Enhancing Compliance with RCRA Air Emission Standards at Hazardous Waste Facilities

When not properly controlled, hazardous waste management at large quantity generators (LQGs) and treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDFs) can release volatile organic compounds from process vents, equipment, tanks, containers, and/or surface impoundments. These emissions can contribute significantly to ambient ozone formation, and they can expose workers, and sometimes nearby communities, to harmful pollutants that can increase cancer, respiratory illness, and other health risks. These emissions have been regulated under Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) since the 1990s. However, during the decades since then, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified numerous violations and compliance issues at LQGs and TSDFs due to failure to fully or correctly implement the required controls. EPA tasked ERG with providing support for an initiative to identify and reduce compliance issues at hazardous waste management and disposal facilities.

When not properly controlled, hazardous waste management at large quantity generators (LQGs) and treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDFs) can release volatile organic compounds from process vents, equipment, tanks, containers, and/or surface impoundments. These emissions can contribute significantly to ambient ozone formation, and they can expose workers, and sometimes nearby communities, to harmful pollutants that can increase cancer, respiratory illness, and other health risks. These emissions have been regulated under Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) since the 1990s. However, during the decades since then, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified numerous violations and compliance issues at LQGs and TSDFs due to failure to fully or correctly implement the required controls. EPA tasked ERG with providing support for an initiative to identify and reduce compliance issues at hazardous waste management and disposal facilities.