Considerations in Designing an Effective Air Quality Control Strategy

The industrial section plays a central role in air quality management following the Clean Air Act (CAA) and its amendments.

Therefore, a re-evaluation of the effectiveness of the strategies must be done before implementing air quality to meet federal, state, and local government agencies’ requirements.

Also, it is crucial to develop further techniques that will allow strengthening the company’s air quality management systems.

Scientific research identifies new sources of exposure to humans and ecosystems and incorporates new understandings of human and ecosystem risks.

In response, the industry players have to stay ahead of their game with an up-to-date, comprehensive strategy. 

Thanks to new technologies that were developed to meet CAA requirements, the emissions from mobile, stationery, and other sources have been substantially reduced.

So, despite the economic and population growth, the reductions in ambient concentrations allowed the community to experience positive air pollution levels.

However, there are still increases in power generation, vehicle miles traveled, and other human activities that are associated with emissions of air pollutants.

Now, and in the upcoming decades, we are facing significant and difficult challenges, such as the depletion of non-renewable resources.

Therefore, improvement of the industry’s strategies is an unavoidable responsibility, vital in mitigating air pollution.

Air pollution control strategies aim to support the industry in reducing harmful ambient concentrations of pollutants: carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, particulate matter, and lead.

Furthermore, the measurements aim to reduce emissions of substances that cause acid deposition, specifically sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

Finally, the goal is to restrain their use of chemicals that have the potential to deplete the stratospheric ozone layer.

In this article, we will highlight the main consideration of the framework of the Environmental Protection Agency in designing strategies for air pollution management.

But before that, let’s point out the vital steps in developing a control strategy. According to Baghouse America, a leader in the environmental industry, businesses should employ a bottom-up approach when designing their strategy.

Basic Steps In Designing An Effective Air Quality Control Strategy

The first step is to determine the pollutants specific to their area of activity. The concerning pollutants should be divided in regards to the location of the industrial building, the nature of the associated health or environmental effects, and the severity of the air quality problem in that area.

The second step is to identify measures to control the sources of pollution. Only then can companies develop a control strategy that incorporates control measures.

The plan should include implementation dates concerning the requirements that will need to be undertaken to reduce pollution contributing to air quality problems.

In the development of the strategy, it is essential to involve the public and to welcome the input from the regulatory community and others. Early feedback and consultation reduces challenges in the future and can help efficient fulfillment.

Finally, involvement in compliance and enforcement programs would help you understand the requirements. Also, you will get to know the actions and instruments that environmental authorities can take if your business fails to comply.

Environmental Considerations

Environmental considerations include many factors. One of those are the current ambient air quality conditions. It is important to understand the relevant meteorological conditions, location of the emissions source, noise levels, and any ancillary pollution from the control system itself.

Traveling pollutants can affect air quality and public health locally, nationally, and even internationally. Air pollution is a global transboundary issue.

Therefore, control strategies need to include measures implemented on a state, region, or national basis. Those regulations established by the national government have the widest application.

Engineering Considerations

The engineering considerations include pollutant characteristics, performance characteristics of the control system, and adequate utilities (for example, water for wet scrubbers). The good air quality can be achieved by using different approaches from the engineering point of view.

The simplicity or complexity of air pollution problems will influence whether single or complex technical devices will be included. And even combining multiple sets of equipment could be used to reduce the emissions into the atmosphere.

Economic Considerations

The economic dimensions of air pollution control strategies include factors such as capital cost, operating costs, equipment maintenance, equipment lifetime, and administrative, legal, and enforcement costs. The regulatory strategy should have clearly defined requirements and deadlines for implementing.

Furthermore, there have to be included in clearly defined roles and responsibilities. Partnerships are usually established to facilitate strategy design and implementation. To work effectively, the roles and responsibilities of each partner must be clearly defined.

Effective Strategy Requires Good Understanding

Air pollution is a complex environmental issue with adverse effects on human health, ecosystems, and global climate change requires effective strategies in terms of management of pollutant emissions.

Designing an effective strategy requires a good understanding of the sources that cause it, current air quality status, future trends, and how it affects humans and ecosystems.

In this article, we focused on the environmental, economic, and engineering considerations of designing an effective strategy for controlling air pollution.

We highlighted the main factors that influence decision making in terms of what understanding of air pollution is required, the importance of the engineering point of view, and finally, the economic dimension of designing a good strategy.

Nevertheless, we can conclude that cooperation and partnerships are inevitable and can accelerate the design and the implementation of the air quality management strategy.