Cotton gins are subject to Federal and state environment requirements. Of primary concern to gins are the Clean Air Act (CAA) and its requirements for attainment of the air quality standard for PM-10. EPA is required by CAA to determine controls necessary for meeting national air quality standards and to develop controls standards for industry source categories of air toxics. Gins are not covered under the air toxics provisions since gins are not a source category for any of the 189 hazardous air pollutants. Also, under the CAA there are Federal operating permit (FOP) requirements -- annual fees are intended to pay for the permitting process but in some states the fees are also used to increase funding for the state air pollution regulatory agencies; and ozone-depleting chemicals, used for refrigeration, air conditioning, fire suppression and fire extinguisher and as fumigants, are being phased out. Under another statute, EPA has regulations that effect the disposal of solid waste and gins should consider waste minimization and conversion of gin trash into products of value.

To meet CAA standards and other environmental regulations and to project a responsible environmental image, gins should know and work with their local regulators and neighbors and adopt an environmental policy that is responsible and sends the right message.