Questions and Answers
Doe Run has worked to identify new control measures that will help improve air quality in Herculaneum. These new measures are part of a revised State Implementation Plan (SIP), designed to improve air quality and help achieve consistent attainment of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for lead.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved the revised SIP on May 4, 2007. It has also been approved by the Missouri Air Conservation Commission.
Below is some additional information on the topic.
What is a State Implementation Plan?
A State Implementation Plan, or SIP, is a process used throughout the United States to improve air quality and help achieve federal air standards. These standards are set forth by the EPA. A SIP identifies the steps to be taken in order to reach expected objectives – in this case, to consistently achieve the EPA’s National Ambient Air Quality Standard for lead in Herculaneum.
Is Herculaneum the only area with a State Implementation Plan?
No. The Clean Air Act has been in existence since 1970. According to the EPA, areas of the country where air pollution levels persistently exceed the national ambient air quality standards may be designated “nonattainment.”
Currently, there are more than 500 areas nationwide that are designated as such, all of these have SIPs in place that are designed to work toward attainment of the air quality standards. To maintain quality standards, air quality areas that have reached attainment keep a SIP in place, simply amending the plan as needed. For a list of areas designated nonattainment, visit www.epa.gov/oar/oaqps/greenbk/.
How does The Doe Run Company use the SIP?
The Herculaneum facility uses the SIP to adjust operations and upgrade facilities, as appropriate, to consistently achieve standards for ambient air. The first Herculaneum SIP was implemented in 1981. Cooperative efforts on several SIPs have resulted in a 92 percent decrease in lead emissions.
What SIP projects have been completed?
Doe Run has implemented many of the engineering and administrative controls included in the SIP, including:
• Modification to the ventilation systems to improve dust-capturing efficiency
• Installation of automated baghouse malfunction alerts
• Upgraded control of air injection into the blast furnace
• Installation of improved bags in baghouse
• Implementation of bag-cleaning technology to improve dust-capturing efficiency
• Wheel tunnel enclosure and ventilation system
What projects are in the plan?
There are approximately 60 engineering and administrative control measures in the SIP. For a complete project listing, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/env/apcp/docs/2007revision.pdf.
What will the SIP do for air emissions?
Doe Run has seen the SIP process work. Each time a SIP has been implemented, there has been a reduction in emissions. With the current SIP, further reductions are expected.
What else is Doe Run doing to minimize the impact of its operations?
In addition to measures identified in the SIP, there are many other activities carried out by Doe Run with the goals of improving environmental performance, achieving attainment and minimizing impact.
Projects already creating positive results include sweeping streets, washing vehicles, regular monitoring of water quality, replacing soil and implementing new transportation and materials handling procedures.