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 Type Releases to Air
NAICS Code Potential
Contributing
Sector
Air Water Solid Waste PAHs Mercury
Industrial
3241 Asphalt Production o C C
3359 Battery Manufacturing o A
3251 Carbon Black Production o C C
3273 Cement Manufacturing o A A
3251 Chlor Alkali Production o o C
3271 Clay Product Manufacturing o C
3311 Coke Ovens & By-Products o A C
3315 Ferrous Foundries o C D
3311 Ferro Alloy Production o A C
3272 Glass Manufacturing o C
2122 Gold Manufacturing o o B
3351, 3353 Instrument & Electrical Equipment Manufacturing o A
3311, 3312 Iron & Steel Production o o o D A
3311 Iron Ore Sintering o o o C C
3274 Lime Manufacturing o C
3251 Organic/Inorganic Chemical Production o o o D D
3279 Other Mineral Processing o D
3251 Paint Manufacturing o D
3253 Pesticide Manufacturing o o o D
3241 Petroleum Refineries o o o C C
3252, 3261 Plastics & Resin Manufacturing o D
3313 Primary Aluminum Production o o A
3314 Primary Copper & Nickel Smelting/Refining o o o A
3314 Primary Lead & Zinc Production o o o B
3221 Pulp & Paper Production o o o A C
3271 Refractory Manufacturing o D
3262 Rubber Manufacturing o D
3211, 3212 Sawmills/Plywood/ Hardboard Manufacturing o C
3313 Secondary Aluminum o C
3314 Secondary Copper o D
3314 Secondary Lead & Zinc o C D
3131, 3132, 3133 Textile & Dye Manufacturing o D D
2111 Upstream Oil & Gas Production o o C
3211 Wood Preservation o o o A
Stationary Fuel Combustion
2211 Electric Power Generation o o o A A
n/a Industrial Fossil Fuel Combustion o C C
n/a Industrial Wood Combustion o C
Waste Handling/Treatment
5622 Biomedical Waste Incineration o D A
8122 Crematoria o C C
5622 Federal Waste Incineration o D D
5622 Industrial Wastewater Treatment o o o D D
5622 Industrial/Hazardous Waste Incineration o o o C A
5622 Landfills o o o D
5622 Municipal Incineration o o o C A
5622 Municipal Wastewater Treatment o o o D
5622 Sewage Sludge Incineration o o o C A
5622 Woodwaste Burners o B
Miscellaneous Sources
n/a Chemical Spills o o o D D
n/a Dental Preparation o o C
n/a Fluorescent Lamp Recycling/ Breakage o o C
5413 Laboratories o D
5622 Sludge Application to Land o o o D
5629 Solvent Recovery/Usage o o D
n/a Tailings Ponds o o o D

n/a - not available

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