
[Federal Register: December 3, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 233)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 73620-73629]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03de08-15]                         

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Chapter I

[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2008-0627; FRL-8386-3]
RIN 2070-AJ44

 
Formaldehyde Emissions From Pressed Wood Products

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking and notice of public 
meetings.

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SUMMARY: On March 24, 2008, EPA received a Toxic Substances Control Act 
(TSCA) section 21 petition from numerous organizations and individuals 
concerned about risks to human health and the environment from exposure 
to formaldehyde in composite wood products, specifically hardwood 
plywood, particleboard, and medium density fiberboard. In response to 
that petition, EPA decided to initiate a proceeding to investigate 
whether and what type of regulatory or other action might be 
appropriate to protect against risks posed by formaldehyde emitted from 
these and other pressed wood products. This document commences that 
proceeding by describing EPA's initial steps in that investigation and 
requesting comment, information, and data relating to formaldehyde 
emissions from pressed wood products. This document also announces five 
public meetings that EPA has scheduled in order to obtain additional 
stakeholder input.

[[Page 73621]]


DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 2, 2009. For 
public meeting information, see Unit III.A.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification 
(ID) number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2008-0627, by one of the following methods:
      Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
      Mail: Document Control Office (7407M), Office of 
Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), Environmental Protection 
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001.
      Hand Delivery: OPPT Document Control Office (DCO), EPA 
East Bldg., Rm. 6428, 1201 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. 
Attention: Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2008-0627. The DCO is open from 
8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The 
telephone number for the DCO is (202) 564-8930. Such deliveries are 
only accepted during the DCO's normal hours of operation, and special 
arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPPT-
2008-0627. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included 
in the docket without change and may be made available on-line at 
http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information 
provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be 
Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you 
consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through regulations.gov or e-
mail. The regulations.gov website is an ``anonymous access'' system, 
which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information 
unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-
mail comment directly to EPA without going through regulations.gov, 
your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part 
of the comment that is placed in the docket and made available on the 
Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you 
include your name and other contact information in the body of your 
comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your 
comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for 
clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic 
files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of 
encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. For additional 
information about EPA's public docket, visit the EPA Docket Center 
homepage at http://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
    Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the docket index 
available at http://www.regulations.gov. Although listed in the index, 
some information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other 
material, such as copyrighted material, is not placed on the Internet 
and will be publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly 
available docket materials are available either in the electronic 
docket at http://www.regulations.gov, or, if only available in hard 
copy, at the OPPT Docket. The OPPT Docket is located in the EPA Docket 
Center (EPA/DC) at Rm. 3334, EPA West Bldg., 1301 Constitution Ave., 
NW., Washington, DC. The EPA/DC Public Reading Room hours of operation 
are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding Federal 
holidays. The telephone number of the EPA/DC Public Reading Room is 
(202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the OPPT Docket is (202) 
566-0280. Docket visitors are required to show photographic 
identification, pass through a metal detector, and sign the EPA visitor 
log. All visitor bags are processed through an X-ray machine and 
subject to search. Visitors will be provided an EPA/DC badge that must 
be visible at all times in the building and returned upon departure.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information contact: Colby 
Linter, Regulatory Coordinator, Environmental Assistance Division 
(7408M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-
0001; telephone number: (202) 554-1404; e-mail address: TSCA-
Hotline@epa.gov.
     For technical information contact: Cindy Wheeler, National Program 
Chemicals Division, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (202) 566-0484; e-mail 
address: wheeler.cindy@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

    This document is directed to the public in general. However, this 
document may be of particular interest to the following entities:
      Veneer, plywood, and engineered wood product 
manufacturing (NAICS code 3212).
      Manufactured home (mobile home) manufacturing (NAICS code 
321991).
      Prefabricated wood building manufacturing (NAICS code 
321992).
      All other basic organic chemical manufacturing (NAICS 
code 325199), e.g., formaldehyde manufacturing.
      Furniture and related product manufacturing (NAICS code 
337).
      Furniture merchant wholesalers (NAICS code 42321).
      Lumber, plywood, millwork, and wood panel merchant 
wholesalers (NAICS code 42331).
      Other construction material merchant wholesalers (NAICS 
code 423390), e.g., merchant wholesale distributors of manufactured 
homes (i.e., mobile homes) and/or prefabricated buildings.
      Furniture stores (NAICS code 4421).
      Building material and supplies dealers (NAICS code 4441).
      Manufactured (mobile) home dealers (NAICS code 45393).
      Motor home manufacturing (NAICS code 336213).
      Travel trailer and camper manufacturing (NAICS code 
336214).
      Recreational vehicle (RV) dealers (NAICS code 441210).
      Recreational vehicle merchant wholesalers (NAICS code 
423110).
      Plastics material and resin manufacturing (NAICS code 
325211).
     This listing is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides 
a guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by this 
action. Other types of entities not listed in this unit could also be 
affected. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) 
codes have been provided to assist you and others in determining 
whether this action might apply to certain entities. If you have any 
questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular 
entity, consult the technical person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

B. What Should I Consider as I Prepare My Comments for EPA?

     1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit this information to EPA through 
regulations.gov or e-mail. Clearly mark the part or all of the 
information that you claim to be CBI. For CBI information in a disk or 
CD-ROM that you mail to EPA, mark the outside of the disk or CD-ROM as 
CBI and then identify electronically within the disk or CD-ROM the 
specific information that is claimed as CBI. In addition to one 
complete version of the comment that includes information claimed as 
CBI, a copy of the comment that does not contain the information 
claimed as CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the

[[Page 73622]]

public docket. Information so marked will not be disclosed except in 
accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2.
     2. Tips for preparing your comments. When submitting comments, 
remember to:
     i. Identify the document by docket ID number and other identifying 
information (subject heading, Federal Register date and page number).
     ii. Follow directions. The Agency may ask you to respond to 
specific questions or organize comments by referencing a Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR) part or section number.
     iii. Explain why you agree or disagree; suggest alternatives and 
substitute language for your requested changes.
     iv. Describe any assumptions and provide any technical information 
and/or data that you used.
     v. If you estimate potential costs or burdens, explain how you 
arrived at your estimate in sufficient detail to allow for it to be 
reproduced.
     vi. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns and 
suggest alternatives.
     vii. Explain your views as clearly as possible, avoiding the use 
of profanity or personal threats.
     viii. Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period 
deadline identified.

