Upcoming Virtual Learning Conferences provide critical updates on current environmental regulations.

Environmental compliance remains a driving force in the coatings industry, and the need to stay informed is critical. FSCT addresses this need in two upcoming Virtual Learning Conferences. "Regulatory Update I" will be held on September 9 and "Regulatory Update II" on September 16. Instructors for both sessions are Dave Salman, of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Jim Berry, of Berry Environmental.

These sessions provide information essential to those responsible for environmental compliance. They track the evolution of air pollution regulations that limit emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and its subset of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from industries that apply paints, inks, and other coatings. HAP limitations imposed on manufacturers of coatings are also summarized. Emphasis is placed on explaining the limits now in place for applicators by providing details on the methods used for developing the emission limits, the units used to express the limits, and the specific Federal limits (both VOC and HAP) now in effect for major users of coatings.

The EPA's process for examining the coatings industry as a prelude to carrying out the next requirements imposed by the Clean Air Act of 1990 are explained. With all of the so-called MACT (maximum air pollution control technology) standards for the coatings industry in place, the EPA will now implement the "residual risk" requirements of the Act by evaluating the health risk to the surrounding population that remains after a co. has complied with the MACT requirements for hazardous air pollutants. An unacceptably high risk is to be reduced by more stringent limitations imposed by the EPA at specific manufacturing sites.

Regulatory Update I Thursday, September 9 2:00-3:30 pm (ET)

This first session highlights the fundamentals of air pollution and air pollution control as they apply to coatings. The role of VOC (solvents and other compounds) in the formation of ground level ozone is explained. Hazardous air pollutants are defined and their use in coatings is discussed. A broad overview is presented of national VOC and HAP regulations and guidance. Approaches (low polluting coatings, application techniques, work practices and capture and control equipment) are summarized.

Regulatory Update II Thursday, September 16 2:00-3:30 pm (ET)

The second session focuses on the quantitative aspects of VOC and HAP emission control and on future regulatory influences. The various units and calculations used in coatings regulations and guidance are explained. The relevant EPA and ASTM test methods are reviewed. The EPA's upcoming "Residual Risk" program (risk remaining after implementation of maximum available control technology for HAPs) and "area source" HAP regulations are described. Finally, the EPA's study of a relative-reactivity-based (rather than a mass-based) approach to reducing ground level ozone is explained.

Learning Objectives

* Discuss the participation of VOC in the formation of ground level ozone

* Define hazardous air pollutants and their use in coatings

* Review over 25 years of interaction between the U.S. EPA and the coatings industry

* Discuss the key approaches to reducing VOC and HAP emissions from coatings

* Understand the units and calculations used in coatings regulations

* Discuss test methods relevant to VOC and HAP emissions from coatings

* Explore the future: residual risk, reactivity-based ozone control and beyond.

Course Instructors

Dave Salman is an environmental engineer in the U.S. EPA Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards in Durham, NC. He has been with the EPA since 1978. During this time he has been responsible for developing Federal volatile organic compound air pollution control regulations and guidance, and providing technical assistance for many segments of the coating and printing industries, including metal coil, cans, automobiles, metal parts, plastic parts, lithography, rotogravure, and flexography. Mr. Salman was the EPA lead engineer for developing hazardous air pollutant standards for the printing and publishing industry and for the automobile and light-duty truck manufacturing industry. A member of the ASTM D-1 Committee on Paint and Related Coatings, Materials and Applications, Mr. Salman has degrees in industrial engineering from Cornell University and the University of Michigan.

Jim Berry, an independent consultant, specializes in resolving air pollution regulatory issues encountered by industries that manufacture or use paints, inks, or other coatings. He managed the program established by the U.S. EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards' program that limited organic air emissions from those industries for 20 years before his retirement in the late 1990s. He continues to serve on two EPA task groups that investigate scientific issues associated with pollution control by those industries. Mr. Berry serves the ASTM D-1 Committee on Paints and Related Coatings as Chair of its Regulatory Affairs Subcommittee, is a member of the Editorial Board of Coatings World Magazine and is a consultant to Industrial Paint and Powder Magazine. Mr. Berry is a registered professional engineer. He received a chemical engineering degree from Louisiana State University 

Who Should Attend

These courses benefit plant managers (the "legally responsible" individual), and formulating chemists, as well as manufacturing supervisors, environmental compliance staff personnel, and those assigned to monitor compliance within the plant.

Registration

EARLY BIRD FEES: Register by September 2 for either course to receive the discounted rate of: $349 FSCT member; $399 nonmember.

REGULAR FEES: After September 2, the registration fees are: $399 FSCT member; $449 nonmember.

Only one fee is charged per location, regardless of how many participate.

To register, contact FSCT, 492 Norristown Rd., Blue Bell, PA 19422-2350; 610.940.0777; fax: [phone]; email: [e-mail]. Visit www.coatingstech.org/Programs/Shows/Schedule.cfm for details.