Air Quality Management & Monitoring Flashcards
7 cards from real CES 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 & Monitoring flashcards as text
Which U.S. federal law primarily governs air quality standards and emission controls for stationary and mobile sources?
Answer: Clean Air Act (CAA)
The Clean Air Act (CAA) is the primary federal law authorizing the EPA to regulate air pollutants from stationary and mobile sources to protect public health and the environment.
What are National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) designed to protect?
Answer: Public health and welfare from criteria air pollutants
NAAQS establish concentration limits for six criteria air pollutants to protect public health (primary standards) and public welfare (secondary standards).
Which of the following is NOT one of the six criteria air pollutants regulated under NAAQS?
Answer: Carbon dioxide (CO2)
The six NAAQS criteria pollutants are ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, lead, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide; carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas but not a criteria pollutant.
A facility is classified as a Major Source under the Clean Air Act if it emits at least how many tons per year of a single regulated pollutant (in attainment areas)?
Answer: 100 tons per year
Under the CAA Title V program, a facility is a Major Source if it emits or has the potential to emit 100 tons per year or more of any regulated air pollutant in an attainment area.
What does the acronym 'PSD' stand for in air quality permitting for major sources in attainment areas?
Answer: Prevention of Significant Deterioration
Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) is a pre-construction permitting program that ensures new or modified major sources in attainment areas do not significantly worsen air quality.
Which air quality modeling approach uses a Gaussian plume dispersion equation to estimate pollutant concentrations downwind from a stack?
Answer: Gaussian dispersion modeling
Gaussian dispersion modeling uses a mathematical equation assuming a Gaussian (bell-curve) distribution of pollutants in the vertical and horizontal directions to estimate downwind concentrations.
PM2.5 refers to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of:
Answer: Less than 2.5 micrometers
PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, which can penetrate deep into the lungs and pose significant health risks.