II. Background

A. Basic Information

    Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling gas. Commonly used as 
a preservative in medical laboratories and mortuaries, formaldehyde is 
also found in other products such as chemicals, pressed wood products 
(e.g., particleboard, fiberboard, and plywood), household products, 
glues, permanent press fabrics, and paper product coatings. 
Formaldehyde is widely used as a fungicide, germicide, and 
disinfectant. It is also a by-product of combustion and certain other 
natural processes.
    Although there may be many sources of formaldehyde in air inside 
homes, including various household products, cigarette smoke, and un-
vented, fuel-burning appliances (gas stoves, kerosene space heaters), 
the most significant sources of formaldehyde are likely to be pressed 
wood products made using adhesives that contain urea-formaldehyde (UF) 
and other formaldehyde-based resins. Pressed wood products typically 
made with such resins for indoor use include, but are not limited to: 
Particleboard (used as sub-flooring and shelving and in cabinetry and 
furniture); hardwood plywood paneling (used for decorative wall 
covering and used in cabinets and furniture); and medium density 
fiberboard (used for drawer fronts, cabinets, and furniture tops). 
Medium density fiberboard contains a higher resin-to-wood ratio than 
any other UF pressed wood product and is generally recognized as being 
the highest formaldehyde-emitting pressed wood product. Other pressed 
wood products include waferboard, oriented strandboard, hardboard, 
laminated veneer lumber, and parallel strand lumber.
    Formaldehyde is both an irritant and a probable human carcinogen. 
Depending on concentration, it is well recognized that formaldehyde can 
be an eye, nose, and throat irritant, even when exposure is of 
relatively short duration. In the indoor environment, sensory reactions 
and various symptoms as a result of mucous membrane irritation are 
potential effects, and, while there are large individual differences in 
the general population, the differences may be even greater when 
sensitive people are included in an analysis (Ref. 1). EPA acknowledges 
that there are uncertainties relating to irritation response levels in 
humans. As noted in Unit IV.C. of the June 27, 2008 Federal Register 
notice discussed in Unit II.B.2. of this document, EPA is currently 
conducting an irritation hazard characterization that could be used to 
evaluate possible regulatory and other actions to address formaldehyde 
emissions from pressed wood products (Ref. 2).
    In 1991, EPA classified formaldehyde as a probable human 
carcinogen, ``based on limited evidence in humans, and sufficient 
evidence in animals,'' and derived an inhalation unit risk factor for 
assessing formaldehyde cancer risk (Ref. 3). As discussed in the June 
27, 2008 Federal Register notice, the assessment and modeling procedure 
used to develop EPA's cancer risk assessment is not based on the most 
current information. EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) is 
currently engaged in a reassessment of the potential cancer and non-
cancer risks of formaldehyde through the ORD Integrated Risk 
Information System (IRIS) program. As a result of the IRIS reassessment 
process, EPA may determine that the appropriate cancer unit risk is 
higher or lower than the 1991 value after considering the currently 
available scientific information, including human data.
    ORD and OPPTS are collaborating on developing an EPA IRIS 
assessment for non-cancer effects, including an irritation hazard 
characterization, of formaldehyde. This assessment will be expedited 
and prepared separately from the formaldehyde IRIS cancer reassessment. 
If the jointly-developed non-cancer assessment is peer-reviewed and 
completed in a timely manner, OPPTS will use it to inform its decision-
making as part of a rulemaking under TSCA. The Agency's assessment 
process will include the appropriate external peer review, which will 
offer opportunities for public comment on the underlying science.
    EPA also intends to commission the National Academy of Sciences to 
conduct a comprehensive review of the available scientific data on 
formaldehyde. The Agency believes that this additional analysis and 
advice will further strengthen the scientific basis of its 
understanding of formaldehyde risks.
    Formaldehyde is also one of 187 compounds listed under section 
112(b)(1) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) as a hazardous air pollutant 
(HAP). The CAA requires EPA to regulate emissions of HAPs from a 
published list of industrial source categories. The EPA has developed 
lists of major and area source categories that must meet control 
technology requirements for HAPs and has developed (or is developing) 
standards for these source categories. The plywood and composite wood 
products (PCWP) National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air 
Pollutants (NESHAP) is one of these standards (Ref. 4). The PCWP NESHAP 
controls emissions of formaldehyde and other HAPs from various process 
units (e.g., dryers and presses) at PWCP facilities.

B. The Section 21 Petition

    On March 24, 2008, 25 organizations and approximately 5,000 
individuals petitioned EPA under section 21 of TSCA to use section 6 of 
TSCA to adopt a recently-promulgated California regulation concerning 
emissions of formaldehyde from three types of products California 
described as composite wood products: Hardwood plywood, particleboard, 
and medium density fiberboard (Ref. 5). The petitioners asked EPA to 
assess and reduce the risks posed by formaldehyde emitted from these 
products by exercising its authority under TSCA section 6 to adopt and 
apply nationally the California formaldehyde emissions regulation for 
these composite wood products. In addition, petitioners requested EPA 
to extend this regulation to include composite wood products used in 
manufactured homes.
    1. The California Air Resource Board's Airborne Toxics Control 
Measure. In 2007, the California Air Resource Board (CARB) approved an

[[Page 73623]]

