On December 16, 2004, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) drafted a revision to Section 12.5 “Iron and Steal Production” in its Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors, Volume I Stationary Point and Area Sources, EPA Publication No. AP-42 (AP-42).  The revision focuses on emission factor data gathered for facilities known as “minimills”. 

In a minimill, scrap metal is melted and refined in an electric arc furnace (EAF) to make steel products.  Generally, molten steel is produced in an EAF and then tapped from the EAF to a ladle.  The molten steel is then usually further refined with the addition of alloys.  Semi-finished product is then produced using continuous casting or ingot casting.  Multiple finishing processes may then be used to produce finished steel products. 

Emission factors in AP-42 Section 12.5.1 are given for particulate matter (PM), oxides of nitrogen (NOX), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), lead, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), fluoride, and beryllium. 

Comments to this revision must be received by the USEPA by March 1, 2005.  To review the Draft Section 12.5.1 or submit comments please refer to:  http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/ap42/ch12/

 Author:  Sharon S. Diday

Date:  Jan 2005

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