 

as necessary, thereby addressing local needs better. 

4-5
 

Table 4-1. Comments on the Preliminary 2012 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 

EPA Docket Number: EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824 
Section 4—Public Comments and Other Stakeholder Input 

on the Preliminary 2012 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 

No. Commenter Name Commenter Organization 

EPA 

Docket 

No. Comment Summary 

19 Susan Kirsch Association of Clean Water 

Administrators (ACWA) 0218 

Recommends EPA improve the ELG planning process and move the program forward 

with the 2014 Preliminary Plan, increase the staff allocated to working on ELGs, issue 

future ELG Plans and Annual Review Reports in a more timely manner, incorporate 

information from other parts of EPA into the ELG program, engage states early and in 

ongoing dialogue during the planning process, prioritize facilities for review based on 

the time elapsed since ELG revision and on the number of facilities regulated, and 

expand its use of industry surveys to gather information. Recommends EPA 

reexamine the metal finishing category due to significant changes in the industry over 

the last few years. Recommends EPA acknowledge the status of ELGs under 

development in future plans, particularly the rulemaking for dental amalgam. 

Recommends EPA use information aside from TWFs to prioritize industries for 

review, based on the toxicity of the discharge. Encourages EPA to expand its 

screening process beyond DMR and TRI data to consider improved hazard data and 

treatment technology advances. 

20 Jerry Schwartz American Forest & Paper 

Association (AF&PA) 0219 Supports EPA’s conclusion that pulp and paper mills present a low risk and the ELGs 

should be a lower priority for revision. 

21 Lynn Thorp Clean Water Action et al. 0220 

Opposes EPA’s decision to delist the CBM Extraction subcategory from the Effluent 

Guidelines Program Plan because CBM extraction produces large volumes of 

wastewater characterized by the presence of numerous contaminants at potentially 

high concentrations. Shifts in gas prices, demand, and costs of wastewater treatment 

should also be considered. CBM extraction ELGs are necessary to prevent “pollution 

havens.” Commenter supports the ongoing revisions to the Onshore Oil and Gas ELGs 

to address pollution from the unconventional oil and gas extraction industry. 

22 Marc Lamoreaux, 

Lee Stephen 

Native Village of Eklutna 

(NVE) 0221 

Recommends and provides information supporting that EPA remove the exemption 

for Cook Inlet from the nationwide zero discharge requirement in the Oil and Gas 

Coastal ELGs. 

23 Jim Pritt, Barry Lay Enervest Operating, LLC 0222 

Supports EPA’s decision to delist the CBM Extraction subcategory from the Effluent 

Guidelines Program Plan due to the decline in CBM extraction production, economic 

impacts, and effectiveness of current permits. 

4-6
 

Table 4-1. Comments on the Preliminary 2012 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 

EPA Docket Number: EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824 
Section 4—Public Comments and Other Stakeholder Input 

on the Preliminary 2012 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 

No. Commenter Name Commenter Organization 

EPA 

Docket 

No. Comment Summary 

24 

L. John Iani, 

Charles R 

Brumfield 

Perkins Cole on behalf of the 

At Sea Processors 

Association and the Pacific 

Seafood Processors 

Association 

0223 

Provided a petition for EPA to initiate a rulemaking to add a subpart to the Canned 

and Preserved Seafood Processing point source category which would establish ELGs 

for discharges resulting from the processing of seafood on mobile seafood processing 

vessels. 

25 John Robitaille Petroleum Association of 

Wyoming 0224 Supports EPA’s decision to delist the CBM Extraction subcategory from the Effluent 

Guidelines Program Plan due to the decline in CBM extraction production. 

26 Amy Mall Natural Resources Defense 

Council 0225 Provides data on new technologies EPA should consider for CBM Extraction. 

27 Amber Wilson, Jill 

Morrison 

Wyoming Outdoor 

Council/Powder River Basin 

Resource Council 

0226 

Opposes EPA’s decision to delist the CBM Extraction subcategory from the Effluent 

Guidelines Program Plan because EPA considered only the financial cost to industry 

and overlooked the cost and impacts of untreated discharges. 

4-7
 

Table 4-1. Comments on the Preliminary 2012 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 

EPA Docket Number: EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.1—Meat and Poultry Products (40 CFR Part 432) 

5.	 CONTINUED REVIEW OF SELECT POINT SOURCE CATEGORIES

For the 2012 Annual Review, EPA continued to evaluate three point source categories

requiring further review as identified in the Preliminary 2012 Plan: meat and poultry products 

(40 CFR Part 432); petroleum refining (40 CFR Part 419); and pulp, paper, and paperboard (40 

CFR Part 430) (U.S. EPA, 2013). EPA’s continued review consisted of collecting additional 

discharge data from permit writers, publicly available data sources (e.g., EPA’s DMR Pollutant 

Loading Tool), trade associations, and specific facility contacts to confirm the discharges 

reported in the toxicity rankings analysis (TRA) databases. Additionally, EPA collected 

information on available treatment technologies for specific industrial categories to compare 

current discharges to discharge levels that are treatable with available technologies. Section 5.1 

through Section 5.3 of this report details EPA’s continued review of these three point source 

categories. 

5.1	 Meat and Poultry Products (40 CFR Part 432) 

During the 2011 Annual Review, EPA identified the Meat and Poultry Products Category 

(40 CFR Part 432) for preliminary review because it ranked high, in terms of toxic-weighted 

pound equivalents (TWPE), in the 2011 toxicity rankings analysis. See Table 4-3 in Section 4.1.6 

of the Preliminary 2012 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan (U.S. EPA, 2013). EPA required 

additional data to complete the preliminary category review and continued its review of the Meat 

and Poultry Category during the 2012 review (U.S. EPA, 2012). Based on findings from the 

2011 Annual Review, EPA continued to review discharges of nitrate compounds reported in the 

Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), because of their high TWPE relative to other pollutants in the 

Meat and Poultry Category. This section summarizes the findings from the 2011 and 2012 

Annual Reviews associated with the Meat and Poultry Products Category. 

5.1.1	 Meat and Poultry Products Category Background 

The meat and poultry industry includes facilities engaged in the slaughtering, dressing, 

and packing of meat and poultry products for human consumption and/or animal food and feeds. 

Meat and poultry products for human consumption include: 

	 Meat and poultry from cattle, hogs, sheep, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and other

fowl; and

	 Sausages, luncheon meats, and cured, smoked, canned, or otherwise prepared

meat and poultry products from purchased carcasses and other materials.

Meat and poultry products for animal food and feeds include animal oils, meat meal, and 

rendered grease and tallow from animal fat, bones, and meat scraps (40 CFR Part 32.1). 

Part 432 regulates wastewater discharges from meat and poultry processing plants in 12 

subcategories of products and product groups. EPA last updated effluent limitations guidelines 

and standards (ELGs) for the Meat and Poultry Category (40 CFR Part 432) on September 8, 

2004 (69 FR 54476). In addition to best practicable control technology (BPT) limitations, Part 

432 includes limitations based on the best available technology economically achievable (BAT) 

and new source performance standards (NSPS). Part 432 regulates conventional pollutants 

5-1
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.1—Meat and Poultry Products (40 CFR Part 432) 

(biological oxygen demand (BOD), fecal coliform, oil and grease, and TSS) for all subparts. 

Excluding Subpart E (Small Processors), all subparts also regulate ammonia as nitrogen (N) and 

total nitrogen, at plants exceeding a threshold pounds of annual live weight kill (LWK) (40 CFR 

§432). 

Table 5-1 presents the subpart applicability and ammonia as N and total nitrogen 

limitations for each subpart. EPA focuses on the ammonia as N and total nitrogen regulations in 

this section because nitrates are a top pollutant, in terms of TWPE, in the toxicity rankings 

analysis databases. No pretreatment standards currently exist for meat and poultry products 

facility discharges to publicly owned treatment works (POTWs). 

Table 5-1. BAT ELG Limitations for the Meat and Poultry Products Categorya 

Subpart Subpart Title Subcategory Applicability 

Ammonia as Na Total Nitrogenb 

Max 

Daily 

(mg/L) 

Max 

Monthly 

Average 

(mg/L) 

Max Daily 

(mg/L) 

Max 

Monthly 

Average 

(mg/L) 

Ac Simple 

Slaughterhouses 

Process wastewater discharges 

resulting from production of meat 

carcasses by simple 

slaughterhouses 

8.0 4.0 194 134 

Bc Complex 

Slaughterhouses 

Process wastewater discharges 

resulting from production of meat 

carcasses by complex 

slaughterhouses 

8.0 4.0 194 134 

Cc Low-processing 

Packinghouses 

Process wastewater discharges 

resulting from production of meat 

carcasses by low-processing 

packinghouses 

8.0 4.0 194 134 

Dc High-processing 

Packinghouses 

Process wastewater discharges 

resulting from production of meat 

carcasses by high-processing 

packinghouses 

8.0 4.0 194 134 

Ed Small Processors Process wastewater discharges 

resulting from production of 

finished meat products (i.e., fresh 

meat cuts, smoked products, 

canned products, hams, sausages, 

and luncheon meats) by a small 

processor 

NA NA NA NA 

F e Meat Cutters Process wastewater discharges 

resulting from production of fresh 

meat cuts (i.e., steaks, roasts, and 

chops) by a meat cutter 

8.0 4.0 194 134 

5-2
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.1—Meat and Poultry Products (40 CFR Part 432) 

Table 5-1. BAT ELG Limitations for the Meat and Poultry Products Categorya 

Subpart Subpart Title Subcategory Applicability 

Ammonia as Na Total Nitrogenb 

Max 

Daily 

(mg/L) 

Max 

Monthly 

Average 

(mg/L) 

Max Daily 

(mg/L) 

Max 

Monthly 

Average 

(mg/L) 

Ge Sausage and 

Luncheon Meats 

Processors 

Process wastewater discharges 

resulting from production of fresh 

meat cuts, sausage, bologna, and 

other luncheon meats by a 

sausage and luncheon meat 

processor 

8.0 4.0 194 134 

He Ham Processors Process wastewater discharges 

resulting from production of 

hams by a ham processor 

8.0 4.0 194 134 

I e Canned Meats 

Processors 

Process wastewater discharges 

resulting from production of 

canned meats by a canned meats 

processor 

8.0 4.0 194 134 

J Renderers Process wastewater discharges 

resulting from production of meat 

meal, dried animal byproduct 

residues (tankage), animal oils, 

grease and tallow, and hide 

curing, by a renderer 

0.14 

(pounds 

per 1,000 

pounds 

(g/kg) of 

raw 

material) 

0.07 

(pounds 

per 1,000 

pounds 

(g/kg) of 

raw 

material) 

194 134 

Kr Poultry First 

Processing 

Process wastewater discharges 

resulting from slaughtering of 

poultry, further processing of 

poultry and rendering of material 

derived from slaughtered poultry 

8.0 4.0 147 103 

Lg Poultry Further 

Processing 

Process wastewater discharges 

resulting from further processing 

of poultry 8.0 4.0 147 103 

Source: 40 CFR §432.
 

NA: Not applicable.
 a BPT limits include BOD5, fecal coliform, oil and grease, and TSS.
 b Units are mg/L unless otherwise noted.
 c Any existing point source subject to this subpart that slaughters more than 50 million pounds per year (in units
 

LWK) must achieve the applicable BAT-based limits for total nitrogen and ammonia as N.

d

The Small Processors Subcategory has no BAT-based limits and therefore no limits for ammonia or total nitrogen;
 

however, it does have BPT- and NSPS-based limits for BOD5, fecal coliform, oil and grease, and TSS.
 e Any existing point source subject to this subpart that produces more than 50 million pounds per year of final
 

product must achieve the applicable BAT-based limit for total nitrogen. The ammonia as N BAT-based limit applies
 

to all facilities.
 f Any existing point source subject to this subpart that slaughters more than 100 million pounds per year (in units
 

LWK) must achieve the applicable BAT-based limits for total nitrogen and ammonia as N.
 g Any existing point source subject to this subpart that slaughters more than 7 million pounds per year (in units
 

LWK) must achieve the applicable BAT-based limits for total nitrogen and ammonia as N.
 

5-3
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.1—Meat and Poultry Products (40 CFR Part 432) 

5.1.1.1 Historic DMR and TRI Data for Meat and Poultry Products 

Table 5-2 compares the toxicity rankings analysis results for the Meat and Poultry 

Products Category from the 2009 through 2011 Annual Reviews. 

Table 5-2. Meat and Poultry Category TRI and DMR Discharges for the 2009 

Through 2011 Toxicity Rankings Analyses 

Year of Discharge Year of Review 

Meat and Poultry Category 

TRI TWPEa DMR TWPEb Total TWPE 

2007c 2009 35,900 536,000d 572,000 

2008c 2010 61,600 15,700 77,300 

2009 2011 53,800 17,200 71,000 

Sources: TRI Releases 2007 v2, DMRLoads2007_v4, TRIReleases2008_v3, DMRLoads2008_v3;
 

TRIReleases2009_v2; and DMRLoads2009_v2.
 

Note: Sums of individual values may not equal the total presented, due to rounding.
 a Discharges include transfers to POTWs and account for POTW removals.
 b DMR data from 2007 include only major dischargers. DMR 2008 data include both minor and major dischargers.
 c EPA did not include the Meat and Poultry Products Category discharges in its 2009 and 2010 Annual Reviews
 

because the category ELGs were promulgated in 2004. In general, EPA does not review discharge data for an
 

industrial point source category if EPA established, revised, or reviewed the category’s ELGs within seven years of
 

the annual review.
 d In 2007, one facility’s erroneous data caused the larger TWPE. This facility’s reported fluoride discharges of
 

12,600,000 pounds and 439,500 TWPE are likely an error. The facility did not have any fluoride discharge in 2008,
 

2009, or 2010, therefore EPA believes this data to be erroneous.
 

Overall, the TWPE has decreased from 2007 to 2009, possibly resulting from 

implementation of the 2004 ELGs. However, because the category ranked high, in terms of 

TWPE, compared to other industry categories, EPA reviewed TRI and DMR data in detail for 

the 2011 and 2012 reviews. 

5.1.1.2 Nitrogen Compounds 

The primary pollutants of concern in meat and poultry products wastewater are nitrogen 

and specific nitrogen components including total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN),7 ammonia nitrogen, 

and nitrite plus nitrate nitrogen. Because protein, which is the principal component of meat and 

poultry, contains nitrogen, wastewaters from meat and poultry processing contain relatively high 

concentrations of nitrogen (U.S. EPA, 2002). 

Organic nitrogen, either soluble or particulate, is a mix of amino acids, amino sugars, and 

proteins. In wastewater, organic nitrogen is readily converted to ammonia nitrogen by bacterial 

decomposition. Ammonia nitrogen exists in water as the ammonium ion or ammonia gas, 

depending on the pH of the water. In the presence of oxygen, oxidizing bacteria, different from 

the bacteria that decompose organic nitrogen to ammonia, can oxidize the ammonia nitrogen to 

nitrites and nitrates by nitrification. In the absence of oxygen, denitrifying bacteria will reduce 

7 TKN is the portion of the total nitrogen that is organic and ammonia nitrogen only. 

5-4
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.1—Meat and Poultry Products (40 CFR Part 432) 

nitrate to nitrogen gas. The nitrogen gas will evaporate from the wastewater and enter the 

atmosphere (Metcalf and Eddy, 2003). 

As shown in Table 5-1, the ELGs for the meat and poultry products category include 

limitations for both total nitrogen and ammonia as N. Figure 5-1 shows the relationship between 

nitrogen compounds. EPA learned from facility contacts that they often measure nitrate (NO3) or 

nitrate as nitrogen (NO3-N) (the amount of nitrogen in the nitrate form) regularly. Facilities that 

estimate nitrate loads using nitrate as nitrogen measurements assume that all nitrogen compounds 

convert to nitrate, and that nitrate as nitrogen therefore measures total nitrogen. 

Figure 5-1. Relationship Between Total Nitrogen Compounds 

5.1.2 Results of the 2011 Annual Review 

The following subsections describe the results of EPA’s 2011 Annual Review of the 

Meat and Poultry Products Category. 

5.1.2.1 Meat and Poultry Pollutants of Concern 

EPA’s 2011 review of the Meat and Poultry Category focused on the 2009 TRI 

discharges because the 2009 TRI data dominated the combined category TWPE. During the 2011 

Annual Review, EPA identified nitrate compounds, accounting for 87 percent of the total 2009 

Meat and Poultry TRI TWPE, as the top TRI pollutants of concern for the Meat and Poultry 

5-5
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.1—Meat and Poultry Products (40 CFR Part 432) 

Category. See Table 11-4 of the 2011 Annual Review Report for the remaining top pollutants 

identified during the 2011 Annual Review (U.S. EPA, 2012). 

5.1.2.2 Meat and Poultry Nitrate Compound Discharges in TRI 

Table 5-3 presents the facilities that account for the nitrate compound discharges in the 

2009 TRI database. As shown in Table 5-3, EPA determined that the top 13 nitrate discharging 

plants are located in nine states and include operations covered by Subpart B (Complex 

Slaughterhouses), K (Poultry First Processing), or L (Poultry Further Processing). All three of 

these subparts include ELGs for ammonia as N and total nitrogen. 

During the 2011 Annual Review, EPA reviewed available permit and discharge data for 

five of the 13 facilities. From the review of available data, EPA determined that all five facilities 

are complex slaughterhouses, with operations covered by Subpart B of the Meat and Poultry 

Products ELGs. EPA did not review the remaining eight facilities because the facility subpart 

could not be determined during the 2011 Annual Review. EPA found that for the five complex 

slaughterhouses, the facility permits include limitations for ammonia as N, but not total nitrogen. 

EPA determined that the wastewater treatment operations at these five plants, matching the BAT 

treatment basis of nitrification followed by partial denitrification, include some combination of 

screening, anaerobic lagoons, aeration basins, chlorination, and dechlorination. See Section 11.4 

in the 2011 Annual Review Report for more detailed information for each facility reviewed (U.S. 

EPA, 2012). 

5-6
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.1—Meat and Poultry Products (40 CFR Part 432) 

Table 5-3. Meat and Poultry Category Nitrate Compounds Dischargers in the 2009 TRI Database 

Facility Name Location Subparta 

Nitrate Compound 

Pounds Released 

Nitrate Compound 

TWPE 

Facility Percent of 

Nitrate Compound 

Category TWPE 

Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc. Lexington, NE B 4,990,000 3,730 7.94% 

Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., Joslin IL Hillsdale, IL B 4,450,000 3,320 7.08% 

Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. Schuyler, NE B 3,850,000 2,870 6.12% 

Smithfield Packing, Co., Inc. Tar Heel Div. Tar Heel, NC B 3,750,000 2,800 5.96% 

Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. Beardstown, IL NDb 3,650,000 2,730 5.81% 

Lewiston Processing Plant Lewiston Woodville, NC L 3,260,000 2,440 5.19% 

Accomac Processing Plant Accomac, VA K 2,080,000 1,550 3.30% 

Farmland Foods, Inc. Crete, NE B 1,780,000 1,330 2.84% 

JBS Plainwell Plainwell, MI B 1,750,000 1,300 2.78% 

Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. Wyalusing, PA B 1,670,000 1,250 2.66% 

Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc. Columbus Junction, IA B 1,620,000 1,210 2.58% 

Tyson Foods, Inc., Blountsville Processing Plant Blountsville, AL L 1,490,000 1,110 2.37% 

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., Mt. Pleasant Complex Mount Pleasant, TX K 1,390,000 1,040 2.22% 

Remaining facilities reporting nitrate compound dischargesc 27,100,000 20,300 43.20% 

Total 62,900,000 46,900 100% 

Source: TRIReleases2009_v2.
 

ND: Not determined.
 

Note: Sums of individual values may not equal the total presented, due to rounding.
 a See Table 5-1 for the description and applicability of the Subparts B, L, and K. During the 2011 Annual Review, EPA only determined the applicable subparts
 

for five of the 13 plants (U.S. EPA, 2012, see Section 11.4). EPA determined the subparts of the remaining eight plants as part of the 2012 Annual Review.

b EPA contacted Cargill Meat Solutions Corp in Beardstown, IL to determine the applicable subpart. Based on conversations with the facility contact, Cargill
 

Meat Solutions Corp is a slaughterhouse that processes pork. The processes at the facility include live rendering, boxing, and filling finished product. In 2012,
 

Cargill Meat Solutions processed 1.4 billion pounds (in units LWK) of pork. Cargill Meat Solutions Corp explained that the facility NPDES permit (last expired
 

in 2009) is still under review for revision by Illinois EPA (IEPA) (Barnes, 2013). Based on the facility information, EPA expects that with the revised facility
 

permit, Cargill Meat Solutions Corp will be regulated under 40 CFR Part 432, Subpart B (Complex Slaughterhouses), with total nitrogen limits.
 c 103 additional facilities reported nitrate compounds discharges in the 2009 TRI, accounting for approximately 43 percent of the category’s nitrate compounds
 

2009 TRI TWPE.
 

5-7
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.1—Meat and Poultry Products (40 CFR Part 432) 

5.1.3 Results of the 2012 Annual Review 

EPA continued its review of the Meat and Poultry Products Category in 2012 by focusing 

on the facilities with the highest nitrate compound discharges reported to TRI. EPA reviewed the 

TRI nitrate compound reporting requirements and guidance. Additionally, EPA contacted the 

nine state permitting authorities corresponding to the top 13 nitrate compounds discharging 

facilities in Table 5-3 to evaluate nitrate discharges. To determine how the facilities estimated 

TRI-reported nitrate discharges, EPA also contacted the two facilities with the highest reported 

nitrate discharges. Finally, EPA reviewed 2010 and 2011 DMR discharge data from the DMR 

Loading Tool to review the total nitrogen concentration ranges discharged from the top 13 

facilities. The following subsections present EPA’s findings from the 2012 Annual Review. 

5.1.3.1 Reporting Nitrate Compounds to TRI 

In the 2009 TRI, facilities report nitrate discharges under the chemical name “nitrate 

compounds,” if they estimate releases of nitrate compounds greater than 10,000 pounds per year. 

According to the TRI Program’s guidance document, the List of Toxic Chemicals Within the 

Water Dissociable Nitrate Compounds Category and Guidance for Reporting, all dissociable 

nitrate compounds, in aqueous solution, are included in nitrate compounds (U.S. EPA, 2000). 

However, based on recent contacts, meat and poultry facilities typically measure either 

nitrate or nitrate as nitrogen (NO3- N) and not total nitrogen. To estimate their nitrate loads, they 

simply convert the pounds of nitrate as nitrogen to pounds of nitrate as shown in Equation 5-3 

below. 

1.	 Measurement of nitrate as nitrogen nitrate as nitrogen. From sampling data, a facility 

might estimate that it releases 800 pounds of nitrate as nitrogen (or the amount of 

nitrogen in the nitrate form) based on wastewater measurements. 

2.	 Conversion of pounds of nitrate as nitrogen generated to pounds of nitrate. Using 

molecular weights (MWs), the facility would convert the 800 pounds of nitrate as 

nitrogen to the equivalent pounds of nitrate using the following equations. 

Nitrate MW (NO3

-

) = 14 + (3 × 16) = 62	 (Eq. 5-1) 

Nitrogen MW (N) = 14	 (Eq. 5-2) 

- NO3 - MW

Estimated pounds of NO3 from nitrate as nitrogen = Estimated pounds of N × 

N MW 

or 

- ଺ଶ Estimated pounds of NO3 from nitrate as nitrogen = 800 × 800 x 4.43 = 

- 3,543 Pounds of NO3	 

ଵସ

= 

(Eq. 5-3) 

5-8
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.1—Meat and Poultry Products (40 CFR Part 432) 

5.1.3.2 State Contacts 

EPA contacted state permitting authorities for the 13 facilities with the highest TRIreported nitrate discharges. EPA contacted the state permitting authorities to determine the status 

of the facilities’ most recent permits, the nitrogen pollutants regulated by the facility permits, the 

wastewater treatment operations at the plants, and any changes resulting from the revised Part 

432 ELGs. Additionally, EPA requested the most recent facility permits and fact sheets. The 

following subsections summarize EPA’s contact with the state permitting authorities and review 

of facility permits and fact sheets. Table 5-4 also summarizes EPA’s findings from the 

permitting authorities. 

Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NE DEQ) 

EPA contacted the NE DEQ to obtain facility permit information for Tyson Fresh 

Meats, Inc., in Lexington; Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. in Schuyler; and Farmland Foods, 

Inc., in Crete. 

The permit writer for Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc. stated that the facility is a complex beef 

slaughterhouse, with a production of approximately 6,000,000 pounds per day in LWK. Treated 

process wastewater is discharged via outfall 001 to the Tri-County Canal. Wastewater is treated 

in an onsite activated sludge treatment plant prior to discharge. Outfall 002 is maintained for 

emergency purposes only and would discharge treated process wastewater to the Platte River 

directly. Outfall 002 has never discharged. 

The facility permit, issued October 2010, includes limitations for total nitrogen and 

seasonal limitations for ammonia as N for outfalls 001 and 002. The total nitrogen permit 

limitations are based on Part 432 and are 134 mg/L monthly average, 194 mg/L daily maximum. 

The ammonia as N permit limitations are based on water-quality-based effluent limitations 

(WQBELs) and Part 432. They are (NE DEQ, 2010a): 

 Spring/winter: 4.0 mg/L monthly average, 8.0 mg/L daily maximum; and 

 Summer: 2.4 mg/L monthly average, 5.4 mg/L daily maximum. 

Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation is a complex beef slaughterhouse, with a production 

of approximately 6,500,000 pounds per day in LWK. Treated process wastewater is discharged 

via outfalls 001 and 003 to surface water and agricultural land application sites, respectively. 

Process wastewater discharged to outfall 001 is treated with a dissolved air floatation unit, 

anaerobic lagoon cells, a four chambered sequential batch reactor (an activated sludge plant), a 

chlorine contact basin, and dechlorination. Discharges of nutrient-rich water from outfall 003 

(treated process wastewater and non-contact cooling water) are used on agricultural land. (The 

facility does not have an outfall 002) (NE DEQ, 2009). 

The facility permit, issued October 2009, includes seasonal limitations for ammonia as N 

for outfalls 001 and 003. The permit does not include limitations for total nitrogen. The permit 

writer for Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. stated that the ammonia as N limitations were more 

stringent than the water quality criteria; however, there are no limitations for total nitrogen 

(Ewoldt, 2012). The ammonia as N permit limitations are (NE DEQ, 2009): 

 Winter: 4.0 mg/L monthly average, 8.0 mg/L daily maximum; 

5-9
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.1—Meat and Poultry Products (40 CFR Part 432) 

 Spring: 2.58 mg/L monthly average, 5.17 mg/L daily maximum; and 

 Summer: 1.89 mg/L monthly average, 3.79 mg/L daily maximum/ 

Farmland Foods, Inc., is a complex swine slaughterhouse, with a production of 

approximately 2,800,000 pounds per day in LWK. Treated process wastewater is discharged via 

outfall 001 to surface water. The process wastewater is treated by a dissolved air flotation unit, 

two anaerobic lagoon cells, an anoxic tank, three aeration basins, two final clarifiers (activated 

sludge plant), a chlorine contact basin and a dechlorination step, a v-notch weir, and a sludge 

holding lagoon. 

The facility permit, issued April 2010, includes limitations for total nitrogen and 

ammonia as N for outfall 001. The total nitrogen permit limitations are based on Part 432 and are 

134 mg/L monthly average, 194 mg/L daily maximum. Similarly, ammonia as N permit 

limitations are based on Part 432 and are 4.0 mg/L monthly average, 8.0 mg/L daily maximum 

(NE DEQ, 2010b). 

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) 

EPA contacted the IEPA to obtain the updated permits and facility information for Tyson 

Fresh Meats, Inc., in Hillsdale and Cargill Meat Solutions, Corp., in Beardstown. 

The Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., facility is a beef slaughter and processing plant with 

rendering activities. The maximum onsite slaughter LWK is 3,950,000 pounds per day. Treated 

process wastewater, boiler blowdown, sanitary wastewater, miscellaneous wastewater, 

stormwater, and cooling water are discharged via outfall 001 to surface water. 

The facility permit public notice, issued June 2011, includes limitations for total nitrogen 

and seasonal limitations for ammonia as N for outfall 001. The total nitrogen permit limitations 

are based on Part 432 and are 134 mg/L monthly average, 194 mg/L daily maximum. The 

ammonia as N permit limitations are based on WQBELs and are (IEPA, 2011): 

 Winter: 3.2 mg/L daily maximum; 

 Spring/fall: 3.3 mg/L daily maximum; and 

 Summer: 3.1 mg/L daily maximum. 

Cargill Meat Solutions, Corp., is a minor discharger in the Meat and Poultry Products 

Category. The facility is a pork processor that produces 5.6 million 8 oz servings per day. The 

facility processes also include slaughtering, live rendering, and boxing and filling final product. 

In 2012, the plant processed 1.4 billion pounds of pork (in units LWK) (Barnes, 2013). The 

facility’s old permit (expired in October 2009) includes seasonal limitations for ammonia as N 

for outfalls 001 and 002. Non-contact cooling water is discharged via outfall 001 and treated 

process wastewater and stormwater are discharged via outfall 002 to the Illinois River and an 

unnamed tributary. The ammonia as N permit limitations for outfalls 001 and 002 are (IEPA, 

2004): 

 Winter: 4.0 mg/L monthly average, 8.0 mg/L daily maximum; and 

 Summer: 2.5 mg/L monthly average, 5.0 mg/L daily maximum. 

5-10
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.1—Meat and Poultry Products (40 CFR Part 432) 

In order to determine the status of the revised facility permit, EPA contacted Cargill Meat 

Solutions, Corp. and determined that the new facility permit is still under review. Currently, the 

facility has permission from IEPA to discharge in compliance with the expired permit. Because 

the expired permit was issued prior to the revised 2004 ELGs, it does not include limitations for 

total nitrogen. EPA expects that with the revised facility permit, Cargill Meat Solutions Corp will 

be regulated under 40 CFR Part 432, Subpart B (Complex Slaughterhouses), with total nitrogen 

limits. 

North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (NC DENR) 

EPA contacted NC DENR to obtain the most recent permit information for Smithfield 

Packing Co. in Tar Heel and Lewiston Processing Plant in Lewistown Woodville. 

The Smithfield Packing Company, Tar Heel Division, is a hog slaughtering and pork 

packing plant constructed in 1992 that currently harvests an average of 32,000 hogs per day 

weighing approximately 267 pound per hog. The complex slaughterhouse processes more than 

50 million pounds per year. The primary products are fresh cuts. Byproduct operations include 

blood and hair collection, viscera handling, and inedible rendering (NC DENR, 2011). Treated 

process wastewater is discharged through outfall 001. The facility treatment system includes 

dissolved air flotation, anaerobic treatment, aeration, clarification, filtration, re-aeration, UV 

disinfection, and chlorination/dechlorination. 

The facility permit, issued February 2012, includes limitations for total nitrogen and 

seasonal limitations for ammonia as N at outfall 001. The total nitrogen permit limitations are 

based on Part 432 and are 134 mg/L monthly average, 194 mg/L daily maximum. The ammonia 

as N permit limitations are more stringent than Part 432 and are (NC DENR, 2012): 

 Winter: 4.0 mg/L monthly average, 8.0 mg/L daily maximum; and 

 Summer: 2.0 mg/L monthly average, 7.5 mg/L daily maximum. 

During the previous permit renewal period, Smithfield did not comply with new effluent 

guideline requirements for total nitrogen. DENR pursued legal enforcement against Smithfield 

on July 13, 2007. The company entered into a consent decree requiring the company to adhere to 

a schedule of compliance. In response, Smithfield constructed new treatment systems, including 

two 10,000- gallon carbon source storage tanks. Smithfield has made additional improvements to 

its treatment systems since July 2007 including installation of three new floating surface aerators, 

a two million gallon aeration basin, a centrifuge sludge dewatering system, a backup liquid 

chlorination/dechlorination system, replacement of existing diffusers in three aeration basins, and 

sludge facility improvements (NC DENR, 2011). 

The Lewiston Processing Plant is a poultry further processing plant that slaughters broiler 

chickens. Other plant operations include cutting, de-boning, marinating, packing, and rendering 

of byproducts. The facility processes 400,000 birds per day (NC DENR, 2007). Outfall 001 

discharges process wastewater. Wastewater treatment includes sedimentation, screening, two 

anaerobic lagoons, an equalization basin, oxidation ditch for nitrification/denitrification, 

secondary clarifier, chlorination and dechlorination, sludge gravity thickener, and digestion. 

5-11
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.1—Meat and Poultry Products (40 CFR Part 432) 

The facility permit, issued February 2008, includes total nitrogen and ammonia as N 

limitations for outfall 001. The total nitrogen permit limitations are based on Part 432 and are 

103 mg/L monthly average, 147 mg/L daily maximum. The ammonia as N permit limitations are 

also based on Part 432 and are 4.0 mg/L monthly average, 8.0 mg/L daily maximum (NC DENR, 

2008). 

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VA DEQ) 

EPA contacted VA DEQ to obtain the most recent permitting information for the 

Accomac Processing Plant in Accomac. The Accomac Processing Plant is a poultry first 

processing plant with a production of approximately 450,000,000 pounds per year in LWK (VA 

DEQ, 2010). The facility permit, issued September 2011, includes limitations for total nitrogen 

and seasonal limitations for ammonia as N for outfall 001, which discharges to the Atlantic 

Ocean. The total nitrogen permit limitations are based on Part 432 and are 103 mg/L monthly 

average, 147 mg/L daily maximum. The ammonia as N limitations are based on WQBELs and 

are (VA DEQ, 2011): 

 Winter: 4.0 mg/L monthly average, 8.0 mg/L daily maximum; and 

 Summer: 2.0 mg/L monthly average, 7.5 mg/L daily maximum. 

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MI DEQ) 

EPA contacted MI DEQ to obtain the recent permitting information for JBS Plainwell in 

Plainwell. The facility is a complex slaughterhouse with a production of approximately 

520,000,000 pounds per year in LWK (MI DEQ, 2011). The facility permit, issued November 

2011, does not include limitations for total nitrogen. The only nitrogen compound permit 

limitation included is ammonia nitrogen (as N) for outfall 001, which discharges to the 

Kalamazoo River (MI DEQ, 2011). Based on Part 432, the facility permit should also include 

limitations for total nitrogen. 

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) 

EPA contacted PA DEP to obtain the most recent permit information for Cargill Meat 

Solutions in Wyalusing. PA DEP stated that the facility is a large complex slaughterhouse that 

discharges to the Chesapeake Bay. PA DEP further explained that it recently revised the 

facility’s permit, which last expired in March 2009, developing total nitrogen limitations based 

on Chesapeake Bay water quality criteria requirements, which are more stringent than the ELGs. 

EPA has not yet approved the state’s permit for this facility (i.e., the permit limits may change) 

(Randis, 2012). 

PA DEP and Cargill are negotiating a compliance schedule to be in effect in 2012. To 

meet the new permit limits, the plant will add an aerobic and anaerobic treatment system. The 

compliance schedule currently requires the Cargill Meat Solutions facility to meet new permit 

limitations for total nitrogen by August 2013 (Randis, 2012). 

Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IA DNR) 

EPA contacted IA DNR to obtain facility permit information for Tyson Fresh Meats, 

Inc., in Columbus Junction. The facility permit writer stated that the permit is very old and is 

5-12
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.1—Meat and Poultry Products (40 CFR Part 432) 

currently under revision. The permit currently only requires monitoring of total nitrogen (no 

numerical limitations); however, numerical limitations will be included in the revised permit as 

required by the 2004 revised ELGs. The permit revision is on hold until the state classifies the 

receiving water stream to determine if total nitrogen limitations will be developed based on Part 

432 or WQBELs (Heeb, 2012). 

Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) 

EPA contacted ADEM to obtain facility permit information for Tyson Foods, Inc., in 

Blountsville. Tyson Foods is a poultry processing plant with a production of over 50,000,000 

pounds per year. The facility discharges treated process wastewater via outfall 001. 

The facility permit, issued October 2005, requires the facility to monitor for nitrate and 

nitrite and limits total nitrogen, ammonia as N, and TKN. The total nitrogen permit limitations 

are based on Part 432 and are 103 mg/L monthly average, 147 mg/L daily maximum. The 

ammonia as N permit limitations are more stringent than Part 432, requiring1.6 mg/L monthly 

average, 2.4 mg/L daily maximum (ADEM, 2005). 

Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ) 

EPA contacted TCEQ to obtain the most recent facility permit information for Pilgrim’s 

Pride Corp. in Mount Pleasant. The facility is a poultry first processing plant, recently under 

new ownership. Its permit, which is currently under revision, includes limitations for total 

nitrogen and seasonal limitations for ammonia as N. According to the draft facility permit, the 

facility discharges treated process wastewater via outfall 001. The process wastewater is treated 

by primary and secondary screening for solids removal, flow equalization, dissolved air flotation 

with chemical addition, biotower treatment, two activated sludge aeration basins, two final 

clarifiers, sand filtration, chlorination, and dechlorination. 

The draft total nitrogen permit limitations are based on Part 432 and are 103 mg/L 

monthly average, 147 mg/L daily maximum. The ammonia as N draft permit limitations are 

based on water quality criteria. They are (TCEQ, 2011): 

 Winter: 8.0 mg/L monthly average, 16.0 mg/L daily maximum; and 

 Summer: 1.0 mg/L monthly average, 2.0 mg/L daily maximum. 

5.1.3.3 Facility-Specific Contacts 

In addition to the state contacts described above, EPA also contacted the top two 2009 

TRI nitrate dischargers, Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc. (Lexington) and Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc. 

(Hillsdale), to determine how they were estimating the nitrate loads reported in the 2009 TRI 

database. To report discharges to the TRI database, facilities can use available monitoring data, 

emission factors, engineering calculations or other estimations including mass balance equations. 

Therefore, EPA contacted these facilities to determine if the nitrate loads reported were based on 

monitoring data, engineering calculations, or other estimation methods. 

5-13
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.1—Meat and Poultry Products (40 CFR Part 432) 

Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., in Lexington, Nebraska 

Tyson Fresh Meats, a complex slaughterhouse, reported 4.99 million pounds of nitrate 

compound discharges in the 2009 TRI database. This facility accounted for approximately 8 

percent of the total 2009 TRI nitrate compound TWPE. The facility contact confirmed the 2009 

TRI nitrate load and explained that they estimate the load using nitrogen monitoring data. The 

plant collects samples three times weekly and analyzes them onsite for nitrate as nitrogen. To 

estimate the nitrate compound load for TRI, the facility multiplies its nitrate as nitrogen 

concentration and flow to calculate a nitrate as nitrogen load. They then convert to pounds of 

nitrate by multiplying by the factor of 4.43. See Equations 5-1 through 5-3 for the more detailed 

calculations. The facility assumes that all of the nitrogen is completely oxidized to nitrate by 

nitrification and that their reported TRI amount reflects their total nitrogen release (Loeg, 2012). 

Additionally, the facility contact stated that due to the 2010 permit revision to include 

total nitrogen limitations, they estimate that their nitrate loads decreased to 3.4 million pounds in 

2010. To meet the new total nitrogen limitations, the facility changed two complete mixing 

basins (previously part of the extended air basin) to an on/off system, so aeration is occurring 

half of the time in the wastewater treatment system. This creates an anoxic environment, and 

achieves both nitrification and denitrification (Loeg, 2012). 

Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., in Hillsdale, Illinois 

Similar to the Tyson Fresh Meats in Nebraska, the Tyson Fresh Meats in Hillsdale is a 

complex slaughterhouse. The facility reported 4.45 million pounds of nitrate compound 

discharges in the 2009 TRI database, accounting for approximately 7 percent of the total 2009 

TRI nitrate compound TWPE. The facility contact confirmed the 2009 TRI nitrate load and 

explained that the facility estimates its load using the same approach as the Tyson Fresh Meats in 

Nebraska. The facility multiplies its nitrate as nitrogen concentration and flow to calculate a 

nitrate as nitrogen load. They then convert to pounds of nitrate by multiplying by the factor of 

4.43. See Equations 5-1 through 5-3 for the more detailed calculations (Rastessin, 2012). 

Additionally, the facility recently received its new discharge permit from the state, which 

implements the total nitrogen permit limitations in Part 432.The facility is currently evaluating 

its wastewater treatment system to determine if it needs to make any changes to meet the new 

total nitrogen limitations (Rastessin, 2012). 

5.1.3.4 DMR Data for Top Nitrate Dischargers 

EPA reviewed 2010 and 2011 DMR data for the top 13 facilities discharging nitrate 

compounds to determine if total nitrogen loads, including nitrate, are decreasing as a result of the 

2004 ELGs. In addition to determining if any plants exceed the total nitrogen limitations, the 

availability of 2010 and 2011 DMR data also suggest that some plants are still receiving revised 

permits with total nitrogen limitations through the reporting year 2011. 

By comparing the DMR data to the data from permit writers, facility permits, facilities, 

and TRI, EPA determined that the top 13 facilities from Table 5-3 are: 

	 Currently meeting permit limitations for total nitrogen, which includes the nitrate 

discharges; 

5-14
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.1—Meat and Poultry Products (40 CFR Part 432) 

	 Receiving revised permit with total nitrogen limitations by the end of 2012; or 

	 Currently waiting for a revised permit from the state that are expected to include 

total nitrogen limitations based on subpart applicability. 

Additionally, two facilities are taking action to improve wastewater treatment to address 

new total nitrogen permit limitations. 

However, EPA also determined that two facilities do not have total nitrogen limitations in 

renewed permits, even though they appear to meet the production threshold to be considered 

regulated by 40 CFR Part 432. Table 5-4 lists the top nitrate dischargers in the 2009 TRI 

database, their most recent permit issue date, the range of total nitrogen concentrations reported 

from 2010 through 2011, and EPA’s findings from the 2012 Annual Review. EPA selected the 

range from 2010 through 2011 to capture those facilities that received revised permits in late 

2010 or early 2011. 

From the data provided in Table 5-4, EPA determined that: 

	 Six facilities have permits with total nitrogen limitations and are not reporting 

concentrations that exceed the ELG-based limitations; 

	 Four facilities have recently received revised permits or are still waiting for 

revised permits that will include total nitrogen limitations; 

	 One facility is still waiting for a revised permit, but EPA was still unable to 

confirm the applicable subpart with the facility contact. Based on information 

from the facility contact, EPA expects that the facility will be regulated under 40 

CFR Part 432, Subpart B (Complex Slaughterhouses), with total nitrogen limits in 

the revised facility permit; and 

	 Two facilities have recently revised permits that do not include total nitrogen 

limitations. 

For the five facilities with recently revised, or pending revised, permit limitations for 

total nitrogen, EPA expects a decrease in total nitrogen, including nitrate compounds, as facilities 

comply with their new permit limitations. For the two facilities that do not have total nitrogen 

limitations, facility-specific permitting action may be warranted to ensure permits appropriately 

incorporate the 2004 ELGs. 

5-15
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.1—Meat and Poultry Products (40 CFR Part 432) 

Table 5-4. Permit Status as of January 2012 and DMR Total Nitrogen Concentrations for Meat and Poultry Treated Process
 

Wastewater Outfalls
 

Facility Name State Subpart 

Date Most 

Recent Permit 

Issued 

Part 432 Total 

Nitrogen Max 

Daily (mg/L) 

Part 432 Total 

Nitrogen Max 

Monthly 

Average 

(mg/L) 

2010–2011 Monthly 

Average Total 

Nitrogen 

Concentration 

Range (mg/L) EPA Findings 

Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc. NE B October 2010 194 134 38–80.7 In compliance with Part 432 total 

nitrogen limitations. 

Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., 

Joslin, IL 

IL B June 2011a 194 134 NA Public announcement for facility 

permit released in 2011, facility still 

waiting to receive revised permit with 

total nitrogen limitations. 

Cargill Meat Solutions 

Corp. 

NE B October 2009 194 134 NA Facility appears to meet requirements 

for Part 432; however, permit does not 

limit total nitrogen. 

Smithfield Packing, Co., 

Inc., Tar Heel Div. 

NC B February 2012 194 134 80.8 – 119 In compliance with Part 432 total 

nitrogen limitations. 

Cargill Meat Solutions 

Corp. 

IL NDb Under Revision NA NA NA IEPA is still reviewing this facility 

before issuing a new permit, currently 

the facility discharges in compliance 

with the old permit (expired 10/2009) 

Lewiston Processing Plant NC L February 2008 147 103 94.8c In compliance with Part 432 total 

nitrogen limitations. 

Accomac Processing Plant VA K September 2011 147 103 69 – 85 In compliance with Part 432 total 

nitrogen limitations. 

Farmland Foods, Inc. NE B April 2010 194 134 30 – 97.8 In compliance with Part 432 total 

nitrogen limitations. 

JBS Plainwell MI B November 2011 194 134 NA Facility appears to meet requirements 

for Part 432; however, permit does not 

limit total nitrogen. 

Cargill Meat Solutions 

Corp. 

PA B Under Revision 194 134 NA Permit is currently under revision, 

plant has not yet received revised 

permit. 

5-16
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.1—Meat and Poultry Products (40 CFR Part 432) 

Table 5-4. Permit Status as of January 2012 and DMR Total Nitrogen Concentrations for Meat and Poultry Treated Process
 

Wastewater Outfalls
 

Facility Name State Subpart 

Date Most 

Recent Permit 

Issued 

Part 432 Total 

Nitrogen Max 

Daily (mg/L) 

Part 432 Total 

Nitrogen Max 

Monthly 

Average 

(mg/L) 

2010–2011 Monthly 

Average Total 

Nitrogen 

Concentration 

Range (mg/L) EPA Findings 

Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc. IA B Under Revision 194 134 NA Permit is currently under revision, 

plant has not yet received revised 

permit. 

Tyson Foods, Inc., 

Blountsville Processing 

Plant 

AL L October 2005 147 103 70.6 – 94.8 In compliance with Part 432 total 

nitrogen limitations. 

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., Mt. 

Pleasant Complex 

TX K Under Revision 147 103 NA Permit is currently under revision, 

plant has not yet received revised 

permit. 

Source: EPA Envirofacts.
 

NA: Not applicable.
 

ND: Not determined.
 

Under revision: The facility permit is under revision to include total nitrogen limitations. Therefore, total nitrogen concentrations are not included in the 2010
 

through 2011 DMR data.
 a IEPA issued the permit notice for the Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., Joslin facility in June 2011; not the actual final permit.
 b EPA contacted Cargill Meat Solutions Corp in Beardstown, IL to determine the applicable subpart. Based on conversations with the facility contact, Cargill
 

Meat Solutions Corp is a slaughterhouse that processes pork. The processes at the facility include live rendering, boxing, and filling finished product. In 2012,
 

Cargill Meat Solutions processed 1.4 billion pounds (in units LWK) of pork. Cargill Meat Solutions Corp explained that the facility NPDES permit (last expired
 

in 2009) is still under review for revision by Illinois EPA (IEPA) (Barnes, 2013). Based on the facility information, EPA expects that with the revised facility
 

permit, Cargill Meat Solutions Corp will be regulated under 40 CFR Part 432, Subpart B (Complex Slaughterhouses), with total nitrogen limits.
 c Facility reported total nitrogen concentration for only one month in 2011.
 

5-17
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.1—Meat and Poultry Products (40 CFR Part 432) 

5.1.4	 Summary of Findings from EPA’s Review of Meat and Poultry Products Category 

Using data collected for the 2012 Annual Review, EPA identified the following for the 

Meat and Poultry Category: 

	 Some facilities are estimating nitrate compounds loads in the TRI database using 

nitrate as nitrogen concentrations from effluent discharges, and converting the 

load based on molecular weight to nitrate. 

	 EPA reviewed the 2009 DMR total nitrogen discharges for the top nitrate 

compound discharging TRI facilities. EPA determined that the majority of these 

facilities are in compliance with the ELGs for total nitrogen or are currently 

awaiting revised permits that will include total nitrogen permit limitations. One 

facility documented a reduction in nitrate load as a result of more stringent total 

nitrogen limits. EPA expects a decrease in total nitrogen, including the nitrate 

compounds, as new permits include the 2004 ELG revisions. 

	 Two facilities do not currently have total nitrogen permit limitations; however, 

Part 432 appears to apply to them. These facility’s total nitrogen/nitrate 

discharges may best be handled by facility-specific permitting action. 

	 Eight of thirteen facilities have, or are projected to have, WQBELs for ammonia 

as N rather than ELG-based limitations. The WQBELs are more stringent in most 

cases than limits based on Part 432. 

EPA prioritizes point source categories with existing regulations for potential revision 

based on the greatest estimated toxicity to human health and the environment, measured as 

TWPE. Based on the above findings, EPA is assigning this category a lower priority for revision 

— i.e., this category is marked “(3)” in the “Findings” column in Table 7-1 in the Final 2012 and 

Preliminary 2014 Effluent Guidelines Program Plans (U.S. EPA, 2014). 

5.1.5	 References for Meat and Poultry Products Category 

1.	 ADEM. 2005. Alabama Department of Environmental Management. Facility Permit for 

NPDES AL0001449—Tyson Foods, Inc., Blountsville, AL. (November 6). EPA-HQOW-2010-0824. DCN 07524. 

2.	 Barnes, Courtney. 2013. Telephone Communication Between Courtney Barnes, Cargill 

Meat Solutions, and Elizabeth Sabol, Eastern Research Group, Inc., Re: Facility Permit 

Status. (May 13). EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07799. 

3.	 Ewoldt, Cay. 2012. Telephone and Email Communication Between Cay Ewoldt, NPDES 

Permits and Compliance Unit, NE DEQ, and Kimberly Landick, Eastern Research 

Group, Inc., Re: Meat and Poultry Facility Nitrogen Discharges. (January 25). EPA-HQOW-2010-0824. DCN 07800. 

4.	 Heeb, Wendy. 2012. Telephone Communication Between Wendy Heeb, Iowa 

Department of Natural Resources, and Elizabeth Sabol, Eastern Research Group, Inc., 

Re: 2009 TRI Total Nitrogen and Nitrate Discharges. (January). EPA-HQ-OW-2010­

0824. DCN 07801. 

5-18
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.1—Meat and Poultry Products (40 CFR Part 432) 

5.	 IEPA. 2004. Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Facility Permit for NPDES 

IL0023914—Cargill Meat Solution Corporation—Beardstown, IL. (September 24). EPAHQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07802. 

6.	 IEPA. 2011. Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Public Notice of Facility Permit 

for NPDES IL0003913—Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., Hillsdale, IL. (June 3). EPA-HQ-OW2010-0824. DCN 07803. 

7.	 Loeg, Chris. 2012. Telephone Communication Between Chris Loeg, Tyson Fresh Meats, 

Inc., and Elizabeth Sabol, Eastern Research Group, Inc., Re: Total Nitrogen Discharges, 

Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc. (March 16). EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07805. 

8.	 Metcalf and Eddy. 2003. Wastewater Engineering Treatment and Reuse. Fourth Edition. 

McGraw-Hill. New York, New York. DCN 07804. 

9.	 MI DEQ. 2011. Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. Treatment Technology 

Based Effluent Limits (TTBELs) Recommendation for NPDES ID MI0050628—JBS 

Plainwell, Inc., Plainwell, MI. (April 5). EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07806. 

10.	 NC DENR. 2007. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. 

Facility Fact Sheet for NPDES NC0028835—Purdue Farms, Inc.—Lewistown Plant, 

Lewistown, NC. (October 15). EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07807. 

11.	 NC DENR. 2008. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. 

Facility Permit for NPDES NC0028835—Purdue Farms, Inc.—Lewistown Plant, 

Lewistown, NC. (February 1). EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07808. 

12.	 NC DENR. 2011. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. 

Facility Fact Sheet for NPDES NC0078344—Smithfield Packing Company Inc., Tar 

Heel, NC. (November 22). EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07809. 

13.	 NC DENR. 2012. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. 

Facility Permit for NPDS NC0078344—Smithfield Packing Company Inc., Tar Heel, 

NC. (February 1). EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07810. 

14.	 NE DEQ. 2009. Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. Facility Permit and 

Fact Sheet for NPDES NE0000795—Cargill Meat Solutions Corp., Schuyler, NE. 

(October 1). EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07811. 

15.	 NE DEQ. 2010a. Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. Facility Permit and 

Fact Sheet for NPDES NE0123501—Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., Lexington, NE. (October 

1). EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07812. 

16.	 NE DEQ. 2010b. Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. Facility Permit and 

Fact Sheet for NDPES 0032191—Farmland Foods Inc., Crete, NE. (April 1). EPA-HQOW-2010-0824. DCN 07813. 

5-19
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.1—Meat and Poultry Products (40 CFR Part 432) 

17.	 Randis, Tom. 2012. Telephone and Email Communication Between Tom Randis, 

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and Elizabeth Sabol, Eastern 

Research Group, Inc., Re: Cargill Meat Facility Total Nitrogen Discharges. (January). 

EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07814. 

18.	 Rastessin, Kim. 2012. Telephone Communication Between Kim Rastessin, Tyson Fresh 

Meats, Inc., and Elizabeth Sabol, Eastern Research Group, Inc., Re: Total Nitrogen 

Discharges and Permit Changes, Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc. (March 20). EPA-HQ-OW2010-0824. DCN 07815. 

19.	 TCEQ. 2011. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Draft Facility Permit for 

NPDES TX0062936—Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., Mount Pleasant, TX. (January). EPA-HQOW-2010-0824. DCN 07816. 

20.	 U.S. EPA. 2000. Toxic Release Inventory List of Chemicals within the Water Dissociable 

Nitrate Compounds Category and Guidance for Reporting. Washington, DC. (December). 

EPA 745-R-00-006. EPA-HQ-OW-2004-0032-0816. 

21.	 U.S. EPA. 2002. Development Document for the Proposed Effluent Limitations 

Guidelines and Standards for the Meat and Poultry Products Industry Point Source 

Category. Washington, D.C. (January). EPA-821-B-01-007. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. 

DCN 07817. 

22.	 U.S. EPA. 2012. 2011 Annual Effluent Guidelines Review Report. Washington, D.C. 

(December). EPA-821-R-12-001.EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824-0195. 

23.	 U.S. EPA. 2013. Preliminary 2012 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan. Washington, D.C. 

(May). EPA-821-R-12-002. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824-0194. 

24.	 U.S. EPA. 2014. Final 2012 and Preliminary 2014 Effluent Guidelines Program Plans. 

Washington, D.C. (September). EPA-820-R-14-001. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 

07756. 

25.	 VA DEQ. 2010. Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. Facility Permit 

Application for NPDES VA0003808—Purdue Farms, Inc.—Accomac Processing Plant, 

Accomac, VA. (December 1). EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07818. 

26.	 VA DEQ. 2011. Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. Facility Permit for 

NPDES VA0003808—Purdue Farms, Inc.—Accomac Processing Plant, Accomac, VA. 

(September 29). EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07819. 

5-20
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.2—Petroleum Refining (40 CFR Part 419) 

5.2 Petroleum Refining (40 CFR Part 419) 

During the 2011 Annual Review, EPA identified the Petroleum Refining Category (40 

CFR Part 419) for preliminary review because it ranked high, in terms of toxic-weighted pound 

equivalents (TWPE), in the 2011 toxicity rankings analysis. See Table 4-3 in Section 4.1.6 of the 

Preliminary 2012 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan (U.S. EPA, 2013a). EPA needed additional 

data to complete the preliminary category review, so this review continued in the 2012 Annual 

Review (U.S. EPA, 2012). 

This section summarizes the findings from the 2011 and 2012 Annual Reviews associated 

with the Petroleum Refining Category. Based on findings from the 2011 Annual Review, EPA 

continued to review discharges of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds from the Toxics Release 

Inventory (TRI) because of their high TWPE. EPA reviewed metals discharges because of high 

TWPE and industry trends that might affect metals discharges. These industry trends include the 

use of new feedstock such as Canadian crude oil and tar sands (Purdue-Argonne Task Force, 

2011), and additional air pollution control (see Section 6.3). EPA compared the concentrations of 

metals that refineries report in their wastewater discharges to recent academia and effluent 

guidelines industry studies (see Section 5.2.3.2) on the performance of chemical precipitation, 

biological, and ultrafiltration treatment and found that the highest 2010 daily maximum 

discharge concentrations reported by many refineries exceed the concentrations achievable by 

these treatments. 

5.2.1 Petroleum Refining Category Background 

The Petroleum Refining ELGs (40 CFR Part 419) were promulgated in 1982. EPA has 

not revised the ELGs, but has subsequently reviewed discharges from petroleum refineries as 

part of the Preliminary and Final Effluent Guidelines Program Plans in 2004–2010 (U.S. EPA, 

2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009a, 2011). During its 2004 Final Effluent Guidelines Program 

Plan reviews, EPA also conducted a detailed study of this industry (U.S. EPA, 2004). Table 5-5 

compares the toxicity rankings analysis results for the Petroleum Refining Category from the 

2007 through 2011 Annual Reviews. See Section 19.1 of EPA’s 2011 Annual Review Report for 

more background on the petroleum refining category (U.S. EPA, 2012). 

5-21
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.2—Petroleum Refining (40 CFR Part 419) 

Table 5-5. Petroleum Refining Category TRI and DMR Discharges for 2007 Through 

2011 Toxicity Rankings Analysis 

Year of Discharge Year of Review 

Petroleum Refining Category 

TRI TWPEa DMR TWPEb Total TWPE 

2004 2007 669,000 819,000 1,490,000 

2005 2008 628,000 NA NA 

2007 2009 172,000 403,000 575,000 

2008 2010 410,000 680,000 1,090,000 

2009 2011 436,000 295,000 731,000 

Sources: TRIReleases2004_v3; PCSLoads2004_v3; TRIReleases2005_v2; TRIReleases2007_v2;
 

DMRLoads2007_v4; TRIReleases2008_v3; DMRLoads2008_v3; TRIReleases2009_v2; and DMRLoads2009_v2.
 

NA: Not applicable. EPA did not evaluate DMR data for 2005.
 

Note: Sums of individual values may not equal the total presented, due to rounding.
 a Discharges include transfers to publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) and account for POTW removals.
 b MR data from 2004 through 2007 include only major dischargers. 2008 and 2009 DMR data include both minor
 

and major dischargers.
 

5.2.2	 Results of the 2011 Annual Review 

EPA’s 2011 review of the Petroleum Refining Category focused on the 2009 TRI and 

discharge monitoring report (DMR) discharges because both contribute to the category’s 

combined TWPE. Tables 19-2 and 19-3 in Section 19.2 of the 2011 Annual Review Report 

present the top 2009 TRI and DMR pollutants for the petroleum refining category (U.S. EPA, 

2012). EPA investigated the top TRI pollutants, dioxin and dioxin-like compounds and 

polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), because they account for 80 percent of the total 2009 

TRI TWPE. EPA investigated the top DMR pollutants, sulfide and chlorine, because they 

account for more than 61 percent of the total 2009 DMR TWPE. Additionally, EPA reviewed 

DMR metals discharges because of high TWPE and changes in industry trends that might affect 

metals discharges. In reviewing the 2009 TRI and DMR database pollutants of concern, EPA 

reached the following conclusions as part of the 2011 Annual Review: 

	 In a 2004 detailed study EPA concluded that the petroleum refining PAC 

discharges reported to TRI are either (1) based on half the detection limit 

multiplied by the flow or (2) estimated using emission factors and; therefore, 

concluded that there is little evidence that PACs are being discharged to surface 

waters in concentrations above the detection limit (U.S., EPA 2004). The 

petroleum refining PAC TWPE is consistent from discharge years 2004 to 2009; 

therefore, EPA determined findings from the 2004 detailed study of the industry 

still apply, and that PAC discharges do not present a hazard priority at this time. 

	 During the 2011 Annual Review, EPA found that four facilities account for 54 

percent of the 2009 DMR sulfide discharges. The majority of discharges for all 

four facilities were below or near treatable levels; therefore, EPA does not 

consider these sulfide discharges a hazard priority at this time; 

5-22
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.2—Petroleum Refining (40 CFR Part 419) 

	 During the 2011 Annual Review, EPA identified and corrected an error in DMR 

chlorine discharges; EPA accordingly concludes that chlorine discharges do not 

present a hazard at this time (U.S. EPA, 2012); 

	 EPA previously determined that refineries form dioxin and dioxin-like 

compounds during catalyst regeneration operations for the catalytic reforming 

process. One refinery, Hovensa, accounts for 65 percent of the dioxin and dioxinlike compound discharges reported by the category in TRI 2009. The facility 

reported an increase in dioxin and dioxin-like compound discharges from 2008 to 

2009. According to the facility contact, the increase in dioxin and dioxin-like 

compound discharges was due to an increase in the number of catalyst 

regenerations in 2009. For other refineries, EPA needed more information to 

verify the refinery-specific data for 2009. Therefore, EPA continued to review 

dioxin and dioxin-like compound discharges from petroleum refineries during the 

2012 Annual Review (U.S. EPA, 2012); and 

	 EPA identified the need for more information about discharges of metal pollutants 

during the 2011 Annual Review. Therefore, EPA continued to review metals 

discharges from petroleum refineries during the 2012 Annual Review (U.S. EPA, 

2012). 

5.2.3	 Results of the 2012 Annual Review 

EPA’s continued review of the Petroleum Refining Category as part of the 2012 Annual 

Review focused on dioxin and dioxin-like compound discharges reported to TRI and metals 

discharges reported in DMR. The following subsections present the findings from EPA’s review. 

5.2.3.1 Petroleum Refining Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compound Discharges 

EPA continued to review dioxin and dioxin-like compound discharges from petroleum 

refineries during the 2012 Annual Review by collecting additional data to verify facility 

discharges. EPA determined in its 2011 Annual Review Report that dioxin and dioxin-like 

compounds contribute 72 percent of the total petroleum refining category 2009 TRI TWPE and 

increased by approximately 15,000 TWPE from reporting years 2008 to 2009. Table 5-10 lists 

the petroleum refineries that reported dioxin and dioxin-like compound discharges to TRI in 

2009. 

EPA’s 2004 detailed study of petroleum refineries indicated that refineries produce 

dioxin and dioxin-like compounds during catalytic reforming and catalyst regeneration 

operations (U.S. EPA, 2004). The study also showed that the estimated releases of dioxin and 

dioxin-like compounds reported to TRI are based on pollutant concentrations below the Method 

1613B Minimum Levels (ML). Measurements of concentrations below the Method 1613B ML 

may not be accurate and may not accurately reflect industry discharges. 

