TRACE-ELEMENT CONFERENCE

KGS organized a regional conference on trace elements in coal during the past fiscal year. The purpose of this conference was to provide information to the coal industry, utilities, and the general public about trace elements in coal, particularly those considered potentially hazardous. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 required the Environmental Protection Agency to investigate hazardous air pollutants (HAP's), including 13 that occur in coal. The EPA will announce its findings and intentions regarding regulation of HAP's trace elements in 1996. This conference gave attendees information about the chemistry and behavior of trace elements in coal, their occurrence and distribution, sources of information, and preliminary views of the regulatory agencies. Ninety-five participants attended this conference.