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Pollution Control Measures:
Sorted by Pollutant

This list includes criteria pollutants and emissions of toxic pollutants in the ambient air.

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Ozone

EPA has classified volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides as two precursors that contribute to ozone pollution. Depending on the situation, areas can reduce ozone by reducing VOCs, reducing NOx, or reducing both simultaneously. You can explore emission reductions programs for one or both precursors.

  • VOCs
  • NOx

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Lead

EPA promulgated the ambient air quality standard for lead in 1978. At that time, the predominant source of lead emissions was leaded gasoline. When EPA mandated the elimination of lead in gasoline, the remaining sources of lead were stationary. These sources included primary and secondary lead smelters and some additional secondary metal refiners, such as copper. The few lead nonattainment areas in the US are associated with these smelters. Lead smelters are also subject to MACT standards for lead compounds. In response to legal settlements EPA may be required to re-evaluate this existing standard. If and when EPA promulgates a new lead standard this section will contain innovative solutions for meeting such a standard.

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NO2/SO2/CO

There are National Ambient Air Quality Standards for NO2, SO2 and CO. There are no designated nonattainment areas for NO2. Control efforts for NO2 are driven by the role of NOx in atmospheric chemical reactions, which produce other pollutants (ozone and PM2.5). For SO2, there are a few remaining nonattainment areas in the US. These areas are associated with large stationary sources such as coal fired power plants. The main driver for continued reductions of SO2is its role in atmospheric chemical reactions which produce PM2.5 and acid rain. For CO, there are a few remaining nonattainment areas in the US. The remaining areas are the result of mobile source emissions.

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Particulate Matter

This criteria pollutant originally focused on total suspended particles. Then this standard was limited to particles less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10). EPA has recently promulgated a standard, for particles less than 25 microns in diameter (PM2.5). Control measures are listed for each of these standards.

  • PM10
    In response to a 1999 federal court decision, the PM10 standard will still apply after the PM2.5 standard is promulgated. This section includes innovative control measures for reducing PM10 ambient concentrations.
  • TSP (total suspended particulates)
    Although EPA has replaced the TSP air quality standard with the PM10 standard, some areas of the country have retained the TSP standard.
  • PM Coarse
    In response to a 1999 federal court decision, EPA will determine the need for a PM coarse standard. If and when this standard is promulgated, this section will include innovative ways to meet the standard.
  • Visibility/Regional Haze
    Two programs focus on protecting scenic vistas in national parks and other federal lands (Federal Class I areas). One program, promulgated in 1980, focuses on the direct impact of a single source or small group of sources on selected Class I areas. The other program, Regional Haze, focuses on the impact of area, point and mobile sources on regional haze in all Federal Class I areas. This program was promulgated in 1999. SO2, NOx and direct emissions of PM2.5 contribute to Regional Haze across the nation. Depending on the area, VOCs and ammonia may contribute to regional haze.

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Air Toxics

Toxic air pollutants, also known as hazardous air pollutants. These pollutants are known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health effects including reproductive effects, birth defects, and adverse environmental effects. For more information on the air toxics program, see http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/allabout.html. Two programs focus on reducing emissions of toxic air pollutants. One is the MACT program that sets control standards for major stationary sources of air toxics. The second program, residual risk, attempts to reduce local risks that remain after the MACT has been implemented. This program determines the local risks, targets the problem areas, and tailors reduction strategies to the situations in those areas.

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Climate Change

Increasing concentrations of the following greenhouse gases (GHGs) likely accelerate the rate of climate change: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HCFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexaflouride (SF6). Climate change effects include sea level rise, increases in global average temperature, and changes in normal temperature and precipitation patterns.

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