Government and Air Pollution Control Key Terms

Learn government and air pollution control key terms to help implement anti-pollution policies

The U.S. government has many policies and laws covering air pollution, so it's important to know and understand the key terms. Since every state in the U.S. is required to meet certain criteria when it comes to air pollution policies and standards, taking the time to learn them will help make implementing these policies easier. Environmentalists should also learn these key terms so they can educate others about air pollution policies and regulations.

 

Air permits

Air permits are enforceable legal documents that ensure businesses are being compliant with air pollution regulations.
Try: Read the information provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to learn about air permits and how they are enforced.

Actual emissions

Actual emissions are pollutant air emissions that are calculated throughout a business facility's hours of operation. These can be accessed and analyzed from actual data as well as historical records to determine emissions estimates and if a facility or operation needs to make adjustments.
Try: Read the article about actual emissions at Climate Biz.

Ambient monitoring

Ambient monitoring is the monitoring of air, soil and water to determine if certain conditions in the environment, including contaminant levels and species, are present.
Try: Study the information about ambient monitoring at the U.S. Department of Transportation website to learn about chemical, physical and biological specifications.

Acute toxicity

Acute toxicity is any toxic effect that occurs within a short period of time (96 hours or less) that's the result of harmful biological elements. This can result from a single exposure or multiple exposures to harmful substances and pollutants.
Try: Review the information about acute toxicity at the Columbia Environmental Research Center database.

National Ambient Air Quality Standards

National Ambient Air Quality Standards sets levels on six pollutants that are harmful to the public. These pollutants are carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter and sulfur dioxide.
Try: Use the information at Scorecard to learn about National Ambient Air Quality Standards and how they are implemented for public health safety.

Attainment/non-attainment

Attainment is any area that meets ambient air quality standards, which are determined by the Environmental Protection Agency and whatever state in which the area is located. Every state in the U.S. is required to meet these ambient air quality standards. Non-attainment is when ambient air quality standards do not meet government specifications.
Try: Use the information provided by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to learn about attainment/non-attainment areas in Arizona.

Copyright © 2011 Business.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

---