Vehicle Painting

Painting operations generate both solid and hazardous wastes including waste solvent, paint, sandblasting grit and rags and can also produce air emissions and discharges to wastewater treatment plants.

Vehicle painting often is conducted in an enclosed room or booth which has positive pressure ventilation to assure that paint fumes leave the room, rather than being inhaled by the painter. To minimize air pollution, air filters are placed in the vents and changed regularly.

Vehicle painting also includes changing and disposing these filters. If significant quantities of paints containing hazardous materials are used or if the local government is located in a designated geographic area, air emissions from painting operations may be regulated under the Clean Air Act which may specify the type of ventilation system and the frequency at which filters must be changed.

Disposal of air filters, waste paints and thinners are regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Preparing a vehicle for painting (e.g. stripping, sanding) may also be regulated under RCRA because such activities may result in a hazardous waste.

For more information, visit EPA's Vehicle Painting Web site.