f/EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency Region I
Air Management Division
J.F. Kennedy Federal Building
Boston, MA 02203
AIR MANAGEMENT
DIVISION: 1982
ANNUAL REPORT
-------
ç O ST 4 .
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION I
J.F. KENNEDY FEDERAL BUILDING, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02203
December 15, 1982
To: All Interested Parties
This is the first Annual Report of Region l’s recently created Air Management Division. The
report provides a wide variety of environmental and programmatic information on EPA and
State air, pesticides, and toxics programs in New England.
Although this report does provide some information on ambient air quality, it should not be
confused with the Annual Report on Air Quality in New England, published by EPA’s
Environmental Services Division, which is devoted solely to a detailed presentation of
ambient air data. The Air Management Division Annual Report is an overview which
provides key information on the Division’s accomplishments and environmental results.
While this report is intended primarily for use by EPA and State program managers, the
information may also prove useful to anyone interested in learning more about these
complex environmental programs. Any suggestions on how future reports can be improved
would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Harley F. Laing, Director
Air Management Division
:-
-------
CONTENTS
TOPIC PAGE(S)
AMD ORGANIZATION AND RESOURCES 3
ENVIRONMENTAL RESULTS 4-9
National Air Quality Standards 4
Air Monitors in New England 4
Ambient Trends 5
Emission Totals 7
Recent Violations 9
Summary and Outlook 9
AIR PROGRAM ACTIVITIES 10-14
SIP Revisions 10
PSD Permits 11
Modeling Activity 11
Recent Coal Conversions 12
Environmental Review 12
Compliance Inspections 13
Regulatory Reform 14
Management Initiatives 14
STATE AIR PROGRAM OVERVIEWS 15-22
Delegations 15
Attainment Plans 16
Inspection and Maintenance 16
Connecticut 17
Maine 18
Massachusetts 19
New Hampshire 20
Rhode Island 21
Vermont 22
PESTICIDES AND TOXICS PROGRAM ACTIVI11ES 23-25
Certification and Inspections 23
Wide Area Spraying 24
Toxics Inspections 24
Natural Gas Contamination 25
SPECIAL TOPICS 26-30
Coal Conversions 26
Hazardous Air Pollutants 28
Acid Precipitation 29
ACRONYMS 31
-------
OFFICE OF PESTICIDES
AND TOXIC SUBSTANCES
CHARLES LINCOLN
223-5126
L
—PESTICIDE CERTIFICATION
—PCB AND ASBESTOS
CONTROL
—TOXICS COORDINATION
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
BRANCH
WALLACE STICKNEY
223-2226
— MODELING
— METEOROLOGY
—I/M IMPLEMENTATION
— SPECIAL STUDIES
— INTERSTATE TRANSPORT
PHONE NUMBER WiLL CHANGE BY 6/83
AIR: STATE GRANTS
I
PESTICIDES: STATE GRANTS
p
áAA
ORGANIZATION
RESOURCES
Air Program
Pesticides/Toxics
Program
[ ECTO J
RLEY LAING
2232226
I
STATE PROGRAMS BRANCH
LINDA MURPHY —STATE GRANTS
223-5134
1 TATE PROGRAMS SECTION I
JOHN HANISCH
223-513 0
— STATE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
—PSD DELEGATIONS
— OVERSIGHT
—CONTROLED TRADING
I
CONTROL TECHNOLOGY
AND COMPLIANCE SECTION
ROBERT O’MEARA
223-51 30
—PSD PERMITS
—CONTROL TECHNOLOGY
—ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS
—COMPLIANCE INSPECTIONS
—COAL CONVERSIONS
—NSPS/NESHAPS DELEGATIONS
AIR: PERSONNEL CEILINGS
4
p
.4
I
4
I
50
40
30
20
10
0
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
7.0
6.8
6.6
X 6.4
6.2
6.0
10
8
6
x
P/T: PERSONNEL CEILINGS
A
I
/A
2
0
-------
ENVIRONMENTAL The main obiective of the air program is the attainment of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards
RESULTS which are mandatory goals for areas with violations of those standards (non-attainment areas). They are
designed to protect both public health (primary standards) and welfare (secondary standards).
National Air Quality Standards
Standard
National Pollutant Averaginglime PrimaryStandard Secondary
Ambient Air
Quality Sulfur Dioxide Annual 80 ug/m 3 —
Standards 24 Hours 365 uglm 3 —
3 Hours — 1300 ug/m 3
Total Suspended Annual 75ug/m 3 6 Oug/m 3
Particulates 24 Hours 260 ug/m 3 150 ug/m 3
Carbon 8 Hours 10 mg/rn 3 same
Monoxide 1 Hour 40 mg/rn 3 same
Ozone 1 Hour 235 mg/rn 3 same
Nitrogen Dioxide Annual 100 ug/m 3 same
Lead Quarterly 1.5 ug/m 2 same
Ambient To monitor air quality in relation to these standards, NeN England states maintain a network of over 200
Monitoring air monitors. Additional monitors are also used in conjunction with specific industrial sites. These moni-
tors are situated and operated to conform with EPA requirements. States regularly submit information
from this system to EPA ’s computerized data base of ambient air information.
Air Monitors in New England (a
Monitors Monitors Not Meeting
State Required Operating EPA Standards (b
CT 71 55 3
MA
15
69
10(c
ME
18
17
2
NH
27
26
4
RI
24
24
• 1
VT 12 12 1
Total 227 203 21
a) as of 10/1/
b) operating monitors not meeting EPA’s data
submittal requirements
C) Mass. data submittal standards are stricter than
EPA’s which causes more data to be rejected
-------
The following graphs, based on data from this network, show five year trends in selected urban New
England areas. These cities were chosen on the basis that they were representative of existing conditions
and that sufficient data was available. Seasonally adjusted trend lines are shown for TSP, SO 2 , CO. and
03. These trend lines are based on a statistical program that produces monthly means for each site,
performs a linear regression, and tests for significant trends. They provide an overview of major
changes; more detailed data is published in the 1981 Annual Report on Air Quality in New England. Data
on 1982 air quality will be available in the fall of 1983.
1977
FIVE YEAR TREND
TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICULATES
Legend
Hartford, CT
Bangor. ME
—. — - — Boston, MA
— Manchester, NH
Providence, RI
TSP levels have shown significant improvement in four of the five cities shown. The analysis of Boston’s
data shows no statistically significant trend for the past five years.
FIVE YEAR TREND
SULFUR DIOXIDE
Legend
Bridgeport, CT
— — — Portland, ME
—- — — Boston, MA
— — — Fall River, MA
Providence, RI
15 Burlington, VT
1977
The data shows no general trend in SO 2 levels throughout New England. Three cities show decreases.
Levels in Fall River, Mass., have been increasing. The analysis of Boston’s data shows no statistically sig-
nificant trend for the past five years.
