EPA-450/2-76-001
          FEBRUARY 1976
          (OAQPS NO. 1.2-038)
                                  OAQPS GUIDELINES
                      AEROS MANUAL SERIES
                                       VOLUME I:
                             AEROS OVERVIEW
                                                     DOC
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               U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
                   Office of Air and Waste Management
                Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards
               Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711

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                                       EPA-450/2-76-001
                                   (OAQPS NO. 1.2-038)

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           AEROS  MANUAL  SERIES

                     VOLUME I:
               AEROS OVERVIEW
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                    National Air Data Branch
               Monitoring and Data Analysis Division


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             IU. S . ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
                Office of Air and Waste Management
             Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards
             Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711

                       February 1976


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This report is issued by the Environmental Protection Agency to report
technical data of interest to a limited number of readers.  Copies are        •
available free of charge to Federal employees,  current contractors and      •
grantees, and nonprofit organizations - as supplies permit - from the
Air Pollution Technical Information Center, Environmental Protection        _
Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711; or, for a fee,       •
from the National Technical Information Service,  5285 Port Royal Road,      ™
Springfield,  Virginia 22161.
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                Publication No. EPA-450/2-76-001                          •

                     (OAQPS No.  1.2-038)
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                    TABLE OF CONTENTS


1.0.0    INTRODUCTION                                   1.0.0-1
             AEROS Definition 	 1.1.0-1
             AEROS Function 	 1.2.0-1
             AEROS Subsystems 	 1.3.0-1

2.0.0    HISTORY OF AEROS                               2.0.0-1
2.1.0        Aerometric and Emissions Reporting
                 System (AEROS) 	 2.1.0-1
2.2.0        National Emissions Data System (NEDS). .   . 2.2.0-1
2.3.0        Storage and Retrieval of Aerometric
                 Data (SAROAD)	2.3.0-1

3.0.0    OVERVIEW OF SYSTEMS                            3.0.0-1
3.1.0        Introductory Overview	3.1.0-1
3.1.1            Major AEROS Systems, NEDS and
                     SAROAD 	 3.1.1-1
3.1.2            Other AEROS Systems	3.1.2-1

4.0.0    AEROS MANAGEMENT                               4.0.0-1
4.1.0        Organizations Supporting AEROS 	 4.1.0-1
4.2.0        State Reponsibilities	4.2.0-1
4.2.1            Quarterly SIP Reports	4.2.1-1
4.2.2            Semiannual SIP Reports 	 4.2.2-1
4.3.0        EPA Regional Office Responsibilities  . .   . 4.3.0-1
4.4.0        NADB Responsibilities	4.4.0-1
4.4.1            Data Processing Section (DPS)	4.4.1-1
4.4.2            Systems Development Section (SDS). .   . 4.4.2-1
4.4.3            Emission Factors Section (EFS) .... 4.4.3-1
4.4.4            Requests and Information
                     Section (RIS)	4.4.4-1

5.0.0    SYSTEM PHILOSOPHY                              5.0.0-1
5.1.0        Management Objectives	5.1.0-1
5.1.1            Legislative, Public and EPA Re-
                     quirements for Air Data	5.1.1-1
5.1.2            AEROS System Development and
                     Program Library	5.1.2-1
5.1.3            Data Collection and Flow, Files
                     Creation and Maintenance 	 5.1.3-1
5.1.4            Interactive and Batch Access of
                     Files and Request Processing  . .   . 5.1.4-1
5.1.5            Non-EPA Access of Files	5.1.5-1
5.1.6            Training 	 5.1.6-1
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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION introduction
CHAPTER AEROS Definition
SUBJECT
— 	 	 1
SECTION
1
1
CHAPTER
1
SUBJECT
0
DATE PAGE
1/3/76 1
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     The Aerometric and Emissions Reporting System (AEROS) was established
by the Environmental Protection Agency to serve as a management information
system for EPA's air pollution research and control programs.  As such,
AEROS is mainly concerned with the collection, processing, and reporting
of basic air pollution data.  Various supplementary data files are also
maintained to provide additional information valuable for the preparation
and analysis of air pollution data.

     The most important aspect of AEROS is as a reporting system.  Figure
1.1.0-a illustrates how AEROS reports can meet a number of user require-
ments.  Standard AEROS reports are published periodically and are available
from the EPA Air Pollution Technical Information Center (APTIC) at Research
Triangle Park, NC or the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) in
Springfield, Va.  Many of the standard published reports and a number of ad-
ditional standard reports are also readily available from the National Air
Data Branch (NADB), Research Triangle Park, NC or from the ten EPA Regional
Offices.  To meet requirements not met by standard AEROS reports, it is also
often possible to restructure and report data as required in response to
special requests.

     The input forms, procedures, computer programs, data files and reports
that are the basic components of AEROS are under the management of the
National Air Data Branch.  These elements are utilized to form a compre-  .
hensive system for the collection, maintenance, and reporting of AEROS data.
NADB is the agency which coordinates all these activities.  Actual data are
collected and submitted by state agencies as required for SIP reporting re-
quirements.  The ten EPA Regional Offices are responsible for the receipt,

                               1.1.C-l
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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY

NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH

VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION introduction


CHAPTER AEROS Definition

SUBJECT


SECTION
1

CHAPTER
1

SUBJECT
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DATE PAGE

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preliminary data processing, error correction and submittal of data to NADB.
Regional Offices also support AEROS users in their region.

     As indicated in Figure 1.1.0-a the major data components of AEROS are
ambient air quality data and air pollution source and emissions data.   The
ambient air quality data consists of air quality monitoring site descriptions
and the air quality data reported by measuring instruments  at these sites,
together with the appropriate pollutant and method codes required to identi-
fy the pollutants or meteorological parameters which are reported.  The
source and emissions data included in AEROS consist of descriptive informa-
tion about air pollutant emission sources and estimated annual emissions
along with the data required to calculate the emissions for each source.
When available, results of source emissions tests are also  stored in AEROS.
The additional data elements indicated in Figure 1.1.0-a are incorporated
in AEROS primarily although these additional data may also  be of value for
other purposes.

     In addition to Volume I, there are four additional AEROS volumes which
describe AEROS operations in more detail.  Volume II is the AEROS User's
Manual, which gives instructions for users to input data tp_ AEROS, along
with detailed systems descriptions.  Volume III, the AEROS Summary and Re-
trieval Manual, is intended for those who want to obtain data from AEROS.
Volume  III describes AEROS reports, how they may be used, and gives in-
structions on how to obtain them.  Volume IV is the NADB Internal Opera-
tions Manual, which documents, in detail, all NADB  procedures related to
AEROS.  Certain portions of Volume IV may be of interest to persons interes-
ted in  all details of AEROS operations, but is intended mainly as a guide
for NADB personnel.  Volume V is the AEROS Coding Manual.  It contains

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION Introduction
CHAPTER AEROS Definition
SUBJECT
SECTION
1
CHAPTER SUBJECT
1 0
^ DATE PAGE
1/3/76 3
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tables of standard codes required for AEROS data coding and serves as a

companion to Volume II for users who want to input data.  These manuals are

designed to be flexible and responsive to the changing aspects of a large

dynamic data handling system.   To accommodate this flexibility, the manuals

are produced in looseleaf form with replaceable sections.
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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION Introduction
CHAPTER AEROS Definition
SUBJECT
SECTION
1
CHAPTER
1
SUBJECT
0
DATE PAGE
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         SOURCE/EMISSIONS DATA
                                                           AIR QUALITY DATA
|	
                      ~1
     SOURCE LOCATIONS
   AND CHARACTERISTICS
      AIR POLLUTION
    INFORMATION NEEDS

EMISSIONS INFORMATION NEEDS
    DISPERSION MODELING
      TR'END

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X
X
\
}
s
COMPUTER OPERATIONS
O 0 0 o ©
=
/
                                                            r~
SUMMARIZATIONS
                           FREQUENCY

                          DISTRIBUTION

                          CALCULATIONS
                                            EMISSIONS
                                          CALCULATIONS
                                                APPORTIONING
                                                 TECHNIQUES
                                   PROGRAM
                                 DEVELOPMENT
            Figure 1.1.0-a.  Aerometric and emissions reporting system (AEROS).


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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION introduction
CHAPTER AEROS Function
SUBJECT
SECTION
1
CHAPTER
2
SUBJECT
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DATE PAGE
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     The use and purpose of AEROS is to provide hard  data  and  basic  in-
formation for:

     1.  Evaluation of plans and strategies to meet national ambient air
         quality standards (in support of Sections  107,  108, 109,  110 of
         the Clean Mr Act).
     2.  Evaluation of emissions and control  equipment for the development
         of new sources performance standards (in support  of Section 111)
         and mobile source emissions standards setting  (Sections 202 and
         231).
     3.  Support of hazardous pollutants enforcement  by  EPA (Section 112),
         general enforcement actions by EPA (Section  113), and inspection/
         monitoring and other recordkeeping (Section  114).
     4.  Determination of the status, projections,  and  trends  of air pol-
         lution for reports and progress evaluation (Sections  304, 312, and
         313).
     5.  Studies of fuels, their usage and availability  (Sections  104, 211,
         312, and 318).
     6.  Research on monitoring of sources and ambient  air for modeling in
         programs such as the Regional Air Pollution  Study (Section  103).
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            ENVIRONMENTAL
           PROTECTION AGENCY
   NATIONAL AIR
   DATA BRANCH
    VOLUME I.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION  introduction

CHAPTER  AERQS subsystems

SUBJECT
                                                        SECTION
                                                           1
         CHAPTER
            3
SUBJECT
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DATE           PAGE

1/3/76           1
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         So far,  AEROS has  been described  as  one  unified  air pollution  data
    management system.  However, many users  interact with only certain  AEROS
    subsystems, some of which are capable  of  functioning  as  independent data
    systems by themselves.   An overview of each of these  subsystems  is  given
    in Section 3, but as a  reference to those interested  in  identifying the
    component subsystems of AEROS, the pr'ncipal  subsystems  are listed  below:

         1.   The  National Emissions Data System (NEDS), which stores  and re-
             ports source and emissions-related data for  the five  criteria
             pollutants (particulates, SOx, NOx,  CO, and  hydrocarboms).
         2.   The  Storage and Retrieval  of  Aerometric Data SAROAD)  system,
             which stores and reports information relating to ambient air
             quality.
         3.   The  Hazardous  and Trace Substance Emissions  System (HATREMS),
             which stores and reports sources and emissions  data for  non-
             criteria  pollutants.
         4.   The  Source Test Data (SOTDAT) system,  which  stores and retrieves
             relevant  technical  data collected during source emission measure-
             ments (i.e., stack tests).
         5.   The  State Implementation Plans (SIPS)  regulation system, which
             provides  retrievals of EPA-approved  state air pollution  control
             regulations.
         6.   The  Emissions  History Information System (EHIS), which provides
             historical  trends information on nationwide  emissions, and may
             also function  as a computerized  technique for examination  of air
             pollutant emissions scenarios.
         7.   The  Weighted Sensitivity Analysis Program (WSAP),  which  operates

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY J
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION introduction
CHAPTER AEROS Subsystems
SUBJECT
SECTION
1
CHAPTER SUBJECT
3 0
DATE PAGE
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on NEDS data to compute the variance which can be tolerated in
the emission estimate for each source category in order that some
overall user-specified limit shall not be exceeded.
The Source Inventory and Emission Factor Analysis (SIEFA) program,
which complements WSAP by computing the actual (as opposed to
allowable) imprecision in emission estimates for each source
category in NEDS due to imprecision in emission inventory tech-
niques and source data.
The Computer Assisted Area Source Emissions (CAASE) gridding sys-
tem, which performs the calculations to apportion NEDS county
emissions totals to sub-county, gridded areas,,
The Regional Emissions Projection System (REPS), which may be used
to make regional emission projections up to the year 2000.
                             1.3.0-2
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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION History of AEROS
CHAPTER Aerometric and Emis-
sions Reporting
System (AEROS)
SUBJECT
SECTION
2
CHAPTER SUBJECT
1 0
DATE PAtif
1/3/76 1
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     In 1972 the Office of Air and Waste Management formed the National
Air Data Branch (NADB) in Durham, North Carolina.  This organization has the
responsibility to amass source, emission, air quality, and related data
from 55 states and territories into a single national air data management
system at one location under one centralized administrative body.  NADB in-
cludes the groups that developed the National Emissions Data System (NEDS)
and the Storage and Retrieval of Aerometric Data (SAROAD) system.  It be-
came clear to NADB management that there were many common problems in the
collection, maintenance, and use of the NEDS and SAROAD systems.  Similar
control procedures are required to manage receipt and processing of forms.
Often the same people in both NADB and the Regional Offices are involved in
processing NEDS and SAROAD data.  Access to the systems requires use of the
same terminals and equipment.  These factors have led to a steady evolution
toward standard procedures, techniques, and documentation for the two sys-
tems.

