New York Sea Grant's
Marina Pollution Prevention Web Site

Section 2: Painting & Fiberglass Repair - Fiberglassing

Potential Environmental Impacts:

The processes involved in fiberglassing, whether using epoxy, polyester, or vinylester resins for small or big jobs, can have environmental impacts. Some of the materials used in the fiberglassing process can be dangerous to workers. Some resins, catalysts and the solvents used for cleanup can be flammable, irritate the skin and respiratory system, and may cause cancer.

Best Management Practices:

Minimize waste by working with small batches of resin.

Avoid putting liquid hardener in the trash, since it can spontaneously combust when mixed with sawdust and other materials.

Regulatory Issues:

Styrene, the primary component of gelcoat and other polyester resins, is an ignitable chemical. Therefore, cans or containers of waste resins may be regulated as ignitable hazardous waste [40 CFR 262.11 click here]. Certain hardeners and accelerators may also be regulated as hazardous waste. For more information on New York hazardous waste testing, management, and storage requirements, click here.

Chlorinated solvents and the rags used to apply them must be managed as hazardous waste [40 CFR 262.11 click here]. For more information on New York hazardous waste management, and storage requirements, click here. Also see "Rags" fact sheet for more information, click here.

If you store over 10,000 pounds of any hazardous substance requiring an MSDS (such as a solvent), you must comply with the reporting requirements under Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA) [40 CFR 355, click here]. For more information on EPCRA requirements, click here.

If you manufacture hulls or decks for recreational boats made from fiberglass or aluminum and emit 10 tons or more per year of any one federally designated hazardous air pollutant (HAP) like styrene, toluene, or xylene, and/or 25 tons or more per year of all HAPs combined, several EPA air emission standards must be followed [40 CFR 63, Subpart VVVV, click here]. Contact New York State Department of Conservation's Division of Air Resources, Bureau of Stationary Sources at (518) 402-8403 for more information. For information on New York's air regulations related to marinas, click here.

If there is a stormwater discharge from your facility and you perform fiberglassing outdoors, you may have to register for a General Permit for the Discharge of Storm Water Associated with Industrial Activity ("Storm Water General Permit"). For more information on storm water permitting in New York, click here.