Air Quality Management Flashcards
7 cards from real CEI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Air Quality Management flashcards as text
Which is the primary federal law governing air quality and emissions in the United States?
Answer: Clean Air Act
The Clean Air Act is the primary federal law regulating air quality and emissions in the United States, first enacted in 1963 and significantly amended in 1970 and 1990.
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) are primarily designed to protect what?
Answer: Public health and welfare
NAAQS set by the EPA include primary standards to protect public health and secondary standards to protect public welfare, including visibility and ecosystems.
Which of the following is classified as a criteria air pollutant under the Clean Air Act?
Answer: Particulate matter (PM2.5)
PM2.5 is one of the six criteria air pollutants—including ozone, CO, NOx, SO2, and lead—for which EPA has established NAAQS.
A Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit is required for which type of source?
Answer: Major new or modified stationary sources in attainment areas
PSD permits are required for major new or significantly modified stationary sources in areas already meeting NAAQS to prevent further deterioration of air quality.
What is the primary purpose of an air dispersion model used by environmental inspectors?
Answer: Predict how pollutants spread and dilute in the atmosphere
Air dispersion models are mathematical tools used to predict the transport, dispersion, and transformation of pollutants in the atmosphere, helping regulators assess potential air quality impacts.
Title V of the Clean Air Act requires which type of permit for major stationary sources?
Answer: Operating permits for major stationary sources
Title V established a comprehensive operating permit program for major stationary sources, consolidating all applicable Clean Air Act requirements into a single permit document.
A geographic area that does not meet NAAQS for one or more criteria pollutants is designated as what?
Answer: Non-attainment area
A non-attainment area is a geographic area that does not meet the NAAQS for one or more criteria pollutants and is subject to more stringent regulatory requirements.