Environmental Compliance Inspector Air Quality Compliance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Clean Air Act, which standard applies to hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) emitted by major sources?
- National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
- Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) (Correct answer)
- Best Available Control Technology (BACT)
- Lowest Achievable Emission Rate (LAER)
Correct answer: Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT)
MACT standards under CAA Section 112 apply to major sources of hazardous air pollutants.
Question 2: A facility in a non-attainment area for ozone wants to expand. Which offset ratio typically applies when a new major source locates in a Serious ozone non-attainment area?
- 1.1:1
- 1.2:1
- 1.3:1 (Correct answer)
- 1.5:1
Correct answer: 1.3:1
Serious ozone non-attainment areas require emission offsets at a 1.3:1 ratio.
Question 3: What does a Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS) measure in real time?
- Ambient air pollutant concentrations only
- Stack gas pollutant concentrations and volumetric flow (Correct answer)
- Fugitive dust levels at the fence line
- Worker exposure to airborne chemicals
Correct answer: Stack gas pollutant concentrations and volumetric flow
CEMS continuously measures pollutant concentrations and stack gas flow to calculate emission rates.
Question 4: Which EPA regulation specifically controls particulate matter emissions from industrial boilers at major sources?
- Boiler MACT (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart DDDDD) (Correct answer)
- New Source Performance Standards for Boilers (Subpart Db)
- National Emission Standards for Asbestos
- Prevention of Significant Deterioration rules
Correct answer: Boiler MACT (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart DDDDD)
The Boiler MACT (Subpart DDDDD) sets emission standards for major source industrial boilers.
Question 5: During a stack test, an inspector notices the sample port is located upstream of all air pollution control devices. What is the primary concern?
- The test will measure uncontrolled emissions, not actual stack emissions (Correct answer)
- The sample port diameter may be too small
- The test location does not meet Method 1 flow profile requirements
- Sampling upstream is standard practice and acceptable
Correct answer: The test will measure uncontrolled emissions, not actual stack emissions
Sampling upstream of control devices measures raw, uncontrolled emissions rather than actual emissions released to the atmosphere.
Question 6: Under 40 CFR Part 70, which facilities must obtain a Title V operating permit?
- Any facility emitting any regulated pollutant
- Major sources, certain acid rain sources, and other sources required by EPA (Correct answer)
- Only facilities in non-attainment areas
- Facilities with more than 50 employees
Correct answer: Major sources, certain acid rain sources, and other sources required by EPA
Title V permits are required for major sources, acid rain sources, and sources subject to specific CAA programs.
Question 7: What is the purpose of an opacity reading using EPA Method 9?
- To measure carbon monoxide concentration in stack gas
- To visually estimate the density of particulate-laden stack plumes (Correct answer)
- To determine sulfur content of combustion fuel
- To measure nitrogen oxide formation temperature
Correct answer: To visually estimate the density of particulate-laden stack plumes
Method 9 is a visual evaluation method used to estimate opacity (plume density) from stationary sources.
