EPA 600-M-91-029 United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development Washington, DC 20460 Office of International Activities Washington, DC 20460 Off ice of Air and Radiation Washington, DC 20460 EPA/600/M-91/029 November 1991 &EPA Air Quality Management ------- EPA Technical Information Packages This brochure is part of a series of information packages prepared by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Aimed at the international community, the packages focus on key environmental and public health issues being investigated by EPA. The products highlighted within these packages provide a sound technical basis for decisions regarding the development of environmental policy, abatement activities, and pollution prevention. By pooling expertise in the areas of environmental science and technology, significant progress can be anticipated to ensure a habitable environment for all nations. Air Quality Management contains information on the problems of ambient and indoor air pollution, associated health risks, monitoring methods, and control technologies. Brochures and associated support material are available on the following topics: • Ensuring Safe Drinking Water....EPA/600/M-91/012 • Water Quality EPA/600/M-91/033 • Mining Waste Management EPA/600/M-91/027 • Risk Assessment EPA/600/M-91/034 • Pesticide Waste Disposal EPA/600/M-91/028 • Pesticide Usage Guidelines EPA/600/M-91/035 • Air Quality Management EPA/600/M-91/029 • Pollution Prevention EPA/600/M-91/036 • Solid Waste Disposal EPA/600/M-91/030 • Environmental Impact • Hazardous Waste Management ..EPA/600/M-91/031 Assessments EPA/600/M-91/037 • Small Community Wastewater • EPA Information Sources EPA/600/M-91/038 Systems EPA/600/M-91/032 • Environmental Management ...EPA/600/M-91/039 Each complete Technical Information Package (TIP) consists of a cover brochure as well as all of the documents highlighted within the body of the brochure. Generally, the cover brochures contain a section discussing the environmental issue, associated health and environmental effects, guidelines, sampling and analytical methods, as well as treatment and disposal technologies. Following this section, a bibliography is provided to identify other important sources and documents in the field. Finally, a number of Office of Research and Development (ORD) technical experts followed by some additional EPA resources are listed to facilitate consultation and technical assistance. Document ordering information is provided on page 8. ------- Air Quality Ambient air quality is a concern because of detrimental effects on the public health and the environment as well as physical structures such as buildings or statues. Indoor air quality is also important since many people spend the majority of their time in enclosed structures. Outdoor air quality may be degraded by transportation, energy production, manufac- turing, hazardous waste treatment processes, and other activities. Some of the compounds released by these activities include: particu- lates (soot and metals), volatile organic com- pounds, oxides of sulfur and nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. Chlorofluoro- carbons are strongly implicated in depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer. Sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides may damage woodland and aquatic ecosystems through acid deposition. Additionally, high ambientlevels of ozone may adversely affect human health as well as veg- etation. Indoor air quality is adversely affected by emissions from a variety of sources including: 1) radon gas from the soil, well water or build- ing materials; 2) organic compounds from build- ing materials, furnishings and consumer prod- ucts; 3) other pollutants (e.g., particulates, CO and NOX) from combustion sources; 4) second- hand tobacco smoke; and 5) asbestos from degrading insulation. Emission standards and monitoring re- quirements for several industrial classifications have resulted from clean air legislation in the U.S. Some of the sources of concern for which emission standards and monitoring require- ments have been regulated in the U.S. include the following: coal fired power plants, oil refin- eries, automobiles, andchemical process plants. Strategies for Defining the Environmental Problem Air sampling and analysis play a signifi- cant part in the surveillance and evaluation of the effectiveness of air pollution control tech- niques. Sampling procedures include point source and nonpoint source for ambient air and indoor air. EPA's Atmospheric Research and