Airborne Toxics Control Measure (ATCM) for formaldehyde emissions from 
hardwood plywood, particleboard, and medium density fiberboard (Ref. 
6). The ATCM was approved on April 18, 2008 by the California Office of 
Administrative Law and the first emission standards will take effect on 
January 1, 2009. The ATCM requires manufacturers to meet formaldehyde 
emission standards for any of these products that are sold, offered for 
sale, supplied, or manufactured for use in California. The ATCM also 
requires that compliant products be used in finished goods sold, 
offered for sale, supplied or manufactured for sale in California. The 
ATCM does not apply to hardwood plywood and particleboard materials 
when installed in manufactured homes subject to regulations promulgated 
by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). 
Seventeen percent of new construction and eight percent of existing 
manufactured housing are built according to HUD's regulations (Ref. 7).
    The ATCM's ``Phase 1'' emission standards for hardwood plywood, 
particleboard, and medium density fiberboard will take effect on 
January 1, 2009. More stringent ``Phase 2'' standards will be phased in 
between 2010 and 2012. The ATCM does not allow manufacturers to meet 
these emission standards using barrier methods. CARB anticipates that 
manufacturers will meet the ``Phase 1'' standards by using resin 
technologies that are similar to those commonly in use today. To meet 
the ``Phase 2'' standards, CARB believes that manufacturers will likely 
use modified current day urea-formaldehyde (UF), no-added formaldehyde 
(NAF), or ultra-low-emitting formaldehyde (ULEF) resin systems.
    The ATCM requires manufacturers of covered products to demonstrate 
compliance with the emission standards by being certified by an 
independent party known as a ``third party certifier.'' Third party 
certifiers must be approved by CARB and must follow specified 
requirements to verify that a manufacturer's production meets 
applicable formaldehyde emission standards. Once their product has been 
approved by CARB, manufacturers who use NAF or some ULEF resin systems 
are exempt from ongoing testing requirements. Manufacturers who use 
other ULEF resin systems may be granted a reduction in frequency for 
ongoing testing. Manufacturers would also be required to label their 
covered products to identify them as meeting either the ``Phase 1'' or 
``Phase 2'' emission standards, or as being made with either NAF or 
ULEF resins. The ATCM also imposes recordkeeping requirements on 
manufacturers to document compliance.
    The ATCM requires distributors, importers, fabricators, and 
retailers to purchase and sell panels and finished goods that comply 
with applicable formaldehyde emission standards. They must take 
precautions, such as communicating with their suppliers, to ensure that 
the products they purchase are in compliance with applicable emission 
standards. Distributors and importers must maintain records documenting 
compliance and fabricators must also label their finished goods as 
compliant with the applicable standards.
    2. EPA's response to the petition. Although a substantial amount of 
information was submitted by reference with the petition or otherwise 
available to the Agency, EPA determined that the available information 
was not sufficient to support an evaluation of whether formaldehyde 
emitted from hardwood plywood, particleboard, and medium density 
fiberboard presents or will present an unreasonable risk to human 
health (including cancer and non-cancer endpoints) under TSCA section 
6. As discussed in detail in the Federal Register notice announcing 
EPA's response to the petition, EPA's evaluation of the data provided 
by the petitioners revealed significant information gaps that would 
need to be filled to support an evaluation of whether use of 
formaldehyde in these products presents or will present an unreasonable 
risk under TSCA section 6 (Ref. 2).
    Nevertheless, after considering the information presented by the 
petitioners (including information in the California administrative 
record), information submitted by commenters, and other available 
information, EPA decided to initiate a proceeding to investigate 
whether and what type of regulatory or other action might be 
appropriate to protect against risks posed by formaldehyde emitted from 
the products covered by the CARB ATCM as well as other pressed wood 
products. At the conclusion of this investigation, EPA anticipates 
determining whether EPA should take action, which may include 
regulatory action under TSCA section 6(a), action under TSCA section 
6(b), voluntary or regulatory (e.g., under TSCA section 6) application 
of a voluntary consensus standard, or other approaches. While 
evaluating options, EPA intends to engage the public in this process 
and coordinate efforts with other interested agencies. The purpose of 
this document is to outline the steps EPA plans to take as part of this 
investigation, including opportunities for public participation, and to 
request comment and data in particular areas where available 
information is lacking.

III. Public Participation

    With this document, EPA is announcing its plans to involve 
stakeholders in gathering information to inform EPA's determination of 
the scope of the problem and EPA's decision on the best ways to address 
risks that may be posed by formaldehyde emissions from pressed wood 
products. EPA is beginning the public participation process by 
soliciting stakeholder assistance in obtaining a better understanding 
of the available control technologies and approaches, current and 
future industry practices, and implementation of the CARB ATCM. This 
document contains numerous specific requests for comment, information, 
and data on topics of current interest to EPA. Stakeholders are 
encouraged to respond to these requests and to provide comment on any 
other matters pertaining to the content of this document.
    In addition, EPA is planning to hold five half-day public meetings 
in January of 2009. The purpose of these meetings is to receive 
stakeholder comments on the issue of formaldehyde emissions from 
pressed wood products, including the questions described in this 
document, and on future opportunities for public participation on this 
issue.

A. Meeting Dates and Locations

    The meetings will be held as follows:
    1. In Research Triangle Park, NC on January 8, 2009, from 1 p.m. to 
5 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Environmental Protection Agency, 
Main Campus Auditorium (C111B/C), 109 TW Alexander Drive, Research 
Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711.
    2. In Portland, OR on January 13, 2009, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The 
meeting will be held at the State Public Health Building, 800 NE Oregon 
St., Room 1B, Portland, Oregon 97232.
    3. In Chicago, IL on January 15, 2009, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 
The meeting will be held at the Ralph Metcalfe Federal Building, Room 
328, 77 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604.
    4. In Dallas, TX on January 26, 2009, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The 
meeting will be held at the Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross 
Avenue, 12th Floor, Dallas,Texas 75202.
    5. In Washington, DC on January 29, 2009, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The 
meeting will be held at the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA East, 
Room

[[Page 73624]]

1153, 1201 Constitution Ave., Washington, DC 20460.

B. Meeting Procedures

    For additional information on the scheduled meetings, contact the 
technical person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. The 
meetings will be open to the public. Oral presentations or statements 
by interested parties will be limited to 10 minutes. Interested parties 
are encouraged to contact the technical person at least 10 days prior 
to the meeting to schedule presentations. Since seating for outside 
observers may be limited, those wishing to attend the meetings as 
observers are also encouraged to contact the technical person at the 
earliest possible date, but no later than 10 days before the meeting, 
to ensure adequate seating arrangements.
    To request accommodation of a disability, please contact the 
technical person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATON CONTACT, 
preferably at least 10 days prior to the meeting, to give EPA as much 
time as possible to process your request.

IV. Investigation Overview and Specific Requests for Comment, 
Information, and Data

    The first part of this Unit describes the elements of EPA's 
investigation and includes specific requests for comments, information, 
and data that may pertain to each investigation element. The second 
part of this Unit describes each of the various tools that EPA may use 
to address risks that may be posed by formaldehyde emissions from 
pressed wood products, along with requests for comment on these and 
other regulatory and voluntary approaches.

