Air Quality and Emissions Flashcards
7 cards from real Environmental Compliance Inspector 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 and Emissions flashcards as text
A facility's permit specifies that combustion turbine NOx emissions must be measured using a CEMS. If the CEMS is down for scheduled maintenance, the facility must:
Answer: Use an approved substitute data methodology per permit or 40 CFR Part 75
When CEMS are unavailable, facilities must use EPA-approved substitute data procedures defined in the permit or applicable regulation to estimate emissions during downtime.
What is the primary regulatory tool used to protect public health from hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) emitted from 'area sources' (smaller facilities)?
Answer: Generally Available Control Technology (GACT) standards
EPA uses GACT (Generally Available Control Technology) standards or management practices for HAP area sources, which are less stringent than MACT standards applied to major sources.
A stationary reciprocating internal combustion engine (RICE) at a facility is subject to 40 CFR Part 63 Subpart ZZZZ. A key compliance requirement for existing non-emergency engines is:
Answer: Oil change and maintenance records demonstrating required change intervals
Subpart ZZZZ for existing non-emergency RICE primarily imposes work practice standards including oil change intervals and maintenance records to reduce HAP emissions.
Under the Clean Air Act Emergency Powers (Section 303), EPA may take action when air pollution presents an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health. Which action is NOT authorized under this section?
Answer: Requiring 90-day advance notice before enforcement action
Section 303 emergency authority allows EPA to act immediately without advance notice when imminent endangerment exists; a 90-day notice requirement would undermine emergency response.
When conducting a compliance evaluation at a paint spray booth, an inspector should confirm the exhaust air is routed through which type of control device to capture VOC emissions?
Answer: Carbon adsorber or thermal oxidizer
Carbon adsorbers capture VOC vapors from spray booth exhaust, while thermal/catalytic oxidizers destroy VOCs through high-temperature combustion.
A company discovers that an emission factor used in its permit application was incorrect, resulting in underestimation of actual HAP emissions — pushing the facility over the major source threshold. The facility should:
Answer: Notify the permitting authority and apply for a major source permit revision
Facilities must notify the permitting authority and obtain appropriate major source permits when actual emissions exceed applicable thresholds, even if the original permit was issued in error.
The 'bubble concept' in air quality regulation allows a facility to:
Answer: Trade emission reductions among multiple emission points within a single facility to achieve an overall limit
The bubble concept treats an entire plant as if it were enclosed in a single bubble, allowing internal emission trading among stacks to achieve flexibility while meeting overall limits.