Exposure Assessment Laboratory has devel- oped several air quality models (e.g., the Urban Airshed Model for Ozone and Ozone Isopleth Plotting Package) to estimate environmental exposure for air pollutants. Air quality models for hazardous, or toxic, pollutants are being developed as the need arises. For example, the Complex Terrain Dispersion Model, operable on a personal computer, is useful for estimating pollutant concentrations in mountainous re- gions. All models are used to estimate concen- trations of pollutants at ground level where public health may be affected adversely. The effects of air pollutants on human health can be determined from exposure assessment meth- ods. • EPA/450/3-90/022 Air Pollution and Health Risk — This factsheet contains a gen- eral overview of air pollution and associated health risks. • EPA/450/3-90/023 Evaluating Exposures to Toxic Air Pollutants : A Citizen's Guide — Toxic air pollutants are defined and a 4-step approach to air pollution exposure assessment is presented in this publication. • EPA/450/3-90/024 Risk Assessment for Toxic Air Pollutants: A Citizen's Guide—This document briefly describes toxic air pollutants and the process typically followed to estimate associated health risks. • EPA/450/4-91/007 Guidance on the Ap- plication of Refined Dispersion Models for Air Toxic Releases — Guidance on model use for determining the dispersion of point source plumes is presented in this document. • EPA/450/3-88/016 Glossary of Terms Related to Health, Exposure, and Risk Assess- ment — Terms that are commonly used in health and risk assessments for toxic air pollut- ants are defined in this glossary. Monitoring Air Pollution Several active and passive sampling and analytical methods for determining inorganic and organic compound levels in ambient air or from point sources have been developed. In- door air can be monitored by several sampling methods. Sampling procedures include meth- Printed on Recycled Paper ------- Workers removing asbestos-laden insulating materials from a radiator in a school corridor. Damage and deterioration over time increases the likelihood that fibers will be released. ------- ods for ambient and stack sampling and are available for many pollutants. Where possible, continuous sampling is used (e.g., for SO2 and NOX). For other cases, intermittent sampling is used (e.g., for particulates). Obtaining repre- sentative samples and maintaining their integ- rity prior to analysis is a problem for some pollutants. Therefore, quality assurance meth- ods must be included as part of the procedures. Even though more recent legislation in the U.S. may require more sophisticated procedures to overcome uncertainties, existing methods should be adequate for characterizing air qual- ity in most communities. • EPA/600/4-89/017 CompendiumofMeth- ods for the Determination of Toxic Organic Compounds in Ambient Air — Determination of toxic organic compounds in ambient air is a complex task primarily because of the wide variety of compounds of interest. This compen- dium of methods has been prepared to provide current procedures in a standardized format for measuring toxic organic pollutants of primary importance in ambient air. The various meth- ods provide both sampling and analytical pro- cedures for a variety of pollutants, including pesticides, PCBs, formaldehyde and other al- dehydes, phosgene, n-nitroso-dimethylamine, cresol/phenol, dioxin, and non-speciated, non- methane organic compounds. • EPA/625/6-79/005 Technology Transfer Handbook: Continuous Air Pollution Source Monitoring Systems—Detailed information is presented to develop a continuous emissions monitoring program at a stationary source fa- cility and meet U.S. requirements, including design and performance specifications and monitoring and data reporting. Discussions of extractive sampling techniques and in situ meth- ods are presented, along with explanations of the analytical techniques used in some mar- keted instrumentation. Methods for monitoring opacity, pollutant gases, and combustion gases, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, are de- scribed. Control Technologies A variety of approaches are available to reduce emissions from stationary sources (e.g., process modifications or product substitution to prevent pollution and control technology to remove the pollutants from flue gases). To date the emphasis has been on development and demonstration of control technology for large, stationary sources. Technologies in use in the U.S. include: 1) electrostatic precipitators and fabric filters