     The Aerometric and Emissions Reporting System AEROS) is the system
which resulted from this evolutionary development of NEDS and SAROAD.  AEROS
was chosen for the name, because it gives equal weight to both aerometric
and emissions data; it emphasizes that the system is a reporting system,
and while the acronym AEROS represents the distinction between aerometric
and emissions data, AEROS also stands for aerosystem--therefore represent-
ing a complete, integrated system for air data.

     In 1973 and 1974, it became apparent that EPA had an expanded need for
data additional to those contained in NEDS/SAROAD and that the vsriety of
data files maintained internally within NEDS'SAROAD could be separately and

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION History of AEROS
CHAPTER Aerometric and Emis-
sions Reporting
SUBJECT S^Stem (AER°S)
SECTION CHAF
2
DATE
1/3/76
>TER SUBJECT
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independently used by data bank "customers."  For these reasons, the con-
cept of AEROS was expanded from an integrated NEDS/SAROAD data system to one
which now encompasses other information systems such as source test data
(SOTDAT), hazardous air pollutant sources (HATREMS), and computerized air
pollution laws and regulations (SIPS).  These systems are in varying stages
of development and are described in detail in Section 3.

     AEROS systems were originally installed on an IBM 360-50 machine located
in Research Triangle Park, NC.  At that time all EPA Regional Offices had
access to AEROS via interactive terminals with the capability for batch
and/or remote-batch requests.  In 1973, EPA purchased a UNIVAC 1110 and,
subsequently in 1974, all AEROS programs were converted to the configura-
tions required by UNIVAC.  NADB is continuing to enhance AEROS such that
full advantage of the UNIVAC machine can be taken.  Interactive and batch
use of AEROS by the Regional Offices (via the UNIVAC 1110) is being imple-
mented and expanded, although all AEROS reports can now be obtained directly
from the National Air Data Branch.

     Since the history of AEROS prior to 1972 is essentially the histories
of NEDS and SAROAD, the development of these systems is discussed in the
following chapters.
2.1.0-2
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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY

NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION History of AEROS

CHAPTER National Emissions
Data System (NEDS)
SUBJECT

SECTION
2

CHAPTER
2

SUBJECT
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DATE PAGE

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     The development of NEDS was initiated in late 1971.  Previously, source/
emissions data had been collected by various agencies but had usually not
been stored in any common format.  A wide variety of techniques had been
used to collect and report the data.  Thus, it was very difficult to re-
late the emissions data from one location to those for another location and
produce meaningful reports that could be made readily available to interes-
ted individuals.  NEDS was created to provide a centralized source/emissions
data bank for which standard input forms would be used and output reports
could be quickly and efficiently generated to meet the requirements of the
majority of users of source/emissions data.

     Data collection and systems design were begun simultaneously by in-
house personnel.  Standard point and area source coding forms were designed.
Available data, chiefly from emission inventories compiled by or for state
and local air pollution agencies as a part of the requirements for prepara-
tion, adoption, and submittal of implementation plans under Section 110 of
the Clean Air Act, were collected and coded on the standard input forms.
This effort involved all EPA Regional Offices and numerous contractors, in
addition to NADB personnel and the various state and local agencies.  The
general sequence in which data were collected was as follows:

     1.  NADB personnel coded all data available in EPA.
     2.  NADB personnel coded data available from state agencies.
     3.  NADB and Regional Office contractors collected items not previously
         obtained through the above efforts.
     4.  States participated in providing complete data bases or in making
         additions cr corrections necessary for validation of the data base

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION History of AEROS
CHAPTER National Emissions
Data Systems CNEDS)
SUBJECT
SECTION
2
CHAPTER
2
SUBJECT
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DATE PAGE
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         and assumed responsibility for keeping the data current and up
         to date.

     NEDS systems development provided for organization of the data into
two files: point source and area source.  The point source file provided
for storage of approximately 80 data items for an individual source.  A
point source in NEDS is generally defined as any major stationary source
emitting more than a specified amount of pollutants per year.  The area
source file provided only a record for each county equivalent in the U.S.
with sufficient data to estimate emissions for all sources in the county not
recorded as point sources in NEDS.  Area sources, therefore, usually include
small stationary sources such as domestic and commercial heating, all
mobile sources, and miscellaneous sources.  NEDS was originally operable
on an IBM 360-50 computer, but since the installation of a UNIVAC 1110 at
EPA's Research Triangle Park, NC facility, all NEDS operations have been
or are being converted to UNIVAC-compatible software.

     The responsibility for NEDS data collection and error corrections
was entirely decentralized in 1973 to the state agencies and EPA Regional
Offices, whereas the authority to insert data into the NEDS system remains
centralized in NADB.  Pursuant to the Federal regulation 40 CFR 51.7 (Prepar-
ation, Adoption and Submission of Implementation Plans), state agencies are
required to make semiannual reports for selected point sources in the stand-
ard NEDS format.  These data submittals are the chief vehicle for updating
the NEDS point source data.  The semiannual reports are supplemented by
voluntary data submittals by states, reflecting changes in their own source/
emissions data files.  The National Air Data Branch retains the primary re-
sponsibility for updating area source data.  NADB performs annual area source

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION H1story of AERQS
CHAPTER National Emissions
Data Systems (NEDS)
SUBJECT
SECTION
2
CHAPTER
2
SUBJECT
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DATE PAGE
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updates, supplemented with data voluntarily submitted by state agencies

for improvement of the data base.


     In the short time that NEDS has been in existence, the point source

file has grown rapidly to include data for more than 94,000 emissions

sources at nearly 34,000 facilities throughout the country.  The area

source file, with one record per county (or county equivalent), contains

about 3,200 records.
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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION History of AEROS
CHAPTER Storage and Retrieval
of Aerometric Data
SUBJECT (SAROA°)
SECTION
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CHAPTER
3
SUBJECT
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     Development of SAROAD was preceded by early programs for the col-
lection of air quality and associated meterological data.  The National
Air Sampling Network (NASN) was developed in 1953 as the first nationwide
air monitoring system.  When Congress passed Public Law 159 in 1955, the
present policy that state and local governments have the fundamental re-
sponsibility for dealing with community air pollution problems was estab-
lished.  Subsequently the scope of NASN broadened tremendously, both in
geographical and pollutant coverage.  The passage of the Clean Air Act of
1963, authorizing the awarding of grants directly to state and local agen-
cies for maintenance of their own control programs, produced an additional
need for dissemination of air pollution data.   This need generated the
idea for creation of a national air quality data bank and, by 1966, the
SAROAD computer system had been developed.  SAROAD handles the flow of data
into and out of the bank, including data preparation, validation, and re-
trieval.  The set of physical files and the data contained therein, upon
which SAROAD operates, is known as the National Aerometric Data Bank.
SAROAD formats and coding structures were organized into three categories:
parameters, sites, and data.  Parameters are codes identifying the pollu-
tant or meterological data item which is measured along with the methods
of collection and sample analysis used.  Sampling sites are identified by
a series of geographical codes along with descriptive information about
the site.  The air quality data must be identified with the appropriate
parameter and site codes along with codes to define sampling interval and
units in order to be accepted in SAROAD format.

     Since the development of SAROAD, there has been a large increase in
the number of agencies operating air sampling  networks.  From the fewer
than 200 contributing stations in 1966, the SAROAD site file has grown
to approximately 4,000 operational sites.  An  additional 3,000 monitoring

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION History of AEROS
CHAPTER Storage and Retrieval
of Aerometric Data
SUBJECT (SAR°AD)
SECTION
2
CHAPTER SUBJECT
3 0
DATE PAGE
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stations may become operational  in the next several  years as the result
of attainment of State Implementation Plans.  There  are currently over
58,000,000 aerometric data values in the data bank with approximately
15,000,000 values updated annually.   Historically, data were submitted to
SAROAD on a voluntary basis by EPA programs and by state and local  agen-
cies.  Almost all SAROAD data have been collected by groups outside the
National Air Data Branch, although considerable effort has been expended
by NADB and contractor personnel to convert available data to SAROAD
format.  This data-conversion effort began in 1969-1970 to enter all avail-
able valid data into the data bank.   All together, about 9,000 sites have
been defined and have submitted data.  Many cf these sites have discontinued
operation, since only about 4,000 sites are presently operational.   Vlith
the implementation of Federal reporting requirements (40 CFR 51.7)  in 1972,
which require state agencies to submit quarterly reports on air quality
data, the volume of data processed has increased to  its present level.
State agencies were required to submit, in SAROAD format, all data  gathered
from the air quality surveillance network required under the State Imple-
mentation Plan.  This was the principal mechanism for updating SAROAD, al-
though a considerable amount of data for non-SIP sites and non-criteria
pollutants were reported as well.
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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION overview of Systems
CHAPTER Introductory
Overview
SUBJECT
SECTION
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DATE PAGE
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     AEROS is a computerized data handling and reporting system developed
and maintained by the National Air Data Branch of EPA for the management
of numerous types of air pollutant information.  AEROS accepts as input
numerous kinds of information supplied by many groups outside of EPA, stores
this information along with various internally supplied supporting data,
and utilizes both types of information to output a wide variety of reports
which may be needed in air pollution research and control activities.

     Strictly speaking, AERCS is not one single system but, rather, is a
network of interrelated systems, each of which is capable of providing a
special data-management function.  Because all of these systems are main-
tained by EPA in one centralized location (the National Air Data Branch)
and because nany share certain elements in common (e.g., standardized
codes, procedures, documentation, etc.), it is advantageous from a con-
ceptual standpoint to conceive of these various systems as providing one
basic function—air pollution data management.

     The purpose of this chapter is to describe briefly the network of
systems which comprise AEROS, including the nature of the data required as
input, the way the data are stored, and the types of reports generated.
For more specifics in any of these areas, the reader is referred to subse-
quent volumes of this manual.
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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION Overview of Systems
CHAPTER Introductory Overview
SUBJECT Major AEROS Systems —
NEDS and SAROAD
SECTION
3
CHAPTER
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DATE PAGE
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     The major systems which comprise AEROS are NEDS (National Emissions
Data System) and SAROAD (Storage and Retrieval of Aerometric Data).  NEDS
deals with source and emissions information, whereas SAROAD deals with ambi-
ent air quality.  An overview of these systems follows.

3.1.1.1 NEDS
     The National Emissions Data System is a computerized data handling
system which accepts, stores, and reports on information relating to sources
of any of the five criteria pollutants (particulates, SOx, NOx, CO, and
hydrocarbons).  In NEDS, a major distinction is made between two types of
sources:  point sources and area sources.  Point sources, in the broadest
sense, are stationary sources large enough to be identified and tracked
individually; although, per NEDS reporting requirements, they are any plants
with a potential of emitting more than 100 tons/year of any of the criteria
pollutants.  Area sources, on the other hand, are those stationary and mo-
bile sources which individually emit much less than 100 tons/year and are
too small and too numerous to keep individual records on. In NEDS, area
sources are considered collectively on a county basis.   A large boiler
within a power plant would be an example of a point source, whereas a single
automobile is an example of the type of source considered collectively as
an area source.

