Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/491377
STiR tea & coffee industry international 17 small equipment that are widely used. Coffee roasters are one such category." Rule 1153.1 for commercial food ovens in SCAQMD is one example. Adopted in November of 2014, it applies to dry roast- ers with fuel combustion and sets limits for nitrous oxide and carbon monoxide emissions. With the potential for future amendments to district rules if the national standard changes, small and medium roasters will find themselves at greater risk of being found noncompliant. Particulates a problem California EPA's Office of Environmental Health Hazard As- sessment released a study in February establishing a link between long-term exposure to ultrafine particles in the air and heart dis- ease in women. Researchers followed over 100,000 Californian women from 2000 to 2007. They matched data from 8,000 of those who participated with particulate matter surveillance mea- sures and health records. "Ultrafine" included particles of 2.5 microns and is the stuff of smoke," said lead author Dr. Bart Ostro, former chief of OEHHA's air pollution epidemiology section. "Smoky exhaust is why small to medium coffee roasters in urban settings pay attention to particulate matter. The announce- ment of this study may give them another." "Our findings suggest that ultrafine particles may have a significant impact on public health." Already, the national EPA standard for particles are set at 12 micrograms per cubic meter of air in order to minimize health issues. Unlike ozone, regional compliance with this standard is an annual measurement and one that means small roasters could do less. However, in urban settings, if a neighbor complains about roasting exhaust, be prepared to make some equipment changes. "Air Districts can require emissions mitigation where nui- sance complaints have been verified," said Westbrook. Roasters: Protect yourselves Small and medium-sized roasters probably will not need to get an air permit under California source-specific rules for months or years to come, if ever. The only way to be sure is to stay in- formed about rules and rulemaking in your air quality district. Westbrook said, "Even if an air permit is not required, roast- ers may need to keep records to prove an exemption can be claimed, especially if using VOC-containing solvents." Anyone selling gas-fired equipment in California is required to meet stringent emissions standards. When purchasing a roast- er or an afterburner, be sure to ask for proof of compliance. What should roasters in the rest of the United States do? Robert Austin, president and c.e.o. of Loring Smart Roast, Inc. said, "[Southern California] is probably the leader in this area – and other areas in the US are following, or at least watching." California's best practices for air quality compliance apply everywhere: know what your district requires and choose com- pliant equipment. Tecnomeccanica: a complete range of teabag machines. www.acmavolpak.com Tecnomeccanica is ACMAVOLPAK's brand dedicated to the Tea sector. ACMAVOLPAK, a Coesia Company, is a leading business in the development and commercialization of packaging machinery and integrated packaging solutions for the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods Industry, backed by a strong technological know-how in Flexible Pouch Form-Fill-Seal, Wrapping, Flow Wrapping, Bottle Filling, Capsule Filling and Tea Bagging sectors. ACMAVOLPAK works constantly in partnership with its customers in co-creating and producing innovative packaging lines, in order to satisfy and even exceed their expectations. coesia companies ACMAVOLPAK - ADMV - CIMA - CITUS - KALIX - FLEXLINK - G.D. - GDM - HAPA - IPI - LAETUS - NORDEN - R.A JONES - SACMO - SASIB Available in: • single chamber • double chamber • full leaf" Mezza Pagina Tea & coffee 03-2015.indd 1 05/03/2015 14:29:35 NEWS