A. Investigation Elements and Associated Requests for Comment, 
Information, and Data

    1. Industry profile. EPA seeks to obtain a better understanding of 
the available technologies to control formaldehyde emissions from 
pressed wood products, industry practices, and implementation of the 
CARB ATCM. EPA is planning an industry survey to supplement the 
information that EPA is requesting in this document. EPA requests 
commenters on this notice to provide information or data they may have 
regarding the pressed wood product industry. To the extent that the 
requested information was already submitted in response to EPA's 
request for comment on the TSCA section 21 petition, or is already 
publicly available and summarized in prior reports, such as those 
prepared in the late 1990s to support development of the PCWP NESHAP 
(Refs. 8, 9, 10, 11), EPA requests that commenters note such reports 
and whether the reports remain accurate with respect to new 
developments or changes that have occurred over time. EPA is 
particularly interested in responses to the following questions:
    a. Pressed wood products. EPA has identified the following 
categories of pressed wood products that may be manufactured using 
urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin and other formaldehyde-based resins: 
Particleboard, medium density fiberboard, hardwood and softwood 
plywood, waferboard, oriented strandboard, hardboard, parallel strand 
lumber, laminated veneer lumber, prefabricated I-joists, and glued 
laminated beams (Ref. 12).
    i. Are there other pressed wood products that may contain 
formaldehyde-based resins? What are these products?
    ii. The CARB ATCM covers only three types of pressed wood products: 
Particleboard, medium density fiberboard, and hardwood plywood. Are 
there other specific pressed wood products or categories of pressed 
wood products that have been demonstrated to result in comparable or 
higher formaldehyde emissions? What emission levels have been reported 
and what percentages of these products have or may have such emissions? 
What companies produce or import such products? What are the 
applications for these products?
    iii. What are the end-uses and quantities for each type of pressed 
wood product? In particular, EPA would like to receive information on 
the production volume (expressed as square feet or some comparable 
value) for each type of pressed wood product that is used in each end-
use market, such as the amount of hardwood plywood used in cabinetry, 
furniture, paneling, door panels/skins, etc.
    iv. To what degree are domestic and imported products 
interchangeable?
    b. Resins used in manufacturing pressed wood products. 
Formaldehyde-based resins may be used in the manufacture of pressed 
wood products. The resins may serve to bind together raw wood 
materials, such as wood shavings, flakes, wafers, chips, particles, 
veneers, fibers, strands, or sawdust, to form the pressed wood product. 
There are several types of formaldehyde-based resins. Additionally, 
there are alternative resins that are not formaldehyde-based. The types 
of resins commonly used in pressed wood products include the following: 
Urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin, phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resin, melamine-
formaldehyde (MF) resin, melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF) resin, 
isocyanate resin, polydiphenylmethane diisocyanate (pMDI) resin, 
polyvinyl acetate (PVA), and soy-based resin. Less commonly-used resins 
include: Ammonia urea formaldehyde (AUF), phenol resorcinol 
formaldehyde (PRF), phenol urea formaldehyde (PUF), phenol urea 
formaldehyde tannin (PUFT), and resorcinol formaldehyde (RF).
    i. What types of resins, whether formaldehyde-based or not, are or 
may be used in the manufacture of each type of pressed wood product 
listed in Unit IV.A.1.a?
    ii. What are the typical concentrations of free formaldehyde in 
each formaldehyde-based resin type and in each type of pressed wood 
product? (The term ``free formaldehyde'' refers to unreacted 
formaldehyde and formaldehyde that may become available from 
depolymerization of the resin.) EPA is also interested in information 
on the total quantity and typical mole ratio of the components of each 
type of resin used for each type of pressed wood product.
    c. Evaluation of manufacturing processes. EPA is seeking detailed 
information on the manufacturing processes for each type of pressed 
wood product, including the operating parameters and conditions, unit 
operations, and equipment.
    i. EPA is interested in descriptions of all of the factors, 
including the composition of raw materials and unit operating 
parameters, at each step in the manufacturing process that may affect 
the formaldehyde content of finished pressed wood products. EPA 
requests descriptions of the methods, including unit operations and 
operating procedures, used for controlling the content of formaldehyde 
in pressed wood products.
    ii. EPA requests any available information on the overall mass 
balance and the formaldehyde mass balance per unit operation.
    iii. EPA is interested in any available information on optimization 
studies of the factors affecting the formaldehyde content of finished 
pressed wood products. In general, an optimization study is a study of 
the means to improve the economic, environmental, health or safety 
performance of a chemical process. Improvements in one or more specific 
performance areas may have adverse impacts on other performance areas. 
In this context, EPA is requesting information on studies on the means 
of altering the process used to manufacture pressed wood products for 
the purpose

[[Page 73625]]