     In NEDS, all source-related data are entered into  the system via
specially formed point and area source coding forms and are stored in
separate point and area source files.  The type of data stored in the sys-
tem for point and area sources is somewhat different and is described
below.
     Point Source Data
         General  source information - Name, address, types of source,

                                3.1.1-1
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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION Overview of Systems
CHAPTER introductory Overview
SUBJECT Major AEROS Systems--
NEDS and SAROAD
SECTION
3
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             year of record,  comments,  etc.
         Emissions data -  Operating or  production  rate,  estimated  emis-
             sions, EPA calculated emissions,  control  device  type  and
             efficiency on each criteria  pollutant,  etc.
         Modeling parameters  - UTM coordinates of  source,  stack  height,
             and diameter, exhaust gas  temperature,  and  flow  rate.
         Compliance information - Allowable  emissions, applicable  control
             regulations,  compliance status, and schedules, etc.

     Area Source Data
         General source information - Name and location  of area  (county)
             source, population, year of  record.
         Activity levels - Countywide activity level  of  each  type  of area
             source (e.g., tons of coal burned in  all  domestic cpace heat-
             ing equipment in a county).
         Emissions data -  Emission estimates for the entire county (for
             each pollutant)  as well as for  each area  source  category.

     Currently in NEDS, information is  being maintained  on approximately
94,000 point sources and about 3,200 area (county) sources in the  55 states
and territories of the United States.  The point source  total will  fluctu-
ate as additional sources  are reported, new  sources  come into operation,  or
old sources cease operations, whereas the number of  area sources is fixed
by the number of counties.

     The information contained in these files changes  too. As plants  add
to, modify, or change the  operation of  their equipment,  utilize  different
fuels, etc., the point source data must continuously be  updated  to reflect

                                  3.1.1-2
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ENVIRONMENTAL
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NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION Overview of Systems
CHAPTER Introductory Overview
SUBJECT Major AEROS Systems--
NEDS and SAROAD
SECTION CHAF
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these changes.  Likewise, as the activity levels of the various area
sources change (e.g., more vehicle-miles may be traveled by automobiles
in a county, more oil and less gas may be burned for home heating, etc.)
their records must likewise be updated.  It is the responsibility of the
states (as required by Federal regulations) to maintain the point source
data.  Area source data, because of their composite nature, are generally
maintained centrally by NADB, although state-supplied data will be ac-
cepted if they are more accurate.  All data submitted are edited and
validated prior to being accepted into the system.

     In addition to the point and area source files, emission factor files
are maintained by NADB as a part of NEDS.  Emission factaors are essential-
ly conversion factors which, when multiplied by the operating rate of a
point source or activity level of an area source, yield emission estimates
of each pollutant for that source.  Emission factors are an important
concept in NEDS because they enable emission estimates to be made for a
source when no source test information is available.

     The most important function of NEDS is report generation.  Output re-
ports obtainable from NEDS range from reports on individual point and area
sources to sophisticated summary reports which aggregate the data in a
variety of ways and condense the data form many sources into one report.
Also, because of the file design employed in NEDS, numerous selection and
sorting criteria can be specified by the user of the system.  This allows
one, for a given output report, to specify which sources from the entire
file are selected and the manner in which the information on the output
report is arranged.  As an exarrple, the user could have specified that the

                                 3.1.1-3

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION Overview of Systems
CHAPTER Introductory Overview
SUBJECT Major AEROS Systems--
NEDS and SAROAD
SECTION
3
CHAPTER SUBJECT
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report include only information on sources in a given geographical  area

and have the output arranged in order of descending amounts of pollutants

emitted.


     The following describes the more important reports available from

NEDS.  This is not necessarily a complete list since NEDS is continually-

being expanded to facilitate additional user needs.


     Complete point or area source listing - These reports include  in a

         standard format, all of the source and emissions data stored in

         NEDS for individual point or area sources.  This includes  all

         of the data supplied to NEDS on point end area source input forms

         as well as any emission estimates calculated by EPA through the

         use of emission factors.


     Condensed point source listing - This report yields an abbreviated

         listing of data items for each point source, including the plant

         name, location, control device (and efficiency thereof) and the

         emissions associated therewith.


     Emissions summary report - This report outputs, for a specified

         geographical area, emissions of each of the criteria pollutants

         associated with all of the source categories represented in NEDS

         as well as the total emissions for all source categories.


     Area Source fuel summary listing - This report shows the amounts of

         various types of fuels consumed by major user categories (resi-

         dential, commerical/institutional, and industrial) for a


                                   3.1.1-4

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ENVIRONMENTAL
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NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION Overview of Systems
CHAPTER Introductory Overview
SUBJECT Major AEROS Systems--
NEDS and SAROAD
SECTION CHAF
3
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    specified geographical area.  This summary includes area source
    records only.

 Plant emissions report - This report presents a listing of the names
    of plants in NEDS and the emissions associated with each plant.

 Fuel summary listing - This report shows the fuel amounts consumed
    by all stationary and mobile source categories for a specified
    geographical area.  This report includes both point and area
    source records.

 SCC (Source Classification Code) emissions report - This report shows
    each SCC, the number of times that SCC occurs within a speci-
    fied geographical area, and the total emissions for each of the
    five pollutants associated with each SCC.  (Note that a SCC
    is a code used in NEDS to represent different kinds of point
    source categories.)

Allowed vs. actual emissions - This report shows, for each point
    source, the emissions that point is allowed to discharge by law
    as well as an estimate of the amount of each pollutant that is
    actually being emitted.

Missing items report - This  report totals the data items that are
    missing in the point source records for any geographical  area
    of interest.

Again,  numerous  selection and sort criteria are available to  the

                             3.1.1-5
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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION Overview of Systems
CHAPTER Introductory Overview
SUBJECT Major AEROS Systems--
NEDS and SAROAD
SECTION
3
CHAPTER SUBJECT
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user to enable him to specify which point and area source records are
utilized in any of these reports and in what order the output should be
arranged.  For more details of the NEDS report generating capabilities and
of the various selection and sort criteria which are available,  the reader
should consult Volume III.

     NEDS is currently operational on a UNIVAC 1110 located at Research
Triangle Park, NC.  It is accessible in the batch and remote batch modes
by EPA headquarters and regional personnel.

3.1.1.2  SAROAD
     SAROAD is a computerized data handling system that accepts, stores,
and reports on information relating to ambient air quality.  There are
two distinct classes of information which are accommodated in SAROAD:
ambient air quality data and sampling site information.  These are de-
scribed below.
Ambient air quality data - That information which must be supplied
    to SAROAD in order to completely characterize the air quality
    at a site over a specified time interval.   This includes the
    location of the sampling site, the pollutants which are monitored
    at that site, the methods of collection and analysis of each
    pollutant monitored, the magnitude of each pollutant concentra-
    tion, and the time interval over which the measurements are
    made.

Site information - Site information includes detailed descriptive
    information about the location and environment of the sampling

                              3.1.1-6
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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY

NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH

VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION Overview of Systems

CHAPTER Introductory Overview


SUBJECT Major AEROS Systems--
NEDS and SAROAD

SECTION
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CHAPTER
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SUBJECT
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         site.  This includes the state,a county, and city wherein the
         site is located, the latitude and longitude of the site and its
         elevation above the local terrain and mean seal level.  It also
         includes a description of the site location (center city, sub-
         urban, rural, or remote) as well as the dominating influence on
         the sampler within approximately a 1-mile radius of the sampling
         site (industrial, residential, commercial, or mobile).

     Air quality data are supplied continuously to the National Air Data
Branch of EPA by state and local agencies as well as a number of Federal
air quality networks.  Site information, on the other hand, is submitted
only once for each location, although it must be updated whenever the site
environment changes.

     Because SAROAD, like NEDS, is a large computerized system, and must
handle data from all of the states and territories, all information sub-
mitted to SAROAD must be in a standardized format.  To facilitate this,
special SAROAD input formats (accomodating data on paper forms, cards, or
 jgnetic tape) have been defined, and an elaborate system of codes has
    .established to ensure standardization and ease of data submission
         "t of any contributing agency.   In addition, a number of edit
            been instituted to screen all data being submitted to the
                                quality information is being submitted by over 4,000
                                 across the nation.  The number of aerometric data
                               [WAD is approaching 58,000-000, with approximately
                               ling added to the system annually.
                                            3.1.1-7

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION Overview of Systems
CHAPTER Introductory Overview
SUBJECT Major AEROS Systems—
NEDS and SAROAD
SECTION
3
CHAPTER
1
SUBJECT
1
DATE PAGE
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     The most important function of SAROAD is report generation.   A wide
variety of standard and special request reports are available, the more
important of which are described below.

     Yearly frequency distribution - This report lists, for each  sampling
         site and for a specified year, the site description, the pollut-
         ants monitored at that site, the methods of pollutant collection
         and analysis, the minimum, maximum, and certain percentile values
         for each pollutant, and the arithmetic and geometric means and
         geometric standard deviation.  The means are calculated  only when
         data meet NADB summary criteria.

     Quarterly frequency distribution - This report is identical  in format
         to the yearly frequency distribution except that the data are
         summarized on a quarterly, rather than yearly, basis.

     Yearly report by quarters - This report lists for each sampling site
         and for a specified year, a description of the site, the pollut-j
         anta monitored at that site, the numbers of observations and,
         arithmetic average for each quarter, the annual arithmej
         age, and the arithmetic standard deviation for the y§

     Quarterly composite listing - This report lists,
         site and for a specified year, the four quart
         yearly average value for each pollutant.

     Yearly data inventory by site - This report lisj
         number of years for which the data are ava-
         ant.   For each year,  the number  of observal
3.1.1-8

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION Overview of Systems
CHAPTER Introductory Overview
SUBJECT Major AEROS Systems--
NEDS and SAROAD
SECTION
3
CHAPTER SUBJECT
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DATE PAGE
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         site.  This includes the state,a county, and city wherein the
         site is located, the latitude and longitude of the site and its
         elevation above the local terrain and mean seal level.  It also
         includes a description of the site location (center city, sub-
         urban, rural, or remote) as well as the dominating influence on
         the sampler within approximately a 1-mile radius of the sampling
         site (industrial, residential, commercial, or mobile).

     Air quality data are supplied continuously to the National Air Data
Branch of EPA by state and local agencies as well as a number of Federal
air quality networks.  Site information, on the other hand, is submitted
only once for each location, although it must be updated whenever the site
environment changes.

     Because SAROAD, like NEDS, is a large computerized system, and must
handle data from all of the states and territories, all information sub-
mitted to SAROAD must be in a standardized format.  To facilitate this,
special SAROAD input formats (accomodating data on paper forms, cards, or
magnetic tape) have been defined, and an elaborate system of codes has
been established to ensure standardization and ease of data submission
on the part of any contributing agency.  In addition, a number of edit
checks have been instituted to screen all data being submitted to the
system.

     Currently, air quality information is being submitted by over 4,000
air monitoring sites across the nation.  The number of aerometric data
values stored in SAROAD is approaching 58,000-000, with approximately
1.5,000,000 values  being added to the system annually.
                                          3.1.1-7

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION Overview of Systems
CHAPTER Introductory Overview
SUBJECT Major AEROS Sys terns --
NEDS and SAROAD
SECTION CHAF
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DATE
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         average, and the maximum value observed are printed.

     Yearly data inventory by pollutant - This report lists,  for each
         pollutant, the number of years for which data are available
         for each sampling site as well as the number of observations
         and the maximum volume observed.

