Summary Report - Information Session on the Key Elements of the Proposed "Regulation for the Consumption of Trichloroethylene (TCE) or Tetrachloroethylene (PERC) in Vapour Degreasing"
2. Presentations
Two formal presentations were given at the information session. The first
presentation covered the history of the development process for this
regulation. The second presentation gave an overview of the proposed
elements of the regulation. Brief summaries of the presentations are given
below.
2.1 Background on Regulatory Development
Process
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Mr. Bill Palmer from Cheminfo Services gave a presentation covering the
background to this regulatory development process. Cheminfo Services has
supported various stages of this process and organised this information
session on behalf of Environment Canada.
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The presentation consisted of three broad themes: the Strategic Options
Process for TCE and PERC in Solvent Degreasing; the profile of the sector;
and the history of initiatives.
The Strategic Options Process for TCE and PERC in Solvent Degreasing was a
multi-stakeholder review process that developed the recommendations for the
current proposed regulation. The profile of the sector provided estimates of
the number of companies using TCE or PERC for degreasing and the quantities
of solvent involved based on detailed sales data collected in 1996. The
history of initiatives traced the regulatory development from the initial
toxicity assessment in 1993 to the proposed regulation and other current
year initiatives.
2.2 Overview of Key Elements of the Proposed
Regulation
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Mr. Denis Landry of Environment Canada (Sustainable Consumption Division,
Chemical Industries Section) gave an overview of the proposed regulation.
He has been responsible for the organisation of this information session
and the drafting of the proposed regulation.
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The presentation began with an overview of the context, both past and
present, of solvent degreasing in Canada and the US. Although Canada has not
yet imposed requirement on the use of TCE and PERC in degreasing, the US has
been subject to technical requirements pursuant to National Emissions
Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)(3) since
1992. More information on NESHAP technical requirements and options can be
found at (http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/degrea/haloguid.pdf).
In Canada, the user profile is based on 1995 projections. These projections
will be refined with the receipt on information pursuant to the CEPA Notice
that will be published on August 4th, 2001. Subject to these findings,
EC’s current position is that vapour degreasers will be subject to the
proposed regulation and its legislated reduction schedule. It was emphasised
to participants that this approach will not release other degreasers from
taking action to reduce their consumption or find alternatives. Addressing
the vapour degreasers will be the first phase of the management of TCE and
PERC in Canada. Industry was urged to replace TCE and PERC due to its
toxicity and find a substitute.
The presentation also included a description of the purpose and elements of
the upcoming information request from a CEPA Notice to be published August
4, 2001, the reporting and record-keeping requirements, the proposed
reporting schedules, and next steps in the process.
3 - U.S. EPA, National Emission Standards for Hazardous
Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Halogenated Solvent Cleaning (originally
promulgated 1994).
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