During the 2011 Annual Review, EPA investigated the basis of estimates for the 

petroleum dioxin discharges in the 2009 TRI data, which could include actual sampling data, 

mass balance calculations, or some other type of estimation (U.S. EPA, 2012). Of the 19 

refineries reporting dioxin and dioxin-like compound discharges to TRI in 2009, nine reported 

5-23
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.2—Petroleum Refining (40 CFR Part 419) 

discharges based on analytical measurements (designated as “M1” or “M2” in the TRI database) 

and the other 10 used mass balance, emission factors, or other estimation techniques to determine 

discharges. 

During the 2011 Annual Review, EPA also identified that Hovensa LLC in 

Christiansted, VI, accounts for 65 percent of the category’s dioxin and dioxin-like compound 

discharges in the 2009 TRI database. EPA contacted the facility about its dioxin and dioxin-like 

compound discharges and determined that the dioxin discharges are estimated using literature 

values associated with dioxin formation from reformer catalyst regeneration. The facility 

indicated that the increase in dioxin discharges from 2008 to 2009 was due to the number of 

times the facility regenerated the reformer catalyst, once in 2008 compared to three times in 

2009. The facility contact stated that the number of regenerations required in a given year could 

vary between zero and three, depending on different operating factors (Vernon, 2011). The 

facility used the dioxin distributions given in the Dioxins and Refineries: Analysis in the San 

Francisco Bay Area report (CBE, 2000) to estimate the dioxin load and distribution. The source 

of these dioxin distributions is the 1996 EPA Preliminary Data Summary for the Petroleum 

Refining Category (U.S. EPA, 1996). 

During the 2012 Annual Review, EPA confirmed with Hovensa that its dioxin discharges 

are based on estimations from literature. Hovensa did not analyze its wastewater for dioxins or 

furans; therefore, EPA is not certain dioxins and furans are actually present in the wastewater at 

concentrations above the Method 1613B ML. Although Hovensa’s estimate of releases follows 

TRI program guidance, it may not represent actual wastewater discharges. 

Because Hovensa represented a majority of the TRI TWPE, EPA did not review TRI data 

on dioxins and furans from any other petroleum refineries during the 2012 Annual Review. 

However, EPA searched 2010 DMR data to see what dioxins and furans might have been 

measured in effluent from petroleum refineries. Table 5-6. presents final outfall data for six 

refineries that reported dioxin and dioxin-like compound discharges in the 2010 DMR. As 

shown, only one refinery, Tosco Corporation in Martinez, CA, reported detecting dioxins and 

furans above the Method 1613B ML in 2010. This refinery reported detecting three congeners: 

OCDD, OCDF, and an HpCDD congener, but its outfall includes process wastewater and 

stormwater. 

In the 2004 detailed study, EPA reviewed similar 2000 DMR discharges from this facility 

(U.S. EPA, 2004). As explained in the 2004 detailed study, the Tosco refinery completed an 

extensive study in 1997 to find the source of dioxin in the final effluent. The study determined 

that 98 percent of the dioxin loading is from non-process wastewater (discharges from 

stormwater and the coke pond and clean canal forebay). The refinery reported that wastewater 

from the treatment plant (treated with granular activated carbon) contributed two percent of the 

dioxin in the final effluent. The 1997 report suggests that the dioxin in the wastewater discharges 

from stormwater and the coke pond and clean canal forebay are from aerial deposition in the 

surrounding area (U.S. EPA, 2004). 

5-24
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.2—Petroleum Refining (40 CFR Part 419) 

Table 5-6. 2010 DMR Petroleum Refinery Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds Effluent Discharge Data (pg/L) 

Dioxin Congener 

Number 

1613B 

ML 

Tesoro Alaska 

Petroleum Co. 

Shell Chemical 

Company 

Tosco Corp. 

Amorco Wharf 

Valero Refining 

Co. — California 

Benicia Refinery 

Exxon Mobil Oil 

Corp. – Torrance 

Refinery 

Conoco Phillips 

Carson Plant 

Kenai, AK Saraland, AL Martinez, CA Benicia, CA Torrance, CA Carson, CA 

Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max 

2,3,7,8- TCDD 10 ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND 

1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD 50 ND ND 

1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDD 50 ND ND 

1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDD 50 ND ND 

1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDD 50 ND ND 

1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD 50 153a 293a 

OCDD 100 1,600a 3,100a 

2,3,7,8-TCDF 10 ND ND 

1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF 50 ND ND 

2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF 50 ND ND 

1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDF 50 ND ND 

1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDF 50 ND ND 

1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDF 50 ND ND 

2,3,4,6,7,8-HxCDF 50 ND ND 

1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF 50 ND ND 

1,2,3,4,7,8,9-HpCDF 50 ND ND 

OCDF 100 101a 101a 

Source: DMR Loading Tool; Isorena, 2012.
 

ND: Not detected.
 

Blank cells indicate the refinery did not monitor for this parameter.
 a Discharges are above the Method 1613B ML.
 

5-25
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.2—Petroleum Refining (40 CFR Part 419) 

5.2.3.2 Petroleum Refining Metals Discharges 

Petroleum refinery wastewater contains a number of metals. EPA has observed changes 

in the petroleum industry in recent years that have led to an increase in discharges of metal 

compounds. These changes include the use of different feedstock such as Canadian crude oil and 

tar sands (Purdue-Argonne Task Force, 2011) and changes in air pollution control (see Section 

6.3). Crude petroleum is the major source of metals in petroleum refinery wastewater; pipe 

corrosion, catalyst additives, other refinery raw materials, cooling water biocide, and supply 

water also contribute metals to the water (U.S. EPA, 2004). 

EPA continued to review metals discharges from petroleum refineries during the 2012 

Annual Review. EPA reviewed 2010 DMR data in detail and collected readily available 

treatment performance data for metals discharges. Table 5-7 presents the pounds and TWPE for 

DMR metals discharges from 2000 to 2010. Part 419 includes limitations for only one metal, 

chromium. EPA compared 2010 DMR metals concentrations for petroleum refineries to readily 

available treatability data from three sources: 

	 The Emerging Technologies and Approaches to Minimize Discharges into Lake 

Michigan Study (Purdue-Argonne Task Force, 2011); 

	 The Steam Detailed Study Report (DSR) (U.S. EPA, 2009b); and 

	 Historical Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards (ELGs) (U.S. EPA, 

2000; ERG, 2006). 

The Argonne National Laboratory and Purdue University studied treatment technologies 

that could help the BP Whiting (Indiana) Refinery meet wastewater discharge permit limits. The 

study focused on ultrafiltration treatment for mercury, with a treatability to 0.0000013 mg/L. The 

Steam DSR represents performance of chemical precipitation and biological treatment at power 

plants, specifically of flue gas desulfurization wastewater treatment systems. Although the 

untreated wastestream differs from petroleum refining wastewater, EPA used this readily 

available data to obtain a sense of the treatability of metals using these more recent technologies, 

as compared to current metals discharges from petroleum refineries. Table 5-8 presents the 

Steam DSR performance data used for a preliminary comparison to the 2010 DMR petroleum 

refinery metals data. EPA also evaluated, as a point of comparison, metals removals achieved by 

chemical precipitation systems collected during development of the Metal Products and 

Machinery ELGs (Part 438), Iron and Steel (Part 420), and Centralized Waste Treatment (Part 

437) ELGs. Treatability concentrations from the BP Whiting (Argonne National Laboratory and 

Purdue University) study and Steam DSR are more current and demonstrated better performance 

(compared to historical ELGs ); therefore, EPA used data from these two sources as the point of 

comparison for metals removal. 

Table 5-7. DMR Metal Discharges, 2000–2010 

2010 2009 2008 2007 2004 2000 

Total Metals TWPE 93,600 66,300 56,300 134,000 63,700 33,500 

Sources: PCSLoads2000; PCSLoads2004_v3; DMRLoads2007_v4; DMRLoads2008_v3; DMRLoads2009_v2; and 

DMR Loading Tool (2010). 

5-26
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.2—Petroleum Refining (40 CFR Part 419) 

Table 5-8. Treatability Data from 2009 Steam Electric Power Generation Detailed
 

Study Report
 

Metal 

2009 Steam DSR: Chemical 

Precipitation Treatment (mg/L) 

2009 Steam DSR: Chemical 

Precipitation Followed by 

Anoxic/Anaerobic Biological 

Treatment (mg/L) 

Aluminum <0.05 <0.05 

Arsenic <0.0103 <0.002 

Chromium <0.01 – 0.0253 0.0242 

Copper <0.0025 – 0.0162 <0.0025 

Lead <0.0015 – <0.05 <0.0015 

Mercury 0.000075a 0.000075a 

Nickel <0.05 – 0.221 <0.001 

Selenium 0.0825 – 2.91 0.0005 a 

Vanadium 0.0021 – <0.02 <0.0005 

Zinc <0.01 – 0.0254 <0.025 

Source: U.S. EPA, 2009b and U.S. EPA, 2013b.
 

NA: Not applicable.
 a Calculated long term average values from Table 13-7 in EPA’s Technical Development Document for the Proposed
 

Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category
 

(U.S. EPA, 2013b). 

Table 5-9 lists the metals commonly reported in DMR data in 2010,8 along with the 

number of refineries reporting each metal, the range of concentrations, and the method detection 

limit (MDL) associated with 40 CFR Part 136 methods.9 The daily maximum concentration 

range is the highest concentration reported for the metal by each refinery in 2010; it is the worstcase scenario and not reflective of average discharges. 

Table 5-9 also compares the 2010 DMR petroleum refinery daily maximum metals 

discharge concentrations to the lowest metals concentrations identified in the Steam DSR and the 

Argonne National Laboratory and Purdue University study. This table shows that the metals 

discharges from petroleum refineries often exceed comparable treatment performance 

concentrations (though the treatment technologies from the Steam DSR listed were applied to 

steam electric power generation wastewater, the data does not indicate the performance of these 

technologies on petroleum refinery wastewater): 

	 For aluminum, arsenic, copper, lead, mercury, and zinc, the highest 2010 daily 

maximum metals concentrations exceeded comparable treatment performance 

concentrations for more than 50 percent of the refineries with data. 

8 During the 2004 detailed study, EPA concluded that 10 metals are most commonly found in discharges from
 

petroleum refineries (U.S. EPA, 2004).

9 Mercury limits are from EPA Method 1631E.
 

5-27
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.2—Petroleum Refining (40 CFR Part 419) 

	 One refinery reported vanadium discharge concentrations, and its highest 2010 

daily maximum concentration exceeded comparable treatment performance 

concentrations. 

	 Forty percent of the refineries’ highest 2010 chromium daily maximum 

concentrations exceeded comparable treatment performance concentrations. 

	 For nickel and selenium, 25 percent of the refineries’ highest 2010 daily 

maximum concentrations exceeded comparable treatment performance 

concentrations. 

Table 5-11, at the end of this section, lists all of the refineries reporting metals DMR data 

in 2010 compared to the lowest metals concentrations taken from the Steam DSR and Argonne 

National Laboratory and Purdue University study (see row Lowest Treatment Performance Level 

in Table 5-11). 

Table 5-9. 2010 Petroleum Refineries Metals Data from DMR 

Metal 

Range of Daily 

Maximum 

Concentration s 

(mg/L)a 

Number of 

Refineries 

Reporting 

Metals 

MDLb 

(mg/L) 

Lowest 

Comparison 

Treatment 

Performance 

Data (mg/L)a 

Number of 

Refineries with 

Concentrations 

Exceeding 

Comparison 

Treatment 

Performance 

Datac 

Total Percentage 

of Refineries 

with 

Concentrations 

Exceeding 

Comparison 

Treatment 

Performance 

Datac (%) 

Aluminum 0.085–5.14 7 0.045 0.05 7 100 

Arsenic 0.0018–0.32 12 0.053 0.0103 7 58 

Chromium 0.00032–0.31 47 0.0061 0.01 19 40 

Copper 0.00047–1.705 29 0.0054 0.0025 27 93 

Lead 0.00076–0.14 21 0.042 0.0015 17 81 

Mercury 

(pg/L) 

0.00587– 

18,000,000 23 200 1300 18 78 

Nickel 0.005–0.093 12 0.015 0.05 3 25 

Selenium 0–0.42 24 0.075 0.0825 6 25 

Vanadium 0.012–0.012 1 0.0075 0.0021 1 100 

Zinc 0–6.42 33 0.0018 0.01 30 91 

Sources: DMR Loading Tool; Purdue-Argonne Task Force, 2011; U.S. EPA, 2009b.
 a Except mercury, which is presented in pg/L.
 b Method Detection Limit from 40 CFR Part 136, except for mercury, which is from EPA Method 1631E.
 c As described in the text above, EPA used the Argonne National Laboratory and Purdue University study and the
 

Steam DSR to determine lowest comparison treatment performance concentrations.
 

5-28
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.2—Petroleum Refining (40 CFR Part 419) 

5.2.4	 Summary of Findings from EPA’s Review of Petroleum Refining Category 

EPA continued to review TRI and DMR data on dioxin and dioxin-like compound and 

metals discharges from petroleum refineries. Using data collected for the 2012 Annual Review, 

EPA identified the following: 

	 EPA previously determined that refineries form dioxin and dioxin-like 

compounds during catalyst regeneration operations for the catalytic reforming 

process. The 2004 detailed study report found all reported petroleum refinery 

dioxin and dioxin compound discharges to be below the Method 1613B ML. EPA 

reviewed 2009 dioxin and dioxin-like compound discharges from TRI. One 

facility, the Hovensa Refinery in Christiansted represented a majority of the TRI 

TWPE, however, this facility estimates its dioxin discharges based on TRI 

guidance, and EPA is uncertain whether the data represent actual wastewater 

discharges. 

	 EPA also reviewed 2010 DMR data and found that only one refinery reported 

discharging detectable concentrations of dioxins and furans, with three congeners 

detected above the Method 1613 ML. This facility performed a study in 1997 that 

suggests that 98 percent of the dioxin discharges are from stormwater (from aerial 

deposition), not process wastewater. 

	 Petroleum refinery wastewater contains a number of metal pollutants. EPA has 

observed changes in the petroleum industry in recent years that have led to an 

increase in discharges of metal compounds, including the use of different 

feedstock such as Canadian crude oil and tar sands, as well as changes in air 

pollution control. Seventy-six out of 163 petroleum refineries in the U.S. monitor 

for at least one of 10 metals commonly found in refinery discharges. Of the 10 

metals, all are detected, with the maximum detected concentration often 

exceeding comparison treatability performance data (from the Steam DSR and 

Argonne National Laboratory and Purdue University study). 

EPA prioritizes point source categories with existing regulations for potential revision 

based on the greatest estimated toxicity to human health and the environment, measured as 

TWPE. Based on the above findings, EPA is assigning this category a moderate priority for 

revision—i.e., this category is marked “(5)” in the “Findings” column in Table 7-1 in the Final 

2012 and Preliminary 2014 Effluent Guidelines Program Plans (U.S. EPA, 2014). 

5.2.5	 References for Petroleum Refining Category 

1.	 CBE. 2000. Communities for a Better Environment. Dioxins and Refineries: Analysis in 

the San Francisco Bay Area. Report No. 2000-2. (August). EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824 ­

0078. 

2.	 ERG. 2006. Eastern Research Group, Inc. Combined Metals Database. EPA-HQ-OW2010-0824 -0039. 

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Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.2—Petroleum Refining (40 CFR Part 419) 

3.	 Isorena, Phillip. 2012. Telephone Communication Between Phillip Isorena, California 

EPA Water Resources Board, and Kimberly Bartell, Eastern Research Group, Inc., Re: 

Tosco Corporation Petroleum Refinery 2010 Dioxin Discharges. (September 24). EPAHQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07832. 

4.	 Purdue-Argonne Task Force. 2011. Emerging Technologies and Approaches to Minimize 

Discharges into Lake Michigan. Purdue University Calumet Water Institute-Argonne 

National Laboratory Task force. (May). Available online at: 

http://webs.purduecal.edu/pwi/phase-ii-comprehensive-report/.EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. 

DCN 07831. 

5.	 U.S. EPA. 1996. Preliminary Data Summary for the Petroleum Refining Category. 

Washington, D.C. (April). EPA-821-R-96-015. EPA-HQ-OW-2003-0074-0304 through 

0305. 

6.	 U.S. EPA. 2000. Development Document for the Final Effluent Limitations Guidelines 

and Standards for the Centralized Waste Treatment Industry, Final, Volume 1. 

Washington, D.C. (August). EPA-821-R-00-020. EPA-HQ-OW-2004-0032-2223. 

7.	 U.S. EPA. 2004. Technical Support Document for the 2004 Effluent Guidelines Program 

Plan. Washington, D.C. (August). EPA-821-R-04-014. EPA-HQ-OW-2003-0074-1346 

through 1352. 

8.	 U.S. EPA. 2005. Preliminary 2005 Review of Prioritized Categories of Industrial 

Dischargers. Washington, D.C. (August). EPA-821-B-05-004. EPA-HQ-OW-2004­

0032-0053. 

9.	 U.S. EPA. 2006. Technical Support Document for the 2006 Effluent Guidelines Program 

Plan. Washington, D.C. (December). EPA-821-R-06-018. EPA-HQ-OW-2004-0032­

2782. 

10.	 U.S. EPA. 2007. Technical Support Document for the Preliminary 2008 Effluent 

Guidelines Program Plan. Washington, D.C. (October). EPA-821-R-07-007. EPA-HQOW-2006-0771-0819. 

11.	 U.S. EPA. 2008. Technical Support Document for the 2008 Effluent Guidelines Program 

Plan. Washington, D.C. (August). EPA-821-R-08-015. EPA-HQ-OW-2006-0771-1701. 

12.	 U.S. EPA. 2009a. Technical Support Document for the Preliminary 2010 Effluent 

Guidelines Program Plan. Washington, D.C. (October). EPA-821-R-09-006. EPA-HQOW-2008-0517-0515. 

13.	 U.S. EPA. 2009b. Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category: Final 

Detailed Study Report. Washington, D.C. (October). EPA-821-R-09-008. EPA-HQ-OW2009-0819-0004. 

14.	 U.S. EPA. 2011. Technical Support Document for the 2010 Effluent Guidelines Program 

Plan. Washington, D.C. (October). EPA 820-R-10-021. EPA-HQ-OW-2008-0517-0618. 

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Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.2—Petroleum Refining (40 CFR Part 419) 

15.	 U.S. EPA. 2012. The 2011 Annual Effluent Guidelines Review Report. Washington, D.C. 

(December). EPA-821-R-12-001. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824-0195. 

16.	 U.S. EPA. 2013a. Preliminary 2012 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan. Washington, 

D.C. (May). EPA 821-R-12-002. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824-0194. 

17.	 U.S. EPA. 2013b. Technical Development Document for the Proposed Effluent 

Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating Point 

Source Category. Washington, D.C. (April). EPA-821-R-13-002. EPA-HQ-OW-2009­

0819-2257. 

18.	 U.S. EPA. 2014. Final 2012 and Preliminary 2014 Effluent Guidelines Program Plans. 

Washington, D.C. (September). EPA-820-R-14-001. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 

07756. 

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Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.2—Petroleum Refining (40 CFR Part 419) 

Table 5-10. Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Discharges from Petroleum Refineries Reported to TRI in 2004–2009 

Refinery Name Location Comments 

2009 2008 2007 2005 2004 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

Hovensa, LLC Christiansted, 

VI 

No DMR data; 

TWPE is driving 

force for 08–09 

change in 

discharge 

1.65 205,073 O 0.55 12,848 O NR NR NR 2.2 180,442 E 1.7 148,653 C 

Chevron Products 

Co. Richmond 

Refinery 

Richmond, CA DMR TWPE is 

zero; grams is 

driving force for 

08–09 change in 

discharge 

0.25 20,621 M2 0.65 84,423 M2 0.32 33,397 M2 0.94 121,521 M 1.35 141,106 O 

Valero Refining 

Co, Oklahoma 

Valero Ardmore 

Refinery 

Ardmore, OK No DMR data; new 

to report in 2009 

0.18053 16,463 C NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 

Conoco Phillips 

Co, Billings 

Refinery 

Billings, MT No DMR data; 

TWPE is driving 

force for 08–09 

change in 

discharge 

0.08 16,169 M2 0.091 3,125 M2 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 

Chevron Products 

Co. Div of 

Chevron USA 

Inc. 

El Segundo, 

CA 

DMR TWPE is 

zero; grams is 

driving force for 

08–09 change in 

discharge 

0.599 13,283 M2 0.8912 81,266 M2 0 0 M2 0.158 16,221 M 0.2 20,533 M 

Marathon 

Ashland 

Petroleum LLC, 

Illinois Refining 

Div 

Robinson, IL No DMR data; 

grams is driving 

force for 08–09 

change in 

discharge 

0.0404 12,622 M2 0.0405 28,571 O 0.04 1,094 O 0.0404 3,314 O 0.04 3,604 O 

Chevron Products 

Co. Salt Lake 

City Refinery 

Salt Lake City, 

UT 

No DMR data; new 

to report in 2009 

0.097 12,611 E1 NR NR NR 0.02 541 M2 NR NR NR NR NR NR 

Shell Oil Co., 

Deer Park 

Refining LP 

Deer Park, TX No DMR data; 

TWPE is driving 

force for 08–09 

change in 

discharge 

0.1003 8,532 M2 0.1303 3,044 M2 0.14 13,306 M2 0.114 10,850 M 0.16 15,477 M 

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Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.2—Petroleum Refining (40 CFR Part 419) 

Table 5-10. Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Discharges from Petroleum Refineries Reported to TRI in 2004–2009 

Refinery Name Location Comments 

2009 2008 2007 2005 2004 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

Chevron Products 

Co., Pascagoula 

Refinery 

Pascagoula, 

MS 

No DMR data; 

grams is driving 

force for 08–09 

change in 

discharge 

0.07265 3,595 O 0.03709 4,592 O NR NR NR 0.099 4,234 O 0.12 5,217 O 

Tesoro Refining 

& Marketing Co 

Anacortes, WA No DMR data; 

grams is driving 

force for 08–09 

change in 

discharge 

0.41 2.905 M2 0.519 12,124 O NR NR NR 1.94 55,248 M 1.95 54,406 M 

Conoco Phillips, 

San Francisco 

Refinery 

Rodeo, CA DMR TWPE is 

zero; grams is 

driving force for 

08–09 change in 

discharge 

0.0623205 2,276 C 0.16818 15,610 C NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 

BP Products 

North America 

Inc, Toledo 

Refinery 

Oregon, OH DMR TWPE is 

zero; grams is 

driving force for 

08–09 change in 

discharge 

0.481 785 M2 0.264 6,167 O 0.29 41,963 O 0.331 47,084 O 0.34 47,795 M 

Citgo Petroleum 

Corp 

Westlake, LA No DMR data; 

TWPE is driving 

force for 08–09 

change in 

discharge 

0.00128 126 E1 0.00257 60 E1 0.002 69 O 0.00256 210 E 0.0026 231 E 

Conoco Phillips, 

Santa Maria 

Refinery 

Arroyo 

Grande, CA 

No DMR data; 

grams is driving 

force for 08–09 

change in 

discharge 

0.0675 26 M2 0.0133 311 M2 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 

BP Products 

North American 

Whiting 

Whiting, IN No DMR data; 

grams is driving 

force for 08–09 

change in 

discharge 

0.000015 8 O 0.000013 12 O NR NR NR NR NR NR 0.000011 1.8 O 

Premcor Refining 

Group, Inc. 

Delaware City, 

DE 

No DMR data; new 

to report in 2009 

0.0000363 4 O NR NR NR 0.0001 3.13 O 0.000097 2 O 0.022 559 O 

5-33
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.2—Petroleum Refining (40 CFR Part 419) 

Table 5-10. Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Discharges from Petroleum Refineries Reported to TRI in 2004–2009 

2009 2008 2007 2005 2004 

Grams Basis of Grams Basis of Grams Basis of Grams Basis of Grams Basis of 

Refinery Name Location Comments Released TWPE Estimate Released TWPE Estimate Released TWPE Estimate Released TWPE Estimate Released TWPE Estimate 

Suncor Energy 

Commerce City 

Refinery 

Commerce 

City, CO 

No DMR data; 

grams is driving 

force for 08–09 

change in 

discharge 

0.35 4 E1 0.35 8,176 E1 NR NR NR 0.111 9,104 M 0.037 3,333 M 

Conoco Phillips, 

Ferndale 

Refinery 

Ferndale, WA No DMR data; 

grams is driving 

force for 08–09 

change in 

discharge 

0.2251 3 M2 0.2284 25,883 M2 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 

Martin Operating 

Ptnr LP 

Smackover, 

AR 

No DMR data; 

grams is driving 

force for 08–09 

change in 

discharge 

0.0005 0.1 O 0.00005 1 O NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 

Sources: TRIReleases2009_v2; TRIReleases2008_v3; TRIReleases2007_v2; TRIReleases2005_v2; and TRIReleases2004_v3.
 

NR: Not reported.
 

For indirect discharges, the mass shown is the mass transferred to the POTW that is ultimately discharged to surface waters, accounting for an estimated 83% removal of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds by the
 

POTW.
 

Refineries reported basis of estimate in TRI as: M (monitoring data/measurements); M2 (periodic monitoring data/measurements); C (mass balance calculations); E (published emission factors); and O (other
 

approaches, such as engineering calculations).
 

5-34
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.2—Petroleum Refining (40 CFR Part 419) 

Table 5-11. 2010 DMR Metals Data from DMR Loading Tool 

Refinery Name a 

(Location) 

Aluminum Arsenic Chromium Copper Lead Mercury Nickel Selenium Vanadium Zinc 

Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max 

Tesoro Kenai 

(Kenai, AK) 0.00011 0.00011 

Hunt Tuscaloosa 

(Tuscaloosa, AL) 0.0027 0.0056 

Shell Saraland 

(Saraland, AL) 0.018 0.072 0.00022 0.00072 

Lion Oil 

(El Dorado, AR) 0.00046 0.0108 0.00068 0.019 0.015 0.0903 0.012 0.11 

Berry 

(Stephens, AR) 0.0066 0.12 

Conoco Arroyo 

(Arroyo Grande, CA) 0.015 0.015 0.00022 0.00022 

Chevron El Segundo 

(El Segundo, CA) 0.0086 0.0094 0.0019 0.0035 0.0071 0.008 0.0095 0.01 0.13 0.2 0.11 0.74 

Tosco Martinez 

(Martinez, CA) 0.051 0.12 0.0042 0.0042 0.00022 0.0058 0.0014 0.0026 0.0015 0.0027 0.0000053 0.00001 0.0092 0.011 0.0108 0.032 0.0052 0.0052 

Conoco Rodeo 

(Rodeo, CA) 0.057 0.085 0.0034 0.0049 0.00042 0.00072 0.0057 0.0096 0.00062 0.0019 4.39E-09 4.39E-09 0.0036 0.0095 0.013 0.0309 0.024 0.037 

Chevron Richmond 

(Richmond, CA) 0.0014 0.00407 0.0033 0.0044 0.00048 0.00076 2.37E-08 2.37E-08 0.013 0.0207 0.013 0.018 

Valero Benicia 

(Benicia, CA) 0.22 1.7 0.0017 0.0018 0.0037 0.008 0.0000098 0.000061 0.011 0.011 0.0203 0.023 0.017 0.051 

Martinez 

(Martinez, CA) 0.00015 0.00069 0.0023 0.0041 7.42E-09 7.42E-09 0.019 0.056 0.028 0.033 0.019 0.038 

Suncor 

(Commerce City, CO) 0.0065 0.023 0.0015 0.0059 0.0011 0.013 0.00041 0.006 0.000044 0.00038 0.022 0.106 0.025 0.19 

Conoco Roxana 

(Roxana, IL) 0.011 0.31 0.022 0.093 

Citgo Lemont 

(Lemont, IL) 0.0104 0.015 

Marathon Robinson 

(Robinson, IL) 0.00066 0.002 

American Western 

(Lawrenceville, IL) 0.019 0.048 

BP Whiting 

(Whiting, IN) 0.0018 0.0029 0.00801 0.043 0.0000034 0.0000069 0.026 0.032 

5-35
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.2—Petroleum Refining (40 CFR Part 419) 

Table 5-11. 2010 DMR Metals Data from DMR Loading Tool 

Refinery Name a 

(Location) 

Aluminum Arsenic Chromium Copper Lead Mercury Nickel Selenium Vanadium Zinc 

Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max 

Country Mark 

(Mt. Vernon, IN) 0.0058 0.008 0.0034 0.0059 0.28 1 

Farmland 

(Coffeyville, KS) 0.0036 0.00909 

Catlettsburg 

(Catlettsburg, KY) 0.82 1.89 0.013 0.019 0.00308 0.005 0.109 0.202 

Conoco Westlake 

(Westlake, LA) 0.0076 0.05 0.000052 0.00071 0.0035 0.069 0.45 6.42 

BP Belle Chasse 

(Belle Chasse, LA) 0.00035 0.0042 

Motiva Norco 

(Norco, LA) 0.005 0.01 

ExxonMobil 

(Chalmette, LA) 0.0088 0.039 

Citgo Lake Charles 

(Lake Charles, LA) 0.00094 0.0045 0.016 0.016 0.0000065 0.000018 

Motiva Convent 

(Convent, LA) 0.0072 0.0072 

Calumet Shreveport 

(Shreveport, LA) 0.016 0.016 

Marathon Garyville 

(Garyville, LA) 0.0094 0.0094 0.000204 0.001 

Valero Norco 

(Norco, LA) 0.0068 0.036 

Calcasieu 

(Lake Charles, LA) 0.012 0.025 0.028 0.081 0.01 0.01 0.0016 0.018 

Marathon Saint Paul 

Park 

(Saint Paul Park, MN) 0.00000207 0.0000046 0.015 0.022 0.015 0.025 

Koch 

(Rosemount, MN) 0.000013 0.0000402 0.39 0.42 

Chevron Pascagoula 

(Pascagoula, MS) 0.004005 0.0072 0.0069 0.016 

Hunt Sandersville 

(Sandersville, MS) 0.0072 0.013 

5-36
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.2—Petroleum Refining (40 CFR Part 419) 

Table 5-11. 2010 DMR Metals Data from DMR Loading Tool 

Refinery Name a 

(Location) 

Aluminum Arsenic Chromium Copper Lead Mercury Nickel Selenium Vanadium Zinc 

Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max 

Ergon 

(Vicksburg, MS) 0.00206 0.00405 

Conoco Billings 

(Billings, MT) 0.109 0.27 

Tesoro Mandan 

(Mandan, ND) 0.00042 0.0079 

Coastal 

(Westville, NJ) 0.0057 0.0101 0.00207 0.0023 0.0073 0.0107 0.029 0.042 

BP Oregon 

(Oregon, OH) 0.00201 0.00806 2.35E-12 9.309E-12 0.0102 0.03 

Premcor Lima 

(Lima, OH) 0.0016 0.0064 0.0034 0.028 2.018E-12 5.87E-12 0.0045 0.018 0.012 0.057 

Marathon Canton 

(Canton, OH) 0.0106 0.032 

Chevron Hooven 

(Hooven, OH) 0.00078 0.0015 

Tulsa Refinery 

(Tulsa, OK) 0.0069 0.013 

Valero Ardmore 

(Ardmore, OK) 0.00095 0.011 

Sinclair 

(Tulsa, OK) 0.0054 0.0104 

Calumet Penreco 

(Karns City, PA) 0.26 0.42 0.00039 0.0033 0.00076 0.0011 0.0095 0.018 

American Refining 

(Bradford, PA) 0.0905 0.0905 0.0089 0.0089 

Sunoco P1 

(Philadelphia, PA) 0.017 0.02 0.0087 0.01 0.032 0.054 

Sunoco P2 

(Philadelphia, PA) 0.0408 0.071 

Conoco Trainer 

(Trainer, PA) 1.73 4.48 0.0017 0.0048 0.0061 0.01 0.0017 0.005 0.026 0.059 0.022 0.031 

Caribbean 

(Bayamon, PR) 0.0013 0.0018 0.0000025 0.0000059 0.0029 0.0061 0 0 0.0059 0.016 

Shell Yabucoa 

(Yabucoa, PR) 0.00089 0.0012 0.037 0.075 0.00098 0.002 0.00035 0.004 0.00095 0.001 0.0109 0.024 

5-37
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.2—Petroleum Refining (40 CFR Part 419) 

Table 5-11. 2010 DMR Metals Data from DMR Loading Tool 

Refinery Name a 

(Location) 

Aluminum Arsenic Chromium Copper Lead Mercury Nickel Selenium Vanadium Zinc 

Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max 

Phillips PR 

(Guayama, PR) 0.0016 0.0031 0.00039 0.00047 0.0017 0.0069 0.0000058 0.000028 

Valero Memphis 

(Memphis, TN) 0.034 0.034 0.052 0.21 0.013 0.065 0.16 0.76 

Delek (Tyler, TX) 1.98 5.14 0.091 0.17 

Valero Houston 

(Houston, TX) 0.00507 0.0055 0.072 0.12 

Houston Refinery 

(Houston, TX) 0.01 0.02 0.0033 0.01 0.46 1.2 

BP Texas City 

(Texas City, TX) 0.0033 0.0098 0.014 0.036 

Atofina 

(Port Arthur, AR) 0.015 0.0904 

Shell Deer Park 

(Deer Park, TX) 0.0053 0.011 

Port Arthur 

(Port Arthur, TX) 0.000086 0.00103 0.19 1.705 

Premcor Port Arthur 

(Port Arthur, TX) 0.0092 0.036 0.0021 0.0052 0.006009 0.014 

Valero Texas City 

(Texas City, TX) 0.0052 0.013 0 0 0 0 

Citgo CC 

(Corpus Christi, TX) 0.0063 0.0308 0.0019 0.0024 

Valero CC E. 

(Corpus Christi, TX) 0.0027 0.0041 0.0012 0.0018 0.064 0.08 

Phillips Brazoria 

(Brazoria, TX) 0.000109 0.0002 0.13 0.15 0.06 0.15 

Borger 

(Borger, TX) 0.011 0.036 0.022 0.04 0.0087 0.14 0.0044 0.017 

LNVA 

(Beaumont, TX) 0.012 0.012 

Valero CC 

(Corpus Christi, TX) 0.011 0.035 

Diamond 

(Three Rivers, TX) 0.020005 0.029 0.039 0.056 0.011 0.014 0.012 0.024 

5-38
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.2—Petroleum Refining (40 CFR Part 419) 

Table 5-11. 2010 DMR Metals Data from DMR Loading Tool 

Refinery Name a 

(Location) 

Aluminum Arsenic Chromium Copper Lead Mercury Nickel Selenium Vanadium Zinc 

Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max Avg Max 

Seadrift Coke, L.P. 

(Seadrift, TX) 0.00051 0.0052 

BTP Refining LLC 

(Corpus Christi, TX) 0.071 0.13 

Hess 

(St. Croix, VI) 0.024 0.065 

Murphy Oil 

(Superior, WI) 0.01 0.01 0.00054 0.00061 0.0000024 0.0000034 0.026 0.029 0.01 0.01 

Newell 

(Newell, WV) 0.22 0.32 0.00025 0.00032 0.044 0.075 0.061 0.085 

Method Detection Limit 

(from 40 CFR 136, 

except Hg which is from 

EPA Method 1613E) 0.045 0.045 0.053 0.053 0.0061 0.0061 0.0054 0.0054 0.042 0.042 0.0000002 0.0000002 0.015 0.015 0.075 0.075 0.0075 0.0075 0.0018 0.0018 

5X MDL 0.225 0.225 0.265 0.265 0.0305 0.0305 0.027 0.027 0.21 0.21 0.000001 0.000001 0.075 0.075 0.375 0.375 0.0375 0.0375 0.009 0.009 

Lowest Comparison 

Treatment Performance 

Data (taken from Table 

5-9)b 0.05 0.05 0.0103 0.0103 0.01 0.01 0.0025 0.0025 0.0015 0.0015 0.0000013 0.0000013 0.05 0.05 0.0825 0.0825 0.0021 0.0021 0.01 0.01 

Total Number of 

Refineries with 

Monitoring Data 7 7 12 12 47 47 29 29 21 21 23 23 12 12 24 24 1 1 33 33 

Total Number of 

Refineries with Conc > 

Treatment Performance 

Levels 7 7 5 7 10 19 18 27 12 17 18 18 0 3 4 6 1 1 26 30 

Percent of Refineries 

with Conc > Treatment 

Performance Levels 100 100 42 58 21 40 62 93 57 81 78 78 0 25 17 25 100 100 79 91 

Source: DMR Loading Tool.
 

Note: Pink shading denotes when the average or maximum concentration of the metal exceeded the “Lowest Treatment Performance Level” for that metal (as identified for each metal in the fourth row from the
 

bottom of the table).
 

Note: All concentrations provided in mg/L.
 

a – For the purpose of this table, refinery names have been abbreviated. See Table 5-12 for list of the full refinery names.
 

b – Lowest comparison treatment performance data represents the treatability concentrations from the Steam DSR (Table 5-8) and the Argonne National Laboratory and Purdue University study.
 

5-39
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.2—Petroleum Refining (40 CFR Part 419) 

Table 5-12. List of Full Refinery Names 

Refinery Abbreviation 

(As Shown in Table 5-11) Full Refinery Name 

Tesoro Kenai Tesoro Alaska Petroleum Co. 

Hunt Tuscaloosa Hunt Refining Company A Corporation 

Shell Saraland Shell Chemical Company 

Lion Oil Lion Oil Co. El Dorado Refinery 

Berry Berry Petroleum Company 

Conoco Arroyo ConocoPhillips Co. 

Chevron El Segundo Chevron USA Products Company 

Tosco Martinez Tosco Corp Amorco Wharf 

Conoco Rodeo ConocoPhillip San Francisco Area Refinery at Rodeo 

Chevron Richmond Chevron Prods. Co. Richmond Refy 

Valero Benicia Valero Refining Co. California Benicia Refinery 

Martinez Martinez Refinery 

Suncor Suncor Denver Refinery 

Conoco Roxana ConocoPhillips Co. 

Citgo Lemont Citgo Petroleum Corp. 

Marathon Robinson Marathon Petroleum Co. LLC. 

American Western American Western Ref Acquis-LC 

BP Whiting BP Amoco Oil Company Whiting Refinery 

Country Mark CountryMark Cooperative Inc. 

Farmland Farmland Industries 

Catlettsburg Catlettsburg Refining, LLC 

Conoco Westlake ConocoPhillips Co., Lake Charles Refinery 

BP Belle Chasse BP Oil Company Alliance Refinery 

Motiva Norco Motiva Enterprises LLC, Norco Refinery 

ExxonMobil ExxonMobil Refinery Complex 

Citgo Lake Charles Citgo Petroleum Corporation 

Motiva Convent Motiva Enterprises Convent Refinery 

Calumet Shreveport Calumet Lubricants and Waxes LLC 

Marathon Garyville Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC 

Valero Norco Valero Refining, New Orleans 

Calcasieu Calcasieu Refining Company 

Marathon Saint Paul Park Marathon Petroleum Co. LLC 

Koch Koch Pipeline Co., Rosemount 

Chevron Pascagoula Chevron Products Company, Pascagoula Refinery 

Hunt Sandersville Hunt Southland Refining Company 

Ergon Ergon Refining Inc. 

Conoco Billings Conoco Incorporated Refinery 

Tesoro Mandan Tesoro Mandan Refinery Wastewater Laboratory 

Coastal Coastal Eagle Point Oil Co. 

5-40
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.2—Petroleum Refining (40 CFR Part 419) 

Table 5-12. List of Full Refinery Names 

Refinery Abbreviation 

(As Shown in Table 5-11) Full Refinery Name 

BP Oregon BP Oil Co. Toledo Refinery 

Premcor Lima Premcor Refining Group Inc. 

Marathon Canton Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC Canton Refinery 

Chevron Hooven Chevron USA Inc. Cincinnati Refinery 

Tulsa Refinery Tulsa Refinery 

Valero Ardmore Valero Refining Co. Oklahoma Valero Ardmore Refinery 

Sinclair Sinclair Oil Tulsa Refinery Tulsa Trucking 

Calumet Penreco Calumet Penreco 

American Refining American Refining Group Inc. 

Sunoco P1 Sunoco Point Breeze Processing Area 1 

Sunoco P2 Sunoco Point Breeze Processing Area 2 

Conoco Trainer ConocoPhillips Trainer Ref. 

Caribbean Caribbean Petroleum Refining LP 

Shell Yabucoa Shell Chemical Yabucoa Inc. 

Phillips PR Phillips Puerto Rico Core Incorporated 

Valero Memphis Valero Memphis Refinery 

Delek Delek Tyler Refinery 

Valero Houston Valero Refining Houston Refinery 

Houston Refinery Houston Refinery 

BP Texas City BP Products North America 

Atofina Atofina Petrochemicals Incorporated 

Shell Deer Park Shell Chemical Shell Oil Deer Park 

Port Arthur Port Arthur Refinery 

Premcor Port Arthur Premcor Refining Group Incorporated Port Arthur Refinery 

Valero Texas City Valero Refining Company Texas 

Citgo CC Citgo Corpus Christi Refinery East Plant 

Valero CC E. Valero Corpus Christi Refinery East Plant 

Phillips Brazoria Phillips 66 Company Sweeny Complex 

Borger Borger Refinery 

LNVA LNVA North Regional Treatment Plant 

Valero CC Valero Corpus Christi Refinery 

Diamond Diamond Shamrock Refining Valero 

Seadrift Coke, L.P. Seadrift Coke, L.P. 

BTP Refining LLC BTP Refining LLC 

Hess Hess Oil Virgin Islands Corp. 

Murphy Oil Murphy Oil USA Inc. 

Newell Newell West Virginia Refinery 

Source: DMR Loading Tool. 

5-41
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.3—Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard (40 CFR Part 430) 

5.3 Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard (40 CFR Part 430) 

During the 2011 Annual Review, EPA identified the Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard (Pulp 

and Paper) Category (40 CFR Part 430) for preliminary review because it ranked high, in terms 

of toxic-weighted pound equivalents (TWPE), in the 2011 toxicity rankings analysis. See Table 

4-3 in Section 4.1.6 of the Preliminary 2012 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan (U.S. EPA, 

2013). EPA needed additional data to complete the preliminary category review and continued 

its review of the Pulp and Paper Category in the 2012 review (U.S. EPA, 2012). EPA previously 

reviewed discharges from pulp and paper facilities as part of the Preliminary and Final Effluent 

Guidelines Program Plans in 2004–2010 (U.S. EPA, 2004, 2006a, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011). 

During its 2006 Final Effluent Guidelines Program Plan review, EPA also conducted a detailed 

study of this industry (U.S. EPA, 2006b). This section summarizes the findings from the 2011 

and 2012 Annual Reviews associated with the Pulp and Paper Category. Based on findings from 

the 2011 Annual Review, EPA continued to review discharges of dioxin and dioxin-like 

compounds from the 2009 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), because of their high TWPE relative 

to other pollutants in the Pulp and Paper Category. 

5.3.1 Pulp and Paper Category Background 

Table 5-13 compares the toxicity rankings analysis results for all pollutants for the Pulp 

and Paper Category from the 2007 through 2011 Annual Reviews. See Section 20.1 of EPA’s 

2011 Annual Review Report for more background on the category (U.S. EPA, 2012). 

Table 5-13. Pulp and Paper Category TRI and DMR Discharges for 2007 Through 2011 

Toxicity Rankings Analysis 

Year of Discharge Year of Review 

Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Category 

TRI TWPEa DMR TWPEb Total 

2004 2007 669,000 165,000 833,000 

2007 2009 460,000c 2,730,000d 3,190,000d 

2008 2010 523,000 348,000 871,000 

2009 2011 956,000 287,000 1,240,000 

Sources: TRIReleases2004_v3; PCSLoads2004_v3; TRIReleases2005_v2; TRIReleases2007_v2;
 

DMRLoads2007_v4; TRIReleases2008_v3; DMRLoads2008_v3; TRIReleases2009_v2; and DMRLoads2009_v2.
 

Note: Sums of individual values may not equal the total presented, due to rounding.
 a Discharges include transfers to POTWs and account for POTW removals.
 b DMR data from 2004 through 2007 include only major dischargers. 2008 and 2009 DMR data include both minor
 

and major dischargers.
 c Includes discharges from facilities reporting NAICS code 326112. These discharges should be associated with the
 

Plastics Molding and Forming Category (40 CFR Part 463). EPA has corrected recent versions of the database to
 

reflect this change.

d During the 2009 Annual Review, EPA contacted facilities to verify the concentrations of dioxin and dioxin-like
 

compounds in PCS and ICIS-NPDES and found that for all facilities contacted, there were either unit errors (e.g.,
 

measurements reported in ng/L but in the database as mg/L) or missing non-detect indicators. After corrections, the
 

new 2009 category total TWPE was 712,000.
 

5-42
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.3—Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard (40 CFR Part 430) 

5.3.2	 Results of the 2011 Annual Review 

EPA’s 2011 review of the Pulp and Paper Category focused on the 2009 TRI and 

discharge monitoring report (DMR) discharges because both contribute to the category’s 

combined TWPE. During the 2011 Annual Review EPA identified dioxin and dioxin-like 

compounds and manganese and manganese compounds as the top TRI pollutants of concern 

because they account for 83 percent of the total 2009 TRI TWPE (see Table 20-2 in Section 20.2 

of the 2011 Annual Review Report) (U.S. EPA, 2012). Similarly, EPA identified sulfide and 

aluminum as the top DMR pollutants, because they account for more than 73 percent of the total 

2009 DMR TWPE. In reviewing the 2009 TRI and DMR database pollutants of concern, EPA 

reached the following conclusions as part of the 2011 Annual Review: 

	 Manganese, sulfide, and aluminum in pulp and paper wastewater were all 

measured at concentrations below treatable levels and do not present a hazard 

based on current data (U.S. EPA, 2012); 

	 Dioxin and dioxin-like compounds contributed 52 percent of the total 2009 TRI 

TWPE and increased by more than 14 times from reporting years 2008 to 2009; 

and 

	 EPA’s 2006 Pulp and Paper Detailed Study showed that the estimated releases of 

dioxin and dioxin-like compounds reported to TRI are based on pollutant 

concentrations below the Method 1613B Minimum Levels (MLs). Measurements 

of concentrations below the MLs may not be accurate and may not accurately 

reflect industry discharges. During the 2011 Annual Review, EPA began 

collecting data to verify the 2009 loads. EPA continued to review dioxin and 

dioxin-like compounds discharges from pulp and paper category facilities during 

the 2012 Annual Review (U.S. EPA, 2012). 

5.3.3	 Results of the 2012 Annual Review 

EPA’s review for the Pulp and Paper Category as part of the 2012 Annual Review 

focused on dioxin and dioxin-like compound discharges. The goal was to determine if the dioxin 

and dioxin-like compounds are being discharged at concentrations above the Method 1613B ML. 

EPA evaluated the discharges by reviewing detailed TRI dioxin distribution data, contacting pulp 

and paper facilities and trade associations, and contacting the Washington Department of 

Ecology (WADOE). This level of review parallels the review done for the 2006 Pulp and Paper 

Detailed Study. 

5.3.3.1	 Top Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compound Discharging Facilities in the
 

2009 TRI Database
 

EPA’s review focused on 2007 and 200910 TRI dioxin data. Before 2008, TRI allowed a 

facility to report only one dioxin congener distribution, even if dioxin compounds were released 

to more than one medium (releases to air, receiving streams, land, underground wells, and 

several other categories). Starting in 2008, TRI allowed facilities to report release-specific 

10EPA did not use 2008 dioxin discharge data to compare to 2009 dioxin discharges due to errors with downloading 

2008 TRI data on dioxin distributions. 

5-43
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.3—Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard (40 CFR Part 430) 

distributions, possibly resulting in increased water-specific dioxin discharge reporting. For more 

information, see Section 4.2.2 of the Technical Support Document for the 2010 Effluent 

Guidelines Program Plan (U.S. EPA, 2011). Table 5-20, presented at the end of this section, lists 

the pulp and paper mills that reported dioxin and dioxin-like compound discharges to TRI in 

2004 through 2009. 

To verify the accuracy of the 2009 TRI loads, EPA collected data directly from mills with 

the highest loads, in terms of TWPE. EPA identified 20 mills that account for 98 percent of the 

2009 dioxin and dioxin-like compound TRI TWPE during the 2011 Annual Review. As part of 

the 2012 Annual Review, EPA contacted the American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA) 

and the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI) about the 2009 dioxin 

discharges from these 20 facilities. AF&PA is the national trade association of the forest, pulp, 

paper, paperboard, and wood products industry; NCASI is a nonprofit research institute funded 

by the North American forest products industry, including pulp and paper facilities. Many of the 

companies that fund NCASI are also members of AF&PA. Along with AF&PA and NCASI, 

EPA contacted some of the pulp and paper facilities directly. 

When reporting chemical releases to TRI, pulp and paper mills estimate their releases 

using monitoring data, NCASI engineering calculations, or other engineering estimation methods 

(TRICalculations2009_v2.mdb). Reporting facilities may use data collected before the year for 

which they are reporting discharges if they believe the data are representative of reporting-year 

operations. For example, some facilities base discharges on 2002 monitoring data concentrations 

and an updated flow for the reporting year. NCASI’s engineering calculations are based on its 

published emission factors, found in Table 14, PCDD/F Concentrations in Eight ECF Bleached 

Chemical Pulp Mill Treated Effluents of The SARA Handbook (Wiegand, 2005a, 2005b). The 

pulp and paper mills multiply their annual wastewater discharge flow by the average total 

concentration from the NCASI emission factors to calculate the annual mass discharge of dioxin 

and dioxin-like compounds reported to TRI. Other estimation methods include those based on 

emission factors or mass balance and can include a combination of the two methods already 

mentioned. In the following sections, EPA presents the results of the information collected from 

AF&PA, NCASI, and specific facilities by grouping the pulp and paper facilities by the method 

of reporting dioxin and dioxin-like compounds to TRI. The reporting methods EPA identified for 

the above mentioned 20 facilities are monitoring data, NCASI engineering calculations, and 

other estimation methods. 

5.3.3.2 Monitoring Data 

Twelve facilities reported that they used monitoring data to estimate 2009 dioxin TRI 

discharges. The dioxin and dioxin-like compound category includes 17 individual congeners, 

each with its own toxicity weighting factor (TWF). Facilities report a single mass number for the 

dioxin and dioxin-like compounds, but can also report the proportion of individual congeners in 

a separate field (referred to as the dioxin distribution). For facilities that indicated they estimated 

releases based on monitoring data, EPA collected facility-measured effluent concentrations to 

determine if the congener concentration exceeded the Method 1613B ML. Table 5-14 lists the 12 

facilities and their TRI dioxin discharges for 2009, provided by the specific mills through 

AF&PA and NCASI. In some cases, the facilities updated the estimated grams of dioxin released 

5-44
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.3—Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard (40 CFR Part 430) 

when submitting data to EPA, compared to their 2009 TRI submission. Table 5-14 presents the 

most current data. 

Table 5-14. Facilities Using Monitoring Data to Estimate 2009 TRI Dioxin and
 

Furans Discharges
 

Name of Mill Location Total Dioxin Grams TWPE 

Simpson Tacoma Kraft Co., LLC Tacoma, WA 2.24 229,000 

Boise White Paper, LLC Wallula, WA 2.3 156,000 

S.D. Warren Co. Skowhegan, ME 0.184 37,900 

Rayonier Performance Fibers Fernandina Beach, FL 5.2 37,800 

Boise White Paper Jackson, AL 2.28 4,030 

Rock-Tenn Mill Co. Demopolis, AL 2.17 3,840 

International Paper Riegelwood, NC 0.07 3,510 

Weyerhauser Vanceboro, NC 1.36 2,720 

Domtar Paper Co. Plymouth, NC 3.48 2,370 

Clearwater Paper Corp. Arkansas City, AR 1.83 1,250 

Nippon Paper Industries Port Angeles, WA 0 0 

AbitibiBowater Calhoun Operations Calhoun, TN 0 0 

Sources: Wiegand, 2011a, 2011b.
 

Note: Green shading denotes those facilities with detected dioxin congeners in their effluent wastewater.
 

	 Six facilities estimated discharges based on non-detect dioxin and furan values. 

These facilities assumed that dioxin was present in the wastewater at 

concentrations below detection, although no dioxin was ever measured above 

detection limits. This estimation method is consistent with EPA’s TRI program 

guidance. However, because there is more uncertainty in quantifying a 

concentration measurement when it is below the detection level, EPA assumes a 

concentration of zero for annual review purposes. 

Two facilities, Nippon Paper Industries and AbitibiBowater Calhoun 

Operations, used monitoring data to estimate their 2009 TRI discharges, but all 

congeners were measured at concentrations below detection. Therefore, as for 

previous annual reviews, EPA zeroed the total dioxin grams and TWPE for these 

two facilities. 

Four facilities, Boise White Paper (Jackson), Rock-Tenn Mill Co., Domtar 

Paper Co., and Clearwater Paper Co., sampled for 2,3,7,8-TCDD or 2,3,7,8­

TCDF and used NCASI engineering calculations to estimate discharges for the 

remaining dioxin congeners. None of the facilities detected 2,3,7,8-TCDD or 

2,3,7,8-TCDF in their effluent. 

For all six of these facilities, EPA considers their discharges as either zero or too 

low to be considered a hazard priority at this time. 

5-45
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.3—Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard (40 CFR Part 430) 

	 The other six facilities, Simpson Tacoma Kraft Co., LLC, Boise White Paper, 

LLC (Wallula), S.D. Warren Co., Rayonier Performance Fibers, International 

Paper, and Weyerhauser (highlighted green in Table 5-14), detected dioxin 

congeners in their effluent wastewater, as shown in Table 5-15. Of these, only two 

facilities detected congener concentrations above the Method 1613B ML: Boise 

White Paper, LLC, and Rayonier Performance Fibers. EPA does not typically 

consider regulating pollutants at concentrations below a parameter ML because 

measurements below the method ML may not be accurate. 

	 Boise White Paper, LLC (Wallula) detected 2,3,7,8-TCDF at 18.2 pg/L and 

estimated a release of 0.47 grams in 2009. EPA estimates the TWPE associated 

with the discharged congener as 45,400, shown in Table 5-16. 

	 Rayonier Performance Fibers detected 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-OCDD at 172.6 pg/L and 

2,3,7,8-TCDF at 14.5 pg/L, and estimated a release of 3.75 grams of these 

congeners in 2009. EPA estimates the TWPE associated with those discharged 

congeners as 27,700, shown in Table 5-16. 

5-46
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.3—Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard (40 CFR Part 430) 

Table 5-15. Pulp and Paper Dioxin and Furans at Mills with Detectable Concentrations (pg/L)a 

Dioxin 

Congener 

Number Dioxin Congener 

Method 

1613B ML 

(pg/L) 

Simpson 

Tacoma 

Boise White 

Paper S.D. Warren 

Rayonier 

Performance 

Fibers 

International 

Paper Weyerhauser 

1 2,3,7,8-TCDD 10 ND 1.34 ND ND ND ND 

2 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD 50 ND ND 0.702 ND ND ND 

3 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDD 50 3.05 ND ND ND ND ND 

4 1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDD 50 5.07 ND ND ND ND ND 

5 1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDD 50 4.03 ND ND 0.8 ND ND 

6 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD 50 19.3 15.1 1.91 23.9 ND ND 

7 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-OCDD 100 38.4 87.1 13.2 176.2b 0.6323 63.3 

8 2,3,7,8-TCDF 10 4.76 18.2b ND 14.5b 0.8079 ND 

9 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF 50 3.52 1.17 ND ND 0.0522 ND 

10 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF 50 7.01 1.76 ND 0.4 ND ND 

11 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDF 50 2.45 ND 1.11 ND ND ND 

12 1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDF 50 2.97 ND ND ND ND ND 

13 1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDF 50 ND ND ND ND ND ND 

14 2,3,4,6,7,8-HxCDF 50 2.95 ND 0.665 ND ND ND 

15 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF 50 ND ND 0.773 3.6 ND ND 

16 1,2,3,4,7,8,9-HpCDF 50 ND ND ND ND ND ND 

17 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-OCDF 100 4.51 6.84 2.68 44.5 ND ND 

Total 99.02 131.51 22.04 263.9 1.4924 63.3 

Data Source 2009 Effluent 

Sampling 

2009 Effluent 

Sampling 

2002 Effluent 

Sampling 

2009 Effluent 

Sampling 

2000 Effluent 

Sampling 

2009 Effluent 

Sampling 

Sources: Wiegand, 2011a, 2011b.
 

ND: Non-detect results.
 a Of the mills with monitoring data, only six measured dioxins and furans at detectable concentrations. The other six mills measured dioxins and furans at
 

concentrations below detection.
 b Discharges are above the Method 1613 ML.
 

5-47
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.3—Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard (40 CFR Part 430) 

Table 5-16. Grams and TWPE Associated with Discharges Above the ML 

Congener Above the ML Congener TWF 

Grams of Congener 

Releaseda Total TWPE Released 

Boise White Paper 

2,3,7,8-TCDF 43,819,554 0.47 45,400 

Rayonier Performance Fibers 

1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-OCDD 6,586 3.47 50.4 

2,3,7,8-TCDF 43,819,554 0.286 27,600 

Total 4.23 73,100 

Sources: Wiegand, 2011a, 2011b, TRIReleases2009_v2.mdb.
 

Note: Sums of individual values may not equal the total presented, due to rounding.
 a Data obtained from the facility through AF&PA and NCASI.
 

EPA found that only six of the twelve mills measured dioxin and furan concentrations 

above detection limits, and only two above the Method 1613B ML. This is consistent with the 

2006 Pulp and Paper Detailed Study (U.S. EPA, 2006b), in which EPA found that a majority of 

the estimated releases of dioxin are based on pollutant concentrations measured below the ML. 

EPA has previously concluded that concentrations below the ML may not be accurate, and the 

measurements may not accurately reflect industry discharges. For the two mills with analytical 

data showing dioxin and furan concentrations above the ML, EPA estimated a load of 73,100 

TWPE per year. 

5.3.3.3 NCASI Engineering Calculations 

Five facilities, presented in Table 5-17, stated that they estimated their 2009 dioxin TRI 

discharges using NCASI engineering calculations, which are based on published emission 

factors. For details on the calculations underlying the NCASI-published emission factors, see 

Section 5.3.2 of the 2006 Pulp and Paper Detailed Study (U.S. EPA, 2006b). The monitoringbased average concentrations used by NCASI, described in the 2006 Pulp and Paper Detailed 

Study, are all less than the Method 1613B ML (U.S. EPA, 2006b). 

Table 5-17. Facilities Using Engineering Calculations to Estimate 2009 TRI Discharges 

Name of Mill Location Total Dioxin Grams TWPE 

Georgia-Pacific, Naheola Mill Pennington, AL 3.6 10,800 

International Paper Franklin, VA 2.14 10,400 

Georgia-Pacific Crossett, AR 5.09 8,900 

Evergreen Packaging Pine Bluff, AR 3.21 5,690 

Georgia-Pacific Corp. Palatka, FL 1.4 2,480 

Source: Wiegand, 2011a. 

5.3.3.4 Other Estimation Methods 

Three facilities, listed in Table 5-18, stated that they use a different method to estimate 

their 2009 dioxin TRI discharges: 

5-48
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.3—Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard (40 CFR Part 430) 

	 Kimberly-Clark (Everett) confirmed that they use mass balances based on 

historical congener data—not actual discharge measurements—to estimate their 

dioxin TRI discharges. This mill shut down in April 2012 (Fryer, 2012; Wiegand, 

2011b). 

	 Clearwater Paper Corp. (formerly Potlatch Corporation) in Lewiston 

documented that its 2009 dioxin TRI discharges were estimated using data from 

an experimental methodology known as “high-volume sampling.” EPA Region 10 

conducted the procedure, which involved the separate collection of solid and 

dissolved fractions of up to 1,000 liters of effluent that were then filtered to a 

more concentrated aliquot (Wiegand, 2011b). EPA conducted the procedure as 

part of the Tier 1 Endangered Species Act Monitoring and NPDES Permit 

Compliance Monitoring between 2005 and 2007 in order to monitor the effluent 

and natural waters above and below the Clearwater facility. Using this 

methodology, Region 10 detected all dioxin congeners and furans during the 

study, but all at concentrations below the 1613B ML. 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-OCDD was 

detected most frequently but the maximum detection was 5.47 pg/L in 2007, 

which is well below the 1613B ML of 100 pg/L. Region 10 concluded that the 

Clearwater’s effluent has no influence on downstream dioxin measurements 

(Nickel, 2012). 

	 Procter & Gamble Paper Products (Mehoopany) documented that the mill 

used its Dioxin Congener Tool to calculate 2009 dioxin TRI discharges. The 

Dioxin Congener Tool is a company-specific tool that uses Procter & Gamble 

pulp analysis data and the mill-specific pulp usage data to determine a weight 

percentage for each of the dioxin congeners. The mill applies the weight 

percentage breakdown to each estimated release value to provide a dioxincongener specification of each reportable release. The pulp congener analysis data 

are based on the best available data, obtained directly from the pulp vendors. 

Depending on the pulp, these data may come from direct sampling from the pulp 

vendors, NCASI data, or estimates based on other pulps from the same supplier 

(Childress, 2011). Because the mill’s TRI estimate is not calculated using actual 

wastewater sampling data, and the discharges are partially based on NCASI 

engineering calculations, there are no analytical data to confirm the presence of 

dioxin at measureable concentrations. 

Table 5-18. Facilities Using Other Methods to Estimate 2009 TRI Discharges 

Name of Mill Location Total Dioxin Grams TWPE 

Kimberly-Clark Everett, WA 0.419 55,300 

Clearwater Paper Corp. Lewiston, ID 0.4 15,500 

Procter & Gamble Paper Products Mehoopany, PA 0.02 4,520 

Sources: Wiegand, 2011b; Childress, 2011. 

5-49
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.3—Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard (40 CFR Part 430) 

5.3.3.5 Washington State Department of Ecology Data 

In addition to obtaining monitoring data from facilities, EPA contacted WADOE about 

monitoring data from pulp and paper mill discharges in Washington State. EPA previously 

contacted WADOE as part of the 2006 Pulp and Paper Detailed Study. WADOE provided mill 

effluent dioxin sampling data for one dioxin congener, 2,3,7,8-TCDD, for three facilities, 

presented in Table 5-19. The 2011 concentration in wastewater from Boise White Paper, LLC, 

was found to be equal to the Method 1613B ML; the remaining concentrations provided by 

WADOE are below the Method 1613B ML. WADOE stated that the concentration for 2011 was 

not a permit violation because a footnote in the mill’s NPDES permit states that compliance is 

demonstrated if the 2,3,7,8-TCDD concentrations are equal to or less than the Method 1613 ML 

(McCormack, 2012). 