     Standards reports - This report shows, for each sampling site, when
         and the number of times the various air standards have been ex-
         ceeded for a given pollutant.

     Raw data listings - Several such reports are available which list,
         for a given site, the actual raw data values entered into the
         system for each pollutant over various time intervals.

     Site description inventory - This  report displays all of the site
         information that is stored in  SARCAD for each sampling site.

     Active site listing - This report  displays all  SAROAD site data
         for each active sampling site  for a requested time period as
         well as the parameters sampled at a site.

     In most of these reports, various  selection criteria can be em-
ployed which allow the user to limit the number of records the system
will process in generating a particular report.  For instance  most of
these reports have geographical selection criteria which allow the user
to obtain records for certain areas of  interest such as a particular
state, AQCR, etc.  In some reports, the user can select by pollutant
                                  3.1.1-9

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION overview of Systems
CHAPTER Introductory Overview
SUBJECT Major AEROS Sys terns --
NEDS and SAROAD
SECTION
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or a specific pollutant/method or pollutant/interval combination.  Still
others allow the user to select only data pertaining to specified years.

     For more information on the output reports available from SAROAD,
the formats thereof, and the various selection criteria available, the
reader is referred to Volume III.
                                 3.1.1-10

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION Overview of Systems
CHAPTER Introductory Overview
SUBJECT other AEROS Systems
SECTION
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1
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3.1.2.0  Other AEROS Systems

     Although NEDS and SAROAD are considered the major AEROS systems, a
number of other systems have been developed to facilitate various other
data management functions.  For instance, one particular system has been
designed as a subsystem of NEDS to accommodate data on non-criteria pol-
lutants.  Another system stores information on Federal, state, and local
air pollutant regulations.  Yet another system is available under NEDS
to estimate the error which exists in the emission inventory.   Although
many of these systems can function independently of one another, there
are common linking elements in the systems which facilitate a  better corre-
lation of the results.

     A brief narrative description of each of these other AEROS systems
follows.  For more detailed information, the reader is referred to subse-
quent AEROS volumes.

3.1.2.1  HATREMS (Hazardous and Trace Substance Emission System)
     HATREMS is being developed as a subsystem to NEDS.  It allows ad-
ditional source and emissions information to be coded and stored for any
NEDS source for any non-criteria pollutant.  Data submission,  storage,
and output capability will closely parallel that currently employed in
and available from NEDS for the five criteria pollutants.

3.1.2.2  SOTDAT (Source Test Data System)
     SOTDAT is designed to store and retrieve all relevant technical
data collected during the measurement of pollutant emissions from point
sources, i.e., stack test data.  Such tests are routinely conducted by
numerous groups both within and without EPA for research and enforcement
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NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
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SECTION Overview of Systems
CHAPTER Introductory Overview
SUBJECT other AEROS Systems
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purposes.  Three to five separate "runs" are usually accomplished for
each stack test, each of which can be coded onto the SOTDAT forms and
entered into the SOTDAT data base.  Presently SOTDAT contains data from
source tests covering a wide range of stationary combustion facilities,
chemical processes, mineral products and other source categories.  Approx-
imately 500 source tests have been incorporated into SOTDAT as of Janu-
ary 1975, and it is expected that between 300 to 500 will be added each
year as they are made available.  At present, only limited retrieval
capability exists,.but it is expected that additional programming will
be available as the file grows and as usage demands are increased.

3.1.2.3  SIP (State Implementation Plan) Regulations
     This system has been developed to store the full text of all EPA-
approved state air pollutant regulations.  There are currently two basic
outputs from SIPS.  One provides a full text retrieval of each regulation
as it applied to one of approximately 160 identifying codes  (e.g., source
surveillance, record keeping, SOx controls, etc.).  This can be run for
any state, AQCR, or county.  Another totals the number of regulations
that meet the retrieval specifications.  This allows the user to answer
"how many?" questions and to estimate the potential volume of the full
text retrieval.

     As of January 1975, approximately 5,000 state regulations have been
loaded  into the SIP file, and it  is expected that several hundred regu-
lations may be added each year.   Future plans call for the expansion  of
SIPS to  include federally promulgated regulations.   In addition, program-
ming capability is planned  to correlate the regulations  contained in
                                3.1.2-2

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PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION Overview of Systems
CHAPTER Introductory Overview
SUBJECT Other AEROS Systems
SECTION
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CHAPTER
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DATE PA\3E
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SIPS with the sources in NEDS to which those regulations are applicable.

3.1.2.4  EHIS (Emissions History Information System)
     This system is being developed as a computerized technique for pro-
ducing air pollutant emissions sceneries.  It utilizes as input production
rates and activity levels for various types of sources, along with emis-
sion factors, fuel, and control device information; it outputs emission
estimates of various pollutants from each major source category in a given
geographical area over a period of time.  At present, plans are mainly
to utilize this system to produce historical trends information on a
nationwide basis, although it can be used for other purposes such as con-
trol strategy evaluation, emissions projections, etc.

3.1.2.5  WSAP (Weighted Sensitivity Analysis Program)
     WSAP is a computerized analysis which is designed to operate on the
NEDS emission inventory files.  It computes the variance which can be
tolerated in the emission estimate for each source category in order
that some overall user-specified limit shall not be exceeded.  WSAP is
thus mainly a managerial tool that can be utilized to determine how much
effort should be expended to improve the emission inventory for each
source category.  WSAP can be run on a nationwide, regional, AQCR, state,
or county basis for any of the NEDS pollutants.

3.1.2.6  SIEFA (Source Inventory and Emission Factor Analysis)
     SIEFA, like WSAP, is a computerized analysis which operates on the
NEDS emission inventory files and is, in fact, the logical complement to
WSAP.  SIEFA computes the actual (as opposed to allowable) imprecision
that exists in each of the emission estimates for each source category
in NEDS due to the errors in the emission inventory techniques as well
                                 3.1.2-3

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PROTECTION AGENCY
   NATIONAL AIR
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    VOLUME I.
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SECTION  Overview of System

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     as well  as the point and area  source data to which these techniques  are
     applied.   SIEFA can be utilized as  a managerial  tool  to point out where
     the largest sources of error exist  in one's  inventory and where inventory
     improvement is most needed.

     3.1.2.7   CAASE  (Computer Assisted  Area  Source Emissions) Gridding
                      System)
          CAASE is a series of programs  developed to  apportion the NEDS area
     (county)  source emission estimates  to smaller areas,  called  grids, within
     each county.   These programs utilize as  input the NECS area  source files
     as well  as certain census data from the  Bureau of the Census (population,
     number of housing units, etc.), output maps  of entire EPA air quality con-
     trol regions  (AQCR's)  which  have been gridded according to population
     density  (the  most density populated areas being  represented  by the small-
     est grids), and information  indicating the level  of each pollutant being
     emitted  by the area source activity within each  grid.  The output from
     CAASE is  utilized, in  turn,  as input for EPA dispersion modeling pro-
     grams, which  offer better resolution of  area source emissions data than
     NEDS can  provide.

     3.1.2.8   REPS (Regional  Emissions Projection System)
          REPS has been developed to estimate future  air pollutant emissions.
     Basically, REPS utilizes the existing NEDS point and  area source data,
     projected regional and national growth data  supplied  by the  U.S. Depart-
     ment of  Commerce, and  various  other information  (e.g., emission factors,
     allowable emission levels, etc.) to project  whet the  errissions will  be
     from various  source categories for  certain years up to the year 2000.
     In addition to this basic capability, the user can exercise  various
                                    3.1.2-4

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION Overview of Systems
CHAPTER Introductory Overview
SUBJECT other AEROS Systems
SECTION
3
CHAPTER
1
SUBJECT
2
DATE PAGE
1/3/76 5
override capabilities (i.e., insert data other than that provided by
the NEDS files or the Department of Commerce, etc.) and as a result,
be able to project the most probable emissions at some future date
as well as evaluate the impact that certain changes (e.g., changes in
required emission controls, industrial growth, etc.) may have.  REPS
thus can be utilized as a management tool for evaluating air pollution
control stretegies.
                              3.1.2-5

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY

NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH

VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION AEROS Management

CHAPTER Organizations
Supporting AEROS

SUBJECT


SECTION


CHAPTER


SUBJECT

0
DATE PAGE



1/3/76 1

     State and local agencies, EPA  Regional Offices,  and  the  National
Air Data Branch are the organizations  interacting  in  the  operation  of
AEROS.  The state and local agencies collect and prepare  NEDS and SAROAD
data for input.  IN turn the EPA Regional Offices  receive, process, and
validate the state-submitted data and  then submit  them to NADB for  entry
into the AEROS Data Bank.  Also, the Regional Offices handle  regional
user requests by directly accessing the AEROS Data Bank through remote
batch and interactive terminals.  Lastly, NADB is  charged with overall
EPA responsibility for managing the AEROS system,  ensuring the timeli-
ness and quality of data in the AEROS  Data Bank, providing an effective
and responsive reporting facility, and preparing standard reports for
publication.  Figure 4.1.0-a graphically illustrates  the organizational
reponsibilities related to AEROS data  input.

     Essential to the understanding of the policies governing transfer
of data between these organizations is the concept of the AEROS data
auditing system.   The purpose of the data auditing system is  to assure
accuracy and completeness of the data  processed by and contained in
AEROS, particularly the NEDS and saroad data submittals required by
law.  This data accuracy and completeness is essential to the proper
accomplishment of the management functions for which AEROS was developed.
The various organizational  reponsibilities for each are as follows:

1.  EDIT:   When data are added to the data banks, certain minimum in-
formation  must be available in the standard format(s) before  it will pass
automatic  computerized EDIT routines.   Upon submittal of data by state
or local  agencies,  the EDIT routines,  applied by either the Regional
                                4.1.0-1

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION AEROS Management
CHAPTER Organizations
Supporting AEROS
SUBJECT
SECTION
4
CHAPTER
1
SUBJECT
0
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Office or NADB, determine whether the data have met the mimimum require-
ments for updating.  If the data fail EDIT, an error listing is returned
to the state agency for correction, and data are rejected and not up-
dated.

2. VALIDATION:  After an information record passes EDIT, it undergoes
VALIDATION.  This procedure incorporates additional computerized routines
to determine whether the data submitted reflect a true or realistic situ-
ation.  These routines may execute certain "rules of thumb," guideline
values, or reasonable range checks, etc.  The VALIDATION routines are
operated by NADB.  Even though a submission fails validation, it is al-
lowed to enter the files.  A listing of data failing validation is re-
turned to the Regional Office for the attention of the proper state or
local agency.

3.  CERTIFICATION:  This procedure consists of review of data in the
form of printouts or publications, by knowledgeable officials, to ensure
that the "valid" data may be CERTIFIED to be correct.  This procedure,
performed by individuals with sufficient background and authority to
represent the data source (i.e., air monitoring site operator or indus-
trial plant engineer), is an informal activity which represents an ex-
tension of the VALIDATION concept.  CERTIFICATION has no legal status
at this time.

4.  DATA ANOMALY INVESTIGATION:  On occasion, questions as to the cor-
rectness of data records are raised by data users.  In those cases when
questions are referred to NADB or the Regional Office representative, a
procedure is instituted whereby questions are referred to a knowledgeable
                                4.1.0-2

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION AEROS Management
CHAPTER Organizations
Supporting AEROS
SUBJECT
SECTION CHAF
4 1
DATE
1/3/76
>TER SUBJECT
0
PAGE
3
source, normally a state agency, for resolution.  Based on the response
from the knowledgeable source, appropriate data corrections are made,
and the user who originally questioned the data is notified of the reso-
lution of the problem, if desired.