ENVIRONMENTAL
RESULTS
TSP
Trends
SO 2
Trends
S
S
U
.a
C-)
S
a
S
E
S
0
U
40
1978 1979 1980
1981
85
80
Primary Annual Standard
S
S
U
C-)
S
a
S
E
S
0
U
20
1978
1979
1980
5
-------
ENVIRONMENTAL
RESULTS
CO
Trends
03
Trends
0.5
FIVE YEAR TREND—CARBON MONOXIDE
Legend
Bridgeport, CT
— — - — Bangor, ME
Boston, MA
— Providence, RI
Burlington, VT
All of the cities analyzed showed a significantly decreasing trend in CO levels. This has held true through-
out the region. No site in New England showed increasing CO levels. Note that while this graph shows
annual averages, the CO standards are set for 8 and 1 hour averaging times.
Legend
Bridgeport, CT
— — — — Portland, ME
— — — Boston, MA
— — - — Springfield, MA
Providence, RI
Because Ozone depends more on meteorology than any other pollutant, no clear trend is discernable in
this graph of the number of days standards have been violated. For all cities, there were fewer days
showing violations in 1981 than in 1977.
S
S
0
I .-
0
S
.0
E
3
z
1981
FIVE YEAR TREND—OZONE
S
S
U
.0
3
C.)
0
0.
S
E
S
1
1977
1978 1979 1980
1981
0
• .
1977
1980
-------
Estimated No.
State Of Entries
CT 10,800
ME
MA
NH
8,000
480
States also maintain inventories of emission sources for the National Emissions Data System (NEL)SI.
As with ambient data, emissions data is compiled nationally by EPA. Both states and EPA can use this
information to plan strategies focusing on major emitters and to judge their effectiveness in controlling
emissions. The following table shows the status of state inventory systems.
State Emission Inventories
Description
Automated; includes all points emitting more than
3 tons/year.
625 Automated; includes all plants over 10 MMBTU
Automated; includes all plants over 3 MMBTU
Partially automated; includes all points emitting
more than 10 tons/year
RI 600 Manual; includes all plants emitting more than
100 pounds/day or 10 pounds/hour
VT 190 Automated; includes all plants emitting over 1 ton/year
NEDS includes information on both point and area sources. Point sources are those large enough to
require an individual permit. Area sources include both clusters of small emissions points (such as a
housing development) and mobile sources. For both types, NEDS contains emission estimates based on
standard emission factors rather than actual emission tests.
In the last year, EPA and the states updated the NEDS data base as a part of the Northeast Corridor Re-
gional Modeling Project (NECRMP). Emissions information was collected for more than 5000 point
sources throughout the region. The following pie charts, based on this information, show emissions
estimates in 1980 for TSP, SO 2 , and VOC.
Total Suspended Particulates
TSP emissions in New England totaled over
600,000 tons in 1980 according to the NEDS
data base. By far the largest cause of these
emissions were area sources such as
construction sites and transportation.
However, large point sources, such as
powerplants, contribute a greater percentage
in certain areas.
IRL
RESULTS
Emissions
Inventory
TSP
Emissions
\Rl
“34,481
Tons/Year 5.7%
-------
ENVIRONMENTAL
RESULTS
So 2
Emissions
SulTur L)uoxlcle
New England SO 2 emissions totaled over
690,000 tons in 1980. Unlike TSP, point sources
emit the largest amount of SO 2 , especially in in-
dustrialized states. Most of these emissions
result from sulfur in fuel used for industrial
heating or generating electricity. These
emission estimates may understate SO 2
emissions because of the recent trend towards
higher sulfur fuels.
For comparison, SO 2 emissions in Ohio (the
largest source of SO 2 ) were estimated to be
2,781,032 tons.
10,510
1.5%
Volatile Organic Compounds
While not a criteria pollutant, VOC’s are regu-
lated because they can form ozone. Most
VOC’s originate from exhaust gases from
mobile sources, but point sources can
contribute significant amounts as well.
Chemical manufacturers, degreasers, and dry
cleaners are typical types of VOC sources.
Based on NEDS, VOC sources in N.E. emit
more than 1.1 million tons.
L_..__39 ,724
•1 3.4%
\\ \\ U”
77,205
11.1% VT
9,903
II1\IIt “ “ ‘‘“1.4%
VOC
Emissions
Tons/Year
Tons/Year
-------
Violations Since 1981 in Attainment or ENVIRONMENTAL
Unclassified Areas RESULTS
State Pollutant Town(s) Recent Violations
Maine Total Suspended Jay, Madawaska,
Particulates (1°) Presque Isle, Lincoln
Total Suspended Augusta, Fairfield, Lewiston,
Particulates (2°) Waterville, Portland, S. Portland
Sulfur Dioxide (10) Lincoln
Ozone (1°) Cape Elizabeth
Mass. Total Suspended Chicopea
Pat-ticulates (2°)
N.H. Total Suspended Northumberland
Particulates (2°)
10 = primary 2° = secondary
This table lists recent violations of primary and secondary standards in areas that were classified as at-
tainment or were unclassified because of insufficient data. It gives a general overview of recent air qual-
ity problems.
When ambient violations are reported, EPA and the states evaluate the data to determine if the area of
violation should be redesignated as non-attainment. Part of this evaluation is to determine the cause of
the new violation which can vary from road dust to an improperly designed stack to the siting of a new
monitor. Redesignation can then occur as a revision to the state’s SIP.
The primary goal of the air program is to maintain the ambient air quality standards for criteria pollutants. Summary and
Trend lines show improvement in concentrations of those pollutants although problem areas do exist Outlook
(see state summaries for listings of primary non-attainment areas). Emissions trend data is not now avail-
able, although future annual reports will track those trends as well. Because managing for environmental
results requires good information about those results, improving the ambient air and emissions data
bases will continue to be a high priority.
The future will see a greater emphasis placed on hazardous and other non-criteria pollutants (see special
topics section), and an agressive search for innovative and efficient methods of achieving environmental
results.
9
-------
The Clean Air Act requires states to develop air
quality control plans that will achieve and main-
tain the NAAQS. Elements of these plans in-
dude emission limits for large industries, new
source review procedures, and transportation
control measures. Approving revisions to these
State Implementation Plans is one of the Air
Division’s main responsibilities.
States may submit revision requests for a vari-
ety of reasons. The most numerous type of SIP
revisions have been the result of the higher cost
of low sulfur fuel that drove many industries to
seek relaxations of the sulfur in fuel standards.
These sulfur relaxations permitted these
industries to burn a lower cost, higher sulfur,
oil. Other types of SIP revisions resulted from
changes in Clean Air Act requirements and
from ambient monitoring data that necessi-
tated revised attainment designations.
SIP revisions must have supporting technical
evidence showing that standards won’t be vio-
lated. Proposed and final SIP revisions are pub-
lished in the Federal Register.
SIP REVISIONS PER YEAR
SIP REVISIONS PER STATE (1982)
In 1982, EPA approved 31 SIP revisions in New
England. The Clean Air Act allows states until
1987 to comply with ozone and carbon monox-
ide standards, but only if they submit plans
showing how this compliance will be attained.
Many of the recent SIP revisions have been
submitted to fulfill this requirement. These SIP
regulations indude adoption of Inspection and
Maintainance procedures for mobile sources,
controls on VOC sources, and transportation
control measures.