of reducing emissions of formaldehyde from such products. EPA is 
interested in any such information, including the results from bench 
scale experimental studies and engineering design studies with pilot 
plant or commercial production test run data.
    iv. What are the quality control measures for the control of 
formaldehyde emissions from pressed wood products undertaken at 
manufacturing facilities? How often, to what extent, and why do these 
measures fail?
    d. Product alternatives. EPA requests comment, data, and 
information on the potential alternatives that would reduce 
formaldehyde emissions from pressed wood products. EPA is also 
interested in the performance characteristics of, and the costs 
associated with using, alternative chemicals and processes to 
manufacture products that meet the CARB ATCM standards.
    i. What low- or no- formaldehyde emitting substitutes exist? What 
percentage of the pressed wood market uses them? What percentage of the 
national pressed wood market, exclusive of California, is expected to 
use them after 2012 (when the CARB ATCM's Phase 2 emission limits have 
become effective), and in which products are they expected to be used?
    ii. If a pressed wood products manufacturer were interested in 
reducing formaldehyde emissions, would the manufacturer substitute 
another resin (or resins) or modify the resins currently used? Which 
resins? Why?
    iii. Do control technologies exist to reduce the levels of free 
formaldehyde in existing resin types? If so, what is the estimated 
effectiveness of each control technology? What is the basis for the 
effectiveness estimate?
    iv. EPA has begun evaluating various resin formulations that have 
been manufactured to improve or eliminate formaldehyde emissions. EPA 
seeks information, including resin formulation, human health hazard, 
process, product performance, and cost information, from manufacturers 
who use or intend to use resins identified in the following list, 
manufacturers who use or intend to use other resins, and manufacturers 
who use or intend to use other methods to meet the CARB ATCM's Phase 1 
and Phase 2 standards:
      Ethenol homopolymer (CASRN: 9002-89-5)
      Isocyanic acid, polymethylenepolyphenylene ester (CASRN: 
9016-87-9)
      Urea, polymer with formaldehyde and 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-
triamine (CASRN: 25036-13-9)
      Urea, polymer with formaldehyde and phenol (CASRN: 25104-
55-6)
      Hexanedioic acid, polymer with N1-(2-aminoethyl)-1,2-
ethanediamine and 2-(chloromethyl)oxirane (CASRN: 25212-19-5)
      Urea, polymer with formaldehyde, phenol and 1,3,5-
triazine-2,4,6-triamine (CASRN: 25212-25-3)
      Urea, polymer with formaldehyde and methanol (CASRN: 
37999-54-5)
      Poly[oxy(methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)], a-hydro-[omega]-
hydroxy-, ether with 2-ethyl-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol (3:1), 
polymer with 1,1'-methylenebis[4-isocyanatobenzene] (CASRN: 57596-50-6)
      Tannins, polymers with formaldehyde and phenol (CASRN: 
68910-49-6)
      PureBond (Identity has been claimed confidential, but it 
is known to be soy-based)
    v. What testing has been done to determine the effectiveness of the 
different barrier technologies (e.g., melamine sheets, paper coatings, 
varnish or paint treatments, films, foils) at lowering formaldehyde 
emissions over the lifetime of the coated pressed wood product? What 
are the results of that testing? The Agency is aware that some barrier 
methods need additional treatment of the remaining uncoated surfaces of 
the pressed wood products (i.e., edge treatments with scavenger 
coatings) to work effectively. Has the use of barrier treatment or 
combination treatment eliminated the potential for formaldehyde 
emissions or simply deferred the release of formaldehyde, perhaps until 
the end of the wood products' life cycle? Are data available to show 
that the efficient use of scavenger chemicals is effective in 
permanently reducing formaldehyde emissions?
    vi. What product substitutes exist for the products covered by the 
CARB ATCM, and what product substitutes exist for other pressed wood 
products? For example, oriented strandboard might be used in place of 
particleboard, or solid lumber might be used in place of fiberboard. 
What are the performance characteristics of and the costs associated 
with using product substitutes?
    e. Reaction to the CARB ATCM. For companies that manufacture, 
import, fabricate, wholesale, or retail hardwood plywood, 
particleboard, or medium density fiberboard for sale outside of 
California:
    i. Do you intend on distributing two sets of products, one that is 
compliant with the CARB ATCM (for sale in California) and another that 
is not CARB-compliant (for sale outside of California)? Do you intend 
to sell a single set of products (inside and outside of California) 
that comply with the CARB ATCM's Phase 2 standards? What factors are 
influential in making this decision (e.g., where your company is 
located, where your clients are located or sell their products, how 
large your company is)?
    ii. If you intend on manufacturing hardwood plywood, particleboard, 
or medium density fiberboard products that comply with the CARB ATCM's 
Phase 2 standards, what resin system(s), additives, process 
modifications, or post-treatment did you previously use and what do you 
anticipate using in order to comply with the CARB ATCM?
    iii. If you do not intend on selling products that comply with the 
CARB ATCM's Phase 2 standards, why not? What factors influence your 
decision of whether or not to sell products that comply with the CARB 
ATCM's Phase 2 standards?
    iv. If you do not intend on selling products that comply with the 
CARB ATCM's Phase 2 standards, what level of formaldehyde emissions do 
you anticipate that your products will have? For example, will they 
meet the CARB ATCM's Phase 1 standards?
    v. What are the key factors in determining the cost of complying 
with the CARB ATCM, and how do these vary across plants? For example, 
key factors may include whether the forming line in a pressed wood 
plant uses cauls or is caulless, or whether the presses are single 
opening, multi-opening, or continuous.
    vi. Are data available on whether or how formaldehyde emission 
rates or compliance with the CARB ATCM may differ between domestic and 
imported products?
    2. Exposure assessment. EPA has also initiated development of an 
exposure assessment for formaldehyde emissions from pressed wood 
products. Exposure assessments identify the pathways by which toxic 
substances may reach individuals, estimate how much of a substance an 
individual is likely to be exposed to (including the frequency and 
duration of exposure), estimate time-activity patterns, and estimate 
the number of individuals likely to be exposed. While this exposure 
assessment will primarily focus on consumer exposures, including 
children's exposures, EPA also plans to evaluate occupational exposures 
and exposures to emissions from manufacturing operations to assess 
benefits of any action developed to reduce consumer exposures to 
formaldehyde emissions from pressed wood products. EPA is reviewing the

[[Page 73626]]