5.  VERIFICATION:  When questions arise as to whether data records not
contained in the system at present should be added, a VERIFICATION pro-
cedure is initiated.   This may result either from questions raised by
knowledgeable data users or independent cross-checking of data records
by NADB.  In either case, a temporary "verification file" record is estab-
lished for the data in question, and these records are forwarded through
the Regional Office to a knowledgeable authority, again usually a state
agency.  This authority is reponsible for the determination of whether the
VERIFICATION records  are correct.  If data are VERIFIED, they are added
to the appropriate data bank through the EDIT and VALIDATION routines
mentioned earlier.  If VERIFICATION is negative, the temporary record is
deleted from the VERIFICATION file.  VERIFICATION is used primarily in
the context of adding new air quality sampling sites, new or modified
emissions sources, and existing sampling sites or emission sources which
have inadvertently been left out of the system.
                              4.1.0-3

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION AEROS Management
CHAPTER Organizations
Supporting AEROS
SUBJECT
SECTION
4
CHAPTER
1
SUBJECT
0
DATE PAGE
1/3/76 4
          COLLECT DATA
  PERFORM LABORATORY VALIDATION
   PERFORM ENGINEERING ANALYSIS
  STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES

    UPDATE/UPGRADE CURRENT DATA
 CONVERT TO MACHINE READABLE MEDIA
   SUBMIT DATA TO REGIONAL OFFICES
                CHECK DATA
              RESOLVE ERRORS
                   .L
        ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS
    QUARTERLY AND SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS
        NON-SCHEDULED SUBMISSIONS
                                    '"I
              1.
         COORDINATIONS.
         CORRESPONDENCE
                       'I  r
        1.
                   ~l
TECHNICAL/ENGINEERING
       LIAISON
  TELEPHONE CONTACT
      MEETINGS
    PUBLICATIONS
   CORRESPONDENCE
      TRAINING
                                                                      r
COORDINATE DATA RECEIPT WITH STATES
  MAINTAIN LOGS AND AUDIT TRAILS
  DATA PROCESSING AND SUBMISSION
    EPA REGIONAL OFFICES

TECHNICAL/ENGINEERING SUPPORT TO STATES
   TECHNICAL/ENGINEERING VALIDATION
     ERROR RESOLUTION/CORRECTION
                          DATA REVIEWS,
                         FORWARDING TO
                         STATE AGENCIES


                                     NEDS
                                  SAROAD
                                  COMPUTER
                                 EDIT/AUDIT
                                  REPORTS
           r~COORDINATION&
             CORRESPONDENCE
 I  I
TECHNICAL/ENGINEERING
        LIAISON
   INTERACTIVE ACCESS
       MEETINGS
      PUBLICATIONS
    CORRESPONDENCE
   TELEPHONE CONTACT
 	
                                                       DETAILED
                                                      DATA LISTS
                                                       AND FILE
                                                        DUMPS
                                     NATIONAL AIR DATA BRANCH
 CONTROL AND MAINTAIN AEROS DATA BASES
        VALIDATE DATA QUALITY
  PREPARE AND ENTER AREA SOURCE DATA
                 TECHNICAL/ENGINEERING SUPPORT TO REGIONAL OFFICES
                         DEVELOP AND DOCUMENT PROCEDURES
                         GENERATE DATA LISTS AND REPORTS
                   Figure 4.1.0-a. Organizational functions related to AEROS data input.
                                               4.1.0-4

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION AEROS Management
CHAPTER State
Responsibilities
SUBJECT
SECTION
4
CHAPTER
2
SUBJECT
0
DATE PAGE
1/3/76 1
     Specifically, state responsibilities are prescribed by the Federal
regulations (40 CFR 51.7) requiring submission of periodic reports under
the requirements for preparation of State Implementation Plans.  These
reports are described as the following subjects in this chapter.  In
addition, an informal role for state or local agencies is required to
carry out the AEROS procedures relating to correction of data failing
EDIT or VALIDATION routines, DATA ANOMALY INVESTIGATION, and VERIFICA-
TION procedures.
                                  4.2.0-1

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION AEROS Management
CHAPTER State
Responsibilities
SUBJECT Quarterly SIP
Reports
SECTION
4
CHAPTER
2
SUBJECT
1
DATE PAGE
1/3/76 1
     The quarterly reports are, in effect, the air quality data and
site descriptions (if necessary) for monitoring sites.  The data may be
sent in more frequently than quarterly if desired, but must be submitted
to the Regional Offices in SAROAD format on either coding forms, punched
cards, or magnetic tape.

     Data for all operational sites beginning with those used in plan
preparation must be submitted.   Quarterly reports must be submitted
within 45 days after the end of each reporting period (March 31, June
30, October 31, and December 31).
                                4.2.1-1

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION AEROS Management
CHAPTER state
Responsibilities
SUBJECT Semiannual SIP
Reports
SECTION
4
CHAPTER
2
SUBJECT
2
DATE PAGE
V3/76 1
     The semiannual report consists of a submission of the properly coded
NEDS point source records for any facility which has the potential for
emitting more than 100 tons per year of any pollutant for which a national
air quality standard has been promulgated and also meets any of the fol-
lowing conditions:

     a.  Those which came into compliance with an emission-limiting con-
         trol regulation during the reporting period.
     b.  Those which were new or modified or which received approval
         to construct, or whose operation becan in the reporting period.
     c.  Those which ceased operations during the reporting period
         [identification codes, name, address, and the comment "ceased
         operations (date)"].

     The semiannual  reports must be submitted within 45 days after the
end of each reporting period (June 30 and December 31).
                                4.2.2-1

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION AEROS Management
CHAPTER EPA Regional Office
Responsibilities
SUBJECT
SECTION
4
CHAPTER SUBJECT
3 0
DATE PAGE
1/3/76 1
     During the initial stages of implementation and system operation
the functions of data collection, editing, processing, and validation
were performed directly under the management of the National Air Data
Branch (NADB).  With the approval of the NEDS and SAROAD forms by OMB
(Office of Management and Budget) and with the expanding use of these
forms for state submission of semiannual and quarterly reports, the re-
sponsibility for receipt, processing, and editing of the NEDS/SAROAD data
has been assigned to the Regional Offices.  In addition, the Regional
Offices are responsible for supporting users of AEROS in their region.
Specific Regional Office responsibilities are listed below:

     a.  Identify the ADP personnel  assigned to provide technical assist-
         ance to air programs and ensure that their proficiency is main-
         tained as AEROS users.
     b.  Provide ADP assistance to states as required for submission of
         reports in computerized form.
     c.  Keypunch and/or convert any data received from states in non-
         SAROAD/NEDS formats.
     d.  Correct errors found through terminal edit routines.  (Or en-
         sure that proper corrections are made by state or local agencies.)
     e.  Perform field audits to assure the quality of emissions inven-
         tories.
     f.  Check air quality monitoring sites for proper procedures, and
         ensure that number and location are correct to provide proper
         data for trend monitoring.
     g.  Supply printouts, cards, or tapes of data from NEDS/SAROAD as
         requested by states; answer questions from the public concern-
         ing data pertaining to their respective states.
                                 4.3.0-1

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION AEROS Management
CHAPTER EPA Regional Office
Responsibilities
SUBJECT
SECTION
4
CHAPTER
3
SUBJECT
0
DATE PAGE
1/3/76 2
h.  Assure quality control  of laboratories working with air qiality
    data.
i.   Make all  efforts possible to provide up-to-date source test re-
    sults for the improvement of emission factors.
                         4.3.0-2

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION AERO$ Management
CHAPTER NADB
Responsibilities
SUBJECT
SECTION
4
CHAPTER
4
SUBJECT
0
DATE PAGE
1/3/76 1
     The National Air Data Branch's reponsibility consists of four
functional areas relating to maintenance of AEROS.  Data processing is
required to process input data.  Information requests, liaison with the
AEROS user community, and publication of reports involve output of data.
Computer and information technology is needed to provide technical sup-
port, planning, and development services.  Engineering and analytical
skills are needed to provide a wide range of support services including
management and updating of all necessary technical data not required in
the state quarterly and semiannual  reports.  NADB's organization relfects
these functional areas of work.  As a result NADB consists of four sec-
tions, each of which performs work in one of the above areas.  These
sections are respectively:   Data Processing Section, Requests and In-
formation Section,  Systems  Development Section, and Emission Factors
Section.  Specific  functions of these sections are described in the
following paragraphs.
                               4.4.0-1

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION AEROS Management
CHAPTER NADB
Responsibilities
SUBJECT Data Processing
Section (DPS)
SECTION
4
CHAPTER
4
SUBJECT
1
DATE PAGE
1/3/76 1
General functions of DPS include:

     1.  Operate OAQPS batch terminal and courier service, coordinate
         interactive terminals, and maintain records of productivity
         and computer utilization, including NADB portion of total
         NCC and OSI relative to all other users (including RO's).
     2.  Data processing: coding, keypunching, job submittal, data
         auditing.
     3.  Maintain backup files and security.
     4.  Generate management status reports on the availability of data
         and prepare computerized publications of data.
     5.  Computerized requests processing and data base updates.
     6.  Files and  systems maintenance.

FUNCTIONS RELATED TO OUTPUT

     I.  Data Input
         1.   Receives and edits emissions data provided under semiannual
             report requirements.
         2.   Receives and edits air quality data provided Lirde.r r,L-':rterly
             report requirements.
         3.   Maintains record keeping files for (1)  and (2)  above and
             coordinates directly with ROs regarding their submissions.
         4.   Performs (1),  (2), and (3)  above for all  other  air quality
             and emissions  data received by NADB; processes  data pro-
             vided  for annual  updating of the computerized files for
             vehicle registration,  Federal  facilities,  FPC form £7,  con-
             trol equipment,  census data, SCC file,  emission factor  file,
                                    4.4.1-1

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION AEROS Management
CHAPTER NADB
Responsibilities
SUBJECT Data Processing
Section (DPS)
SECTION
4
CHAPTER
4
SUBJECT
1
DATE PAGE
1/3/76 2
             and  other files  determined by the Emission Factors  Section
             to  be  related  to calculations.
         5.   Implements edit  and  validation  checks  of all  data prior to
             acceptance into  the  data banks  and specifies  new checks as
             needed to improve quality assurance of all data received
             (programming by  SDS).   Formulates procedures  for data sub-
             mission and serves as  focal  point for  contacts regarding
             this activity.
         6.   Arranges all keypunching of data as needed and defines
             keypunchtng instructions and checks.

    II.   Data Output
         1.   Processes 500  standard requests annually for  data using
             existing or slightly-modified programs; processes re-
             trievals from  other  data bases  or other systems as de-
             veloped by SDS.
         2.   Arranges record  keeping documentation  for (1) above and is
             responsible for  any  follow-up action (e.g., getting tapes
             back to NADB).
         3.   Creates and maintains  historical files of quarterly and
             annual air quality and semiannual (1972 to present) emis-
             sions data (at R + 120).
         4.   Maintains internal/external interlocks to provide for se-
             curity of data.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

     1.  Provides documentation of data processing procedures utilized
        in the Section.
                                 4.4.1-2

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION AEROS Management
CHAPTER NADB
Responsibilities
SUBJECT Data Processing
Section (DPS)
SECTION
4
CHAPTER
4
SUBJECT
1
DATE PAGE
1/3/76 3
2.  Conducts minimal/minor programming activities for file main-
    tenance and special data retrievals (supplies documentation of
    any/all changes and additions to SDS).
3.  Maintains records of computer and terminal utilization and
    access/retrieval from data banks; prepares reports on this sub-
    ject as required.
4.  Is responsible for all data transfer to and from other systems
    as required.
5.  Provides all necessary effort to maintain the computerized
    systems of NADB, following complete documentation by SDS.
6.  Conducts data processing operations associated with Edit/Vali-
    dation/Verification/Certification, except computer systems
    design and programming.
                           4.4.1-3

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION AEROS Management
CHAPTER NADB
Responsibilities
st.'BJECT Systems Development
Section (SDS)
SECTION
4
CHAPTER
4
SUBJECT
2
DATE PAGE
1/3/76 1
General Functions of SDS include:
         Develop and document computer programs until emissions are
         established prior to handover to DPS.
         Conduct program and file maintenance and trouble-shooting pro-
         cedures as requested by DPS.
         Conduct liaison with RTCC, MIDSD, and GSA on computer control
         activities.
         Develop special programs to handle special  requests.
         Develop new programs and modify existing programs in prioritized
         order.
         Maintain continuous enhancement and upgrading project.
4.
5.