AIR PROGRAM
ACTIVITIES
SIP Revision
Trend
35
C
0
1
10
1978
Years
1980 1981 1982
1982 SIP
Revisions
I
CT ME MA NH RI VT
10
-------
EPA-ISSUED PSD PERMITS PER YEAR
The 1977 Clean Air Act amendments estab-
lished the Prevention of Significant Deteriora-
tion permit program to limit the amount of ad-
ditional pollution emitted in “clean” (attain-
ment) areas. Any major new source or major
modification to an existing source must apply
for a PSD permit to EPA or an authorized state.
The source must use the Best Available Control
Technology and cannot consume more than a
specified increment of pollution. PSD require-
ments apply only in attainment areas.
Both the decline in industrial activity and the re-
cent transfer of PSD authority to the states
(see page 15) has reduced the number of per-
mits the Air Division is processing. Many of
those which have been issued recently are en-
ergy related, induding a number of resource re-
covery facilities.
Air quality models are sets of mathematical equations that are designed to predict emission impacts by
calculating the interactions among emissions, weather, and geography. Modeling is required for a wide
variety of air quality reviews to predict the impact of a proposed action and to assure that standards
won’t be violated. The Air Division reviews modeling results submitted by states or industries, does in-
house modeling, and provides technical assistance to the states.
EPA’s guidelines recommend using one of two levels of modeling. The first level consists of relatively
simple “screening” models which tend to be conservative; that is they predict worst-case impacts. The
second level consists of refined models which EPA recommends if the predicted impacts from the
screening model exceed regulatory limits. Both types are done using a computer.
No. of 1982 Modeling Reviews
PSD Permits 6
Coal Conversions 5
Single Source
SIP Revisions 13
Area Wide
SIP Revisions 5
EIS’s 7
Miscellaneous 7
AIR PROGRAM
ACTIVITIES
PSD
Permits
Air Quality
Modeling
t
1978 1979 1980 1981
1982
11
-------
AIR PROGRAM Recent Coal Conversions
ACTIVITIES
Plant Capacity Status
Mt. Tom 145 MW converted 12/81; estimated TSP emission rate
Holyoke, MA (1 unit) is .3 lb./MMBTU
Coal
Conversions Salem Harbor 310 MW converted 2/82; estimated TSP emission rate is
Salem, MA (3 units) .2 lb/MMBTU for units #1 and #3, and .35
lb./MMBTU for unit #2.
Somerset 195 MW DCO proposed 10/82; coversion possible in
Somerset, MA (2 units) early 1983
The swift rise in oil prices during the 1970’s sparked renewed interest in converting electric powerplants
from oil to coal (see Special Topics section). Although oil price changes have leveled off, the price differ-
ential between oil and coal remains large enough so that a number of utilities believe a conversion can be
economic, and are applying to EPA for Delayed Compliance Orders (DCO’s) or SIP revisions which may
be needed for the conversion to go forward.
In 1982, the Air Division finalized 2 DCO’s and began work on a third. Northest Utilities’ Mt. Tom station
and New England Electric Company’s Salem Harbor station both began burining coal under the condi-
tions of an EPA-issued DCO. Montaup Electric Company applied for a DCO for their Somerset Station,
and if it is approved the station could bum coal in early 1983.
ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS
REVIEWED (1982)
Environmental Many federal agencies provide grants or issue °
Review permits for highway construction, housing de-
velopments, or other major federal projects. 8
Reviewing the environmental analyses required
by the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) for these projects is one way of ensur- 7.
ing that they conform to the conditions of a
state’s SIP. In 1982, the Air Division completed
23 reviews of environmental impact state- 6
ments, environmental assessments, and find-
ings of no significant impact (FONSI’s). These
reviews were coordinated with the relevant 5
state and federal agencies to discuss and I /
resolve any significant inconsistencies with the
This type of consistency review is required for 7
each state, and helps EPA track the environ- 3
mental results achieved by state programs.
Most states have decided to use the NEPA 2
process as their forum for evaluating the con-
sistency of major federal actions. One state,
COnneCtiCUt, issues an indirect source permit i /
tomeetthisgoalaswe ll. 0 . - - - RI \TT
State
-------
Compliance inspections are designed to oversee stationary source compliance with emission regula- AIR PROGRAM
tions. Both EPA and the states conduct periodic inspections to ensure that sources are meeting State ACTIVITIES
Implementation Plan requirements (which are federally enforceable). As a result, 95% of the region’s
largest sources (class Al) are in compliance with state and federal regulations.
In 1982, EPA conducted 50 inspections, concentrating on major emission sources (see state summaries
for state inspection information). These include class Al and A2 sources, significant violators, and Compliance
sources subject to New Source Performance Standards or National Emission Standards for Hazardous Inspections
Air Pollutants. These are distinguished as follows:
Class Al Actually emits 100 tons/year of a critical pollutant or is an
NSPS or NESHAPS source.
Class A2 Has the potential to emit 100 tons/year of a critical pollutant.
Significant Violator A class Al source which is violating emission standards in a
non-attainment area or is violating NESHAPS standards.
EPA and state inspectors determine a source’s compliance by evaluating process equipment, emission
control equipment, and by visual inspection of stack emissions. This information, along with stack tests
of emissions, are used to designate a source’s compliance status. For non-complying sources, EPA and
the state make a decision about the type of enforcement action needed to bring the source back in
compliance. This can include a Notice of Violation, an Administrative Order, or court action.
Information on major pollution sources is contained in the EPA Compliance Data System (CDS), a com-
puterized data system which stores both emission and compliance information. CDS is used to set re-
gional priorities and to evaluate compliance statistics in each state. EPA relies heavily on the states to
maintain and update the CDS data base.
NUMBER OF SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF CLASS Al SOURCES,
VIOLATORS, BY STATE (a BY STATE
12
lo :
g8
15O
: 1!! NH VT
STATE STATE
(a Maine and Vermont have no
significant violators
-------
AIR PROGRAM Region I continued to work with New England States on innovative strategies to meet environmental re-
ACTIVITIES quirements. As part of this effort, the Air Division approved two emission “bubbles” which allowed
industries to meet their SIP emission limits by trading emission increases and decreases from different
points at their facilities. Net emissions remain constant under these bubbles while operating costs have
been reduced. The Air Division also gave two states general approval to issue their own bubbles to
certain VOC sources.
State Description
Conn. Uniroyal Chemical in Naugatuck was allowed to bum a combination of
Re ulato 1% sulfur fuel and natural gas equivalent in emissions to burning .5%
RJorm “ sulfur fuel
Conn. EPA gave state generic authority to grant bubbles to a variety of VOC
sources providing there is no adverse impact on air quality.
Mass. EPA gave the state authority to issue VOC bubbles to surface coating
industries.
Vt. Burlington Electric’s Moran plant was aflowed to bum 2% sulfur oil in
one of its boilers when a low sutfur fuel (wood or gas) is burned in its
other 2 boilers.
Not all situations will permit use of a bubble. Bubbles cannot be used to meet any new source review re-
qurements that might apply to a major new source or industrial modification. For example, NSPS or
NESHAPS limits cannot be avoided by bubbling. There are also limits on using bubbles in non-attain-
ment areas. In many cases, however; bubbles will continue to be used as an efficient way of complying
with environmental requirements.
Management The Air Division is committed to improving the administration of its programs. The following recent initi-
Initiatives atives are two examples.
