High and Dry in the Smoggy Skies...?
Overcoming the Challenges in Capturing Air Toxics 411!
February 2004
GETTING STARTED
HOW AIR POLLUTION IS MEASURED & WHAT DATA IS COLLECTED
Air pollution can be measured directly when
it is emitted or released, by instruments placed on a smokestack,
for example. Alternatively, samples can be taken to determine
how much pollution is in the air. Air pollution is also
measured indirectly by estimating how much will be released
based on given production processes, or projected based
on stored toxics.
How air pollution is measured determines what
types of data might be available to you.
Types of Air Pollution Data
• Emissions - Emissions
will tell you how much pollutants are released into the
air during a given time period. The EPA says emissions are
"normally estimated from amounts of material consumed
or product produced." Emissions estimates cover either
individual sources, like a particular factory (point source),
or are county-wide estimates for things like motor vehicles
(mobile source). Routine emission estimates assume "normal
operating schedules" and regular functioning of installed
pollution control equipment. Emissions also encompass releases
due to storage, accidents, etc.
• Air Quality
Monitoring - How much pollutants are in the air
at a given point in time ("ambient concentrations"
measures only outdoor air). Monitoring how much pollution
is in the air can help answer questions about how air pollutants
are accumulating, or blowing away, over time.
• Enforcement
and Compliance - History of violations of regulatory
statutes and permit requirements.
• Lawsuits
- Polluters and/or regulatory agencies are sometimes taken
to court because of violations or conflicting interpretations
of the law. Lawsuits can sometimes provide additional information.