6.
     7.   Maintain program/files documentation library.

FUNCTIONS RELATED TO PROGRAM OUTPUT

     1.   Identifies needs for future programming and annually develops
         approximately 50 new storage, retrieval, editing, and report-
         ing programs.
     2.   Develops and processes all  non-standard data retrievals,  prepares
         documentation,  and incorporates into program library.
     3.   Provides NADB terminal access and develops  terminal-users in-
         structions for  retrieving  FPC, Polk vehicle registration, and
         other  computerized data (publication,  when  appropriate,  by RIS);
         assists  and advises DPS in  the procurement  of data bases; pro-
         cures  other data handling  or processing systems.
     4.   Develops annual  revisions  and additions to  the terminal  users
         manuals  (publication  by RIS).
                                  4.4.2-1

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION AEROS Management
CHAPTER NADB
Responsibilities
SUBJECT Systems Development
Section (SDS)
SECTION
4
CHAPTER SUBJECT
4 2
DATE PAGE
1/3/76 2
     5.   Performs all operations (maintenance, development, implementa-
         tion) for the interactive systems (including interactive system
         to submit remote batch jobs).

OTHER FUNCTIONS
     5.
Provides documentation for all programs in (1) above and ensures
that all ADP programs developed via contracts are properly docu-
mented for direct inclusion into the operating manual for use by
OAQPS users.
Maintains operating manual relating to ADP documentation and
library of programs.
Designs data security procedures and internal/external inter-
locks for protection of data.
Collects and incorporates into program library programs and
documentation developed by other OAQPS and Regional Office ADP
groups as appropriate; coordinates (where possible) all pro-
gramming efforts related to NADB data bases with OEGC, ORD,
OAQPS, and RO.
Prepares procurements for all ADP and related equipment and
assists in operation when problems arise or expertise is re-
quired.
Advises and consults with ROs and states on development of com-
patible conversion programs, AQDHS, CDHS, CDS, etc.
Performs ADP user surveys as required.
Serves as project officers or co-project officers on all con-
tracts which involve ADP applications.
                                  4.4.2-2

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION AEROS Management
CHAPTER NADB
Responsibilities
SUBJECT Systems Development
Section (SDS)
SECTION
4
CHAPTER
4
SUBJECT
2
DATE PAGE
1/3/76 3
9.   Maintains all NADB system libraries including computerized
    files of source and absolute elements and runstreams.
                          4.4.2-3

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION AEROS Management
CHAPTER NADB
Responsibilities
SUBJECT Emission Factors
Section (EPS)
SECTION
4
CHAPTER
4
SUBJECT
3
DATE PAGE
1/3/76 1
General Functions of EFS include:
4.
5.
         Develop engineering methodologies for air quality, emissions, and
         other systems, collection, modeling inputs, and provide control
         equipment data.
         Collect baseline data as necessary for new systems, emission
         factor development, area source inventory, control efficiencies,
         estimation of required emissions; perform short-term tasks as
         requested.
         Conduct data anomaly investigations as requested by DPS or as
         special projects.
         Act as RAPS lead for emission inventory development.
         Maintain currency and validity of computational values and pro-
         cedures used in systems.
         Maintain hard copy files, references, and maps as necessary for
         Branch use.
FUNCTIONS RELATED TO OUTPUT

     I.  Updating Data Bases
         1.   Collects data for updating of:
             Area Source File (requires annual  data collection)
             Source Test Data File
             Emission Factor File (Stationary and Mobile)
             Source Classification Code File
             History and Projection Source Inventory and Emission
                 Factors Files
             Census Files
                                 4.4.3-1

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION AEROS Management
CHAPTER NADB
Responsibilities
SUBJECT Emission Factors
Section (EPS)
SECTION
4
CHAPTER
4
SUBJECT
3
DATE PAGE
1/3/76 2
         Polk  Files
         Other Miscellaneous  Files
     2.   Develops  methodology and coordinates  RO/states  for  data
         updating  and  upgrading  other  than  semiannual  and  quarterly
         reports;  performs  cross-checking on emission  sources  and
         institutes  verification actions.

II.   Provides  technical  evaluation  of  data  required as input to:

     1.   Annual publication of air  quality  and emissions of  criteria
         pollutants.
     2.   Periodic update of Compilation of  Air Pollutant Emission
         Factors supplements.
     3.   Periodic update of Emission Inventory Guide.
     4.   Annual publication of emissions,  emission factors,  and
         ambient concentrations of hazardous and non-criteria  air
         pollutants.
     5.   Annual update of AQCR tabulation of data.
     6.   Annual publication of directory of monitoring sites.
         sions.
     7.  Annual publication of historical  and projected emissions.
     8.  Terminal users manual  (as developed by SDS)  and data pro-
         cessing  publications (as developed by DPS) when appropriate.
     9.  Annual publication of  fuels  usage data.
     10.  Annual publication of  data quality information
                            4.4.3-2

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION AEROS Management
CHAPTER NADB
Responsibilities
SUBJECT Emission Factors
Section (EPS)
SECTION
4
CHAPTER
4
SUBJECT
3
DATE PAGE
1/3/76 3
OTHER FUNCTIONS

   III.  Development
         1.  Collects and updates data as required and performs analysis
             for data sensitivity, data confidence, confidentiality,
             history/projection of emissions, gridding/apportioning.
         2.  Provides lead support to RAPS project on emission inventory.
         3.  Develops engineering evaluation techniques for new edit
             and validation checks for AEROS data.
         4.  Defines methodologies for collection of new data not in
             AEROS and develops coding procedures and coding forms,  sub-
             ject to the approval of SDS.

    IV.  Maintenance
         1.  Answers non-routine and non-computerized requests, provides
             technical/engineering analysis as  required.
         2.  Maintains liaison with OMSAPC and  DOT regarding mobile
             source data bases and supplies necessary support to standards
             development as required.
         3.  Maintains liaison with RO, OFA, ESED, OEGC,  etc.  on engineer-
             ing and technical  matters.
         4.  Maintains reference files of emission factor and source test
             data.
         5.  Develops guidelines and instructions for use of NEDS, SAROAD,
             SOTDAT and HATREMS coding forms.
                                4.4.3-3

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION AEROS Management
CHAPTER NADB
Responsibilities
SUBJECT Requests and Informa-
tion Section (RIS)
SECTION
4
CHAPTER
4
SUBJECT
4
DATE PAGE
1/3/76 1
General  Functions of Requests and Information Section include:

     1.   Obtain OMB (and other) required clearance for forms; maintain
         supplies of forms.
     2.   Develop EPA Orders  and Regulations as necessary and coordinate
         Regulation and Order review.
     3.   Publish all technically complete documents, maintaining liaison
         with GPO on LINOTRON; maintain supplies  of publications.
     4.   Receive and maintain records  of requests; coordinate and  pro-
         vide to requestor;  maintain library of sample computerized
         retrievals; Freedom of Information requests tracking.
     5.   Maintain and upgrade AEROS internal  procedures documentation;
         coordinate with other sections on the manuals.
     6.   Maintain liaison with all  users, supplying necessary documenta-
         tion and setting up user community.

FUNCTIONS RELATED TO OUTPUT

     I.   Publishes technically complete reports
         1.   Annual publication of air quality and emissions of criteria
             pollutants.
         2.   Periodic update of Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission
             Factors supplements.
         3.   periodic update of Emission Inventory Guide.
         4.   Annual publication of emissions, emission factors, and
             ambient concentrations of hazardous  and non-criteria  air
             pollutants.
                                4.4.4-1

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION AEROS Management
CHAPTER NADB
Responsibilities
SUBJECT Requests and Informa-
tion Section (RIS)
SECTION
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SUBJECT
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         5.   Annual  update of AQCR tabulation  of data.
         6.   Annual  publication  of directory of monitoring  sites.
         7.   Annual  publication  of historical  and projections  of emis-
             sions.
         8.   Terminal  users manual  (as  developed by SDS)  and data pro-
             cessing publications  (as developed by DPS) when appropriate.
         9.   Annual  publication  of fuels usage data.
        10.   Annual  publication  of data quality information.

    II.   Receives and maintains  records of requests for AEROS  data
         1.   Logs in requests from EPA  users and transmits  requests to
             DPS for processing; logs out requests upon completion.
         2.   Receives Freedom of Information requests,  responds  to re-
             quests  indicating when and if information  can  be  provided,
             determines user fees, if any, transmits  requests  to DPS
             or EPS  for processing, transmits  data to requestors, and
             maintains records to  track all requests.
OTHER FUNCTIONS

   III.  Distribution of reports
         1.  Distributes four quarterly reports and one annual  report
             of ambient concentrations of criteria pollutants.
         2.  Distributes one semiannual report of emissions of criteria
             pollutants.
                                  4.4.4-2

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION AEROs Management
CHAPTER NADB
Responsibilities
SUBJECT Requests and Informa-
tion Section (RIS)
SECTION
4
CHAPTER
4
SUBJECT
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DATE PAGE
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     3.   Distributes periodic NEDS and SAROAD status reports.
     4.   Distributes AEROS documentation series (as OAQPS Guideline
         documents).
     5.   Maintains limited supplies of AEROS publications, coordi-
         nates with APTIC on wide-scale distribution.

IV.   Coordinates documentation of AEROS activities
     1.   Coordinates with other sections on preparation of AEROS
         manual  documentation.
     2.   Maintains and upgrades AEROS internal  procedures documenta-
         tion.

 V.   Provides  user support services
     1.   Maintains supplies of AEROS coding forms  (NEDS,  SAROAD,
         SOTDAT, HATREMS).
     2.   Maintains library of sample computerized  retrievals avail-
         able.
     3.   Maintains liaison with all  users,  answers general  requests,
         and promotes interaction within the user  community.
     4.   Provides  liaison with other EPA organizations  (OEGC,  ORD,
         RO, OFA,  etc.).   For receipt of data for  updating of  files,
         with  assistance  from EFS as required.
     5.   Maintains cognizance of activities involving use of AEROS
         compatible systems (EIS/P&R,  AQDHS-II  of  CDHS)  installed
         at state  agencies, provides resources  for system enhance-
         ments requested  by users.
     6.   Distributes training materials  regarding  coding  instructions,
         requirements,  and available data retrievals.
                            4.4.4-3

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION AEROS Management
CHAPTER NADB
Responsibilities
SUBJECT Requests and lnforma_
tion Section (RIS)
SECTION
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CHAPTER
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     7.  Maintains liaison with users to determine additional re-
         quirements for use of AEROS data base.