Management Information System The Air Management Information System (AMIS) is an auto-
mated data base that provides managers with current information on the status of air program activities.
In its initial stages, AMIS tracks the status of all SIP actions, provides summary status reports, and high-
lights overdue actions. For 1983, AMIS is being expanded to track the status of state grant outputs as
wail.
Parallel SIP Processing By jointly developing SIP revision submittals, EPA and the states can eliminate
redundant reviews and reduce the time it takes to finalize SIP actions. This type of joint development of
submittals requires states to expend more effort in SIP development than the traditional route. In return,
problems that could delay final approval are identified and resolved sooner.
In 1982, the Air Division worked on 11 SIP revisions that were parallel processed for Connecticut, New
Hampshire, and Rhode Island.
14
-------
Selected Categories of National Emission
Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
(NESHAPS) and New Source Performance
Standards (NSPS) Review
r J State Has
______ Partial Responsibility
V State Has
_______ Full Responsibility
Prevention of Significant Deterioration
(PSD) Permit Issuance
One of the major changes occurring in the Air program is the shift of authority for issuing permits and
orders from EPA to the states. This trend is likely to continue as EPA’s role becomes one of audit, over-
sight, and technical support, and state environmental offices have primary day to day responsibility for
making environmental decisions. In 1982, EPA delegated 55 source categories under NSPS and 97
source categories under the NESHAPS program. EPA also delegated PSD authority to 4 New England
States.
The PSD permit program (see page 11) involves making applicability determinations, modeling air qual-
ity impacts, and requiring control technologies. NSPS and NESHAPS authority involves imposing na-
tional emission and performance standards on specific categories of sources for which standards have
been published. For all delegated programs, EPA retains oversight and co-enforcement authority.
Air Programs Adopted By New England States
biRit RIK
PROGRAMS
OVERVIEW
Status of PSD,
NSPS and
NESHAPS
Delegations
15
-------
STATE AIR
PROGRAMS
OVERVIEW
Status of
Attainment Plans
In 1979, states were required to submit SIP revisions which demonstrated how they were planning to
achieve attainment for all criteria pollutants by Jan. 1, 1983 (this applied only to states with non-attain-
ment areas.) In addition, states could request extensions for 03 and CO attainment until 1987, but only if
they submitted additional SIP revisions in 1982 showing how this would be achieved (see page 10). The
following matrix lists the status of EPA’s approval of these attainment plans as of 11 / 1/82.
Pollutant
State
SO
TSP
CO
03
CT
NA
Fully approved
for 10; 2° not yet
submitted
Extension requested
‘82 SIP not yet
submitted
Extension requested
‘82 SIP not yet
submitted
MA
NA
Fully approved
for 10; 2° not
submitted
Extension requested
‘82 SIP submitted—
9/82
Extension requested
‘82 SIP submitted—
9/82
ME
Fully
approved
for 10
and 2°
Fully approved
for 10 and 2°
‘79 SIP fully
approved
‘79 SIP fully
approved
NH
Fully
approved
for 10
and 2°
Fully approved
for 10;
2° not yet
submitted
SIP submittals—
Nashua— 11/81
Manchester—6/82
‘79 SIP
conditionally
approved
RI
NA
Fully approved
2° not yet submitted
‘79 SIP fully
approved
Extension requested
‘82 SIP submitted
10/82
VT
NA
Fully approved
for 10 and 2°
‘79 SIP fully
approved
‘79 SIP fully
approved
NA = Not Applicable 1° = Primary 2° = Secondary
States requiring extensions past 1982 for attainment and maintenance of 03 and CO standards were
required to include motor vehicle inspection and maintainance (I/M) programs as an element in their
1979 SIP revisions. In New England, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island developed I/M pro-
grams as described below.
State
Description
CT Will have centralized contractor operated program. Starting on 1/83, about 1.6
million vehicles will be inspected at one of 18 stations. Waivers will be available
if repair costs exceed $70.
MA Will have a decentralized garage based program using “tamper proof” emission
analyzers. Starting on 4/83, about 4 million vehicles will be inspected. Waivers
will be available if repair costs exceed $100 or 10% of the car’s value.
RI Has had a decentralized garage based program using off the shelf equipment
since 1979.
-------
State Overview: Connecticut
State Air Director:
Leonard Bruckman, Director
Air Compliance Unit/DEP
165 Capitol Ave., Hartford, CT 06115
(203) 566-4030
Source Inventory
No. of Permitted Sources: 10,800 (a
No. of Permits Issued (FY’82): 981 (b
No. of Inspections (FY’82): 210 (c
No. of Class Al Sources: 202 (c
No. of Plants with Emissions
>l00tons/yr.: 75(d
(a estimated no. of emissions points
in permit files
(b from state grant status reports
(c estimates from CDS
(d estimates from NEDS
EPA State Coordinator:
Susan Hager
State Programs Section
(617) 223-5130
AIR QUALITY CONTROL REGIONS
042 - Hartford-New Haven-
Springfield
043 - NJ-NY-CT
044 - Northwestern CT
Major State Issues
Construction Moratorium In response to a suit by the Connecticut Fund for the Environment, the
Second Circuit Court of Appeals decided in February, 1981 that EPA could conditionally approve Con-
necticut’s SIP but had to impose a moratorium on construction of major new VOC sources. This will
remain in effect until the state adopts the required VOC controls (expected in 1983).
Sulfur Relaxations Connecticut recently allowed all but one source to go from .5% to 1 % sulfur in oil
(the exception was Northeast Utilities’ Middletown station). Emissions are expected to increase from
73,000 to 120,000 tons. To monitor impacts, the state is proposing to increase the number of SO 2 moni-
toring sites from 8 to 17.
Interstate Impacts The state DEP has actively reviewed EPA’s SIP actions in other states to evaluate
their impact on Connecticut and to review them for consistency. One area of concern is recent TSP
relaxations in the Midwest.
041 - Eastern CT
Primary Non-Attainment Areas
Last
Pollutant AQCR Violation
CO 42 1980
43
03
Town(s)
All
1981
41
All
Pop.
(1980)
1.768,302
804,862
1981
42
43
1981
All
44
1981
All
For a complete listing
New England.
1975
All
422,239
1,768,302
804,862
All
112,173
of non-attainment areas see the 1981 Report on Air Quality in
17
-------
State Overview: Maine
State Air Director:
David Tudor
Bureau of Air Quality Control/DEM
State House Station 17, Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 289-2437
No. of Permitted Sources: 625 (a
No. of Permits Issued (FY’82): 93 (b
No. of Inspections (FY’ ): 65 (c
No. of Class Al Sources: 135 (c
No. of Plants with Emissions
>l00tons/yr.: 132(d
(a estimated no. of plants in permit files
(b from state grant status reports
(c estimates from CDS
109 - Down East
110- Met. Portland
111 - Northwest ME
107 - Androscoggin Valley
107 - Aroostook
EPA State Coordinator:
Margaret McDonough
State Programs Section
(617) 223-5130
AIR QUALITY CONTROL REGIONS
Primary Non-Attainment Areas
Last
Pollutant AQCR Violation
TSP 109 1981
CO 107 1979
109 1978
so 2 109 1980
03
*Non..aflainment designation proposed
For a complete listing of non-attainment areas see the 1.981 Report
New England.