for paniculate control, 2) wet and dry flue gas desulfurization systems for SOX control, 3) combustion modification and flue gas treat- ment for NOX control, 4) incineration for the disposal of hazardous, medical and municipal wastes, 5) construction techniques to prevent radon entry into new or existing buildings, and 6) measures to minimize exposure to asbestos. Fly ash and other paniculate matter in flue gas can be controlled by several methods. The two technologies most frequently used to achieve high efficiency control are electro- static precipitators (ESP) and fabric filters (FF). The ESP has multiple fields consisting of a charging electrode followed by a collection plate on which the paniculate is deposited. The FF collects the paniculate by physical mecha- nisms as the flue gas is passed through fabric bags. Both systems use physical processes to remove the particulates from the collection surface and deposit them in a hopper for re- moval. • EPA/625/1-85/017 Manual: Operation and Maintenance Manual for Electrostatic Pre- cipitators —This manual focuses on the opera- tion and maintenance (O&M) of typical elec- trostatic precipitators (ESPs). Available infor- mation on ESP theory and design is summa- rized in sufficient detail to provide a basic backgroundfor the O&M portionsof the manual. • EPA/625/1-86/020 Manual: Operation and Maintenance Manual for Fabric Filters— The operation and maintenance of fabric filters is presented to assist plant operators in identify- ing typical problems encountered when operat- ing fabric filters. Cause-effect type information is presented to assist the operator in locating the source of a problem. • EPA/625/6-91/014 Handbook: Control Technologies for Hazardous Air Pollutants — A methodology is presented for determining the performance and cost of air pollution con- trol techniques designed to reduce or eliminate ------- the emissions of potentially hazardous air pol- lutants from industrial/commercial sources. Removal of SOX from flue gas has been the subject of intense investigation for some time. Wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD) and spray dryer absorbers with fabric filters (SDA/ EF) are the established technology on new systems requiring high efficiency control. A variety of processes are being developed to achieve moderate control when retrofitted on existing systems. • EPA/625/1-85/019 Flue Gas Desulfu- rization Inspection and Performance Evalua- rion^-This manual contains practical informa- tion for environmental inspectors to assist them in the systematic inspection of flue gas desulfu- rization systems to determine compliance with emission standards. As with SOX, NOX emissions should be reduced. • EPA/600/2-91/029 Sourcebook: NOX Control Technology Data — This report is a compilation of available information on the control of nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions from stationary sources (e.g., combustion turbines, internal combustion engines, non-utility boil- ers and heaters, and waste incinerators). The background of NOX formation and major NOX sources is discussed, along with processes for NOX control. The current status of NOX control technology is discussed, and applications to meet permitting requirements are detailed. Per- mitted NOX emission levels in the U.S. are summarized by combustion source, fuel type, and control technology. Documentation in- cludes references and contacts for further infor- mation. The destruction of hazardous organic com- pounds by incineration is widely practiced in the U.S. These systems are designed to convert as much of the waste to CO2 and HjO as possible and minimize incomplete combus- tion. Trial combustion burns are used to deter- mine performance. • EPA/625/6-89/019 Guidance on Setting Permit Conditions and Reporting Trial Burn Results — This handbook provides guidance for establishing operational conditions for in- cinerators. It has been developed to assist U.S. permit writers in translating trial burn results into site-specific operational conditions for an incinerator permit. Included are a detailed dis- cussion of control parameters, design consider- ations, and suggested reporting formats. These parameters are presented in the document along with guidance on how to develop permit oper- ating conditions using the trial bum data. The guidance also will assist applicants in planning trial burns to address the key operating param- eters that must be measured and emphasize the necessity to test "worst-case" operations to enable permit applicants to tailor their pro- posed