available data for this purpose, including the data submitted by 
reference with the TSCA section 21 petition. Commenters are requested 
to submit any available information or data they may have that pertains 
to formaldehyde exposures and pressed wood products. EPA is 
particularly interested in the following:
    a. Product emissions. i. What are the emissions profiles (e.g., 
mass of formaldehyde emitted over time, decay rate over time, and 
measurement method and parameters) of pressed wood-products containing 
formaldehyde-based resins on a national level? To the extent such 
information is available, EPA is interested in emissions profiles for 
each of the various types of resins, pressed wood products, and 
consumer goods.
    ii. What data are available on the emissions profiles of the 
pressed wood products that could be used as substitutes?
    b. Children's furniture. i. What is the surface area (square feet) 
of pressed wood product per unit of furniture that is used by children, 
such as baby cribs, changing tables, and toddler beds? What type of 
pressed wood product is used (e.g., UF-bonded hardwood plywood, soy-
bonded hardwood plywood, UF fiberboard, MDI fiberboard) in children's 
furniture? What part of the furniture unit contains the pressed wood 
product? On a national level, how many units of children's furniture 
containing pressed wood product are sold?
    ii. Are there any studies that have measured the formaldehyde 
exposure of children sleeping on furniture containing pressed wood 
products? What are the results? Are there any models available to 
estimate exposures from such microenvironments? Are there any data 
available on time-activity pattern data or air exchange rates specific 
for this scenario?
    c. Other items. i. What are the current pressed wood 
characterizations and emission profiles of other pressed wood items, 
such as kitchen cabinets, entertainment centers, office furniture, 
etc.?
    ii. What amount of pressed wood product goes into the construction 
of these types of products? How much of it is pressed wood product made 
with UF or other formaldehyde-based resins? Do imported cabinets and 
other furniture contain more or less pressed wood than similar domestic 
products?
    iii. What amount (square feet) of pressed wood product will be 
installed into a kitchen during both minor renovations (refacing 
kitchen countertops and cabinets) and extensive renovations (where all 
countertops and cabinets are replaced)? Are there other renovation 
projects that typically involve a significant amount of pressed wood 
product? Which ones?
    iv. Are there any studies that have measured the formaldehyde 
exposure of occupants to furniture and/or cabinets containing pressed 
wood products? Are there any models available to estimate exposures 
from such microenvironments? Are there any data available on time-
activity pattern data or air exchange rates specific for this scenario?
    d. Emissions from manufacturing operations. The manufacture of 
pressed wood products may release formaldehyde into the environment. 
Formaldehyde points of release may include, but are not limited to, the 
following: Fugitive and point source air emissions from refining, 
preheating, humidifying and/or drying of the wood materials; pressing 
and/or cooling of the wood product after adhesive application; 
finishing operations (aging, trimming, sanding, sorting, and storing); 
container residue from containers used to transport resins and/or 
adhesives; equipment cleanup wastes; combustion of formaldehyde-
containing wood scraps, such as for energy recovery; and other handling 
of process or product wastes that contain formaldehyde. EPA requests 
information or data that commenters may have on emissions from pressed 
wood product manufacturing operations. To the extent that the requested 
information is already publicly available and summarized in prior 
reports, such as those prepared in the late 1990s to support 
development of the PCWP NESHAP (Refs. 6, 7, 8, 9), EPA requests that 
commenters note such reports and comment on whether the reports remain 
accurate with respect to new developments or changes that have occurred 
over time. EPA plans to evaluate exposures to emissions from 
manufacturing operations to assess benefits of any action developed to 
reduce consumer exposures to formaldehyde emissions from pressed wood 
products.
    i. EPA is requesting information and data on all points of 
formaldehyde releases, including the quantity of such releases and the 
media to which formaldehyde is released, during the manufacture of each 
type of pressed wood product.
    ii. EPA is interested in information on any control technologies, 
such as on-site wastewater treatment, filtration systems, or air 
pollution control devices (e.g., regenerative thermal oxidizers, 
biofilters, steam separation, scrubbers, ionic liquid technology), used 
to mitigate the environmental release of formaldehyde associated with 
the manufacture of pressed wood products, including estimates of the 
effectiveness of each control technology and the basis for each 
effectiveness estimate.
    e. Occupational exposure. During manufacturing of pressed wood 
products, occupational exposure to formaldehyde may occur to workers 
who are in contact with, or in proximity to, the manufacturing or 
fabricating process, raw materials, or pressed wood products. EPA plans 
to evaluate occupational exposures to assess benefits of any action 
developed to reduce consumer exposures to formaldehyde emissions from 
pressed wood products. EPA is particularly interested in the potential 
for alternative chemicals and processes to reduce occupational 
exposures to formaldehyde during pressed wood product manufacture, 
processing, and distribution. EPA requests information on all worker 
activities in pressed wood manufacturing and fabricating that may 
result in occupational exposure to formaldehyde.
    i. For each worker activity, EPA is interested in the duration of 
exposure per day and the frequency of the activity in days per year. 
For example, in a particular company's manufacturing process, two 
workers may empty containers of formaldehyde-containing resin into an 
applicator. For this company, this activity may take two hours per day 
and occur 250 days per year.
    ii. EPA requests any recent information (i.e., from the past 5 
years), including studies, on worker exposures to formaldehyde during 
pressed wood product manufacturing processes, as well as any 
information on control technologies and/or personal protective 
equipment (PPE) that are used to mitigate occupational exposures of 
formaldehyde.
    iii. EPA also requests comparable information on exposure to 
chemicals (e.g., regulated by EPA or the Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration) that are used in alternative resins or that are present 
as unreacted monomers in alternative resins (such as methylene 
diisocyanate (MDI), vinyl acetate monomer (VAM), and epichlorohydrin)).
    f. Emissions measurement and modeling. EPA is interested in 
information on measuring formaldehyde emissions from pressed wood 
products and modeling exposures to these emissions.
    i. What are the state of the art methods for measuring formaldehyde 
releases from pressed wood products?

[[Page 73627]]

For each method, EPA requests information on method detection limits, 
sample preparation, and product representation. EPA is interested in 
the advantages and disadvantages of each method as compared to other 
available methods.
    ii. Are there any air monitoring data, other measured results, 
calculations, or verified/validated models that can be used for real 
life (in-home) exposure analysis? EPA is also interested in details as 
to the methods and approaches used in such studies.
    g. Building-specific exposure information. EPA is interested in 
exposure information that may be specific to formaldehyde emissions 
from pressed wood products installed in various types of buildings, 
especially manufactured buildings or structures not regulated by HUD, 
such as park homes or trailers, travel trailers, portable classrooms, 
and temporary office trailers.
    i. What types and amounts of pressed wood products are used in each 
such type of building or structure?
    ii. What are the occupancy rates (e.g., number of people, days per 
year of occupancy), exposed population, time-activity patterns, and air 
exchange rates of each such type of building or structure?
    iii. What monitoring studies or other exposure information are 
available for formaldehyde emissions from pressed wood products 
installed in these types of buildings or structures?
    3. Economic analysis. As discussed in Unit IV.B. of this document, 
EPA is considering whether regulatory and/or voluntary actions are 
necessary to address formaldehyde emissions from pressed wood products. 
One of the options EPA plans to consider is whether it is appropriate 
to promulgate a rule under TSCA section 6(a). In promulgating any rule 
under TSCA section 6(a) with respect to a chemical substance, TSCA 
section 6(c) requires the Administrator to consider (among other 
factors), the benefits of such substance or mixture for various uses 
and the availability of substitutes for such uses, and the reasonably 
ascertainable economic consequences of the rule, after consideration of 
the effect on the national economy, small business, technological 
innovation, the environment, and public health.
    These considerations may be informative whether or not EPA proceeds 
under TSCA section 6(a). Therefore, EPA requests information that it 
can use in preparing an economic analysis. Such information includes 
the cost and performance characteristics of substitute technologies to 
control formaldehyde emissions from pressed wood products; the extent 
to which substitute technologies are drop-in technologies (i.e., can be 
used with existing equipment in a plant or require modifications to 
existing equipment); the supply and demand elasticities for markets 
potentially affected by action on formaldehyde in pressed wood 
products, including the markets for pressed wood, fabricated goods made 
from pressed wood (such as furniture, doors, kitchen cabinets, etc.), 
and resins or adhesives used in pressed wood; and information needed to 
assess the benefits of controlling exposures to formaldehyde from 
pressed wood products (such as the magnitude of exposure, the dollar 
value of the health effects resulting from such exposures, and the 
dollar value of any benefits not related to health endpoints, such as 
reduced exposure to unwanted odors).

