ILLINOIS POLLUTION CONTROL

BOARD

September 6, 1972

GAF CORPORATION

#72-237

v.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

OPINION

AND

ORDER OF THE BOARD (BY SAMUEL T. LAWTON, JR.)

GAF

Corporation operates a building products plant in

Lockport, Illinois, manufacturing asphalt roofing material,

automobile insulatIon, asphalt cements and coatings, with annual

sales in excess of $30,000,000, and employs approximately 700

employees. Petitioner seeks a variance from our Asbestos Regu-

lations effective June 30, 1972, with respect to its cements and

coatings department. Chrysotile asbestos fibers are processed

in the cements and coatings department, which is housed in a

separate building.

A batch consisting of asbestos, asphalt and limestone is

mixed and shipped in various-sized sealed containers. Visible

emissions of particulate matter occur from the fluffing and

pouring of asbestos into the mix. Petitioners propose to modify

their present exhaust system.with a new controlled exhaust system

for the cements and coatings department, which petitioner believes

will bring its operations into compliance with the relevant regula-

tions. The system is described as follows:

“A central cloth tube bag collector will be installed,

with fan located on the clean air side. Exhaust ducts

will be provided between the collector and each mixer,

and between the collector and the fluffer

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screw conveyor

assembly. This arrangement will apply a negative pressure

to all sources of dust generation, and prevent any asbestos

fibers from dispersing therefrom. In addition, feed hoods

will be constructed for the fluffer and #2 mixer, with

exhausts to the collector, and which will include empty

bag disposal stations, so that the dusty bags do not

leave the hoods. The gravity vent in the corner of the

Mixing Room will be removed and the opening sealed.

The installation and use of such equipment is expected

to satisfy the requirements of Rule 501 both as to visible

emission of particulate matter and emission of concentra-

tions of asbestos fibers. Such installation will enable

Petitioner to comply with Rules 502 and 504 of the Asbestos

Regulations.

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Delivery time is anticipated to be twelve weeks, with

mechanical and sheet work installation requiring five weeks and

two weeks for start-up. Petitioner anticipates that the installa-

tion will be completed by October 1, 1972. Equipment costs are

expected to be $10,200 and material and labor an additional

$14,200. The program appears to be a good one and the time re-

quested short. We believe the hardship imposed on petitioner

by insisting upon compliance greatly outweighs any possible detri-

ment to the public by its continuing operation until October 1,

1972.

The Agency has recommended an allowance subject to the posting

of a bond and the filing of progress reports. In view of the short

time remaining for which the variance is granted, a bond or progress

report are not necessary. However, in the event of an extension of

variance being sought, these proposals will be reviewed at such

time.

Accordingly, the petition for variance is granted to October 1,

1972.

This opinion constitutes the findings of fact and conclusions

of law of the Board.

IT IS THE ORDER of the Pollution Control Board that GAF

Corporation be granted a variance from Sections 501, 503 and 504 of

the Asbestos Regulations (Chapter 2, Part VI) until October 1, 1972,

to enable installation of abatement equipment as set forth in its

petition filed herein.

I, Christan Moffett, Clerk of the Illinois Pollution Control Board,

certify that the above Opinion and Order was adopted on the

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day of September, A. D. 1972, by a vote of

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