The new air toxics program

The 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments completely revamped the regulation of hazardous air pollutants. EPA is only now beginning to implement the new air toxics provisions, but there is some question whether the amendments will resolve all of the problems EPA faced under the original regulatory scheme. This article explains the failure of the original air toxics program under section 112 of the Clean Air Act and the amendments that attempt to remedy the shortcomings. Topics covered include the following: regulation under old section 112; regulation under new section 112; key issues to watch.