operating conditions to the needs of their facility. • EPA/600/S2-90/039 Minimization and Control of Hazardous Combustion By-prod- ucts — This summary presents an overview of operational strategies for controlling hazard- ous combustion by-products (products of in- complete combustion) that result from such thermal destruction methods as incinerators, boilers and kilns. • EPA/625/6-89/024 Handbook: Opera- tion and Maintenance of Hospital Medical Waste Incinerators — This document should assist operators of hospital waste incinerators in minimizing air pollution emissions. A gen- eral overview is provided with the suggestion that specific operator and maintenance manu- als for specific equipment be obtained from manufacturers as needed. This handbook is a supplement to more detailed and specific O&M methods. Several U.S. facilities arebeingconstructed to burn municipal solid waste to reduce the amount of landfilled material. Some of these facilities are being equipped to recover energy. Combustion facilities are required to use good combustion practices and employ appropriate flue gas cleaning techniques to limit emissions of particulate matter, acid gases, trace metals (cadmium, lead, and mercury) and trace organ- ics (dioxins and furans). In many areas of the U.S., elevated levels of indoor radon gas pose substantial risks of increased lung cancer. The radon may originate from radium in the soil or fill material under the ------- structure, radium within building materials, or gas accumulated in drinking water from wells. The prevention of radon entry can be accom- plished by several methods. • EPA 625/5-&7/0\9RadonReduction Tech- niques for Detached Houses and EPA 625/2- 91/032 Radon-resistant Construction Tech- niques for New Residential Construction are two technical guidance documents that aid in the selection, design, and implementation of measures for reducing indoor radon levels. Asbestos has caused air quality problems in older buildings that contain friable (brittle or easily crumbled) asbestos material. Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that has been used in the manufacture of over 3,000 products due to its nonflammable and noncor- rosive properties. Virtually invisible (0.1 to 10(1), asbestos fibers are lightweight and can remain airborne for hours. If inhaled, the fibers may cause diseases that disrupt the normal functioning of the lungs and can ultimately lead to cancer. Operations and maintenance pro- grams have been developed to minimize expo- sure of building occupants to asbestos fibers and use of asbestos is being phased out. Meth- ods for surveys, abatement, and proper opera- tion and maintenance to minimize exposure are available. EPA/20T-2003 Managing Asbestos in Place — This document contains an overview of methods for controlling asbestos. EPA/530-SW-85-007 Asbestos Waste Management Guidance — This manual pro- vides guidance on the most effective methods to handle asbestos-containing waste materials during generation, transport, and final disposal. Mobile Sources Increased numbers of transportation ve- hicles have created a mobile source environ- mental problem in many parts of the world. Motor vehicles—cars, trucks, and buses—are responsible for half of the VOCs emitted on a daily basis in the U.S. They account for 50 percent of the hydrocarbon and nitrogen-oxide pollutants which form smog in our cities, 90 percent of the carbon monoxide pollutants, and over 50 percent of all other toxic air pollutants. As urban areas increase in population, more heavily congested traffic leads to higher emis- sions levels. Other complicating factors in- clude poor vehicle maintenance, deterioration in fuel quality, deliberate tampering with or removal of pollution controls (catalytic con- verters), and use of leaded gasoline in cars that require unleaded gasoline. Photo by S.C. Delaney ------- Additional References Asbestos Kominsky, J., et al. 1990. "Evaluation of Two Cleaning Methods for Removal;of Asbestos Fibers from Carpet." EPA/600/S2-90/053. Mobile Sources Adler, J.M. and P.M. Carey. 1989. "Air Toxics Emissions and Health Risks from Mobile Sources." Air & Waste Management Assoc. paper 89-34A.6, June 1989. Carey, P.M. 1987. "Air Toxics Emissions from Motor Vehicles." EPA technical report EPA-AA-TSS-PA-86-5. Sampling Chuang, J., et al. 1987. "Field Comparison of Polyurethane Foam and XAD-2 Resin for Air Sampling for Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons." Environmental Science and Technology. 