Air Quality Control

An Overview of Air Pollution Problems  Stationary-source air pollution  Mobile-source air pollution  “Criteria” pollutants  Toxic air pollutants

The Six Criteria Pollutants  nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 )  ozone (O 3 )  sulfur dioxide (SO 2 )  particulate matter (PM)  carbon monoxide (CO)  lead (Pb)  carbon dioxide (CO 2 )??

Toxic Air Pollutants Over 180 pollutants including:  benzene (found in gasoline)  perchlorethlyene (from dry cleaners)  methylene chloride (industrial solvent)  mercury and other metals  dioxin  asbestos

Clean Air Act: Legislative History  1970 Clean Air Act amendments –established National Ambient Air Quality Standards –called for State Implementation Plans –established New Source Performance Standards –established emission standards for cars

Clean Air Act: Legislative History  1977 Clean Air Act amendments –distinguished between PSD areas (“prevention of significant deterioration”) and nonattainment areas  1990 Clean Air Act amendments –introduced SO 2 permit-trading system –strengthened regulation of toxic air pollutants

90% of sites below this level 10% of sites below this level