Table 5-19. Dioxin Data from WADOE 

Mill Name Mill Location Year of Measurement 

2,3,7,8-TCDD 

Measurement (pg/L) 

Simpson Tacoma Tacoma, WA 2005 2.09 

Kimberly-Clark Everett, WA 2005 0.848 

Boise White Paper, LLC Wallula, WA 2007 4 

2008 1 

2009 1 

2011 10a 

Source: McCormack, 2012.
 a Discharges are equal to the Method 1613 ML for 2,3,7,8-TCDD of 10 pg/L.
 

5.3.4	 Summary of Findings from EPA’s Review of Pulp and Paper Category 

Using data collected for the 2012 Annual Review, EPA identified the following for the 

pulp and paper category: 

	 Several pulp and paper mills do appear to discharge dioxins and furans, but at 

concentrations that are below the ML (or potential regulatory action level). Only 

two facilities measured dioxins and furans at concentrations above the ML. This 

updated data collected for the 2012 Annual Review is largely consistent with the 

findings of the 2006 Pulp and Paper Detailed Study. 

	 Since the vast majority of data underlying the estimated releases of dioxin and 

dioxin-like compounds reported to TRI are based on pollutant concentrations 

below the Method 1613B MLs, EPA is suspect about the magnitude of these 

discharges from facilities in the Pulp and Paper Category. TRI-reported 

discharges of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds for this category are most likely 

significantly overestimated, and thus may not accurately reflect current industry 

discharges. 

EPA prioritizes point source categories with existing regulations for potential revision 

based on the greatest estimated toxicity to human health and the environment, measured as 

5-50
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.3—Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard (40 CFR Part 430) 

TWPE. Based on the above findings, EPA is assigning this category a lower priority for 

revision—i.e., this category is marked “(3)” in the “Findings” column in Table 7-1 in the Final 

2012 and Preliminary 2014 Effluent Guidelines Program Plans (U.S. EPA, 2014). 

5.3.5	 References for Pulp and Paper Category 

1.	 Childress, Michael. 2011. Telephone and Email Communication Between Michael 

Childress, Procter and Gamble, and Kimberly Landick, Eastern Research Group, Inc., Re: 

2009 TRI Dioxin Discharges. (October 18). EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07836. 

2.	 Fryer, John. 2012. Kimberly-Clark Paper Mill Shuts Down. Everett News. (April 16). 

Available online at: http://www.king5.com/news/local/Kimberly-Clark-paper-millofficially-closes-its-doors-147535885.html. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07837. 

3.	 McCormack, Craig. 2012. Telephone and Email Communication Between Craig 

McCormack, Washington State Department of Ecology, and Kimberly Landick, Eastern 

Research Group, Inc., Re: 2009 Dioxin Discharges. (February 28). EPA-HQ-OW-2010­

0824. DCN 07838. 

4.	 Nickel, Brian. 2012. Telephone and Email Communication Between Brian Nickel, EPA 

Region 10, and Kimberly Landick, Eastern Research Group, Inc., Re: 2009 High Volume 

Dioxin Sampling at Pulp Mills. (February 28). EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07729. 

5.	 U.S. EPA. 2004. Technical Support Document for the 2004 Effluent Guidelines Program 

Plan. Washington, D.C. (August). EPA-821-R-04-014. EPA-HQ-OW-2003-0074-1346 

through 1352. 

6.	 U.S. EPA. 2006a. Technical Support Document for the 2006 Effluent Guidelines 

Program Plan. Washington, D.C. (December). EPA-821-R-06-018. EPA-HQ-OW-2004­

0032-2782. 

7.	 U.S. EPA. 2006b. Final Report: Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Detailed Study. 

Washington, D.C. (December). EPA-821-R-06-016. EPA-HQ-OW-2004-0032-2249. 

8.	 U.S. EPA. 2007. Technical Support Document for the Preliminary 2008 Effluent 

Guidelines Program Plan. Washington, D.C. (October). EPA-821-R-07-007. EPA-HQOW-2006-0771-0819. 

9.	 U.S. EPA. 2008. Technical Support Document for the 2008 Effluent Guidelines Program 

Plan. Washington, D.C. (August). EPA-821-R-08-015. EPA-HQ-OW-2006-0771-1701. 

10.	 U.S. EPA. 2009. Technical Support Document for the Preliminary 2010 Effluent 

Guidelines Program Plan. Washington, D.C. (October). EPA-821-R-09-006. EPA-HQOW-2008-0517-0515. 

11.	 U.S. EPA. 2011. Technical Support Document for the 2010 Effluent Guidelines Program 

Plan. Washington, D.C. (October). EPA 820-R-10-021. EPA-HQ-OW-2008-0517-0618. 

5-51
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.3—Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard (40 CFR Part 430) 

12.	 U.S. EPA. 2012. The 2011 Annual Effluent Guidelines Review Report. Washington, D.C. 

(December). EPA 830-R-12-001. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824-0195. 

13.	 U.S. EPA. 2013. Preliminary 2012 Effluent Guidelines Program Plan. Washington, D.C. 

(May). EPA 830-R-12-002. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824-0194. 

14.	 U.S. EPA. 2014. Final 2012 and Preliminary 2014 Effluent Guidelines Program Plans. 

Washington, D.C. (September). EPA-820-R-14-001. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 

07756. 

15.	 Wiegand, Paul. 2005a. Memorandum from Paul Wiegand, National Council for Air and 

Stream Improvement, to Jerry Schwartz, American Forest and Paper Association. Table 

14: PCDD/F Concentrations in Eight EFC Bleached Chemical Pulp Mill Treated 

Effluents (NCASI 2002). (April 29). EPA-HQ-OW-2004-0032-0500. 

16.	 Wiegand, Paul. 2005b. Memorandum from Paul Wiegand, National Council for Air and 

Stream Improvement, to Jerry Schwartz, American Forest and Paper Association. Table 

12: Mean PCDD/F Concentrations in Eight Bleached Chemical Pulp Mill (Mostly NonECF) Treated Effluents from EPA’s Guidance Document. (April 29). EPA-HQ-OW2004-0032-0502. 

17.	 Wiegand, Paul. 2011a. Email Communication Between Paul Wiegand, National Council 

for Air and Stream Improvement, and Elizabeth Sabol, Eastern Research Group, Inc., Re: 

Pulp and Paper TRI Questions. (August). EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824-0084. 

18.	 Wiegand, Paul. 2011b. Email Communication Between Paul Wiegand, National Council 

for Air and Stream Improvement, and Kimberly Landick, Eastern Research Group, Inc., 

Re: Pulp and Paper Dioxin Data. (November). EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07839. 

5-52
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.3—Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard (40 CFR Part 430) 

Table 5-20. Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Discharges from Pulp and Paper Category Reported to TRI in 2004–2009 

TRI ID Mill Name Location 

2009 2008 2007 2005 2004 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

98421­

SMPSN801PO 

Simpson Tacoma 

Kraft Co. 

Tacoma, WA 2.243 228,696 M2 NR NR NR 0.12 208 E1 0.154 277 E 0.135 242 E 

98201­

SCTTP2600F 

Kimberly-Clark 

Worldwide 

Everett, WV 0.419 55,269 C 0.487 874 C NR NR NR 1.33 2,380 C 2.7 4,846 C 

04976­

SDWRRRFD3U 

S.D. Warren Co. Skowhegan, 

ME 

0.184 37,877 E2 0.187 335 E2 0.15 269 E2 0.168 302 O 0.17 305 O 

32034­

TTRYNFOOTO 

Rayonier 

Performance 

Fibers, LLC 

Fernandina 

Beach, FL 

5.197 37,842 M1 0.66 1,184 M1 NR NR NR 0.56 1,000 M 1 1,794 M 

37309­

BWTRSROUTE 

AbitibiBowater 

Calhoun 

Operations 

Calhoun, TN 0.6854 24,888 E1 0.6875 1,234 E1 0.73 1,319 E1 0.87 1,560 M 0.94 1,690 M 

83501­

PTLTC805MI 

Clearwater Paper 

Corp, Idaho Pulp 

& Paperboard 

Lewiston, ID 0.4 15,465 M2 0.4 718 M2 0.44 789 M2 0.441 792 E 4.18 7,501 E 

99363­

BSCSCPOBOX 

Boise White Paper 

LLC 

Wallula, WA 0.20886 13,745 O 0.205513 369 O 5.58 10,014 O 0.083 149 O 0.83 1,496 O 

23851­

NNCMPHIGHW 

International 

Paper-Franklin 

Mill 

Franklin, VA 2.1364 10,440 E1 1.3677 2,454 E1 NR NR NR NR NR NR 2.28 4,086 E 

71635­

GRGPCPAPER 

Georgia-Pacific 

Crossett Ops. 

Crossett, AR 5.0851 8,993 E1 5.327 77 E1 5.6 10,043 E1 4.87 8,740 E 5.49 9,850 E 

36916­

JMSRVROUTE 

Georgia-Pacific 

Consumer 

Products LP 

Pennington, 

AL 

2 8,488 E1 3.44 50 E1 3.2 5,742 E1 3.6 6,460 M 3.3 5,921 M 

98362­

DSHWMMARIN 

Nippon Paper 

Industries USA 

Co. Ltd. 

Port Angeles, 

WA 

0.034969 8,367 M2 0.03689 66 M2 NR NR NR 0.92 1,650 M 1.82 3,266 M 

71611­

NTRNTFAIRF 

Evergreen 

Packaging 

Pine Bluff, 

AR 

3.2139 5,684 O 3.3431 49 O 3.4 6,101 O 3.7 6,640 O 3.6 6,459 O 

5-53
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.3—Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard (40 CFR Part 430) 

Table 5-20. Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Discharges from Pulp and Paper Category Reported to TRI in 2004–2009 

TRI ID Mill Name Location 

2009 2008 2007 2005 2004 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

18629­

PRCTRROUTE 

Procter & Gamble 

Paper Products 

Co. 

Mehoopany, 

PA 

0.020003 4,517 E1 0.018 32 E1 0.02 29 E1 0.087 156 E 0.012 22 C 

36545­

BSCSC307WE 

Boise White Paper 

LLC 

Jackson, AL 2.2812 4,032 E1 2.3119 34 E1 2.21 3,965 E1 2.1 3,770 E 2.1 3,768 E 

36732­

GLFSTHIGHW 

Rock-Tenn Mill 

Co., LLC 

Demopolis, 

AL 

2.1694 3,838 E1 1.9993 29 E1 1.84 3,301 E1 0.292 524 E 0.32 575 E 

28456­

FDRLPRIEGE 

International 

Paper Riegelwood 

Mill 

Riegelwood, 

NC 

0.0663 3,507 E1 0.0304881 55 E1 0.0304 54 E1 0.0304 55 E 0.0305 55 E 

71654­

PTLTCHIGHW 

Clearwater Paper 

Corp., Arkansas 

City 

Arkansas 

City, AR 

0.456 3,222 O 0.984 1,766 O NR NR NR 0.204 365 O 0.97 1,737 O 

28560­

WYRHSSTREE 

Weyerhaeuser Vanceboro, 

NC 

1.35604 2,715 E1 1.657323 24 E1 1.71 3,069 E1 1.7 3,050 E 1.74 3,119 E 

32078­

GRGPCSTATE 

Georgia-Pacific 

Corp, Palatka 

Palatka, FL 1.4041 2,483 E1 1.4 20 E1 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 

27962­

WYRHSTROWB 

Domtar Paper Co. 

Plymouth Mill 

Plymouth, 

NC 

3.4794 2,373 E1 4.2028 7,541 E1 4.33 7,777 E1 0.989 1,770 E 0.91 1,638 E 

75504­

NTRNTPOBOX 

International 

Paper Texarkana 

Mill 

Queen City, 

TX 

1.552 1,752 M2 1.302 19 M2 2.68 4,809 M2 0.68 1,220 M 3.87 6,944 M 

32533­

CHMPN375MU 

International 

Paper Pensacola 

Mill 

Cantonment, 

FL 

2.309 1,568 E1 0.88 1,579 E1 NR NR NR 0.8 1,440 E 0.93 1,669 E 

37662­

MDPPRPOBOX 

Weyerhaeuser Co 

Kingsport Paper 

Mill 

Kingsport, 

TN 

0.83272 1,473 E1 0.8617 1,546 O NR NR NR 3.45 6,190 M 3.4 6,101 M 

32347­

BCKYCROUTE 

Buckeye Florida 

LP 

Perry, FL 0.123152 1,141 M2 1.221887 18 M2 NR NR NR 1.32 2,380 M 1.3 2,330 M 

5-54
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.3—Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard (40 CFR Part 430) 

Table 5-20. Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Discharges from Pulp and Paper Category Reported to TRI in 2004–2009 

TRI ID Mill Name Location 

2009 2008 2007 2005 2004 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

63702­

PRCTRPOBOX 

Procter & Gamble 

Paper Products 

Co. 

Jackson, MO 0.005099 802 O 0.0051 0 O 0.004 8.8 O 0.0042 8 O 0.0051 9.2 O 

31521­

BRNSW14W9T 

Brunswick 

Cellulose Inc. 

Brunswick, 

GA 

0.2271 309 E1 0.218 391 E1 0.19 341 E1 0.186 335 E 0.19 335 E 

29442­

NTRNTKAMIN 

International 

Paper Georgetown 

Mill 

Georgetown, 

SC 

0.6383 214 C 0.683 1,225 C NR NR NR 0.753 1,350 C 0.75 1,351 C 

31545­

TTRYNSAVAN 

Rayonier 

Performance 

Fibers, Jesup Mill 

Jesup, GA 0.00023 191 O 0.0003 1 O NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 

70634­

BSSTHUSHIG 

Boise Packaging 

& Newsprint LLC 

Deridder, LA 0.0893 156 E1 0.1455 261 E1 0.12 215 E1 0.19 341 E 0.22 395 E 

3676WNTRNT76HIG 

International 

Paper, Pine Hill 

Mill 

Pine Hill, AL 3.0065 116 E1 3.02814 44 E2 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 

49829­

MDPBLCOUNT 

Escanaba Paper 

Co. 

Escanaba, MI 0.890943 85 M2 5.612 81 M2 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 

54308­

THPRC501EA 

Procter & Gamble 

Paper Products 

Co. 

Green Bay, 

WI 

0.000300 83 C 0.0006 0 C 0.0008 1 C 0.0003 1 C 0.0005 0.9 C 

17362­

PHGLT228SO 

P. H. Glatfelter 

Co Spring Grove 

Mill 

Spring 

Grove, PA 

1.0633 70 E1 1.105 1,983 E1 1.02 1,830 E1 0.946 1,700 E 0.9 1.616 E 

12883­

NTRNTSHORE 

International 

Paper 

Ticonderoga, 

NY 

0.4166 62 M2 0.4223 758 M2 0.44 790 M2 0.46 826 E 0.46 834 E 

36426­

CNTNRHIGHW 

Smurfit-Stone 

Container 

Enterprises Inc. 

Brewton, AL 3.0053 44 M2 3.0053 44 M2 NR NR NR NR NR NR 2.5 4,486 E 

18653­

PPTLBMAINS 

Cascades Tissue 

Group PA Inc, 

Ransom Mill 

Ransom, PA 0.0179 32 C 0.0153 27 C 0.0179 32 C NR NR NR NR NR NR 

5-55
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.3—Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard (40 CFR Part 430) 

Table 5-20. Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Discharges from Pulp and Paper Category Reported to TRI in 2004–2009 

TRI ID Mill Name Location 

2009 2008 2007 2005 2004 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

Grams 

Released TWPE 

Basis of 

Estimate 

29704­

BWTRC5300C 

Bowater Coated & 

Specialty Papers 

Div. 

Catawba, SC 2.161 31 M2 1.9695 29 C NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 

31407­

STNCN1BONN 

Weyerhaeuser 

Port Wentworth 

Port 

Wentworth, 

GA 

1.273 18 E1 1.3648 2,449 E1 0.61 1,094 E1 0.679 1,220 E 0.69 1,239 E 

29044­

NNCMPROUTE 

International 

Paper 

Eastover, SC 0.119 2 M2 0.1077 193 M2 NR NR NR 0.183 328 O 0.16 282 O 

54474­

WYRHS200GR 

Weyerhaeuser Rothschild, 

WI 

0.063972 1 M2 0.0633 114 M2 NR NR NR 0.042 75 M 0.048 86 M 

98607­

JMSRVNE4TH 

Fort James Camas 

LLC 

Camas, WA 0.0025 0.2311 E1 0.0034 6 M2 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 

70791­

GRGPCZACHA 

Georgia-Pacific 

Consumer 

Products LLC 

Zachary, LA 0.00163 0.0237 M2 10 2,337 E1 2.77 4,974 E1 2.77 4,970 E 2.77 4,974 E 

31068­

BCKYCOLDST 

Weyerhaeuser Co. Oglethorpe, 

GA 

0.0011 0.0160 O 0.001 2 O 0.001 1.79 O 0.001 2 O 0.0005 0.9 O 

Indirect 

07407­

MRCLP1MARK 

Marcal Paper 

Mills Inc. 

Elmwood 

Park, NJ 

0.379098 1,273 M2 0.1699 2.468 M2 0.16 1,315 M2 0.02499 45 M 0.00799 14 M 

29681­

WRGRC803NO 

Sealed Air Corp, 

Cryovac Div. 

Simpsonville, 

SC 

0.011185 989 O NR NR NR 0.0187 1,654 O NR NR NR NR NR NR 

32401­

STNCN1EVER 

Smurfit-Stone 

Container Corp. 

Panama City, 

FL 

0.074799 256 E1 NR NR NR 0.082 146 E1 0.0782 140 E 0.078 140 E 

54308­

THPRC501EA 

Procter & Gamble 

Paper Products 

Co. 

Green Bay, 

WI 

0.000850 234 C NR NR NR 0.00081 0.997 C 0.00034 1 C 0.00051 0.9 C 

31702­

THPRCUSROU 

Procter & Gamble 

Paper Products 

Co. 

Albany, GA 0.000663 111 O NR NR NR 0.001 109 O 0.001989 4 O 0.0036 6.4 O 

5-56
 
Section 5—Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

5.3—Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard (40 CFR Part 430) 

Table 5-20. Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Discharges from Pulp and Paper Category Reported to TRI in 2004–2009 

2009 2008 2007 2005 2004 

Grams Basis of Grams Basis of Grams Basis of Grams Basis of Grams Basis of 

TRI ID Mill Name Location Released TWPE Estimate Released TWPE Estimate Released TWPE Estimate Released TWPE Estimate Released TWPE Estimate 

55744­

BLNDN115SW 

UPM Blandin 

Paper Co. 

Grand 

Rapids, MN 

2.19 59.33 E2 2.379 175.7 E2 2.11 3,782 E1 2.261 4,060 M 2 3,599 M 

93030­

PRCTR800NO 

Procter & Gamble 

Paper Products 

Co. 

Oxnard, CA 0.000134 20.27 C NR NR NR 0.00016 0.45 C 0.000021 

4 

0 C 0.0034 6.1 C 

23860­

STNHP910IN 

Smurfit-Stone 

Container Corp. 

Hopewell, 

VA 

0.000045 1.239 C NR NR NR 0.221 397 C 0.21 378 O NR NR NR 

55720­

PTLTCNORTH 

Sappi Cloquet 

LLC 

Cloquet, MN 0.04131 0.5998 M2 NR NR NR 0.04 78 M2 0.04811 86 E 0.044 78 E 

63702­

PRCTRPOBOX 

Procter & Gamble 

Paper Products 

Co. 

Jackson, MO 0.000000 

238 

0.027 E1 NR NR NR 0.00392 9 O NR NR NR NR NR NR 

Sources: TRIReleases2009_v2; TRIReleases2008_v3; TRIReleases2007_v2; TRIReleases2005_v2; and TRIReleases2004_v3.
 

NR: Not reported.
 

For indirect discharges, the mass shown is the mass transferred to the POTW that is ultimately discharged to surface waters, accounting for an estimated 83 percent removal of dioxin
 

and dioxin-like compounds by the POTW.
 

The TWPEs in this table were calculated using the 2006 TWFs (the 2006 dioxin and dioxin-like compound TWFs did not change from the August or December 2004 TWFs).
 

Refineries reported basis of estimate in TRI as: M (monitoring data/measurements), M2 (periodic monitoring data/measurements), C (mass balance calculations), E (published
 

emission factors), and O (other approaches, such as engineering calculation).
 

5-57
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

6. NEW DATA SOURCES AND HAZARD ANALYSES 

For the 2012 Annual Review, EPA explored six new data sources to supplement the 

toxicity rankings analysis (TRA) conducted as part of the 2011 Annual Review (78 FR 48159). 

EPA primarily focused on the four data sources identified during the 2011 Annual Review: 

Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey (TNSSS) data, Office of Pollution Prevention and 

Toxics (OPPT) Chemical Action Plans, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) 

air regulations, and Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) sectors expansion data. EPA’s goals in 

selecting these specific data sources were to identify new wastewater discharges or pollutants not 

previously regulated and to identify wastewater discharges that can be eliminated or treated more 

effectively. 

EPA documented the data usability and quality of each source, analyzed how the data 

could be used to improve the characterization of industrial wastewater discharges (concentration 

and quantity of pollutants, wastewater treatment available for new industries/concentrations), and 

prioritized the findings for further review. See Appendix B of this report for more information on 

data usability and quality of the new data and hazard sources. 

Table 6-1 lists the six data sources and provides a summary of the relevant content EPA 

evaluated as part of its 2012 Annual Review. EPA identified these data sources by evaluating 

information available within EPA Office of Water, information from other EPA offices (e.g., 

Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Office of Research and Development), information 

from technical conferences and research articles, or stakeholder input and determined whether 

these data sources would be useful in fulfilling the objectives of the effluent guidelines planning 

process. Sections 6.1 through 6.6 of this report provide the detail for each of the analyses. 

Section 7 summarizes EPA’s findings from the new data sources and hazard analyses. 

Table 6-1. Additional Hazard Data Sources Evaluated for the 2012 Annual Review 

Data Source Relevant Content 

Office of Water 2009 TNSSS The Office of Water’s Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey 

(TNSSS) measured contaminant concentrations in sewage sludge 

from 74 publicly owned treatment works (POTWs). EPA reviewed 

the TNSSS survey results in combination with indirect discharges 

from the 2009 TRI database to determine if the pollutants could be 

attributed to specific industrial wastewater discharges (or point 

source categories), particularly for the pollutants that may impact the 

beneficial use of sewage sludge. 

Office for Chemical Safety and Pollution Under TSCA, OPPT developed Chemical Action Plans for 10 

Prevention/Office of Pollution Prevention and classes of chemicals that potentially create health and/or 

Toxics(OCSPP/OPPT) Chemical Action Plans environmental hazards when manufactured in or imported into the 

U.S. EPA reviewed these chemicals and corresponding industries to 

identify new pollutants or wastestreams that might warrant 

regulation. 

6-1
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Table 6-1. Additional Hazard Data Sources Evaluated for the 2012 Annual Review 

Data Source Relevant Content 

Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards 

(OAQPS) Air Regulations: 

 National Emission Standards for Hazardous 

Air Pollutants (NESHAPs) 

 New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) 

Air regulations may require air pollution controls that generate new 

wastewater discharges for industrial categories that did not 

previously exist (e.g., the use of wet scrubbers to remove air 

pollutants). EPA reviewed air regulations to identify any new 

wastewater discharges, or specific pollutant discharges, that may be 

associated with air pollution control requirements established for 

specific industrial categories, particularly since the promulgation of 

the respective ELGs. 

Office of Environmental Information’s (OEI) OEI is exploring the expansion of TRI reporting requirements to 

2011 Proposed TRI Expansion Sectors additional industrial sectors. The proposed rulemaking is scheduled 

to be published in December 2014. EPA reviewed the publicly 

available industry profile information and corresponding data on 

pollutants of concern considered as part of this rulemaking. EPA 

also reviewed any monitoring data and literature submitted as public 

comment to the rulemaking to date. 

EPA Office of Water, Office of Ground Water 

and Drinking Water (OGWDW), and Office of 

Research and Development (ORD) Analytical 

Methods 

Several Offices within the Agency have developed or recently 

revised analytical methods for measuring pollutants in industrial 

wastewater or in drinking water (e.g., perfluorinated compounds and 

other contaminants of emerging concern). EPA evaluated these new 

or recently revised analytical methods to help identify unregulated 

pollutants in industrial wastewater discharges, or changes to existing 

analytical methods that may provide for increased sensitivity and 

potentially lower detection limits for regulated pollutants. 

Technical Papers and Research Articles on Industry and academic experts are continually evaluating the 

Industrial Wastewater Treatment Technologies performance and viability of new and innovative treatment 

technologies to remove pollutants of concern from industrial 

wastewater.EPA is conducting a literature review and developing a 

database to capture and catalog wastewater treatment performance 

data as they pertain to specific point source categories and their 

related wastewater discharges. 

6.1 Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

EPA is augmenting its traditional toxicity ranking analysis by examining data from 

additional sources—for example, existing sewage sludge data that characterize pollutants 

associated with industrial activity. Specifically, EPA reviewed the Targeted National Sewage 

Sludge Survey (TNSSS), conducted by EPA’s Office of Water (OW), that measured contaminant 

concentrations in sewage sludge from 74 publicly owned treatment works (POTWs). Although 

the TNSSS did not identify the industrial wastewater discharged to the sampled POTWs, EPA 

used other publicly available data, including data reported to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) 

in 2009, to examine pollutants discharged to POTWs and explored how those pollutants might 

interfere with beneficial use of sewage sludge or “biosolids”. 

This review suggests the metal finishing industry may be discharging high concentrations 

of metals, particularly chromium, nickel, and zinc, to POTWs, which could transfer to sewage 

sludge and impact its beneficial use. Based on its review of the TNSSS and 2009 TRI data sets, 

EPA could not identify for further review any new pollutants of concern or wastewater 

discharges from industrial categories not currently regulated by effluent limitations guidelines 

and standards (ELGs). EPA focused its review on the pollutants in the TNSSS with discharge 

6-2
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

information available in TRI since TRI provided a means to link industrial wastewater sources to 

the pollutants found in POTW sludge. 

The following subsections present background on POTW sewage sludge as it relates to 

ELGs, data sources used in the analysis, and an overview of EPA’s analyses and findings from 

its review of the TNSSS. Throughout this section, EPA refers to sewage sludge, the solid, 

semisolid, or liquid residue generated during the treatment of domestic sewage in a treatment 

facility; rather than sludge, the term commonly used for untreated or raw wastewater. For more 

information on the TNSSS, see http://water.epa.gov/scitech/wastetech/biosolids/tnsssoverview.cfm. 

6.1.1 Background 

Under the Clean Water Act (CWA), EPA develops categorical pretreatment standards for 

industrial wastewater discharged to POTWs. These standards are intended to prevent discharge 

to POTWs of industrial wastewater pollutants that pass through the POTW without adequate 

treatment. They also prevent discharges of industrial wastewater pollutants that may interfere 

with POTW operation. Among other things, this includes pollutants that may interfere with 

sewage sludge beneficial use—for example, land application of sewage sludge as a soil 

amendment in agriculture and landscaping.11 

As shown in Figure 6-1, an industrial facility may discharge wastewater to a POTW, 

discharge directly to a receiving stream, or split its wastewater between the two discharge 

options. At the POTW, industrial wastewater is typically combined with sanitary wastewater, 

stormwater runoff, and treatment chemicals. Because all of these discharges contribute to the 

pollutants in sewage sludge, it is difficult to relate pollutants found in sewage sludge from 

POTWs to specific industrial wastewater discharges. 

11 Current EPA regulations exist for the land application of sewage sludge, also referred to as biosolids. Biosolids 

are regulated under 40 CFR Part 503. For more information about the EPA Biosolids program, see 

http://water.epa.gov/scitech/wastetech/biosolids/ 

6-3
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

a	 Direct discharge facilities discharge wastewater directly to surface water. Indirect discharge facilities discharge wastewater to a POTW, which then discharge 

to a receiving stream. 

Figure 6-1. Industrial Facility Wastewater Discharge Options 

6-4
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

6.1.2 OW’s TNSSS 

OW conducted the TNSSS to advance the understanding of pollutants present in treated 

sewage sludge (biosolids) and to develop national estimates of the concentrations of selected 

analytes. The collected information was intended to help OW assess if exposures to analytes 

were occurring and whether the concentrations in sewage sludge may be of concern for public 

health and the environment. For this 2012 Annual Review, EPA used the TNSSS results to 

examine how the quality of POTW sewage sludge and its beneficial use may be affected by 

industrial wastewater discharges. The following subsections provide additional background on 

sewage sludge regulations and the TNSSS. 

6.1.2.1 Sewage Sludge Regulations 

Under 40 CFR Part 503 EPA regulates sewage sludge disposal and use. The regulations 

establish numeric limits, management practices, and operational standards to protect public 

health and the environment from the adverse effects of pollutants in sewage sludge. Part 503 

regulates three disposal options for sewage sludge: land application, landfill/surface disposal, 

and incineration. 

Section 405(d) of the CWA requires EPA to complete a biennial review of sewage sludge 

regulations. The biennial review looks at 40 CFR Part 503 standards for purposes of regulating 

new pollutants where sufficient data exist.12 OW’s 2003 biennial review of sewage sludge 

regulations identified new pollutants of concern that became the starting point for the TNSSS 

analysis. 

6.1.2.2 OW’s TNSSS Analysis 

In 2006 and 2007, OW collected sewage sludge samples from 74 POTWs in 35 states. 

For reference, there are approximately 16,000 POTWs in the U.S. (DMR Loading Tool). OW 

selected the sampled POTWs based on: 

 Size (must treat more than one million gallons of wastewater per day); 

 Geography (must be located in the contiguous U.S.); and, 

 Treatment type (must employ secondary treatment or better). 

The selection criteria did not account for the variety of industrial discharges to the 

POTWs. OW analyzed 84 sewage sludge samples, one from each facility plus and additional 

sample at 10 facilities for quality control purposes or because the facility had more than one 

treatment system. Therefore, 84 samples were collected from 74 POTWs during the TNSSS 

(U.S. EPA, 2009a). 

Through the 2003 biennial review13 of sewage sludge regulations and a subsequent 

biosolids exposure and hazard assessment, OW identified nine pollutants warranting further 

12 See EPA’s webpage on the use and disposal of biosolids for further information on the biennial review:
 

http://water.epa.gov/scitech/wastetech/biosolids/.

13 See 68 FR 75531: https://federalregister.gov/a/03-32217.
 

6-5
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

evaluation.14 To conduct a more refined risk evaluation and risk characterization for the nine 

pollutants, OW needed updated sewage sludge concentration data. OW expanded the list of 

analytes for the TNSSS from nine to 145 to include analytes that could be analyzed at little extra 

cost or because of their widespread use and emerging concern. 

OW analyzed the sewage sludge samples for 145 analytes, listed in Table 6-27 at the end 

of this section. The analytes included metals, organics, inorganic anions, polybrominated 

diphenyl ethers, steroids and hormones, and pharmaceutical chemicals. Table 6-28, also at the 

end of this section, presents detailed information about each of the analytes including the EPA 

programs that address the analyte, and datasets or regulations that are relevant to the 2012 304m 

Annual Review.15 For example, for the pollutant arsenic, Table 6-28 provides a toxic weighting 

factor (TWF) value and notes that it is listed as a CWA priority pollutant, regulated under 40 

CFR Part 503, and included in TRI. Table 6-2 summarizes this information for each pollutant 

group. For more information on POTW and analyte selection criteria and sampling methodology, 

refer to the Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey Overview Report (U.S. EPA, 2009a) or the 

Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey Sampling and Analysis Technical Report (U.S. EPA, 

2009b). 

Table 6-2. TNSSS Analyte Groups and Applicability to EPA Programs and Regulations 

Pollutant Group 

Number of 

Pollutants 

Number 

with 

TWFs 

Number 

of CWA 

Priority 

Pollutants 

Number 

Regulated 

under 

40 CFR 503 

Number 

with 

Chemical 

Action 

Plansa 

Number 

of TRIListed 

Chemical 

Metals 28 25 13 10 0 17 

Organics 6 5 4 0 1 3 

Inorganic anions 3 1 0 0 0 1 

Polybrominated diphenyl 

ethers (PBDEs) 

11 0 0 0 11 0 

Steroids and hormones 25 0 0 0 0 0 

Pharmaceutical chemicals 72 1 0 0 0 0 

Total 145 32 17 10 12 21 

Source: U.S. EPA, 2009a.
 a See Section 6.2 of this report for discussion of the EPA Chemical Action Plans.
 

6.1.2.3 Findings of TNSSS 

Briefly, the survey found (U.S. EPA, 2009a): 

	 Of the 28 metals in the study, 27 were found in virtually every sample; one metal 

(antimony) was found in 72 of the 84 samples. 

	 Of the six semivolatile organics and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, four were 

found in at least 72 of 84 samples, one was found in 63 of 84 samples, and one 

was found in 39 of 84 samples. 

14 The pollutants identified for further evaluation were barium, beryllium, manganese, silver, fluoranthene, pyrene,
 

4-chloroaniline, nitrate, and nitrite.

15 EPA programs, datasets and regulations reviewed include TWF values, CWA priority pollutants, 40 CFR Part 503
 

regulations, chemical action plans, and TRI-listed chemicals.
 

6-6
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

	 Four anions were found in every sample. 

	 All but one flame retardant (BDE-138) were found in essentially every sample; 

BDE-138 was found in 54 out of 84 samples. 

	 Of the 25 steroids and hormones measured, three steroids (campesterol, 

cholestanol, and coprostanol) were found in all 84 samples and six steroids were 

found in at least 80 of the samples. One hormone (17a-ethynyl estradiol) was not 

found in any sample and five hormones were found in fewer than six samples. 

	 Of the 72 pharmaceuticals, three (cyprofloxacin, diphenhydramine, and 

triclocarban16) were found in all 84 samples and nine were found in at least 80 of 

the samples. However, 15 pharmaceuticals were not found in any sample and 29 

were found in fewer than three samples. 

As part of the TNSSS analysis, OW compared the maximum sewage sludge metals 

concentrations to the existing regulatory ceilings for sewage sludge land application 

(subcategory B) in 40 CFR Part 503. Exceedances of the ceilings were identified for 

molybdenum, zinc, and nickel. In the TNSSS, OW did not compare analyte concentrations with 

other regulatory ceilings or limits for sewage sludge disposal, such as surface disposal 

(subcategory C) and incineration (subcategory E). 

In its TNSSS report, OW concluded that it is not appropriate to speculate on the 

significance of the results until it completes a proper evaluation and review. OW is currently 

evaluating the pollutants the survey identified in sewage sludge and plans to conduct an exposure 

and hazard assessment for these pollutants if sufficient data are available (U.S. EPA, 2009a; 

Stevens, 2013). 

6.1.2.4 Limitations of the TNSSS for EPA’s 2012 Annual Review 

The TNSSS has certain limitations that prevented EPA from exploring how pollutants 

discharged to POTWs might interfere with beneficial use of sewage sludge as part of its 2012 

Annual Review: 

	 It does not address sources of the influent wastewater to the POTW. Specifically, 

industrial discharges were not identified and thus are not easily distinguished 

from other sources such as domestic wastewater. 

	 It does not consider variations in water quality, either the influent or the effluent 

wastewater that may affect the contaminants in sewage sludge and their quantity. 

	 The type and performance of the sampled treatment systems were not considered, 

including variations that affect sewage sludge quantity and quality. 

	 Although the TNSSS was a statistical sample of the 3,337 POTWs that met the 

study criteria,17 because only 74 POTWs were sampled out of approximately 

16 Although trichlocarban is not a pharmaceutical, it is included in the pharmaceutical chemicals group because it is
 

detected by the same analytical method used to measure pharmaceutical concentrations in sludge.

17 Study criteria included: facilities that treated more than one MGD, were located in the contiguous U.S., and
 

employ secondary treatment or better. (U.S. EPA, 2009b).
 

6-7
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

16,000 in the U.S., the study was limited in its ability to characterize pollutants 

from industries not discharging to the sampled POTWs. 

These limitations provide challenges in using the TNSSS data to identify industrial 

wastewater discharges potentially affecting the quality of POTW sewage sludge and its 

beneficial use. 

6.1.3	 EPA’s 2012 Annual Review of Sewage Sludge Analyses 

EPA used TNSSS data in combination with other publicly available data to examine 

pollutants identified in sewage sludge that are discharged to POTWs in industrial wastewater. 

The following sections discuss the completed analyses. 

6.1.3.1 Identifying Industrial Discharges to TNSSS POTWs 

POTWs accept wastewater from a variety of domestic and industrial sources. Over 

100,000 non-domestic users discharge to POTWs across the U.S. (U.S. EPA, 1991). These nondomestic users include significant industrial users (SIUs),18 retail and commercial 

establishments, and industrial dischargers that do not meet EPA’s definition of significant 

industrial user (U.S. EPA, 1991). 

The TNSSS did not identify the source of the wastewater treated by the sampled POTWs. 

Specifically, it omitted information on the type and magnitude of industrial wastewater 

discharges that may be treated at the POTWs. Because of this omission, for this analysis, EPA 

used TRI data to identify some of the industrial facilities that discharge wastewater to the 

sampled POTWs. EPA also used TRI data to analyze the possible sources of the pollutants 

TNSSS identified in POTW sewage sludge. 

TRI includes industry-reported data for 682 chemicals and chemical categories. In TRI, 

facilities report annual mass loads released to the environment of each chemical or chemical 

category. They must report the amount transferred to offsite locations, which may include direct 

discharges to surface water or discharges to POTWs. For discharges to POTWs, they must 

identify the specific POTW that receives their wastewater. With the information facilities 

reported to TRI, EPA evaluated industrial pollutant transfers to the POTWs included in the 

TNSSS and also evaluated specific industrial pollutants that may pass through the POTW and 

accumulate in sewage sludge.19 

A facility must meet three criteria to be required to submit a TRI report (U.S. EPA, 

2009c): 

1.	 Be categorized in North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 

11, 21, 22, 31 through 33, 42, 48 through 49, 51, 54, or 81 or be a federal facility. 

2.	 Have 10 or more full-time employees or their equivalent. 

18 The CWA defines an SIU as an indirect discharger that is the focus of control efforts under the national 

pretreatment program; includes all indirect dischargers subject to national categorical pretreatment standards, and all 

other indirect dischargers that contribute 25,000 gallons per day or more of process wastewater, or which make up 

five percent or more of the hydraulic or organic loading to the municipal treatment plant, subject to certain 

expectations (40 CFR 403.3(t)).

19 For more information on TRI, see http://www2.epa.gov/toxics-release-inventory-tri-program. 

6-8
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

3.	 Manufacture, process, or otherwise use a chemical or chemical category on the 

TRI list above the appropriate activity threshold. 

Due to these reporting requirements, TRI does not have data for all of the industrial 

facilities (particularly smaller facilities) that discharge to the POTWs included in the TNSSS. 

EPA used information from the 2009 TRI database to identify the number of facilities 

that discharge directly and the number that discharge indirectly for each point source category. 

For some point source categories, such as petroleum refining, most facilities discharge directly to 

surface waters. For the analyses presented in this section, EPA only included point source 

categories composed primarily of indirect dischargers because these categories are most likely to 

have widespread impacts on POTW sewage sludge (i.e., excluded categories within which less 

than 30 percent of the facilities discharge to POTWs).20 

To relate TRI data to the TNSSS, EPA used the following TRI data fields for each 

facility: TRI ID, release code, chemical name and Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number, 

total transfer to POTWs,21 and NAICS code. For some of the analyses of pollutants in sewage 

sludge described in this section, EPA also applied a TWF to estimate toxic-weighted pound 

equivalents (TWPE)22 to rank pollutant discharges and point source categories discharging to 

POTWs based on the toxicity of their discharge and identify trends in the data. 

Of the 74 POTWs sampled in the TNSSS, EPA identified 35 POTWs that receive 

wastewater from industrial facilities that reported to TRI in 2009. EPA identified these 35 

POTWs by matching POTW name and location between the two datasets. Table 6-3 presents all 

POTWs sampled in the TNSSS that are reported as receiving wastewater in TRI. 

EPA identified and analyzed information for 153 industrial facilities that transfer 

pollutants to the 35 TNSSS POTWs that receive wastewater from industrial facilities that report 

to TRI. Using the facility NAICS codes, EPA matched these 153 facilities to 28 point source 

categories. Table 6-3 identifies the specific point source categories that are discharging to each 

of the 35 TNSSS POTWs. EPA then ranked the 28 point source categories by the number of 

facilities in TRI that reported discharges to these POTWs, shown in Table 6-4. Metal Finishing 

(40 CFR Part 433) was the point source category with the greatest number of facilities reporting 

discharges to TNSSS POTWs, with 52 facilities reporting wastewater transfers. Together with 

the next point source category, Electroplating (40 CFR Part 413), the two point source categories 

contain nearly 50 percent of the facilities reporting discharges to the 35 TNSSS POTWs. 

20 Sixteen point source categories were omitted from the sewage sludge analyses because they had greater than 70 

percent direct discharges: National Security & International Affairs (Part 97); Sugar Processing (Part 409); Cement 

Manufacturing (Part 411); Chlorine and Chlorinated Hydrocarbons (Part 414.1); Fertilizer Manufacturing (Part 418); 

Petroleum Refining (Part 419); Iron and Steel Manufacturing (Part 420); Phosphate Manufacturing (Part 422); 

Steam Electric Power Generating (Part 423); Timber Products Processing (Part 429); Pulp, Paper and Paperboard 

(Part 430); Metal Products and Machinery (Part 438); Ore Mining and Dressing (Part 440); Waste Combustors (Part 

444); Explosives Manufacturing (Part 457); and Drinking Water Treatment (Part 501). EAD identified that four of 

these 16 categories discharged to a TNSSS POTW: Petroleum Refining (Part 419), Iron and Steel Manufacturing 

(Part 420), Steam Electric Power Generating (Part 423), and Pulp, Paper and Paperboard (Part 430).

21 To evaluate industrial discharges’ effects on sewage sludge, EPA examined the releases reported as transferred to 

POTWs. For toxicity rankings and TRIReleases2009, EPA applies an assumed percent of pollutant removed at the 

POTW, before the sewage sludge reaches the surface water. See Section 3 of the 2011 Annual Review Report (U.S. 

EPA, 2012) for details on POTW removals and the toxicity rankings.

22 See the 2011 Annual Review Report for details on TWFs and TWPE (U.S. EPA, 2012). 

6-9
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Table 6-3. TNSSS-Sampled POTWs That Receive Wastewater from Industrial Facilities Reporting to TRI 

POTW Name from TNSSS State POTW Name in TRI Point Source Categories in TRI Discharging to POTWa 

Duncan PUA WWT OK City of Duncan – OMI Duncan 

Wastewater Treatment 

433 – Metal Finishing 

Salisbury WWTF MD City of Salisbury Wastewater 

Treatment Plant 

463 – Plastics Molding and Forming; 432 – Meat and Poultry Products 

Everett WWTP WA City of Everett Department of 

Public Works 

433 – Metal Finishing 

Buffalo Bird Island STP NY Buffalo Sewer Authority 405 – Dairy Products Processing; 415 – Inorganic Chemicals Manufacturing; 

433 – Metal Finishing; 436 – Mineral Mining and Processing; 471 – 

Nonferrous Metals Forming and Metal Powders; 463 – Plastics Molding and 

Forming; 508 – Printing and Publishing 

Little Miami Drainage Basin/WWTP OH Metropolitan Sewer District of 

Greater Cincinnati 

433 – Metal Finishing; 413 – Electroplating 

Albany (WPCP No. 2) GA Albany WPCP 428 – Rubber Manufacturing 

Stockton WWTF CA Stockton Municipal Utilities 406 – Grain Mills; 

Southeast WPCP CA Department of Public Works 433 – Metal Finishing 

Middlesex Cnty UA NJ Middlesex Cnty Util Auth Water 

Reclaim Center 

73 – Business Services; 414 – Organic Chemicals, Plastics And Synthetic 

Fibers; 415 – Inorganic Chemicals Manufacturing; 428 – Rubber 

Manufacturing; 439 – Pharmaceutical Manufacturing; 455 – Pesticide 

Chemicals; 471 – Nonferrous Metals Forming And Metal Powders; 503 – 

Miscellaneous Foods and Beverages 

Wixom STP MI Wixom Sewage Disposal Plant 413 – Electroplating; 433 – Metal Finishing 

Benton Harbor – St. Joseph MI Benton Harbor-St Joseph Sewage 

Dspl Plt 

50 – Wholesale Trade – Durable Goods; 413 – Electroplating; 433 – Metal 

Finishing 

Canajoharie STP NY Canajoharie (V) WWTP 503 – Miscellaneous Foods and Beverages 

Geneva Marsh Creek WWTP NY Marsh Creek WWTP - Geneva 426 – Glass Manufacturing 

Topeka North WWTP KS City of Topeka WPCD 407 – Canned And Preserved Fruits and Vegetables Processing; 406 – Grain 

Mills 

Boone WWTP IA Boone Water Pollution Control 432 – Meat and Poultry Products 

Huntsville Aldridge Creek WWTP AL Aldridge Wastewater Treatment 433 – Metal Finishing 

Boulder 75th Street WWTP CO City of Boulder Wastewater 

Treatment Plant 

433 – Metal Finishing; 439 – Pharmaceutical Manufacturing; 507 – 

Independent And Stand Alone Labs 

Texarkana City of TX Texarkana South Regional WWTP 414 – Organic Chemicals, Plastics and Synthetic Fibers; 428 – Rubber 

Manufacturing 

Santa Barbara WWTF CA Goleta West Sanitary District 433 – Metal Finishing 

Southside STP #2 TX City of Tyler Treatment Plant West 

Side 

414 – Organic Chemicals, Plastics And Synthetic Fibers; 428 – Rubber 

Manufacturing; 433 – Metal Finishing 

6-10
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Table 6-3. TNSSS-Sampled POTWs That Receive Wastewater from Industrial Facilities Reporting to TRI 

POTW Name from TNSSS State POTW Name in TRI Point Source Categories in TRI Discharging to POTWa 

Spanish Fork UT Spanish Fork City POTW 413 – Electroplating 

Elizabethton WWTP TN Elizabethton 433 – Metal Finishing 

Trinity River Authority; Ellis County 

WWTP 

TX Trinity River Authority 433 – Metal Finishing 

SSSD/Lawson Fork Plant 

SC Spartanburg Sanitary Sewer District 414 – Organic Chemicals, Plastics And Synthetic Fibers; 417 – Soap And 

Detergent Manufacturing; 428 – Rubber Manufacturing; 433 – Metal 

Finishing; 508 – Printing & Publishing 

Valencia WRP CA Valencia WRP 433 – Metal Finishing 

Phoenix 23rd Ave WWTP AZ 23rd Ave Wastewater Treatment 

Plant 

405 – Dairy Products Processing; 413 – Electroplating; 417 – Soap And 

Detergent Manufacturing; 421 – Nonferrous Metals Manufacturing; 433 – 

Metal Finishing; 436 – Mineral Mining And Processing; 464 – Metal Molding 

And Casting (Foundries); 465 – Coil Coating; 469 – Electrical And Electronic 

Components; 503 – Miscellaneous Foods And Beverages 

Beaver Dam WWTP WI Beaver Dam Wastewater Treatment 

Facility 

405 – Dairy Products Processing; 433 – Metal Finishing 

Alcosan STP (Allegheny County) PA Allegheny County Sanitation 

Authority 

426 – Glass Manufacturing; 433 – Metal Finishing 

Bedford WWTP & Sewer System OH Bedford POTW 433 – Metal Finishing 

Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer 

District, Southerly WWTP 

OH Northeast Ohio Sewer District 

Southerly WWTP 

413 – Electroplating; 433 – Metal Finishing; 464 – Metal Molding And 

Casting (Foundries); 467 – Aluminum Forming; 468 – Copper Forming; 471 – 

Nonferrous Metals Forming And Metal Powders 

River Road WWTP TX City of Amarillo Industrial Waste 405 – Dairy Products Processing 

Mayfield STP KY Mayfield Electric and Water 

Systems 

433 – Metal Finishing 

Bloomington STP North IN Bloomington Utilities 433 – Metal Finishing 

Richmond SD IN Richmond Sanitary District 20 – Food & Kindred Products; 405 – Dairy Products Processing; 433 – Metal 

Finishing; 468 – Copper Forming 

Huntington City Of WV City of Huntington No point source categories discharge to this POTW with less than 70 percent 

direct discharges. 

Sources: U.S. EPA, 2009a, 2009b; TRIReleases2009_v2.mdb.
 a Excluding point source categories with less than 30 percent indirect discharges in the TRI database.
 

6-11
 
c 

Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Table 6-4. Ranking of Point Source Categoriesa by the Count of Facilities Discharging to 

a TNSSS POTW Included in TRI 

Point 

Source 

Category 

Code Point Source Category 

Count of TRI Facilities 

Discharging to a 

TNSSS POTW 

433 Metal Finishing 52 

413 Electroplating 19 

414 Organic Chemicals, Plastics and Synthetic Fibers 17 

405 Dairy Products Processing 7 

428 Rubber Manufacturing 6 

415 Inorganic Chemicals Manufacturing 6 

469 Electrical and Electronic Components 5 

468 Copper forming 4 

508b Printing and Publishing 4 

471 Nonferrous Metals Forming and Metal Powders 3 

503b Miscellaneous Foods and Beverages 3 

417 Soap and Detergent Manufacturing 3 

464 Metal Molding and Casting (Foundries) 2 

406 Grain mills 2 

436 Mineral Mining and Processing 2 

421 Nonferrous Metals Manufacturing 2 

432 Meat and Poultry Products 2 

426 Glass Manufacturing 2 

463 Plastics Molding and Forming 2 

439 Pharmaceutical Manufacturing 2 

507b Independent and Stand Alone Labs 1 

467 Aluminum Forming 1 

407 Canned and Preserved Fruits and Vegetables Processing 1 

465 Coil Coating 1 

50b Wholesale Trade—Durable Goods 1 

73b Business Services 1 

455 Pesticide Chemicals 1 

20b,c Food and Kindred Products 1 

Total 153 

Sources: U.S. EPA, 2009a, 2009b; TRIReleases2009_v2.mdb. a Excluding point source categories with less than 30 percent indirect discharges in the TRI database. b Industries in this category (503) are not EPA-regulated point source categories. The point source categories with a 

500 series code are potential new point source categories identified during previous annual reviews. EPA is 

evaluating discharges from these industries. 

Point source categories with two-digit code are similar industries grouped by SIC code that have not been 

thoroughly reviewed. Industrial discharges from Food and Kindered Products are potentially part of point source 

category 503 – Miscellaneous Foods and Beverages, however the discharges have not been analyzed in detail. 

6.1.3.2	 Limitations of Using TRI and TNSSS to Characterize Industrial Discharges’ 

Impacts on Sewage Sludge 

TRI is the best available dataset to identify industrial discharges to POTWs; however, it 

does not represent all industrial discharges to each POTW due to the criteria for inclusion in TRI. 

As shown in Figure 6-2 below, of the more than 100,000 industrial facilities discharging to 

POTWs, approximately 25,000 SIUs are not required to report to TRI. Further, using the TRI 

data, EPA identified only 153 facilities reporting discharging to POTWs in the TNSSS. An 

6-12
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

additional, unknown number of facilities also discharge to these POTWs, but are not required to 

report to TRI. 

Figure 6-3 depicts the relationship between all POTWs in the U.S., the POTWs in the 

TNSSS, and the POTWs receiving wastewater from facilities that report to TRI. Of the 74 

POTWs in the TNSSS, EPA identified only 35 receiving wastewater from facilities that report to 

TRI. As a result, these 35 POTWs were the source of the information EPA used to analyze the 

accumulation of industrial wastewater pollutants in sewage sludge. 

a	 Includes nondomestic users such as retail and commercial establishments and industries that do not meet EPA’s 

definition of significant industrial user. b	 An unknown number of significant industrial users discharge to the POTWs included in the TNSSS. 

Figure 6-2. Universe of Industrial Facilities and Connection to POTWs Included in TNSSS 

6-13
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Figure 6-3. POTW Universe and POTWs Used to Analyze Industrial Wastewater
 

Pollutants in Sewage Sludge
 

6.1.3.3 Pollutants Included in Both TNSSS and TRI 

To evaluate industrial wastewater discharges potentially affecting the quality of POTW 

sewage sludge, EPA identified pollutants included in the TNSSS that are also reported in TRI. 

Most pollutants in the TNSSS are not reported in TRI: of the 145 pollutants included in the 

TNSSS, EPA indentified only 21 pollutants or pollutant groups that facilities reported 

transferring to any POTW in TRI in 2009. These pollutants are shown in Table 6-5. Several of 

these 21 pollutants are grouped or named slightly differently. Table 6-6 explains these pollutant 

discrepancies and the action EPA took and/or the assumptions EPA made in order to use the data 

in its analyses. 

Table 6-5. Pollutants Included in Both the TNSSS and TRI 

Antimony Fluoranthenea Selenium 

Arsenic Lead Silver 

Barium Manganese Thallium 

Cadmium Mercury Vanadium 

Chromium Molybdenumb Zinc 

Cobalt Nickel Benzo(a)pyrenea 

Copper Nitrate/Nitrited Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalatec 

Sources: U.S. EPA, 2009a, 2009b; TRIReleases2009_v2.mdb. a Represented by TRI chemical polycyclic aromatic compounds. b Represented by TRI chemical molybdenum trioxide. 

Represented by TRI chemical di(2-ethylhexyl). d Represented by TRI chemical nitrate compounds. 

6-14
 

c 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Table 6-6. Pollutant Differences between TNSSS and TRI 

Pollutant Difference between TNSSS and TRI EPA Action 

TRI includes only molybdenum trioxide, not any other molybdenum 

compounds. 

Included the TRI pollutant 

molybdenum trioxide in the analysis 

to represent the TNSSS molybdenum. 

TRI’s nitrate compounds category is the closest to TNSSS’s 

nitrate/nitrite. 

Included the TRI pollutant nitrate 

compounds in the analysis to 

represent the TNSSS nitrate/nitrite. 

Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate in TNSSS is called di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate 

in TRI. 

Included the TRI pollutant di(2­

ethylhexyl) phthalate in the analysis 

to represent the TNSSS bis(2­

ethylhexyl) phthalate. 

Benzo(a)pyrene and fluoranthene are polycyclic aromatic compounds 

(PACs), and TRI requires facilities to report PACs as a set of chemicals, 

not individually. 

Included the TRI pollutant PACs in 

the analysis to represent the TNSSS 

benzo(a)pyrene and fluoranthene. 

TRI only lists releases of elemental phosphorus (yellow or white), a 

hazardous material. TRI does not include releases of phosphate, the form 

of phosphorus found in wastewater. TNSSS included “water extractable 

phosphorus,” a measure of the phosphates and organo-phosphorus 

compounds extractable from sewage sludge. 

Did not include phosphorus in the 

analysis, because the TRI chemical 

and TNSS analyte are not 

comparable. 

Sources: U.S. EPA, 2009a, 2009b; TRIReleases2009_v2.mdb. 

6.1.3.4 TRI-Reported Transfers of Pollutants Included in the TNSSS 

EPA used information in TNSSS and TRI to learn more about how industrial wastewater 

discharges can affect the quality of POTW sewage sludge. EPA’s analyses were limited to the 21 

pollutants, listed in Table 6-5, that were included both in TNSSS and TRI. As stated in Section 

6.1.3.1, EPA only included point source categories composed primarily of indirect dischargers 

because these categories are most likely to have widespread impacts on POTW sewage sludge. 

Using information from the limited TRI data, EPA tallied the number of facilities 

reporting transfers of the pollutants included both in TNSSS and TRI, shown in Table 6-7. Of the 

21 pollutants included in both TNSSS and TRI, all pollutants had reported TRI discharges to the 

TNSSS POTWs with the exception of thallium. No facilities, associated with point source 

categories composed primarily of indirect dischargers, reported transfers of thallium in TRI. 

Additionally, the TRI chemical polycyclic aromatic compounds, listed in Table 6-7, is 

represented by the TNSSS analytes fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene. 

EPA also calculated the total pounds of each of the pollutants TRI facilities reported 

transferring to the TNSSS POTWs. EPA’s toxicity ranking analysis calculates the mass of 

pollutants discharged to the receiving stream, after POTW removals. For the sewage sludge 

analysis, EPA looked instead at the transfers to the POTW, before any removal. As shown in 

Figure 6-1, an unknown portion of the pollutant mass transferred to the POTW may partition to 

the sewage sludge. To understand industrial wastewater pollutants that may affect POTW 

sewage sludge, Table 6-7 presents the total pounds transferred to the POTW, which is the 

quantity before any of the pollutant is removed in the POTW treatment system, and the 

maximum amount that may partition to sewage sludge. 

Chemicals have varying toxicity. In order to compare groups of unrelated chemicals, 

EPA developed TWFs for use in its ELG development program. The TWF accounts for the 

human health and environmental hazard potential of a chemical. Using the TWF and the pounds 

6-15
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

of pollutant, EPA calculates TWPE—in other words, a weighted mass of a chemical that 

accounts for its relative toxicity. For further information on TWFs and TWPE calculation, see 

Section 5 of EPA’s Technical Support Document for the Annual Review of Existing Effluent 

Guidelines and Identification of Potential New Point Source Categories (U.S. EPA, 2009c). 

Table 6-7 also shows the top TNSSS pollutants included in TRI, ranked by total TWPE 

transferred to POTWs, and includes the number of facilities reporting transfers of each pollutant. 

The TRI chemical category with the highest TWPE is “nitrate compounds”; however, the TRI 

chemical category may differ from nitrate/nitrite compounds analyzed in the TNSSS. 

Table 6-7. Pollutants Transferreda to POTWs, Ranked by TWPE 

Pollutantb 

Total Pounds Discharged 

Before POTW Removals 

TWPE Before 

POTW Removals Facility Count 

Nitrate compounds 107,000,000 79,600 813 

Copper and copper compounds 100,000 63,500 1,060 

Cadmium and cadmium compounds 1,030 23,800 28 

Lead and lead compounds 10,400 23,400 1,381 

Mercury and mercury compounds 178 20,800 45 

Silver and silver compounds 997 16,400 38 

Nickel and nickel compounds 58,400 6,360 785 

Zinc and zinc compounds 124,000 5,810 717 

Manganese and manganese compounds 81,400 5,730 399 

Polycyclic aromatic compoundsc 56.8 5,720 20 

Chromium and chromium compounds 63,500 4,810 677 

Arsenic and arsenic compounds 289 1,170 21 

Cobalt and cobalt compounds 7,500 857 116 

Selenium and selenium compounds 519 582 7 

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate 1,600 407 31 

Antimony and antimony compounds 23,500 288 96 

Barium and barium compounds 87,800 175 64 

Vanadium and vanadium compounds 3,000 105 9 

Molybdenum trioxide 5,910 4.73 9 

Total 108,000,000 260,000 6,316 

Sources: U.S. EPA, 2009a, 2009b; TRIReleases2009_v2.mdb.
 

Note: Sums of individual values may not equal the total presented, due to rounding.
 a 

b 

Excluding point source categories with less than 30 percent indirect discharges in the TRI database. 

No facilities reported discharges of thallium in TRI. c The TRI chemical polycyclic aromatic compounds is represented by fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene in the 

TNSSS. 

Based on available data from TRI, which is the only current data source linking industrial 

wastewater sources to pollutants found in POTW sludge, (with the exception of nitrate 

compounds), metals make up the largest contribution of pollutant discharges from industrial 

sources to POTWs. As a result, EPA focused the remainder of its review on metals discharges. 

6.1.3.5 Metals Analysis 

As shown in Table 6-7, more than 200,000 TWPE of metals are potentially transferred to 

POTW sewage sludge from industrial wastewater discharges reported in TRI. These metals 

discharges can affect the quality and potential beneficial reuse of POTW sewage sludge. 

6-16
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

POTWs use biological treatment to remove the organic material and pathogens found in 

sanitary wastewater, but metals (which are found in many industrial wastewater discharges) are 

not easily degraded in these biological treatment systems. As a result, the mass of the metals 

coming into the treatment system that are not discharged (that is, the portion that is removed) is 

potentially transferred to sewage sludge, as shown in the equation below: 

Influent = discharged + removed (potentially transferred to sewage sludge) 

EPA calculated the mass of metals potentially transferred to sewage sludge using the 

reported mass of metals transferred to POTWs and the assumed removal efficiency for each 

metal in the 2009 TRI database (TRIReleases2009_v2.mdb). EPA calculated the pounds and 

TWPE of metals potentially transferred to sewage sludge for point source categories composed 

primarily of indirect dischargers. (This analysis included all TRI-reported transfers to POTWs, 

not just those facilities and point source categories that discharged to the 35 POTWs included in 

the TNSSS.) 

Table 6-8 presents the results of this analysis, with categories ranked by TWPE. The 

metals included in this table are the parent metals and compounds in the TRI database; the data 

presented in Table 6-8 do not take into account how pollutants were matched between TRI and 

the TNSSS. As shown, the Metal Finishing (40 CFR Part 433) point source category accounts for 

the highest amount of metals TWPE potentially transferred to sewage sludge. 

Table 6-8. Point Source Category Rankings by Metals TWPE Potentially Transferred to
 

Sewage Sludgea
 

Point 

Source 

Category 

Code Point Source Category 

Facility 

Count 

Metals Pounds 

Potentially 

Transferred to 

Sewage Sludgeb 

Metals TWPE 

Potentially 

Transferred to 

Sewage Sludgeb 

433 Metal Finishing 3,940 107,000 55,400 

432 Meat and Poultry Products 6 1,050 13,700 

421 Nonferrous Metals Manufacturing 377 16,000 12,800 

413 Electroplating 464 21,200 12,500 

414 

Organic Chemicals, Plastics and Synthetic 

Fibers 416 47,000 10,200 

471 Nonferrous Metals Forming and Metal Powders 340 12,200 7,680 

464 Metal Molding and Casting (Foundries) 590 8,290 4,290 

406 Grain Mills 28 5,120 3,500 

415 Inorganic Chemicals Manufacturing 344 47,100 3,500 

463 Plastics Molding and Forming 163 5,770 2,580 

467 Aluminum Forming 277 4,170 2,310 

425 Leather Tanning and Finishing 12 29,000 2,160 

468 Copper Forming 314 3,690 2,120 

410 Textile Mills 54 27,700 1,630 

Remaining point source categories 1,066 36,600 7,160 

Total 8,391 372,000 142,000 

Sources: TRIReleases2009_v2.mdb. 

