Air Quality Compliance 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 Compliance flashcards as text
When reviewing a facility's emission inventory, an inspector finds that the facility used an unverified emission factor not listed in EPA's AP-42. What should the inspector do?
Answer: Request supporting data and methodology used to derive the factor for review
Non-AP-42 emission factors must be supported by documented methodology and data that the inspector can evaluate for adequacy.
A facility operates a regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) and experiences an upset where the RTO bypasses untreated emissions for 45 minutes. Under most permits, this is classified as:
Answer: A deviation that must be documented and reported
Following the 2015 SSM policy, emission limit deviations during upsets must be documented and reported as deviations.
Which document establishes the enforceable emission limits that a facility must meet during a Title V permit inspection?
Answer: The Title V operating permit and applicable underlying regulations
The Title V permit and the underlying applicable requirements (NSPS, NESHAP, SIP rules) together establish legally enforceable obligations.
What is the significance of the 'potential to emit' (PTE) calculation in air permitting?
Answer: It determines the maximum emissions a source could produce operating at full capacity without controls
PTE reflects uncontrolled maximum capacity emissions and determines which permitting programs apply to a source.
An inspector is evaluating a petroleum storage tank for compliance with 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart Kb. Which primary control requirement applies to large fixed-roof tanks storing VOC-containing liquids?
Answer: Install an internal or external floating roof or equivalent control
Subpart Kb requires floating roofs or equivalent controls on tanks above specified size and vapor pressure thresholds.
Under the Clean Air Act's Emergency Powers (Section 303), the EPA Administrator may act without a hearing when:
Answer: An air pollution emergency presents an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health
Section 303 allows EPA to seek immediate relief when air pollution poses an imminent and substantial endangerment, bypassing normal procedural steps.
A facility installs a new baghouse to control particulate matter. Under New Source Review, the baghouse itself is considered:
Answer: An air pollution control device that does not independently trigger NSR
Control devices are not considered modifications triggering NSR; only changes that increase net emissions trigger review.