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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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NEEDED TO ORDER: EPA document number or the EXACT title.
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NEEDED TO ORDER: EPA document number, NTIS number,
or EXACT title.
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1992—65CN359
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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
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