by Citation News Editor
9. August 2010
For the first time in its history, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued final rules that will cut emissions of mercury, particle pollution and other harmful pollutants from Portland cement manufacturing, the third-largest source of mercury air emissions in the United States.
This action limits mercury air emissions from existing cement kilns, strengthens the limits for new kilns and sets emission limits that will reduce acid gases. This final action also limits particle pollution from new and existing kilns, and sets new-kiln limits for particle and smog-forming nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.
When fully implemented in 2013, the EPA estimates annual emissions will be reduced as follows:
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Mercury – 16,600 pounds (92%)
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Total hydrocarbons – 10,600 tons (83%)
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Particulate Matter – 11,500 tons (92%)
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Acid gases – (measured as hydrochloric acid): 5,800 tons (97%)
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Sulfur dioxide (SO2)– 110,000 tons (78%)
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Nitrogen oxides (NOx) – 6,600 tons (5%)
The EPA estimates that the rules will yield $6.7 billion to $18 billion in health and environmental benefits, with costs estimated at $926 million to $950 million annually in 2013.
For more information, visit http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t3pfpr.html.
