Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Stay abreast of air quality control agency policies

Rather than sweating bullets over a clipboard-toting agent stalking your facility, log on to the bureaus' websites for information to guide you on how to meet requirements, even how to save money through air pollution prevention and control.

I recommend: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a Compliance Assistance Center on their website that allows you to drill down not only by your industry, but within your state, to focus on the exact regulations affecting you directly. The National Association of Clean Air Agencies (NACAA) also lets you home in on state and local air pollution control divisions, for access to more information relevant to where you conduct business.

Confer with air pollution control consultants

Even with the electronic help desk offered by agencies, perhaps you're simply overwhelmed or understaffed to take on air pollution prevention and control oversight yourself. Contact a consultant to review your systems and processes, and utilize their expertise to bring your system up to code.

I recommend: Korlipara Engineering offers air quality studies, remediation, environmental investigations and engineering software products and support to build your own custom models. Fusion Environmental can thoroughly test your current system with feasibility and emission minimization studies, system optimization reviews and pilot testing to minimize overall costs before you undertake a major overhaul. Contact them for more information.

Hire in an air pollution control specialist

If it looks like you do need a serious upgrade, or if you're in a new building project that requires a new system, subcontract the system to a specialist who focuses on air pollution control devices to create and install the system correctly the first time.

I recommend: Envirometrics literally wrote the book on air quality control: specifically a cost-benefit analysis of different control methods. They specialize in engineering design, permit support, building design support and environmental management. Indusco Environmental Services, Inc. can take over the entire process from initial design through fabrication and installation to start-up and operator training.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When reviewing your production system for improving air quality, scrutinize the whole system. The amount you can reduce emissions at the production point where the part is being formed, treated or milled can help save costs not only by reducing the amount of raw materials you run through to produce the goods, but also by curtailing the extent of air pollution control devices capturing emissions after the fact.