2:798-804. Lewis, R., etal. 1982. "Modification andEvaluation of a High Volume Air Sampler for Pesticides and Semivolatile Industrial Organic Chemicals." Analytical Chemistry. 54:592-594. Lewis, R., et al. 1985. "Thermally Desorbable Passive Sampling Device for Volatile Organic Compounds in Ambient Air." Analytical Chemistry. 57:214. Lewis,R.,efa/. 1988. "Measurement of Atmospheric Concentrations of Common Househo\dPestitides." Environmental Monitoring Assessment. 10: 59-73. McClenny, W., et al. 1989. "A Field Strategy for Sorting Volatile Organic Compounds into Source Related Groups." Environmental Science and Technology. 23:1373-79. Office of the Federal Register. 1991. (Methods for sampling and analysis of air pollutants). 40 CFR Ch. 1, Pan 60, Appendices: 687-1152. Wilson, N., et al. 1990. "Sampling Semivolatile Organic Compounds in Indoor Air." EPA/600/D-90/112. NTIS# PB90-263047. ------- Project Area Ambient Air Quality (Outdoor Air) Acid Deposition Air Quality Modeling Atmospheric Processes Model Evaluation/Applications Ozone Ecological Effects Photochemistry; ozone Asbestos Abatement Control Technologies Gas Cleaning Technologies Global Emissions and Control Organics Control Human Health and Environmental Effects Exposure Assessment Human Exposure Stratospheric Ozone Protection Indoor Mr Radon Mitigation Incineration Mobile Sources Municipal Waste Combustion Sampling & Analysis Air Monitoring Methods Compendium Passive Sampling PCDD/PCDF Pesticides QA Handbook/Traceability Protocols Semivolatile Compounds Source Methods Air Quality Expertise List Contact FAX Jim Vickery 919-541-7588 Francis Schiermeier 919-541 -1379 JackH. Shreffler 919-541-7588 Robin Dennis 919-541-1379 Bill Hogsett 503-757-4601 Basil Dimitriades 919-541-7588 Thomas Powers 513-569-7787 Michael A. Maxwell 919-541-2382 Richard D. Stern 919-541-2382 Wade H. Ponder 919-541-2157 DalePahl 919-541-1486 Gerald G. Akland 919-541-7588 William J. Rhodes 919-541-7885 Michael C. Osborne 919-541-2157 Robert Hall 919-541-2382 Frank M. Black 919-541-4609 James Kilgroe 919-541-2382 Thomas Hartlage 919-541-1486 William McClenny 919-541-4609 Jim Mulik 919-541-4609 Robert Harless 919-541-4609 Robert G.Lewis 919-541-4609 Jerry Yarns 919-541-4609 Nancy Wilson 919-541-1486 Rodney Midget 919-541-3527 ------- Ordering Technical Documents The EPA documents mentioned in the Technical Information Package brochures can be ordered at no charge (while supplies are available) from the Center for Environmental Research Information (CERI). Once the CERI inventory is exhausted, clients will be directed to the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) where documents may be purchased. Orders can be placed by mail, phone, or FAX. To order documents, have the document number or the EXACT title ready. The journal articles listed in the Additional References section may be ordered from the U.S. National Focal Point of INFOTERRA. CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH INFORMATION (CERI) U.S. EPA, P.O. BOX 19963 CINCINNATI, OH 45219-0963 513-569-7562 PHONE 989-296-(US EPA UD) TELEX 513-569-7566 FAX NEEDED TO ORDER: EPA document number or the EXACT title. INFOTERRA U.S. NATIONAL FOCAL POINT U.S. EPA 401 M ST., S.W., PM211A WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 202-260-5917 PHONE (23) 4979995 TELEX 202-260-3923 FAX NEEDED TO ORDER: Name of journal, volume number, and page numbers. NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERVICE (NTIS) 5285 PORT ROYAL ROAD SPRINGFIELD, VA 22161 703-487-4650 PHONE 703-321-8547 FAX NEEDED TO ORDER: EPA document number, NTIS number, or EXACT title. U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1992—65CN359 ------- Organization of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with Functional Notes Staff Offices Executive Secretary Civil Rights Advisory Committee Staff Support Program Offices Support Offices Office of Administration and Resources Management Budget & Finance Human Resources Facilities Information Management Procurement & Grants Office of General Counsel Legal Advice Defensive Litigation Associate Administrators Public Affairs Legislative Affairs State/Local Relations Office of Policy, Planning and Evaluation Economic & Policy Analysis Accountability Systems Regulatory Management Pollution Prevention Program Office of the Inspector General Audits Criminal Investigations Regional Offices (Program Operations and State Oversight) 1 Region 1 Boston Region II New York 1 1 Region III Philadelphia Region IV Aaanta 1 Region V Chicago 1 Region VI Dallaa 1 Region VII K« ran. City 1 1 Region VIII Denver Region IX San Francfaco Region X Seattle ------- |