Air Quality ControlAir Quality Control

An Overview of Air Pollution ProblemsAn Overview of Air Pollution Problems

Stationary-source air pollutionStationary-source air pollution Mobile-source air pollutionMobile-source air pollution

““Criteria” pollutantsCriteria” pollutants Toxic air pollutantsToxic air pollutants

The Six Criteria PollutantsThe Six Criteria Pollutants

nitrogen dioxide (NOnitrogen dioxide (NO22) ) ozone (Oozone (O33) ) sulfur dioxide (SOsulfur dioxide (SO22)) particulate matter (PM) particulate matter (PM) carbon monoxide (CO)carbon monoxide (CO) lead (Pb)lead (Pb)

carbon dioxide (COcarbon dioxide (CO22)??)??

Toxic Air PollutantsToxic Air Pollutants

Over 180 pollutants including:Over 180 pollutants including: benzene (found in gasoline)benzene (found in gasoline) perchlorethlyene (from dry cleaners) perchlorethlyene (from dry cleaners) methylene chloride (industrial solvent)methylene chloride (industrial solvent) mercury and other metalsmercury and other metals dioxindioxin asbestosasbestos

Clean Air Act: Legislative HistoryClean Air Act: Legislative History

1970 Clean Air Act amendments 1970 Clean Air Act amendments – established National Ambient Air Quality established National Ambient Air Quality

StandardsStandards– called for State Implementation Planscalled for State Implementation Plans– established New Source Performance established New Source Performance

StandardsStandards– established emission standards for carsestablished emission standards for cars

Clean Air Act: Legislative HistoryClean Air Act: Legislative History

1977 Clean Air Act amendments1977 Clean Air Act amendments– distinguished between PSD areas (“prevention distinguished between PSD areas (“prevention

of significant deterioration”) and nonattainment of significant deterioration”) and nonattainment areasareas

1990 Clean Air Act amendments1990 Clean Air Act amendments– introduced SOintroduced SO22 permit-trading system permit-trading system– strengthened regulation of toxic air pollutantsstrengthened regulation of toxic air pollutants

http://www.epa.gov/airtrends/carbon.html

90% of sites below this level

10% of sites below this level