[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 28 (Friday, February 9, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4992-4993]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-2919]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5420-1]
Request for Comments: Automobile Refinishing Solvent Use Survey
(ARSUS)
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501
et seq.), this notice announces that EPA is planning to submit the
following proposed and/or continuing Information Collection Request
(ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Before submitting
the ICR to OMB for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on
specific aspects of the proposed information collection as described
below.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before April 9, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Air Pollution Prevention and Control Division (MD-62),
Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Charles O. Mann, (919) 541-4593, Fax (919) 541-7891, E-mail
mann.chuck@epamail.epa.gov
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Affected entities: Entities potentially affected by this action are
those which are the owners and operators of the facilities that are
classified in any of the following SIC codes:
5511--Motor Vehicle Dealers (New and Used)
5521--Motor Vehicle Dealers (Used Only)
7532--Top, Body, and Upholstery Repair Shops and Paint Shops
7538--General Automotive Repair Shops
7539--General Automotive Repair Shops, Not Elsewhere Classified
Title: Automobile Refinishing Solvent Use Survey (ARSUS).
Abstract: This information collection is a voluntary one-time
survey of automobile refinishers requested by the Emissions
Characterization and Prevention Branch (ECPB) of the Environmental
Protection Agency's (EPA) Air Pollution and Prevention Control Division
(APPCD) to support the overall EPA program to investigate the emissions
of ozone precursors both nationally and at the metropolitan level. Data
collected are used to validate existing and proposed model-based
estimates of emissions, develop statistically valid estimates of
precursors usage in the auto refinishing industry, and investigate
functional relationships between emissions and factors that may be
useful predictors of emissions.
Automobile refinishers make extensive use of solvents in paints, in
body fillers, and for clean-up both before and after repair operations.
Most of these solvents evaporate after they are used. As volatile
organic compounds (VOC) they are precursors in the formation of ground-
level ozone. Paints used in automobile refinishing contain higher
concentrations of the more reactive VOC than do other types of paint.
In addition, there is a high degree of uncertainty in emissions
estimates for automobile refinishing. National solvent usage estimates
for the category range
[[Page 4993]]
from as low as 80,000 tons per year to as high as 286,000 tons per
year. This uncertainty, more than a factor of 3.5, is largely due to
the uncertainty in the use of thinning and cleanup solvents. It must
also be noted that this uncertainty is at the national level.
Additional uncertainty is introduced when a surrogate (such as
population or accident statistics) is used to allocate national usage
estimates to the local level.
Past automobile refinishing emission estimates are based on
national production data, distribution to regions, States, and local
areas on the basis of employment and population statistics. Solvent
emissions from automobile refinishers are currently estimated using a
per capita emission factor, which does not reflect the variability of
emissions from different shops and may misrepresent emissions from this
industry. The emission estimation method is used by State and local air
pollution agencies in the development of air emission inventories.
The voluntary survey includes a national survey of auto body repair
shops and local-area intensive surveys of 6 high-population areas. The
survey instrument collects information on the quantity and types of
materials used by the automobile refinishing facilities such as paints,
primers, cleanup solvents, etc. In addition, information on the usage
of these solvents is recorded by the survey. Usage includes details on
when (time of day, day of week and season), how (spary booths, spray
guns, etc.) and where (location of facilities) the solvents were used.
The national survey data are divided into two independent sets with
probability proportional to population. One set is used to estimate
model parameters (train the technique). The second set is used to
develop a comparison variable (validating the technique or model for
emission estimation) with an unbiased estimate of the difference
between the model estimate and the true value.
Data are collected using a combined mail and telephone survey
approach. Respondents are requested to complete on survey that requests
information on the facility, type of automobile refinishing work
conducted, solvent usage, temporal and activity variation on solvent
usage, application equipment, solvent cleaning systems, air pollution
control equipment, and local industry demographics. The telephone
survey will prompt nonrespondents and clarify survey responses.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a
currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers of EPA's
regulations are listed in 40 CFR Part 9 and 48 CFR Chapter 15.
The EPA would like to solicit comments to:
(i) evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility;
(ii) evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden
of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used;
(iii) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information
to be collected; and
(iv) minimize the burden of the collection of information on those
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic
submissions of responses.
Burden Statement: The public reporting and recordkeeping burden for
this collection of information is estimated to average 47 minutes per
response. The survey is a one-time data collection. The survey includes
5,900 field samples. An estimated 4,500 survey responses are expected.
Since we anticipate that respondents will use existing records and
equipment to respond to the survey, no capital or start-up cost burdens
are expected.
Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources
expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or
provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time
needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize
technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and
verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and
disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to
comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements;
train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information;
search data sources; complete and review the collection of information;
and transmit or otherwise disclose the information.
Dated: January 31, 1996.
Chalres O. Mann,
Chief, Emissions Characterization and Prevention Branch.
[FR Doc. 96-2919 Filed 2-8-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-M