Note: Sums of individual values may not equal the total presented, due to rounding. 

a	 Excluding point source categories with less than 30 percent indirect discharges in the TRI database. b	 EPA calculated the pounds and TWPE of metals potentially transferred to sewage sludge by evaluating the 

difference between the discharges to the POTWs and the discharges from the POTWs. 

6-17
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

As part of the TNSSS analysis, OW compared the maximum sewage sludge metals 

concentrations to the existing regulatory ceilings for sewage sludge land application 

(subcategory B) in 40 CFR Part 503. For this 2012 Annual Review, EPA included an additional 

comparison of the TNSSS data to surface disposal limits (subcategory C) in order to compare the 

sewage sludge concentrations to the most stringent limitations in 40 CFR Part 503,23 while 

capturing as many pollutants as possible for the comparison. Sewage sludge land application 

(Subcategory B) concentrations are referred to as ceiling concentrations, while surface disposal 

(Subcategory C) concentrations are referred to as concentration limits in 40 CFR Part 503. Table 

6-9 presents the 40 CFR Part 503 comparisons. EPA identified four pollutants with sewage 

sludge concentrations that exceed 40 CFR Part 503 ceilings/limits: three exceedances for land 

application (molybdenum, nickel, and zinc) and two exceedances for surface disposal (chromium 

and nickel). 

Table 6-9. Comparison of TNSSS Maximum Sewage Sludge Concentration to 40 CFR Part 

503 Regulatory Limitsa 

Pollutant 

TNSSS 

Maximum 

Concentration 

(mg/kg) 

Land 

Application 

Ceilings 

(mg/kg) 

Number of Samples 

Exceeding Land 

Application Ceiling 

Surface 

Disposal 

Limits 

(mg/kg)b 

Number of 

Samples 

Exceeding Surface 

Disposal Limit 

Arsenic 49.2 75 0 73 0 

Cadmium 11.8 85 0 - -

Chromium 1,160 - - 600 1 

Copper 2,580 4,300 0 - -

Lead 450 840 0 - -

Mercury 8.3 57 0 - -

Molybdenum 132 75 2 - -

Nickel 526 420 3 420 3 

Selenium 24.7 100 0 - -

Zinc 8,550 7,500 1 - -

Sources: 40 CFR Part 503; U.S. EPA, 2009b.
 a Bold indicates pollutants with sewage sludge concentrations that exceed 40 CFR 503 ceilings/limits.
 b The surface disposal limits for Subcategory C depend on the distance to the property line. The limits listed in
 

Table 6-9 apply to distances greater than 150 meters from the property line. 

For the 2012 Annual Review analysis, EPA focused on three of the pollutants that have 

maximum sewage sludge concentrations exceeding 40 CFR Part 503 ceilings or limits from the 

comparison shown in Table 6-9: chromium, nickel, and zinc. Nickel concentrations exceeded the 

ceiling/limit in three of 84 sewage sludge samples; chromium and zinc concentrations exceeded 

the ceiling/limit in one of 84 samples. The TNSSS identified nickel and zinc as pollutants of 

concern because sewage sludge concentrations exceeded 40 CFR Part 503 land application 

ceilings; EPA also considered chromium a pollutant of concern because the TNSSS sewage 

sludge concentrations exceeded 40 CFR Part 503 surface disposal limits (U.S. EPA, 2009b). 

Molybdenum discharges were not reviewed further, even though sewage sludge concentrations 

exceeded land application ceilings, because the pollutant is not fully represented in the 2009 TRI 

database (TRI includes only molybdenum trioxide, not any other molybdenum compounds). As 

23 40 CFR 503 Subcategory E, “Incineration,” has limits for risk-specific concentration. Because these limits are in 

units of mass per volume (milligrams per cubic meter), they are not directly comparable to the land application or 

surface disposal limits. 

6-18
 
c 

Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

part of the TNSSS analysis, OW found that of the POTWs observed exceeding the land 

application ceilings, one incinerated its treated sewage sludge on site, while the others sent their 

sewage sludge to landfills. Thus, results from the TNSSS indicated that POTWs were generally 

complying with the existing land application standards for metals (U.S. EPA, 2009b). 

For each metal that exceeded a limit in 40 CRF Part 503 (except molybdenum), EPA 

ranked the 74 TNSSS POTWs according to sewage sludge concentration of that metal. EPA also 

identified the facilities in TRI that reported discharging the metal of concern to these POTWs. 

Chromium Results 

Table 6-10 presents the POTWs with the highest chromium sewage sludge concentrations 

in the TNSSS. EPA could only identify TRI facilities that reported transferring chromium to one 

of these POTWs. EPA could not identify TRI facilities for the POTW with the highest TNSSS 

sewage sludge chromium concentration (Punxsutawney Boro STP), suggesting that the 

chromium in its sewage sludge may not originate from industrial wastewater discharges of the 

type that must be reported to TRI. 

Table 6-10. POTWs with Highest Chromium Sewage Sludge Concentrations 

POTW Name from 

TNSSS City State 

Chromium 

Concentration 

(mg/kg)a 

TRI Facilities 

Discharging 

Chromium to the 

POTW 

TRI Reporters 

Discharging 

Chromium to the 

POTW 

Punxsutawney Boro 

STPb 

Punxsutawney PA 1,160c 0 None 

Huntington City Of Huntington WV 310 0 None 

Topeka North WWTP Topeka KS 282 0 None 

Northeast Ohio Cleveland OH 271 3 Sifco Forge Group, 

Regional Sewer District, Alcoa Cleveland 

Southerly WWTP Works, Plastic 

Platers, Inc 

North Tonawanda (c) 

WWTPb 

North 

Tonawanda 

NY 262 0 None 

Wixom STP Wixom MI 261 0 None 

Buena Vista STPb Buena Vista VA 260 0 None 

Sources: U.S. EPA, 2009a, 2009b.
 a The 40 CFR Part 503 concentration limit for chromium is 600 mg/kg.
 b These two POTWs are not found in TRI.
 

Chromium discharge exceeds 40 CFR Part 503 limitations. 

Only three TRI facilities reported transferring chromium to the TNSSS POTWs with high 

sewage sludge chromium concentrations. To learn more about facilities that discharge chromium 

to POTWs, EPA analyzed the TRI data by performing the following steps: 

	 Ranked all TRI facilities discharging chromium to POTWs by total discharge (in 

pounds). 

	 Linked the top chromium discharging facilities to point source categories. 

	 Ranked the point source categories by total TWPE before POTW removals. 

6-19
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Figure 6-4 presents the facilities that reported the greatest amounts of chromium transfers 

to POTWs in TRI. The top two facilities presented in the figure are in the Leather Tanning and 

Finishing Category (40 CFR Part 425) and account for 39 percent of the total chromium 

discharge. 

Source: TRIReleases2009_v2.mdb. 

Figure 6-4. Top Chromium Discharges to POTWs in TRI 

Table 6-11 presents point source categories for the TRI facilities reporting indirect 

discharges of chromium, ranked by total TWPE before POTW removals. Table 6-11 also 

presents the total number of facilities reporting transfers of chromium to POTWs for each point 

source category. As shown, metal finishing has the largest number of facilities that discharge 

chromium (426), but ranks lower than leather tanning and finishing in terms of total TWPE 

before POTW removals. 

6-20
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Table 6-11. TRI Point Source Categories Ranked by Total Chromium TWPE Transferred 

to POTWsa 

Point Source Category 

Number of 

Establishments in 

the U.S. (2007 

Economic Census) 

Number of 

Facilities 

Reporting 

Transfers to 

POTWs 

TWPE before 

POTW 

Removalsb 

Percent of 

Total TWPE 

before POTW 

Removalsb 

Leather Tanning and Finishing 

(Part 425) 240 8 2,120 44% 

Metal Finishing (Part 433) 142,805 426 1,080 22% 

Nonferrous Metals Forming and 

Metal Powders (Part 471) 873 22 469 10% 

Electroplating (Part 413) 2,720 65 390 8% 

Textile Mills (Part 410) 6,842 9 245 5% 

Plastics Molding and Forming 

(Part 463) 11,962 12 92 2% 

Meat and Poultry Products (Part 

432) 3,757 1 83.9 2% 

Inorganic Chemicals (Part 415) 1,366 17 72.6 2% 

Remaining Point Source 

Categories NA 117 258 5% 

Source: 2007 U.S. Economic Census (U.S. Census, 2007) and TRIReleases2009_v2.mdb.
 

NA: Not Applicable.
 a The data presented in Table 6-11 were not compared to TNSSS POTWs.
 b The TWPE before POTW removals is the total TRI-reported chromium discharges transferred to POTWs.
 

EPA then identified the point source categories of TRI facilities reporting transfers of 

chromium to the 35 TNSSS POTWs. Table 6-12 shows that these POTWs most commonly 

receive wastewater from TRI facilities in the metal finishing point source category, which is to 

be expected due to the large number of facilities reporting discharges of chromium. 

To determine if industrial discharges may be contributing to higher concentrations of 

chromium in POTW sewage sludge, EPA compared the mean and median chromium 

concentrations for the POTWs in the TNSSS that are receiving discharges from industrial 

facilities reporting chromium to TRI to the POTWs in the TNSSS that are not receiving 

discharges from facilities reporting chromium to TRI. The TNSSS POTWs not in TRI were 

included as “TNSSS POTWs without TRI Facilities Reporting Chromium Transfers.” Table 6-13 

presents these results. The TNSSS POTWs with reported chromium discharges from TRI 

facilities have a higher mean and median chromium sewage sludge concentration. This suggests 

that industrial discharges of chromium in general may be contributing to higher concentrations of 

chromium in sewage sludge. 

6-21
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Table 6-12. TNSSS POTWs Receiving Chromium Transfers from TRI Facilities 

TNSSS TRI 

POTW Name City State 

Sewage Sludge 

Chromium 

Concentration 

(mg/kg)a Name of Facility 

Total 

Chromium 

Transfer 

(LBY) Point Source Category 

Northeast Ohio Regional 

Sewer District, Southerly 

WWTP 

Cleveland OH 271 

Plastic Platers Inc. 2,260 Electroplating (Part 413) 

Alcoa Cleveland Works 8 Aluminum forming (Part 467) 

Alcoa Cleveland Works 8 Copper forming (Part 468) 

Alcoa Cleveland Works 8 Nonferrous Metals Forming and Metal 

Powders (Part 471) 

Sifco Forge Group Inc. 5.4 Metal Finishing (Part 433) 

Phoenix 23rd Ave 

WWTP Phoenix AZ 215 

Honeywell Aerospace – Phoenix 

Repair & Overhaul 55 Metal Finishing (Part 433) 

Honeywell Engines Systems & 

Services 26 Metal Finishing (Part 433) 

Dolphin Inc. 10 Metal Molding and Casting (Foundries) 

(Part 464) 

Duncan PUA WWT Duncan OK 213 Halliburton Energy Services – 

Duncan Manufacturing Center 4.8 Metal Finishing (Part 433) 

Buffalo (Sewer Auth.) 

Bird Island STP Buffalo NY 136 ITT Heat Transfer 1.5 Metal Finishing (Part 433) 

Beaver Dam WWTP Beaver Dam WI 72.8 

Apache Stainless Equipment Corp. 5 Metal Finishing (Part 433) 

Mayville Engineering Co Inc., 

Phoenix Coaters Division 1.1 Metal Finishing (Part 433) 

Mayfield STP Mayfield KY 26 Remington Arms Co Inc. 24.2 Metal Finishing (Part 433) 

SSSD/Lawson Fork 

Plant Spartanburg SC 13.9 Circor Instrumentation 

Technologies 1.29 Metal Finishing (Part 433) 

Sources: U.S. EPA, 2009a, 2009b; TRIReleases2009_v2.mdb.
 a The 40 CFR Part 503 concentration limit for chromium is 600 mg/kg.
 

6-22
 
c 

Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Table 6-13. Chromium Sewage Sludge Concentrations from TNSSS POTWs With and
 

Without Reporting TRI Facilities (mg/kg)
 

Chromium Sewage Sludge 

Concentrations at TNSSS POTWs Mean Median Minimum Maximum 

POTW 

Count 

With TRI Facilities Reporting Chromium 123.73 104.4 13.9 271 8 

Without TRI Facilities Reporting 

Chromium 

80.06 33 6.74 1,160 66 

Sources: U.S. EPA, 2009a, 2009b; TRIReleases2009_v2.mdb. 

Nickel Results 

EPA conducted a similar set of analyses for nickel. Table 6-14 presents the nine POTWs 

with the highest nickel sewage sludge concentrations in the TNSSS. EPA was able to identify 

facilities that reported to TRI transfers of nickel to seven of the top nine TNSSS POTWs. 

Table 6-14. Identification Information for Top-Ranking TNSSS POTWs for Nickel 

POTW Name from 

TNSSS City State 

Nickel 

Concentration 

(mg/kg)a 

TRI 

Facilities 

Discharging 

Nickel to the 

POTW 

TRI Reporters Discharging 

Nickel to the POTW 

Duncan PUA WWT Duncan OK 516b 1 Halliburton Energy Services, 

Duncan Manufacturing Center 

O J Riedel WWTPc Schertz TX 255 0 None 

Elizabethton WWTP Elizabethton TN 217 1 Snap-on Tools Co. 

Benton Harbor – St. 

Joseph 

St. Joseph MI 174 2 Siemens Industry, Inc., Whirlpool 

Corp, Benton Harbor Division 

Wixom STP Wixom MI 122 1 Adept Plastic Finishing Plant #4 

Northeast Ohio 

Regional Sewer 

District, Southerly 

WWTP 

Cleveland OH 120 4 Sifco Forge Group, Alcoa 

Cleveland Works, Ford Motor Co. 

Cleveland Casting, Plastic Platers 

Inc. 

Larkfield-Wikiup 

WWTFc 

Wikiup CA 120 0 None 

Buffalo (Sewer Auth.) 

Bird Island STP 

Buffalo NY 110 1 ITT Heat Transfer 

Sources: U.S. EPA, 2009a, 2009b.
 a The 40 CFR Part 503 concentration ceiling/limit for nickel is 420 mg/kg.
 b Nickel discharge exceeds 40 CFR Part 503 limitations.
 

POTWs are not found in TRI. 

Eleven TRI facilities reported transferring nickel to TNSSS POTWs with high sewage 

sludge nickel concentrations. To learn more about facilities that discharge nickel to POTWs, 

EPA analyzed the TRI data by performing the following steps: 

	 Ranked all TRI facilities discharging nickel to POTWs by total discharge (in 

pounds). 

	 Linked the top nickel discharging facilities to point source categories. 

	 Ranked the point source categories by total TWPE before POTW removals. 

6-23
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Figure 6-5 presents the facilities that reported the greatest amounts of nickel transfers to 

POTWs in TRI. The top facility presented in the figure is in the OCPSF category (40 CFR Part 

414) and accounts for 13 percent of the total nickel discharge to POTWs in the TNSSS. 

Table 6-15 presents point source categories for the TRI facilities reporting transfers of 

nickel to POTWs, ranked by total TWPE before POTW removals. Table 6-15 also presents the 

total number of facilities reporting transfers of nickel to POTWs for each point source category. 

As shown, the metal fishing category has the largest number of facilities reporting transfers of 

nickel to POTWs and the highest total TWPE. This is similar to the results from the chromium 

analysis; the metal finishing category had the largest number of facilities reporting transfers of 

chromium to POTWs. However, for nickel discharges, the metal finishing category also ranks 

highest, in terms of total TWPE before POTW removals. 

Source: TRIReleases2009_v2.mdb. 

Figure 6-5. Top Nickel Dischargers in TRI 

6-24
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Table 6-15. TRI Point Source Categories Ranked by Total Nickel TWPEa 

Point Source Category 

Number of 

Establishments in 

the U.S. (2007 

Economic 

Census) 

Number of 

Facilities 

Reporting 

Transfers to 

POTWs 

TWPE before 

POTW 

Removalsb 

Percent of Total 

TWPE before 

POTW 

Removalsb 

Metal Finishing (Part 433) 142,805 474 1,990 31% 

Electroplating (Part 413) 2,720 101 1,080 17% 

Inorganic Chemicals Manufacturing 

(Part 415) 1,366 20 1,000 16% 

Organic Chemicals, Plastics and 

Synthetic Fibers (Part 414) 5,434 18 872 14% 

Grain Mills (Part 406) 676 2 260 4% 

Nonferrous Metals Forming and 

Metal Powders (Part 471) 873 27 255 4% 

Aluminum Forming (Part 467) 1,087 15 185 3% 

Miscellaneous Foods and Beverages 

(Part 503) 12,778 5 138 2% 

Paint Formulating (Part 446) 1,369 4 130 2% 

Remaining Point Source Categories NA 119 444 7% 

Source: 2007 U.S. Economic Census (U.S. Census, 2007) and TRIReleases2009_v2.mdb.
 

NA: Not Applicable
 a The data presented in Table 6-15 were not compared to TNSSS POTWs.
 b The TWPE before POTW removals is the total TRI-reported nickel discharges transferred to POTWs.
 

EPA identified the point source categories of TRI facilities reporting transfers of nickel to 

the 35 TNSSS POTWs. Table 6-16 shows that TNSSS POTWs most commonly receive 

wastewater from TRI facilities in the metal finishing point source category, which is to be 

expected due to the large number of metal finishing facilities reporting discharges of nickel, 

shown in Table 6-15. 

To determine if industrial discharges of nickel may be contributing to higher 

concentrations of nickel in POTW sewage sludge, EPA compared the mean and median nickel 

concentrations for the POTWs in the TNSSS that are receiving discharges from industrial 

facilities reporting nickel to TRI to the POTWs in the TNSSS that are not receiving discharges 

from facilities reporting nickel to TRI. The TNSSS POTWs not in TRI were included as “Nickel 

Sewage Sludge Concentrations at TNSSS POTWs Without Reporting TRI Facilities.” Table 6-17 

presents these results. As shown, the TNSSS POTWs with reported nickel discharges from TRI 

facilities have a higher mean and median nickel sewage sludge concentration. As with the 

chromium analysis results, this suggests that industrial discharges of nickel in general may be 

related to higher concentrations of nickel in sewage sludge. 

6-25
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Table 6-16. TNSSS POTWs Receiving Nickel Transfers from TRI Facilities 

TNSSS TRI 

POTW Name City State 

Sewage 

Sludge Nickel 

Concentration 

(mg/kg)a Name of Facility in TRI 

Total 

Discharge 

(LBY) Point Source Category 

Duncan PUA WWT Duncan OK 516 Halliburton Energy Services – Duncan 

Manufacturing Center 7.4 Metal Finishing (Part 433) 

Elizabethton WWTP Elizabethton TN 217 Snap-on Tools 21 Metal Finishing (Part 433) 

Benton Harbor-St. Joseph St. Joseph MI 174 Whirlpool Corp Benton Harbor Div 63 Metal Finishing (Part 433) 

Siemens Industry Inc. 1.31 Electroplating (Part 413) 

Wixom STP Wixom MI 122 Adept Plastic Finishing Plant #4 2 Electroplating (Part 413) 

Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer 

District, Southerly WWTP Cleveland OH 120 

Plastic Platers Inc. 750 Electroplating (Part 413) 

Ford Motor Co. Cleveland Casting 47 Metal Molding and Casting 

(Foundries) (Part 464) 

Alcoa Cleveland Works 9 Nonferrous Metals Forming 

and Metal Powders (Part 471) 

Alcoa Cleveland Works 9 Aluminum Forming (Part 467) 

Alcoa Cleveland Works 9 Copper Forming (Part 468) 

Sifco Forge Group Inc. 4.4 Metal Finishing (Part 433) 

Buffalo (Sewer Auth.) Bird Island 

STP Buffalo NY 110 ITT Heat Transfer 6.13 Metal Finishing (Part 433) 

Phoenix 23rd Ave WWTP Phoenix AZ 79 

Hydro Aluminum NA 65.3 Nonferrous Metals 

Manufacturing (Part 421) 

Honeywell Engines Systems & Services 16 Metal Finishing (Part 433) 

Dolphin Inc. 10 Metal Molding and Casting 

(Foundries) Part 464 

Honeywell Aerospace – Phoenix Repair 

& Overhaul 5 Metal Finishing (Part 433) 

Little Miami Drainage 

Basin/WWTP Cincinnati OH 40.4 D-G Custom Chrome LLC 10 Electroplating (Part 413) 

Southeast WPCP San 

Francisco CA 31 U.S. Department of the Treasury U.S. 

Mint San Francisco CA 5 Metal Finishing (Part 433) 

Boulder 75th Street WWTP Boulder CO 27.1 Dieterich Standard Inc. 1 Metal Finishing (Part 433) 

Beaver Dam WWTP Beaver Dam WI 26.5 Apache Stainless Equipment Corp. 5 Metal Finishing (Part 433) 

Huntsville Aldridge Creek 

WWTP Huntsville AL 23.6 TW Cylinders LLC 11 Metal Finishing (Part 433) 

Trinity River Authority, Ellis Arlington TX 19.5 GMC Truck Group Arlington Assembly 540 Metal Finishing (Part 433) 

6-26
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Table 6-16. TNSSS POTWs Receiving Nickel Transfers from TRI Facilities 

TNSSS TRI 

POTW Name City State 

Sewage 

Sludge Nickel 

Concentration 

(mg/kg)a Name of Facility in TRI 

Total 

Discharge 

(LBY) Point Source Category 

County WWTP Plant 

Bloomington STP North Bloomington IN 18.6 GEA BPO LLC 44 Metal Finishing (Part 433) 

SSSD/Lawson Fork Plant Spartanburg SC 12.9 Circor Instrumentation Technologies 0.7 Metal Finishing (Part 433) 

Sources: U.S. EPA, 2009a, 2009b; TRIReleases2009_v2.mdb.
 a The 40 CFR Part 503 concentration ceiling/limit for nickel is 420 mg/kg.
 

6-27
 
c 

Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Table 6-17. Nickel Sewage Sludge Concentrations from TNSSS POTWs With and
 

Without Reporting TRI Facilities (mg/kg)
 

Nickel Sewage Sludge Concentrations 

at TNSSS POTWs Mean Median Minimum Maximum 

POTW 

Count 

With TRI Facilities Reporting Nickel 118.50 39.70 12.9 526 18 

Without TRI Facilities Reporting Nickel 28.2 19.4 7.77 255 56 

Sources: U.S. EPA, 2009a, 2009b; TRIReleases2009_v2.mdb. 

Zinc Results 

Table 6-18 presents the 12 POTWs with the highest zinc sewage sludge concentrations in 

the TNSSS. EPA was able to identify facilities that reported to TRI that reported transfers of zinc 

to three of the top 12 POTWs. 

Table 6-18. Identification Information for Top-Ranking TNSSS POTWs for Zinc 

POTW Name from TNSSS City State 

Zinc 

Concent 

ration 

(mg/kg)a 

TRI 

Facilities 

Discharging 

Zinc to the 

POTW 

TRI Reporters 

Discharging Zinc to the 

POTW 

Punxsutawney Boro STP b Punxsutawney PA 8,550c 0 None 

Wixom STP Wixom MI 5,050 1 Tiodize/Michigan Inc. 

Verona STP b Verona NY 4,150 0 None 

O J Riedel WWTP b Schertz TX 2,120 0 None 

Benton Harbor-St. Joseph St. Joseph MI 2,040 0 None 

River Road WWTP Amarillo TX 1,730 0 None 

Alum Creek WWTP & Sewers b Columbus OH 1,730 0 None 

Everett WWTP Everett WA 1,570 0 None 

Topeka North WWTP Topeka KS 1,530 1 Delmonte Topeka Pet 

Food 

GTR Pottsville Area – Main STPb Pottsville PA 1,340 0 None 

Salisbury WWTF Salisbury MD 1,310 1 Spartech FCD LLC 

Three Oaks WWTPb Fort Meyers FL 1,300 0 None 

Sources: U.S. EPA, 2009a, 2009b.
 a The 40 CFR Part 503 land application ceiling for zinc is 7,500 mg/kg.
 b These POTWs are not found in TRI.
 

Zinc discharge exceeds 40 CFR Part 503 limitations. 

Only three TRI facilities reported transferring zinc to TNSSS POTWs with high sewage 

sludge zinc concentrations. To learn more about facilities that discharge zinc to POTWs, EPA 

analyzed the TRI data by performing the following steps: 

	 Ranked all TRI facilities discharging zinc to POTWs by total discharge (in 

pounds). 

	 Linked the top zinc discharging facilities to point source categories. 

	 Ranked the point source categories by total TWPE before POTW removals. 

6-28
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Figure 6-6 presents the facilities that reported the greatest amounts of zinc transfer to 

POTWs in TRI. The top facility presented in the figure is in the Textile Mills category (40 CFR 

Part 410) and accounts for 10 percent of the total zinc discharge to POTWs in TRI. 

Table 6-19 presents point source categories for the TRI facilities reporting transfers of 

zinc to POTWs, ranked by total TWPE before POTW removals. Table 6-19 also presents the 

total number of facilities reporting transfers of zinc to POTWs for each point source category. As 

shown, the metal fishing category has the largest number of facilities reporting transfers of zinc 

to POTWs and the highest total TWPE. This is similar to the results from the chromium and 

nickel analyses; the metal finishing category had the largest number of facilities reporting 

transfers of chromium to POTWs. Additionally, for the nickel and zinc analysis, the metal 

finishing category also ranks highest, in terms of total TWPE before POTW removals. 

Textile Mills 

Nonferrous Metals Manufacturing 

Miscellaneous Foods and Beverages 

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing 

Source: TRIReleases2009_v2.mdb. 

Figure 6-6. Top Zinc Dischargers in TRI 

6-29
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Table 6-19. TRI Point Source Categories Ranked by Total Zinc TWPE Transferred to
 

POTWsa
 

Point Source Category 

Number of 

Establishments 

in the U.S. 

(2007 

Economic 

Census) 

Number of 

Facilities 

Reporting 

Transfers to 

POTWs 

TWPE before 

POTW 

Removalsb 

Percent of 

Total TWPE 

before POTW 

Removalsb 

Metal Finishing (Part 433) 142,805 222 1,060 18% 

Organic Chemicals, Plastics and 

Synthetic Fibers (Part 414) 5,434 59 966 17% 

Textile Mills (Part 410) 6,842 8 933 16% 

Nonferrous Metals Manufacturing 

(Part 421) 944 14 551 9% 

Rubber Manufacturing (Part 428) 2,843 116 537 9% 

Electroplating (Part 413) 2,720 90 369 6% 

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (Part 

439) 1,960 8 223 4% 

Grain Mills (Part 406) 676 13 221 4% 

Miscellaneous Foods and Beverages 12,778 2 193 3% 

Inorganic Chemicals Manufacturing 

(Part 415) 1,366 26 156 3% 

Gum and Wood Chemicals 

Manufacturing (Part 454) 51 2 123 2% 

Soap and Detergent Manufacturing 

(Part 417) 878 7 104 2% 

Paint Formulating (Part 446) 1,369 17 82.9 1% 

Remaining Point Source Categories NA 133 288 5% 

Source: 2007 U.S. Economic Census (U.S. Census, 2007) and TRIReleases2009_v2.mdb.
 

NA: Not Applicable.
 a The data presented in Table 6-19 were not compared to TNSSS POTWs.
 b The TWPE before POTW removals is the total TRI-reported zinc discharges transferred to POTWs.
 

EPA identified the point source categories of TRI facilities reporting transfers of zinc to 

the 35 TNSSS POTWs. Table 6-20 shows that TNSSS POTWs most commonly receive 

wastewater from TRI facilities in the metal finishing and rubber manufacturing point source 

categories, which is to be expected due to the large number of metal finishing and rubber 

manufacturing facilities reporting discharges of zinc, shown in Table 6-19. 

To determine if industrial discharges of zinc may be contributing to higher concentrations 

of zinc in POTW sewage sludge, EPA compared the mean and median zinc concentrations for 

the POTWs in the TNSSS that are receiving discharges from industrial facilities reporting zinc to 

TRI to the POTWs in the TNSSS that are not receiving discharges from facilities reporting zinc 

to TRI. The TNSSS POTWs not in TRI were included as “Zinc Sewage Sludge Concentrations at 

TNSSS POTWs Without Reporting TRI Facilities.” Table 6-21 presents these results. As shown, 

the TNSSS POTWs with reported zinc discharges from TRI facilities have a higher mean and 

median zinc sewage sludge concentration. Similar to the chromium and nickel analysis results, 

this suggests that industrial discharges of zinc in general may be related to higher concentrations 

of zinc in sewage sludge. 

6-30
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Table 6-20. TNSSS POTWs Receiving Zinc Transfers from TRI Facilities 

TNSSS TRI 

POTW Name City State 

Sewage 

Sludge Zinc 

Concentration 

(mg/kg) Name of Facility 

Total 

Zinc 

Transfer 

(LBY) Point Source Category 

Wixom STP Wixom MI 5,050 Tiodize/Michigan Inc. 95 Metal Finishing (Part 433) 

Topeka North WWTP Topeka KS 1,530 Delmonte Topeka Pet Food 37.2 Grain Mills (Part 406) 

Salisbury WWTF Salisbury MD 1,310 Spartech FCD LLC 5 Plastics Molding and Forming (Part 463) 

Huntsville Aldridge 

Creek WWTP 

Huntsville AL 1,240 TW Cylinders LLC 18 Metal Finishing (Part 433) 

Middlesex Cnty UA Sayreville NJ 1,190 Cary Compounds LLC 7.4 Rubber Manufacturing (Part 428) 

Veolia Es Technical Solutions 

LLC 

7.33 Business Services (Part 73) 

Madison Industries 250 Inorganic Chemicals Manufacturing (Part 415) 

Akcros Chemicals Inc. 4 Organic Chemicals, Plastics and Synthetic Fibers 

(Part 414) 

NBTY NJ (Nutro Laboratories) 25 Miscellaneous Foods and Beverages (Part 503) 

Albany (WPCP No 2) Albany GA 1,100 Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. 390 Rubber Manufacturing (Part 428) 

Bloomington STP 

North 

Bloomington IN 872 GEA BPO LLC. 49 Metal Finishing (Part 433) 

Trinity River 

Authority; Ellis 

County WWTP 

Arlington TX 770 GMC Truck Group Arlington 

Assembly Plant 

250 Metal Finishing (Part 433) 

Richmond SD Richmond IN 659 Provimi North America Inc. 0.001 Food & Kindred Products (Part 20) 

Belden 23 Copper Forming (Part 468) 

SSSD/Lawson Fork 

Plant 

Spartanburg SC 392 RR Donnelley & Sons 24 Printing & Publishing (Part 508) 

Circor Instrumentation 

Technologies 

3.04 Metal Finishing (Part 433) 

Michelin NA Inc. 110 Rubber Manufacturing (Part 428) 

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. 9 Rubber Manufacturing (Part 428) 

Southside STP #2 Tyler TX 324 Rex-Hide Industries Inc. 250 Rubber Manufacturing (Part 428) 

Hargis Industries LP 13.2 Metal Finishing (Part 433) 

City of Texarkana Texarkana TX 308 Cooper Tire Co. 244 Rubber Manufacturing (Part 428) 

Sources: U.S. EPA, 2009a, 2009b; TRIReleases2009_v2.mdb. a The 40 CFR Part 503 concentration ceiling for zinc is 7,500 mg/kg. 

6-31
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Table 6-21. Zinc Sewage Sludge Concentrations from TNSSS POTWs With and Without
 

Reporting TRI Facilities (mg/kg)
 

Zinc Sewage Sludge Concentrations at 

TNSSS POTWs Mean Median Minimum Maximum 

POTW 

Count 

With TRI Facilities Reporting Zinc 1,210 991 308 5,050 14 

Without TRI Facilities Reporting Zinc 1,010 750 216 8,550 60 

Sources: U.S. EPA, 2009a, 2009b; TRIReleases2009_v2.mdb. 

6.1.3.6 Evaluation of Pollutants Without a TWF 

To compare the human health and environmental hazard potential of different chemicals, 

EPA uses TWFs and calculates a toxic-equivalent mass value. However, EPA has not developed 

TWFs for all chemicals found in wastewater. The TNSSS included many chemicals without 

TWFs, such as pharmaceuticals, detergents, and natural and synthetic hormones. EPA is studying 

the environmental contamination of pharmaceuticals, detergents, and natural and synthetic 

hormones, collectively referred to contaminants of emerging concern (CECs).24 EPA began 

studying the fate of these contaminants in POTWS because POTW treatment systems are not 

designed to specifically remove CECs (U.S. EPA, 2009d). 

The CECs OW included in the TNSSS were pharmaceutical chemicals, steroids and 

hormones, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) (see Table 6-27). Most CECs found in 

the wastewater routed to POTWs are from domestic sources (U.S. EPA, 2009d), but they may 

also come from industrial sources, such as discharges from organic chemical or pharmaceutical 

manufacturing facilities. 

EPA examined the POTWs in the TNSSS that receive wastewater from pharmaceutical 

manufacturers or OCPSF facilities (as reported to TRI) to determine if any have detectable 

concentrations of pharmaceuticals, steroids, or hormones in sewage sludge. EPA found that two 

facilities in TRI discharge wastewater from pharmaceutical operations to two of the TNSSS 

POTWs. However, as discussed below, the two pharmaceutical facilities do not report 

transferring pharmaceutical chemicals to the POTWs, because pharmaceuticals are not EPCRA 

§313 chemicals. 

In the TNSSS, OW analyzed samples for 72 CECs including pharmaceutical chemicals, 

steroids and hormones, and PBDEs (see Table 6-27), but none of the CECs are EPCRA §313 

chemicals and therefore facilities are not required to report their discharges of these chemicals to 

TRI. Because of the lack of useful information from TRI, EPA analyzed the results of the 

TNSSS, in the general context of industrial wastewater discharges. EPA focused on three 

contaminants to review in detail for this analysis: the disinfectant triclosan and hormones estriol 

and estrone. Note, however, that past EPA studies have found that triclosan, estriol, and estrone 

are present at highest concentrations in domestic wastewater, not industrial discharges (U.S. 

EPA, 2009d). 

24 For further information on EPA’s review of CECs, see http://water.epa.gov/scitech/cec/. For further information 

on pharmaceuticals and personal care products in water, see http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/ppcp/. 

6-32
 
 

Source: APUA, 2011. 

Figure 6-7. Triclosan (2,4,4′-Trichloro-2′-Hydroxy-Diphenyl Ether) 

Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Triclosan 

Triclosan is a chlorinated aromatic compound, shown in Figure 6-7. It is manufactured in 

the U.S. by several companies, including pharmaceutical companies. Triclosan’s beneficial 

antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties make it a popular ingredient in hundreds of 

common commercial products. These products include soaps, dishwashing products, laundry 

detergents and softeners, plastics, toothpaste and mouthwashes, deodorants, cosmetics, bedding, 

trash bags, and surgical scrubs. Triclosan is also a registered pesticide. The primary transfer of 

triclosan to domestic wastewater is from household use of triclosan-containing commercial 

products (APUA, 2011; U.S. EPA, 2010). Up to 95 percent of triclosan is removed at POTWs 

that employ mechanical clarification, biological treatment or nitrification, flocculation, and 

filtration. The majority of triclosan is removed via biological degradation while less than 15 

percent is adsorbed to the sewage sludge (APUA, 2011). 

The TNSSS POTWs with the highest concentrations of triclosan in their sewage sludge 

are listed in Table 6-22. Table 6-23 presents statistical data for all TNSSS POTWs sampled for 

triclosan. The one TNSSS POTW included in TRI did not receive discharges from facilities 

identified in TRI as pharmaceutical manufacturers or other companies that likely manufacture 

triclosan. 

Table 6-22. Top TNSSS POTWs Sampled for Triclosan 

POTW Name 

Concentration 

(μg/kg) Point Source Categories in TRI Discharging to POTW 

O J Riedel WWTP, Schertz, TX 133,000 POTW not found in TRI 

Verona STP, Verona, NJ 37,500 POTW not found in TRI 

Buena Vista STP, Buena Vista, 

VA 

34,000 POTW not found in TRI 

Stockton WWTF, Stockton, CA 33,300 406 – Grain Mills; 423 – Steam Electric Generating 

Sources: U.S. EPA, 2009a, 2009b; TRIReleases2009_v2.mdb. 

Table 6-23. Data for All TNSSS POTWs Sampled for Triclosan 

Statistical Measurement Triclosan Sewage Sludge Concentration (μg/kg) 

Range of concentration 334–133,000 

Median concentration 8,245 

Sources: U.S. EPA, 2009a, 2009b. 

6-33
 
Estriol Estrone 

Source: U.S. EPA, 2013. 

Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Estriol and Estrone 

Estriol and estrone are steroidal estrogen hormones with chemical structures shown in 

Figure 6-8. The naturally occurring female hormones estradiol, estriol, and estrone are all types 

of estrogen. Estrogen compounds are essential for the growth and function of tissues in humans 

(NTP, 2011; U.S. EPA, 2013). 

Figure 6-8. Estriol and Estrone Chemical Structures 

Both natural and synthetic estriol and estrone are found in urine from men and nonpregnant women. In addition, estriol is found in elevated concentrations in the urine from 

pregnant women and estrone is used in combination with a progestogen for hormonereplacement therapy, in oral contraceptives, and in veterinary pharmaceuticals, all of which lead 

to discharges in domestic wastewater. Some cosmetic products also include traces of estrone. 

Consequently, although estriol and estrone are manufactured in the U.S., the primary transfer of 

estriol and estrone to wastewater streams is through household domestic use and sanitary 

wastewater, rather than industrial discharges (NTP, 2011). 

EPA identified the three TNSSS POTWs with the highest concentrations of estriol and 

estrone in their sewage sludge. As shown in Table 6-24, two of the TNSSS POTWs received 

transfers of estriol and estrone reported in TRI, but neither receive wastewater from 

pharmaceutical manufactures or other companies that likely manufacture estriol or estrone. Table 

6-25 presents statistical data for all TNSSS POTWs sampled for estriol and estrone. Both tables 

further support studies documenting that estriol and estrone discharges result from domestic 

rather than industrial sources (U.S. EPA, 2009d). 

6-34
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Table 6-24. Top Estriol and Estrone Sewage Sludge Concentrations from TNSSS POTWs 

POTW Name 

Concentration 

(μg/kg) Point Source Categories in TRI Discharging to POTW 

Estriol Concentrations 

Benton Harbor-St. Joseph, St. 

Joseph, MI 

232 413 – Electroplating; 433 – Metal Finishing 

Wixom STP, Wixom, MI 189 413 – Electroplating; 433 – Metal Finishing 

Verona STP, Verona, NJ 157 POTW not found in TRI 

Estrone Concentrations 

Benton Harbor-St. Joseph, St. 

Joseph, MI 

965 413 – Electroplating; 433 – Metal Finishing 

Bloomington STP North, 

Bloomington, IN 

768 433 – Metal Finishing 

Sources: U.S. EPA, 2009a, 2009b; TRIReleases2009_v2.mdb. 

Table 6-25. Data for All TNSSS POTWs Sampled for Estriol and Estrone 

Statistical Measurement Estriol/Estrone Sewage Sludge Concentration (μg/kg) 

POTWs Sampled for Estriol 

Range of concentration 6.49–232 

Median concentration 24.95 

POTWs Sampled for Estrone 

Range of concentration 19.7–965 

Median concentration 60.5 

Sources: U.S. EPA, 2009a, 2009b. 

6.1.4 Additional Analyses Completed 

In addition to the sewage sludge analyses discussed above, EPA identified the watersheds 

receiving treated effluent from the TNSSS POTWs and their impairment status. EPA used data 

available in EPA’s Watershed Assessment, Tracking & Environmental Results (WATERS) 

database to identify the TNSSS POTWs’ receiving watersheds and their identified water quality 

impairments. EPA investigated relationships between industries discharging to TNSSS POTWs 

and impairments in receiving waterways. 

Table 6-26 presents the receiving watersheds, impairment status, and point source 

categories covered by the TRI facilities discharging to each POTW for the 25 TNSSS POTWs 

with data available in the WATERS database. EPA only included point source categories 

composed primarily of indirect dischargers because these categories are most likely to have 

widespread impacts on POTW sewage sludge. As shown, about half of the waterways are not 

impaired. Of the waterways that are listed as impaired, the majority are impaired by sediments 

and fecal coliform. These pollutants are often associated with non-point source discharges and 

are not likely to originate from industrial wastewater that passes through the POTW. Waterways 

receiving wastewater from two POTWs, Buffalo Bird Island STP in Buffalo, New York, and 

Alcosan STP in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, are impaired for pollutants that could be linked to the 

point source categories in TRI discharging to the POTWs. This is a tentative association; EPA 

found no clear relationship between industries discharging to TNSSS POTWs and impairments 

in receiving waterways. 

6-35
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Table 6-26. Receiving Watershed Data for TNSSS POTWs 

POTW Namea City State 

Receiving Watershed 

Name Impairment Status 

Point Source Categories in TRI 

Discharging to POTWb 

Salisbury WWTF Salisbury MD Tonytank Creek-Wicomico 

River 

Impaired by fecal coliform 432 – Meat and Poultry Products; 

463 – Plastics Molding and Forming 

Buffalo (Sewer Auth.) Bird 

Island STP 

Buffalo NY Twomile Creek-Niagara 

River 

Impaired by PCBs, phosphorus, 

PAHs, floatables, pathogens, 

sediment/siltation, organochlorine 

pesticides, oxygen demand 

405 – Dairy Products Processing; 

415 – Inorganic Chemicals 

Manufacturing; 433 – Metal 

Finishing; 436 – Mineral Mining and 

Processing; 463 – Plastics Molding 

and Forming; 471 – Nonferrous 

Metals Forming and Metal Powders 

North Tonawanda WWTP North 

Tonawanda 

NY City of North TonawandaNiagara River Impaired by PAHs, organochlorine 

pesticides, PCBs 

POTW not found in TRI 

Little Miami Drainage 

Basin/WWTP 

Cincinnati OH Duck Creek Impaired by siltation, habitat 

alteration, unknown toxicity, flow 

alteration, organic enrichment/low 

dissolved oxygen 

413 – Electroplating; 433 – Metal 

Finishing 

Southeast WPCP San Francisco CA San Francisco Bay Estuaries Impaired by ammonia, dieldrin 

(sediment), contaminated sediments 

(PAHs), chlordane (sediment), 

hydrogen sulfide, sediment toxicity 

433 – Metal Finishing 

Wixom STP Wixom MI Newburgh Lake-Middle 

River Rouge 

Impaired by dissolved oxygen, 

PCBs, PCBs in fish tissue 

413 – Electroplating; 433 – Metal 

Finishing 

Geneva Marsh Creek WWTP Geneva NY Castle Creek-Seneca Lake Not impaired 426 – Glass Manufacturing 

Elizabeth City WWTP Elizabeth City NC Elizabeth City-Pasquotank 

River 

Not impaired POTW not found in TRI 

Buena Vista STP Buena Vista VA Bennetts Run-Maury River Not impaired POTW not found in TRI 

Elizabethton WWTP Elizabethton TN Gap Creek-Watauga river Not impaired 433 – Metal Finishing 

Elkins WWTF Elkins WV Files Creek Not impaired POTW not found in TRI 

SSSD/Lawson Fork Plantc Spartanburg SC Lawson Fork Creek Not impaired 414 – Organic Chemicals, Plastics 

And Synthetic Fibers; 417 – Soap 

And Detergent Manufacturing; 428 – 

Rubber Manufacturing; 433 – Metal 

Finishing 

Hillsborough WWTP Hillsborough NC Stony Creek-Eno River Not impaired POTW not found in TRI 

Alcosan STP (Allegheny 

County) 

Pittsburgh PA Kilbuck Run-Ohio River Impaired by Suspended Solids, pH, 

Metals (other than mercury) 

426 – Glass Manufacturing; 433 – 

Metal Finishing 

6-36
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Table 6-26. Receiving Watershed Data for TNSSS POTWs 

POTW Namea City State 

Receiving Watershed 

Name Impairment Status 

Point Source Categories in TRI 

Discharging to POTWb 

Bedford WWTP & Sewer 

System 

Bedford OH Brandywine Creek Impaired by PCBs in fish tissue 433 – Metal Finishing 

Alum Creek WWTP & 

Sewers 

Columbus OH Kebler Run Not impaired POTW not found in TRI 

Mingo Junction WWTP & 

Sewer System 

Mingo 

Junction 

OH Wills Creek-Ohio River Impaired by iron, bacteria, 2,3,7,8­

tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin; PCBs, 

PCBs in fish tissue 

POTW not found in TRI 

Punxsutawney Boro STP Punxsutawney PA Perryville Run-Mahoning 

Creek 

Not impaired POTW not found in TRI 

Brush Creek STP Irwin PA Brush Creek Not impaired POTW not found in TRI 

Northeast Ohio Regional 

Sewer District, Southerly 

WWTP 

Cleveland OH City of Cleveland-Cuyahoga 

River 

Impaired by PCBs in fish tissue 413 – Electroplating; 433 – Metal 

Finishing; 464 – Metal Molding and 

Casting (Foundries); 467 – 

Aluminum Forming; 468 – Copper 

Forming; 471 – Nonferrous Metals 

Forming and Metal Powders 

Dale Mabry AWWTP Tampa FL Double Bayou-Rocky Creek 

Frontal 

Impaired by turbidity, nutrients, 

fecal coliform, total coliform, 

dissolved oxygen, total suspended 

solids, coliforms 

POTW not found in TRI 

Bloomington STP North Bloomington IN Buck Creek-Beanblossom 

Creek 

Not impaired 433 – Metal Finishing 

Richmond SD Richmond IN Rocky Fork-East Fork 

Whitewater River 

Not impaired 405 – Dairy Products Processing; 

433 – Metal Finishing; 468 – Copper 

Forming 

Huntington City Of Huntington WV Smith Creek-Guyandotte 

River 

Not impaired POTW not found in TRI 

Middle East Fork WWTP & 

Sewers 

Batavia OH Fivemile Creek-East Fork 

Little Miami River 

Impaired by nutrients, organic 

enrichment/low DO, siltation 

POTW not found in TRI 

Sources: DMR Loading Tool; Envirofacts; U.S. EPA, 2009a, 2009b.
 a EPA is updating the WATERS database, so the analysis relied on an incomplete dataset: only 25 of 74 POTWs had data available.
 b Excluding point source categories with less than 30 percent indirect discharges in the TRI database.
 

The SSSD/Lawson Fork Plant is not found in the DMR databases. According to Envirofacts, the facility is inactive. Receiving waters information was pulled 

from Envirofacts. 

6-37
 

c 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

6.1.5	 Summary of Findings from EPA’s Review of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in 

Sewage Sludge 

EPA used TNSSS data in combination with data from TRI to identify industrial 

wastewater discharges potentially affecting the quality of POTW sewage sludge and its 

beneficial use. Because the TNSSS did not identify industrial discharges to POTWs, EPA used 

TRI reports of transfers of toxic chemicals to identify possible industrial dischargers to the 

POTWs included in the TNSSS. EPA identified the following: 

	 Of the 74 POTWs in the TNSSS, 35 POTWs receive wastewater from at least one 

industrial facility reporting to TRI, representing 47 percent of the POTWs in the 

TNSSS. The remaining 39 TNSSS POTWs likely also receive industrial 

wastewater, but the specific facilities discharging to the POTWs are not required 

to report to TRI. 

	 In TRI, 153 facilities reported transferring toxic chemicals to 35 of 74 POTWs 

that were included in the TNSSS. Because of the TRI reporting thresholds, it is 

likely that additional industrial facilities discharged to these POTWs, but are not 

required to report to TRI. 

	 The 153 facilities that reported transferring toxic chemicals to TNSSS POTWs 

have wastewater discharges covered by ELGs for 28 different point source 

categories.25 Of the reported TRI transfers to the TNSSS POTWs, the Metal 

Finishing point source category (40 CFR Part 433) had the highest number of 

facilities reporting discharges to TNSSS POTWs (52 out of 153). 

	 Only 21 pollutants are included in both the TNSSS and TRI. When the TNSSS 

pollutant transfers reported in TRI are ranked by TWPE before POTW removals, 

nitrate compounds is the top pollutant. TNSSS measured nitrite/nitrate in every 

sewage sludge sample. 

	 Of the 21 pollutants in both the TNSSS and TRI, 17 are metals. Because the 

metals will not easily biodegrade, they are expected to accumulate in sewage 

sludge. TNSSS found the metals in virtually every sewage sludge sample. 

Of the point source categories in TRI, Metal Finishing (40 CFR Part 433) 

contributes the greatest amount of TWPE potentially transferred to sewage sludge 

(to all POTWs with TRI reported data, not just the POTWs included in the 

TNSSS). 

	 Chromium, nickel, and zinc concentrations in some of the TNSSS samples 

exceeded 40 CFR Part 503 land application ceilings/surface disposal limits. 

Nickel concentrations exceeded the ceiling/limit in three of 84 sewage sludge 

samples; chromium and zinc concentrations exceeded the ceiling/limit in one of 

84 samples. 

As Table 6-13, Table 6-17, and Table 6-21 show, EPA found that POTWs for 

which industrial wastewater transfers were reported in TRI have higher mean and 

25 EPA only included point source categories composed primarily of indirect dischargers because these categories 

are most likely to have widespread impacts on POTW sludge. 

6-38
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

median chromium, nickel, and zinc concentrations than those without TRIreported discharges. This suggests that industrial discharges of chromium, nickel, 

and zinc in general may be related to higher concentrations of these metals in 

sewage sludge. 

	 As part of the TNSSS analysis, OW found that of the POTWs observed exceeding 

the land application ceilings, one incinerated its treated sewage sludge on site, 

while the others sent their sewage sludge to landfills. Thus, results from the 

TNSSS indicated that POTWs were generally complying with the existing land 

application standards for metals. 

	 In reviewing CECs discharges, EPA could not identify industrial facilities 

discharging triclosan, estriol, and estrone. Because of the source and use of these 

chemicals, triclosan, estriol, and estrone present in sewage sludge most likely 

result from domestic wastewater discharges, not industrial discharges. 

6.1.6	 References for Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

1.	 APUA. 2011. Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics. Triclosan. White paper. 

(January). EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07844. 

2.	 Bicknell, Betsy, and T.J. Finseth. 2006. Memorandum to Carey Johnston and Jan 

Matuszko, U.S. EPA, from Betsy Bicknell and T.J. Finseth, Eastern Research Group, 

Inc., Re: Comments Received Regarding POTW Removals. (September 8). EPA-HQOW-2004-0032-2399. 

3.	 NTP. 2011. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, 

National Toxicology Program. Report on Carcinogens. Twelfth edition. EPA-HQ-OW2010-0824. DCN 07845. 

4.	 Stevens, Richard. 2013. Email Communication Between Rick Stevens, U.S. EPA Office 

of Science and Technology, and Kimberly Bartell, Eastern Research Group, Inc., Re: 

Follow up on TNSSS. (June 13). EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07730. 

5.	 U.S. Census. 2007. U.S. Economic Census. Available online at: 

http://www.census.gov/econ/census07. 

6.	 U.S. EPA.1991. National Pretreatment Program Report to Congress. Available online 

at: http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/owm0244.pdf. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 

07846. 

7.	 U.S. EPA. 2009a. Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey: Overview Report. 

Washington, D.C. (January). EPA-822-R-08-014. EPA-HQ-OW-2008-0517-0139. 

8.	 U.S. EPA. 2009b. Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey: Sampling and Analysis 

Technical Report. Washington, D.C. (January). EPA-822-R-08-016. EPA-HQ-OW-2008­

0517-0141. 

6-39
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

9.	 U.S. EPA. 2009c. Technical Support Document for the Annual Review of Existing 

Effluent Guidelines and Identification of Potential New Point Source Categories. 

Washington, D.C. (October). EPA 821-R-09-007. EPA-HQ-OW-2008-0517-0515. 

10.	 U.S. EPA. 2009d. Occurrence of Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Wastewater 

from Nine Publicly Owned Treatment Works. Washington, D.C. (August). EPA-HQ-OW2010-0824. DCN 07843. 

11.	 U.S. EPA. 2010. Triclosan Facts. U.S. EPA Office of Pesticide Programs. (March). 

Available online at: http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/factsheets/triclosan_fs.htm. 

EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07847. 

12.	 U.S. EPA. 2012. The 2011 Annual Effluent Guidelines Review Report. Washington, D.C. 

(December). EPA 821-R-12-001. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824-0195. 

13.	 U.S. EPA. 2013. U.S. EPA Aggregated Computational Toxicology Resource (ACToR). 

Available online at: http://actor.epa.gov/actor/faces/ACToRHome.jsp. EPA-HQ-OW2010-0824. DCN 07848. 

6-40
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Table 6-27. Analytes Sampled in the TNSSSa 

Metals 

Aluminum Copper Selenium 

Antimony Iron Silver 

Arsenic Lead Sodium 

Barium Magnesium Thallium 

Beryllium Manganese Tin 

Boron Mercury Titanium 

Cadmium Molybdenumb Vanadium 

Calcium Nickel Yttrium 

Chromium Phosphorusc Zinc 

Cobalt 

Organics 

2-Methylnaphthalene Benzo(a)pyrened Fluoranthened 

4-Chloroaniline Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalatee Pyrene 

Inorganic Anions 

Fluoride Water-extractable phosphorus Nitrate/nitritef 

PBDEs 

BDE-28 BDE-99 BDE-154 

BDE-47 BDE-100 BDE-183 

BDE-66 BDE-138 BDE-209 

BDE-85 BDE-153 

Steroids and Hormones 

17 alpha-dihydroequilin Campesterol Ergosterol 

17 alpha-estradiol Cholestanol Estriol 

17 alpha-ethinyl-estradiol Cholesterol Estrone 

17 beta-estradiol Coprostanol Norethindrone 

Androstenedione Desmosterol Norgestrel 

Andrasterone Epicoprostanol Progesterone 

Beta stigmastanol Equilenin Stigmasterol 

Beta-estradiol 3-benzoate Equilin Testosterone 

Beta-sitosterol 

Pharmaceutical Chemicals 

1,7-dimethylxanthine Demeclocycline Oxolinic acid 

4-epianhydrochlortetracycline 

(EACTC) 

Digoxigenin Oxytetracycline (OTC) 

4-epianhydrotetracycline (EATC) Digoxin Penicillin G 

4-epichlortetracycline (ECTC) Diltiazem Penicillin V 

4-epioxytetracycline (EOTC) Diphenhydramine Ranitidine 

4-epitetracycline (ETC) Doxycycline Roxithromycin 

Acetaminophen Enrofloxacin Sarafloxacin 

Albuterol Erythromycin-total Sulfachloropyridazine 

Anhydrochlortetracycline (ACTC) Flumequine Sulfadiazine 

Anhydrotetracycline (ATC) Fluoxetine Sulfadimethoxine 

Azithromycin Gemfibrozil Sulfamerazine 

Caffeine Ibuprofen Sulfamethazine 

Carbadox Isochlortetracycline (ICTC) Sulfamethizole 

Carbamazepine Lincomycin Sulfamethoxazole 

Cefotaxime Lomefloxacin Sulfanilamide 

Chlortetracycline (CTC) Metformin Sulfathiazole 

Cimetidine Miconazole Tetracycline (TC) 

Ciprofloxacin Minocycline Thiabendazole 

6-41
 
c 

Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Table 6-27. Analytes Sampled in the TNSSSa 

Clarithromycin Naproxen Triclocarbang 

Clinafloxacin Norfloxacin Triclosang 

Cloxacillin Norgestimate Trimethoprim 

Codeine Ofloxacin Tylosin 

Cotinine Ormetoprim Virginiamycin 

Dehydronifedipine Oxacillin Warfarin 

Sources: U.S. EPA, 2009a, 2009b.
 a Italics indicate pollutants reported as discharged in the 2009 TRI Database.
 b TRI includes only molybdenum trioxide, not any other molybdenum compounds; EPA included the TRI pollutant
 

molybdenum trioxide in the analysis to represent the TNSSS molybdenum. 

TRI only lists discharges from phosphorus (yellow or white), and facilities have incorrectly reported discharges of 

total phosphorus as phosphorus (yellow or white); therefore, TRI phosphorus discharges to POTWs or surface 

water do not necessarily represent industrial discharges (Bicknell and Finseth, 2006). EPA did not include 

phosphorus in the analysis. d	 Benzo(a)pyrene and fluoranthene are polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), and TRI requires facilities to 

report total PACs, not individual chemicals; EPA included the TRI pollutant PACs in the analysis to represent the 

TNSSS benzo(a)pyrene and fluoranthene. e	 Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in TNSSS is called di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in TRI; EPA included the TRI pollutant 

di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate in the analysis to represent the TNSSS bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. f	 TRI includes the toxic chemical group “

nitrate compounds.” Because “nitrate compounds” is the TRI chemical 

group that is closest to the TNSSS analyte, “nitrate/nitrite,” EPA used “nitrate compounds” in the analysis to 

represent the TNSSS analyte “nitrate/nitrite.” Nitrate/nitrite compounds in sewage sludge are of concern because 

they are nutrients. g	 Triclocarban and triclosan are disinfectants, not pharmaceutical chemicals. However, in the TNSSS disinfectants 

are grouped under pharmaceutical chemicals because they are detected with the same analytical method. 

6-42
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Table 6-28. Analytes Analyzed in the TNSSS: Applicability of Relevant EPA Programs 

Pollutant 

Group Pollutanta CAS Numbera TWFb 

CWA Priority 

Pollutantc 

Regulated under 

40 CFR 503d CAPse 

TRI-Listed 

Chemicalb 

Inorganic 

Anions 

Fluoride 16984488 NA No No No No 

Nitrate/nitrite C005 (14797558/ 

14797650) 

7.47E-04 No No No Yes 

Water-extractable phosphorus C055 (7723140) NA No No No No 

Metals 

Aluminum 7429905 0.06 No No No No 

Antimony 7440360 0.01 Yes No No Yes 

Arsenic 7440382 4.04 Yes Yes No Yes 

Barium 7440393 1.99E-03 No No No Yes 

Beryllium 7440417 1.05 Yes No No No 

Boron 7440428 8.34E-03 No No No No 

Cadmium 7440439 23.1 Yes Yes No Yes 

Calcium 7440702 NA No No No No 

Chromium 7440473 0.07 Yes Yes No Yes 

Cobalt 7440484 0.11 No No No Yes 

Copper 7440508 0.63 Yes Yes No Yes 

Iron 7439896 5.60E-03 No No No No 

Lead 7439921 2.24 Yes Yes No Yes 

Magnesium 7439954 8.66E-04 No No No No 

Manganese 7439965 0.07 No No No Yes 

Mercury 7439976 117 Yes Yes No Yes 

Molybdenum 7439987 0.2 No Yes No Yes 

Nickel 7440020 0.1 Yes Yes No Yes 

Phosphorusf 7723140 NA No No No No 

Selenium 7782492 1.12 Yes Yes No Yes 

Silver 7440224 16.5 Yes No No Yes 

Sodium 7440235 5.49E-06 No No No No 

Thallium 7440280 1.02 Yes No No Yes 

Tin 7440315 0.3 No No No No 

Titanium 7440326 0.02 No No No No 

Vanadium 7440622 0.03 No No No Yes 

Yttrium 7440655 NA No No No No 

Zinc 7440666 0.04 Yes Yes No Yes 

Organics 2-Methylnaphthalene 91576 NA No No No No 

Benzo(a)pyrene 50328 101 Yes No No Yes 

6-43
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Table 6-28. Analytes Analyzed in the TNSSS: Applicability of Relevant EPA Programs 

Pollutant 

Group Pollutanta CAS Numbera TWFb 

CWA Priority 

Pollutantc 

Regulated under 

40 CFR 503d CAPse 

TRI-Listed 

Chemicalb 

Fluoranthene 206440 1.28 Yes No No Yes 

Pyrene 129000 0.09 Yes No No No 

4-chloroaniline 106478 0.02 No No No No 

Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate 117817 0.25 Yes No Yes Yes 

PBDEs 

BDE-138 182677301 NA No No Yes No 

BDE-153 68631492 NA No No Yes No 

BDE-154 207122154 NA No No Yes No 

BDE-183 207122165 NA No No Yes No 

BDE-209 1163195 NA No No Yes No 

BDE-28 41318756 NA No No Yes No 

BDE-47 5436431 NA No No Yes No 

BDE-66 189084615 NA No No Yes No 

BDE-85 182346210 NA No No Yes No 

BDE-99 60348609 NA No No Yes No 

BDE-100 189084648 NA No No Yes No 

Pharmaceutic 

al chemicals 

4-epi-anhydrochlortetracycline 

(EACTC) 

158018532 NA No No No No 

4-epi-anhydrotetracycline 

(EATC) 

4465650 NA No No No No 

4-epi-chlortetracycline (ECTC) 14297939 NA No No No No 

4-epi-oxytetracycline (EOTC) 14206587 NA No No No No 

4-epi-tetracycline (ETC) 23313806 NA No No No No 

Anhydrochlortetracycline 

(ACTC) 

4497089 NA No No No No 

Anhydrotetracycline (ATC) 4496859 NA No No No No 

Azithromycin 83905015 NA No No No No 

Carbadox 6804075 NA No No No No 

Cefotaxime 63527526 NA No No No No 

Chlortetracycline (CTC) 57625 NA No No No No 

Ciprofloxacin 85721331 NA No No No No 

Clarithromycin 81103119 NA No No No No 

Clinafloxacin 105956976 NA No No No No 

Cloxacillin 61723 NA No No No No 

Demeclocycline 127333 NA No No No No 

6-44
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Table 6-28. Analytes Analyzed in the TNSSS: Applicability of Relevant EPA Programs 

Pollutant 

Group Pollutanta CAS Numbera TWFb 

CWA Priority 

Pollutantc 

Regulated under 

40 CFR 503d CAPse 

TRI-Listed 

Chemicalb 

Doxycycline 564250 NA No No No No 

Enrofloxacin 93106606 NA No No No No 

Erythromycin—total 114078 NA No No No No 

Flumequine 42835256 NA No No No No 

Isochlortetracycline (ICTC) 514534 NA No No No No 

Lincomycin 154212 NA No No No No 

Lomefloxacin 98079517 NA No No No No 

Minocycline 10118908 NA No No No No 

Norfloxacin 70458967 NA No No No No 

Ofloxacin 82419361 NA No No No No 

Ormetoprim 6981186 NA No No No No 

Oxacillin 66795 NA No No No No 

Oxolinic acid 14698294 NA No No No No 

Oxytetracycline (OTC) 79572 NA No No No No 

Penicillin G 61336 NA No No No No 

Penicillin V 87081 NA No No No No 

Roxithromycin 80214831 NA No No No No 

Sarafloxacin 98105998 NA No No No No 

Sulfachloropyridazine 80320 NA No No No No 

Sulfadiazine 68359 NA No No No No 

Sulfadimethoxine 122112 NA No No No No 

Sulfamerazine 127797 NA No No No No 

Sulfamethazine 57681 NA No No No No 

Sulfamethizole 144821 NA No No No No 

Sulfamethoxazole 723466 NA No No No No 

Sulfanilamide 63741 NA No No No No 

Sulfathiazole 72140 NA No No No No 

Tetracycline (TC) 60548 NA No No No No 

Triclocarban 101202 NA No No No No 

Triclosan 3380345 NA No No No No 

Trimethoprim 738705 NA No No No No 

Tylosin 1401690 NA No No No No 

Virginiamycin 11006761 NA No No No No 

1,7-dimethylxanthine 611596 NA No No No No 

6-45
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Table 6-28. Analytes Analyzed in the TNSSS: Applicability of Relevant EPA Programs 

Pollutant 

Group Pollutanta CAS Numbera TWFb 

CWA Priority 

Pollutantc 

Regulated under 

40 CFR 503d CAPse 

TRI-Listed 

Chemicalb 

Acetaminophen 103902 NA No No No No 

Albuterol 18559949 NA No No No No 

Caffeine 58082 NA No No No No 

Carbamazepine 298464 NA No No No No 

Cimetidine 51481619 NA No No No No 

Codeine 76573 NA No No No No 

Cotinine 486566 NA No No No No 

Dehydronifedipine 67035227 NA No No No No 

Digoxigenin 1672464 NA No No No No 

Digoxin 20830755 NA No No No No 

Diltiazem 42399417 NA No No No No 

Diphenhydramine 58731 NA No No No No 

Fluoxetine 54910893 NA No No No No 

Gemfibrozil 25812300 NA No No No No 

Ibuprofen 15687271 NA No No No No 

Metformin 657249 NA No No No No 

Miconazole 22916478 NA No No No No 

Naproxen 22204531 NA No No No No 

Norgestimate 35189287 NA No No No No 

Ranitidine 66357355 NA No No No No 

Thiabendazole 148798 7.99E-03 No No No No 

Warfarin 81812 NA No No No No 

Steroids and 

Hormones 

17 alpha-dihydroequilin 651558 NA No No No No 

17 alpha-estradiol 57910 NA No No No No 

17 alpha-ethinyl estradiol 57636 NA No No No No 

17 beta-estradiol 50282 NA No No No No 

Androstenedione 63058 NA No No No No 

Androsterone 53418 NA No No No No 

Beta-estradiol-3-benzoate 50500 NA No No No No 

Equilenin 517099 NA No No No No 

Equilin 474862 NA No No No No 

Estriol 50271 NA No No No No 

Estrone 53167 NA No No No No 

Norethindrone 68224 NA No No No No 

6-46
 
c 

Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.1—Identification of Industrial Wastewater Pollutants in Sewage Sludge 

Table 6-28. Analytes Analyzed in the TNSSS: Applicability of Relevant EPA Programs 

Pollutant 

Group Pollutanta CAS Numbera TWFb 

CWA Priority 

Pollutantc 

Regulated under 

40 CFR 503d CAPse 

TRI-Listed 

Chemicalb 

Norgestrel 6533002 NA No No No No 

Progesterone 57830 NA No No No No 

Testosterone 58220 NA No No No No 

Beta-sitosterol 83465 NA No No No No 

Beta-stigmastanol 19466478 NA No No No No 

Campesterol 474624 NA No No No No 

Cholestanol 80977 NA No No No No 

Cholesterol 57885 NA No No No No 

Coprostanol 360689 NA No No No No 

Desmosterol 313042 NA No No No No 

Epi-coprostanol 516927 NA No No No No 

Ergosterol 57874 NA No No No No 

Stigmasterol 83487 NA No No No No 

NA: Not applicable. 

