NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

May 21, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 235

Contact: Ron Amirikian, 302-739-9402, Air Quality Management Section, Division of Air and Waste Management; or Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

                                         Hearing Set for May 26 on Proposed Amendments
               to Air Pollution Regulation for Volatile Organic Compounds

DNREC’s Air Quality Management Section will hold a public hearing beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 26 on proposed amendments that update the definition of volatile organic compounds in Delaware’s air pollution regulation No. 1101. The meeting will be held at DNREC’s Pricilla Building conference room, 156 S. State Street in Dover.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, after extensive testing, determined that eight volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be excluded from the definition of VOCs in the regulation because the compounds provide negligible impacts to ground-level ozone formation and air quality is not adversely affected by eliminating them from consideration as VOCs. The proposed amendments allow manufacturers to use these eight volatile organic compounds to formulate products that perform their intended function as well as if VOCs are used.

The proposed amendments can be viewed on DNREC’s website, http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/whs/awm/Info/Regs/Pages/AQMPlansRegs.aspx.
VOCs and other compounds can react in the lower atmosphere during hot, sunny days to form ground-level ozone. High levels can damage lung tissue, aggravate respiratory conditions and make people more susceptible to respiratory infections. 

Delaware’s air quality regulations include amendments to reduce VOC emissions as part of the agency’s plan to attain the 8-hour ground-level ozone National Ambient Air Standard by 2009. Amendments have included limiting emissions of VOCs from consumer and commercial products and from adhesive and sealants used in home construction, auto repair and tire retreading operations.
 
The purpose of the hearing is to solicit public comments on the proposed amendments. Interested parties can present statements and/or testimony at the hearing or submit comments in writing by May 30 to:  Ron Amirikian, DNREC Air Quality Management Section, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, by email: Ronald.Amirikian@state.de.us; or by fax: 302-739-3106.

For additional information, contact Ron Amirikian at 302-739-9402.