AIR PERMITS
OSH 320
AIR PERMIT PROGRAMS
• Acid Rain (Title IV permits)
• Preconstruction Permits (New source permits)
• Operating Permits (Title V permits)
ACID RAIN
Page 3
What is acid rain?
Rain, snow, fog, or
hail that carries
pollutants (acids)
from the air to the
ground.
Page 4
More About Acid Rain
Acid rain:
• Changes with the weather
and seasons
• Changes within short distances
• Can carry pollutants long
distances, even to other
countries
Page 5
Natural Causes of Acid Rain
• Lightning
• Volcanoes
• Rotting plants
and grasses
Page 6
Man-Made Causes of Acid Rain
• Exhaust from cars,
trucks, and buses
• Power plants that burn
coal
• Pollution from industry
Page 7
Location of Acid Rain
Highest in areas with
• Large cities
• Large population
• Heavy car traffic
Page 8
Acid Rain Can Be Harmful
Forests & Lakes:
• Leaves and trees become
damaged
• Trees will more likely have a
disease or insect problem
• Certain types of fish may die
Plants & Crops:
• Plant roots can’t grow properly
• Soils lose nutrients that are
healthy for plants
Page 9
Acid Rain Can Be Harmful
Humans:
• People can have respiratory problems
when they inhale small droplets (fog)
• Lead and copper from rusty pipes can
dissolve into drinking water
Man-Made Materials:
• Metal structures and cars become
corroded
• Limestone buildings, tombstones,
statues, and monuments wear down
more quickly
Page 10
Is Acid Rain Still a Problem?
Page 11
OPACITY TESTING
• Visual evaluation required in most Air
Permits
• Ringelmann Method (1800’s)
• Ranged from 20% ink coverage to 100% ink
coverage
• Observer will compare smoke to card shade
RINGELMANN CARDS
EQUIVALENT OPACITY
• Ringelmann method was expanded to
include colors of smoke (1950’s)
• Difficulty holding up in court
• Some state’s still use the Ringelmann Chart to
evaluate black and gray plumes
• Most are leaning towards visible emissions
opacity-Method 9
OPACITY AND TRANSMISSION OF LIGHT
• The degree to which light transmission
through the diameter of the plume is reduced
• The degree to which visibility of a
background viewed through the diameter is
obscured
LIGHT’S RESPONSE TO EMISSIONS
• Light strikes an object
• Light is absorbed by the object
• Light is transmitted by the object
PERCENT OPACITY
1- (The light flux leaving the plume/“the
incident of light flux”)= Opacity
Opacity X100=Percent Opacity
OPACITY FUNCTION
• Number and size of particles
• Particle shape
• Particle color
• Index of refraction
REFLECTION
• Light “bounces” off a surface
• Color and texture determine reflective
quality
REFRACTION
• Light bending through a transparent medium
• Example: Eyeglasses
• When light hits the curved surface of a
particle, it leaves the particle in a different
path than entry
RAYLEIGH SCATTERING
• When particle is significantly smaller than
wavelength of light
• Light scatters
• Responsible for the blue color of the sky
• Very small particles create a bluish plume
MIE SCATTERING
• When the particle size and the wavelength
are the same size
• Light reflects the inside surfaces of the
particle
BACKGROUND SELECTION
• Patterned, black background will help read
light colored plumes
• A black plume against a black background
CONSTRUCTION PERMITS
PURPOSE OF PERMITS
• Existing business wants to increase
production
• Add new equipment
• New business is wanting to build
DNR-APPROVED AIR QUALITY
CONSTRUCTION PERMIT
• Must apply if planning on emitting air
pollutants
• Number one goal is public health
• Ensure construction and operation meet state
and federal air quality standards
SETTING STANDARD FOR CONSTRUCTION
Permit specifies:
• Allowed construction activities and location
of where it is installed
• Emission limits that must be met
• Production limits
• How to operate and maintain the equipment
EXEMPT ITEMS
• Residential heaters
• Cook stoves
• Fireplaces
• Certain agricultural equipment
AIR POLLUTANTS DNR REGULATES
• Nitrogen oxides
• VOC’s
• SO2
• PM
• CO
• Lead
• Toxic NESHAP Listings
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
• Company submits permit application
• DNR assigns an engineer
• Engineer reviews the application
• Comment periods (usually 30 days) and
public hearings to provide info
DOES YOUR BUSINESS HAVE ANY OF THE
FOLLOWING
• Use adhesives, paints, inks, other solvents or
solvent containing materials
• Heat with any fuels (not including electricity)
• Any grinding, sanding, welding, material
handling
• Constructing a large scale parking area
EXAMPLE: COMBUSTION
• External combustion furnace
• Indirect malt dryers
• Emergency generators
• Steam electric generation