No: Information was not available for the pollutant. a	 U.S. EPA, 2009b. b	 DMR Loading Tool. 

40 CFR 423, Appendix A. d	 40 CFR 503. e	 U.S. EPA Chemical Action Plans. f	 Phosphorus (yellow or white) is a TRI-listed chemical. Yellow and white phosphorus, both allotropes of elemental phosphorus, are hazardous chemicals that 

spontaneously ignite in air. EPA determined that facilities were incorrectly reporting discharges of total phosphorus (i.e., the phosphorus portion of 

phosphorus-containing compounds) as phosphorus (yellow or white). Elemental phosphorus is insoluble in water and POTWs do not accept wastewater 

containing it because of the hazard associated with the chemical (Bicknell and Finseth, 2006). The phosphorus measured in the TNSSS was total phosphorus 

and is not applicable to TRI. 

6-47
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.2—Review of Chemical Action Plans 

6.2	 Review of Chemical Action Plans 

As part of EPA’s chemicals management program under the Toxic Substances Control 

Act (TSCA), the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention’s (OCSPP) Office of 

Pollution Prevention and Toxic Substances (OPPT) had developed chemical action plans (CAPs) 

for commercial chemicals that it determined posed a concern to the public. Between 2009 and 

2011, OPPT published CAPs for 10 chemicals or classes of chemicals. The CAPs summarize 

each chemical’s available hazard, exposure, and use information; outline the risks that each 

chemical may present; and identify the specific steps OPPT is taking to address those risks. 

In February 2012, OPPT modified its approach for evaluating existing chemicals under 

TSCA and began the Work Plan Chemicals initiative. For this effort, OPPT identified a work 

plan of 83 chemicals for further assessment. OPPT initially identified seven chemicals from the 

plan for detailed risk assessment in 2012 and continues to identify new chemical for risk 

assessment each year. OPPT intends to use the TSCA Work Plan Chemicals list to help focus 

and direct the activities of the Existing Chemicals Program over the next several years. 

For its 2012 Annual Review, EPA’s Office of Water (OW) reviewed the 10 existing 

CAPs as a source of data to augment its traditional toxicity rankings analysis (TRA) conducted 

in the odd-year reviews. OW reviewed the CAPs to determine which industries may produce, 

process, or release the chemicals to the environment, particularly through wastewater discharges 

directly to surface water or indirectly to publicly owned treatment works (POTWs). This section 

summarizes information contained in the CAPs related to chemical manufacturing and use and 

potential wastewater discharges. Where possible, OW used information from the CAPs, along 

with data from other sources (such as discharge monitoring reports (DMR) and/or the Toxics 

Release Inventory (TRI)), to identify any unregulated industrial wastewater discharges or new 

pollutant discharges from regulated industries that are not addressed or adequately controlled by 

existing ELGs. OW used information in the CAPs to identify chemicals for potential further 

review. 

From this initial CAP review, OW found the following: 

	 Of the 10 chemicals for which OPPT developed CAPs, one category is being 

phased out of U.S. commerce; OW does not intend to pursue further review for 

Penta, Octa, and Decabromodiphenyl Ethers (PBDEs). 

	 Six of the chemicals or classes of chemicals for which OPPT developed CAPs 

have continued production and known or potential wastewater discharges: 

Benzidine dyes, Bisphenol A (BPA), Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), 

Nonylphenol and Nonylphenol Ethoxylates, Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs), 

and Phthalates. 

	 Although SCCPs are no longer manufactured in the U.S., they have been used in 

metal working and have the potential to be discharged in wastewater from this 

industry. 

	 Two of the chemicals, Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (MDI) and Toluene 

Diisocyanate (TDI) do not have significant wastewater discharges. However, OW 

identified that the hydrolysis byproducts of TDI and MDI, toluene diamine and 

methyl diphenyl diamine, may be present in industrial wastewater. 

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Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.2—Review of Chemical Action Plans 

6.2.1	 OPPT Chemical Action Plans Background 

OPPT’s existing chemicals program addresses pollution prevention, risk assessment, 

hazard and exposure assessment and characterization, and risk management for chemical 

substances in commercial use, as authorized by TSCA. The TSCA Inventory of chemicals in 

commerce now exceeds 84,000 chemicals. Periodic TSCA chemical data reporting indicates that 

there are approximately 7,000 chemicals currently produced at volumes of 25,000 pounds or 

greater. For chemicals with well‐characterized hazard concerns and the possibility of significant 

exposure, OPPT performs risk assessments and may evaluate risk mitigation strategies. The 

existing chemicals program focuses assessments on consumer exposure from product use, but 

may include some data on wastewater pollutant generation from chemical manufacturing, where 

it is available or relevant (U.S. EPA, 2012a). 

In 2009, OPPT began to identify chemicals that pose a concern to the public and initiated 

appropriate actions to alleviate those concerns. OPPT selected 10 commercial chemicals for 

initial action plan development based on whether they were: 

	 Identified as persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic. 

	 High production volume chemicals. 

	 Found in consumer products. 

	 Potentially of concern for their impact on children’s health due to reproductive or 

developmental effects. 

	 Subject to review and potential action in international forums. 

	 Found in human bio-monitoring programs. 

	 Part of a category generally identified as being of potential concern in the new 

chemicals program. 

From 2009 through 2011, OPPT developed CAPs for the following 10 commercial 

chemicals or classes of chemicals: 

1.	 Benzidine dyes (August 2010); 

2.	 Bisphenol A (March 2010); 

3.	 Hexabromocyclododecane (August 2010); 

4.	 Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (April 2011); 

5.	 Nonylphenol and nonylphenol ethoxylates (August 2010); 

6.	 Perfluorinated chemicals (December 2009); 

7.	 Penta-, octa-, and decabromodiphenyl ethers (December 2009); 

8.	 Phthalates (March 2012); 

9.	 Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (December 2009); and 

10.	 Toluene diisocyanate (April 2011).26 

26 Toluene diisocyanate is similar to methylene diphenyl diisocyanate; therefore, OW discusses both chemicals 

together in Section 6.2.2.4. 

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Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.2—Review of Chemical Action Plans 

OPPT also identified actions it intends to take to address the outlined concerns. Table 

6-29 describes some of the specific actions OPPT may take. 

Table 6-29. Potential Actions Identified in CAPs 

Action Authorization Description 

Add chemical to the 

Toxics Release Inventory 

(TRI) 

Section 313 of the 

Emergency Planning 

and Community 

Right-to-Know Act 

(EPCRA) 

Section 313 of EPCRA requires U.S. facilities to report 

annually how much of specific listed chemicals they release 

into the environment through emissions to air, water, or land 

disposal. This information is stored in the TRI database and is 

available to the public. 

Develop additional data Section 4(a) of Section 4(a) of TSCA allows EPA to require the development 

(Section 4 test rules) TSCA of data to determine whether a specific chemical presents an 

unreasonable risk of injury to the environment. This may 

include hazard data and exposure monitoring. 

Develop or revise Section 5(a) of A SNUR requires manufacturers who intend to use a chemical 

Significant New Use Rule TSCA for the identified significant new use to submit an application 

(SNUR) for specific new to the Agency for review prior to beginning that activity. This 

uses of the chemical process gives OPPT a chance to regulate the manufacture, 

import, or processing of that chemical substance. 

Prohibit or limit the 

chemical’s manufacture, 

processing, or distribution 

into commerce 

Section 6 of TSCA If EPA finds that there is a reasonable basis to conclude that a 

chemical’s manufacture, processing, distribution, use, or 

disposal presents an unreasonable risk, EPA may take action to: 

 Prohibit or limit manufacture, processing, or distribution in 

commerce. 

 Prohibit or limit the manufacture, processing, or distribution 

in commerce of the chemical substance above a specified 

concentration. 

 Require adequate warnings and instructions with respect to 

use, distribution, or disposal. 

 Require manufacturers or processors to make and retain 

records. 

 Prohibit or regulate any manner of commercial use. 

 Prohibit or regulate any manner of disposal. 

 Require manufacturers or processors to give notice of 

unreasonable risk of injury, and to recall products if 

required. 

Issue a data call-in Section 8(c) of 

TSCA 

EPA can require companies to record, retain, and report 

allegations of significant adverse reactions to any 

substance/mixture that they produce, import, process, or 

distribute. 

Require reporting of 

relevant data 

Section 8(d) of 

TSCA 

EPA can initiate rulemaking for one-time reporting of relevant 

unpublished health and safety studies. 

Conduct Design for the None, EPA Through DfE, EPA may assess alternatives to specific 

Environment (DfE) Partnership Program chemicals that it can encourage industry to use, and to move 

alternatives assessment away from using certain chemicals, instead of, or in addition to 

any regulatory action taken under TSCA. 

Other voluntary initiatives None EPA may work with industry to develop voluntary agreements 

to phase out the use of certain chemicals. 

Depending upon the action initiated, OPPT may generate or have access to data that can 

characterize industrial wastewater sources, determine the presence of the chemical in industrial 

wastewater, and potentially quantify the amount of chemical discharged. For instance, if a 

chemical is added to TRI, the quantity of chemical released directly to surface waters or 

indirectly to POTWs must be reported. In addition, if OPPT takes action to ban certain 

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Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.2—Review of Chemical Action Plans 

chemicals, the chemicals likely will not be of concern in the future. In its review of the CAPs in 

the following sections, OW outlines OPPT’s current or planned actions for each chemical. 

6.2.2	 OPPT Chemicals Reviewed 

OW reviewed the 10 CAPs available on OPPT’s website to identify industrial categories 

currently manufacturing and using the chemicals. OW also reviewed information in the CAPs on 

whether the chemicals, or any of their degradation products, enter the wastewater and are 

discharged to surface waters or POTWs. 

The following subsections provide a brief overview of OPPT’s CAPs, including: 

	 Chemical production and use data. 

	 Potential presence and, if available, quantity of the chemicals in industrial 

wastewater discharge. 

	 Toxicity and exposure routes. 

	 Actions that OPPT is initiating that may generate additional industrial wastewater 

discharge data in the future. 

In each section, OW also identifies, based on the chemical production and use data 

described in the CAP, which industries may produce or process the chemical and thus may be 

potential sources of release into the environment. 

In addition, OW includes a discussion of toxic weighting factors (TWFs), if available, in 

the “toxicity and exposure routes” discussion for each chemical. OW has calculated TWFs for 

1,064 chemicals based on the concentrations in water at which they become harmful to aquatic 

life, and the levels in fish tissue at which they become harmful to humans. OW uses this 

information to weight the toxicity of chemicals relative to copper, a common toxic pollutant in 

industrial waste streams. TWFs range from 0.000000131 to over 940 million for the most toxic 

pollutants, such as Radium 228 (U.S. EPA, 2007). TWFs enable OW to assess the toxicity of a 

wastestream containing varying amounts of different chemicals (each with a different toxicity) 

by calculating the total toxic-weighted pounds in the wastestream, referred to as toxic-weighted 

pound equivalents (TWPE). OW uses the TWPE during effluent guidelines program planning to 

rank industries by their total annual toxic weighted discharges, identifying those that may 

warrant additional research (U.S. EPA, 2012b). 

Finally, each section ends with a summary of OPPT’s planned actions and OW’s findings 

from its initial review of each chemical. 

6.2.2.1 Benzidine Dyes 

Chemical Production and Use 

The Dyes Derived from Benzidine and Its Congeners CAP (Benzidine Dyes CAP) 

focuses on four benzidine-based dyes and 44 benzidine congener–based dyes (U.S. EPA, 2010a). 

For a complete list of the chemicals, see Appendix 1 of the Benzidine Dyes CAP. 

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Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.2—Review of Chemical Action Plans 

Benzidine based-dyes and congener-based dyes (also called azo dyes) are used in textiles, 

paints and coatings, and pharmaceutical production; paper and leather dyeing; and plastics 

converting and compounding (U.S. EPA, 2010a). Dye production in the U.S. has been steadily 

declining for the past decade, largely due to the increase in imported finished textiles. Only two 

of the 48 benzidine dyes were reported on the 2006 Inventory Update Rule (IUR),27 which 

required manufacturers and importers of over 25,000 pounds of chemical per year to provide 

OPPT with information on the production and use of the chemicals. OPPT further indicates that 

only 12 of the 44 congener-based dyes are likely available in the U.S., and all in quantities below 

the IUR threshold of 25,000 pounds per year (U.S. EPA, 2010a). 

Presence in Industrial Wastewater 

The industrial categories that produce or use benzidine or its congener dyes in the 

processes listed above may include: 

 Textiles (40 CFR Part 410) 

 Organic Chemicals, Plastics, and Synthetic Fibers (OCPSF) (40 CFR Part 414) 

 Leather Tanning and Finishing (40 CFR Part 425) 

 Pulp, Paper and Paperboard (40 CFR Part 430) 

 Paint Formulating (40 CFR Part 446) 

 Ink Formulating (40 CFR Part 447) 

 Plastics Molding and Forming (40 CFR Part 463) 

OW was not able to identify any readily available wastewater generation or discharge 

data from the CAP or other sources, including DMR and TRI data. 

Toxicity and Exposure Routes 

Benzidine and its congeners are important precursors in the synthesis of dyes. Some of 

these dyes have the potential to metabolize to carcinogenic aromatic amines; therefore, OPPT’s 

focus is on human exposure, particularly oral, dermal, or inhalation routes (U.S. EPA, 2010a). 

OPPT is currently not certain of the risk to the general population from release to the 

environment. Biodegradation studies indicate that the dyes biodegrade at negligible to slow rates 

under aerobic conditions in the environment. In anaerobic soils, the dyes may be reduced, but it 

is unclear whether metabolites from these reductions exist in large concentrations or locations of 

concern to the public (U.S. EPA, 2010a). 

Benzidine and its congeners do not currently have TWFs. If OW identifies discharges of 

these chemicals in industrial wastewater in the future, it may consider developing a TWF to 

characterize the relative toxicity of the discharges more fully. 

27 During the time in which OW reviewed OPPT’s CAPs as part of the 2012 Annual Review, the 2006 IUR provided 

the most recent data source for chemical manufacturing, processing, and use as well as production volume 

information. In February 2013, EPA released the results of its 2012 Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) Rule, which 

provides updated chemical inventory and use data (see http://epa.gov/cdr/). Due to the timing of its release, OW did 

not consider the 2012 CDR in its 2012 Annual Review. 

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Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.2—Review of Chemical Action Plans 

OPPT Actions 

OPPT has taken and is planning the following actions related to benzidine and its 

congener-based dyes: 

	 In March 2012, proposed a rulemaking to add nine benzidine dyes to an existing 

SNUR for benzidine-based chemical substances, di-n-pentyl phthalate, and 

alkanes C12-13, chloro (77 FR 18752). Potentially affected entities include 

manufacturers, importers, or processors of any of these chemicals; entities that 

plan to use the chemicals in conjunction with apparel and other finished products 

made from fabrics, leather, and similar materials; entities which plan to use the 

chemicals in conjunction with paper and allied products; and manufacturers, 

importers, or processors of the chemical substances in printing inks. 

	 Consider additional regulatory action, if OPPT determines that there are other 

ongoing uses for these dyes and that it needs information to determine whether 

those uses present concerns that should be addressed. 

OW’s Findings 

Dye production has been declining over the past decade due to an increase in imported 

finished textiles and, as a result, OPPT is focused on consumer exposure to finished products. 

However, based on the available information, OW has determined that benzidine dyes may be 

present in industrial wastewater discharges from several regulated industrial categories most 

likely including OCPSF; textiles; leather tanning and finishing; pulp, paper, and paperboard; and 

ink formulating. 

6.2.2.2 Bisphenol A 

Chemical Production and Use 

Bisphenol A (BPA) is widely used in the manufacture of plastics and epoxy resins for 

containers (food and beverage containers, containers used in the healthcare industry), flame 

retardants, coatings (such as those used in the electronics, appliances, and the automobile 

industry), and pipes and tanks requiring chemical resistant resins (U.S. EPA, 2010b). A small 

number of companies manufacture most of the BPA in the U.S., but numerous companies 

process BPA-based materials into final goods. 

Presence in Industrial Wastewater 

BPA is listed under the TRI28 as 4-4’ Isopropylidenediphenol (CAS 80-05-7). Table 6-30 

shows the industrial categories reporting direct and indirect discharges of BPA to TRI in 2011. 

The ELGs for the regulated point source categories listed in Table 6-30 (denoted with a 40 CFR 

Part number) do not regulate BPA. 

28 For a complete listing of the TRI listed chemicals see: http://www2.epa.gov/toxics-release-inventory-triprogram/tri-listed-chemicals. 

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Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.2—Review of Chemical Action Plans 

Table 6-30. Discharges of BPA by Point Source Category as Reported to TRI in 2011 

40 CFR 

Part 

Point Source Category 

Description 

Direct 

Release 

(lb/yr) 

Indirect 

Release 

(lb/yr) 

Total 

Release 

(lb/yr) 

Total 

TWPE (lbseq/yr) 

-­

Industry Category Not Assigned in 

TRI 2,750 4 2,760a 6.49 

430 Pulp, paper and paperboard 0 1,100 1,100 2.58 

433 Metal Finishing 0 118 118 0.278 

464 

Metal molding and casting 

(foundries) 0 22 22 0.051 

414 

Organic chemicals, plastics and 

synthetic fibers (OCPSF) 1,910 14 1,930 4.53 

417 Soap and detergent manufacturing -­ 4 4 0.010 

446 Paint formulating -­ 4 4 0.009 

Total 4,660 1,260 5,930 13.9 

Source: DMR Loading Tool
 

Note: Sums of individual values may not equal the total presented, due to rounding.
 a A majority of the releases are from a single facility without an assigned industry category in TRI, however, this
 

facility also reports to DMR and is assigned to OCPSF (40 CFR Part 414).
 

Washing manufactured products that contain BPA can release BPA into facility 

wastewater. However, discharges to wastewater are minor compared to releases to air and land. 

Wastewater releases accounted for less than 1 percent of the BPA releases reported to TRI in 

2011 (TRI Explorer). In 2011, less than 6,000 pounds of BPA were discharged to surface waters 

or indirectly to POTWs. 

Based on the limited data available in the CAP, OPPT only identified one study from 

2001 to 2002 that assessed the discharge of BPA from a wastewater treatment plant in Louisiana. 

BPA was not detected in the plant’s effluent (detection limit was 0.001 ug/L) (U.S. EPA, 2010b). 

Toxicity and Exposure Routes 

BPA is a reproductive, developmental, and systemic toxicant in animal studies and is 

weakly estrogenic, therefore OPPT has concerns about its potential impact particularly on 

children’s health and the environment. Most human exposures come from food packaging 

materials, and are under FDA’s jurisdiction. However, this exposure accounts for only about five 

percent of the BPA produced (U.S. EPA, 2010b). As a result, OPPT’s focus is on human and 

environmental exposure from manufacturing, processing, and industrial uses, commercial uses, 

select consumer uses, incidental ingestion from consumer products, and ingestion of BPA in 

drinking water contaminated by wastewater releases to surface water, by landfill leachate, or 

from distribution systems with BPA-based pipes (U.S. EPA, 2010b). 

OPPT assessed limited data regarding the concentrations of BPA in the environment. 

Most environmental monitoring results show concentrations of BPA in waterbodies at levels less 

than 1 ug/L, with a median concentration of 0.14 ug/L. This median concentration is lower than 

any calculated predicted no effect concentration (PNEC) (U.S. EPA, 2010b). However, OPPT 

indicates additional data are needed to determine how many areas exceed PNEC values or 

concentrations of concern, how often these concentrations are exceeded, and what pathways lead 

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Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.2—Review of Chemical Action Plans 

to BPA presence in the environment from manufacturing, processing, distribution in commerce, 

use, or disposal. 

Further, recent and novel low-dose studies describe subtle effects in laboratory animals at 

very low concentrations, though the translation to human health effects is currently unclear. The 

studies are of concern because they indicate effects at or approaching levels measured in the 

environment. In addition, endocrine-related effects in fish, aquatic invertebrates, amphibians, and 

reptiles have been reported at exposure levels lower than those required for acute toxicity (U.S. 

EPA, 2010b). 

BPA has a TWF of 0.002354074 (U.S. EPA, 2007), though this TWF has not been 

updated since at least 2003. According to the CAP, several government assessments and 

numerous toxicological studies have evaluated the effects of BPA since 2004. Some of the 

assessments suggest that BPA potentially elicits endocrine-related effects at low doses, lower 

than those usually seen to elicit effects in standard toxicity tests (U.S. EPA, 2010b). Though total 

reported releases of BPA (as shown in Table 6-30) are low, OW is concerned that the current 

TWF may be underestimating the discharge hazard. 

OPPT Actions 

OPPT has taken and is planning the following actions related to BPA: 

	 On January 29, 2014, EPA published a final alternatives assessment for Bisphenol 

A (BPA) Alternatives in Thermal Paper (U.S. EPA, 2014a). A draft of this 

assessment was open for public review and comment period from July 31, 2012, 

to October 1, 2012. 

	 Consider initiating a rulemaking to develop additional data to determine whether 

BPA presents an unreasonable risk of injury to the environment. This rulemaking 

may include testing or monitoring data near landfills, manufacturing facilities, or 

similar locations to determine the potential for BPA to enter surface water, ground 

water, and drinking water. 

OW’s Findings 

Several industrial categories reported discharges of BPA in 2011 to TRI; however, BPA 

is not currently regulated by existing ELGs. Though quantity and total TWPE of reported BPA 

discharges are low (less than 15 lb-eq/yr) (DMR Loading Tool), OW has concerns that the 

associated risks are underestimated and the TWF may need to be reevaluated. The current TWF 

does not account for new toxicity data, which suggests endocrine-related affects may occur at 

much lower doses. 

6.2.2.3 Hexabromocyclododecane 

Chemical Production and Use 

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is a category of brominated flame retardants 

consisting of 16 possible isomers. It is used to make flame retardant additives, thermal insulation 

foam, and plastic enclosures. HBCD may also be used as a flame retardant in the backcoating of 

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Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.2—Review of Chemical Action Plans 

textiles for upholstered furniture, upholstery seating, draperies, wall coverings, mattress ticking, 

and interior textiles (though the 2006 IUR indicated that less than one percent of the total 

commercial and consumer use of HBCD was used for fabrics, textiles, and apparel). In addition, 

HBCD is used in high-impact polystyrene in electrical and electronic appliances (U.S. EPA, 

2010c). 

In the 2006 IUR, five facilities reported either manufacturing or importing at least 25,000 

pounds (the IUR reporting threshold) of HBCD: Albemarle (2 facilities), BASF, LG Chem 

America, and Chemtura (U.S. EPA, 2006). 

Presence in Industrial Wastewater 

The industrial categories that produce or use HBCD in the processes listed above may 

include: 

 Textiles (40 CFR Part 410); 

 OCPSF (40 CFR Part 414); 

 Rubber Manufacturing (40 CFR Part 428); 

 Plastics Molding and Forming (40 CFR Part 463); and 

 Electrical and Electronic Components (40 CFR 469). 

The ELGs for the categories listed above do not regulate HBCDs. 

HBCD is an additive flame retardant, meaning it is not chemically bound to the matrix of 

the material it protects, and thus may enter the environment when finished products are washed 

(U.S. EPA, 2010c).The HBCD CAP and other readily available information did not provide 

wastewater generation or discharge information relevant to the U.S. However, the European 

Chemicals Agency (ECHA) reported that in 2008, 50 percent of the releases of HBCD were to 

wastewater, as compared to other environmental media (U.S. EPA, 2010c). A Swedish source 

indicated that the primary source of release in Europe is from textile applications, though these 

data may not translate to the U.S. Based on the 2006 IUR, less than one percent of the total 

volume of HBCD was used for textile applications, therefore OPPT expects releases from this 

source to be relatively small (U.S. EPA, 2010c). 

Toxicity and Exposure Routes 

HBCD is typically manufactured as a powder, a portion of which is micronized. The 

small size of the particles make human inhalation a concern. HBCD also is persistent, 

bioaccumulative, and has toxic properties (PBT), particularly to aquatic organisms. It has been 

measured in a variety of environmental media including air, sediment, marine mammals, 

freshwater fish, aquatic invertebrates, and birds (U.S. EPA, 2010c). 

OPPT did not identify any readily available information on the release of HBCD to the 

environment in the U.S. However, ECHA reported a release of 3,100 kg/year in Europe, 50 

percent of which went to wastewater, 29 percent to surface water, and 21 percent to air (ECHA, 

2009). Data from the United Kingdom indicate that the primary sources of HBCD release are 

fugitive emissions during its manufacture and subsequent use in products, leaching from 

landfills, and incinerator emissions (U.S. EPA. 2010c). 

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Currently, HBCD does not have a TWF. If OW identifies discharges of HBCD in 

industrial wastewater in the future, it may need to consider developing a TWF to more fully 

characterize and understand the relative toxicity of the discharges. 

OPPT Actions 

OPPT has taken and is planning the following actions related to HBCD: 

	 In March 2012, proposed a SNUR covering HBCD’s use in consumer textiles 

other than motor vehicles (77 FR 17386). 

	 Consider initiating a rulemaking to add HBCD to TRI. 

	 In April 2011, began coordinating with DfE on a Partnership on Flame Retardant 

Alternatives for Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD).29 In September 2013, EPA 

posted the draft DfE alternatives assessment for public comment. 

OW’s Findings 

Based on the available information, HBCD may be present in industrial wastewater 

discharges from several industrial point source categories. Studies in Europe suggest that there 

could be significant wastewater discharges, though OW is currently uncertain about the specific 

sources and significance of the discharge in the U.S. 

6.2.2.4 Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate and Toluene Diisocyanate 

Chemical Production and Use 

Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and toluene diisocyanate (TDI) are chemically 

similar, but may be used in different applications. According to the 2006 IUR, MDI is used in 

adhesives and sealants, paints and coatings, transportation products, rubber and plastic products, 

and lubricants, greases and fuel additives (U.S. EPA, 2011a). TDI is primarily used in the 

production of flexible foams, but may also be used in coatings, adhesives, binders, and sealants 

(U.S. EPA, 2011b). MDI and TDI are generally supplied as raw materials to formulators who 

combine them with other chemicals to create different polyurethanes with a wide variety of 

applications (U.S. EPA, 2011a, 2011b). 

Presence in Industrial Wastewater 

The industrial categories that produce or use MDI or TDI in the processes listed above 

may include: 

	 Textiles (40 CFR Part 410); 

	 OCSPF (40 CFR Part 414); 

	 Rubber Manufacturing (40 CFR Part 428); 

	 Paint Formulating (40 CFR Part 446); 

	 Plastics Molding and Forming (40 CFR Part 463); and 

29 For more information on the DfE Partnership on Flame Retardant Alternatives for Hexabromocyclododecane see 

http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/hbcd/index.htm. 

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6.2—Review of Chemical Action Plans 

	 Electrical and Electronic Components (40 CFR Part 469). 

In water, TDI will hydrolyze into toluene diamine (U.S. EPA, 2011b) and MDI will 

hydrolyze into methyl diphenyl diamine (U.S. EPA, 2011a). Toluene diamine is a TRI listed 

chemical. In 2011, only one facility reported discharges of toluene diamine to TRI, with a total 

discharge of 5 pounds per year (DMR Loading Tool). OPPT has not regulated methyl diphenyl 

diamine under TRI; therefore, OW does not have any data to characterize its presence in 

industrial wastewater. 

The ELGs for the categories listed above do not regulate TDI, MDI or their hydrolysis 

byproducts. 

Toxicity and Exposure Routes 

The hazards associated with TDI and MDI have centered on human health effects 

because of their low ecotoxicity profiles. Toxicological data indicate moderate to low toxicity in 

aquatic organisms (U.S. EPA, 2011a, 2011b). 

In humans, diisocyanates are documented as dermal and inhalation sensitizers. However, 

exposure to products containing cured polyurethanes has not generally been a concern because 

cured products are considered inert and nontoxic. OPPT developed CAPs for MDI and TDI to 

address more recent concerns about the presence of uncured MDI and TDI in products used by or 

around consumers as well as unprotected building occupants (primarily as an inhalation and 

dermal exposure concern) (U.S. EPA, 2011a, 2011b). 

MDI and TDI do not currently have TWFs; however, toluene diamine (a TDI hydrolysis 

byproduct) is a TRI-listed chemical and has a TWF of 0.3388 (U.S. EPA, 2007). OPPT has not 

regulated methyl diphenyl diamine (an MDI hydrolysis byproduct) under TRI, and OW has not 

developed an associated TWF. If OW identifies discharges of methyl diphenyl diamine in 

industrial wastewater in the future, it may need to consider developing a TWF to more fully 

characterize and understand the relative toxicity of the discharges. 

OPPT Actions 

OPPT is planning the following actions related to MDI: 

	 In September 2012, sent a letter to nine companies requesting information on 

curing times for polyisocyanate products. OPPT is in the process of looking at 

data received in response to the letter for exposure information. If, after 

considering the data submitted, OPPT determines more information is still 

needed, the Agency will consider developing a proposed rule under TSCA 

Section 8(d) to require chemical manufacturers (including importers) to submit 

unpublished health and safety data on diisocyanates. 

OPPT is planning the following actions related to TDI: 

	 Develop a SNUR for uncured TDI and its related polyisocyanates in consumer 

products. The Proposed SNUR for TDI and related compounds for consumer use 

is scheduled for publication in Fall 2014. The SNUR contains a SNU for seven 

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TDI and related compounds. For this proposed rule, the general SNUR article 

exemption for persons who import or process TDI and related compounds would 

not apply. 

	 In September 2012, sent a letter to nine companies requesting information on 

curing times for polyisocyanate products. OPPT is in the process of looking at 

data received in response to the letter for exposure information. If, after 

considering the data submitted, OPPT still believes more data is needed, the 

Agency will consider developing a proposed rule under TSCA Section 8(d) to 

require chemical manufacturers (including importers) to submit unpublished 

health and safety data on diisocyanates. 

OW’s Findings 

In water, TDI will hydrolyze into toluene diamine and MDI will hydrolyze into methyl 

diphenyl diamine; therefore, MDI and TDI may not directly pose a significant source or hazard 

in industrial wastewater discharge. However, available information suggests that the MDI and 

TDI hydrolysis byproducts may be present in industrial wastewater, though OW is currently 

uncertain of the extent of concern. In 2011, one facility reported discharges of toluene diamine to 

TRI, with a total discharge of 5 pounds per year (DMR Loading Tool). OW does not currently 

have any data characterizing discharges of methyl diphenyl diamine. 

6.2.2.5 Nonylphenol and Nonylphenol Ethoxylates 

Chemical Production and Use 

Nonylphenol (NP) and nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) are used to manufacture resin 

and synthetic rubber (stabilizer), printing ink, and soap (including industrial laundry detergents) 

and cleaning products (U.S. EPA, 2010d). Kirk-Othmer states that the major use for NPEs is in 

the production of nonionic surfactants, constituting 80 percent of the total use (Kirk-Othmer, 

2003). The primary use of NP is as an intermediate in the manufacture of NPEs (U.S. EPA, 

2010d). 

Presence in Industrial Wastewater 

The industrial categories that produce or use NP or NPEs in the processes listed above 

may include: 

 Textiles (40 CFR Part 410);
 

 OCSPF (40 CFR Part 414);
 

 Soap and Detergent Manufacturing (40 CFR Part 417);
 

 Rubber Manufacturing (40 CFR Part 428);
 

 Pulp, Paper and Paperboard (40 CFR Part 430);
 

 Oil and Gas Extraction (40 CFR Part 435);
 

 Paint Formulating (40 CFR Part 446); and
 

 Ink Formulating (40 CFR Part 447).
 

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The ELGs for the categories listed above do not regulate NP or NPEs. Further, OW was 

not able to identify, through either the CAP or other readily available information, data on 

wastewater generation or discharge of NP and NPEs in the U.S. However, information from the 

European Union and Canada indicates environmental releases to water during the manufacture 

and use of NP and NPEs (EU, 2002 and Environment Canada, 2001). 

Industrial laundries, which are not currently regulated by ELGs, may also be significant 

sources of discharge because of the continued use of detergents containing NPEs. In fact, 

industrial laundry detergents are the current focus of OPPTs voluntary initiatives to phase out the 

use of NPEs. 

OW previously evaluated industrial laundry discharges when it developed proposed 

pretreatment standards for this industry in 1997. The proposed pretreatment standards included 

limits for 11 pollutants, but did not include NPs or NPEs (U.S. EPA, 2000). In 1999, OW 

ultimately decided not to promulgate national pretreatment standards for industrial laundries (64 

FR 45071). OW determined that the discharges to POTWs did not represent a problem 

warranting national regulation because the pretreatment options determined to be economically 

achievable would remove only a small amount of pollutants. In addition, OW believed that 

POTWs were generally not experiencing problems from industrial laundry discharges, and that 

any discharges would be adequately controlled by the existing pretreatment program. 

Toxicity and Exposure Routes 

NP is persistent in the aquatic environment, moderately bioaccumulative, and extremely 

toxic to aquatic organisms. NPEs, though less toxic than NP, are also highly toxic to aquatic 

organisms and, in the environment, tend to degrade to NP, which is more environmentally 

persistent (U.S. EPA, 2010d). EPA has developed water quality criteria for NP, as shown in 

Table 6-31 (U.S. EPA, 2005). 

Table 6-31. NP Water Quality Criteria 

Species Acute Water Quality Criteria Chronic Water Quality Criteria 

Freshwater species 28 ug/L 6.6 ug/L 

Saltwater species 7 ug/L 1.7 ug/L 

According to the CAP, there is likely significant environmental exposure to NP and NPEs 

from facilities that manufacture NP- and NPE-containing products and that are discharging to 

surface waters. A range of surface water and sediment levels have been measured in the U.S: 

some measurements of NP near industrial discharges exceeded the water quality criteria (U.S. 

EPA, 2010d). In addition, sewage treatment plants are common receivers of NPE discharges, 

possibly due to the use of industrial laundry detergents. At sewage treatment plants, NPEs 

degrade to shorter-chain NPEs and are expected to partition to sludge (U.S. EPA, 2010d). 

Currently NP and NPEs do not have TWFs. If OW identifies discharges of NP and NPEs 

in industrial wastewater in the future, it may need to consider developing TWFs to more fully 

characterize and understand the relative toxicity of the discharges. 

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OPPT Actions 

OPPT has taken and is planning the following actions related to NP and NPEs: 

	 In May 2012, coordinated with DfE to release An Alternatives Assessment for 

Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (U.S. EPA, 2012c). 

	 Support and encourage the voluntary phase-out of NPEs in industrial laundry 

detergents in coordination with DfE Safer Detergents Stewardship Initiative.30 

This program will end the use of NPEs in industrial laundry detergents by 2013 

for liquid detergents and 2014 for powdered detergents. 

	 Encourage manufacturers of all NPE-containing direct release products to move 

to NPE-free formulations. 

	 Develop an alternatives analysis and encourage the elimination of NPEs in other 

industries that discharge NPEs to water, such as the pulp and paper and textile 

processing sectors. 

	 Initiate rulemaking to propose a SNUR for NP and NPEs for use of NPEs no 

longer being manufactured. The Proposed NP/NPE SNUR is currently scheduled 

for publication in 2014. 

	 In June 2009, issued an advanced notice of proposed rule under TSCA Section 4 

test rules to require the development of information necessary to determine the 

effects that NP and NPEs have on human health or the environment (74 FR 

28654). EPA intends to evaluate how releases and exposures are mitigated 

through the phase-out action; and plans to finalize any proposed testing actions 

accordingly. 

	 Initiate rulemaking to add NP and NPEs to TRI. On June 20, 2013 EPA published 

a proposed Nonylphenol Category to TRI (78 FR 37176). 

OW’s Findings 

Though NP and NPEs may phase out of use in industrial laundry detergents over the next 

few years, available data and information suggest that they likely are present in wastewater 

discharge from several industrial categories. NP and NPEs have been measured in surface water 

and sediment in the U.S. and data from the European Union and Canada suggest there have been 

environmental releases to water during the manufacture and use of NP and NPEs. 

6.2.2.6 Perfluorinated Chemicals (Long-Chain) 

Chemical Production and Use 

Long-chain perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are a family of fluorine-containing 

chemicals with unique properties that make materials resistant to stains and to sticking. PFCs are 

used to manufacture wire, cable, and apparel. Additionally, PFCs are used as cookware coatings 

30 For more information on the Safer Detergent Stewardship Initiative see 

http://www.epa.gov/oppt/dfe/pubs/projects/formulat/sdsi.htm 

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and other miscellaneous coatings including carpets, paper products, and other precursor products 

(U.S. EPA, 2009a). 

There are two subcategories of PFCs: perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFAS) and long-chain 

perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFAC). The PFAS subcategory includes perfluorohexane sulfonic 

acid (PFHxS) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). The PFAC subcategory includes 

perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). 

PFAS manufacturing has dwindled significantly since 2003 when 3M, the principal U.S. 

producer of PFOS, phased out production. According to OPPT, PFAS are no longer 

manufactured in the U.S. (U.S. EPA, 2009a). 

PFAC on the other hand is still widely produced. The U.S. accounts for more than 50 

percent of the world’s fluorotelomer production (fluorotelomers are precursors to some long 

chain PFACs). Half the fluorotelomer production is in textiles and apparel, followed by carpet, 

carpet care products, and coatings—including coatings for paper products (U.S. EPA, 2009a). 

To address concerns surrounding releases of PFOA, OPPT initiated a 2010/2015 

Stewardship Program (U.S. EPA, 2012d). Under the program, manufacturing companies 

voluntarily committed to reducing PFOA emissions and product content by 95 percent by 2010. 

Additionally companies that chose to participate in the program would work to eliminate PFOA 

emissions and product content by 2015. In 2006, the eight major PFOA manufacturers joined the 

PFOA Stewardship Program (see Section 6.2.3 for more details). 

Presence in Industrial Wastewater 

PFCs are manufactured by OCPSF (40 CFR Part 414) facilities and used in products 

covered by many other industrial categories; however, no ELGs currently regulate the discharge 

of PFCs. These chemicals can enter the wastewater during manufacture and via washing of 

manufactured products (U.S. EPA, 2009a). PFOA, in particular, has been detected in industrial 

wastewater discharges from OCPSF facilities. These discharges in some cases are causing 

surface water concentrations above a provisional health advisory level for drinking water. In 

addition, OPPT has suggested that PFOA may be present in industrial wastewater discharges 

from a variety of other industries that use imported PFOA in the manufacture of products such as 

clothing and cookware (U.S. EPA, 2009a). Because of the extent of information and available 

data, OW presents its review of wastewater discharges related to PFCs, and PFOA in particular, 

below in Section 6.2.3. Section 6.2.3 also briefly discusses PFOA wastewater treatment. 

Toxicity and Exposure Routes 

PFCs have been found worldwide in the environment, wildlife, and in humans. PFCs are 

persistent in the environment and bioaccumulative in wildlife and humans. Significant adverse 

effects have been observed in laboratory animals and wildlife, though not in humans (U.S. EPA, 

2009a). 

PFAS and PFAC contamination and entry points into the environment seem to vary by 

location and among species, suggesting multiple sources of emissions (U.S. EPA, 2009a). PFAC 

and PFAS have been found in untreated groundwater, rivers, streams, bays, estuaries, oceans, 

and even rainwater. OPPT has documented specific releases from manufacturing (see the 

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discussion in Section 6.2.3 for more details on industrial discharges of PFOA). In some cases, 

PFOA releases near industrial facilities have contaminated drinking water supplies. As of April 

2013, citizens in Woods County, West Virginia continue to express concerns related to drinking 

water supplies contaminated with PFOA from operations at a DuPont-owned plant. The citizens 

contend that DuPont is not meeting its end of the agreement under the Stewardship Program 

(Inside EPA, 2013). 

Currently PFCs, including PFOA, do not have TWFs. OW may consider developing 

TWFs for these pollutants, as additional discharge data become available, to more fully 

characterize and understand the relative toxicity of the discharges. 

OPPT Actions 

OPPT has taken and is planning the following actions related to PFCs: 

	 On September 30, 2013, EPA issued a rule requiring companies to report all new 

uses of long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (LCPFAC) as part of carpets or to 

treat carpets. Companies now must report to EPA their intent to manufacture 

(including import) LCPFAC-containing products intended for use as part of 

carpets or to treat carpets, as well as import carpets already containing these 

chemical substances (78 FR 62443). 

	 EPA intends to propose a SNUR under section 5(a)(2) of the Toxic Substances 

Control Act (TSCA) for long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylate (LCPFAC) 

chemical substances, and for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) or its salts. EPA also 

intends to propose to make the article exemption inapplicable to the import of 

certain identified chemical substances. 

	 Evaluate the potential for disproportionate impact on children and other subpopulations; incorporating this effort as a part of published rules. 

	 Continue to work with companies to eliminate long-chain PFCs from emissions 

and products through the 2010/2015 PFOA Stewardship Program (U.S. EPA, 

2012d). OPPT will also continue to evaluate alternatives under EPA's New 

Chemicals Program and collaborate with other countries on managing PFCs. 

OW’s Findings 

OW has found that PFCs, specifically PFOA, are present in industrial wastewater 

discharge from OCPSF facilities (40 CFR Part 414) and that the discharges in some cases are 

resulting in surface water concentrations above a provisional health advisory level for drinking 

water. OPPT has suggested that PFOA may be present in industrial wastewater discharge from a 

variety of other industries that use imported PFOA in the manufacture of various products such 

as clothing and cookware (U.S. EPA, 2009a). However, PFCs are not currently regulated by 

existing ELGs. 

OPPT also investigated potential wastewater treatment options and determined that 

biological treatment systems are not successful in treating PFOA (U.S. EPA, 2009a). EPA’s 

Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (OGWDW) drinking water treatment technology 

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data suggest that granular activated carbon (GAC) may be a viable solution for eliminating 

PFOA in drinking water (U.S. EPA, 2012e), but it is unclear if that technology could be effective 

in an industrial wastewater matrix. 

6.2.2.7 Penta, Octa, and Decabromodiphenyl Ethers 

Chemical Production and Use 

Penta-, octa-, and decabromodiphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are flame retardants. OPPT’s CAP 

reported that the sole domestic manufacturer of commercial mixtures of pentaBDE and octaBDE 

phased out their production in 2004 (U.S. EPA, 2009b). DecaBDE is still manufactured and used 

in the U.S. The three major product categories that use decaBDE as an additive flame retardant 

include textiles, electronics equipment, and building and construction materials, with its primary 

use being in high impact polystyrene-based products. However, through the U.S. EPA DecaBDE 

Phase-Out Initiative (U.S. EPA, 2012f), OPPT received commitments from the primary 

manufacturers and importers of decaBDE to reduce production beginning in 2010. 

Presence in Industrial Wastewater 

The industrial categories that produce or use PBDEs in the processes listed above may 

include: 

 Textiles (40 CFR Part 410); 

 OCSPF (40 CFR Part 414); 

 Plastic Molding and Forming (40 CFR Part 463); and 

 Electrical and Electrical Components (40 CFR Part 469). 

PBDEs are not regulated by these ELGs and OW was not able to identify any data 

regarding their presence in industrial wastewater discharge. 

Toxicity and Exposure Routes 

OPPT is concerned that some of the component congeners of PBDEs are persistent, 

bioaccumulative, and toxic. The mechanisms by which PBDEs enter the environment are not 

known, but likely include releases from manufacturing of the chemicals, manufacturing of 

products such as textiles and plastics that use the chemicals, and from wear and disposal of 

treated products over time (U.S. EPA, 2009b). Studies indicate that the primary exposure for 

humans is the use of PBDEs in commercial products that are part of the indoor environment 

(foam cushions, computer circuitry, fabrics, etc.). PBDEs are not chemically bound to plastics, 

foam, fabrics, or other products in which they are used, making them more likely to leach out of 

these products (U.S. EPA, 2009b). Despite phase-out of production in the U.S., some reports 

indicate that levels of PBDEs in humans and the environment are increasing (U.S. EPA, 2009b). 

One potential source is imported articles to which these compounds have been added. Another is 

the possible breakdown of decaBDE into more toxic and bioaccumulative PBDE congeners. 

Currently PBDEs do not have TWFs. If OW identifies discharges of PBDEs in industrial 

wastewater in the future, it may need to consider developing TWFs to more fully characterize 

and understand the relative toxicity of the discharges. 

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OPPT Actions 

OPPT has taken and is planning the following actions related to PBDEs: 

	 In April 2012, proposed to amend the PBDE SNUR to add processing of the six 

PBDE congeners in penta- and octaPBDE as a significant new use; add 

manufacturing, importing, or processing of decaBDE as a significant new use; 

and designate the manufacture or processing of any article to which PBDEs have 

been added as a significant new use (77 FR 19861). 

	 In April 2012, issued a proposed TSCA Section 4 test rule for penta-, octa-, and 

decaBDE to require development of information necessary to determine the 

effects of manufacturing, processing, or other activities on human health and the 

environment (77 FR 19861). 

	 Support and encourage the voluntary phase-out of the manufacture and import of 

decaBDE (U.S. EPA, 2012f). 

	 In support of the phase-out, on January 29th, 2014, EPA published An Alternatives 

Assessment for the Flame-Retardant Decabromodiphenyl Ether (DecaBDE) (U.S. 

EPA, 2014b). A draft of this assessment was open for public review and comment 

from July 30, 2012 to September 30, 2012. 

OW’s Findings 

Based on review of the CAP and other readily available information, OW has found that 

PBDEs in industrial wastewater discharges are not a significant source that needs to be 

considered in ELG development. According to OPPT, pentaBDE and octaBDE are no longer 

produced in the U.S., and OPPT is working to phase out decaBDE. 

6.2.2.8 Phthalates 

Chemical Production and Use 

Phthalates are used as plasticizers in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products and to 

manufacture paints and coatings, cement, carpet and rugs, wood kitchen cabinets and 

countertops, and explosives. The CAP identifies eight individual phthalate esters, with ten 

separate CAS numbers, that warrant an assessment and management strategy (see Table 6-32 for 

the list of phthalates covered in the CAP) (U.S. EPA, 2012g). 

Presence in Industrial Wastewater 

Two point source categories, OCPSF (40 CFR Part 414) and Centralized Waste 

Treatment (CWT) (40 CFR Part 437), regulate three of the eight phthalates identified in the 

CAP. In addition, two of the eight phthalates are TRI-listed chemicals. Table 6-32 presents the 

phthalates discussed in the CAP and identifies those that are regulated by the existing ELGs 

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Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.2—Review of Chemical Action Plans 

and/or are listed under TRI. Table 6-33 presents the phthalate limits from Parts 41431 and 437, 

respectively.32 

Table 6-32. Phthalates in CAP Regulated by ELGs and/or Listed in TRI 

Phthalate Ester Identified in 

CAP CAS No. Common Name(s) 

Regulated 

under Part 

414 

Regulated 

under Part 

437 

TRI 

Listed 

Chemical 

1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, 

1,2-dibutyl ester (DBP) 

84-74-2 Dibutyl phthalate, Din-butyl phthalate X X 

1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, 

1,2-bis-(2methylpropyl) ester 

(DIBP) 

84-69-5 Diisobutyl phthalate 

1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, 

1-butyl 2(phenylmethyl) ester 

(BBP) 

85-68-7 Butylbenzyl phthalate X 

1,2-Benzenedicarboxylid acid, 

1,2-dipentyl ester (DnPP) 

131-18-0 Di-n-pentyl phthalate 

1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, 

1,2-bis(2ethylhexyl) ester 

(DEHP) 

117-81-7 Bis(2­

ethylhexyl)phthalate, 

Di(2­

ethylhexyl)phthalate 

X X X 

1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, 

1,2-dioctyl ester (DnOP) 

117-84-0 OP Di-n-octyl 

phthalate 

1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, 

1,2-diisononyl ester (DINP) 

28553-12-0 Diisononyl phthalate 

1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, 

di-C8-C10-branched alkyl esters, 

C9-rich (Part of DINP) 

68515-48-0 Di-(C9-rich branched 

C8-C10 ­ alkyl) 

phthalate 

1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, 

1,2-diisodecyl ester (DIDP) 

26761-40-0 Diisodecyl phthalate 

1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, 

di-C9-C11-branched alkyl esters, 

C10-rich (Part of DIDP) 

68515-49-1 Di-(C10-rich branched 

C9-C11­ alkyl) phthalate 

Sources: 40 CFR 414, 40 CFR 437, EPCRA Section 313 Chemical List for Reporting Year 2011. 

31 Part 414 also regulates diethyl and dimethyl phthalate, which are not discussed in the Phthalates CAP. 32 For a complete listing of the TRI listed chemicals see: http://www2.epa.gov/toxics-release-inventory-triprogram/tri-listed-chemicals. 

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Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

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Table 6-33. ELG Limits for Regulated Phthalates 

Point 

Source 

Category Pollutant Name 

Daily 

Maximum 

(mg/L) 

Monthly 

Average 

(mg/L) Type of Limit 

OCPSF Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) 279 103 BAT and NSPS, Subpart I— 

Direct Discharge Point Sources 

That Use End-of-Pipe 

Biological Treatment 

Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) 57 27 

Diethyl phthalate a 203 81 

Dimethyl phthalatea 47 19 

Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) 258 95 BAT and NSPS, Subpart J— 

Direct Discharge Point Sources 

That Do Not Use End-of-Pipe 

Biological Treatment 

Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) 43 20 

Diethyl phthalate a 113 46 

Dimethyl phthalate a 47 19 

Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) 258 95 PSES and PSNS, Subpart K— 

Indirect Discharge Point 

Sources 

Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) 43 20 

Diethyl phthalate a 113 46 

Dimethyl phthalate a 47 19 

CWT Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) 0.215 0.101 BPT, BAT and NSPS, Subpart 

B—Oils Treatment and 

Recovery 

Butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP) 0.188 0.0887 

Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) 0.267 0.158 PSES and PSNS, Subpart B— 

Oils Treatment and Recovery 

Sources: 40 CFR 414.91, 414.101, 414.111, 437.21, 23-24, 437.25–26.
 a Diethyl phthalate and dimethyl phthalate are regulated by the ELGs, but are not included in the Phthalates CAP.
 

In addition to OCPSF, four other regulated point source categories reported di-n-butyl 

phthalate discharges to DMR or TRI in 2011, shown in Table 6-34. Additionally, nineteen 

regulated point source categories reported discharges of bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate to DMR or 

TRI in 2011, shown in Table 6-35. Only three facilities reported discharges of butylbenzyl 

phthalate. Two of these facilities are CWTs and one did not report an SIC code that corresponds 

to a specific industrial point source category (DMR Loading Tool). 

Table 6-34. Discharge of Di-n-butyl phthalate by Point Source Category as Reported to 

DMR and TRI (2011) 

PSC 

Code Point Source Category 

Di-n-butyl phthalate 

Total DMR 

Pounds 

(lbs/yr) 

Total DMR 

TWPE 

(lbs-eq/yr) 

Total TRI 

Pounds 

(lbs/yr) 

Total TRI 

TWPE 

(lbs-eq/yr) 

Facility 

Counts 

(DMR/TRI) 

415 Inorganic Chemicals 

Manufacturing 71.1 0.88 2,460 24.6 1/1 

414 OCPSF 558 5.54 132 1.31 17/4 

428 Rubber Manufacturing NR NR 7.84 0.078 0/2 

417 Soap and Detergent 

Manufacturing 21.5 0.21 0.8 0.008 1/1 

438 Metal Products and 

Machinery 0.14 0.0014 NR NR 1/0 

Total 651 6.63 2,605 26.0 20/8 

Source: DMR Loading Tool 

NR: Not reported 

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Table 6-35. Discharge of Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate by Point Source Category as
 

Reported to DMR and TRI (2011)
 

PSC 

Code Point Source Category 

Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate 

Total DMR 

Pounds 

(lbs/yr) 

Total 

DMR TWPE 

(lbs-eq/yr) 

Total TRI 

Pounds 

(lbs/yr) 

Total 

TWPE 

(lbs-eq/yr) 

Facility 

Counts 

(DMR/ 

TRI) 

415 

Inorganic Chemicals 

Manufacturing 190 48.3 NR NR 3/0 

414 

Organic Chemicals, 

Plastics And Synthetic 

Fibers (OCPSF) 3,450 862 2,090 523 33/3 

428 Rubber Manufacturing NR NR 379 94.7 0/14 

463 

Plastics Molding and 

Casting (Foundries) 10,600 2,650 151 37.8 1/8 

455 Pesticide Chemicals NR NR 2.05 0.513 0/1 

439 

Pharmaceutical 

Manufacturing 0.14 0.037 2.1 0.525 1/1 

417 

Soap and Detergent 

Manufacturing 21.5 5.38 NR NR 1/0 

419 Petroleum Refining 669 167 NR NR 1/0 

420 

Iron and Steel 

Manufacturing 311 77.6 NR NR 3/0 

421 

Nonferrous Metals 

Manufacturing 10.7 2.68 NR NR 1/0 

423 

Steam Electric Power 

Generating 0.409 0.102 NR NR 3/0 

438 

Metal Products and 

Machinery 3.75 0.937 9.36 2.34 6/4 

430 

Pulp, Paper and 

Paperboard 49.4 12.3 NR NR 2/0 

432 

Meat and Poultry 

Products 32.2 8.06 NR NR 1/0 

435 Oil & Gas Extraction 56.6 14.1 NR NR 1/0 

437 

Centralized Waste 

Treatment 6.98 1.73 NR NR 2/0 

445 Landfills 50.7 12.7 NR NR 3/0 

460 Hospital 0.45 0.11 NR NR 1/0 

410 Textile Mills NR NR 353 88.2 0/1 

Total 15,500 3,870 2,980 747 63/32 

Source: DMR Loading Tool.
 

NR: Not reported.
 

Note: Sums of individual values may not equal the total presented, due to rounding.
 

Table 6-36 shows that the discharges of the three phthalates reported in DMR are 

generally at concentrations significantly below the most stringent limits established by the 

existing ELGs. OW was not able to identify any data regarding the source, presence, or quantity 

of the other five unregulated phthalates in industrial wastewater discharge. 

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Table 6-36. Range of Average Phthalate Discharges Reported to DMR (2011)a 

Pollutant Name 

Monthly Average 

Concentrations (mg/L)a Facility Countb 

Most Stringent ELG Limits 

(mg/L)c 

Butylbenzyl phthalate 0.005-0.006 2 

0.0887 

(40 CFR 437 BPT, BAT, NSPS 

Subpart B) 

Di-n-butyl phthalate 0.0002-0.019 20 

20 

(40 CFR 414 BAT and NSPS, 

Subpart J and PSES and PSNS, 

Subpart K) 

Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate 0.0003- 7d 64 

0.101 

(40 CFR 437 BPT, BAT, NSPS 

Subpart B) 

Source: DMR Loading Tool.
 a Monthly average represents the range of concentrations for all point source categories reporting discharges.
 b Facility counts only include those facilities with reported loads greater than zero.
 c Most stringent ELG limits taken from Table 6-33. This information is provided for comparison purposes only. Not
 

all facilities are subject to the ELG limits for these pollutants.

d There are only three facilities that reported discharges greater than the most stringent ELG limit.
 

Toxicity and Exposure Routes 

Studies indicate that exposure to some phthalates may cause reproductive issues in the 

human population and in studied animal groups. Effects in the environment have been observed 

at measured environmental concentrations. Di-n-butyl phthalate, bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, and 

butylbenzyl phthalate were included in the first group of 67 chemicals to be screened as part of 

the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) (U.S. EPA, 2009b). 

Phthalates have been observed in most environmental media and may be released to the 

environment from multiple sources including industrial releases, disposal of industrial waste, 

municipal solid waste, land application of sewage sludge, and release from products containing 

phthalates. Based on 2007 TRI data, for two regulated phthalates (di-n-butyl phthalate and bis(2­

ethylhexyl)phthalate), releases to water are less significant than releases to land and air. 

OW has established TWFs for three regulated phthalates; butylbenzyl phthalate, di-nbutyl phthalate, and bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate as well as one of the unregulated phthalates, OP 

di-n-octyl phthalate (U.S. EPA, 2007). OW has not established TWFs for the remaining 

phthalates. If OW identifies discharges of these phthalates in industrial wastewater in the future, 

it may need to consider developing TWFs to more fully characterize and understand the relative 

toxicity of the discharge. 

OPPT Actions 

OPPT has taken and is planning the following actions related to phthalates: 

	 Coordinate with Consumer Product Safety Commission and Food and Drug 

Administration to more fully assess use, exposure, and substitutes for phthalates. 

	 In March 2012, proposed a SNUR covering most uses of di-n-pentyl phthalate (77 

FR 18752). 

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	 In August 2011, began coordinating with DfE on the Alternatives to Certain 

Phthalates Partnership.33 The alternatives assessment would build upon existing 

knowledge and would consider exposures to all human subpopulations, including 

children, as well as environmental exposure. 

OW’s Findings 

Three of the eight phthalates identified in the CAP are regulated by existing ELGs 

(OCPSF and CWTs) and two are TRI-listed chemicals. Available data suggests that these 

regulated phthalates are present in industrial wastewater discharge from several point source 

categories (beyond OCPSF and CWT), though the concentrations and TWPE are low. OW was 

not able to readily identify data to characterize the presence of the remaining five unregulated 

phthalates in industrial wastewater discharge. 

6.2.2.9 Short-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins 

Chemical Production and Use 

Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) are used in the formulation of metalworking 

fluids (as a component of lubricants and coolants in metal cutting and forming operations), 

plastics compounding (as a secondary plasticizer and flame retardant in PVC), rubber 

compounding, paint and coating formulation, petroleum lubricating oil and grease 

manufacturing, and adhesive and sealant formulation. In the U.S., SCCPs are most frequently 

used as components of lubricants and coolants in metal cutting and metal forming operations. 

The second largest use is as a secondary plasticizer and flame retardant in plastics, particularly 

PVC (U.S. EPA, 2009c). 

In 2012, EPA initiated enforcement action against Dover Chemical, requiring the facility 

to cease manufacturing SCCPs. Dover was the last U.S. manufacturer of SCCPs (U.S. EPA, 

2009c). Several companies import SCCPs (U.S. EPA, 2006). 

Presence in Industrial Wastewater 

The industrial categories that produce or use SCCPs in the processes listed above may 

include: 

	 OCPSF (40 CFR Part 414); 

	 Petroleum Refining (40 CFR Part 419); 

	 Iron and Steel Manufacturing (40 CFR Part 426); 

	 Pulp, Paper and Paperboard (40 CFR Part 430); 

	 Metal Finishing (40 CFR Part 433); 

	 Paint Formulating (40 CFR Part 446); 

	 Plastics Molding and Forming (40 CFR Part 463); 

	 Aluminum Forming (40 CFR Part 467); 

33 For more information on the Alternatives to Certain Phthalates Partnership see 

http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/phthalates/index.html. 

