Emissions Control & Environmental Compliance Flashcards
7 cards from real CHA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Emissions Control & Environmental Compliance flashcards as text
Under the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), which term describes a facility that emits 10 tons/year of a single HAP or 25 tons/year of combined HAPs?
Answer: Major source
A major source under NESHAP is defined as emitting 10 tons/year of any single HAP or 25 tons/year of total HAPs.
Which control strategy hierarchy is EPA's preferred approach when addressing air emissions from industrial processes?
Answer: Prevention → Control → Treatment
EPA follows a pollution prevention hierarchy: prevent emissions at the source first, then control and treat what cannot be prevented.
What is the purpose of a 'synthetic minor' operating permit condition?
Answer: Voluntarily limit emissions to stay below major source thresholds and avoid Title V
Synthetic minor conditions impose enforceable limits that keep actual emissions below major source thresholds, avoiding Title V requirements.
During an audit, a boiler operating permit lists a NOx limit of 0.10 lb/MMBtu. Which parameter must be tracked to demonstrate continuous compliance?
Answer: Fuel usage and heat input rate
Fuel usage and heat input data allow calculation of actual NOx emissions in lb/MMBtu for comparison against the permit limit.
EPA's Subpart DDDDD (National Emission Standards for Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Boilers) is commonly known as the Boiler MACT. What is the primary pollutant driving compliance for large solid-fuel boilers?
Answer: Mercury
Mercury is the primary driver of Boiler MACT compliance for major source solid-fuel boilers due to its toxicity and bioaccumulation.
What record retention period is typically required for air quality compliance records under federal regulations?
Answer: 5 years
Most federal air regulations require retention of compliance records for at least 5 years from the date of the monitoring, report, or record.
A facility installs a new emission control device that was not included in the operating permit. What must the facility do before startup?
Answer: Obtain a permit modification or pre-approval under the applicable NSR/PSD rules
Adding or modifying emission control equipment typically requires a permit modification or New Source Review approval before construction or startup.