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Iron & Steel MACT

Background: Under the Clean Air Act (CAA) Amendments of 1990, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required to regulate the emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from "major sources" within specific industrial source categories. Both iron foundries and steel foundries were listed as source categories by the agency.

These standards are called "maximum achievable control technology" (MACT) standards. For existing sources MACT is determined by averaging the output of facilities in the top performing (lowest emissions) 12 percent of the industry.  MACT for new sources is based on the best controlled similar sources.

For more nearly 15 years, AFS has been working to assist EPA in understanding the metalcasting industry and to provide technical assistance on the development of our industry MACT standards. Since 1991, AFS has met with EPA on numerous occasions, assisted the agency in compiling information (including two formal industry surveys), arranged and accompanied agency officials on foundry tours, and presented a "Foundry 101" class for agency staff and contractors.

Status: On Thursday April 22, 2004 the Final Rule of the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Iron and Steel Foundries (Iron and Steel Foundry MACT) appeared in the Federal Register (Vol. 69, No. 78 page 21906). Click here for more information.

Iron and Steel foundries that are major sources of Hazardous Air Pollutants were to be in full compliance with the new standards by April 23, 2007. For detailed information regarding the Iron & Steel MACT, click here.

For more information, contact Stephanie Salmon, Metalcasting Industry Government Affairs Washington Office, at ssalmon@afsinc.org or 202/842-4864.

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