Why is EPA proposing to amend the F019 hazardous waste listing?
A. When aluminum is incorporated into the body of a vehicle, the chemical conversion coating step in the vehicle manufacturing (assembly) process generates F019 hazardous waste, according to the current F019 listing description. However, wastewater treatment sludges generated from the conversion coating of vehicle bodies made of steel without aluminum are not F019 hazardous wastes. Therefore, according to the motor vehicle manufacturing industry, the existing F019 hazardous waste listing provides a barrier for using aluminum in motor vehicle manufacturing. In an effort to seek an exclusion from the F019 hazardous waste listing, the motor vehicle manufactures submitted facility-specific “delisting” petitions. The industry later asked EPA to consider the equivalent of a national exemption for the F019 hazardous waste. Such an exemption would result in considerable savings to industry without affecting environmental protectiveness. EPA decided to address this nationally by amending the F0