TSP Violations Lincoln, Madawaska, and Presque Isle, all had violations of the primary TSP standard
in 1981. The Dept. of Environmental Protection is working with paper companies in Lincoln and
Madawaska to solve the problem and has asked EPA to designate Lincoln as non-attainment. The
Presque Isle problem has proved more difficult; the state is doing further study to determine its cause.
Acid Precipitation This is probably the single most controversial air problem in the state. As in other
New England states, Maine receives, through long distant transport and from local sources, sulfates
and other aerosols believed to contribute to acid precipitation. The state is currently gathering data
through its monitoring program.
Ozone Attainment In November, 1981, Maine issued a permit to Pioneer Plastics requiring the
company to install a VOC incinerator. This was the final step in controlling major VOC sources as re-
quired by the Clean Air Act.
Millinocket
Source Inventory
(d estimates from NEDS
Town(s)
Lincoln*
Pop.
(1980)
5,066
Lewiston
Bangor
40,481
31,643
107 1978
110 1981
All
All
7,576
383,360
387,778
Major State Issues
on Air Quality in
18
-------
State Overview: Massachusetts
State Air Director:
Kenneth Hagg, Director
Division of Air Quality Control/DEQE
One Winter St., Boston, MA 02108
(617) 292-5630
Source Inventory
No. of Permitted Sources: 8000 (a
No. of Permits Issued (FY’82): 376 (b
No. of Inspections (FY’ ): 300 (c
No. of Class Al Sources: 281 (c
No. of Plants with Emissions
> 100 tons/yr.: 160 (d
(a estimated no. of plants in permit files
(b from state grant status reports
(c estimates from CDS
(d estimates from NEDS
EPA State Coordinator:
Cynthia Greene
State Programs Section
(617) 223-5130
AIR QUALITY CONTROL REGIONS
117 - Berkshire
118 - Central MA
119- Met. Boston
121 - Merrimack Valley
Major State Issues
CO and 03 Attainment Mass, adopted regulations to control 7 VOC source categories and also a VOC
“bubble” for surface coaters (see page 14). These controls, combined with transportation control mea-
sures to reduce carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide emissions, are expected to bring the entire state
into attainment for 03 and CO in 1986. Boston is expected to be in attainment in 1985.
Energy Conservation To encourage oil conservation, Mass, has developed, as part of their SIP, a
procedure for allowing sources with boilers smaller than 250 million BTU to use high sulfur oil if they
implement conservation measures or switch to an alternative fuel. The cost savings created as a result
of using the high sulfur oil can finance the conservation or fuel switching. Three sources have already
taken advantage of this initiative. SIP approvals are still required, but EPA review time has been greatly
reduced.
I/M Mass. is committed to meeting a required April ‘83 deadline for having an I/M program (see page
16). DEQE, the Registry of Motor Vehicles, and other state agencies are working to meet this tight
deadline.
042 - Hartford-New Haven-
Springfield
120 - Met. Providence
Primary Non-Attainment Areas
Last
Pollutant AQCR Violation
TSP 118 1981
Co
118 1978
Town(s)
Worcester
121 1978
Pop.
(1980)
161,799
119 1981
Worcester
119 1978
Lowell
161,799
Boston
119 1980
119 1977
92,418
Cambridge
03
562,994
119 1978
Medford
Quincy
All 1981
For a complete listing
New England.
95,322
58,076
84,743
Waltham
of non-attainment areas
All
58,200
5,737,037
see the 1 981 Report on Air Quality in
19
-------
State Overview: New Hampshire
State Air Director:
Dennis Lunderville, Director
Air Resources Agency
Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301
(603) 271-4582
Source Inventory
No. of Permitted Sources: 480 (a
No. of Permits Issued (FY’82) 49 (b
No. of Inspections (FY’82): 50 Cc
No. of Class Al Sources: 89 Cc
No. of Plants with Emissions
> 100 tons/yr.: 58 Cd
(a estimated no. of emission points
in permit files
(b from state grant status reports
(c estimates from CDS
(d estimates from NEDS
EPA State Coordinator:
Miriam Fastag
State Programs Section
(617) 223-5130
AIR QUALITY CONTROL REGIONS
107 - Androscoggin Valley
121 - Merrimack Valley
149 - Central NH
Major State Issues
CO and 03 Attainment New Hampshire’s 03 attainment plan contains a series of controls on
stationary and mobile VOC sources. Transportation controls designed to eliminate congestion are
expected to eliminate CO problems in Manchester and Nashua by 1987.
Permit Fees The state instituted a permit fee system which imposes charges for issuing new source
permits and enforcing the conditions of existing ones. All permits will now be reviewed periodically.
Regulation Reorganization In 1982, NH completed efforts to reformat and recodify their various air
regulations into one uniform document. These revised regulations have been submitted to EPA for
approval.
Acid Precipitation As in other New England states, the effects of acid precipitation are a major
concern.
Primary Non-Attainment Areas
Pollutant AQCR
TSP 107
Last
Violation
1981
Co
Town(s)
Berlin
121 1980
Pop.
(1980)
13,084
121 1981
So 2
Manchester
Nashua
107 1980
03
90,936
67,865
Berlin
121 1981
13,084
For a complete listing of non-attainment areas
New England.
All
791,726
see the 1987 Report on Air Quality in
20
-------
State Overview: Rhode Island
State Air Director:
Thomas Wright, Director
Division of Air & Hazardous Materials! DEM
75 Davis St., Providence, RI 02908
(401) 277-2808
Source Inventory
No. of Permitted Sources: 600 (a
No. of Permits Issued (FY’82): 56 (b
No. of Inspections (FY’82) 75(c
No. of Class Al Sources: 93 (c
No. of Plants with Emissions
>l00tons/yr.: 54(d
(a estimated no. of plants in permit files
(b from state grant status reports
Cc estimates from CDS
Cd estimates from NEDS
EPA State Coordinator:
Marcia Spink
State Programs Section
(617) 223-5130
AIR QUALITY CONTROL REGIONS
120 - Met. Providence
Major State Issues
03 Attainment In July, Rhode Island submitted its ozone SIP which demonstrates attainment of
ozone standards by the end of 1982. The state therefore no longer needs an extension past the Clean
Air Act deadline of Jan. 1, 1983. The SIP requires a combination of stationary and mobile source con-
trols. For stationary sources, specific control technologies are required for 11 categories of VOC
sources. The state also received generic approval to issue emission bubbles to VOC sources (see page
14). Transportation control measures are expected to reduce emissions from mobile sources.
Sulfur Relaxations Rhode Island is expected to submit a SIP revision request which will allow the
state to approve sulfur in fuel relaxations for sources which conserve energy or switch to non-oil fuels.
These sources will still require individual SIP revisions, but EPA’s review procedures will have been
greatly simplified.
Primary Non-Attainment Areas
Last Pop.
Pollutant AQCR Violation Town(s) (1980)
Co 120 1981 Providence 156,804
03 120 1981 All 947,154
For a complete listing of non-attainment areas see the 1.981 Report on Air Quality in
New England.
