Air Toxics Program Laura McKelvey

Session Goals Background on air toxics NESHAPs Technology Standards Risk Program How are the air toxics and permits programs related

What are air toxics Pollutants which (188 compounds listed in the CAA) May cause cancer or other serious health effects in humans or in the environment Possess a variety of physical and chemical characteristics that enhance potential for multi-media exposure May disperse locally, regionally, nationally or globally, After deposition may persist in the environment and/or bioaccumulate in the food chain

What health & environmental effects do they cause More than half are known or suspected to be human carcinogens Many known to affect respiratory, neurologic, immune, hormonal, or reproductive systems More susceptible or sensitive populations at greater risk Known to have similar effects in many fish and animal species Environmental effects may be felt by individual species within ecosystem or by the entire ecosystem where affected species are found

Source of air toxics Literally, thousands of sources Stationary sources include large industrial complexes Chemical plants, oil refineries, and steel mills Area sources which are small stationary sources Dry cleaners, gas stations, and small manufactures Mobile sources

Source Standards National emissions standards for Hasardous air pollutants (NESHAPs) 8 standards based on risk Maximum achievable control technology Standards (MACT) – largely “major” sources 112 standards covering 181 source categories 111d – Standards MWC, Landfills, etc Urban Area Source Standards – for smaller source categories. Currently underdevelopment Residual Risk – Looks to see if there is risk remaining after MACT in the source category

Technology Standards and Tribal Air Programs Federal Technology Standards can be delegated to the tribes Tribes can develop alternative but “no less stringent standards” to meet their needs Applicable requirements in Title V permits Federal Standards become the “starting point” but are not designed to address a specific air quality or risk goal. Tribes may need additional rules or programs to address risk that remains.

Small group activity

Where We’ve Been Stationary: Mobile: Indoor Air: Achieved significant emission reductions mainly from major sources Mobile: Reduced on-highway emissions Indoor Air: - Reduced air toxics exposure for several million people Mobile Sources: Between 1990 and 2007, on-highway emissions reduced Benzene 65%, formaldehyde 69%, 1,3-butadiene 67%, acetaldehyde 58%, diesel pm 64% Reductions continue for mobile sources thru 2020

What Are We Learning We looked at air toxics risks from the national, regional, community, and individual facility scale Based on 1996 NATA, we know that air toxics risk is greater than 10 in a million across the U.S. Looked at air toxics risks on all scales of assessment using the NATA 1996 national-scale assessment Focusing on community-scale assessments is where we should be headed Especially for sensitive populations

What Are We Learning (continued) National-scale assessment provides broad picture of risks Shows different sources, different pollutants dominate risks in different areas Shows need to focus on community-scale assessments Helps to focus future studies However, it was not designed to capture local-scale risks The National Scale Assessment website was available for S/L/T preview and comment between January 10 and March 15, 2002. The public version will be available in the near future.

What Are We Learning (continued) MACT program significantly reduces risk from large number of primarily major sources Not all major sources need further reductions – but some do Deal with residual risk standards that do not affect everyone Most area sources yet to be addressed, but need depends on location

Tribal Air Quality Management Process Set Air Quality Goals Implement Control Strategies -Title V and other Permits Surveillance and Enforcement Evaluate Air Quality Emissions Inventory Data Ambient Air Monitoring Data Choose Control Strategies Voluntary programs Some strategies may be regulatory Determine Necessary Emissions Reductions Modeling

Locally established controls Voluntary programs: Federal requirements Locally established controls Voluntary programs: Voluntary diesel retrofit programs for mobile sources Commuter choices and incentive programs Tools for Schools Smoke-free Home Pledge Campaign Asthma prevention and management programs Design for the Environment Goal is to achieve co-benefit (meaning cross-media and cross-office benefits) Voluntary Programs: Smoke-free Home Pledge Campaign – annual day in which all smokers are asked not to smoke in hopes that they will continue towards quitting the habit Design for the Environment – (Located in OPPT) A voluntary partnerships program which works directly with industry to reduce emissions and integrate health concerns (e.g., works with autobody refinishing facilities)

Small Group Activity Plan and Design steps to develop a Tribal air toxics program.