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 Copper Forming (40 CFR Part 468);
 

 Nonferrous Metals Forming and Metals Powders (40 CFR Part 471); and
 

 Miscellaneous Foods and Beverages (40 CFR Part 503).
 

During manufacture, SCCPs are most likely to enter wastewater through container 

cleaning, dragout, and disposal of filter media and spent metal working fluid. Using generic 

scenario methodology, OPPT estimated total releases to wastewater from these activities to be 

approximately 2,400 kg per site per year (U.S. EPA, 2009c). The ELGs for the categories listed 

above do not regulate SCCPs. 

According to the CAP, releases from industrial sources often end up in sewage treatment 

plants. Concentrations of SCCPs in sewage sludge are much higher than in river and lake 

sediments, especially from wastewater treatment plants serving industrial areas (U.S. EPA, 

2009c). 

SCCPs were added to TRI in 1995 as polychlorinated alkanes. The 2005 through 2007 

TRI databases included reported releases of SCCPs to air from only one company manufacturing 

SCCPs, Dover Chemical in Hammond, Indiana. The facility reported no water releases in 2009 

(U.S. EPA, 2009c). Further, in 2011, one metal finishing manufacturer reported discharges of 

polychlorinated alkanes to TRI, totaling 5.62 pounds per year (DMR Loading Tool). OW did not 

identify any additional wastewater generation information for SCCPs. 

Toxicity and Exposure Routes 

OPPT has identified manufacturing and lubricant applications as the likely sources of 

environmental release and exposure. SCCPs have been found worldwide, in the environment, 

wildlife, and humans. SCCPs are bioaccumulative in humans and wildlife, are persistent in the 

environment, and are toxic to aquatic organisms at low concentrations (U.S. EPA, 2009c). 

Currently SCCPs do not have TWFs. If OW identifies discharges of SCCPs in industrial 

wastewater in the future, it may need to consider developing TWFs to more fully characterize 

and understand the relative toxicity of the discharges. 

OPPT Actions 

OPPT has taken and is planning the following actions related to SCCP: 

	 In February 2012, announced enforcement action against Dover Chemical, 

requiring them to pay $1.4 million and cease manufacturing of SCCPs.34 Dover is 

the last remaining chlorinated paraffin manufacturer in the U.S. 

	 In March 2012, proposed a SNUR for certain SCCPs (77 FR 18752). The 

proposal would require companies to notify EPA of plans to manufacture, import 

or process these chemicals, and would provide EPA an opportunity to review new 

uses and take any action needed to protect human health or the environment. 

34 For more information on the enforcement action against Dover Chemical, see 

http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/cases/civil/tsca/doverchemical.html. 

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	 In August 2012, announced a settlement with INEOS Chlor Americas, Inc, 

requiring them to end the importation of SCCPs into the U.S.35 

	 Further evaluate action under TSCA Section 5 and Section 6(a) for medium and 

long chain chlorinated paraffins. 

OW’s Findings 

SCCPs are no longer manufactured in the U.S., and only a single manufacturer reported a 

very small discharge of polychlorinated alkanes (which may include SCCP) to TRI in 2011. In 

addition, EPA has taken action against some companies importing SCCPs into the U.S. 

However, SCCPs have been used in metal working industries and have the potential to be 

released into wastewater. 

6.2.3	 Additional Review of Long-Chain PFCs 

Two PFCs have gained recent attention due to their persistence in the environment and 

their ability to bioaccumulate in the food chain: perfluorooctyl sulfonate (PFOS) and 

perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). This section focuses on PFOA discharges, because PFOS is no 

longer manufactured in the U.S.; industries have nearly completely replaced it with shorter-chain 

substitutes, such as perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS), except in some niche markets (U.S. EPA, 

2009a, 2012d). For additional background on PFCs, see Section 6.2.2.6. 

PFOA continues to be synthetically manufactured, imported, and used in the U.S. (U.S. 

EPA, 2009a). In addition to the data provided in the PFCs CAP, OW also reviewed data 

supporting OPPT’s 2010/2015 PFOA Stewardship Program (Stewardship Program). The 

Stewardship Program was developed to help minimize the potential impact of PFOA in the 

environment by asking manufacturing companies to voluntarily commit to reducing PFOA 

emissions and product content by 95 percent by 2010. Additionally, companies that chose to 

participate in the program would work to eliminate PFOA emissions and product content by 

2015 (U.S. EPA, 2012d). 

The following sections present OW’s findings on PFOA, including an overview of 

manufacturing and use, a summary of the OPPT 2010/2015 PFOA Stewardship Program, and a 

review of available discharge data and wastewater treatment options for PFOA. 

6.2.3.1 Overview of Manufacture and Use of PFOA 

PFOA is a long-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylate (PFAC). PFACs are synthetic chemicals 

that do not occur naturally in the environment. PFACs also include higher homologues, salts, and 

PFOA precursors. PFOA is an eight-carbon chain length chemical. Higher homologues are 

chemicals with similar structure to PFOA but with nine or more carbons in the chain (U.S. EPA, 

2012d). PFOA chemical precursors are chemicals that can break down to form PFOA (U.S. EPA, 

2012d). 

35 For more information on the settlement with INEOS Chlor Americas, Inc., see 

http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/cases/civil/tsca/ineoschlor.html. 

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The recent focus of industry and environmental groups has been on PFOAs and their 

fluorochemical precursors, which can degrade or metabolize to form perfluorocarboxylic acids 

(PFCAs). Fluoropolymers, fluorotelomers, and fluorotelomer-based compounds are precursors to 

PFOA and the main source of PFOA in the environment.36 PFOA (see chemical structure in 

Figure 6-9) has a molecular formula of C7F15COOH. 

Figure 6-9. Perfluorooctanoic Acid (CAS Number: 335-67-1) 

Plants primarily manufacture PFOA as an aqueous dispersion agent subsequently used 

for the manufacture of fluoropolymers. OW reviewed the PFCs CAP to determine the industrial 

categories manufacturing and using PFOA and its precursors (U.S. EPA, 2009a). PFOA and its 

fluorotelomer precursors are manufactured at facilities regulated by 40 CFR Part 414 (OCPSF). 

In addition to manufacturing, the degradation of fluorotelomers can also unintentionally 

result in the production of PFOA. For example, some residual monomer chemicals from the 

telomer manufacturing process such as telomer alcohols and telomer iodides may remain in the 

final product and break down into PFOA (U.S. EPA, 2012d). These fluorotelomer products are 

likely used in products that require even flow, which may include paints, coatings, cleaning 

products, and fire-fighting foams. Both manufacturers and consumers apply (spray) these 

products in after-market uses such as carpet treatments and water repellent sprays (U.S. EPA, 

2009a). Examples of industrial categories that use PFOA and its precursors include: 

 Automotive;
 

 Defense/aerospace;
 

 Power generation;
 

 Pollution control;
 

 Electronics/telecommunications;
 

 Chemical/petrochemicals;
 

 Consumer products such as cookware;
 

 Building/construction;
 

 Semiconductors;
 

 Textiles; and
 

 Paper products.
 

36 Fluoropolymers have thousands of important manufacturing and industrial applications such as plastic gears, 

gaskets and sealants, and pipes and tubing. Fluorotelomers are used to make polymers that impart resistance to soil, 

stain, grease, and water to coated articles. Consumers and commercial applicators in after-market uses such as carpet 

treatment and water repellent sprays use fluorotelomer-based compounds (U.S. EPA, 2009a). 

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6.2.3.2	 Industry Trends Observed in the OPPT 2010/15 PFOA Stewardship
 

Program
 

In 2006, eight major PFOA manufacturers joined the OPPT Stewardship Program. They 

committed to reducing facility emissions (including water discharges) and product content of 

PFOA, precursors, and higher homologues by 95 percent by 2010, and to work toward 

eliminating emissions and product content of these chemicals by 2015. The PFOA Stewardship 

Program also developed a non-exhaustive list of PFOA precursors, PFOA salts, and higher 

homologues. The companies that participate in the PFOA Stewardship Program are (U.S. EPA, 

2012d): 

 3M/Dyneon; 

 Arkema, Inc.; 

 Asahi Glass Company; 

 BASF Corporation; 

 Clariant Corporation; 

 Daikin America, Inc.; 

 E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company; and 

 Solvay Solexis. 

These companies submit annual progress reports on their reductions of PFOA, PFOA 

precursors, and higher homologues in facility emissions and product content. 

OW contacted OPPT personnel to obtain additional information on the discharge data 

collected as part of the program. The OPPT contact stated that the eight companies participating 

in the program likely supply 80 percent of the market with PFOA and PFOS. Because the 

Stewardship Program aims to decrease the manufacture and discharge of these chemicals, the 

manufacturers are transitioning to using C4 and C6 length chemicals. However, OPPT 

determined that C8 chemicals are still imported and used in the U.S. Therefore, the OPPT 

contact stated, manufacturing of these chemicals in the U.S. has decreased, but the discharges 

have not. C8 chemicals are manufactured in Italy, India, Russia, and China. Companies in the 

U.S. continue using C8 chemicals because they are more effective and cost half as much as the 

C4 and C6 chemicals produced in the U.S. (Libelo, 2012). 

OPPT confirmed that all of the large manufacturing facilities are participating in the 

Stewardship Program and monitoring for PFOA and other C8 chemicals. However, hundreds of 

users continue to apply PFOA to products such as cookware and clothes. The users have not all 

been identified and are not monitoring wastewater discharges for PFOA or PFOS (Libelo, 2012). 

Additionally, OPPT determined that larger facilities manufacturing PFOA and other 

PFCs likely have onsite wastewater treatment systems. Medium or smaller facilities send 

wastewater to publicly owned treatment works (POTW) or collect it in drums and send it offsite 

in batches for treatment (Libelo, 2012). The concentration of PFCs in wastewater discharged 

from medium and smaller facilities to surface water and POTWs has not been measured, based 

on available data from OPPT and the DMR Loading Tool. 

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OPPT confirmed that there are 12 facilities monitoring discharges for PFOA and PFOS. 

Additionally, some states include PFCs monitoring requirements in NPDES discharge permits, 

namely West Virginia, Ohio, New Jersey, Alabama, and Minnesota (Libelo, 2012). 

6.2.3.3 Available Data on PFCs in Industrial Wastewater Discharges 

OW collected publicly available data characterizing PFCs in industrial discharges. 

Specifically, OW reviewed the docket supporting the PFOA enforceable consent agreement 

(ECA) process. OPPT used the ECA process to identify and generate information to strengthen 

its PFOA draft risk assessment. Materials used and generated by the PFOA ECA are available in 

docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2003-0012. The docket contains reports provided by DuPont Chambers 

Works to document its progress in meeting its commitments to the EPA 2010/15 PFOA 

Stewardship Program. In 2005, Chambers Works implemented a sampling program, focused on 

wastewater discharges, to measure the effectiveness of the reduction efforts. OW reviewed these 

monthly discharge data. 

Additionally, OW searched the Envirofacts website and DMR Loading Tool to identify 

publicly available PFOA discharge data and found data for four facilities: 

	 DuPont Chambers Works in Deepwater, New Jersey; 

	 3M Decatur Plant in Decatur, Alabama; 

	 Daikin America, Inc. in Decatur, Alabama; and 

	 E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company in Chesterfield County, Virginia. 

The following subsections present the PFC discharge data that OW identified for these 

four facilities. To put these concentrations into context (because PFCs do not have ELGs or safe 

drinking water standards), OW compared concentrations of PFOA in wastewater discharges to 

the Provisional Health Advisory (PHA) PFOA drinking water concentration of 0.4 μg/L (U.S. 

EPA, 2011c), as shown in Table 6-37 through Table 6-41. EPA has also established a PHA of 

0.2 ug/L for one additional PFC, perfluorooctanesulfonate (U.S. EPA, 2011c). PHAs are not 

legally enforceable by federal standards; however, OW recommends taking action to reduce 

PFOA concentrations in drinking water at levels above the PHA concentration. 

DuPont Chambers Works Facility—Deepwater, New Jersey (NJ0005100) 

The OPPT ECA docket includes DuPont’s Status Report on PFOA Emissions Reductions 

and Data Summary for 2009 for the Chambers Works Manufacturing Facility (URS Corporation, 

2010). The facility has been working to reduce PFOA emissions through process improvements 

and source elimination. In 2006, DuPont committed to participate in the EPA 2010/2015 PFOA 

Stewardship Program. From 2000 to 2008, Chambers Works reduced PFOA emissions by 95 

percent. 

As described in DuPont’s 2009 status report, site process areas at DuPont Chambers 

Works associated with PFOA include (URS Corporation, 2010): 

	 Fluoroeslastomers (DPE): PFOA is a polymerization aid in the manufacture of 

specialty fluoroelastomers and perfluoroelastomers. In 2001, the site discontinued 

PFOA used in the standard fluoroelastomers, and in 2004 it installed a carbon 

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treatment system to treat washwaters and process cleanouts for the specialty 

fluoroelastomer and perfluoroelastomer manufacturing process. 

	 Fluorotelomers: PFOA is present in trace quantities as an unintended byproduct in 

portions of the fluorotelomer manufacturing process. The amounts of PFOA in 

fluorotelomer intermediates, while low, vary from levels below detection to 

concentrations in the parts per million. 

	 Chambers Works Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP): PFOA is present in trace 

quantities in some commercial wastewater streams that this central waste 

treatment facility accepts. PFOA continues to be used as a processing aid by 

industry and can be present as an unintended by-product in other wastestreams. In 

addition, PFOA is present in wastewaters from the Chambers Works onsite 

landfill leachate and groundwater treatment system. (Since 2003, many PFOAcontaining wastewater streams to the WWTP have been eliminated through 

treatment at the generation site or finding an alternative treatment). 

DuPont Regional Analytical Services analyzed wastewater PFOA concentrations 

according to a laboratory standard operating procedure. The analytical method uses liquid 

chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). The sampling program focuses on 

measuring wastewater discharges from the Chambers Works Complex, specifically outfall 

DSN662 (662), the treated effluent from the WWTP. 

Table 6-37 shows the average monthly concentrations of PFOA for 2006 through 2009 

for outfall 662. Table 6-37 also includes the average concentration for each year. It is clear that 

the concentrations are decreasing, but all monthly average concentrations exceed the 0.4 μg/L 

drinking water PHA. Table 6-38 shows some detailed weekly discharge data for 2010 and for 

one month in2011 for outfall 662, which continue to exceed the PHA. On three occasions in 

2010–2011, the PFOA concentration spiked to concentrations higher than the 2009 

concentrations. 

Table 6-37. Mean DuPont Chambers Works Monthly PFOA Concentrations and Mass
 

Loadings at Outfall 662, 2006–2009
 

Year Month 

Concentration 

(μg/L) 

Estimated Mass 

(lb/day) 

Average Concentration for 

the Reporting Year 

(μg/L) 

2006 January 26 3.74 50.6 

February 27.7 3.15 

March 36.2 3.54 

April 51 5.51 

May 39 3.29 

June 55.8 4.17 

July 40 4.43 

August 70 5.62 

September 66 7.57 

October 58 5.28 

November 98 6.76 

December 39 4.1 

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Table 6-37. Mean DuPont Chambers Works Monthly PFOA Concentrations and Mass
 

Loadings at Outfall 662, 2006–2009
 

Year Month 

Concentration 

(μg/L) 

Estimated Mass 

(lb/day) 

Average Concentration for 

the Reporting Year 

(μg/L) 

2007 January 66.3 6.48 41.9 

February 56.8 5.39 

March 65.3 6.26 

April 44.6 4.47 

May 30.9 2.74 

June 41.2 3.59 

July 24.3 2.35 

August 31.1 3.01 

September 58.1 4.48 

October 40.6 3.71 

November 20.3 1.9 

December 23.5 2.33 

2008 January 30.3 3.01 23.2 

February 41.8 4.2 

March 43.1 4.12 

April 18.6 1.72 

May 18.1 1.7 

June 30.4 2.87 

July 25.1 2.49 

August 21.1 1.99 

September 19.2 1.7 

October 13.1 1.19 

November 10.2 0.86 

December 7.6 0.69 

2009 January 3.5 0.3 11.4 

February 4.1 0.36 

March 4.4 0.36 

April 5.7 0.45 

May 8.2 0.69 

June 13.4 1.1 

July 10.8 0.8 

August 10.7 0.89 

September 12.5 0.97 

October 14.4 1.25 

November 21.2 1.69 

December 28.4 2.39 

Source: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2003-0012-1315. 

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Table 6-38. Detailed DuPont Chambers Works Monthly PFOA Concentrations and Mass
 

Loadings at Outfall 662, 2010–2011
 

Date Concentration of PFOA (Total, μg/L) 

1/11/2010 14.6 

1/18/2010 9.87 

1/25/2010 8.7 

2/1/2010 7.83 

2/8/2010 7.67 

2/15/2010 10.6 

2/22/2010 19.7 

4/5/2010 10.3 

4/12/2010 11.2 

4/19/2010 10.5 

4/26/2010 7.7 

6/1/2010 10 

6/7/2010 21.7 

6/14/2010 20.4 

6/21/2010 9.85 

6/28/2010 14 

7/6/2010 13.8 

7/12/2010 10.7 

7/19/2010 41.5a 

7/26/2010 24.4 

9/7/2010 13 

9/13/2010 12.9 

9/20/2010 8.28 

9/27/2010 12.4 

10/4/2010 15.6 

10/11/2010 35.4a 

10/18/2010 16.4 

10/25/2010 8.46 

12/6/2010 5.32 

12/13/2010 5.19 

12/20/2010 19.5 

12/27/2010 42.4a 

4/4/2011 7.49 

4/11/2011 7.25 

4/18/2011 5.61 

4/25/2011 7.24 

Sources: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2003-0012-1307, 1313, 1317, 1318, 1319, 1321. 

a DuPont 2010–2011 PFOA concentrations greater than the highest 2009 PFOA concentrations (28.4 μg/L) 

reported in Table 6-37. 

3M Decatur Plant (AL0000205) 

EPA’s Envirofacts website contains 2011 discharge data for the 3M Decatur plant. The 

3M Decatur plant is a major discharger that monitors for six PFCs from outfall 001, the 

discharge of process wastewater. Table 6-39 summarizes the 2011 minimum, maximum, and 

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mean concentrations for the six PFCs monitored. As shown in Table 6-39, the 2011 PFOA 

concentrations exceed the 0.4 μg/L drinking water PHA, and the perfluorooctanesulfonate 

concentrations exceed the 0.2 ug/L drinking water PHA. 

Table 6-39. Summary of the 2011 Maximum Concentration Data for 3M Decatur Plant, 

Outfall 001 (Process Wastewater Discharge) 

Pollutant Outfall 

Minimum 

Concentration 

(μg/L) 

Maximum 

Concentration 

(μg/L) 

Mean 

Concentration 

(μg/L) 

Perfluorobutanesulfonamide 001 23.4 51.9 33.3 

Perfluorobutanoic acid 001 1.54 3.05 1.94 

Perfluorobutanoicsulfonate 001 17.7 74.1 46.3 

Perfluorooctanesulfonamide 001 0.816 1.58 1.08 

Perfluorooctanesulfonate 001 10.7a 11.5a 11.1a 

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) 001 1.76 b 4.17 b 3.24 b 

Source: Envirofacts.
 a Concentrations greater than the 0.2 μg/L PHA.
 b Concentrations greater than the 0.4 μg/L PHA.
 

Daikin America, Inc. (AL0064351) 

EPA’s Envirofacts website contains 2011 discharge data for the Daikin America, Inc., 

plant. The Daikin plant is a major discharger that monitors for PFOA from outfalls 001, 002, and 

003. Table 6-40 summarizes the 2011 minimum, maximum, and mean PFOA concentrations. All 

2011 PFOA concentrations exceed the 0.4 μg/L PHA. 

Table 6-40. Summary of the 2011 Maximum PFOA Concentration Data for Daikin
 

America, Inc.
 

Outfall 

Minimum 

Concentration (μg/L) 

Maximum 

Concentration (μg/L) 

Mean Concentration 

(μg/L) 

001 1.3 7.59 5.09 

002 5.39 25 15.2 

003 4.54 96.9 50.8 

Source: Envirofacts. 

E.I. DuPont de Nemours (VA0004669) 

EPA’s DMR Loading Tool contains 2011 discharge data for the E.I. DuPont de Nemours 

plant. The DuPont plant is a major discharger that monitors for PFOA from two outfalls, 001O 

and 101O. Table 6-41 presents the minimum, maximum, and mean of the 2011 monthly average 

PFOA concentrations reported in the DMR Loading Tool. For this particular facility, only one 

monitoring period from outfall 101O exceeded the 0.4 μg/L PHA. 

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Table 6-41. Summary of the 2010 Average PFOA Concentration and Data for EI DuPont 

de Nemours 

Outfall 

Minimum 

Concentration (μg/L)a 

Maximum 

Concentration (μg/L)a 

Mean Concentration 

(μg/L)a 

001O 0.03 0.1 0.05 

101O 0.04 0.67b 0.14 

Source: DMR Loading Tool.
 a Minimum and maximum concentrations represent an individual monthly monitoring period. Mean concentration
 

is an annual mean calculated by the DMR Loading Tool across all monitoring periods. b Concentrations greater than the 0.4 μg/L PHA. Only one month in 2011 exceeded the PHA. 

6.2.3.4 PFOA Wastewater Treatment 

OPPT has investigated the fate of PFCs in wastewater and found that discharges of PFCs 

from POTWs have increased with the increase in products manufactured with or containing 

PFCs. Larger facilities manufacturing or using PFCs likely have onsite wastewater treatment, 

while medium sized facilities likely send wastewater to a POTW. Smaller facilities may collect 

wastewater in drums in a batch process. CWT and on-site treatment typically include biological 

treatment and incineration. However, OPPT determined that biological treatment systems are not 

successful in treating these chemicals. Because the wastewater likely contains precursors to 

PFOA and PFOS, which then degrade in the biological treatment plant, the effluent PFOA and 

PFOS concentrations are higher than the influent concentrations. Additionally, PFCs with more 

than eight carbons are more likely to stay in treatment sludge and be land-applied. OPPT 

identified incineration as an effective but energy-intensive treatment option for wastewater 

containing PFOA and other C8 chemicals (Libelo, 2012). 

OGWDW’s Drinking Water Treatability Database (TDB) collected information on 

technologies that treat PFOA in drinking water. Although the data evaluated how effective 

technologies were at removing PFOA from a cleaner matrix (drinking water compared to 

wastewater), the technologies might apply to wastewater as a polishing step following pretreatment. 

The TDB found that granular activated carbon (GAC) and ultraviolet irradiation, at 

wavelengths in the 185–200 nm range, remove PFOA from drinking water. OGWDW estimated 

that GAC could remove up to 100 percent of PFOA from drinking water. However, GAC 

treatment performance can vary based on water quality and treatment characteristics. According 

to the TDB, the bench-scale removal studies of ultraviolet irradiation using wavelengths in the 

range of 185–220 nm reported PFOA removals ranging from 62 to 90 percent (U.S. EPA, 

2012e). 

6.2.4 Summary of OW’s Findings from Chemical Action Plans Review 

In reviewing OPPT’s 10 CAPs, OW identified that one chemical category is being phased 

out of U.S. commerce. EPA does not intend to pursue further review for this class of chemicals: 

Penta, Octa, and Decabromodiphenyl Ethers (PBDEs). 

OW found that the following chemicals or classes of chemicals have continued 

production and/or known or potential wastewater discharges: 

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6.2—Review of Chemical Action Plans 

	 Benzidine Dyes. Dye production has been declining over the past decade due to 

an increase in imported finished textiles and, as a result, OPPT is focused on 

consumer exposure to finished products. However, based on the available 

information, OW has found that benzidine dyes may still be present in industrial 

wastewater discharge from several regulated industrial categories including 

OCPSF, textiles, leather tanning and finishing, pulp, paper, and paperboard, and 

ink formulating. 

	 BPA. BPA is not currently regulated by existing ELGs, but is a TRI-listed 

chemical. OW reviewed BPA discharge data reported to TRI in 2011 and 

identified several industrial categories with discharges. The quantity and total 

TWPE of reported BPA discharges is low (less than 15 lb-eq/yr total); however, 

the current TWF for BPA is over 10 years old, and therefore does not take into 

consideration new studies showing that endocrine-related effects may occur at 

much lower doses. 

	 HBCD. HBCDs are used in the manufacture of products covered by several point 

source categories, but are not currently regulated by any of the existing ELGs. 

OW was not able to identify specific wastewater generation information from the 

CAP or other readily available data sources, but did identify, based on studies in 

Europe, that there could be significant discharges of HBCD to wastewater. 

	 Toluene Diamine and Methyl Diphenyl Diamine. During its review of the 

Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (MDI) and Toluene Diphenyl Diisocyanate 

(TDI) CAPs, OW determined that, in the presence of water, TDI hydrolyzes to 

toluene diamine and MDI hydrolyzes to methyl diphenyl diamine, suggesting that 

these hydrolysis byproducts may be present in industrial wastewater. OW 

reviewed TRI data and identified one facility that discharged toluene diamine in 

2011, but at low levels. OW was not able to identify any readily available 

discharge data for methyl diphenyl diamine. 

	 NP/NPEs. NPs and NPEs are used in the manufacture of products covered by 

several industrial point source categories, but are not currently regulated by 

existing ELGs. Though OPPT has initiated a voluntary phase out of their use in 

industrial laundry detergent by 2014 and is considering similar initiatives for 

other NPE-containing products, OW has identified that NP and NPEs are still 

likely present in industrial wastewater discharge. OW was not able to find any 

readily available wastewater generation or discharge data in the U.S., however, 

data from the European Union and Canada indicate environmental releases to 

water during the manufacture and use of NP and NPEs. 

	 PFCs. OPPT identified several manufacturers that are discharging PFCs, to 

surface waters at levels above a provisional health advisory level for drinking 

water. ELGs do not currently regulate PFCs. OPPT also investigated potential 

wastewater treatment options and determined that biological treatment systems 

are not successful in treating PFOA, a PFC of interest due to its persistence in the 

environment and ability to bioaccumulate in the food chain. OGWDW drinking 

water treatment technology data suggest that GAC and UV irradiation may be a 

viable solution for eliminating PFOA in drinking water, but it is unclear if that 

technology would effectively translate to an industrial wastewater matrix. 

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6.2—Review of Chemical Action Plans 

	 Phthalates. OW found that 40 CFR Parts 414 (OCPSF) and 437(CWTs) currently 

regulate three of the eight phthalates listed in the CAP. Further, two of the 

regulated phthalates are also TRI listed chemicals. Review of DMR and TRI data 

show that there are several other point source categories besides OCPSF and 

centralized waste treatment that discharge phthalates, though at concentrations 

orders of magnitude lower than the existing ELGs’ limits. 

OW was not able to determine if the remaining five unregulated phthalates are 

present in industrial wastewater discharge. As indicated in the CAP, OPPT 

intends to add the other six phthalates to TRI, which may provide OW with data 

on the sources and quantity of their discharge. 

	 SCCPs. SCCPs are no longer manufactured in the U.S. and EPA has taken action 

against some companies importing SCCPs into the U.S. Although OW was not 

able to readily identify data to characterize the presence of SCCPs in industrial 

wastewater discharge, SCCPs have been used in metal working industries and 

may have the potential to be released into wastewater. 

6.2.5	 References for Review of Chemical Action Plans 

1.	 Environment Canada. 2001. Priority Substances List Assessment Report: Nonylphenol 

and its Ethoxylates. (April). EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07757. 

2.	 Libelo, Laurence, Toni Krasnic. 2012. Telephone Communication between Laurence 

Libelo, U.S. EPA PFOA Stewardship Program, and Elizabeth Sabol, Eastern Research 

Group, Inc. Re: Long Chain PFCs Discharge Data. (March 16). EPA-HQ-OW-2010­

0824. DCN 07728. 

3.	 Kirk-Othmer. 2003. Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. (September 

19). Available online at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/book/10.1002/0471238961. EPAHQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07758. 

4.	 ECHA. 2009. European Chemicals Agency. Data on Manufacture, Import, Export Uses 

and Releases of HBCDD as well as Information on Potential Alternatives to Its Use. 

(December). Available online at: 

http://echa.europa.eu/doc/consultations/recommendations/tech_reports/tech_rep_hbcdd.p 

df. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07759. 

5.	 EU. 2002. European Union Risk Assessment Report. 4-Nonylphenol (Branched) and 

Nonylphenol. 2nd Priority List Volume: 10. EUR 20387 EN. Available online at: 

http://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/343/4_nonylphenol_und_nonylphenol.pdf. EPA-HQ-OW2010-0824. DCN 07760. 

6.	 Inside EPA. 2013. EPA Urged to Require Additional PFOA Data from DuPont to Aid 

Rules. (April 19). EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07761. 

7.	 URS Corporation. 2010. Status Report on PFOA Emissions Reductions and Data 

Summary for 2009 DuPont Chambers Works Deepwater, New Jersey. (May). EPA-HQOW-2010-0824. DCN 07762. 

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6.2—Review of Chemical Action Plans 

8.	 U.S. EPA. 2000. Technical Development Document for the Final Action Regarding 

Pretreatment Standards for the Industrial Laundries Point Source Category (Revised 

March 2000). (March). EPA-821-R-00-006. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07763. 

9.	 U.S. EPA. 2005. Ambient Aquatic Life Water Quality Criteria-Nonylphenol Final. 

Washington, DC. (December). EPA-822-R-05-005. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 

07764. 

10.	 U.S. EPA. 2006. Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) Chemical Substance Inventory. 

2006 Inventory Update Rule Public Database. Washington, D.C. Available online at: 

http://cfpub.epa.gov/iursearch/. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07765. 

11.	 U.S. EPA. 2007. Toxic Weighting Factor Database. Washington, D.C. (September). 

EPA-HQ-OW-2008-0517-0713. 

12.	 U.S. EPA. 2009a. Long-Chain Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs) Action Plan. 

Washington, D.C. (December 30). Available online at: 

http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/pfcs_action_plan1230_09.pdf. EPAHQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07766. 

13.	 U.S. EPA. 2009b. Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) Action Plan. Washington, 

D.C. (December 30). Available online at: 

http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/actionplans/pbdes_ap_2009_1230_final 

.pdf. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07767. 

14.	 U.S. EPA. 2009c. Short-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (SCCPs) and Other Chlorinated 

Paraffins Action Plan. Washington, D.C. (December 30). Available online at: 

http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/actionplans/sccps_ap_2009_1230_final. 

pdf. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07768. 

15.	 U.S. EPA. 2010a. Dyes Derived from Benzidine and Its Congeners Action Plan. 

Washington, D.C. (August 18). Available online at: 

http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/actionplans/DCB%20Action%20Plan_0 

6232010.noheader.pdf. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07769. 

16.	 U.S. EPA. 2010b. Bisphenol A Chemical Action Plan. Washington, D.C. (March 29). 

Available online at: 

http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/actionplans/bpa_action_plan.pdf. EPAHQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07770. 

17.	 U.S. EPA. 2010c. Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) Action Plan. Washington, D.C. 

(August 18). Available online at: 

http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/actionplans/RIN2070­

AZ10_HBCD%20action%20plan_Final_2010-08-09.pdf. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. 

DCN 07771. 

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18.	 U.S. EPA. 2010d. Nonylphenol (NP) and Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs) Action Plan. 

Washington, D.C. (August 18). Available online at: 

http://exchange.regulations.gov/exchange/sites/default/files/doc_files/Nonylphenol%20A 

ction%20Plan%20Final_0.pdf. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07772. 

19.	 U.S. EPA. 2011a. Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (MDI) and Related Compounds 

Action Plan. Washington, D.C. (April). Available online at: 

http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/actionplans/mdi.html. EPA-HQ-OW2010-0824. DCN 07774. 

20.	 U.S. EPA. 2011b. Toluene Diisocyanate (TDI) and Related Compounds Action Plan. 

Washington, D.C. (April). Available online at: 

http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/actionplans/tdi.pdf. EPA-HQ-OW2010-0824. DCN 07773. 

21.	 U.S. EPA. 2011c. 2011 Edition of the Drinking Water Standards and Health Advisories. 

Washington, D.C. (January). Available online at: 

http://water.epa.gov/action/advisories/drinking/upload/dwstandards2011.pdf. EPA 820­

R-11-002. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07775. 

22.	 U.S. EPA. 2012a. U.S. EPA’s Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxic Substances, Basic 

Information. Washington, D.C. (July 10). Available online at: 

http://www.epa.gov/oppt/pubs/opptabt.htm. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07776. 

23.	 U.S. EPA. 2012b. Toxic Weighting Factors Methodology. Washington D.C. (March). 

EPA-820-R-12-005. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824-0004. 

24.	 U.S. EPA. 2012c. DfE Alternatives Assessment for Nonylphenol Ethoxylates. Washington 

D.C. (May). Available online at: http://www.epa.gov/oppt/dfe/pubs/projects/npe/aa-forNPEs-final-version5-3-12.pdf. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07779. 

25.	 U.S. EPA. 2012d. 2010/2015 PFOA Stewardship Program. (August 8). Available online 

at: http://www.epa.gov/oppt/pfoa/pubs/stewardship/index.html. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824 

DCN 07780. 

26.	 U.S. EPA. 2012e. Drinking Water Treatability Database. (August 16). Available online 

at: http://iaspub.epa.gov/tdb/pages/general/home.do. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 

07781. 

27.	 U.S. EPA. 2012f. DecaBDE Phase-out Initiative. (July 25). Available online at: 

http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/actionplans/deccadbe.html. EPA-HQOW-2010-0824. DCN 07782. 

28.	 U.S. EPA. 2012g. Phthalates Action Plan. Washington D.C. (March 14). Available 

online at: 

http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/actionplans/phthalates_actionplan_revis 

ed_2012-03-14.pdf. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07784. 

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29.	 U.S. EPA. 2014a. Bisphenol A Alternatives in Thermal Paper. Washington D.C. 

(January). Available online at: http://www.epa.gov/oppt/dfe/pubs/projects/bpa/bpareport-complete.pdf. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07778. 

30.	 U.S. EPA. 2014b. An Alternatives Assessment for the Flame Retardant 

Decabromodiphenyl Ether (DecaBDE). Washington D.C. (January). Available online at: 

http://www.epa.gov/oppt/dfe/pubs/projects/decaBDE/deca-report-complete.pdf. EPAHQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07783. 

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6.3—Identification of Wastewater Discharges Related to 

Air Pollution Control Not Currently Covered by ELGs 

6.3	 Identification of Wastewater Discharges Related to Air Pollution Control Not 

Currently Covered by ELGs 

EPA is reviewing federal air pollution control regulations as a new source of data that 

EPA will use to augment its traditional toxicity rankings analysis (TRA) conducted in the oddyear reviews. Specifically, EPA is examining air pollution control regulations to determine if 

they result in the generation of unregulated wastewater discharges or changes to currently 

regulated wastewater streams (containing new pollutants of concern). For example, the wet 

scrubbers for flue-gas desulfurization at steam electric generating plants generate a wastewater 

discharge that is regulated by 40 CFR Part 423 (Steam Electric Power Generation) effluent 

limitations guidelines and standards (ELGs); however, the only pollutants regulated by the 

current ELGs are total suspended solids, oil and grease, and pH. Discharges of flue-gas 

desulfurization (FGD) wet scrubber blowdown contain toxic metal pollutants, which are now the 

focus of the proposed Steam Electric Rulemaking (78 FR 34432). 

EPA’s review revealed that industry compliance with air regulations potentially result in 

the generation of metal-containing wastewater discharges not included in the scope of the 

existing petroleum refinery ELGs (40 CFR Part 419). 

6.3.1	 Air Pollution Control Regulations Background 

Under the Clean Air Act (CAA), EPA controls emissions of air pollutants through several 

programs, including New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and National Emission 

Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). 

EPA reviewed NSPS and NESHAP requirements to identify industries that may generate 

wastewater discharges due to complying with the regulations. EPA conducted this review by 

evaluating rules promulgated or revised after 1990, as well as supporting documentation 

published in the Federal Register (FR). In some cases, the rules supplemented older rules from 

the 1970s or 1980s, and EPA reviewed the older documentation as well. EPA prioritized the 

review of rules enacted or revised after 1990 because many ELGs were established before that 

year. EPA reviewed the air regulation documentation to determine if affected facilities were 

likely to use wet air pollution control devices to meet the requirements of the rule. 

For many rules, the NSPS and NESHAP language specifically prescribes wet air 

pollution control devices, such as wet scrubbers. However, the rules do not always specify a 

means of compliance, or may specify more than one acceptable type of control device. Through 

evaluation of the rules and supporting documentation, EPA identified which rules may result in 

wastewater discharges (e.g., an air regulation that specifically prescribes wet air pollution 

control) from industries without existing ELGs or from industries whose wastewater discharges 

are not in the scope of the existing ELGs. 

6.3.1.1 NSPS 

Section 111 of the CAA requires EPA to develop “standards of performance” for new 

stationary sources of air pollutant emissions—i.e., NSPS. These regulations apply to specific 

emission units such as boilers, storage tanks, and landfills. NSPS apply to newly built emission 

units, but because the definition of “new source” also includes modifications to existing sources, 

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6.3—Identification of Wastewater Discharges Related to 

Air Pollution Control Not Currently Covered by ELGs 

some existing units may also be subject to NSPS. NSPS primarily control emissions of criteria 

pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds 

(VOCs), particulate matter (PM), lead, and carbon monoxide (CO). 

6.3.1.2 NESHAP 

Section 112 of the CAA requires EPA to control emissions of hazardous air pollutants 

from a published list of industrial sources (i.e., source categories) through NESHAP regulations. 

EPA maintains a list of 187 specific hazardous air pollutants currently regulated under the 

NESHAP program.37 CAA Section 112(d) states that EPA must promulgate regulations 

establishing emission standards (NESHAPs) for each category or subcategory of major sources 

and area sources of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) listed pursuant to CAA Section 112(c). The 

standards must use Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) and require the 

maximum degree of emission reduction that the EPA determines to be achievable by each 

particular source category. The definition of MACT differs for new and existing sources. 

6.3.2 Review of NSPS and NESHAPs 

EPA reviewed NSPS and NESHAPs to identify those regulations that could result 

in wastewater discharges. EPA next determined whether the industries to which the NSPS and 

NESHAP applied were covered by existing ELGs. For industries covered by an existing ELG, 

EPA explored if the ELG applied to the wastewater discharge from air pollution control. Table 

6-44 through Table 6-47, presented at the end of this section, list the results of EPA’s review. 

EPA examined language in the regulations and supporting documentation and noted which rules 

specified air pollution control that would potentially generate wastewater (e.g., use of a wet 

scrubber). If the air regulation included language that mentioned wet air pollution control as an 

option, EPA designated the affected industries as “potentially resulting in a wastewater impact 

from the air regulation” (see Table 6-44 through Table 6-46 for a list of these air regulations and 

affected industries). If the air regulation specifically prescribed dry air pollution control, EPA 

designated the affected industries as “less likely to have wastewater impacts” (see Table 6-47 for 

a list of these air regulations and affected industries). 

Air Regulations Potentially Resulting in Wastewater Discharges in Industries with No 

Existing ELGs 

Of the 38 NESHAP rules and 46 NSPS rules reviewed, EPA found that six rules affected 

the following four industries not currently regulated by ELGs: 

 Brick and structural clay products manufacturing; 

 Perchloroethylene (PCE)-based and petroleum-based dry cleaning; 

 Industrial, commercial, and institutional boilers; and 

 Industrial, commercial, and institutional steam generating units. 

Table 6-44 at the end of this section details how these air regulations relate to these 

industries. EPA reviewed available industry and discharge data for these industries and discusses 

the results in Sections 6.3.2.1 through 6.3.2.4. 

37 The list of 187 regulated pollutants can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/orig189.html 

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Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

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Air Pollution Control Not Currently Covered by ELGs 

Air Regulations Potentially Resulting in Wastewater Discharges Not Included in the 

Scope of Existing ELGs. 

In addition to the industries not currently regulated by ELGs, EPA found that six 

NESHAP and NSPS rules affected two industries currently regulated by ELGs, but for which 

wet air pollution control discharges were not included in the scope of the existing ELGs: 

 Steam electric power generating industry 

 Petroleum refineries 

Table 6-45 at the end of this section presents air regulations as they relate to these 

industries. EPA reviewed available industry and discharge data for these industries and discusses 

the results in Sections 6.3.2.5 and 6.3.2.6. 

EPA also reviewed 38 other air regulations that it identified as potentially generating 

wastewater discharges, presented in Table 6-46 at the end of this section. These regulations may 

affect 13 additional industries with existing ELGs. However, EPA has not yet completed 

thorough reviews of these air rules as they may affect the related industries. EPA prioritized the 

review of air rules for industries without ELGs and for petroleum refining and steam electric 

because these industries continually rank high, in terms of TWPE, in EPA’s TRA. 

Air Regulations with Less Likely Wastewater Impacts 

Table 6-47 at the end of this section presents the 34 rules and 23 affected industries EPA 

identified as less likely to generate a wastewater stream resulting from their air pollution 

controls, based on the air regulations prescription of dry air pollution controls. 

6.3.2.1	 Brick and Structural Clay Products Manufacturing (Not Currently
 

Regulated by ELGs)
 

EPA promulgated the NESHAP for Brick and Structural Clay Products Manufacturing on 

May 16, 2003 (68 FR 26689). The HAPs emitted in the brick and structural clay products 

manufacturing process and covered by the NESHAP are hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen chloride, 

and certain metals, which can be controlled with wet or dry air pollution control. Based on the 

brick manufacturing process, the likely pollutants in brick and structural clay manufacturing 

wastewater discharges include suspended solids and metals. 

EPA searched for data on wastewater discharges from brick manufacturers. Table 6-42 

presents the counts of brick and structural clay products manufacturing facilities in the U.S. as of 

2012, by SIC code. It also presents the number of brick and structural clay products 

manufacturing facilities in the DMR database with discharge data as of 2009. There are 93 

facilities in the DMR database; none of them has an individual NPDES permit, and all of them 

have general stormwater permits. 

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6.3—Identification of Wastewater Discharges Related to 

Air Pollution Control Not Currently Covered by ELGs 

Table 6-42. Counts of Brick and Structural Clay Products Manufacturing
 

Facilities in the U.S.
 

SIC Code SIC Code Description 

Number of Facilities in 

the U.S. (2012) 

Number of Facilities in 

the DMR Database with 

Discharge Data Greater 

than Zero (2009) 

1455 Kaolin & Ball Clay 283 5 

1459 Clay, Ceramic & Refractory Minerals 887 14 

3251 Brick & Structural Clay Tile 399 10 

3255 Clay Refractories 270 4 

3259 Structural Clay Products 65 0 

3271 Concrete Block & Brick 1,037 3 

5032 Brick, Stone & Related Materials 720 1 

Total Brick and Clay Manufacturing Facilities 3,671 37 

Sources: Envirofacts and DMRLoads2009_v2. 

The fact that the only NPDES permits identified in the above analysis are stormwater 

permits suggests that brick manufacturers have no wastewater discharges and use dry air 

pollution control or fully recycle any water from wet air pollution control. To confirm that brick 

and structural clay products manufacturers do not discharge wastewater other than stormwater, 

EPA contacted permit writers of brick and clay manufacturers in Alabama, who confirmed they 

had not identified any industrial wastewater discharges at brick and structural clay products 

manufacturers (Warren, 2012). 

6.3.2.2	 Perchloroethylene (PCE)-Based and Petroleum-Based Dry Cleaning (Not 

Currently Regulated by ELGs) 

EPA promulgated NESHAP for PCE Dry Cleaners on September 22, 1993. On July 27, 

2006, EPA revised these standards to account for new developments in production practices, 

processes, and control technologies and to reduce PCE emissions beyond the 1993 NESHAP. 

From the 1993 and 2006 NESHAP rule documentation, carbon adsorbers and/or refrigerated 

condensers control PCE emissions from process vents at dry cleaners and generate wastewater. 

A carbon adsorber is a bed of activated carbon that adsorbs PCE from the PCEcontaining vapor stream routed through it. When the carbon adsorber is saturated with PCE, it is 

“desorbed” by passing steam through the carbon adsorber. PCE is collected in the steam 

condensate from desorption. A typical machine with an existing carbon adsorber is estimated to 

generate 1.9 pounds of PCE in wastewater per year. A refrigerated condenser is a vapor recovery 

system that cools vapor streams containing PCE. After cooling, the PCE and water are separated, 

the PCE is returned to the process, and the condensed water is discharged. A typical dry cleaning 

machine controlled with a refrigerated condenser can generate 0.07 pounds of PCE in wastewater 

each year (58 FR 49354). As of 1996, the NESHAP required that 3,200 of the 17,400 existing 

industrial and commercial facilities subject to the standards must install process vent control 

devices (i.e., a refrigerator condenser and/or carbon adsorber) to be in compliance (58 FR 

49354). The documentation for the revised 2006 NESHAP did not specifically state any changes 

to the estimation of wastewater impacts from wet air pollution control or the number of affected 

facilities. 

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Air Pollution Control Not Currently Covered by ELGs 

EPA promulgated NSPS for VOC emissions from dry cleaners using petroleum-based 

solvents in 1984. The rule documentation does not clearly identify if wet air pollution control is a 

method for controlling VOC emissions and, therefore, does not indicate if this air regulation 

results in wastewater discharges. Because EPA is investigating wastewater discharges generated 

from air pollution control for PCE-based dry cleaners, EPA included petroleum-based dry 

cleaners this review (49 FR 37331). 

The TRI and DMR databases do not include wastewater discharge data for dry cleaning 

facilities. EPA’s Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxic Substances (OPPT) is collecting data 

from dry cleaners as part of its TRI expansion sector initiative (U.S. EPA, 2012, see Section 6.4). 

If this industry is required to report to TRI, EPA will be able to evaluate the impact of the 

discharges of dry cleaners as part of the TRA. 

As explained in Section 6.4, EPA proposed pretreatment standards for pollutant 

discharges from industrial laundries in 1997. During its study of industrial laundries, EPA 

reviewed discharges of some large dry cleaners. EPA found that the dry cleaning process 

generates minimal amounts of wastewater, ranging from zero to 0.25 gallons of water per pound 

of laundry processed. Further, EPA determined that many facilities are moving away from dry 

cleaning because of the hazardous nature of the dry cleaning solvents and the expense of their 

disposal. EPA also determined that facilities that do operate dry cleaning units are moving away 

from the use of PCE as a solvent in favor of petroleum-based solvents (U.S. EPA, 2000). 

Because EPA investigated this industry in 1997, after the air regulations were in effect (1984 and 

1993), EPA expects that the review captured discharges from air pollution controls. EPA does 

not expect the 2006 revision to the 1993 NESHAP for PCE-based dry cleaners to affect the 

wastewater discharges because the air pollution controls for the emissions (carbon adsorbers and 

refrigerated condensers) did not change. 

6.3.2.3	 Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Boilers (Not Directly Regulated by 

ELGs) 

EPA promulgated NESHAP for industrial, commercial, and institutional boilers on 

January 31, 2013. The regulation potentially regulates emissions of over ten industrial categories 

(78 FR 7138). Table 6-43 lists the potentially affected industries and the corresponding point 

source category for each. The regulation requires control of carbon monoxide, hydrogen 

chloride, mercury, particulate matter, and total selected metals (i.e., arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, 

chromium, lead, manganese, nickel, and selenium). It allows the use of a variety of control 

technologies, including wet scrubbers, fabric filters, electrostatic precipitators, or any other 

controls. In the text of the rule, EPA estimated that the rule would affect 14,136 boilers and 

process heaters at 1,700 facilities (78 FR 7138). 

Table 6-43. Existing ELGs for Industries Affected by the NESHAP for Industrial,
 

Commercial, or Institutional Boilers
 

Industry Applicable Point Source Category 

Petroleum refineries 40 CFR Part 419 (Petroleum Refining) 

Lumber and wood products 40 CFR Part 429 (Timber Products Processing) 

Pulp and paper 40 CFR Part 430 (Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard) 

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Air Pollution Control Not Currently Covered by ELGs 

Table 6-43. Existing ELGs for Industries Affected by the NESHAP for Industrial,
 

Commercial, or Institutional Boilers
 

Industry Applicable Point Source Category 

Chemical manufacturers 40 CFR Part 414 (OCPSF); 

40 CFR Part 415 (Inorganic Chemicals Manufacturers); 

40 CFR Part 454 (Gum and Wood Chemicals Manufacturing) 

Rubber manufacturers 40 CFR Part 414 (OCPSF); 

40 CFR Part 428 (Rubber Manufacturers) 

Plastics manufacturers 40 CFR Part 414 (OCPSF); 

40 CFR Part 463 (Plastics Molding and Forming) 

Steel works 40 CFR Part 420 (Iron and Steel Manufacturing) 

Electroplating 40 CFR Part 413 (Electroplating); 

40 CFR Part 433 (Metal Finishing) 

Motor vehicle parts manufacturers 40 CFR Part 433 (Metal Finishing); 

40 CFR Part 438 (Metal Products and Machinery) 

Electric services 40 CFR Part 423 (Steam Electric) 

Gas services NA 

Sanitary services 40 CFR Part 403 (General Pretreatment Regulations for Existing and 

New Sources of Pollution) 

Health services 40 CFR Part 460 (Hospitals) 

Educational services NA 

NA – Not applicable. Industry does not have a corresponding point source category. 

EPA expects that wastewater discharges from boiler air pollution control devices are 

commingled and discharged with wastewater from other plant processes. However, EPA has not 

evaluated the pollutants in the boiler air pollution control wastewater for these industries. 

6.3.2.4	 Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Steam Generating Units (Not 

Directly Regulated by ELGs) 

EPA promulgated NSPS for large and small industrial, commercial, and institutional 

steam generating units on June 19, 1984 (40 CFR 60 Subpart Db) and June 9, 1989 (40 CFR 60 

Subpart Dc), respectively. The regulations require control of PM, NOx, and SO2, regardless of 

the fuel source, for more than 30 industries. Discharges from these steam generating units are not 

regulated by 40 CFR Part 423 (Steam Electric Power Generation) because they do not produce 

electric power for distribution and/or sale as their primary purpose (U.S. EPA, 2009). During 

EPA’s detailed study of the steam electric industry, EPA reviewed discharges from these units 

(including cogenerators38). EPA found that, with the exception of certain instances (e.g., certain 

subcategories of the Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard ELGs—see 40 CFR Part 430.01 (m)), 

wastewaters from these steam units are not specifically regulated by ELGs (i.e., there are no 

regulations specifically for discharges from wet air pollution control on steam generating units). 

Additionally, EPA discovered that most industrial plants commingle the wastewaters associated 

with the air pollution control devices from these steam generating units with wastewater from 

other plant processes, which may be treated in the plant’s wastewater treatment system. EPA 

38 A cogenerator is defined as “a generating plant that produces electricity and another form of useful thermal energy 

(such as heat or steam), used for industrial commercial, heating, or cooling purposes” (U.S. DOE, 2006). 

6-91
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.3—Identification of Wastewater Discharges Related to 

Air Pollution Control Not Currently Covered by ELGs 

determined that the Steam Electric ELGs are not typically used to set BPJ-based limits for these 

discharges; instead, permit writers typically develop discharge limits based on the industryspecific ELGs (U.S. EPA, 2009). 

Generally, the industry-specific ELGs do not explicitly address the wastewater discharges 

from the steam generating units, though discharge permits for some of these facilities may 

include limits for pollutants in wastewater discharges from the air pollution control devices on 

the steam generating units. These discharges are likely captured in the TRA databases in the 

plant’s specific point source category. However, some discharge permits may not include limits 

for these pollutants, in which case these discharges are not captured in the TRA databases. 

6.3.2.5	 Steam Electric Power Generating Units (Currently Regulated Under 40 CFR 

Part 423) 

EPA promulgated NSPS for steam generating units in August 1971 (40 CFR 60 Subpart 

D) and September 1978 (40 CFR 60 Subpart Da). The rules required control of particulate 

matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxides from fossil fuel-fired steam generators and electric 

utility steam generating units. Additionally, EPA promulgated NESHAP in February 2012 to 

control particulate matter, antimony, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead, 

manganese, nickel, selenium, hydrogen chloride, sulfur dioxide, and mercury from coal- and oilfired steam generating units. Wastewater discharges from these steam generating units are 

regulated by 40 CFR Part 423 (Steam Electric Power Generation) because they produce electric 

power for distribution and/or sale (U.S. EPA, 2009). 

EPA completed a detailed study of the steam electric power generating industry in 2009, 

which resulted in a rulemaking to revise the 1982 Steam Electric ELGs. The proposed revisions 

to the ELGs include limitations for metals in wastewater discharges from FGD air pollution 

control systems (e.g., wet FGD scrubbers). FGD scrubber wastewater is regulated by the 1982 

ELGs for total suspended solids, oil and grease, and pH only. However, these discharges also 

contain toxic metal pollutants not previously captured in EPA’s review of this industrial 

category. EPA proposed the revised ELGs, including metals in wastewater discharges from FGD 

scrubbers, for Part 423 in April 2013 (78 FR 34432). 

6.3.2.6	 Petroleum Refineries (Currently Regulated Under 40 CFR Part 419) 

EPA promulgated NSPS (40 CFR 60 Subparts J and Ja) for petroleum refineries March 8, 

1974 (revised and amended many times since, most recently in 2012). These rules require control 

of particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxides. The 2012 revised NSPS (77 FR 

56463) reflect demonstrated improvements in emissions control technologies and work practices. 

Specifically, EPA estimated that refineries would use wet scrubbers to control emissions from 

fluid catalytic cracking units and fluid coking units. EPA estimated that the rule would generate 

1.6 billion gallons of water per year for the 5 years following the proposal for new sources (73 

FR 56463). 

EPA promulgated NESHAP in 1995 to control organic compounds, reduced sulfur 

compounds, inorganics, and particulate metals from process units at petroleum refineries. In 

addition, EPA promulgated NESHAP in 2002 (amended in February 2005) to control organic 

compounds, reduced sulfur compounds, inorganics, and particulate metals emissions from 

6-92
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.3—Identification of Wastewater Discharges Related to 

Air Pollution Control Not Currently Covered by ELGs 

catalytic cracking, catalytic reforming, and sulfur units at petroleum refineries. EPA expected a 

small increase in water usage from the increased use of wet scrubbers because of the NESHAP 

(67 FR 17761). EPA also sent a comprehensive industry-wide information collection request to 

all petroleum refineries in the U.S. in April 2011. EPA conducted the ICR to collect information 

needed to reevaluate air emission standards. In the ICR, EPA requested processing 

characteristics at the refineries (including wastewater collection and treatment). 

In 1982 (before EPA promulgated the NESHAPs for petroleum refineries) EPA 

promulgated an ELG for wastewater discharges (Part 419 Petroleum Refining). EPA conducted a 

detailed study of petroleum refinery wastewaters in 2004, specifically looking at concentrations 

of dioxins, polycyclic aromatic compounds, and metals discharged in 2000. In 2004, EPA 

determined that revisions to the ELGs were not warranted for controlling wastewater discharges 

from refineries. 

During its 2011 and 2012 Annual Reviews, EPA began a review of the petroleum 

refining point source category because it ranked high in terms of TWPE. The annual reviews 

show a recent increase in metals discharges in the DMR database (see Section 5.2). Currently, 

except for chromium, the petroleum refineries ELG does not regulate the discharge of metals. 

The reviews of petroleum refineries in 1982 and 2004 did not capture changes in the industry 

resulting from the 2002 NESHAP and the 2008 revisions to NSPS, which identified wet 

scrubbers as a method for controlling particulate metal emissions and other HAPs. 

6.3.3	 Summary of Findings from EPA’s Review of Air Pollution Control Regulations 

EPA evaluated whether air pollution control regulations might result in the generation of 

wastewater discharges not included in the scope of existing ELGs and identified the following: 

	 Of the 38 NESHAP rules and 46 NSPS rules reviewed, EPA found that six of 

these rules affected four industries not currently regulated by ELGs. Findings for 

these industries are summarized below: 

—	 Brick and Structural Clay Products Manufacturing: Currently brick and 

structural clay product manufacturers only have stormwater NPDES 

permits. Further, permit writers that EPA contacted explained that they 

have not identified industrial wastewater discharges at brick and clay 

products manufacturers. 

—	 PCE-Based and Petroleum-Based Dry Cleaning: EPA’s review of the 

industrial laundries industry in 1997 found that many facilities are moving 

away from dry cleaning because of the hazardous nature of the solvents 

and the expense of their disposal. Because EPA investigated wastewater 

discharges from this industry after promulgation of air regulations, EPA 

does not expect the revised 2006 NESHAP to affect wastewater 

discharges. 

—	 Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Boilers: EPA expects that 

wastewater discharges from boiler air pollution control devices are 

commingled and discharged with other industrial plant process 

6-93
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.3—Identification of Wastewater Discharges Related to 

Air Pollution Control Not Currently Covered by ELGs 

wastewaters, and are not specifically addressed in ELGs. EPA has not 

evaluated the pollutants in the boiler air pollution control at this time. 

—	 Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Steam Generating Units: 

Discharges from steam generating units are not regulated by 40 CFR Part 

423 (Steam Electric Power Generating ELGs) because they do not produce 

electric power for distribution and/or sale. However, in its 2009 detailed 

study of the steam industry, EPA found that industry-specific ELGs do not 

specifically address wastewater discharges from these units either. EPA 

expects that some discharge permits, but not all, may include permit 

limitations for pollutants in wastewater from air pollution controls on 

steam generating units based on the facility-specific ELGs. EPA has not 

evaluated pollutants in these wastewater discharges at this time. 

	 Additionally, EPA found that for two industries with existing ELGs, five air rules 

might result in wastewater discharges not included in the scope of existing ELGs. 

Findings for these industries are summarized below: 

—	 Steam Electric Generating Units: EPA promulgated NSPS for steam 

generating units in 1971 and 1978 (40 CFR 60 Subparts D and Da). These 

air regulations address electric generating units that are covered under 40 

CFR Part 423 (Steam Electric Power Generating ELGs) because they 

produce electric power for distribution and/or sale. EPA is currently 

proposing to revise the 1982 Steam Electric Power Generation ELGs to 

include limitations for toxic metal pollutants in FGD scrubber wastewater. 

—	 Petroleum Refining: EPA revised NSPS for petroleum refineries in 2012 

to control particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxides. 

Additionally, EPA promulgated the 2002 NESHAP (amended in 

September 2009) to control organic compounds, reduced sulfur 

compounds, inorganics, and particulate metals emissions from catalytic 

cracking, catalytic reforming, and sulfur plant units at petroleum 

refineries. EPA began a category review of the petroleum refining point 

source category in the 2011 and 2012 Annual Reviews, which show a 

recent increase in metals discharges in the DMR database. 

6.3.4	 References for Air Pollution Control Regulations 

1.	 U.S. DOE. 2006. U.S. Department of Energy. Glossary. Energy Information 

Administration (EIA). Available online at: http://www.eia.doe.gov/glossary/index.html. 

Date accessed: June 2006. EPA-HQ-OW--2004-0032-2005. DCN 03359. 

2.	 U.S. EPA. 2000. Technical Development Document for the Final Action Regarding 

Pretreatment Standards for the Industrial Laundries Point Source Category. Washington, 

D.C. (March). EPA-821-R-00-006. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07763. 

3.	 U.S. EPA. 2009. Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category: Final 

Detailed Study Report. Washington, D.C. (October). EPA-821-R-09-008. EPA-HQ-OW2008-0517-0413. 

6-94
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.3—Identification of Wastewater Discharges Related to 

Air Pollution Control Not Currently Covered by ELGs 

4.	 U.S. EPA. 2012. Expansion of Industry Sectors Covered by the Toxics Release Inventory 

(TRI), EPCRA section 313. (May 16). Available online at: 

http://yosemite.epa.gov/opei/rulegate.nsf/byRIN/2025-AA33#1. EPA-HQ-OW-2010­

0824. DCN 07735. 

5.	 Warren, Lee. 2012. Telephone Communication Between Lee Warren, Alabama 

Department of Environmental Management, and Kimberly Landick, Eastern Research 

Group, Inc., Re: Brick Manufacturing Process. (March 21). EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. 

DCN 07737. 

6-95
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.3—Identification of Air Pollution Control Wastewater 

Discharges Not Currently Regulated by ELGs 

Table 6-44. Air Regulations Potentially Resulting in Wastewater Discharges in Industries with No Existing Effluent Limitations Guidelines 

Industry NSPS/NESHAP Regulated Pollutants 

Latest Date of 

Required 

Compliance Citation Further Review? 

Brick and NESHAP for Brick and Hydrogen fluoride, Hydrogen 2006 40 CFR 63 Subpart JJJJJ Wet scrubbers are listed as an optional air 

Structural Clay Structural Clay Products chloride, Antimony, Arsenic, pollution control device in the final rule. 

Manufacturing Beryllium, Cadmium, Final Rule: May 16, 2003 EPA’s initial review of brick and structural 

Chromium, Cobalt, Mercury, clay industrial wastewater discharges 

Manganese, Nickel, Lead and (68 FR 26689) suggests that most of the NPDES permits 

Selenium are stormwater permits for the 93 permits 

in the 2009 DMR database. Therefore, EPA 

expects that discharges in the TRA 

databases are from stormwater, not air 

pollution control, at this time. 

Dry Cleaning NESHAP for 

Perchloroethylene (PCE) 

Dry Cleaners 

Perchloroethylene (PCE) 2009a 40 CFR 63 Subpart M 

 Final Rule: July 27, 2006 

 (71 FR 42724) 

Yes. The NESHAP prescribes refrigerator 

condensers (wet air pollution control) for 

all PCE dry cleaning facilities (major 

sources, large area sources, and small area 

sources). Additionally, the NESHAP 

prescribes carbon adsorbers in addition to 

refrigerator condensers (wet air pollution 

Dry Cleaning NSPS for Petroleum Dry 

Cleaners. 

VOC emissions 1984 40 CFR 60 Subpart JJJ 

Final Rule: September 1984 

(49 FR 37331) controls) for major sources. The NSPS 

applies to facilities located at a petroleum 

dry cleaning plant with a total 

manufacturers' rated dryer capacity equal to 

or greater than 38 kilograms. Dry cleaners 

are not required to report to TRI and only 

16 laundries reported DMR discharges (in 

2009). Top pollutants reported in 

discharges include fluoride and chlorine. 

