NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

July 8, 2008
Vol. 38, No. 317

For more information contact James Snead, Air Quality Management Section, 302-323-4542, or Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

                Hearing Set for July 29 on Proposed Amendment to Air Quality Regulation
                                        Affecting the Manufacture of Lead Acid Batteries

DOVER, Del. – DNREC’s Air Quality Management Section will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m., Tuesday, July 29 in the DNREC auditorium at the Richardson and Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover on the proposed amendment to Air Quality Regulation 1138, affecting the manufacture of lead acid batteries.

Lead was identified by the EPA as among hazardous air pollutants that pose the greatest threat to public health in urban areas. Lead is classified as a probable carcinogen and long-term exposure to lead is linked to blood disease (anemia), neurological effects and kidney disease. The proposed amendment will provide increased protection for children and other at-risk populations against a variety of adverse health effects caused by exposure to lead.

The proposed amendment can be viewed on DNREC’s website at www.dnrec.delaware.gov/whs/awm/Info/Regs/Pages/R1138S110-LeadAcidBatteryManufacturingPlants.aspx  or inspected 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday at the Air Quality Management Offices, 156 S. State Street, Dover or 715 Grantham Lane, New Castle.

Comments may be presented orally or in writing at the hearing or submitted prior to the hearing electronically to James.Snead@state.de.us or mailed to DNREC, Air Quality Management Section, 715 Grantham Lane, New Castle, DE 19720, Attn. James Snead.

Under the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendment, Congress mandated that the EPA identify 30 or more hazardous pollutants, identify small area sources that emit those pollutants and develop regulations to reduce harmful emissions. In July 2007, the EPA promulgated its first area source standard affecting a Delaware source – the area source lead acid battery manufacturing standard.

For more information contact Jim Snead in New Castle at (302) 323-4542.