VI.  Other administrative activities
     1.  Obtains OMB (and other) required clearances for forms.
     2.  Develops EPA Orders and Regulations as necessary and co-
         ordinates Regulation and Order review related to AEROS.
     3.  Maintains liaison with AEROS contacts in Regional Offices.
     4.  Maintains current knowledge of status of CDS.
     5.  Access to and coordinates with GPA for use of electronic
         composing system (LINOTRON).
                            4.4.4-4

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
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SECTION System Philosophy
CHAPTER Management Objectives
SUBJECT
SECTION
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      Basically AEROS is a reporting system which provides a mechanism
 to handle large amounts of data which are either purchased, obtained
 voluntarily, or are required to be submitted in accordance with Federal
 regulations.  These data may be used for the following purposes:

      1.  Evaluation of plans and strategies to meet national ambient
         air quality standards (in support of Sections 107, 108, 109,
         and 110 of the Clean Air Act).
      2.  Evaluation of emissions and control equipment for the develop-
         ment of new source performance standards (in support of Sec-
         tion 111) and mobile source emissions standards setting
         (Sections 202 and 231).
      3.  Support of hazardous pollutants enforcement by EPA (Section
         112), general  enforcement actions by EPA (Section 113), and
         inspection/monitoring and other record-keeping (Section 114).
      4.  Determination  of the status, projections,  and trends of air
         pollution for reports and progress evaluation (Sections 304,
         312, and 313).
      5.  Studies of fuels, their usage and availability (Sections 104,
         271, 312, and  318).
      6.  Research on monitoring of sources and ambient air for modeling
         in programs such as  Regional  Air Pollution Study (Section 103).

     The primary user of data, at this time, is  OAQPS, and therefore
the major emphasis for  system development is support of OAOPS require-
ments.  The amount of in-house and contractual  emphasis each year is
determined directly by  the resources  allocated to system development
and maintenance, user assistance, request processing,  etc.  by OAQPS.
                                 5.0.0-1

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ENVIRONMENTAL
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   It has been recognized that intelligent management decisions  cannot
be made in a vacuum with no use of hard data.   It is  the intent  of the
data system managers in NADB to fill  that void as expeditiously  and as
completely as possible, given the constraints  of resources and agency
operating policy.   Therefore, the concept of data availability and its
use has been foremost, keeping in mind the sources of data, quality
control by those sources, and the requirements for data submittal.
Some data are better than no data.  Data of questionable value are
better than no data.  Although these two concepts can be disagreed
with, it seems that a Federal agency with a highly visible technical
program (air pollution) cannot base its decisions on  anything but
hard data.  As the data are used and as the collectors of the data become
more proficient, the data will be used with more confidence.  The alterna-
tive of not using available data is simply not acceptable.

   Section 313 of the Clean Air Amendments of 1970 specifies annual
reporting to Congress of selected information.  Certain items, especially
(5), (6) and (9) are not possible without the use of  air data systems.
In addition, reporting under other sections such as (1), (3) and (8),
is greatly assisted by the use of air data systems.  To prepare  the
report under Section 312, extensive use of the air data system and
especially the ability to estimate and forecast emissions, are essential.

   Therefore, since monitoring is required in the State Implementation
Plan (SIP) regulations for the purpose specified in the "intent  to
promulgate" publication preceding the regulations, a  data handling capa-
bility was necessary, considering the large volume of information
                                5.1.0-1

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ENVIRONMENTAL
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DATA BRANCH

VOLUME 1.
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CHAPTER Management Objectives

SUBJECT


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CHAPTER


SUBJECT


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anticipated.  The reporting requirement is defined in §51.7 for both
air quality and emissions data.

   In addition, the OAQPS has internal  data requirements necessary for
the routine conduct of its specific mission.   The data systems were
developed to store the data coming in as required by reporting regula-
tions and to retrieve the data as required by the headquarters of air
programs.  If others in EPA such as Regional  Offices, ORD, or enforce-
ment operations can make use of the data also, then a duplication of
efforts can be avoided.  EPA Order 7600.2 was developed for this specific
purpose:  the avoidance of duplication  of effort in the collection of air
pollution data.  For the information of non-EPA readers, the EPA Order
system is a basic means of policy implementation.  EPA Order 7600.2 is
reproduced on the following pages.

   The objective of AEROS has been expanded somewhat as resources to
develop a user community became available.  Surveys of data users and
potential users have identified desirable modifications to the system.
However, it has been necessary to make  conscious decisions to reject
selected modifications because of complexity, cost, or simple mismatch
with existing operations.  In fact, certain potential users have been
rejected because of the inability to even partially meet their defined
needs.  This has, under some circumstances, been unacceptable to users,
but the resources to offset these problems have not been available.

   The thrust of system development has been to provide a generalized
system, weighing all suggested modifications to optimize the cost to
                                5.1.0-2

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY

NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH

VOLUME 1.
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CHAPTER Management Objectives

SUBJECT


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	 	 _.. 	
benefit ratio, keeping in mind the main objective of OAQPS requirements.
In one instance, the Office of Enforcement decided in 1972 to develop
the Compliance Data System, independently of AEROS, thereby indicating
no further use of the air data systems.

     The management philosophy then becomes one of attempting to provide
a continuously increasing degree of generalized service to an increasing
number of users.  Little or no specialized or custom programming or de-
velopment work is undertaken.
                                5.1.0-3

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY

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DATA BRANCH

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SECTION System Philosophy

CHAPTER Management Objectives

SUBJECT


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                         EPA Order 7600.2
                          March 25, 1974
               POLICY, PROCEDURES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES
                    FOR THE COLLECTION AND STORAGE
               OF AIR QUALITY AND SOURCE/EMISSIONS DATA
1.  PURPOSE.  This Order sets forth policy and procedures for the
collection and storage of air quality'and source/emissions data to
ensure the validity of such data and prevent duplication of effort.

2.  BACKGROUND.  An increased national effort in collecting air
quality and source/emissions data is leading to situations where
EPA personnel incorrectly may collect or direct the collection of
data on coding forms that have not been approved by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) or by EPA.  Further, such independent
actions may result in new and valuable data outputs from such efforts
being inadvertently excluded from the National Emissions Data System
(NEDS) and Storage and Retrieval of Aerometric Data (SAROAD) data
banks.  Such actions may result in the following:

    a.  Unnecessary use of resources will occur when individual
emitters or State and local agencies duplicate data submissions to
multiple EPA offices.

    b.  Repetitive demands for identical data will result in a lack
of cooperation between the States and EPA.

    c.  OMB policies will be violated when the private sector is
repeatedly asked for the same data or if data are collected on
unauthorized forms.

3.  POLICY.  The Environmental Protection Agency will collect air
quality and emissions-related data in accordance with the following:

    a.  Official EPA- and OMB-approved forms for ambient air data
collection  (SAROAD  Form:  OMB Number 158-R0012) and source/emissions
                               5,1,0-4

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
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SECTION CHAF
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>TER SUBJECT
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data collection (NEDS Form:  OMB Number 158-R0095 and Air Pollution
Emission Report APER Form:  OMB Number 158-R75)  will be used by all
EPA personnel involved in collecting, verifying, and updating such
data.

    b.  Prior to initiation, all EPA projects, whether conducted
in-house or by grant or contract, involving the  collection of air
quality or source/emissions data will be coordinated with the National
Air Data Branch, Monitoring and Data Analysis Division, Office of Air
Quality Planning and Standards, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
27711.

    c.  All ambient air data and source/emissions data collected by
EPA personnel or their representatives will be submitted to the
National Air Data Branch in the proper format and in a timely fashion
according to a schedule agreed upon at the beginning of the project.

4.  EXCLUDED PROGRAMS.  This Order does not apply to data collection
for the following systems or activities:

    a.  Compliance Data System  (CDS).

    b.  Hazardous Air Pollutants Enforcement Management System (HAPEMS).

    c.  Research or experimental programs involving the collection of
data which obviously is inconsistent or incompatible with the SAROAD/
NEDS data banks.

    d.  Source/emissions data required to support enforcement actions.

    e.  Data collection programs involving ten sources or less.

    f.  Air quality data collection programs having a duration of
less than ninety days.

5.  SYSTEMS DESCRIPTIONS.

    a.  National Emissions Data System  (NEDS).  There are approximately
80 items of data stored on each point source, including the annual
emission estimates which comprise the National Emissions Data Bank
(NEDB).  About the same number of items are maintained for each area
source of emissions defined in NEDB as a county  (or equivalent).
There presently are about  75,000 point sources in the data bank and
                                5.1.0-5

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
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VOLUME 1.
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CHAPTER Management Objectives
SUBJECT
SECTION
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about 3,300 area sources (county sources) in the 55 states and
territories.  NEDB is composed of two files (point and area) in
which all data is integrated completely by source and by geographical
area.

Data appearing on the NEDS coding forms include general source
information, modeling parameters, emissions data, and compliance
information.

    b.  Storage and Retrieval of Aerometric Data (SAROAD).  SAROAD
includes data resulting from measurements of six primary pollutants:
suspended particulates, hydrocarbons, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides,
carbon monoxide, and oxidants.  In addition, many trace elements and
compounds have been included.  Sufficient items to characterize the
sampling site also are in the data bank.  About 7,000 sites have been
defined and have submitted data.  In addition, "old" data collected by
State, local, and Federal agencies have been incorporated into this
data bank.

    c.  Data Flow and Information Access,  The National Air Data
Branch is the only group authorized to enter NEDS or SAROAD information
into the data bank.  This is to provide that quality assurance is
applied uniformly to all data prior to entry.  This standardization
ensures that data on a nationwide basis are received in a common
format and processed in a uniform manner.  Although data flow is
controlled centrally by the National Air Data Branch, access to the
data is decentralized and available to many different users through
terminals in Regional Offices, Washington, and Durham.  The NEDS and
SAROAD programs are on-line at the NERC, RTF, computer facility.

The incorporation of air quality data into SAROAD is cumulative, with
data base refinements occurring with each measurement reported;
whereas, submission of NEDS data revises the status of sources already
in the data bank.

Two conditions are required for successful maintenance of the NEDS and
SAROAD data bases.

         (1) All air quality data must be recorded in SAROAD format
and permanently incorporated in the data bank.

         (2) All source  and  emission data must be recorded on NEDS
coding  forms and  continuously added to the data bank.
                              5.1.0-6

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The States are required to submit air quality data to the EPA
Regional Offices in SARDAD format (quarterly) and their emissions
data in the NEDS format (semiannually).   There has been extensive
coordination between NADB and the Regional Offices to define precisely
the State, Region, and NADB data-handling procedures.  Thus, it
appears that the above conditions will be met for air quality and
emissions data routinely submitted to EPA by the States.

6.  RESPONSIBILITIES.

    a.  The Assistant Administrator for Air and Water Programs.
The Monitoring and Data Analysis Division is responsible for the
storage/retrieval, analysis, and publication of air quality data
in the SAROAD system and source/emissions data in the NEDS system.

    b.  Assistant Administrators and Regional Administrators.
Assistant Administrators and Regional Administrators are responsible
for the collection and validation of air quality and source/emissions
data and for the current submission of such validated data to the
Monitoring and Data Analysis Division.  Further, they should ensure
that proposed data collection programs do not duplicate current or
completed programs.

    c.  Assistant Administrator for Planning and Management,  The
Management Information and Data Systems Division is responsible for
providing approval of the ADP technical content of the systems used
to process air data; and for determining the need for and providing
the necessary computing and telecommunications facilities for use by
Program activities.

7.  PROCEDURES.  Prior to initiation of any air quality or source/
emissions data collection program, a responsible program official
will contact the National Air Data Branch, Monitoring and Data Analysis
Division, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Research
Triangle Park, North Carolina  27711  (FTS 919-688-8491).

Discussion between the NADB and the responsible program official will
result in one of the following:

    a.  If the proposed project will acquire data which exists in
NEDS or SAROAD, NADB will forward a computer printout of the required
information.
                               5.1.0-7

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    b.  If the proposed project duplicates  part  or  all of  an  ongoing
data acquisition effort, NADB will identify the  duplicate  program and
recommend cancellation or refinement of the proposed project.

    c.  If the proposed project will acquire new data of value to
NEDS or SAROAD, the NADB will request that  EPA-  or  OMB-approved coding
forms be used.  In addition, NADB will furnish detailed  instructions
and procedures in the form of NEDS or SAROAD documentation.   A data
submission schedule will be mutually agreed upon by the  responsible
program official and the NADB.  Officials in charge of  the proposed
project will be responsible for the subsequent correction and vali-
dation of the submitted data as needed.

    d.  If the proposed project entails the collection of air quality
or  source/emissions data beyond the level of complexity normally
contained in  the NEDS/SAROAD system, arrangements can be made with
NADB  for the  computerized storage and retrieval of the additional
data.  In this manner,  virtually all data collected during a project
can be stored in one  data bank and  efficiently accessed by the project
manager.

