The EPA on Monday proposed a new set of national emission standards for control of hazardous air pollutants (HAP) for the Paints and Allied Products Manufacturing area source category. The proposed emissions standards for new and existing sources are based on EPA's proposed determination as to what constitutes the generally available control technology or management practices (GACT) for the area source category.

According to the agency release, regulated categories and entities potentially affected by this proposed action include manufacturers of paints & coatings, adhesives, printing ink, and "all other miscellaneous chemical product and preparation manufacturing." For this last category, the EPA gives the example of an area source facility that manufactures indelible ink, India ink, writing ink and stamp pad ink.

Comments must be received on or before July 1, 2009, unless a public hearing is requested by June 11, 2009. If a hearing is requested on this proposed rule, written comments must be received by July 16.

A copy of this proposed action is available at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg.