The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is developing a maximum achievable control technology (MACT) standard to reduce hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from the integrated iron and steel manufacturing source category. To support this rulemaking, EPAs Innovative Strategies and Economics Group (ISEG) has conducted an economic impact analysis (EIA) to assess the potential costs of the rule. This report documents the methods and results of this EIA. In 1997, the United States produced a total of 105.9 million short tons of steel mill products. The construction and automotive industries are two of the largest consumers of these products, consuming approximately 30 percent of the net shipments in that year. The processes covered by this proposed regulation include sinter production, iron production in blast furnaces, and basic oxygen process furnace (BOPF) shops. There are a variety of metal and organic HAPs contained in the particulate matter emitted from these iron and steel manufacturing processes. Metal HAPs include primarily manganese and lead, while volatile organics include benzene, carbon disulfide, toluene, and xylene.

EPA project officer: Tyler J. Fox. "Author(s): Michael P. Gallaher and Brooks M. Depro"--Colophon. Prepared by Research Triangle Institute, Center for Economics Research. "December 2000." Final report. "Innovative Strategies and Economics Group." Includes bibliographical references (leaves R/1-R/4). "EPA-452/R-00-008"--Cover.