(March 08, 2010) Washington, DC – The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association
(ARMA) was notified earlier this week that Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
approved the use of 1-bromopropane as an alternative to the 1,1,1-trichlorethane specified in
Method 5A. The EPA says that this modification is acceptable for use at any asphalt processing
or manufacturing facility covered by the following regulations: 40 CFR Part 60, Subpart UU;
40 CFR Part 63, Subpart LLLLL; and 40 CFR Part 60, Subpart AAAAAAA. This solvent
replacement will reduce the use of a potential ozone depleting substance that has historically
been required for roofing industry environmental compliance related testing.
ARMA’s Health, Safety and Environment Committee and membership has been working with
EPA for nearly two years to approve a substitute solvent for use when testing stack emissions.
Roy Owens, Owens Corning’s Roofing and Asphalt Advanced Environmental Lead, who
spearheaded the ARMA efforts noted, “ARMA Members are committed to environmental
stewardship of its products and were pleased to be able to work cooperatively with the US EPA
on continuing to refine our processes and environmental testing to ensure the protection of the
planet for future generations.”
ARMA members are required by the EPA to use Method 5A testing to demonstrate compliance
with particulate matter emissions limits required by the Clean Air Act. The Montreal Protocol
and the Clean Air Act required the phasing out of production of 1,1,1-trichlorethane, a
chlorinated solvent thought to contribute to the depletion of the earth’s ozone layer, and the
until recently only solvent approved by the EPA for Method 5A emissions testing.
EPA’s official letter, titled Approval of Modifications to Method 5A for Various Reasons, can
be found at the bottom of this page: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/emc/approalt.html
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About the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association
The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) is the North American trade
association representing the manufacturers and suppliers of bituminous-based residential and
commercial fiberglass and organic asphalt shingle roofing products, roll roofing, built-up
(BUR) roofing systems, and modified bitumen roofing systems.
