Tag: Air Expert

SO2 NAAQS: What’s Next?

By Timothy P. Fagan, BLR Air Expert tfagan@blr.com How were nonattainment designations determined? Once the NAAQS was set in 2010, EPA and state agencies worked together using monitoring data to determine what areas should be designated nonattainment and establish the area’s boundaries.  The newly designated nonattainment areas were designated as such because each had air […]

Election 2012: Where Do the Candidates Stand on Climate Change?

Where do the candidates stand on EHS issues?   Issue: Climate Change By Timothy P. Fagan, BLR Air Expert tfagan@blr.com   Barack Obama: Will continue efforts to reduce carbon pollution and combat climate change.  In his speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, the President stated “my plan will continue to reduce the carbon pollution […]

What’s the Forecast for Tomorrow?

By Timothy P. Fagan, BLR Air Expert tfagan@blr.com How is air quality evaluated? It’s no surprise that the air quality where we live affects our health and our quality of life, but air quality in a given area is constantly changing.  So EPA developed the Air Quality Index (AQI) to help provide information about local […]

Air Permitting Training: Attainment vs. Nonattainment

By Timothy P. Fagan, BLR Air Expert tfagan@blr.com National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) The CAA required EPA to develop NAAQS for six pollutants commonly found throughout the United States.  These pollutants, referred to as “criteria pollutants,” are: Sulfur dioxide; Particulate matter (PM-10 and PM-2.5); Carbon monoxide; Ozone; Nitrogen dioxide; and Lead. For each criteria […]