B. Regulatory Authorities and Voluntary Options

    The previous Unit of this notice describes the assessments EPA is 
undertaking in order to make a determination whether regulatory and/or 
voluntary action is needed to address risks that may be posed by 
formaldehyde emissions from pressed wood products. While EPA has not 
yet made this determination, EPA recognizes that stakeholders are 
likely to have valuable insights into the tools available to address 
risks. EPA also believes that it is most useful to obtain these 
insights early in the investigation process. This Unit briefly 
describes two of the regulatory authorities that EPA could use and 
requests comment on each. This Unit also asks whether any other 
regulatory authorities should be considered and seeks input on the 
possible use of voluntary approaches alone and in connection with 
regulatory approaches. EPA is particularly interested in comment, 
information, and data on the strengths and limitations of all of the 
options available to EPA. Additional specific requests for comment on 
each approach are included in the description of each approach.
    1. TSCA section 6(a). In order to promulgate a rule under TSCA 
section 6(a), the Administrator must find that ``there is a reasonable 
basis to conclude that the manufacture, processing, distribution in 
commerce, use, or disposal of a chemical substance or mixture * * * 
presents or will present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or 
the environment.'' This finding cannot be made considering risk alone. 
In promulgating any rule under TSCA section 6(a), TSCA section 6(c) 
requires the Administrator to consider:
      The effects of such substance or mixture on health and 
the magnitude of the exposure of human beings to such substance or 
mixture.
      The effects of such substance or mixture on the 
environment and the magnitude of the exposure of the environment to 
such substance or mixture.
      The benefits of such substance or mixture for various 
uses and the availability of substitutes for such uses.
      The reasonably ascertainable economic consequences of the 
rule, after consideration of the effect on the national economy, small 
business, technological innovation, the environment, and public health.
    If EPA finds that there is a reasonable basis to conclude that one 
or more activities presents an unreasonable risk, TSCA section 6(a) 
provides EPA with the authority to:
      Prohibit or limit manufacture, processing, or 
distribution in commerce;
      Prohibit or limit the manufacture, processing, or 
distribution in commerce of the chemical above a specified 
concentration;
      Require adequate warnings and instructions with respect 
to use, distribution, or disposal;
      Require recordkeeping, monitoring, and testing to ensure 
compliance with regulations promulgated under this section;
      Prohibit or regulate any manner of commercial use;
      Prohibit or regulate any manner of disposal; or
      Require manufacturers or processors to give notice of the 
unreasonable risk of injury.
    TSCA section 6(a) also provides that the control measure or 
measures adopted must be the ``least burdensome requirements'' that 
adequately protect against the unreasonable risk.
    EPA requests comment on the use of TSCA section 6(a) to regulate 
the manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce, commercial use, 
or disposal of one or more pressed wood products that contain 
formaldehyde. EPA is particularly interested in comments on the 
strengths and weaknesses of the control measures that could be adopted 
under this section, such as emissions limits or warning labels on 
pressed wood products.
    2. TSCA section 6(b). TSCA section 6(b) specifically addresses 
quality control issues. EPA believes that TSCA section 6(b) is an 
available option for addressing formaldehyde risks because the 
information available to EPA suggests that formaldehyde emissions

[[Page 73628]]

from some pressed wood products are highly dependent upon the process 
used to manufacture the products. If EPA has a reasonable basis to 
conclude that a particular manufacturer or processor is making or 
producing a chemical substance in such a way that it presents an 
unreasonable risk of injury to human health or the environment, EPA may 
order the manufacturer or processor to submit a description of its 
relevant quality control procedures. If EPA determines that those 
quality control procedures are inadequate to prevent an unreasonable 
risk, EPA may order the manufacturer or processor to modify its quality 
control procedures to the extent necessary to remedy the inadequacy. If 
EPA determines that a chemical which presents an unreasonable risk has 
been distributed, EPA may order the manufacturer or processor to notify 
its customers or the general public, or to replace or repurchase the 
chemical as necessary to protect health or the environment or any 
combination of these. Manufacturers and processors subject to a 
requirement to replace or repurchase must be offered the option to 
replace or repurchase, and EPA may prescribe the procedures for doing 
so in each case. Orders to revise procedures, to notify customers or 
the public, or replace or repurchase chemicals must be issued after an 
opportunity for a hearing in accordance with section 554 of the 
Administrative Procedures Act (APA), which provides procedural 
requirements in cases where an adjudication is required on the record 
after an opportunity for a hearing.
    EPA will evaluate whether it is feasible to use TSCA section 6(b) 
to address risks that may be posed by formaldehyde emissions from one 
or more pressed wood products. TSCA section 6(b) is targeted towards 
controlling the manufacturing processes of individual manufacturers or 
processors. As such, if EPA determines that emissions from pressed wood 
products present or will present an unreasonable risk, it may not be 
feasible or possible to use TSCA section 6(b) to address all such 
risks. EPA requests comment on the use of TSCA section 6(b) in this 
manner. In addition, if EPA were to take action under TSCA section 6(b) 
with respect to domestic manufacturers of pressed wood products, what 
could EPA do to control formaldehyde emissions from imported pressed 
wood products or finished goods made from pressed wood products, such 
as furniture, cabinets, countertops, and flooring?
    3. Other regulatory authorities. Based on a preliminary review of 
the available authorities, EPA believes that the most effective 
authorities available to address risks that may be presented by 
formaldehyde emissions from pressed wood products would be TSCA 
sections 6(a) and 6(b). A number of the commenters on the TSCA section 
21 petition appeared to support a national emissions limit for pressed 
wood products, yet contended that an ``unreasonable risk'' finding 
under TSCA section 6 was unjustified. EPA requests comment on other 
authorities available to EPA that could be used to impose a national 
emissions limit on these products. EPA also requests comment on other 
authorities that could be used in other ways to address risks that may 
be presented by formaldehyde emissions from pressed wood products.
    The TSCA section 21 petition contained a request for EPA to apply 
the CARB ATCM to pressed wood products used in manufactured housing. As 
discussed in the Federal Register notice responding to the petition, 
HUD has standards that apply to pressed wood products in manufactured 
housing. Many petition commenters recommended that HUD continue to 
exercise jurisdiction over manufactured housing. Some suggested that 
EPA refer the matter to HUD under TSCA section 9. HUD itself commented 
on the petition (Ref. 13), stating that it had received a proposal to 
lower formaldehyde emissions limits from certain products used in the 
construction of manufactured homes from the Manufactured Housing 
Consensus Committee (MHCC), a Congressionally-established Federal 
Advisory Committee. In addition, according to HUD, the MHCC recently 
received a new proposal from the public to adopt the CARB ATCM 
standards. HUD stated that it will work with the MHCC to review this 
new proposal. EPA plans to work collaboratively with HUD to address 
risks that may be presented from formaldehyde emissions from pressed 
wood products used in manufactured housing.
    4. Voluntary approaches. The National Technology Transfer and 
Advancement Act (NTTAA) (Pub. L. 104-113, Sec. 12(d), 110 Stat. 775, 
783 (1996)) directs federal agencies to use voluntary consensus 
standards in their regulatory activities unless to do so would be 
``inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical.'' 
Voluntary consensus standards are technical standards, which include 
materials specifications, test methods, sampling protocols, business 
practices, and management systems developed or adopted by voluntary 
consensus standards bodies, both domestic and international. These 
bodies plan, develop, establish, or coordinate voluntary consensus 
standards using agreed-upon procedures. The NTTAA also encourages 
agencies to consult with voluntary consensus standards bodies and 
participate in the development of such standards when compatible with 
agency missions, authorities, priorities and budget resources.
    Many of the commenters on the TSCA section 21 petition suggested 
that EPA work cooperatively with the affected industries to develop 
national standards for formaldehyde emissions from pressed wood 
products. EPA believes that voluntary initiatives can be useful tools 
in addressing risks to human health and the environment, and voluntary 
initiatives may be important components of a strategy to address the 
formaldehyde emissions that are the subject of this document. Indeed, 
there already are voluntary consensus standards for formaldehyde 
emissions, such as the standards developed under the auspices of the 
American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and voluntary industry 
compliance programs, such as the Composite Panel Association's 
Grademark program, that address formaldehyde emissions from some 
pressed wood products. The Composite Panel Association (CPA), in 
comments on the petition, observed that the CPA is accredited by ANSI 
as a standards developer (Ref. 14). The CPA further stated that, on 
June 3, 2008, the CPA Board of Directors ``approved the insertion of 
the CARB Phase 1 and Phase 2 formaldehyde emission limits'' into the 
new versions of the ANSI standards for Particleboard (ANSI A208.1) and 
for Medium Density Fiberboard (ANSI A208.2). While a consensus 
committee must still approve these revised standards, the CPA notes 
that, when they are finalized, purveyors of these products would be 
able to reference these standards in their ``commercial dealings.'' The 
Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association (HPVA) likewise noted that they 
were in the process of revising the ANSI-HPVA national consensus 
standards for hardwood plywood and engineered hardwood flooring and 
they were considering including the CARB ATCM emission requirements 
(Ref. 15).
    EPA would be interested in hearing more details from affected 
industries as to how voluntary national standards could be developed 
and implemented. EPA is specifically interested in comments that 
address the following questions:
    a. How could EPA encourage compliance with purely voluntary 
standards, whether currently-existing or newly-developed?

