EC238 Chapter Notes - Chapter 10: National Ambient Air Quality Standards, National Emissions Standards For Hazardous Air Pollutants, State Implementation Plan
Document Summary
Air quality in the u. s. and other nations is defined through standards that set limits on anthropogenic pollutants. Criteria pollutants: substances known to be hazardous to health and welfare, characterized as harmful by criteria documents (carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, lead, etc. ) Hazardous air pollutants: noncriteria pollutants that may cause or contribute to irreversible illness or increased mortality. Difference between criteria pollutants greater risk, and affect a smaller segment of society. Greenhouse gas pollutants: are those collectively responsible for the absorption process that naturally warms the earth. Set maximum allowable concentrations of criteria air pollutants. Primary naaqs are set to protect public health from air pollution with some margin of safety. Secondary naaqs are set to protect public welfare from any adverse, non- health effects of air pollution. National emission standards for hazardous air pollutants are set to protect public health and the environment and are applicable to every major source of any identified hazardous air pollutant.
