AIR EMISSIONS
Under the Clean Air Act, any activities and equipment that may contribute to air pollution are strictly regulated by the South Coast Air Quality Managment District (SCAQMD) and the Federal Environmental Protection agency (EPA).
The types/quantity of air pollutants released from the USC emission sources are regulated through AQMD permit requirements. The air quality permit and regulations require routine maintenance, record keeping, and monitoring to help control and reduce air pollutions. EHS manages a set of the AQMD permits for the University and provides regular reports, file updates, and consultation when equipment of an emission source is installed or removed.
Permit Items - Facility or Project Managers must notify EHS well in advance of any planned equipment and operational changes that affect facility air emissions. Typical University equipment and operations that must be installed and operated in accordance with air quality regulations are:
- External Combustion driven Boilers and Water Heaters
- Internal Combustion Engine driven Emergency Electricity Generators and Emergency Fire pumps
- Air Scrubbers
- Activated Carbon Adsorber
- Ethylene Oxide Sterilizer
- Halon fire Suppression Systems
- Charbroiler for Restaurants
* Laboratory fume hood - Due to the very low level of VOC or any other pollutant emissions, USC laboratory fume hoods are exempted from the AQMD permit, monitoring, or record keepings
EHS provides services including:
- Air Quality Permit Applicability Determination
- Air Permit Application Preparation
- Interaction/ Negotiation with Regulatory Agency for Air Quality Permit
- Air Emission Inventory
- Regulatory Clarification
AQMD Permit Guidance Matrix:
When Installing an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) driven Emergency Generator or Fire Pump
When Installing an External combustion Boiler or Water Heater
Air Quality Related Links:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/toxics/toxics.html
http://www.filtersfast.com/Clean-Air-Act-1990.asp
http://www.epa.gov/oar/oaqps/peg_caa/pegcaain.html
http://www.epa.gov/ebtpages/air.html
http://www.epa.gov/oar/oaqps/greenbk/index.html