21
-------
State Overview: Vermont
State Air Director:
Richard Valentinetti, Chief
Air and Solid Waste Program, AEC
State Office Building, Montpelier, VT 05602
(802) 826-3395
EPA State Coordinator:
Betsy Home
State Programs Section
(617) 223-5130
Source Inventory AIR QUALITY CONTROL REGIONS
No. of Permitted Sources: 190 (a
No. of Permits Issued (FY’82): 20 (b
No. of Inspections (FY’82): 45 (c
No. of Class Al Sources: 38 (c
No. of Plants with Emissions
> 100 tons/yr.: 20 (d
(a estimated no. of plants in permit files
(b from state grant status reports
(c estimates from CDS
(d estimates from NEDS
159 - Champlain Valley
221 - Vermont
Primary Non-Attainment Areas
Last Pop.
Pollutant AQCR Violation Town(s) (1980)
CO 159 1976 Burlington 91,250
and adjacent
towns
For a complete listing of non-attainment areas see the 1.981 Report on Air Quality in
New England.
Major State Issues
Wood Burning As a state that is 75% forested, Vermont has looked to its wood resources to replace
high cost oil. Wood is being used as a heating fuel for a growing number of homes and industries. Bur-
lington Electric has recently switched to wood for one of its powerplants.
Concerns have been raised about possible health impacts from wood combustion, particularly from
emissions of polycyclic organic matter (POM). Studies are underway to characterize wood emissions
and to evaluate their health effects and possible control technologies.
Acid Deposition There is a great deal of state concern about acid deposition and long range transport.
Research is underway to evaluate impacts on fisheries in lakes and ponds and on high alpine forested
areas.
22
-------
Region l’s Office of Pesticides and Toxic Suustances has 3 basic functions manoateci ty the Federal In-
secticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (F 1 FRA). The first is to assist the 112 pesticide producers in
New England in understanding and compl’ g with the registration and classification requirements of
FIFRA. Pesticide producers must submit required teat results to EPA HQ before any new pesticide can
be marketed. EPA uses these test results to decide if the pesticide is properly labeled (the label is con-
siderd to be a legally enforceable set of restrictions) and to classify it according to its uses. Pesticides
classified as “restricted use” can only be used by certified applicators.
Applicator certification is the second aspect of the program. EPA has delegated certification authority
to all of the New England states starting with New Hampshire in 1977 and ending with Connecticut in
1979. After appropriate training by university extension specialists, commercial applicators are certified
in one or more of 10 classes of pesticide use for up to 5 years. The total number of certified applicators
per state is shown below, broken down into private and commercial users. Private users are agricultural
producers (farmers) who use pesticides on their crops. Commercial users include anyone else who ap-
plies pesticides commercially.
Enforcement of FIFRA requirements is the third regional program component. This authority can also
be delegated, and all New England states do have responsibiliy for conducting both routine and investi-
gative inspections resulting from citizen complaints. The number of state inspections in 1981 and 1982
is shown below. For applicators found to be in violation of applicable standards, states can issue warn-
ings, assess penalties under state law, or, in a small number of cases, refer the investigation to EPA for
federal prosecution.
One unique and successful inspection program is ongoing in Maine where the State Pesticide Control
Board is using helicopters to find illegal pesticide dump sites that are undetectable from the ground.
The program is financed by a $10,000 EPA grant, and has located over 100 dumps in Aroostook and
Penobscot counties, all of which have been cleaned up.
COMMERCIAL AND PRIVATE PESTICIDE APPLICATORS
0
U
a
a
4
0
I-
.0
E
_____ Legend
Private
kZZ 1 Commercial
160
140
120
100
: VJJ/J
_____ ‘82 Inspections
CT ME MA NH RI VT
State
0
U
a
a
4
‘4-
0
I-
.0
E
2
State
STATE PESTICIDE USE INSPECTIONS
PESTICIDES
Certification
and Inspections
CT ME MA NH RI VT
7
I
23
-------
The largest single pesticide application pro-
gram in New England is the wide-area aerial
spraying of northern Maine to control Spruce
Budworm. This infestation has existed on up
to 5 million of Maine’s 8 million acres of
spruce-hr forests for the past several years,
and total spraying costs exceed $40 million.
Current state and federal control efforts are fo-
cused on a 5 year integrated pest management
The number of acres sprayed per year has de-
creased recently, in part because of EPA ef-
forts to direct spray away from critical or sensi-
tive areas.
plan.
4000
3500
p3000
2500
12000
1500
1000
500
0
MAINE SPRUCE BUDWORM CONTROL:
NUMBER OF ACRES SPRAYED
1913 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981
OPTS also manages regional activities under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) which directs
EPA to identify and control chemicals that pose an unreasonable risk to human health or the environ-
ment. This is done by compiling an inventory of chemicals, testing them for toxic effects, regulating
those chemicals that warrant it, and requiring industry to submit premanufacturing review notices be-
fore any new chemical can be produced. EPA’s headquarters has responsibility for most of these na-
tional requirements. The regional office is responsible for inspections, technical assistance to states
and industries, and enforcement.
In FY’ , OPTS conduced 231 inspections in New England. These were focused on the three chemical
problems outlined below.
Substance Description
One hundred and seventy-five million pounds of Polychlorinated By-
phenyls (PCB’s), a stable and toxic chemical are estimated to be in use
nationally as an insulating fluid in electrical equipment such as trans-
formers and capacitors. PCB production is now banned, but continued
use is permitted under controlled conditions specified by federal law.
The amount of PCB’s in New England is unknown, although the region
does generate 3.3% of the nation’s electricity, one indicator of the
relative magnitude of the problem here.
Industries are required to maintain PCB containing equipment to pro-
vent leaks or spills. This equipment must be properly labeled, and
waste PCB’s must be disposed of through incineration or other ap-
proved methods. To augment EPA’s inspection for these requirements,
the agency initiated a pilot program granting states enforcement au-
thorit Connecticut is one of five states nationally to be selected for
participation.
PCB’s
PESTICIDES
Wide-Area
Spraying
TOXIC
SUBSTANCES
Years
24
-------
Asbestos Although asbestos was once considered a hazard only for workers who TOXIC
handled it, it is now known to also be a potential hazard for those who SUBSTANCES
are exposed to asbestos fibers used as insulation or fireproofing in
schools and office buildings. Regional EPA activities have centered on
a joint EPA/state program to encourage schools to voluntarily inspect
for and correct deteriorating asbestos insulation.
On June 23, 1982, EPA published a final rule which requires all schools
to inspect for asbestos and post warnings if it is found. The 6,600
schools in New England must comply with this requirement by June
23, 1983.
CFC’s EPA also inspects producers of chiorofluorocarbons, aerosol propel-
lants more popularly known as freons. When released into the upper
atmosphere, CFC’s break down ozone. The decrease in ozone allows
more ultraviolet rays to reach the earth, thus causing an increased risk
from skin cancer. Because of these risks, EPA imposed a ban on all
non-essential uses of CFC’s as propellants.
There are less than 20 aerosol product manufacturers in New England
who use CFC ’s as propellants. EPA monitors these manufacturers to
ensure that CFC’s are being produced only for essential uses such as
spray cleaners of aircraft navigational equipment.