[[Page 73629]]

    b. How successful are the existing programs at reducing 
formaldehyde exposures? How could the existing programs be modified to 
improve the results? Would a new voluntary program be more successful 
at reducing formaldehyde exposures?
    c. How would voluntary programs address imported products?
    d. What role could regulatory adoption (e.g., using TSCA section 6) 
of voluntary consensus standards for formaldehyde emissions play in 
EPA's oversight of this issue? How would this approach address imported 
products?

V. References

    1. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Toxicological 
Profile for Formaldehyde. 1999. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/
tp111.html
    2. EPA. Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products; 
Disposition of TSCA Section 21 Petition; Notice. Federal Register (73 
FR 36504, June 27, 2008).
    3. EPA, Office of Research and Development. Formaldehyde. 
Integrated Risk Information System. 1991. http://www.epa.gov/iris/
links.htm
    4. EPA. National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: 
Plywood and Composite Wood Products; Final Rule. Federal Register (72 
FR 61060, October 29, 2007). http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/plypart/
fr29oc07.pdf
    5. Sierra Club, 25 other organizations, and approximately 5,000 
individuals. Letter from Tom Neltner, Sierra Club, to Stephen Johnson, 
Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency. Re: Citizen Petition to 
EPA Regarding Formaldehyde in Wood Products. March 2008.
    6. California Environmental Protection Agency Air Resources Board. 
Airborne Toxic Control Measure to Reduce Formaldehyde Emissions from 
Composite Wood Products. Final Regulation Order. April 2008. http://
www.arb.ca.gov/regact/2007/compwood07/compwood07.htm
    7. Note to file. July 17, 2008.
    8. EPA, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS). 
Background Information Document for Proposed Plywood and Composite Wood 
Products NESHAP. September, 2000.
    9. EPA, OAQPS. Memorandum from D. Bullock, K. Hanks, and B. 
Nicholson, MRI to M. Kissell, EPA/ESD. Summary of Responses to the 1998 
EPA Information Collection Request (MACT Survey) -- General Survey. 
April 28, 2000.
    10. EPA, OAQPS. Memorandum from K. Hanks and B. Threatt, MRI to M. 
Kissell, EPA/ESD. Summary of Responses to the 1998 EPA Information 
Collection Request (MACT Survey)--Engineered Wood Products. January 20, 
2000.
    11. EPA, OAQPS. Memorandum from K. Hanks, B. Threatt, and B. 
Nicholson, MRI to M. Kissell, EPA/ESD. Summary of Responses to the 1998 
EPA Information Collection Request (MACT Survey)--Hardwood Plywood and 
Veneer. May 19, 1999.
    12. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service; Forest Products 
Laboratory. Wood Handbook--Wood as an Engineering Material. Gen. Tech. 
Rep. FPL-GTR-113 (1999). http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplgtr/
fplgtr113/fplgtr113.pdf
    13. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of 
Regulatory Affairs and Manufactured Housing. (May 12, 2008).
    14. Composite Panel Association. (May 12, 2008).
    15. Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association. (May 12, 2008).

VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Under Executive Order 12866, entitled ``Regulatory Planning and 
Review'' (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), this action was submitted to 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. Any changes to 
the document that were made in response to OMB comments received by EPA 
during that review have been documented in the docket as required by 
the Executive Order.
    Since this document does not impose or propose any requirements, 
and instead seeks comments and suggestions for the Agency to consider 
in possibly developing a subsequent proposed rule, the various other 
review requirements that apply when an agency imposes requirements do 
not apply to this action.
    As part of your comments on this document, you may include any 
comments or information that you have regarding this action. In 
particular, any comments or information that would help the Agency to 
assess the potential impact of a rule on small entities pursuant to the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.); to consider 
voluntary consensus standards pursuant to section 12(d) of the National 
Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (NTTAA), Public Law 
104-113, section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 note); to consider environmental 
health or safety effects on children pursuant to Executive Order 13045, 
entitled ``Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and 
Safety Risks'' (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997); or to consider human 
health or environmental effects on minority or low-income populations 
pursuant to Executive Order 12898, entitled ``Federal Actions to 
Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income 
Populations'' (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994). The Agency will consider 
such comments during the development of any subsequent notice of 
proposed rulemaking as it takes appropriate steps to address any 
applicable requirements.

List of Subjects

     Environmental protection, Housing, Toxic substances, Wood.

    Dated: November 25, 2008.
Stephen L. Johnson,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. E8-28585 Filed 12-2-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-S
