Air Emission Standards for Tanks, Surface Impoundments, and Containers

Any owner or operator of a facility that treats, stores, or disposes of hazardous wastes through the use of tanks, surface impoundments, or containers that are subject to RCRA regulations must also follow the air emission standards in 40 CFR Subpart CC, if the output of these units have an average VOC concentration above 500 parts per million by weight (ppmw).

There are some exceptions to this regulation, including the following:

• The waste management unit was placed in use before December 1996.
• The container is less than 0.1 cubic meters in size.
• Hazardous waste is no longer being added to the tank or impoundment, and closure has begun or been completed.
• The waste management unit is located within an RCRA Corrective Action site.

In general, the air emission standards mandate that most hazardous waste tanks, impoundments, and containers must be equipped with a closed cover. These storage areas must also be fitted with controls that prevent the release of VOCs (for example, a vent with a flare) or that prevent the release of emissions altogether.

To learn more about RCRA visit our RCRA Hazardous Waste Safety Online Training web page.