The contamination of natural gas pipelines with PCB’s first came to notice in 1980. The sources of the Natural Gas
contamination are uncertain, although leaks from pipeline compressor stations are believed to have Contamination
caused at least part of the problem. (Several gas transmission companies transport the natural gas a
part of the way from the gulf states to local gas distributors.) In 1981, EPA began a program to identify
the extent of the problem at each step of the way and take remedial action when necessary.
PCB contamination can show up in either the gas stream or in condenstate that forms within the pipe-
line. Gas stream concentrations have varied between trace amounts and 85 ug/m 3 under high pressure.
Condensate concentrations over 1000 ppm were found in seven utilities, with 41,000 ppm being the
highest value recorded. The size of the problem also varies greatly among utilities from a Boston
company with 230,000 customers to much smaller utilities with only a few customers.
Information so far suggests that PCB contamination of natural gas does not present a public health
problem in New England. Regional utilities are developing decontamination plans which are contingent
upon their suppliers decontaminating supply lines. Two utilities are instituting monitoring programs
that will provide additional data on indoor PCB concentrations. To date, no detectable quantities of
PCB’s have been measured in homes.
25
-------
Spec aO Topk: owerpI nt Co& Conversions
There are about 40 fossil fuel powerplants in New England that together have a generating capacity of
over 12,000MW. Until recently almost all of them burned oil, although many began service as coal burn-
ing units. The rapid rise in oil prices in 1973 and 1979 forced many utilities to consider switching back to
coal as a primary fuel. Although oil prices are now projected to remain stable for the next few years, oil
still costs about twice as much as coal, and the financial incentives for conversion are still large.
Non-economic factors also play a role in converting plants from oil to coal. Since 1974, the Depart-
ment of Energy has had the authority to issue conversion orders to utilities with coal capable plants.
The current conversion program is essentially voluntary, but DOE still prepares an environmental
impact statement on the conversions for which they issue orders.
Conversion to coal raises a variety of environmental, engineering, and financial problems. One of the
main environmental impacts is the large increase in TSP emissions caused by coal combustion, emis-
sions that must be reduced to allowable levels by installation of electrostatic precipitators. Large
amounts of fly ash are generated which must be stored and disposed of. Burning coal can also increase
sulfur dioxide emissions, particularly if the plant had been burning a low sulfur oil.
Utilities must address other engineering issues such as coal unloading, storage, and handling, and any
boiler modifications that are required. These modifications can be expensive; however the cost savings
to consumers in the form of lower fuel adjustments, can be large as well. New England Power
Company estimates that conversion of its Brayton Point plant is saving about $169 million and 12
million barrels of oil per year.
The kind of review EPA has of these conversions is determined by whether or not the projected emis-
sions using coal exceed the SIP emission limits that apply to oil burning. If a plant can convert “in
compliance” with no emissions changes greater than current limits allow, then no EPA air review may
be required. Many utilities, however, have decided to take advantage of a provision in the Clean Air Act
that allows EPA to grant a Delayed Compliance Order to certain converting plants. A DCO allows these
plants to temporarily exceed emission limits while they are burning coal and before new TSP control
equipment (an electrostatic precipitator) is installed.
EPA has issued 3 DCO’s for New England powerplants and is now processing a fourth (see page 12).
The largest plant to convert is the New England Electric Power Company’s Brayton Point plant in Fall
River, Mass. which received a DCO in 1979. Three of Brayton’s units with a total capacity of 1150MW
are now burning 2.5 million tons of coal/year. Both TSP and SO 2 emissions are averaging well below
regulatory limits.
More experience is needed to evaluate the impact of coal conversions at other plants. The chart on the
following page attempts to make an assessment of emission changes at the plants most likely to con-
vert by showing allowable and actual emissions using oil, and expected emissions using coal during
and after a DCO period. The equations and assumptions used to derive these estimates are available on
request.
26
-------
COAL CONVERSOONS ON NEW ENGLAND: EMISSOONS ONVENTORY
(TONS OF EMOSSIONS/YR.)
PLANT
Name (Unit #)
Town/State
OIL
Allowable Emissions
SO 2 TSP
OIL
Actual Emissions
SO 2 TSP
COAL
During DCO
Expected Emissions
SO 2 TSP
COAL
Post OCO
Expected Emissions
SO TSP
Brayton Point (1,2,3)
Somerset, MA
100,950 5,006
68,077 1,608
(16,430) (3,466)
—8 months only
—Units 1 + 2_only
59,080 597
Salem Harbor (1,2,3)
Salem, MA
30,709 1,523
19,272 494
16,994 2,624
16,994 1,163
Mt. Tom (1)
Holyoke, MA
13,803 684
10,576 286
10,192 1,353
10.192 279
West Springfield (3)
West Springfield, MA
11,204 556
4,787 72
— —
— —
Canal (1)
Sandwich, MA
52,604 2,609
31,005 515
— —
— —
Mystic (4,5,6)
Boston, MA
18,234 1,989
7,536 342
— —
— —
Somerset (7,8)
Somerset, MA
20,105 997
11,982 747
NA 4,056
NA 811
Bridgeport Harbor (3)
Bridgeport, CT
17,124 3,114
NA 273
— —
— —
Schiller (4,5,6)
Portsmouth, NH
15,213 2,168
6,648 NA
— —
— —
South Street (121,122)
Providence, RI
7,769 706
2,971 68
— —
— —
-------
Special Topic: Hazardous Air Pollutants
Although most of EPA’s air pollution control efforts have been directed towards “criteria” pollutants,
the 6 pollutants for which EPA has set ambient air quality standards, there has recently been growing
concern over non-criteria pollutants as well. Section 112 of the Clean Air Act directs EPA to establish
National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPS) to control air pollutants sus-
pected of damaging human health and for which there are no ambient standards. NESHAPS are EPA’s
primary tool to control hazardous air pollutants.
The pollutants being considered for regulation under NESHAPS controls are varied, but most are
either organic chemicals or metals. Some are from sources as common as dry cleaners while others are
emitted by a small number of specialized chemical manufacturers. Assessment and regulation of these
chemicals involves three stages. First, potentially hazardous chemicals are assessed for possible health
effects. This includes preparation of Health Assessment Documents which are reviewed by the public
and EPA’s Science Advisory Board. Second, EPA determines if those chemicals which have been
assessed should be listed under Section 112. Finally, for those chemicals which are listed, EPA promul-
gates emission and performance standards which are applicable to both new and existing sources.
So far, EPA has listed 7 pollutants under Section 112 and has set emission standards for 4 of them.
Twenty additional pollutants are actively being assessed for health effects. Draft health assessments for
9 of these 20 were published in the Spring of 1982. Making these assessments and setting subsequent
standards requires the resolution of a variety of complex technical and policy issues such as:
• what is the magnitude of the problem?
• what criteria should be used to evaluate carcinogenicity?
• what role should risk assessment play?
• when setting standards, what margin of safety should be used?
Many states are trying to answer these questions as well, and a number of them have instituted active
regulatory programs. New York and New Jersey are among the states that have already set enforceable
standards. In New England, Massachusetts is in the process of developing a policy to address
hazardous air pollutant problems.
