Air Emissions Factors Development and Use
Emissions Factors Uncertainty
Uncertainty is dependent on the kind of emissions released, the number of tests used to determine the emissions factor, the appropriate decision level (or percentile) within the distribution range, and the number of similar emissions units within a specific area. EPA released a draft review for public comment on April 24, 2007.
Since the posting of the Draft Emission Factor Uncertainty Assessment for comment on April 24, 2007, we have received numerous inquiries from interested stakeholders questioning whether the Agency intends to include the effect of uncertainty on a source's applicable emission-related requirements, or whether states or local authorities need to apply the effect of uncertainty to determine area compliance with NAAQS standards. As originally stated in the Draft Assessment, we do not attempt to evaluate or provide guidance on the application of emissions factor uncertainty in making environmental decisions. Moreover, any such decisions would be made only after a formal notice and comment rulemaking process. However, EPA did not intend any change in current practices that would warrant rulemaking. Rather, our intent is to educate sources and regulators about the accuracy of emission factors and to improve such accuracy through the incorporation of the results of direct emissions testing into the estimation of future emission factors.
For more information, visit the Emissions Factor Uncertainty Assessment report webpage.
Locating and Estimating Reports
This report series, titled Locating and Estimating Air Toxic Emissions from Sources of (source category or substance) characterizes the source categories for which emissions of a toxic substance have been identified. The reports are available on the Locating and Estimating (L&E) Documents webpage. AP 42, Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors and the FIRE database should be checked for more current emissions factors.
Emissions Factors Related Resources
These resources contain information developed by the U.S. EPA or by outside parties which have undergone limited EPA and external review and are felt to be potentially useful, but which are not contained in AP 42. The reports are available on the Related Emissions Factors Documents webpage. They should be used with discretion.
Emissions Factors Archive Guidance and Resource Materials
The Emissions Factors Archive Guidance and Resource Materials webpage includes EPA documents emissions factors and the CHIEF (Clearinghouse for Inventories & Emissions Factors) Archive Database. The archive is a collection of older reports and software manuals, as well as references and background reports cited in the Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors, AP-42, Volume I: Stationary Point & Area Sources. Most of the material is in a scanned PDF format.