Therefore, EPA concludes that the TRA 

database to not capture discharges from 

PCE or petroleum-based dry cleaning 

facilities. 

6-96
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.3—Identification of Air Pollution Control Wastewater 

Discharges Not Currently Regulated by ELGs 

Table 6-44. Air Regulations Potentially Resulting in Wastewater Discharges in Industries with No Existing Effluent Limitations Guidelines 

Industry NSPS/NESHAP Regulated Pollutants 

Latest Date of 

Required 

Compliance Citation Further Review? 

Printing and NSPS Publication SO2, NOx, VOCs, PM, or CO 1980 40 CFR 63 Subpart QQ No. Final Rule lists the following wet air 

Publishing b Rotogravure Printing pollution control devices: carbon 

Final Rule: November 1982 adsorption, condensation/solvent recovery, 

biological treatment, stream stripping, and 

(47 FR 50649) liquid- phase carbon adsorption. 

However, based on the date of the NSPS 

publication (1980), EPA expects that the 

2006 Preliminary Study of the Printing and 

Publishing industry reviewed the 

discharges from this air regulation. 

Industrial, NESHAP for Major CO, HCl, Hg, and PM or TSM 2016 40 CFR 63 Subpart DDDDD Yes. The NESHAP potentially affects over 

Commercial, and Sources: Industrial, ten industrial categories. Wastewater 

Institutional Commercial, and Final Rule: January 31, 2013 discharges from boiler air pollution control 

Boilers and Institutional Boilers and devices (e.g., wet scrubbers) are likely 

Process Process Heaters (78 FR 7138) commingled with plant wastewater and 

Heaters—Major therefore categorized as part of a plant’s 

Sources point source category in the TRA 

databases. 

Therefore, the TRA databases likely 

capture these discharges for some point 

source categories, but not all. 

6-97
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.3—Identification of Air Pollution Control Wastewater 

Discharges Not Currently Regulated by ELGs 

Table 6-44. Air Regulations Potentially Resulting in Wastewater Discharges in Industries with No Existing Effluent Limitations Guidelines 

Industry NSPS/NESHAP Regulated Pollutants 

Latest Date of 

Required 

Compliance Citation Further Review? 

Industrial- NSPS for Industrial- PM, SO2, NOx 1984 and 1989 40 CFR 60 Subpart Db and Dc Yes. 40 CR Subparts Db and Dc potentially 

Commercial­ Commercial-Institutional affect over 30 industrial categories. 

Institutional Steam Generating Final Rule: June 1984 and 1989 Wastewater discharges from steam 

Steam Units/NSPS for Small generating unit air pollution control devices 

Generating Industrial- Commercial­ (e.g., wet scrubbers) are likely commingled 

Units Institutional Steam 

Generating Units 

with plant wastewater and therefore 

categorized as part of a plant’s point source 

category in the TRA databases. 

Therefore, the TRA databases likely 

capture these discharges for some point 

source categories, but not all. 

Note: EPA examined language in the regulations and supporting documentation and noted which rules specified air pollution control that would potentially 

generate wastewater (e.g., use of a wet scrubber). If the air regulation included language that mentioned wet air pollution control as an option, EPA 

designated the affected industries as potentially having a wastewater impact from the air regulation. a On September 22, 1993, EPA promulgated technology-based emission standards to control emissions of PCE from dry cleaning facilities. On July 27, 2006, 

EPA promulgated revised standards to take into account new developments in production practices, processes, and control technology. The 2006 standards 

are expected to provide further reductions of PCE beyond the 1993 NESHAP. On July 11, 2008, EPA published revisions to the 2006 regulations based on 

adverse comments. The latest date of compliance for these regulations is July 27, 2009. b EPA reviewed the MACT standards for the Printing and Publishing industry in April 2011 (76 FR 22566). EPA did not identify any advances in practices, 

processes, and control technologies applicable to the emission sources in the Printing and Publishing Industry source category in the technology review (75 

FR 65067). EPA determined that the current MACT standards for Printing and Publishing facilities reduce risk to an acceptable level, provide an ample 

margin of safety to protect public health, and prevent adverse environmental effects. Therefore, EPA re-adopted the existing MACT standards. 

6-98
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.3—Identification of Air Pollution Control Wastewater 

Discharges Not Currently Regulated by ELGs 

Table 6-45. Air Regulations Potentially Resulting in Wastewater Discharges not Included in the Scope of Existing ELGs
 

Prioritized for Further Review During EPA’s 2012 Annual Reviews
 

Industry NSPS/NESHAP Regulated Pollutants 

Latest Date 

of Required 

Compliance Citation 

ELG (Date of 

Promulgation or 

Last Revision) Further Review? 

Steam 

Generating 

Units 

NSPS for FossilFuel-Fired Steam 

Generators 

SO2, NOx, VOCs, PM, 

or CO 

1976 

(Amendment: 

2007) 

40 CFR 60 Subpart D 

Final Rule: 

August 17, 1971 

ELG currently 

under review; Part 

423 Steam 

Electric ELGs 

(1982) 

Yes. Likely not captured in TRA 

databases because potentially 

contains pollutants without ELGs, 

such as selenium and arsenic. 

Ongoing EPA rulemaking is 

addressing wastewaters 

discharges from air pollution 

controls. 

NSPS for Electric 

Utility Steam 

Generating Units 

SO2, NOx, VOCs, PM, 

or CO 

1978 

(Amendment: 

2007) 

40 CFR 60 Subpart Da 

Final Rule: 

September 18, 1978 

NESHAP for Coal- PM, Antimony, 2015 40 CFR 63 Subpart 

and Oil-Fired Electric Arsenic, Beryllium, UUUUU 

Utility Steam Cadmium, Chromium, 

Generating Units Cobalt, Lead, 

Manganese, Nickel, 

Selenium, Hydrogen 

Chloride, Sulfur 

Dioxide, Mercury 

Final Rule: 

February 16, 2012 

(77 FR 9303) 

6-99
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.3—Identification of Air Pollution Control Wastewater 

Discharges Not Currently Regulated by ELGs 

Table 6-45. Air Regulations Potentially Resulting in Wastewater Discharges not Included in the Scope of Existing ELGs
 

Prioritized for Further Review During EPA’s 2012 Annual Reviews
 

Industry NSPS/NESHAP Regulated Pollutants 

Latest Date 

of Required 

Compliance Citation 

ELG (Date of 

Promulgation or 

Last Revision) Further Review? 

Petroleum 

Refineries 

NSPS for Refineries SO2, NOx, VOCs, PM, 

or CO. 

1977 

(Updated: 

2012) 

40 CFR 60 Subparts J and 

Ja 

Final Rule for NSPS J: 

March 8, 1974 (39 FR 

9315) 

Final Rule for NSPS Ja: 

June 24, 2008 

(73 FR 35837); Updated 

September 12, 2012 (77 

FR 56422) 

Petroleum 

Refining – 40 

CFR Part 419 

(1982) 

Yes. EPA suspects that the 2012 

NSPS Ja and the 2002 (amended 

in 2005) NESHAP may result in 

wastewater discharges from wet 

scrubbers. The NESHAP expects 

a small increase in annual water 

usage would result from the 

increased use of wet scrubbers. 

EPA conducted a Preliminary 

Study of this category in 2004; 

however, this review did not 

capture any changes in the 

industry potentially resulting 

from the 2012 NSPS amendment 

and the 2005 NESHAP. 

NESHAP for 

Petroleum Refineries 

Organic compounds, 

Reduced sulfur 

compounds, Inorganics, 

and Particulate metals 

1998 40 CFR 63 Subpart CC 

Final Rule: August 18, 

1995 (60 FR 43244) 

NESHAP for Organic compounds, 2005 40 CFR 60 Subpart UUU 

Petroleum Refineries Reduced sulfur 

(Catalytic Cracking, compounds, Inorganics, Final Rule: April 11, 

Catalytic Reforming, and Particulate metals 2002 (67 FR 17761); 

Sulfur Plant Units). Amendment: February 5, 

2005 (70 FR 6929) 

Note: EPA examined language in the regulations and supporting documentation and noted which rules specified air pollution control that would potentially 

generate wastewater (e.g., use of a wet scrubber). If the air regulation included language that mentioned wet air pollution control as an option, EPA designated 

the affected industries as potentially having a wastewater impact from the air regulation. 

6-100
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.3—Identification of Air Pollution Control Wastewater 

Discharges Not Currently Regulated by ELGs 

Table 6-46. Air Regulations Potentially Resulting in Wastewater Discharges not Included in the Scope of Existing ELGs
 

Requiring Further Investigation in Future Annual Reviews
 

Industry NSPS/NESHAP 

Regulated 

Pollutants 

Latest Date 

of Required 

Compliance Citation 

ELG (Date of 

Promulgation or 

Last Revision) Further Review? 

Battery 

Manufacturing 

NSPS for Lead 

Acid Battery 

Manufacturing 

Plants 

Lead 1980 40 CFR 60 Subpart KK 

Final Rule: April 1982 

(47 FR 16573) 

Part 461 Battery 

Manufacturing 

ELGs (1984) 

No. Wastewater discharges from 

manufacture of lead acid batteries 

are regulated under Subpart C 

(Lead Subcategory) of 40 CFR 

Part 461. EPA reviewed lead acid 

battery manufacturing 

(specifically including wastewater 

streams from wet scrubbers) 

during the development of the 

ELG (promulgated in 1984). 

NESHAP for Lead 

Acid Battery 

Manufacturing\ 

Lead 2008 40 CFR 63 Subpart PPPPPP 

Final Rule: July 16, 2007 

(72 FR 16636) 

No. The NESHAP for Lead Acid 

Battery Manufacturing adopts the 

numerical emissions limits in 40 

CFR 60 Subpart KK (NSPS for 

Lead Acid Batteries). EPA does 

not expect the NESHAP to change 

wastewater discharges. 

OCPSF NSPS for Pressure 

Sensitive Tape and 

Label Surface 

Coding Operations 

SO2, NOx, VOCs, 

PM, or CO 

1983 40 CFR 60 Subpart RR 

Final Rule: October 18, 

1983 

(48 FR 48375) 

Part 414 OCSPF 

ELGs (1987) 

Not yet determined. EPA will 

determine if the regulated 

pollutants are accurately 

represented in the TRA databases 

in future annual reviews. 

NSPS for Flexible 

Vinyl/Urethane 

Coating and 

Printing 

SO2, NOx, VOCs, 

PM, or CO 

1984 40 CFR 60 Subpart FFF 

Final Rule: June 29, 1984 

(49 FR 26892) 

6-101
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.3—Identification of Air Pollution Control Wastewater 

Discharges Not Currently Regulated by ELGs 

Table 6-46. Air Regulations Potentially Resulting in Wastewater Discharges not Included in the Scope of Existing ELGs
 

Requiring Further Investigation in Future Annual Reviews
 

Industry NSPS/NESHAP 

Regulated 

Pollutants 

Latest Date 

of Required 

Compliance Citation 

ELG (Date of 

Promulgation or 

Last Revision) Further Review? 

NESHAP for 

Acrylic/Modacrylic 

Fiber 

Acrylonitrile 2008 40 CFR 63 Subpart 

LLLLLL 

Final Rule: July 16, 2007 

(72 FR 38864) 

NESHAP for Carbon Disulfide, 2005 40 CFR 63 Subpart UUUU Not yet determined. EPA will 

Cellulose Products Carbonyl Sulfide, determine if all cellulose products 

Manufacturing Ethylene Oxide, Final Rule: June 11, 2002 manufacturing facilities are 

Methanol, Methyl 

Chloride, 

Propylene Oxide, 

Toluene 

(67 FR 40043) reporting these pollutants in the 

TRA databases in future annual 

reviews. 

NESHAP for Hydrochloric 2003 40 CFR 63 Subpart Not yet determined. EPA will 

Flexible Acid, 2,4– MMMMM determine if all applicable 

Polyurethane Foam Toluene facilities are reporting these 

Fabrication Diisocyanate, Final Rule: April 14, 2003 pollutants in the TRA databases in 

Operation Hydrogen 

Cyanide, 

Methylene 

Chloride 

(68 FR 18061) future annual reviews. 

NESHAP for 

Generic MACT IAcetal Resins 

2002 40 CFR 63 Subpart YY & 

UU 

Final Rule: June 29, 1999 

(64 FR 34853) 

Not yet determined. EPA will 

review additional air regulation 

documentation to determine the 

affects of wet air pollution control 

on industrial discharges in future 

annual reviews. NESHAP for 2002 40 CFR 63 Subpart YY & 

Generic MACT I­ UU 

Polycarbonates 

Production Final Rule: June 29, 1999 

(64 FR 34853) 

6-102
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.3—Identification of Air Pollution Control Wastewater 

Discharges Not Currently Regulated by ELGs 

Table 6-46. Air Regulations Potentially Resulting in Wastewater Discharges not Included in the Scope of Existing ELGs
 

Requiring Further Investigation in Future Annual Reviews
 

Industry NSPS/NESHAP 

Regulated 

Pollutants 

Latest Date 

of Required 

Compliance Citation 

ELG (Date of 

Promulgation or 

Last Revision) Further Review? 

NESHAP for 

Generic MACT IAcrylic/Modacrylic 

Fibers 

2002 40 CFR 63 Subpart YY & 

UU 

Final Rule: June 29, 1999 

(64 FR 34853) 

NESHAP for Toluene, 2008 40 CFR 63 Subpart FFFF Not yet determined. EPA will 

Miscellaneous. Methanol, determine if all applicable 

Organic Chemical Xylene, Hydrogen Final Rule: November 10, facilities are reporting these 

Production and Chloride, 2003 (68 FR 63851) pollutants in the TRA databases in 

Processes Methylene 

Chloride 

future annual reviews. 

NESHAP for Ethylene Oxide, 2002 40 CFR 63 Subpart PPP Not yet determined. EPA will 

Polyether Polyols Propylene Oxide, determine if all applicable 

Production Hexane, Toluene Final Rule: June 1, 1999 facilities are reporting these 

(64 FR 29419) pollutants in the TRA databases in 

future annual reviews. 

NESHAP for Organic 2001 40 CFR 63 Subpart U Not yet determined. EPA will 

Polymers and hazardous air determine if all applicable 

Resins I pollutants Final Rule: September 5, facilities are reporting these 

including Styrene, 1996 pollutants in the TRA databases in 

n-Hexane, 1,3­

Butadiene, 

Acrylonitrile, 

Methyl Chloride, 

Hydrogen 

Chloride, Carbon 

Tetrachloride, 

Chloroprene, 

Toluene 

(61 FR 46906) future annual reviews. 

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Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.3—Identification of Air Pollution Control Wastewater 

Discharges Not Currently Regulated by ELGs 

Table 6-46. Air Regulations Potentially Resulting in Wastewater Discharges not Included in the Scope of Existing ELGs
 

Requiring Further Investigation in Future Annual Reviews
 

Industry NSPS/NESHAP 

Regulated 

Pollutants 

Latest Date 

of Required 

Compliance Citation 

ELG (Date of 

Promulgation or 

Last Revision) Further Review? 

NESHAP for 

Polymers & Resins 

II 

1998 40 CFR 63 Subpart W 

Final Rule: March 8, 1995 

(60 FR 12670) 

Not yet determined. EPA will 

review additional air regulation 

documentation to determine the 

affects of wet air pollution control 

on industrial discharges in future 

annual reviews. 

NESHAP for 

Polymers & Resins 

Organic 

hazardous air 

2003 40 CFR 63 Subpart OOO Not yet determined. EPA will 

determine if all applicable 

III pollutants Final Rule: January 20, facilities are reporting these 

including 2000 pollutants in the TRA databases in 

Formaldehyde, 

Methanol, Phenol, 

Xylene, Toluene 

(65 FR 3275) future annual reviews. 

NESHAP for 

Polymers & Resins 

Organic 

hazardous air 

2001 40 CFR 63 Subpart JJJ Not yet determined. EPA will 

review additional air regulation 

IV pollutants Final Rule: September 12, documentation to determine the 

including 

Acrylonitrile, 

Butadiene, 

Styrene Resin, 

Styrene 

Acrylonitrile 

Resin, Methyl 

Methacrylate 

Polystyrene 

Resin, Poly Resin, 

and Nitrile Resin. 

1996 (61 FR 48208) affects of wet air pollution control 

on industrial discharges in future 

annual reviews. 

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Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.3—Identification of Air Pollution Control Wastewater 

Discharges Not Currently Regulated by ELGs 

Table 6-46. Air Regulations Potentially Resulting in Wastewater Discharges not Included in the Scope of Existing ELGs
 

Requiring Further Investigation in Future Annual Reviews
 

Industry NSPS/NESHAP 

Regulated 

Pollutants 

Latest Date 

of Required 

Compliance Citation 

ELG (Date of 

Promulgation or 

Last Revision) Further Review? 

NESHAP for 2002 40 CFR 63 Subpart J Not yet determined. EPA will 

Polyvinyl Chloride review additional air regulation 

and Copolymers Final Rule: July 10, 2002 documentation to determine the 

Production (67 FR 45885) affects of wet air pollution control 

on industrial discharges in future 

annual reviews. 

Paving and NSPS for Asphalt SO2, NOx, VOCs, 1982 40 CFR 60 Subpart UU Part 443 Paving Not yet determined. EPA will 

Roofing Processing and PM, or CO and Roofing determine if the regulated 

Materials Asphalt Roofing Final Rule: August 6, 1982 Materials ELGs pollutants are accurately 

Manufacture for 

either SO2, NOx, 

VOCs, PM, or CO. 

(47 FR 34143) (1975) represented in the TRA databases 

in future annual reviews. 

Glass NSPS for Wool SO2, NOx, VOCs, 1985 40 CFR 60 Subpart PPP Part 426 Glass Not yet determined. EPA will 

Manufacturing Fiberglass PM, or CO. Manufacturing review additional air regulation 

Insulation Final Rule: February 1985 ELGs (1974) documentation to determine the 

Manufacturing (50 FR 7699) affects of wet air pollution control 

on industrial discharges in future 

annual reviews. 

Textiles NESHAP for Fabric Toluene, Methyl 2006 40 CFR 63 Subpart OOOO Part 410 Textiles Not yet determined. EPA will 

Printing, Coating Ethyl Ketone ELGs (1982) review additional air regulation 

and Dyeing (MEK), Final Rule: May 29, 2003 documentation to determine the 

Methanol, 

Xylenes, Methyl 

Isobutyl Ketone 

(MIBK), 

Methylene 

Chloride, 

Trichloroethylene, 

N-Hexane, Glycol 

Ethers, 

Formaldehyde. 

(68 FR 32171) affects of wet air pollution control 

on industrial discharges in future 

annual reviews. 

6-105
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.3—Identification of Air Pollution Control Wastewater 

Discharges Not Currently Regulated by ELGs 

Table 6-46. Air Regulations Potentially Resulting in Wastewater Discharges not Included in the Scope of Existing ELGs
 

Requiring Further Investigation in Future Annual Reviews
 

Industry NSPS/NESHAP 

Regulated 

Pollutants 

Latest Date 

of Required 

Compliance Citation 

ELG (Date of 

Promulgation or 

Last Revision) Further Review? 

Waste 

Combustors 

NSPS for New or 

Modified 

Construction of 

Commercial and 

Industrial Solid 

Waste Incineration 

Units for Which 

Construction Is 

Commenced 

SO2, NOx, VOCs, 

PM, or CO 

2013 40 CFR 60 Subpart CCCC 

Final Rule: December 1, 

2000 (65 FR 75350) 

Part 444 Waste 

Combustors ELGs 

(2000) 

Not yet determined. EPA will 

review additional air regulation 

documentation to determine the 

affects of wet air pollution control 

on industrial discharges in future 

annual reviews. 

NSPS for Existing 

Commercial and 

SO2, NOx, VOCs, 

PM, or CO 

2011 40 CFR 60 Subpart DDDD Not yet determined. EPA will 

review additional air regulation 

Industrial Solid Final Rule: December 2000 documentation to determine the 

Waste Incineration 

Units 

(65 FR 75362) affects of wet air pollution control 

on industrial discharges in future 

annual reviews. 

NESHAP for 

Hazardous Waste 

Combustion 

Chlorinated 

Dioxins and 

Furans, Other 

toxic organic 

compounds, 

Toxic metals, 

Hydrochloric 

Acid, Chlorine 

Gas, PM. 

2003 40 CFR 63 Subpart EEE 

Final Rule: September 30, 

1999 (64 FR 52827) 

Not yet determined. EPA will 

review additional air regulation 

documentation to determine the 

affects of wet air pollution control 

on industrial discharges in future 

annual reviews. 

NESHAP for Off­ 2000 40 CFR 63 Subpart DD 

Site Waste 

Recovery Final Rule: July 1, 1996 (61 

Operations FR 34140) 

6-106
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.3—Identification of Air Pollution Control Wastewater 

Discharges Not Currently Regulated by ELGs 

Table 6-46. Air Regulations Potentially Resulting in Wastewater Discharges not Included in the Scope of Existing ELGs
 

Requiring Further Investigation in Future Annual Reviews
 

Industry NSPS/NESHAP 

Regulated 

Pollutants 

Latest Date 

of Required 

Compliance Citation 

ELG (Date of 

Promulgation or 

Last Revision) Further Review? 

Benzene Waste NESHAP for Such 2006 40 CFR 61 Subpart FF Many – Not yet Not yet determined. This 

Operations Operations determined. NESHAP affects many industries. 

Final Rule: December 4, EPA will review additional air 

2003 (68 FR 67931) regulation documentation and 

ELGs of affected industries to 

determine if ELGs accurately 

regulate discharges in future 

annual reviews. 

Inorganic 

Chemicals 

Manufacturing 

NESHAP for the 

Chemical 

Manufacturing 

Industry 

2012 40 CFR 63 Subpart 

VVVVVV 

Final Rule: October 29, 

2009 (74 FR 56008) 

Part 415 Inorganic 

Chemicals 

Manufacturing 

ELGs (1982) 

Not yet determined. EPA will 

review additional air regulation 

documentation to determine the 

affects of wet air pollution control 

on industrial discharges in future 

annual reviews. 

NESHAP for Hydrochloric 2006 40 CFR 63 NNNNN Not yet determined. EPA will 

Hydrochloric Acid Acid review additional air regulation 

Production Final Rule: April 17, 2003 documentation to determine the 

(68 FR 19075) affects of wet air pollution control 

on industrial discharges in future 

annual reviews. 

NESHAP for Lime Hydrogen 2007 40 CFR 63 AAAAA Not yet determined. EPA will 

Manufacturing Chloride, determine if all applicable 

Antimony, Final Rule: January 5, 2004 facilities are reporting these 

arsenic, 

Beryllium, 

Cadmium, 

Chromium, Lead, 

Manganese, 

Mercury, Nickel, 

Selenium 

(69 FR 393) pollutants in the TRA databases in 

future annual reviews. 

6-107
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.3—Identification of Air Pollution Control Wastewater 

Discharges Not Currently Regulated by ELGs 

Table 6-46. Air Regulations Potentially Resulting in Wastewater Discharges not Included in the Scope of Existing ELGs
 

Requiring Further Investigation in Future Annual Reviews
 

Industry NSPS/NESHAP 

Regulated 

Pollutants 

Latest Date 

of Required 

Compliance Citation 

ELG (Date of 

Promulgation or 

Last Revision) Further Review? 

NESHAP for 

Mercury Cell 

Chlor-Alkali Plants 

2006 40 CFR 63 Subpart IIIII 

Final Rule: December 19, 

2003 (68 FR 70903) 

NA. These facilities are being 

phased out. 

Metal Finishing NESHAP for 

Magnetic Tape 

(surface coating) 

1996 40 CFR 63 Subpart EE 

Final Rule: December 15, 

1994 (59 FR 64580) 

Part 433 Metal 

Finishing ELGs 

(1983) 

Not yet determined. EPA will 

review additional air regulation 

documentation to determine the 

affects of wet air pollution control 

on industrial discharges in future 

annual reviews. 

Iron and Steel 

Manufacturing 

NESHAP for 

Integrated Iron and 

Steel 

Metals, Trace 

amounts of 

organics 

2006 40 CFR 63 Subpart FFFFF 

Final Rule: May 20, 2003 

(68 FR 27645) 

Part 420 Iron and 

Steel 

Manufacturing 

ELGs (2002) 

Not yet determined. EPA will 

determine if all applicable 

facilities are reporting these 

pollutants in the TRA databases in 

future annual reviews. 

NESHAP for Steel 

Pickling-HCL 

Process 

Hydrochloric 

Acid and Chlorine 

2001 40 CFR 63 Subpart CCC 

Final Rule: June 22, 1999 

(64 FR 33202) 

Not yet determined. EPA will 

determine if all applicable 

facilities are reporting these 

pollutants in the TRA databases in 

future annual reviews. 

Coil Coating NESHAP for Metal 

Coil (surface 

coating) 

Methyl Ethyl 

Ketone, Glycol 

Ethers, Xylenes, 

Toluene, and 

Isophorone 

2005 40 CFR 63 Subpart SSSS 

Final Rule: June 10, 2002 

(67 FR 39793) 

Part 465 Coil 

Coating ELGs 

(1983) 

Not yet determined. EPA will 

review additional air regulation 

documentation to determine the 

affects of wet air pollution control 

on industrial discharges in future 

annual reviews. 

6-108
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.3—Identification of Air Pollution Control Wastewater 

Discharges Not Currently Regulated by ELGs 

Table 6-46. Air Regulations Potentially Resulting in Wastewater Discharges not Included in the Scope of Existing ELGs
 

Requiring Further Investigation in Future Annual Reviews
 

Industry NSPS/NESHAP 

Regulated 

Pollutants 

Latest Date 

of Required 

Compliance Citation 

ELG (Date of 

Promulgation or 

Last Revision) Further Review? 

Pulp, Paper, and NESHAP for Paper Organics 2005 40 CFR 63 Subpart JJJJ Part 430 Pulp, Not yet determined. EPA will 

Paperboard and Other Web including Paper, and determine if all applicable 

(surface coating) Toluene, Final Rule: December 4, Paperboard ELGs facilities are reporting these 

Methanol, Methyl 

Ethyl Ketone, 

Xylenes, Phenols 

2002 (67 FR 72329) (1998) pollutants in the TRA databases in 

future annual reviews. 

Pesticides NESHAP for Toluene, 2003 40 CFR 63 Subpart MMM Part 455 Pesticides Not yet determined. EPA will 

Chemicals Pesticide Active Methanol, Methyl Chemicals ELGs determine if all applicable 

Ingredient Chloride, Final Rule: June 23, 1999 (1978) facilities are reporting these 

Production Hydrogen 

Chloride 

(64 FR 33549) pollutants in the TRA databases in 

future annual reviews. 

Pharmaceuticals NESHAP for 2001 40 CFR 63 Subpart GGG Part 439 Not yet determined. EPA will 

Production Pharmaceuticals Pharmaceutical review additional air regulation 

Production Final Rule: September 21, Manufacturing documentation to determine the 

1998 (63 FR 50280) ELGs (1998) affects of wet air pollution control 

on industrial discharges in future 

annual reviews. 

Gum and Wood NESHAP for Acetaldehyde, 2007 40 CFR 63 Subpart DDDD Part 454 Gum and Not yet determined. EPA will 

Chemicals Plywood and Acrolein, Wood Chemicals review additional air regulation 

Composite Wood Formaldehyde, Final Rule: July 30, 2004 Manufacturing documentation to determine the 

Products Methanol, Phenol, 

Propionaldehyde 

(69 FR 45943) ELGs (1976) affects of wet air pollution control 

on industrial discharges in future 

annual reviews. 

6-109
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.3—Identification of Air Pollution Control Wastewater 

Discharges Not Currently Regulated by ELGs 

Table 6-46. Air Regulations Potentially Resulting in Wastewater Discharges not Included in the Scope of Existing ELGs
 

Requiring Further Investigation in Future Annual Reviews
 

Industry NSPS/NESHAP 

Regulated 

Pollutants 

Latest Date 

of Required 

Compliance Citation 

ELG (Date of 

Promulgation or 

Last Revision) Further Review? 

Ore Mining NESHAP for 

Taconite Iron Ore 

Processing 

Metal compounds 

including 

Manganese, 

Arsenic, Lead, 

Nickel, 

Chromium, 

Mercury; 

Products of 

incomplete 

combustion 

including 

Formaldehyde; 

Hydrogen 

Chloride and 

Hydrogen 

Fluoride. 

2006 40 CFR Part 63 Subpart 

RRRRR 

Final Rule: October 30, 

2003 (68 FR 61867) 

Part 440 Ore 

Mining ELGs 

(1982; Detailed 

Study completed 

in 2011) 

Not yet determined. EPA will 

review additional air regulation 

documentation to determine the 

affects of wet air pollution control 

on industrial discharges in future 

annual reviews. 

Note: EPA examined language in the regulations and supporting documentation and noted which rules specified air pollution control that would potentially 

generate wastewater (e.g., use of a wet scrubber). If the air regulation included language that mentioned wet air pollution control as an option, EPA designated 

the affected industries as potentially having a wastewater impact from the air regulation. 

6-110
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.3—Identification of Air Pollution Control Wastewater 

Discharges Not Currently Regulated by ELGs 

Table 6-47. Air Regulations with Less Likely Wastewater Impacts – Scope of Air Regulation and Applicable ELG 

Industry Scope 

Latest Date of 

Required 

Compliance Citation 

Existing ELG? 

(Date of Promulgation or Revision) 

Fertilizer 

Manufacturing, 

Inorganic Chemicals 

Manufacturing 

NSPS for sulfuric acid production units for 

sulfuric acid mist and SO2. 

1995 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart Cd 

Final Rule: December 19, 

1995 (60 FR 65414) 

Undetermined. Possibly Part 418 

Fertilizer Manufacturing ELGs (1974) 

or Part 415 Inorganic Chemicals 

Manufacturing (1982) 

Fertilizer 

Manufacturing, 

Inorganic Chemicals 

Manufacturing 

NSPS for nitric acid plants for NOx and 

opacity. 

1977 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart G 

Final Rule: July 25, 1977 

(42 FR 37936) 

Undetermined. Possibly Part 418 

Fertilizer Manufacturing ELGs (1974) 

or Part 415 Inorganic Chemicals 

Manufacturing (1982) 

Fertilizer 

Manufacturing 

NSPS for phosphate fertilizer industry: wet 

process phosphoric acid plants. This rule 

requires control of fluoride emissions. 

1977 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart T 

Final Rule: July 25, 1977 

(42 FR 37937) 

Part 418 Fertilizer Manufacturing ELGs 

(1974) 

Fertilizer 

Manufacturing 

NSPS for phosphate fertilizer industry: 

superphosphoric acid plants. This rule 

requires control of fluoride emissions. 

1977 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart U 

Final Rule: July 25, 1977 

(42 FR 37937) 

Part 418 Fertilizer Manufacturing ELGs 

(1974) 

Paving and Roofing 

Materials 

NSPS for hot mix asphalt facilities. This rule 

requires control of PM emissions and opacity. 

1977 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart I 

Final Rule: July 25, 1977 

(42 FR 37937) 

Part 443Paving and Roofing Materials 

(Tars and Asphalt) ELGs (1975) 

Nonferrous Metals 

Manufacturing 

NSPS for Secondary Lead Smelters. This rule 

requires control of particulate emissions and 

opacity. 

1977 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart L 

Final Rule: July 25, 1977 

(42 FR 37937) 

Part 421 Nonferrous Metals 

Manufacturing ELGs (1984) 

NSPS for Secondary Brass and Bronze 

Production Plants. This rule requires control 

of particulate emissions and opacity. 

1977 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart M 

Final Rule: July 25, 1977 

(42 FR 37937) 

6-111
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.3—Identification of Air Pollution Control Wastewater 

Discharges Not Currently Regulated by ELGs 

Table 6-47. Air Regulations with Less Likely Wastewater Impacts – Scope of Air Regulation and Applicable ELG 

Industry Scope 

Latest Date of 

Required 

Compliance Citation 

Existing ELG? 

(Date of Promulgation or Revision) 

NSPS for primary copper smelters. This rule 

requires control of particulate, SO2 emissions, 

and opacity. 

1976 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart P 

Final Rule: January 15, 

1976 (41 FR 2338) 

NSPS for primary zinc smelters. This rule 

requires control of particulate, SO2 emissions, 

and opacity. 

1976 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart Q 

Final Rule: January 15, 

1976 (41 FR 2340) 

NSPS for primary lead smelters. This rule 

requires control of particulate, SO2 emissions, 

and opacity. 

1976 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart R 

Final Rule: January 15, 

1976 (41 FR 2340) 

NSPS for primary aluminum reduction plants. 

This rule requires control of fluoride 

emissions and opacity. 

1980 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart S 

Final Rule: June 30, 1980 

(45 FR 44207) 

Iron and Steel 

Manufacturing 

NSPS for primary emissions for Basic 

Oxygen Process Furnaces. This rule requires 

control of particulate emissions and opacity. 

1977 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart N 

Final Rule: July 25, 1977 

(42 FR 37937) 

Part 420 Iron and Steel Manufacturing 

ELGs (2002) 

Ferroalloy 

Manufacturing 

NSPS for ferroalloy production facilities. This 

rule requires control of particulate emissions 

and carbon monoxide. 

1976 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart Z 

Final Rule: May 4, 1976 

(41 FR 18501) 

Part 424 Ferroalloy Manufacturing 

ELGs (1974) 

Coil Coating and Metal 

Finishing 

NSPS for surface coating of metal furniture. 

This rule requires control of VOC emissions. 

1982 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart EE 

Final Rule: October 29, 

1982 (47 FR 49287) 

Part 465 Coil Coating ELGs (1983) and 

Metal Finishing ELGs (1986) 

6-112
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.3—Identification of Air Pollution Control Wastewater 

Discharges Not Currently Regulated by ELGs 

Table 6-47. Air Regulations with Less Likely Wastewater Impacts – Scope of Air Regulation and Applicable ELG 

Industry Scope 

Latest Date of 

Required 

Compliance Citation 

Existing ELG? 

(Date of Promulgation or Revision) 

Inorganic Chemicals 

Manufacturing 

NSPS for lime manufacturing plants. This rule 

requires control of particulate emissions. 

1984 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart 

HH 

Final Rule: April 26, 1984 

(49 FR 18080) 

Part 415 Inorganic Chemicals 

Manufacturing ELGs (1982) 

Mineral Mining and 

Processing 

NSPS for metallic mineral processing plants. 

This rule requires control of particulate 

emissions. 

1984 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart LL 

Final Rule: February 21, 

1984 (49 FR 6464) 

Part 436 Mineral Mining and 

Processing ELGs (1975) 

Metal Products and 

Machinery 

NSPS for automobile and light duty trucks 

surface coating operations. This rule requires 

control of VOC emissions. 

1980 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart 

MM 

Final Rule: December 24, 

1980 (45 FR 85415) 

Part 438 Metal Products and Machinery 

ELGs (2003) 

Phosphate 

Manufacturing 

NSPS for phosphate rock plants. This rule 

requires control of particulate emissions. 

1982 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart 

NN 

Final Rule: April 16, 1982 

(47 FR 16589) 

Part 422 Phosphate Manufacturing 

ELGs (1974) 

Coil Coating NSPS for metal coil surface coating. This rule 

requires control of VOC emissions. 

1982 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart TT 

Final Rule: November 1, 

1982 (47 FR 49612) 

Part 465 Coil Coating ELGs (1983) 

Rubber Manufacturing NSPS for rubber tire manufacturing industry. 

This rule requires control of VOC emissions. 

1987 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart 

BBB 

Final Rule: September 15, 

1987 (52 FR 34874) 

Part 428 Rubber Manufacturing ELGs 

(1974) 

6-113
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.3—Identification of Air Pollution Control Wastewater 

Discharges Not Currently Regulated by ELGs 

Table 6-47. Air Regulations with Less Likely Wastewater Impacts – Scope of Air Regulation and Applicable ELG 

Industry Scope 

Latest Date of 

Required 

Compliance Citation 

Existing ELG? 

(Date of Promulgation or Revision) 

OCPSF NSPS for synthetic organic chemical 

manufacturing industry (SOCMI) distillation 

and reactor process. This rule requires control 

of VOC emissions. 

1990 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart 

NNN 

Final Rule: June 29, 1990 

(55 FR 26942) 

Part 414 OCPSF ELGs (1987) 

Mineral Mining and 

Processing 

NSPS for nonmetallic mineral processing 

plants. 

2009 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart 

OOO 

Final Rule: April 28, 2009 

(74 FR 19309) 

Part 436 Mineral Mining and 

Processing ELGs (1975) 

Waste Combustors NSPS for Large Municipal Waste 

Combustors. This rule requires control of 

MWC metals (cadmium, lead, mercury, PM), 

organics (dioxin/furan), acid gases (HCl, SO2, 

NOx, and opacity). 

1996 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart Cb 

Final Rule: December 19, 

1995 (60 FR 65415) 

Part 444 Waste Combustors ELGs 

(2000) 

NSPS for Municipal Waste Combustors. This 

rule requires control of MWC metals 

(cadmium, lead, mercury, PM), organics 

(dioxin/furan), acid gases (HCl, SO2, NOx, 

and opacity). 

1991/1995 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart Ea 

and Eb 

Final Rule: February 11, 

1991 (56 FR 5507) and 

December 19, 1995 (60 FR 

65419) 

Waste Combustors NSPS for incinerators for particulate matter. 1977 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart E 

Final Rule: July 25, 1977 

(42 FR 37936) 

Part 444 Waste Combustors ELGs 

(2000) 

6-114
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.3—Identification of Air Pollution Control Wastewater 

Discharges Not Currently Regulated by ELGs 

Table 6-47. Air Regulations with Less Likely Wastewater Impacts – Scope of Air Regulation and Applicable ELG 

Industry Scope 

Latest Date of 

Required 

Compliance Citation 

Existing ELG? 

(Date of Promulgation or Revision) 

Iron and Steel NSPS for steel plants, electric arc furnaces, 

and argon-oxygen decarburization vessels. 

This rule requires control of particulate 

emissions and opacity. 

1984 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart 

AA and AAa 

Final Rule: October 31, 

1984 (49 FR 43843 and 49 

FR 43845) 

Part 420 Iron and Steel ELGs (2002) 

Pulp and Paper NSPS for kraft pulp mills. This rule requires 

control of particulate emissions and total 

reduced sulfur. 

1986 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart BB 

Final Rule: May 20, 1986 

(51 FR 18544) 

Part 430 Pulp and Paper (1998) 

Glass Manufacturing NSPS for glass manufacturing plants. This 

rule requires control of particulate emissions. 

1980 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart CC 

Final Rule: October 7, 1980 

(45 FR 66751) 

Part 426 Glass Manufacturing ELGs 

(1974) 

Steam Generating Units NSPS for coal-fired electric steam generating 

units. This rule limits nationwide emissions of 

mercury by setting a cap on emissions and 

allowing trading. 

2005 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart 

HHHH 

Final Rule: May 2005 (70 

FR 28657) 

Part 423Steam Electric ELGs (ELG 

currently under review) 

Ore Mining NESHAP for Gold Mine Ore Processing and 

Production. 

2014 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart 

EEEEEEE 

Final Rule: February 17, 

2011 (76 FR 9450) 

Part 440 Ore Mining ELGs (1982; 

Detailed Study completed in 2011) 

Sewage Treatment 

Plants 

NSPS for sewage treatment plants. This rule 

requires control of particulate emissions and 

opacity. 

1977 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart O 

Final Rule: November 10, 

1977 (42 FR 58521) 

Sewage treatment plants are outside the 

scope of ELGs 

6-115
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.3—Identification of Air Pollution Control Wastewater 

Discharges Not Currently Regulated by ELGs 

Table 6-47. Air Regulations with Less Likely Wastewater Impacts – Scope of Air Regulation and Applicable ELG 

Industry Scope 

Latest Date of 

Required 

Compliance Citation 

Existing ELG? 

(Date of Promulgation or Revision) 

Sewage Sludge 

Incineration 

NSPS for performance standards for New 

Sewage Sludge Incineration units for either 

SO2, NOx, VOCs, PM, or CO. 

2011 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart 

LLLL 

Final Rule: March 31, 2011 

(76 FR 15372) 

Sewage sludge incineration is covered 

under Part 503 

Sewage Sludge 

Incineration 

NSPS for emission guidelines and compliance 

times for Existing Sewage Sludge Incineration 

units for either SO2, NOx, VOCs, PM, or CO. 

2011 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart 

MMMM 

Final Rule: March 31, 2011 

(76 FR 15372) 

Sewage sludge incineration is covered 

under Part 503 

Note: EPA examined language in the regulations and supporting documentation and noted which rules specified air pollution control that would potentially 

generate wastewater (e.g., use of a wet scrubber). If the air regulation specifically prescribed dry air pollution control, EPA designated the affected industries as 

less likely to have wastewater impacts. 

6-116
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.4—Review of TRI Industry Sectors Expansion 

6.4	 Review of TRI Industry Sectors Expansion 

The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) is an integral part of EPA’s annual review of 

effluent discharges. Each year, under TRI, facilities that meet certain thresholds must report their 

releases and other waste management activities for listed toxic chemicals. For facilities 

discharging toxic chemicals directly to receiving streams and indirectly to publicly owned 

treatment works (POTWs), EPA uses the annual load data reported to TRI to estimate the toxicweighted pound equivalents (TWPE) released and assesses the potential hazard of discharges 

from specific industrial categories. Currently, more than 20,000 U.S. industrial facilities are 

required to report information to TRI on disposal and other releases of over 650 toxic chemicals 

(U.S. EPA, 2011a). 

In June 2011, EPA’s Office of Environmental Information (OEI) initiated a rulemaking 

to add or expand the coverage of TRI for six industries, including phosphate mining, iron ore 

mining, solid waste combustors and incinerators, large dry cleaning facilities, bulk petroleum 

storage, and steam generating facilities. EPA reviewed the proposed expansion of TRI to 

evaluate whether new hazard data were used as a basis for the expansion proposal for the 

identified sectors, or if the identified sectors represent new or unregulated wastewater discharges 

that are not adequately regulated by effluent limitations guidelines and standards (ELGs). EPA 

examined the TRI sector expansion as a new source of hazard data to augment its traditional 

toxicity rankings analysis (TRA) conducted in the odd-year review. 

The TRI sector expansion rulemaking is still under development, with an expected 

proposal date of December 2014. Though the available information for the planned expansion is 

limited, EPA’s initial review suggests that selenium discharges from phosphate mines (regulated 

under 40 CFR Part 136) may be a new pollutant of concern. 

6.4.1	 TRI Industry Sectors Expansion Background 

As discussed above, OEI is considering expanding the facilities required to report to TRI. 

Currently, facilities with more than 10 employees in certain industrial point source categories are 

required to report their toxic chemical releases under the Section 313 of the Emergency Planning 

and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) of 1986 and the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990. 

As originally enacted, EPCRA only applied to manufacturing industry sectors. However, Section 

313 allows EPA to add industrial sectors to the scope of TRI. TRI currently covers the following 

industries:39 

	 Mining: coal, metal, and nonmetallic mineral mining and quarrying. 

	 Utilities: electric, water, sewage, and other systems. 

	 Manufacturing: food, beverage and tobacco, textile mills and products, apparel, 

leather and allied products, wood products, paper, printing and publishing, 

petroleum and coal products, chemicals, plastics and rubber products, nonmetallic 

mineral products, primary metals, fabricated metals, machinery, computer and 

39 See the list of TRI-covered industries available online at http://www2.epa.gov/toxics-release-inventory-triprogram/my-facilitys-six-digit-naics-code-tri-covered-industry. 

6-117
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.4—Review of TRI Industry Sectors Expansion 

electronic products, electrical equipment, transportation equipment and allied 

services, furniture, miscellaneous manufacturing. 

	 Merchant wholesalers, non-durable goods: chemical and allied products merchant 

wholesalers, petroleum and petroleum products merchant wholesalers. 

	 Wholesale electronic markets and agents brokers. 

	 Publishing. 

	 Hazardous waste: waste collection, waste treatment and disposal, remediation and 

other waste management services. 

	 Federal facilities. 

In June 2011, OEI initiated a rulemaking to add or expand coverage of TRI to the 

following industry sectors. This rule is still under development, with an anticipated proposal date 

in December 2014; therefore, the supporting docket is not yet available. 

	 Iron Ore Mining; 

	 Phosphate Mining; 

	 Steam Generation from Coal and/or Oil; 

	 Petroleum Bulk Storage; 

	 Solid Waste Combustors and Incinerators; and 

	 Large Dry Cleaning. 

EPA reviewed the scope of the planned TRI sector expansion and information available 

on the TRI exchange to identify potential toxic chemical releases not adequately regulated by 

ELGs. For each industrial sector considered under the TRI sector expansion, EPA reviewed 

available information on the scope of the expansion, any targeted pollutants specific to the 

industry sector, and any public comments on the TRI exchange website to date. After 

determining the scope of the TRI expansion for each industry sector, EPA compared the 

information to the applicable point source categories to determine each sector’s regulatory status 

(i.e., covered by existing ELGs or not regulated). For regulated point source categories, EPA 

summarized the findings from the most recent annual reviews. For unregulated industries, EPA 

reviewed any prior industrial category reviews or publicly available information as part of the 

TRI sector expansion. EPA will continue to review TRI sector expansion data in future annual 

reviews and as supporting data become available through the public docket. 

The following sections present EPA’s initial findings and potential next steps related to 

the six industry sectors proposed for inclusion in the TRI sector expansion. 

6.4.2	 Iron Ore Mining (40 CFR Part 440) 

The TRI sector expansion may add facilities classified under North American Industrial 

Classification System (NAICS) code 212210 (Iron Ore Mining) to the list of facilities subject to 

EPCRA Section 313. This expansion would potentially require these facilities to report chemical 

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constituents from iron ore, waste rock, and other mining operations. OEI added metal mining to 

TRI as part of the 1997 Industry Expansion Rule, but at the time deferred action on iron ore 

mining facilities, citing that listed toxic chemicals did not appear to be “processed” or “otherwise 

used” above de minimis concentrations. Further, it did not appear that listed toxic chemicals were 

coincidentally manufactured above the “manufacturing” threshold during the extraction or 

beneficiation of iron ores (62 FR 23859). However, OEI left open the possibility to reconsider 

iron ore mining as new information became available and has since indicated that the rationale 

for deferring action may no longer be applicable. The TRI exchange website did not list specific 

pollutants targeted as part of the TRI sector expansion for iron ore mining. 

ELGs for the Ore Mining and Dressing Point Source Category (40 CFR Part 440), 

Subpart A (Iron Ore) limit pollutant discharges from iron ore mines. The original ELGs were 

established in 1982 (47 FR 54609). In each of its annual reviews, EPA has identified the Ore 

Mining Point Source Category as one of the top ranking industries, in terms of TWPE discharged 

annually. As a result, each year EPA has performed a preliminary review of ore mining 

discharges, including iron ore mines. EPA also recently conducted a preliminary study of the Ore 

Mining and Dressing Point Source Category as a whole, and performed a separate preliminary 

review for the Iron Ore subcategory, as part of the 2009 Annual Reviews and Preliminary 2010 

Plan (U.S. EPA, 2009b; U.S. EPA, 2011b). 

EPA’s reviews have consistently found that much of the pollutant loads from iron ore 

mines result from stormwater discharges that are regulated by stormwater general permits and 

are not subject to Part 440. EPA and state stormwater Multi-Sector General Permits (MSGPs) 

regulate discharges from waste rock and overburden piles (see 65 FR 64746, October 30, 2000, 

and 70 FR 72116, December 1, 2005). Because the majority of loads result from stormwater 

covered by a general permit, they fall outside the current applicability of the national ELGs (U.S. 

EPA, 2011b). 

The U.S. has only 13 active iron ore mines (U.S. Geological Survey, 2011). In 2009, EPA 

found that one facility, North Shore Mining in Minnesota, reported the majority of the toxic 

weighted discharges in EPA’s toxicity ranking analysis (U.S. EPA, 2009b). After following up 

with the Minnesota permit writer for North Shore, EPA corrected database errors in the 

screening level database, and the facility no longer ranked high in terms of TWPE. 

Part 440 Subpart A regulates iron, pH, and total suspended solids (TSS) in ore mine 

drainage. However, EPA regulated TSS as an indicator of metals in mine discharges. EPA 

describes all the chemicals considered during the 1982 rulemaking in the Proposed Development 

Document for Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Ore Mining and Dressing 

Point Source Category (Ore Mining TDD). In 1982, EPA concluded that the wastewater 

concentrations of the chemicals reviewed corresponded directly to the TSS concentrations. At 

the time of the regulation, EPA found that if TSS in the wastewater discharge from the mining 

operation were reduced, the specific metal concentrations would also decrease (U.S. EPA, 1982). 

Based on EPA’s previous years of review, the coverage of the existing Part 440 Subpart 

A, and the regulation of some mine drainage by MSGPs, EPA previously concluded that no 

additional review of discharges from iron ore mines is warranted. EPA’s review of available TRI 

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sector expansion data did not provide any further information regarding the discharge of specific 

pollutants from the iron ore mining category. 

6.4.3 Phosphate Mining (40 CFR Part 436) 

The TRI sector expansion may add facilities classified under NAICS 212392 (Phosphate 

Rock Mining) to the list of facilities subject to EPCRA Section 313, which would potentially 

require these facilities to report chemical constituents from phosphate ore, waste rock, and other 

mining operations. According to the 2007 U.S. Economic Census, NAICS 212392 includes 

seven mines (U.S. Census, 2007). The TRI exchange website did not list specific pollutants 

targeted as part of the TRI sector expansion for phosphate mining. 

OEI has received two petitions, in 2006 and 2009, from the Greater Yellowstone 

Coalition requesting the addition of phosphate mining as part of the TRI sector expansion. 

Through the petitions, public commenters raised concerns about selenium discharges from 

phosphate mines in Idaho (Hoyt, 2006; Hoyt, 2009). Further, in public comments submitted to 

the TRI exchange, Earthworks also urged EPA to add phosphate mining to TRI due to significant 

releases of selenium from mines in Idaho (U.S. EPA, 2011c). 

ELGs for the Mineral Mining Point Source Category (40 CFR Part 436), Subpart R 

(Phosphate Mining) limit pollutant discharges from phosphate mines. The original ELGs were 

established in 1978 (43 FR 9809). EPA recently reviewed the Mineral Mining Point Source 

Category as part of its 2010 and 2011 Annual Reviews (U.S. EPA, 2011d; U.S. EPA, 2012). 

Currently, Part 436 only regulates TSS and pH; it does not regulate selenium or discharges of 

other metals. 

EPA’s 2010 and 2011 Annual Review identified 14 phosphate mines with discharge data 

in the 2009 DMR database, all of which are in Florida (U.S. EPA, 2012). Discharges of fluoride 

account for a large percentage of the TWPE from these mines. Though fluoride is not regulated 

by Part 436 ELGs, it is controlled in Florida by permit limitations in accordance with the State’s 

water quality standards (10.0 mg/L). EPA did not identify in the TRA databases any phosphate 

mines in Idaho reporting discharges, nor did it identify any mines reporting discharges of 

selenium because 40 CFR Part 436 does not regulate selenium (or any other metals). In 2011, 

EPA contacted the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FL DEP) Phosphate 

Management Permit Manager and Program Administrator. The contact stated that the usual 

fluoride concentration from the phosphate mines in Florida is approximately 3 mg/L; therefore, 

there has been no action to revise the state’s fluoride water quality criteria or research new 

treatment technologies for fluoride discharges (Champion, 2011). In addition, FL DEP identified 

no additional chemicals of concern or treatment technologies for phosphate mines in the area, 

and concluded that phosphate mine discharges were not degrading receiving stream quality 

(Champion, 2011). 

Based on the data collected for EPA’s 2010 and 2011 Annual Reviews, EPA previously 

concluded that no additional review of discharges from phosphate mines was warranted. Because 

data to support TRI’s sector expansion to cover phosphate mining are not yet available, and 

because phosphate mines are not currently reporting selenium discharges to DMR, EPA is unable 

to complete its review of phosphate mining, or determine the impact of selenium discharges. 

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6.4.4 Steam Generation from Coal and/or Oil (Not Currently Regulated) 

The TRI sector expansion may add facilities classified under NAICS 221330 (Steam and 

Air-Conditioning Supply) to the list of facilities subject to EPCRA Section 313. Currently, 

coverage of NAICS 221330 is limited to facilities that generate a combination of electric, gas, 

and other services (e.g., facilities that cogenerate steam and electricity). The expansion may 

include facilities that combust coal and/or oil to generate steam for distribution in commerce, 

regardless of whether they cogenerate electricity. According to the 2007 U.S. Economic Census, 

NAICS 221330 includes 69 facilities (U.S. Census, 2007). The TRI exchange website did not list 

specific pollutants targeted as part of the TRI sector expansion for steam generation from coal 

and/or oil. 

Wastewater discharges from steam electric generation from coal and/or oil are regulated 

by 40 CFR Part 423 (Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category). The Steam 

Electric Power Generating ELGs cover plants primarily engaged in the generation of electricity 

for distribution and sale, which results primarily from a process utilizing fossil-type fuel or 

nuclear fuel in conjunction with a thermal cycle employing the steam water system as the 

thermodynamic medium. The ELGs do not cover the proposed TRI sector expansion for facilities 

that combust coal and/or oil to generate steam for distribution into commerce because these 

facilities may not be engaged in the generation of electricity. However, EPA collected 

information regarding steam and air conditioning supply plants (that use a variety of fuels 

including natural gas, oil, and coal) as part of its 2009 Steam Electric Power Generating Detailed 

Study (U.S. EPA, 2009a). 

From the detailed study, EPA determined that steam and air-conditioning supply plants 

generate similar types of wastewaters as steam electric plants regulated under the Steam Electric 

Power Generating ELGs. However, most of the plants combust natural gas or oil and, therefore, 

do not generate the quantity of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) and/or ash transport wastewaters 

that are generated by coal-fired power plants. EPA identified that some of the wastewater 

discharges contain similar pollutants to those discharged by steam electric plants. Additionally, 

some of the wastewaters from these plants are regulated using the Steam Electric Power 

Generating ELGs as the basis for best professional judgment (BPJ)-derived limits. EPA also 

identified that there are relatively few of these plants in operation and most of them discharge a 

small amount of wastewater compared to the steam electric plants regulated under the Steam 

Electric Power Generating ELGs. (U.S. EPA, 2009a). EPA’s review of available TRI sector 

expansion data did not provide any further information regarding the discharge of specific 

pollutants from steam generation from coal and/or oil. 

6.4.5 Petroleum Bulk Storage (Not Currently Regulated) 

The TRI sector expansion may add facilities classified under NAICS 493190 (Other 

Warehousing and Storage) to the list of facilities subject to EPCRA Section 313. In the 1997 

Industry Expansion Rule, OEI added to TRI bulk petroleum facilities classified under NAICS 

424710 (Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals). The TRI rulemaking may expand coverage to 

include bulk petroleum storage facilities and bulk petroleum stations and terminals for hire. EPA 

plans to clarify the specific scope and industries covered under this TRI sector expansion once 

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TRI publishes additional information and data. The TRI exchange website did not list specific 

pollutants targeted as part of the TRI sector expansion for petroleum bulk storage. 

Discharges from petroleum bulk storage facilities are not currently regulated by ELGs. 

However, EPA conducted a detailed study of Petroleum Bulk Storage Terminals (PBSTs) in 

2003 and 2004 (U.S. EPA, 2004). For this study, EPA visited PBSTs and collected data on the 

chemicals of concern: total petroleum hydrocarbons, phenols, naphthenic acids, aromatic 

hydrocarbons, and surfactants. 

EPA found that PBST wastewaters were limited to stormwater discharges. The detailed 

study data indicated these stormwater discharges contained low concentrations of toxic 

chemicals. In addition, general or individual stormwater permits regulated the majority of the 

chemicals. EPA found that permit writers were issuing stormwater permits to control discharges 

from PBSTs. As a result, EPA concluded that the discharges were adequately regulated and did 

not warrant national ELGs (U.S. EPA, 2004). EPA’s review of available TRI sector expansion 

data did not provide any further information regarding the discharge of specific pollutants from 

petroleum bulk storage facilities. 

6.4.6 Solid Waste Combustors and Incinerators (40 CFR Parts 437 and 444) 

The TRI sector expansion may add facilities classified under NAICS 562213 (Solid 

Waste Combustors and Incinerators) to the list of facilities subject to EPCRA Section 313. 

According to the 2007 U.S. Economic Census, NAICS 562213 includes 117 facilities (U.S. 

Census, 2007).40 EPA previously added combustors and incinerators regulated under subtitle C 

of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). These facilities collect, transport, 

treat, stabilize, or dispose of RCRA subtitle C hazardous waste. The TRI sector expansion 

rulemaking considers the addition of all facilities classified under NAICS 562213, whether or not 

facilities have subtitle C permits. The TRI exchange website did not list specific pollutants 

targeted as part of the TRI sector expansion for solid waste combustors and incinerators. 

ELGs for the Centralized Waste Treatment (CWT) and Waste Combustor Point Source 

Categories (40 CFR Part 437 and 40 CFR Part 444, respectively) limit pollutant discharges from 

incinerators and hazardous waste combustors, as well as from other types of non-hazardous 

centralized waste treatment. These regulations may not address all potential solid waste 

combustors and incinerators that are being considered under the TRI sector expansion. EPA 

originally promulgated the ELGs in 2000 for CWTs and waste combustors (65 FR 81300 and 65 

FR 4381, respectively). In addition, in 2009 and 2011, EPA performed preliminary category 

reviews of both of these point source categories (U.S. EPA, 2009b; U.S. EPA, 2012). EPA found 

that the majority of the pollutant load associated with these categories resulted from an 

individual facility and/or from estimations of pollutant discharge loads using values measured 

below the detection limit. EPA concluded that these categories did not warrant further revision, 

but that individual facilities would benefit from permitting and compliance support (U.S. EPA, 

2009b; U.S. EPA, 2012). EPA has not evaluated discharge data associated with other types of 

40 The U.S. Economic Census includes more facilities than EPA’s toxicity rankings databases. Many factors might 

contribute to this discrepancy, including: facilities may not meet TRI-reporting thresholds; facilities discharging to 

POTWs are not required to report to ICIS-NPDES; and some facilities in the U.S. Economic Census are distributors 

or sales facilities, not manufacturers. 

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solid waste combustors that may be included under the TRI sector expansion. In addition, EPA’s 

review of available TRI sector expansion data did not provide any further information regarding 

the discharge of specific pollutants from solid waste combustors and incinerators. 

6.4.7 Large Dry Cleaning (Not Currently Regulated) 

The TRI sector expansion may add large dry cleaning facilities to the list of facilities 

subject to EPCRA Section 313. This includes multiple sectors classified under NAICS 8123 

(Drycleaning and Laundry Services). Large dry cleaning facilities have not previously been 

required to report to TRI. Particularly, the TRI sector expansion is targeting this industry to 

report the TRI-listed chemical perchloroethylene (PCE), a non-aqueous solvent used to wash 

garments. The TRI exchange website did not list any other specific pollutants targeted as part of 

the TRI sector expansion for large dry cleaning facilities. 

On December 17, 1997 (62 FR 66183), EPA published proposed pretreatment standards 

for pollutant discharges from industrial laundries. At the time, EPA determined that a majority of 

industrial laundries did not discharge directly to surface water, but rather to POTWs. The 

proposed pretreatment standards included limits for 11 pollutants including: 

 Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate; 

 Ethylbenzene; 

 Naphthalene; 

 Tetrachloroethene (also known as PCE); 

 Toluene; 

 m-Xylene; 

 o&p-Xylene; 

 Copper; 

 LEPA; 

 Zinc; and 

 TPH (as measured by SGT–HEM). 

During a review and detailed study of industrial laundries, EPA reviewed discharges of 

some large dry cleaners. EPA found that the dry cleaning process generates minimal amounts of 

wastewater, ranging from zero to 0.25 gallons of water per pound of laundry processed. Further, 

EPA determined that many facilities were moving away from dry cleaning because of the 

hazardous nature of dry cleaning solvents and the expense of their disposal. EPA also determined 

that facilities operating dry cleaning units were moving away from the use of PCE as a solvent in 

favor of petroleum-based solvents (U.S. EPA, 2000). The proposed pretreatment standards for 

industrial laundries considered dry cleaning only within the context of facilities that include 

water washing following dry cleaning. 

In 1999, EPA ultimately decided not to promulgate national pretreatment standards for 

industrial laundries (64 FR 45071). EPA determined that the discharges to POTWs did not 

represent a problem warranting national regulation because the pretreatment options determined 

to be economically achievable would remove only a small amount of pollutants. In addition, 

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EPA believed that POTWs were generally not experiencing problems from industrial laundry 

discharges, or that the discharges would be adequately controlled by the existing pretreatment 

program. EPA’s review of available TRI sector expansion data did not provide any further 

information regarding the discharge of specific pollutants from large dry cleaning facilities. 

6.4.8	 Summary of Findings from EPA’s Review of TRI Industry Sectors Expansion 

The TRI industry sectors expansion rule is still under development and is expected to be 

proposed by December 2014. From the available information, EPA has conducted a limited 

review of the six industries proposed to be included in the TRI and has preliminary found: 

	 The iron ore mining industry sector is regulated by 40 CFR Part 440 (Ore Mining 

and Dressing), Subpart A (Iron Ore). EPA previously reviewed discharges from 

iron ore mines in 2009 and 2010, as part of a preliminary study of the point source 

category. EPA then concluded that no additional review of discharges from iron 

ore mines was warranted. EPA’s review of the TRI sector expansion proposal 

added no new data or information to alter this prior finding. 

	 The phosphate mining industry sector is regulated by 40 CFR Part 436 (Mineral 

Mining), Subpart R (Phosphate Mining). As part of the TRI sector expansion, 

public commenters have urged EPA to consider including selenium discharges 

from phosphate mines, specifically citing concerns over phosphate mine 

discharges in Idaho. 

	 The steam generation from coal and/or oil industry sector is not currently 

regulated by ELGs. EPA investigated this sector as part of its 2009 Steam Electric 

Power Generation Detailed Study and determined that some of the discharges 

contain similar pollutants to those discharged by steam electric plants; however, 

there are relatively few of these plants in operation (and even fewer that use coal, 

which would result in flue gas desulfurization (FGD) and/or ash transport 

wastewaters). In addition, most of the plants discharge a relatively small amount 

of wastewater compared to the steam electric plants. The review of the TRI sector 

expansion proposal information published to date added no new data or 

information for EPA to consider. 

