Will your facility be subject to the new lead rules?

7/14/2015

The Los Angeles Region does not meet EPA’s air quality requirements for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for lead. EPA reduced the lead standard to 0.15 µg/m3 in 2008. Southern Los Angeles County does not meet this standard and on December 31, 2010, the EPA designated the Southern Los Angeles County portion of the Basin, as nonattainment for the 2008 Lead NAAQS. Because the region does not meet these standards, South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) is actively developing new lead rules which will apply to any facility or operation which melts metals containing lead.

The new Proposed Rule 1420.2 for Lead from Metal Melting Facilities is expected to be finalized sometime this year. Alta is closely tracking this rule, as well as, what it will require of our clients to be in compliance.

The proposed rule, if promulgated as written, will require the following:

Ambient air monitoring
Point source emission control
Total enclosures
Housekeeping (i.e., roof cleaning, storage area cleaning, incidentals, soil stabilization, building inspections, etc.)
Maintenance activities
Source tests
Comprehensive recordkeeping
Ambient air monitoring reports
Compliance plan development

Will your operation be subject to this rule? And if so, what should you be considering to limit your costs, risks of non-compliance, and potential liability? Contact us at 562-495-5777.