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Supplementary Guide for Reporting to the National Pollutant Release Inventory - Alternate Thresholds 2000

Appendix 7: Potential Sources of PAHs and Mercury (and its Compounds)

PAHs and mercury (and its compounds) are released from a variety of sectors and activities. The following table is a starting point for identifying sources of emissions for PAHs and mercury, but should not be considered a comprehensive list.

The potential release type (air, water, solid waste) of PAHs and mercury (and its compounds) is identified in the table for each sector or activity. Releases for a given sector can occur by activities such as material processing operations, fuel combustion, on-site waste treatment, effluent discharges or off-site waste transfer. Any facility that met the reporting criteria must report the substance releases to the NPRI, even if its sector or activity is not specifically identified in the table.

The last two columns of the table outline whether a facility in that sector or activity is likely to meet the reporting criteria for PAHs or mercury (and its compounds), based on available emission factor data. The classifications used to describe potential releases to air from the various sectors and activities are:

A) Reporting Sources - might meet specified reporting threshold; emission factor available/tabulated. At least one facility within the sector might be expected to report releases based on estimated process-level emission factors and facility-level throughputs.

B) Potential Reporting Sources - might meet specified reporting threshold; no emission factor available. At least one facility within the sector might be expected to report releases based on estimated process-level emission factors and facility level throughputs.

C) Other Identified Sources - might not meet threshold; emission factor available/tabulated. Although a sector contribution is probable, the individual facility throughput or activity level is likely to be too small to require reporting at the designated substance threshold.

D) Undefined/Possible Sources - possible but uncertain contribution; no emission factor available. A possible but uncertain contribution since emission factor data are not available (e.g., as the result of a lack of source measurement data).

Potential Sources That May Meet the NPRI Reporting Criteria for PAHs and Mercury (and its compounds) Based on Available Emission Factors
 Potential Release TypeReleases to Air
NAICS CodePotential
Contributing
Sector
AirWaterSolid WastePAHsMercury
Industrial
3241Asphalt Productiono  CC
3359Battery Manufacturingo   A
3251Carbon Black Productiono  CC
3273Cement Manufacturingo  AA
3251Chlor Alkali Productionoo  C
3271Clay Product Manufacturingo   C
3311Coke Ovens & By-Productso  AC
3315Ferrous Foundrieso  CD
3311Ferro Alloy Productiono  AC
3272Glass Manufacturingo   C
2122Gold Manufacturingoo  B
3351, 3353Instrument & Electrical Equipment Manufacturingo   A
3311, 3312Iron & Steel ProductionoooDA
3311Iron Ore SinteringoooCC
3274Lime Manufacturingo   C
3251Organic/Inorganic Chemical ProductionoooDD
3279Other Mineral Processingo   D
3251Paint Manufacturingo   D
3253Pesticide Manufacturingooo D
3241Petroleum RefineriesoooCC
3252, 3261Plastics & Resin Manufacturingo   D
3313Primary Aluminum Productionoo A 
3314Primary Copper & Nickel Smelting/Refiningooo A
3314Primary Lead & Zinc Productionooo B
3221Pulp & Paper ProductionoooAC
3271Refractory Manufacturingo   D
3262Rubber Manufacturingo  D 
3211, 3212Sawmills/Plywood/ Hardboard Manufacturingo  C 
3313Secondary Aluminumo   C
3314Secondary Coppero   D
3314Secondary Lead & Zinco  CD
3131, 3132, 3133Textile & Dye Manufacturingo  DD
2111Upstream Oil & Gas Productionoo C 
3211Wood PreservationoooA 
Stationary Fuel Combustion
2211Electric Power GenerationoooAA
n/aIndustrial Fossil Fuel Combustiono  CC
n/aIndustrial Wood Combustiono  C 
Waste Handling/Treatment
5622Biomedical Waste Incinerationo  DA
8122Crematoriao  CC
5622Federal Waste Incinerationo  DD
5622Industrial Wastewater TreatmentoooDD
5622Industrial/Hazardous Waste IncinerationoooCA
5622Landfillsooo D
5622Municipal IncinerationoooCA
5622Municipal Wastewater Treatmentooo D
5622Sewage Sludge IncinerationoooCA
5622Woodwaste Burnerso  B 
Miscellaneous Sources
n/aChemical SpillsoooDD
n/aDental Preparationoo  C
n/aFluorescent Lamp Recycling/ Breakageo o C
5413Laboratorieso   D
5622Sludge Application to Landooo D
5629Solvent Recovery/Usageoo  D
n/aTailings Pondsooo D

n/a - not available

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