HOUSTON (Oct. 12)—U.S. synthetic rubber facilities have cut volatile organic compound emissions on a production basis by 19 percent since 1996, according to a new report. The most recent Safety and Emissions Benchmarking Report issued by the Americas Section of
the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers indicates about 3.5 million pounds fewer VOCs were emitted at the SR industry´s plants last year than in 1996, according to James McGraw, IISRP managing director and CEO. "The most significant improvement occurred during the 1999-2000 period when SARA Title 313 Emissions dropped 23 percent on a production basis," McGraw said. Hazardous air pollutants from the facilities also dropped 20 percent in the period, he said.