An initial analysis of the economic impact of proposed water effluent guidelines upon the rubber processing industry was performed, based on the abatement cost data supplied by EPA. On this basis, with better than 88% coverage of the industry, none of the plants appears to be severely affected in meeting either the Best Practical Technology (BPT) or Best Available Technology (BAT) requirements. For the synthetic rubber segment, capital investment for pollution control will be an estimated $23 million through 1977, and $10 million from 1977 through 1983. Annual operating costs will be $8 million higher through 1977, and $4 million higher from 1977 through 1983. The tire and tube segment will meet both BAT and BPT in one step; investment will be an estimated $32 million, and annual operating costs will be roughly $13 million higher through 1977. The impact on prices will be no greater than 1.5% for BPT and BAT for the synthetic rubber segment, and about 0.45% for the tire and tube segment.