NESHAPS STATUS
Chemical Status Chemical Status
Acrylonitrile Health Assessment under SAB* Ethylene Oxide Health Assessment expected 1/83
review
Formaldehyde Health Assessment under development
Arsenic Listed; regulatory plans expected
FY’83 Manganese Health Assessment under development
Asbestos Listed; Revised Standards expected Mercury Listed; Revised Standards expected
FY’83 FY’84
Benzene Listed; Standards proposed in 1980 Methyl Chloroform Health Assessment under SAB review
Beryllium Listed; Standards exptected FY’84 Methylene Chloride Health Assessment under SAB review
Cadmium Decision on listing expected FY’83 Nickel Health Assessment under development
Carbon Tetrachlonde Health Assessment under SAB review Health Assessment under SAB review
Chlorofluorocarbon 113 Health Assessment under SAB review Radionuclides Usted; Recent Court decision requires
regulations in FY’83
Chloroform Health Assessment expected 1/83
Toluene Health Assessment under review; not
Chromium Health Assessment expected 1/83 expected to be listed
Coke Oven Emissions Health Assessment under SAB review Trichioroethylene Health Assessment under SAB review
Dioxin Health Effects under review Vinyl Chloride Listed; revised Standards expected in
FY’84
Epichiorohydrin Health Assessment exptected 1/83
Vinylidene Chloride Health Assessment possible 1/83
Ethylene didoride Health Assessment expected 1/83
SAB = Science Advisory Board
28
-------
Special Topic: Acid Precipitation
Acid precipitation is generally defined as the wet and dry deposition of acidic substances. The debate
over the causes and results of acid precipitation is probably the most vigorous and controversial of any
air quality problem. Some of the major issues now being researched are discussed below.
Evidence of Acid Precipitation. There is considerable controversy over our ability to document
trends in precipitation acidity over the last several decades. Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New
Hampshire is the only place in North America where consistent pH measurements have been taken for
2 decades, and no trend is evident. Nontheless, analysis of information that is available suggests 1) that
an observable increase in acidity has occurred in rainfall over the eastern U.S. and Canada, and 2) that
the pH of rain and snow in the northeast is often about 4 but sometimes can be as low as 3 or as high
as 5.
Sources of Acid Precipitation. Sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen appear to be the major pre-
cursors of acid deposition. Both gases originate from natural and man-made sources, although anthro-
pogenic emissions of sulfur dioxide are estimated to be substantially larger than natural emissions.
About eighty percent of the man-made SO 2 emissions are estimated to be from stationary sources.
Sixty-one percent of man-made NO emissions are from stationary sources while the remainder are
from mobile sources. Secondary contributors or inhibitors such as ammonia, hydrochloric acid, and
ozone also play uncertain roles in forming acid precipitation.
Atmospheric Processes. Depending on the conditions of their release, sulfur and nitrogren oxide can
either be dispersed locally or transported hundreds of miles from their point or origin. Three processes,
atmospheric transport, chemical and physical transformation, and deposition determine the relation-
ship between source and receptor. To date, there has been limited success in scientifically descnbing
these processes. Research now underway is attempting to construct accurate models that can describe
acid deposition and be used to develop control strategies.
Effects of Acid Deposition. Research efforts are currently evaluating effects on ecological systems,
materials, and human health. Ecological impacts include impacts on both aquatic and terrestrial sys-
tems. Effects on aquatic systems are not as well documented in this country as in Canada and Scan-
danavia, where scientists project that thousands of lakes may become excessively acidic by the year
2000. However, it is known that many lakes in the northest and upper midwest are showing stress from
increased acidity, stress that is reflected in lower fish populations. Much less is certain about effects on
crops, forests, and soils.
Acid precipitation may also affect materials (such as buildings, monuments, sculptures) although it is
difficult to separate long range acid precipitation effects from locally generated SO 2 deposition. Re-
search on health effects is focusing on acidification of drinking water reservoirs which could lead to in-
creases in dissovled metals.
Research. Federal funding of acid precipitation research is coordinated by the Interagency Task Force
on Acid Precipitation. Funding for this research increased from $11 million in 1980 to $18 million in 1982.
Half of this research was funded by EPA while the rest was funded by the Departments of Energy, In-
terior, and other federal agencies. The list on the following page shows EPA funded research now going
on in New England.
29
-------
CURRENT ACID PRECIPITATION RESEARCH IN NEW ENGLAND
Tit (e Researchers EPA Funding
1. An analysis of historical and recent water Hattorman, S.G. $ 5,000
chemistry data for New Hampshire lakes Duernng, C.K.
and ponds (UNH)
2. Vulnerability of lakes and streams in the Haines, T.A. 48,000
northeastern U.S. to acidification from (Univ. of ME)
long range transport of air pollution
3. Heavy metal exchange between sedi- Darus, R.B. NA
ments and overlying water and diatom Norton, S.A.
community response in lake micro— (Univ. of ME)
organisms subjected to increased H ,
Pb, and Zn loading
4. Expeiimental field studies to evaluate the Ukens, G. 59,000
effects of acidification on stream Hall, R.
ecosystems (Hubbard Brook)
5. Effects of acidic precipitation on Atlantic Haines, T.A. 48,000
Salmon rivers in the U.S. (Univ. of ME)
6. Effect of acid precipitation on microbial Alexander, M. 68,129
mineralization of nitrogen in i) (Cornell)
7. Assessing the importance of aluminum Johnson, A.H. 6,300
as a link between acid precqitation and (several N.E.
decreased forest growth forests)
8. Acidic deposition effects on boreal Vogelmann, HW. NA
ecosystems Klien, R.H.
(UVM)
9. IdentifIcation of fresh waters susceptable Kendrey, G.R. 258,000
to acidification Kaplan, E.
(Brookhaven)
-------
ACRONYMS
AEROS Aerometric and Emissions Reporting System
AMIS Air Management Information System
APCA Air Pollution Control Association
AQCR Air Quality Control Region
BACT Best Available Control Technology
CAA Clear Air Act
CDS Compliance Data System
CFM Chlorofluoromethanes
CO Carbon Monoxide
CTG Control Technology Guidelines
DCO Delayed Compliance Order
EIS Environmental Impact Statement
FONSI Finding of No Significant Impact
HATREMS Hazardous and Trace Emissions System
HC Hydrocarbons
IP lnhalable Particulates
LAER Lowest Achievable Emission Rate
NAAQS National Ambient Air Quality Standards
NAMS National Air Monitoring System
NECRMP Northeast Corridor Regional Modeling Project
NEDS National Emissions Data System
NEPA National Environmental Policy Act
NESHAPS National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
NO Nitrogen Oxides
NSPS New Source Performance Standards
03 Ozone
OPTS Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances
PCB Polychlorinated Biphenyls
PSD Prevention of Signflcant Deterioration
RACT Reasonably Available Control Technology
SARODS Storage and Retrieval of Aerometric Data
SIP State Implentation Plan
SLAMS State/Local Air Monitoring Systems
SO 2 Sulfur Dioxide
TSCA Toxic Substances Control Act
TSP Total Suspended Particulates
VOC Volatile Organic Compounds
31
------- |