	 The petroleum bulk storage industry sector is not currently regulated by ELGs. In 

2003 and 2004, EPA performed a detailed study of the industrial category and 

found that PBST wastewaters are limited to stormwater discharges. As a result, 

EPA concluded that the discharges were adequately regulated and did not warrant 

national ELGs. EPA’s review of the TRI sector expansion proposal information 

published to date found no new data or information to alter this prior finding. 

	 TRI is proposing to expand coverage to all solid waste combustor facilities 

classified under NAICS 562213, regardless of whether the facility is a hazardous 

waste combustor. ELGs for the CWT and Waste Combustor Point Source 

Categories (40 CFR Part 437 and 40 CFR Part 444, respectively) limit pollutant 

discharges from incinerators and hazardous waste combustors, as well as from 

other types of centralized waste treatment. This may not include all solid waste 

combustors that would be included in the TRI sector expansion. EPA previously 

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reviewed discharges from hazardous waste combustors and CWTs as part of 

EPA’s 2009 and 2010 Annual Reviews. EPA concluded that these categories did 

not warrant further revision, but that individual facilities would benefit from 

permitting and compliance support. EPA’s review of the TRI sector expansion 

proposal information published to date found no new data or information to alter 

this prior finding. 

	 The large dry cleaning industry category is not regulated by ELGs. In 1999, EPA 

reviewed the industrial laundries point source category (which includes some dry 

cleaning operations) as part of a proposed rule to establish industrial laundry 

pretreatment standards. At the time, EPA considered dry cleaning operations, and 

determined that they are not a significant source of wastewater discharge, unless 

coupled with a water washing process. EPA also determined that the discharges 

from industrial laundries to POTWs in general did not represent a problem 

warranting national regulation. Therefore, EPA did not promulgate national 

pretreatment standards for this industry. As part of the TRI sector expansion, OEI 

is considering adding PCE; however, EPA’s prior review of industrial laundries 

indicated that many dry cleaning facilities were moving away from PCE toward 

less hazardous alternatives. EPA’s review of the TRI sector expansion proposal 

information published to date added no new data or information to alter this prior 

finding not to regulate discharges from industrial laundries, or dry cleaning 

operations in particular. 

6.4.9	 References for Review of TRI Industry Sectors Expansion 

1.	 Champion, Jacquelyn. 2011. Telephone Communications Between Jacquelyn Champion, 

FL DEP, and Elizabeth Sabol, Eastern Research Group, Inc., Re: Fluoride Discharges 

from Phosphate Mines in Florida. (August 26). EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824-0024. 

6.	 Hoyt, Marv. 2006. Letter from Marv Hoyt, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, to Steven 

Johnson, U.S. EPA, Re: Petition to Add Phosphate Rock Mining to the List of Facilities 

Required to Report Releases of Chemicals Under SIC Code 1475. (January 27). EPAHQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07849. 

7.	 Hoyt, Marv. 2009. Letter from Marv Hoyt, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, to Lisa 

Jackson, U.S. EPA Administrator, Re: Petition to Add Phosphate Rock Mining to the List 

of Facilities Subject to the Toxic Release Inventory Program of the Emergency Planning 

and Community Right to Know Act. (November 3). EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 

07850. 

8.	 U.S. Census. 2007. U.S. Economic Census. Available online at: 

http://www.census.gov/econ/census07. 

9.	 U.S. EPA. 1982. Proposed Development Document for Effluent Limitations Guidelines 

and Standards for the Ore Mining and Dressing Point Source Category. Washington, D.C. 

(May). EPA-440-1-82-061. 

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6.4—Review of TRI Industry Sectors Expansion 

10.	 U.S. EPA. 2000. Technical Development Document for the Final Action Regarding 

Pretreatment Standards for the Industrial Laundries Point Source Category. Washington, 

D.C. (March). EPA-R-00-006. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07763. 

11.	 U.S. EPA. 2004. Technical Support Document for the 2004 Effluent Guidelines Program 

Plan. Washington, D.C. (August). EPA-821-R-04-014. EPA-HQ-OW-2003-0074-1346 

through 1352. 

12.	 U.S. EPA. 2009a. Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category: Final 

Detailed Study Report. Washington, D.C. (October). EPA 821-R-09-008. EPA-HQ-OW2009-0819-0413. 

13.	 U.S. EPA. 2009b. Technical Support Document for the Preliminary 2010 Effluent 

Guidelines Program Plan. Washington, D.C. (October). EPA-821-R-09-006. EPA-HQOW-2008-0517-0515. 

14.	 U.S. EPA. 2011a. Toxics Release Inventory (Fact Sheet). Available online at: 

http://www2.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/RY_2011_TRI_Factsheet.pdf. 

EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07851. 

15.	 U.S. EPA. 2011b. Ore Mining and Dressing Preliminary Study Report. Washington, D.C. 

(September). EPA-820-R-10-025. EPA-HQ-OW-2008-0517-0712. 

16.	 U.S. EPA. 2011c. Phosphate Mining Discussion. Re: Toxic Chemicals Associated with 

this Sector. Public comment submitted by Earthworks. Available online at: 

http://exchange.regulations.gov/topic/trisectorsrule/discussion/tri-phosphate-miningchemicals. (October 6). EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07852. 

17.	 U.S. EPA. 2011d. Technical Support Document for the 2010 Effluent Guidelines 

Program Plan. Washington, D.C. (October). EPA 820-R-10-021. EPA-HQ-OW-2008­

0517- 0618. 

18.	 U.S. EPA. 2012. The 2011 Annual Effluent Guidelines Review Report. Washington, D.C. 

(December). EPA-821-R-12-001. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824-0195. 

19.	 U.S. Geological Survey. 2011. 2009 Minerals Yearbook. (June). Available online at: 

http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/myb.html. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 

07853. 

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6.5—Review of Analytical Methods 

6.5	 Review of Analytical Methods 

As part of this 2012 Annual Review, EPA reviewed analytical methods recently 

developed or revised by the Agency to facilitate its identification of unregulated pollutants in 

industrial wastewater discharges. The Agency periodically develops new analytical methods, or 

updates existing ones, in response to developments such as the identification of a new class of 

pollutants, or if impairments to water bodies indicate the need for altered or new methods. 

In some instances, EPA is limited in its ability to regulate pollutants in industrial 

wastewater based on the availability or sensitivity of analytical methods. This is particularly true 

for emerging contaminants of concern, which may be present in industrial wastewater, but which 

EPA cannot definitively detect and/or quantify. In addition, as technology and analytical 

techniques evolve, the Agency may improve the accuracy and sensitivity of its existing analytical 

methods. EPA recognizes the need to assess these improvements and their potential impacts on 

wastewater pollution control. Lower detection limits may reveal the presence of additional 

pollutants in regulated wastewater streams that EPA had been unable to detect. EPA reviewed 

recent analytical method development activities for two reasons: 

	 To identify new analytical methods that might help identify unregulated pollutants 

in industrial wastewater discharges. 

	 To identify changes to existing analytical methods that provide for increased 

sensitivity, which might allow EPA to identify previously undetected pollutants or 

strengthen existing requirements for regulated pollutants. 

EPA’s review of the wastewater analytical methods included in the 2012 Method Update 

Rule identified improved detection limits for some metals and new methods for several other 

pollutants of concern in industrial wastewater. These included free cyanide, acid mine drainage 

(as a parameter), nonylphenol (NP), and bisphenol A (BPA). EPA also identified several 

pesticides, measured by existing analytical methods, that do not currently have effluent limits 

under the Pesticide Chemicals Manufacturing, Formulating, and Packaging ELGs (40 CFR Part 

455). 

EPA also reviewed drinking water analytical methods to determine if new methods have 

been developed to detect emerging drinking water contaminants that may be attributed to 

industrial wastewater sources. EPA’s review of drinking water analytical methods revealed 

relatively new methods developed by EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) for 

perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) and 1,4-dioxane. EPA’s Office of Ground Water and Drinking 

Water (OGWDW) is using these methods in its Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 

(UCMR) to evaluate PFCs and 1,4-dioxane in drinking water. EPA has also identified industrial 

wastewater discharges for both PFCs and 1,4-dioxane. 

The following sections present EPA’s 2012 review of analytical methods. 

6.5.1	 Data Sources 

An analytical method is a procedure that determines the concentration of a contaminant 

in wastewater or drinking water. Though the analytical methods established for drinking water 

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may not be directly applicable to industrial wastewater, EPA included them in this analysis to 

identify emerging pollutants in drinking water that may be attributed to sources of industrial 

wastewater. 

EPA reviewed available information from the following EPA offices to determine if 

recently developed analytical methods identify unregulated pollutants in industrial discharges or, 

if established wastewater methods have significantly improved sensitivity and lower detection 

limits. 

	 EPA’s Office of Water, Office of Science and Technology, Engineering and 

Analysis Division (EAD). EAD develops, reviews, and approves analytical 

methods used for measuring contaminants in wastewater, both domestic and 

industrial. 

	 EPA’s Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (OGWDW). OGWDW 

develops, reviews, and approves analytical methods used for measuring drinking 

water contaminants. 

	 EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD). ORD supports research 

programs that identify the most pressing environmental health research needs with 

input from EPA offices, partners, and stakeholders. Currently, ORD is also 

developing analytical methods for measuring contaminants in drinking water. 

The following sections present the findings of the new analytical methods reviews for 

each of these EPA offices. 

6.5.2	 EAD 

	 EAD publishes laboratory methods used by industries and municipalities to 

analyze the chemical, physical, and biological properties of wastewater and other 

environmental samples that are required by regulation. EAD publishes these 

methods under the authority of the Clean Water Act (CWA) at 40 CFR Part 136. 

EAD develops and updates these analytical methods by working with the EPA 

Regions, states, and stakeholders to determine current analytical needs (U.S. EPA, 

2012a). 

	 EAD published a Methods Update Rule in May 2012 (2012 Method Update Rule) 

(77 FR 29758) Table 6-50 at the end of this section lists the actions taken in that 

rule and their relevance to the 304m annual review process. The updates to the 

rule include new and revised methods by EAD, commercial entities, and 

voluntary consensus organizations (e.g., Standards Methods Committee). 

From its review of the 2012 Method Update Rule, EPA identified five analytical method 

updates that may help identify new or unregulated pollutants: 

	 Metals: EAD added EPA Method 200.5 (Revision 4.2), “Determination of Trace 

Elements in Drinking Water by Axially Viewed ICP-AES,” to Table 1B of Part 

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6.5—Review of Analytical Methods 

136 as an alternative to EPA Method 200.7. EAD also clarified that the axial 

orientation of the torch is allowed for use with EPA Method 200.7 (Revision 4.4), 

“Determination of Metals and Trace Elements in Water and Wastes by ICP-AES.” 

Both methods are acceptable under Part 136 and both methods employ ICP-AES 

technology. The use of the axial orientation under both methods allows for greater 

sensitivity and lower detection limits for some metals. 

	 Pesticides: As part of the update of pesticide analytical methods, EAD added 

some of the methods for Pesticide Active Ingredients from Table IG in Part 136 to 

applicable parameters listed in Table ID for general use. EPA reviewed these 

methods and identified 30 pesticides that the methods measure, which do not 

currently have effluent limits under the Pesticide Chemicals Manufacturing, 

Formulating, and Packaging ELGs (40 CFR Part 455) (see Table 6-51 at the end 

of this section). 

	 Acid Mine Drainage: EAD added EPA Method 1627, “Kinetic Test Method for 

the Prediction of Mine Drainage Quality,” to Table 1B of Part 136 as a new 

parameter termed “Acid Mine Drainage.” This method may provide additional 

characterization of coal mine drainage discharges. 

	 Free Cyanide: EAD added free cyanide as a new parameter to Table IB of Part 

136. The addition of this parameter may affect ELGs for industries that discharge 

cyanide. 

	 Nonylphenol (NP), Bisphenol A (BPA), p-tert-Octylphenol (OP), Nonylphenol 

Monoethoxylate (NP1EO), and Nonylphenol Diethoxylate (NP2EO): EAD added 

ASTM D7065-06 “Standard Test Method for Determination of Bisphenol A, ptert-Octylphenol, Nonylphenol Monoethoxylate, and Nonylphenol Diethoxylate” 

to Table IC of Part 136, which covers these five new chemicals. EPA reviewed 

NP and BPA as part of the review of OPPT’s Chemical Action Plans and 

determined that these pollutants may be present in industrial wastewater discharge 

(see Section 6.2 for details). EPA does not currently have information or data 

regarding the presence of OP, NP1EO, or NP2EO in industrial wastewater 

discharge. 

In addition to the 2012 Method Update Rule, EAD is also supporting several initiatives to 

add or improve methods for additional contaminants through the following actions: 

	 Developed revised holding times and preservation conditions for pharmaceuticals 

and personal care products in EPA Method 1694 and steroids and hormones in 

EPA Method 1698 (U.S. EPA, 2010). 

	 Developing a draft procedure for measuring perfluorinated carboxylic acids 

(PFAC) and perfluorinated sulfonic acids (PFAS) in sewage sludge and biosolids; 

(U.S. EPA, 2011; Gomez-Taylor and Walker, 2012). 

	 Preparing a protocol with which to validate rapid methods for pathogens using 

real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). 

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6.5—Review of Analytical Methods 

6.5.3	 OGWDW 

	 OGWDW requires public water systems (PWSs) to demonstrate that their 

drinking water source, water treatment process, and treated waters meet certain 

health-based standards, using methods and laboratories approved by EPA or the 

states. The approved OGWDW analytical methods include methods developed by 

other EPA offices (including ORD and EAD). However, OGWDW also approves 

methods developed by consensus method organizations, universities, or 

commercial vendors. When OGWDW publishes new regulations, it lists at least 

one analytical method (new or existing) for analyzing the regulated pollutants 

(U.S. EPA, 2012b). 

OGWDW has promulgated drinking water regulations for more than 90 contaminants. 

Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, OGWDW established a program requiring PWSs to monitor 

unregulated contaminants. In March 2012, OGWDW issued a final action for its Unregulated 

Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) (77 FR 26071). This rule requires PWSs to monitor their 

influent water supply for the 29 contaminants listed in Table 6-48. Over the next several years, 

OGWDW will work with PWSs, states, and laboratories to evaluate the results of UCMR testing 

and determine if further drinking water regulations are warranted. 

EPA recognizes that the analytical methods for the pollutants included in the UCMR are 

applicable to drinking water and may not necessarily be transferrable for detecting and 

quantifying pollutants in industrial wastewater. EPA reviewed the pollutants included in the 

UCMR to determine if any are likely attributable to industrial wastewater sources. 

Table 6-48. Analytes in OGWDW’s 2012 UCMR 

29 Unregulated Analytes and Associated Methods 

Method Pollutants Measured 

Assessment Monitoring: Targets contaminants that are analyzed with methods that use existing and widely 

used technology. 

EPA Method 524.3 (GC/MS) Volatile organic compounds: 

 1,2,3-Trichloropropane 

 1,3-Butadiene 

 Chloromethane (methyl chloride) 

 1,1-Dichloroethane 

 Bromomethane (methyl bromide) 

 Bromochloromethane (Halon 1011) 

 Chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22) 

EPA Method 522 (GC/MS) Synthetic organic compounds: 

 1,4-Dioxane 

EPA Method 200.8 (ICP/MS) or alternate SM 3125 

or ASTM D5673-10 Methods 

Metals: 

 Cobalt 

 Molybdenum 

 Strontium 

 Vanadium 

EPA Method 300.1 (IC/Conductivity) or alternate 

SM 4110D or ASTM D6581-08 Methods 

Oxyhalide anion: 

 Chlorate 

6-130
 
 

Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.5—Review of Analytical Methods 

Table 6-48. Analytes in OGWDW’s 2012 UCMR 

29 Unregulated Analytes and Associated Methods 

EPA Method 537 (LC/MS/MS) Perfluorinated chemicals: 

 Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) 

 Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) 

 Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) 

 Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) 

 Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) 

 Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) 

EPA Method 218.7 (IC/UV-VIS):  Chromium-6 

Screening Survey: Addresses contaminants with analytical methods 

that rely on sophisticated technology that may not be widely used in drinking water laboratories. 

EPA Method 539 (LC/MS/MS): Hormones: 

 17-β-Estradiol 

 17-α-Ethynylestradiol (ethinyl estradiol) 

 Estriol (16-α-hydroxy-17-β-estradiol) 

 Equilin 

 Estrone 

 Testosterone 

 4-Androstene-3,17-dione 

Pre-Screen Testing: Addresses contaminants that are analyzed with methods that utilize very new or 

specialized technology. 

See Section III.D.5 of the FR notice for methods 

discussiona

: 

Viruses: 

 Enterovirus 

 Norovirus 

Source: 77 FR 26072. 

a Monitoring also includes sampling for pathogen indicators (i.e., total coliforms, E. coli, bacteriophage, 

Enterococci, and aerobic spores). 

From Table 6-48 EPA identified and further reviewed PFCs and 1,4-dioxane, as these
 

pollutants in drinking water may be attributed to industrial discharges.
 

EPA did not investigate further the other chemicals listed in Table 6-48. The seven
 

volatile organic compounds (VOCs) included in the UCMR are discharged by industrial
 

facilities, but not at significant concentrations. The sum total of all discharges of these seven
 

VOCs is 1,500 pounds and less than 8 TWPE (DMR Loading Tool). EPA did not identify
 

industrial wastewater discharge data for hormones, viruses, or chlorate, and EPA historically
 

reviews metals discharges as part of its annual review process.
 

PFCs are manmade and do not occur naturally in the environment (U.S. EPA, 2009). 

Review of EPA’s Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT’s) Chemical Action Plan for 

long-chain PFCs revealed that several chemical manufacturers in the OCPSF point source 

category are discharging PFCs, and PFOA in particular, at levels above the provisional health 

advisory level for drinking water (see Section 6.2 for more detail). 

	 EPA also identified 40 facilities that reported discharges of 1,4-dioxane in 2011 

(DMR Loading Tool). EPA’s Toxicological Review of 1,4-Dioxane (U.S. EPA, 

2010) indicates that 1,4-dioxane is a contaminant of some ingredients used in the 

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Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.5—Review of Analytical Methods 

manufacture of personal care products and cosmetics. 1,4-dioxane is used as a 

solvent for cellulosics, organic products, lacquers, paints, varnishes, paint and 

varnish removers, resins, oils, waxes, dyes, cements, fumigants, emulsions, and 

polishing compositions. It has also been used as a solvent in the formulation of 

inks, coatings, and adhesives and in the extraction of animal and vegetable oil 

(U.S. EPA, 2010). 

6.5.4 ORD 

ORD’s water research provides the science and tools necessary to develop sustainable 

solutions for water resource problems, ensuring water quality and availability to protect human 

and ecosystem health. This includes development of new methods to measure water 

contaminants. ORD currently develops methods for:41 

 Bacteria; 

 Biological indicators; 

 Coliphages; 

 Drinking water; 

 Protozoa; and 

 Viruses. 

EPA is focusing on ORD’s methods established for pollutants in drinking water to 

determine if any are likely attributable to industrial wastewater sources. EPA's Exposure 

Research Program has actively conducted drinking water methods research and has developed or 

revised several analytical methods within the last five years, shown in Table 6-49. EPA has 

identified two of ORD’s methods that cover pollutants that OGWDW has included in the UCMR 

as new pollutants of concern in drinking water: PFCs and 1,4,-dioxane. EPA’s review of these 

pollutants is presented above in Section 6.5.3. EPA did not investigate the remainder of these 

pollutants or ORD methods further as part of this annual review. 

Table 6-49. ORD Drinking Water Methods Developed Within Last Five Years 

Method Pollutants Addressed Method Description Latest Revision 

415.3 Rev 1.1, 1.2 Total Organic Carbon 

(TOC) 

Determination of Total 

Organic Carbon and 

Specific UV Absorbance 

at 254 nm in Source 

Water and Drinking 

Water. 

September 2009 

522 1,4-Dioxane Determination of 1,4­

Dioxane in Drinking 

Water by Solid Phase 

Extraction (SPE) and Gas 

Chromatography/Mass 

Spectrometry (GC/MS) 

with Selected Ion 

Monitoring (SIM). 

September 2008 

41 For more details see EPA’s Water Research webpage at http://www.epa.gov/research/mmtd/water.htm. 

6-132
 
Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.5—Review of Analytical Methods 

Table 6-49. ORD Drinking Water Methods Developed Within Last Five Years 

Method Pollutants Addressed Method Description Latest Revision 

525.3 Semivolatile organics 

(SVOCs) 

Determination of 

Semivolatile Organic 

Chemicals in Drinking 

Water by Solid Phase 

Extraction and Capillary 

Column Gas 

Chromatography/Mass 

Spectrometry (GC/MS). 

February 2012 

537 Rev 1.1 Perfluorinated Alkyl Acids Determination of 

Selected Perfluorinated 

Alkyl Acids in Drinking 

Water by Solid Phase 

Extraction and Liquid 

Chromatography/Tandem 

Mass Spectrometry 

(LC/MS/MS). 

September 2009 

538 Acephate 

Aldicarb 

Aldicarb sulfoxide 

Dicrotophos 

Diisopropyl 

methylphosphonate 

(DIMP) 

Fenamiphos sulfone 

Fenamiphos sulfoxide 

Methamidophos 

Oxydemeton-methyl 

Quinoline 

Thiofanox 

Determination of 

Selected Organic 

Contaminants in Drinking 

Water by Direct Aqueous 

Injection-Liquid 

Chromatography/Tandem 

Mass Spectrometry (DAILC/MS/MS). 

November 2009 

Source: Drinking Water Methods Developed by EPA's Exposure Research Program. Available online at: 

http://www.epa.gov/nerlcwww/ordmeth.htm 

6.5.5 Summary of EPA’s Findings from Analytical Methods Review 

Recent EAD analytical method developments as part of the 2012 Method Update Rule 

have reduced detection limits for some metals and added new methods for detecting other 

pollutants of concern from industrial wastewater discharge including free cyanide, acid mine 

drainage, NP, and BPA. The lowered metals detection limits are significant to the annual review 

process because industries may be discharging metals at levels that were previously undetected. 

In addition, EPA identified several pesticides measured by some of the approved pesticide 

analytical methods that do not currently have effluent limits under the Pesticide Chemicals 

Manufacturing, Formulating, and Packaging ELGs (40 CFR Part 455). 

In EPA’s review of OGWDW and ORD drinking water analytical methods, EPA 

identified two relatively new analytical methods that ORD has developed to measure 

concentrations of PFCs and 1,4-dioxane in drinking water. OGWDW is referencing these 

methods in its UCMR to gather data related to the presence of PFCs and 1,4-dioxane in drinking 

water. In addition, EPA determined that these pollutants are discharged in industrial wastewater. 

Though the analytical methods may not be transferrable for detecting PFCs in industrial 

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Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.5—Review of Analytical Methods 

wastewater, their use through the UCMR will allow EPA to better characterize the impact of 

PFC and 1,4-dioxane discharges from industrial sources on drinking water supplies. 

6.5.6	 References for Review of Analytical Methods 

1.	 Gomez-Taylor, Maria and Walker, Lemuel. 2012. Notes from Telephone 

Communications Between Maria Gomez-Taylor, U.S. EPA, Lemuel Walker, U.S. EPA, 

William Swietlik, U.S. EPA, Eleanor Codding, Eastern Research Group, Inc., and 

Elizabeth Sabol, Eastern Research Group, Inc., Re: OW EAD New Analytical Methods. 

(January 4). EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07727. 

2.	 U.S. EPA. 2009. Long-Chain Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs) Action Plan. 

Washington, D.C. (December 30). Available online at: 

http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/existingchemicals/pubs/pfcs_action_plan1230_09.pdf. EPAHQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07766. 

3.	 U.S. EPA. 2011. Draft Procedure for Analysis of Perfluorinated Carboxylic Acids and 

Sulfonic Acids in Sewage Sludge and Biosolids by HPLC/MS/MS. Washington, D.C. 

(December). Available online at: http://water.epa.gov/scitech/methods/cwa/upload/DraftProcedure-for-Analysis-of-Perfluorinated-Carboxylic-Acids-and-Sulfonic-Acids-inSewage-Sludge-and-Biosolids-by-HPLC-MS-MS.pdf. EPA-821-R-11-007. EPA-HQOW-2010-0824. DCN 07749. 

4.	 U.S. EPA. 2012a. Clean Water Act Analytical Methods. Available online at: 

http://water.epa.gov/scitech/methods/cwa/index.cfm. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 

07746. 

5.	 U.S. EPA. 2012b. Safe Drinking Water Act Analytical Methods and Laboratory 

Certification. Available online at: 

http://water.epa.gov/scitech/drinkingwater/labcert/methods_index.cfm. EPA-HQ-OW2010-0824. DCN 07747. 

6.	 U.S. EPA. 2013. Toxicological Review of 1,4-Dioxane. Washington, D.C. (September). 

Available online: http://www.epa.gov/iris/toxreviews/0326tr.pdf. EPA/635/R-09/005-F. 

EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07748. 

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6.5—Review of Analytical Methods 

Table 6-50. 2012 CWA Method Update Rule 

Changes EPA Made in May 2012 to Part 136 of the CWA Method Update Rule 

77 FR 29758 

Pollutant Affected Summary of Change 

Relevance to 304m 

Annual Review 

New EPA Methods and new versions of previously approved EPA Methods (six categories of pollutants) 

Oil and grease Adds new version of EPA Method 1664, 1664 Revision B: n-Hexane Extractable 

Material (HEM) and Silica Gel Treated n-Hexane Extractable Material (SGT-HEM) 

by extraction and gravimetry. 

This new version of the method describes modifications that are allowed and 

modifications that are not allowed when using this method for compliance with 

Clean Water Act regulations. EPA will continue to allow Method 1664 Revision A 

for current permits because this method is not significantly different from Revision 

B. 

None currently. 

Metals Approval of EPA Method 200.5 (Revision 4.2), “Determination of Trace Elements 

in Drinking Water by Axially Viewed ICP-AES.” 

Method 200.5 includes performance data for the axial configuration that is not in 

Method 200.7 because the axial technology torch results were not available when 

Method 200.7 was developed. For some parameters listed in Table IB, the axial 

orientation using ICP/AES technology results in greater sensitivity and lower 

detection limits than the radial orientation. Both Methods 200.5 and 200.7 are 

acceptable methods under Part 136 and both methods employ ICP/AES technology. 

Potential lower detection limits for metals. 

Pesticides Adds EPA Method 525.2 to Table IG in Part 136 as an additional approved method 

for all parameters for which EPA previously approved EPA Method 525.1. Adds 

EPA Methods 525.1 and 525.2 to Table ID in Part 136 for the same parameters for 

which EPA previously approved EPA Method 525.1 in Table IG. Adds some of the 

methods for pesticide active ingredients from Table IG to applicable parameters 

listed in Table 1D for general use. 

EPA reviewed the specific pesticides measured 

by the methods for pesticide active ingredients 

(referenced in Table IG) and identified several 

that are not currently regulated by the Pesticide 

Chemicals Manufacturing, Formulating, and 

Packaging ELG (40 CFR Part 455). 

Microbiologicals Approves new EPA Methods 1622 and 1623 to measure Cryptosporidium and 

Giardia. Approves revisions to EPA Methods 1103.1, 1106.1, 1600, 1603, and 

1680. 

None currently. 

Non-conventionals Adds EPA Method 1627, “Kinetic Test Method for the Prediction of Mine Drainage 

Quality,” to Table IB as a new parameter termed “Acid Mine Drainage.” 

May advise any future reviews of coal mining 

discharges. 

Organics Approves EPA Method 624, “Purgeables,” as an alternative to EPA Method 603 for 

the determination of acrolein and acrylonitrile in wastewater. 

None currently. 

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Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.5—Review of Analytical Methods 

Table 6-50. 2012 CWA Method Update Rule 

Changes EPA Made in May 2012 to Part 136 of the CWA Method Update Rule 

77 FR 29758 

Pollutant Affected Summary of Change 

Relevance to 304m 

Annual Review 

New standard methods and new versions of approved standard methods (23 methods) 

Oil and grease Approves SM 5520 B-2001 and SM 5520 F-2001, which provide alternative gravimetric standard 

methods for measuring oil and grease. 

None currently. 

Ammonia (as N) and 

total Kjeldahl 

nitrogen 

Approves SM 4500-NH3 G-1997, which provides an alternative automated phenate standard method for 

measuring Ammonia and TKN. 

None currently. 

Boron Approves SM 4500-B B-2000, which provides an alternative colorimetric (curcumin) standard method for 

measuring total boron. 

None currently. 

Inorganic ions 

(bromide, chloride, 

fluoride, 

orthophosphate, and 

sulfate) 

Approves SM 4140 B-1997, which provides an alternative capillary ion electrophoresis with indirection 

UV detection standard method for measuring bromide, chloride, fluoride, orthophosphate, and sulfate. 

None currently. 

Arsenic and 

selenium, 

Approves SM 3114 B and 3114C-2009, which provide alternative AA gaseous hydride standard methods 

for arsenic and selenium. 

None currently. 

Aluminum and 

beryllium 

Approves SM 3111 E-1999, which provides an alternative direct aspiration atomic absorption 

spectrometry standard method for aluminum and beryllium. 

None currently. 

Chemical oxygen 

demand 

Approves SM 5220 B-1997, which provides an alternative titrimetric standard method for chemical 

oxygen demand. 

None currently. 

Chromium Approves SM 3500-CR B-2009, which provides an alternative colorimetric (diphenyl carbazide) standard 

method for chromium. 

None currently. 

Kjeldahl nitrogen Approves SM 4500-Norg D-1997, which provides an alternative semi-automated block digester 

colorimetric standard method for Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen. 

None currently. 

Mercury Approves SM 3112 B-2009, which provides an alternative cold vapor, manual standard method for total 

mercury. 

None currently. 

Total Phosphorus Approves SM 4500-P G-1999 and SM 4500-P H-1999, which provide alternative total, automated 

ascorbic acid reduction standard methods for total phosphorous. 

None currently. 

Total Phosphorus Approves SM 4500-P E-1999 and SM 4500-P F-1999, which provide alternative manual and automated 

ascorbic acid reduction standard methods for total phosphorous. 

None currently. 

Oxygen, dissolved Approves SM 4500-O B, D, E and F-2001, which provide alternative Winkler (azide modification) 

standard methods for dissolved oxygen. 

None currently. 

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Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.5—Review of Analytical Methods 

Table 6-50. 2012 CWA Method Update Rule 

Changes EPA Made in May 2012 to Part 136 of the CWA Method Update Rule 

77 FR 29758 

Pollutant Affected Summary of Change 

Relevance to 304m 

Annual Review 

Oxygen, dissolved Approves SM 4500-O E-2001, which provides an alternative Winkler alum flocculation modification 

standard method for dissolved oxygen. 

None currently. 

Phenols Approves SM 5530 B-2005, which provides an alternative manual distillation standard method for 

phenols. 

None currently. 

Phenols Approves SM 5530 D-2005, which provides an alternative colorimetric standard method for phenols. None currently. 

Potassium Approves SM 3500-K C-1997, which provides an option for a selective electrode standard method for 

total potassium. 

None currently. 

Residues Approves SM 2540 E-1997, which provides an alternative volatile gravimetric standard method for total 

residue. 

None currently. 

Silica, dissolved Approves SM 4500-SiO2 E-1997 and SM 4500-SiO2 F-1997, which provide alternative automated 

(molybdosilicate) standard methods for dissolved silica. 

None currently. 

Sulfate Approves SM 4500-SO4 

2­ C-1997, D-1997, E-1997, F-1997, and G-1997, which provide alternative 

gravimetric (C-1997 and D-1997), turbidimetric (E-1997), and automated colorimetric (F-1997) standard 

methods for sulfate. 

None currently. 

Sulfide Approves SM 4500-S2 B-2000 and C-2000, which provide alternative sample pretreatment standard 

methods for sulfide. 

None currently. 

New ASTM Methods and new versions of previously approved ASTM Methods (eight methods) 

Cyanide, available Approves ASTM D2036-09 (B), which provides an alternative cyanide amenable to chlorination; manual 

distillation with MgCl2 followed by titrimetric or spectrophotometric ASTM method for available 

cyanide. 

None currently. 

Cyanide, available Approval of ASTM D6888-09, which provides an alternative flow injection and ligand exchange 

followed by gas diffusion amperometry ASTM method for available cyanide. 

None currently. 

Cyanide, total Approval of ASTM D7284-08, which provides an alternative manual distillation with MgCl2 ASTM 

method for total cyanide. 

None currently. 

Cyanide, total Approval of ASTM D7511-09, which provides an option for using segmented flow injection, in-line 

ultraviolet digestion followed by gas diffusion amperometry for total cyanide. 

None currently. 

Free cyanide Added free cyanide as a new parameter (24A in Table IB). Added two ASTM methods (D4282-02 and 

D7237-10) and a new version of OIA1677 (2009) as approved test methods for this parameter. 

May affect ELGs for 

industries that discharge 

cyanide. 

Oxygen, dissolved Approval of ASTM D888-09 (A), which provides an alternative for the Winkler (Azide modification) 

ASTM method for dissolved oxygen. 

None currently. 

Organic carbon Approval of ASTM D7573-09, which provides an alternative combustion ASTM method for total organic 

carbon. 

None currently. 

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Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.5—Review of Analytical Methods 

Table 6-50. 2012 CWA Method Update Rule 

Changes EPA Made in May 2012 to Part 136 of the CWA Method Update Rule 

77 FR 29758 

Pollutant Affected Summary of Change 

Relevance to 304m 

Annual Review 

Nonylphenol, 

bisphenol A, p-tertoctylphenol, 

nonylphenol 

monoethoxylate, and 

nonylphenol 

diethoxylate 

Added nonylphenol, bisphenol A, p-tert-octylphenol, nonylphenol monoethoxylate, and nonylphenol 

diethoxylate as new parameters (114-118 in Table IC). Added ASTM D7065-06 as an approved test 

method for these parameters. 

Unknown. EPA does not 

currently have a clear 

understanding of the 

sources or presence of 

these chemicals in 

industrial wastewater 

discharge. 

New alternate test procedures at 40 CFR 136.3 (eight methods) 

Oxygen, dissolved, 

BOD5, cBOD5 

Added Hach Company’s Method 10360 as an alternative luminescence measurement of dissolved oxygen 

for determination of dissolved oxygen. 

None currently. 

Oxygen, dissolved Added In-Situ Incorporated’s Method 1002-8-2009 as an alternative luminescence measurement of 

dissolved oxygen. 

None currently. 

BOD5 Added In-Situ Incorporated’s Method 1003-8-2009 as an alternative method for BOD5. None currently. 

CBOD5 Added In-Situ Incorporated’s Method 1004-8-2009 as an alternative method for CBOD5. None currently. 

Turbidity Added Mitchell Method M5271 as an alternative method for turbidity. None currently. 

Turbidity Added Mitchell Method M5331 as an alternative method for turbidity. None currently. 

Turbidity Added Thermo Scientific’s Orion Method AQ4500 as an alternative method for turbidity. None currently. 

Nitrate, nitrite and 

combined 

nitrate/nitrite 

Added Easy (1-Reagent) Nitrate Method as an alternative method for nitrate, nitrite, and combined 

nitrate/nitrite. 

None currently. 

Clarifications and corrections to previously approved methods in 40 CFR 136.3 

Orthophosphate Clarifies the purpose of the immediate filtration requirement in orthophosphate measurements, which is to 

assess the dissolved or bio-available form of orthophosphorous. 

None currently. 

Revisions to Table II at 40 CFR 136.3(e) to required containers, preservation techniques, and holding times 

Whole Effluent 

Toxicity (WET) Test 

Clarifies sample holding time and handling. None currently. 

Cyanide Revises cyanide sample handling instructions. None currently. 

Alkylated phenols, 

adsorbable organic 

halides, chlorinated 

phenolics 

Adds containers, preservation, and holding times. None currently. 

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Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.5—Review of Analytical Methods 

Table 6-50. 2012 CWA Method Update Rule 

Changes EPA Made in May 2012 to Part 136 of the CWA Method Update Rule 

77 FR 29758 

Pollutant Affected Summary of Change 

Relevance to 304m 

Annual Review 

Revisions to 40 CFR 136.4 and 136.5 

NA Changes Part 136.4 and 136.5 to clarify the procedures for obtaining review and approval for the use of 

alternate test procedures for those methods for which EPA has published an ATP protocol. 

None currently. 

Revisions to method modification provisions at 40 CFR 136.6 

NA Allows users to make certain modifications to an approved method to address matrix interferences 

without the extensive review and approval process specified for an alternate test procedure at 136.4 and 

136.5. 

None currently. 

New quality assurance and quality control language at 40 CFR 136.7 

NA Specifies “essential” quality control elements at 136.7 for use in conducting an analysis for CWA 

compliance monitoring. 

None currently. 

Revisions at 40 CFR Part 423 (Steam) 

Total residual 

chlorine, free 

available chlorine 

Revises the 40 CFR Part 423 definitions for total residual chlorine and free available chlorine at 423.11(a) 

and 423.11(l) to allow the use of “chlorine—total residual” and “chlorine—free available” methods in 

136.3(a), Table IB, or other methods approved by the permitting authority. 

None currently. 

NA: Change is general in nature and not applicable to any specific pollutant. 

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Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.5—Review of Analytical Methods 

Table 6-51. Pesticide Chemicals Measured by EPA Approved Methods Without Limits
 

Under the Pesticide Chemicals Manufacturing, Formulating, and Packaging ELGs (40
 

CFR Part 455)
 

EPA Method Chemical CAS Number 

608.1 Chlorobenzilate 510156 

Chloropropylate 5836402 

Dibromochloropropane 96128 

Etridiazole 2593159 

614.1 EPN 2104645 

615 Dalapon 75990 

617 Carbophenothion 786196 

Endosulfan sulfate 1031078 

Endrin aldehyde 7421934 

Heptachlor epoxide 1024573 

Isodrin 465736 

Strobane 8001501 

619 Atraton 1610179 

Secbumeton 26259450 

Simetryn 1014706 

622 Chlorpyrifos methyl 5598130 

Coumaphos 56724 

Ethoprop 13194484 

Ronnel 299843 

Tokuthion 34643464 

Trichloronate 327980 

622.1 Aspon 3244904 

Dichlofenthion 97176 

Famphur 52857 

Fenitrothion 122145 

Fonophos 944229 

Thionazin 297972 

632 Fluometuron 2164172 

Neburon 555373 

Oxamyl 23135220 

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Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.6—Review of Industrial Wastewater Treatment Technologies 

6.6	 Review of Industrial Wastewater Treatment Technologies 

The Clean Water Act (CWA) directs EPA to establish Effluent Limitations Guidelines 

and Standards (ELGs) based on the performance of particular treatment technologies, application 

of best management practices, or implementation of process changes. As described in the EPA’s 

2002 Draft National Strategy (67 FR 71165), EPA considers several factors when developing its 

Effluent Guidelines Program Plans, including the availability of wastewater treatment 

technologies. EPA may choose to revise existing ELGs for a point source category if it identifies 

an applicable and demonstrated technology, process change, or pollution prevention approach 

that would substantially reduce the concentrations of pollutants in the discharged wastewater, 

and, consequently, reduce the hazard to human health or the environment associated with the 

pollutant discharges. 

Traditionally, EPA has reviewed the use and availability of improved treatment 

technologies when conducting specific facility-, industry-, and/or pollutant evaluations. 

However, EPA recognizes the utility in considering advances in treatment technologies in a more 

coordinated manner across all industries as part of its initial screening process. In this way, EPA 

will enhance its ability to identify industrial categories or pollutants that warrant further review 

for new or revised ELGs. EPA believes it is especially important to consider technology 

advances when evaluating the effectiveness of older ELGs, some of which date back to the late 

1970s or early 1980s. In some cases, more advanced treatment may be available that would 

allow EPA to establish ELGs for new pollutants or to strengthen existing requirements for 

regulated pollutants. Further, in considering advances in treatment technologies in its initial 

screening of industrial discharges, EPA is addressing one of the key recommendations from a 

recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) review of the Effluent Guidelines Program 

(GAO, 2012). 

As a first step in EPA’s efforts to consider treatment technology advances in its screening 

of industrial wastewater discharges, EPA has initiated a review of relevant literature regarding 

the performance of new and improved industrial wastewater treatment technologies. EPA plans 

to capture these data in a searchable industrial wastewater treatment technology (IWTT) 

database. EPA intends to use the IWTT database in its screening process in future annual reviews 

to quantify the effectiveness of technologies for removing pollutants of concern from specific 

industrial wastewater discharges. EPA will use the database, in part, to answer the following 

questions: 

	 What new technologies or changes to existing technologies are specific industries 

using to treat their waste streams? 

	 Are there technologies that can reduce or eliminate wastewater pollutants not 

currently regulated by ELGs, or remove pollutants to a greater degree than 

industries are currently achieving? 

This section summarizes the information sources EPA is currently reviewing and the 

treatment technology data EPA is collecting. 

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Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.6—Review of Industrial Wastewater Treatment Technologies 

6.6.1 Industrial Wastewater Treatment Technologies Data Collection 

In 2011, EPA began developing an approach to identify and capture, in a searchable 

database, performance data for technologies that reduce, remove, or eliminate pollutants from 

industrial wastewater. EPA first conducted a brief and general literature search for studies that 

documented pilot- or full-scale performance data for industrial wastewater treatment 

technologies. This search was not limited to peer-reviewed literature. The purpose of this initial 

literature search was to assess the availability and quality of treatment technology performance 

data. In addition, EPA evaluated the feasibility of developing a searchable database that it could 

use as a tool to screen industrial wastewater discharges based on advances in technologies. EPA 

included the following sources in its initial literature search: 

 Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC) 

(2011 and 2012); 

 International Water Conference (IWC) (2011); 

 Industrial WaterWorld; 

 Pollution Engineering; 

 WaterWorld; and 

 WEF Industrial Wastewater. 

From the initial literature search, EPA identified several articles that were of sufficient 

quality for use (see Section 6.6.1.3 for more details) and began cataloging the information in a 

searchable IWTT database (see Section 6.6.2 for more details). EPA is now focusing on 

collecting a more comprehensive set of data on wastewater treatment performance related to a 

few key industries of interest, as identified in recent annual reviews or through stakeholder input 

(see Section 6.6.1.1 for more details). 

The subsections below discuss the initial key industries, data sources, and quality 

assurance and control criteria EPA used to evaluate and document the data included to date in the 

IWTT database. 

6.6.1.1 Initial Key Industries for Treatment Technology Data Collection 

During recent annual reviews, EPA identified new data for the Petroleum Refining (40 

CFR Part 419), Metal Finishing (40 CFR Part 433), and Electroplating (40 CFR Part 413) point 

source categories suggesting that discharges of metals and other emerging and potentially 

hazardous compounds (for the metal finishing and electroplating industries in particular) are of 

increasing concern. Further, EPA has identified recent technology advancements that have 

significantly improved metals removal since promulgation of the ELGs for these industries. As a 

result, EPA is initially focusing on collecting and reviewing performance data for technologies 

that remove metals and that treat wastewater discharges from these three industries in particular. 

The subsections below detail how EPA selected these initial key industries and pollutant 

category. 

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Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.6—Review of Industrial Wastewater Treatment Technologies 

Petroleum Refining 

EPA finalized the ELGs for Petroleum Refining (40 CFR Part 419) in 1982 and has made 

no significant revisions since that time. However, EPA has periodically reviewed petroleum 

refinery discharges as part of the Preliminary and Final Effluent Guidelines Program Plans in 

2004–2010 (U.S. EPA, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011). During its 2004 Final 

Effluent Guidelines Program Plan reviews, EPA also conducted a detailed study of this industry 

(U.S. EPA, 2004). These reviews focused on discharges of polycyclic aromatic compounds 

(PACs), dioxin and dioxin-like compounds, and metals. EPA previously determined that PACs 

and the most toxic dioxin congeners were likely not present in the discharge at concentrations 

above detectable levels. In addition, EPA determined the concentration of metal pollutants in 

refinery wastewaters is at or near treatable levels, leaving little to no opportunity to reduce 

metals discharges through conventional end-of-pipe treatment. 

During the 2011 Annual Review, EPA again identified the Petroleum Refining Category 

for preliminary review because it ranked high, in terms of toxic-weighted pound equivalents 

(TWPE), in the 2011 toxicity rankings analysis. EPA conducted a more detailed evaluation of 

petroleum refineries in this 2012 Annual Review (see Section 5.2 for details on the continued 

review of petroleum refineries in 2012) and, based on new data and information, determined that 

changes in the petroleum industry in recent years have led to an increase in the discharge of 

metal compounds. These changes include the use of different feedstock, such as Canadian crude 

oil and tar sands (Purdue-Argonne Task Force, 2011), and changes in air pollution controls (see 

Section 6.3 for additional detail on EPA’s review of air pollution controls). 

Further, EPA compared 2010 metals concentrations discharge monitoring report (DMR) 

data to more recent treatability data for chemical precipitation systems. The data suggests that 

technologies are available that could mitigate recent increases in the concentrations of metals 

discharged in petroleum refinery wastewater (see Section 5.2). This finding is of particular 

interest to EPA because the existing ELGs for petroleum refining only include limitations for 

hexavalent and trivalent chromium and do not address the discharge of other metals. 

Metal Finishing and Electroplating 

EPA finalized the ELGs for Electroplating (40 CFR Part 413) in 1981 and Metal 

Finishing (40 CFR Part 433) in 1983. EPA reviewed the ELGs for these industries as part of its 

development of the ELGs for Metal Products and Machinery (40 CFR Part 438), which were 

promulgated in 2003 (U.S. EPA, 2003). EPA has also periodically reviewed these industries as 

part of its annual reviews, including its most recent 2011 Annual Review (U.S. EPA, 2012), but 

has not made significant revisions to either regulation since the 1980s. 

As part of this 2012 Annual Review, EPA identified that metal finishing wastewater 

transfers to POTW sludge may be contributing to higher POTW sludge concentrations of metals, 

particularly chromium and nickel (see Section 6.1 for more details). In addition, in a recent letter 

to EPA and in its public comments on the Preliminary 2012 Plan, the Association of Clean Water 

Administrators (ACWA) urged EPA to revise the ELGs for metal finishing and electroplating, or 

prioritize providing additional guidance regarding the pretreatment standards to address recent 

changes in wastewater chemistry and the use of “green” technologies (ACWA, 2013a, 2013b). 

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Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.6—Review of Industrial Wastewater Treatment Technologies 

Metals Removal 

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, EPA compiled metals treatment and removal data for 

several industries (including aluminum forming, battery manufacturing, coil coating, copper 

forming, electroplating, and porcelain enameling) into the Combined Metals Database (CMDB). 

EPA used the CMDB as the basis for developing metals limits for several of these industry 

categories. Since the promulgation of these ELGs, EPA has identified advances in treatment 

technologies that may significantly improve metals removals. 

6.6.1.2 Data Sources 

EPA is collecting and reviewing studies on new or improved IWTT from the following 

technical literature: 

	 Conference proceedings. EPA is reviewing references from three key technical 

conferences in the wastewater field that present information on a broad range of 

industries: the Water Environment Federation’s Technical Exhibit and 

Conference, the International Water Conference, and the Water Environment 

Federation’s Industrial Wastewater Seminar. 

	 Water-related journals. EPA is reviewing peer-reviewed journal articles from 

water-related societies that may provide information on new, more effective 

industrial wastewater treatment technologies. 

	 Industry-specific organizations. EPA is reviewing industry trade organization 

publications, such as treatment publications from the American Petroleum 

Institute and the American Chemical Society. 

EPA is preferentially reviewing literature published since 2000 that documents 

wastewater treatment technologies for the metal finishing, electroplating, and petroleum refining 

industries, or metals removal in general. EPA selected this date to capture advances in 

technologies that have become available since its last in-depth review of metals removals as part 

of the development of the Metal Products and Machinery ELGs. To search for relevant literature, 

EPA entered various combinations of general and specific keyword search terms related to these 

industries and metals removal in online search engines and water industry websites. 

EPA has ensured that all data sources entered into the database meet the data quality 

criteria described in Section 6.6.1.3. 

6.6.1.3 Data Quality Assurance and Control Criteria 

EPA is ensuring the quality of the treatment technology data by evaluating the data 

sources for accuracy, reliability, representativeness, and reasonableness. The Environmental 

Engineering Support for Clean Water Regulations Programmatic Quality Assurance Project 

Plan (PQAPP) generally describes the quality objectives in more detail (ERG, 2013a). However, 

EPA has established the following criteria specific to its efforts to document and evaluate 

treatment technology performance data and sources: 

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Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.6—Review of Industrial Wastewater Treatment Technologies 

	 Accuracy. EPA is evaluating the accuracy of the treatment technology 

performance data based on whether the documented data are consistent with the 

body of information collected as part of the literature search. For the purposes of 

this analysis, EPA assumes that the underlying data and information contained in 

state and federal reports, selected conference proceedings and peer-reviewed 

journal articles are accurate. Although industry publications and conference 

proceedings are not peer-reviewed, these resources may provide useful 

information for capturing the full range of processes and/or wastes generated by a 

specified industry point source or a range of information on specified treatment 

technologies. 

	 Reliability. EPA is evaluating the reliability of the treatment technology 

performance data based on whether the data source incorporates the following 

attributes: 

—	 Scientific work is clearly written, so that all assumptions and 

methodologies can be identified. 

—	 Assumptions and methodologies are consistently applied throughout the 

analysis, as reported in the source (when appropriate). 

	 Representativeness. EPA is evaluating whether the data are representative of a 

modern treatment technology applied to industrial wastewater. Therefore, EPA is 

collecting industrial wastewater treatment technology information and 

performance data published since 2000 so that the data are representative of 

current industrial processes and treatment challenges. 

	 Reasonableness. EPA is evaluating the reasonableness of the treatment 

technology performance data based on historical knowledge of each industry’s 

wastewater characteristics, such as: 

—	 Range of concentrations expected in the untreated waste stream. 

—	 Types of pollutants expected in the untreated waste stream. 

—	 Wastewater generation rates and the expected capacities of the evaluated 

treatment technologies. 

For more information on EPA’s efforts to ensure that the data sources meet the data 

quality criteria, see the methodology documented in the Supplemental Quality Assurance and 

Control Plan for the Development and Population of the Industrial Wastewater Treatment 

Database (ERG, 2013b). 

6.6.2	 Industrial Wastewater Treatment Technologies Data Storage 

As discussed above, EPA is developing a database to capture the wastewater treatment 

technology data identified from the reviewed data sources. EPA is structuring the IWTT database 

in Microsoft AccessTM to collect data on the following: 

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Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.6—Review of Industrial Wastewater Treatment Technologies 

	 Treatment systems (i.e., treatment units included in the system, unit order, 

chemical additions, system operating conditions and costs, and process diagrams). 

	 Industries implementing the technologies or industries for which the technology 

has been tested. 

	 Pollutants removed, including influent and effluent quality and pollutant removals 

achieved. 

	 Specific industry motivations for evaluating and employing new technologies. 

In addition, EPA is conducting specific quality assurance and control measures to 

validate the quality of the data as they are entered into the IWTT database. For more information 

on the quality assurance and control measures, see the methodology documented in the 

Supplemental Quality Assurance and Control Plan for the Development and Population of the 

Industrial Wastewater Treatment Database (ERG, 2013b). 

6.6.3	 References for Review of Industrial Wastewater Treatment Technologies 

1.	 ACWA. 2013a. Recommendations for Prioritization for the U.S. EPA National 

Pretreatment Program. Letter prepared by the Association of Clean Water Administrators 

(ACWA). Washington, D.C. (June 20). EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07858. 

2.	 ACWA. 2013b. Public Comment on the Preliminary 2012 Effluent Guidelines Program 

Plan and 2011 Annual Effluent Guidelines Review Report. Letter prepared by the 

Association of Clean Water Administrators (ACWA). Washington, D.C. (October 7). 

EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824-0218. 

3.	 ERG. 2013a. Eastern Research Group, Inc. Environmental Engineering Support for 

Clean Water Regulations Programmatic Quality Assurance Project Plan (PQAPP). 

Chantilly, VA. (May). EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07754. 

4.	 ERG. 2013b. Eastern Research Group, Inc. Supplemental Quality Assurance and Control 

Plan for the Development and Population of the Industrial Wastewater Treatment 

Technology Database. Chantilly, VA. (November 22). EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 

07753. 

5.	 GAO. 2012. Government Accountability Office. Water Pollution: EPA Has Improved Its 

Review of Effluent Guidelines but Could Benefit from More Information on Treatment 

Technologies. (September). EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 07859. 

6.	 Purdue-Argonne Task Force. 2011. Emerging Technologies and Approaches to Minimize 

Discharges into Lake Michigan. Purdue University Calumet Water Institute-Argonne 

National Laboratory Task Force. (May). Available online at: 

http://webs.purduecal.edu/pwi/phase-ii-comprehensive-report/. EPA-HQ-OW-2010­

0824. DCN 07831. 

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Section 6—New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses 

6.6—Review of Industrial Wastewater Treatment Technologies 

7.	 U.S. EPA. 2003. Development Document For The Final Effluent Limitations Guidelines 

and Standards For The Metal Products & Machinery Point Source Category. 

Washington, D.C. (February). EPA-821-B-03-001. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824. DCN 

07860. 

8.	 U.S. EPA. 2004. Technical Support Document for the 2004 Effluent Guidelines Program 

Plan. Washington, D.C. (August). EPA-821-R-04-014. EPA-HQ-OW-2003-0074-1346 

through 1352. 

9.	 U.S. EPA. 2005. Preliminary 2005 Review of Prioritized Categories of Industrial 

Dischargers. Washington, D.C. (August). EPA-821-B-05-004. EPA-HQ-OW-2004­

0032-0053. 

10.	 U.S. EPA. 2006. Technical Support Document for the 2006 Effluent Guidelines Program 

Plan. Washington, D.C. (December). EPA-821-R-06-018. EPA-HQ-OW-2004-0032­

2782. 

11.	 U.S. EPA. 2007. Technical Support Document for the Preliminary 2008 Effluent 

Guidelines Program Plan. Washington, D.C. (October). EPA-821-R-07-007. EPA-HQOW-2006-0771-0819. 

12.	 U.S. EPA. 2008. Technical Support Document for the 2008 Effluent Guidelines Program 

Plan. Washington, D.C. (August). EPA-821-R-08-015. EPA-HQ-OW-2006-0771-1701. 

13.	 U.S. EPA. 2009. Technical Support Document for the Preliminary 2010 Effluent 

Guidelines Program Plan. Washington, D.C. (October). EPA-821-R-09-006. EPA-HQOW-2008-0517-0515. 

14.	 U.S. EPA. 2011. Technical Support Document for the 2010 Effluent Guidelines Program 

Plan. Washington, D.C. (October). EPA 820-R-10-021. EPA-HQ-OW-2008-0517-0618. 

15.	 U.S. EPA. 2012. The 2011 Annual Effluent Guidelines Review Report. Washington, D.C. 

(December). EPA 821-R-12-001. EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0824-0195. 

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PART III: RESULTS OF EPA’S 2012
 

ANNUAL REVIEW
 

III
 
Section 7—Results of the 2012 Annual Review 

7. RESULTS OF THE 2012 ANNUAL REVIEW 

For the 2012 Annual Review, EPA evaluated public comments and stakeholder input 

received on the Preliminary 2012 Plan and continued its review of the industrial categories 

identified as warranting further investigation during the 2011 toxicity rankings analysis (TRA). 

Additionally, EPA reviewed the six new industrial wastewater hazard data sources described in 

Section 6. This section presents a summary of the findings and results of the 2012 Annual 

Review. 

7.1 Continued Review of Select Point Source Categories 

During the 2011 TRA, EPA identified three point source categories warranting further 

review: meat and poultry products (40 CFR Part 432); petroleum refining (40 CFR Part 419); 

and pulp, paper, and paperboard (40 CFR Part 430). EPA continued review of these categories as 

part of the 2012 Annual Review. Below are the findings from the 2012 continued category 

reviews. 

 Meat and Poultry Products (40 CFR Part 432). EPA completed further review 

of Toxic Releases Inventory (TRI) reported nitrate discharges and found that the 

majority of the top nitrate compound dischargers in the 2009 TRI database are in 

compliance with the Part 432 total nitrogen limitations, based on a comparison of 

their discharge monitoring report (DMR) discharges to the ELGs. EPA contacted 

the permit writers of the remaining top nitrate compound dischargers and 

determined that the majority are receiving new permits and meeting Part 432 total 

nitrogen limitations. Therefore, EPA concludes that nitrate discharges from meat 

and poultry products facilities are decreasing due to the 2004 Part 432 effluent 

guidelines revisions, and no further review is warranted at this time. 

 Petroleum Refining (40 CFR Part 419). EPA further reviewed discharges of 

dioxin and dioxin-like compounds and metals, identified as pollutants of concern 

in the TRA for the petroleum refining category during the 2011 Annual Review. 

For dioxins, EPA found that one facility’s reported discharges contributed to the 

majority (65 percent) of the dioxin and dioxin-like compound TRI TWPE, 

however this facility’s reported dioxin discharges are estimated (based on the 

number of reformer catalyst regenerations) and not directly measured. EPA also 

reviewed 2010 DMR data for dioxin. EPA only identified one refinery reporting 

discharging detectable concentrations of dioxin and furan (above the Method 

1613B Minimum Level (ML)), though available data indicates this facility’s 

discharges result largely from stormwater (from aerial deposition), not the 

discharge of treated process wastewater (U.S. EPA, 2004). For metals discharges, 

EPA reviewed DMR data from 76 refineries from across the country and 

identified metals present in most petroleum refineries’ effluent discharges that 

exceeded comparable treatability data for metals removals achieved by more 

recent technologies. 

 Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard (40 CFR Part 430). EPA further reviewed 

discharges of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds and found that the majority of 

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Section 7—Results of the 2012 Annual Review 

estimated releases reported to TRI were based on pollutant concentrations below 

the Method 1613B minimum level. EPA concluded that dioxin and dioxin-like 

compounds from pulp and paper facilities are not a hazard priority at this time. 

7.2	 New Data Sources and Hazard Analyses Results 

EPA identified six data new industrial wastewater discharge hazard data sources to 

review as part of the 2012 Annual Review. Below are the findings from EPA’s review of these 

data sources. 

	 Identification of Industrial Pollutants in Sewage Sludge. EPA’s review of the 

Targeted National Sewage Sludge Survey (TNSSS) data, combined with available 

indirect discharge data from the 2009 TRI database identified the metal finishing 

point source category (40 CFR Part 433) as potentially discharging high 

concentrations of metals, particularly chromium, nickel, and zinc, to publically 

owned treatment works (POTWs). These metals could transfer to sewage sludge 

and impact its beneficial use. Based on the TNSSS and 2009 TRI datasets, EPA 

did not identify for further review any new pollutants of concern or wastewater 

discharges from industrial categories not currently regulated by ELGs. EPA 

focused its review on the pollutants in the TNSSS with discharge information 

available in TRI since TRI provided a means to link industrial wastewater sources 

to the pollutants found in POTW sludge. 

	 Review of Chemical Action Plans. EPA’s review of the Office of Pollution 

Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) Chemical Action Plans (CAPs) identified one 

chemical category that is being phased out of U.S. commerce; EPA does not 

intend to pursue further review for Penta, Octa, and Decabromodiphenyl Ethers 

(PBDEs). Two additional chemicals, Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (MDI) 

and Toluene Diisocyanate (TDI) do not have significant wastewater discharges. 

However, EPA identified that the hydrolysis byproducts of TDI and MDI, toluene 

diamine and methyl diphenyl diamine, may be present in industrial wastewater. 

EPA found that six of the chemical categories have continued production or 

known or potential wastewater discharges (Benzidine dyes, Bisphenol A (BPA), 

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), Nonylphenol and Nonylphenol Ethoxylates, 

Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs), and Phthalates). In addition, EPA found that 

short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) are used in metal working and have the 

potential to be discharged in wastewater even though they are no longer 

manufactured in the U.S. 

	 Identification of Wastewater Discharges Related to Air Pollution Control Not 

Currently Covered by ELGs. EPA identified new and revised air regulations 

that likely result in the generation of new wastestreams at petroleum refineries 

that contain metals. EPA also identified three industries that have air regulations 

that may result in an unregulated wastewater discharge; brick and structural clay 

product manufacturing, industrial, commercial, and institutional boilers, and 

industrial, commercial, and institutional steam generating units. In addition, EPA 

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Section 7—Results of the 2012 Annual Review 

identified 13 industries with existing ELGs, for which new air regulations may 

result in the discharge of new or additional pollutants. 

	 Review of TRI Industry Sectors Expansion. The TRI sector expansion 

rulemaking is still under development, with an expected proposal date of 

December 2014. Available TRI sector expansion information suggests that 

selenium discharges from phosphate mines (regulated under 40 CFR Part 136) 

may be a new pollutant of concern. 

	 Review of Analytical Methods. EPA reviewed recent analytical method 

developments as part of the 2012 Method Update Rule and determined that there 

are reduced detection limits for some metals and additions of new methods for 

detecting other pollutants of concern from industrial wastewater discharges (e.g., 

free cyanide, acid mine drainage, nonyphenol, and bisphenol A). 

In addition, EPA identified several pesticides measured by some of the approved 

pesticide analytical methods (listed in 40 CFR Part 136) that do not currently have 

effluent limits under the Pesticide Chemicals Manufacturing, Formulating, and 

Packaging ELGs (40 CFR Part 455). 

EPA also reviewed Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (OGWDW) and 

Office of Research and Development (ORD) drinking water analytical methods 

and identified two relatively new methods developed by ORD to measure 

concentrations of PFCs and 1,4-dioxane. OGWDW is using these methods in its 

Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) to evaluate PFCs and 1,4­

dioxane in drinking water. EPA has identified industrial wastewater discharges 

for both PFCs and 1,4-dioxane. 

	 Review of Industrial Wastewater Treatment Technologies. EPA is identifying 

and reviewing wastewater treatment technology performance data related to 

petroleum refining, metal finishing, and electroplating industries (and metals 

removal in general) and is working to capture this data in a searchable industrial 

wastewater treatment technology database. 

7.3	 References for Results of the 2012 Annual Review 

1.	 U.S. EPA. 2004. Technical Support Document for the 2004 Effluent Guidelines Program 

Plan. Washington, D.C. (August). EPA-821-R-04-014. EPA-HQ-OW-2003-0074-1346 

through 1352. 

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