8.  FORMS.  Approved  data collection forms  and coding instructions
for NEDS  and  SAROAD may be  obtained from the National Air Data Branch,
Monitoring and Data Analysis Division, Office of Air Quality Planning
and Standards, Research Triangle  Park, North Carolina   27711  (FTS 919-
688-8491).
                                     /«
                                  y
                                      Administrator
                               5.1.0-8

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION System Philosophy
CHAPTER Management Objectives
SUBJECT Legislative, Public
and EPA Requirements
for Air Data
SECTION
5
CHAPTER SUBJECT
DATE PAQE
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      Unlike some other government data systems, there is no legislated
report required from EPA on air pollution.  However, the need for the
ability to routinely report and to handle special requests was recog-
nized.  Therefore the air data systems have been developed to provide
this generalized capability and to facilitate the publication of data
for the broad range of users, both public and private.

      The public requirement for data has gradually evolved, given the
increased competence of the public awareness groups, the energy crisis,
etc.  Therefore there has been a continual effort to keep pace, in
system capabilities, with the environmentally maturing public.

      The EPA requirements, for the most part, have been generated in-
ternally within OAQPS.  When a general agreement among Regional
Offices could be obtained relative to their air data requirements, all
postible effort has been made to satisfy the defined requirements.
However, custom programming has not been generally possible; rather,
the versatility and flexibility of the system have been enhanced.

      Internally, to the data bank managers, the most important require-
ments of the system are the ability to routinely generate data publica-
tions and to process requests for data, making little or no attempt to
analyze the data; the function of analysis and interpretation is better
left to the user.  However, the publications and requests are not
specifically required by legislation.
                                5.1.1-1

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ENVIRONMENTAL
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NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
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SECTION System Philosophy
CHAPTER Management Objectives
SUBJECT AEROS System Develop-
ment and Program
Library
SECTION
5
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2
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      Routinely the current users of the data and the system users are
surveyed by questionnaires, RO visits and AEROS user meetings to
ascertain desired modifications.  However, in some instances it has
not been possible to identify bonafide users, and this has complicated
the planning process.  Furthermore, it is absolutely necessary to
evaluate the degree to which the system meets a user's needs and in
most cases the user simply cannot accomplish this alone, since the
flexibility and versatility of the system may sometimes be misunder-
stood.

      In general, if anyone develops programs, tests and documents
them to prespecified NADB standards, then they may become a part of the
AEROS program library.  All programs in the library are maintained by
NADB and changes to the library may not be accomplished outside of NADB.
This does not prevent users from developing their own programs for
accessing AEROS files.  However, MADE cannot be responsible for the impact
upon user developed programs not maintained by NADB whenever changes
are made to AEROS.  These changes, usually precipitated by improve-
ment and enhancement efforts associated with both the system and the
facility may include such actions as file definition/nomenclature
changes, etc.
                                5.1.2-1

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION System Philosophy
CHAPTER Management Objectives
SUBJECT Data Collection and
Flow, Files Creation
and Maintenance
SECTION
5
CHAPTER SUBJECT
1 3
DATE PAGE
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   The data quantity, quality and timeliness  are  the  responsibilities
of the Regional  Offices, unless  specific items  of data are  purchased
(such as source test results, vehicle registration information,  census
data, etc.).  The procedures for submittal  of these data, as  required
by SIP Regulations §51.7 are defined in the AEROS manuals.

   It is not the intention of AEROS management to provide the single
air data base in EPA.  Certain individuals  may have specific  require-
ments for storage and retrieval  of data considered of little  use to
others.  Therefore AEROS management may at  certain times reject  data
or reject requests for system modifications to accommodate  data  of
non-general use.  Specific examples are RAPS data, CHESS/CHAMP and
other research data, certain enforcement monitoring data, etc. which
have not precipitated modification of the system.  However, data from
such efforts when reduced to an AEROS-compatible format, are solicited
and incorporated.

   NADB acts as the AEROS data base manager.  No one else may
actually enter data into the files, and no one else may change the
definition  of the files.

   Anomalies or possible errors in the data bases should be
identified  to NADB.   Investigations of these errors may result in
the requirement of RO's to discuss the data with states and to
submit  delete or  change actions.

   Procedures for the flow of data are defined by NADB; however,
it is not  the responsibility of NADB to know why certain data have
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ENVIRONMENTAL
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NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME I.
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CHAPTER Management Objectives
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Flow, files Creation
and Maintenance
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or have not been submitted or why data may be late in arriving.
This is a RO responsibility.   It is possible for NADB to generate
reports on the availability or quality of the data.
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t micrr Interactive and Batch
bJbJbO 1 . _._...
Access of Files and
Request Processing
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DATE PAGE
1/3/76 1
   All users may directly access the AEROS data files via both batch
and interactive terminals.  All files are not accessible by both methods.
All files (except for the AEROS interactive terminal system) have been
defined and users may write their own access programs.  Users may also
use previously prepared and routinely circulated programs to provide
standard data reports.

   If none of the above methods are possible, there are also a few
reporting programs which must be run from the computer facility by
NADB.  In these cases a request must be made of NADB, who will run
the programs, check the results and forward the reports to the
requestor.

   Requestors without access to a terminal may also be serviced by
NADB; however, major work performed by NADB to satisfy requests outside
of NADB must be charged to the requestor's account.  Funding to NADB
is only sufficient to cover development costs, data base management,
and requests processing internal to NADB.  Other government agencies
and their contractors are required to establish user accounts against
which such work is charged.  EPA contractors are required to make
requests through their EPA project officer who must make arrangements
for chargable accounts, etc.
                                5.1.4-1

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION System Philosophy
CHAPTER Management Objectives
SUBJECT Non-EPA Access of
Files
SECTION
5
CHAPTER
1
SUBJECT
5
DATE PAGE
1/3/76 * 1
     The direct access of files by non-EPA users is not the responsi-
bility of NADB, but rather that of the EPA computer facility operators
in the National Computing Center.  All requests for such capability
should be addressed to MIDSD and the NCC.  NADB has no opposition to
such access; however, there is no intention at this time to financially
support such access from the NADB budget.  J_f non-EPA or non-government
access is permitted at some time in the future, selective access
must be arranged in order to protect the data specifically indicated
as confidential.
                              5.1.5-1

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY

NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH

VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION System Philosophy


CHAPTER Management Objectives

SUBJECT Training


SECTION

5
CHAPTER

1
SUBJECT

6
DATE PAGE
1/3/76 1



     There seem to be three levels of training required:
         a.  Generalized computer training,
         b.  UNIVAC training, and
         c.  AEROS training.

     The first two levels must be accomplished before the third can
be obtained from either the Civil Service Commission or in some
instances from MIDSD/NCC.  UNIVAC training can be obtained with the
assistance of NCC from Sperry-UNIVAC.

     AEROS training should be obtained using the Air Pollution Tech-
nical Institute courses already developed or in progress.  Additional
requirements should be defined to the Chief, APTI.

     NADB plays an important role in assisting in the development of
APTI courses on AEROS and in serving as guest lecturers.  In some
instances NADB gives assistance and custom training when specific
problems with AEROS develop.
                                5.1.6-1

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                                  TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
                           (Please read Instructions on the reverse before completing
1 REPORT NO
 EPA-450/2-76-001
                                                          3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSIOM-NO.
4 TITLE AND SUBTITLE
  AEROS Manual Series
  Volume I:   AEROS Overview
                                                          5. REPORT DATE
                                                            February 1976
                                        6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
7 AUTHOR(S)
 National Air Data Branch
                                         8 PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.

                                          OAQPS No. 1.2-038
9 PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
  U.  S.  Environmental Protection Agency
  Office of Air and Waste Management
  Office of Air Qualtiy Planning and Standards
  Research Triangle Park, North Carolina  27711
                                                          10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
                                         11 CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
  U.  S.  Environmental Protection Agency
  Office of Air and Waste Management
  Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards
  Research Triangle Park, North Carolina   27711
                                                          13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
                                         14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

 Volume I of 5  volume series.
16 ABSTRACT
       The Aerometric and Emissions Reporting  System (AEROS) was established by the
  Environmental Protection Agency to serve  as  a management information system  for
  EPA's air pollution research and control  programs.  As such, AEROS is mainly con-
  cerned with the collection, processing, and  reporting of basic air pollution data.
  Various supplementary data files are  also maintained to provide additional informatior
  valuable for the preparation and analysis of air pollution data.

       In addition to this overview Volume  I,  there are four additonal AEROS volumes
  which describe AEROS operations in more detail.   AEROS Volume II is the AEROS User's
  Manual, which gives instructions for  users to input data to AEROS, along with detailec
  systems descriptions.  Volume III, the AEROS Summary and Retrieval Manual, is intended
  for those who want to obtain data from AEROS.  Volume III describes AEROS reports,
  how they may be used, and gives instructions for how to obtain them.  Volume IV is
  the MADE Internal Operations Manual,  which documents in detail, all NADB procedures
  related to AEROS.  Certain portions of Volume IV may be of interest to persons in-
  terested in all details of AEROS operations, but is intented mainly as a guide for
  NADB personnel.  Volume V is the AEROS Coding Manual.  It contains tables of standard
  codes required for AEROS data coding  and  serves  as a companion to Volume II  for users
  who want to input data.                      	                  	
                               KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
                  DESCRIPTORS
 AEROS
 NADB
 NEDS
 SAROAD
 HATREMS
 SOTDAT
APER
WSAP
SIEFA
CAASE
REPS
SIPS
                                             b IDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS
                                                                          COSATi Field/Group
13 DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
 Release Unlimited
                            19 SECURITY CLASS (This Report)
                               Unclassified
21. NO OF PAGES

   92
                                             2O SECURITY CLASS (This page)

                                                Unclassified	
                                                                        22. PRICE
EPA Form 2220-1 (9-73)
                                          TD-1

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ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL AIR
DATA BRANCH
VOLUME 1.
AEROS OVERVIEW
SECTION Overview of Systems
CHAPTER Introductory Overview
SUBJECT Major AEROS Systems—
NEDS and SAROAD
SECTION CHAF
3
DATE
1/3/76
>TER SUBJECT
1 1
PAGE
8
     The most important function of SAROAD is  report generation.   A wide
variety of standard and special  request reports  are available,  the more
important of which are described below.

     Yearly frequency distribution - This report lists,  for each  sampling
         site and for a specified year,  the site description,  the pollut-
         ants monitored at that  site, the methods of pollutant  collection
         and analysis, the minimum, maximum, and certain percentile values
         for each pollutant,  and the arithmetic  and geometric means and
         geometric standard deviation.   The means are calculated  only when
         data meet NADB summary  criteria.

     Quarterly frequency distribution - This report is identical  in format
         to the yearly frequency distribution  except that the data are
         summarized on a quarterly, rather than  yearly,  basis.

     Yearly report by quarters - This report lists for each sampling site
         and for a specified year, a description of the  site,  the pollut-
         anta monitored at that  site, the numbers of observations and the
         arithmetic average for  each quarter,  the annual arithmetic aver-
         age, and the arithmetic standard deviation for  the year.

     Quarterly composite listing - This report lists, for each  sampling
         site and for a specified year,  the four quarterly values and
         yearly average value for each  pollutant.

     Yearly data inventory by site - This report lists for each site the
         number of years for which the  data are  available for
         ant.  For each year, the number of observations, the  arithmetic
                                  3.1.1-8

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