Report on BAT Levels concerning By-product Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in TCPA Derivatives (Other than Solvent Red 135) and Phthalocyanine Derivatives Released

In April 2006, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) established an "Assessment Committee on the BAT* Levels for Reduction of a Specified Chemical as a Contaminant By-product" to evaluate the technically and economically best feasible level (BAT level) for the reduction of by-product HCB.

The Committee had conducted hearings with producers and importers of TCPA derivatives other than Solvent Red 135 (e.g. Pigment Yellow 110 (CAS No. 5590-18-1) and Pigment Yellow 138 (CAS No. 30125-47-4)), and of Phthalocyanine derivatives (e.g. Pigment Green 7 (CAS No. 1328-53-6, 14832-14-5) and Pigment Green 36 (CAS No. 14302-13-7, 68512-13-0)) to evaluate the BAT for reducing HCB. In February 2007, the three Ministries published the draft report of the Committee and invited public comments on it. Taking the comments into consideration, the Committee finalized its report** on April 12, 2007, proposing BAT levels for reduction of by-product HCB in these chemicals (10ppm for TCPA derivatives other than Pigment Yellow 138, and for Pigment Green 36).

* Best Available Technology/Techniques
** This is the Committee's second report which follows the "Report on BAT Levels concerning By-product HCB in TCPA and Solvent Red 135" published in November, 2006.

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