The Mahoning-Trumbull Air Pollution Control Agency has the responsibility for monitoring air quality and enforcing Ohio Environmental Protection Agency regulations throughout the two-county area.
Services/Programs
The Mahoning-Trumbull Air Pollution Control Agency, as a representative of the Ohio EPA, has been delegated authority to:
Establish, maintain and operate air quality monitoring stations and other devices designed to measure air quality.
Enter public or private property at any reasonable time to make inspections, conduct tests, examine records or reports, determine actual or potential emissions and determine compliance with sections 3704.01 to 3704.11 of the Ohio Revised Code and any regulations, orders or other determinations.
Investigate or make inquires into any alleged violation of Chapter 3704 or Act of Air Pollution upon the complaint of any person, upon the agency’s own initiative or upon the request of the Ohio EPA.
Issue or deny permission as an agent of the Ohio EPA to open burn, pursuant to Chapter 3745-19 of the Ohio Administrative Code, to individuals making application for such permission.
Encourage, participate in, or conduct studies, investigations, and research relating to air pollution, collect and disseminate information, conduct education and training programs related to air pollution.
Accept and administer gifts or grants from the federal government and from any other source, public or private, for carrying out functions under chapter 3704 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Complaint Investigations
This division investigates all complaints of air pollution received from the public or referred by other agencies.
Facility Inspections
These inspections consist of:
Visiting the facility, discussing the status of the air emission sources and air pollution control equipment with company officials.
Observing the sources in operation to determine compliance with Ohio EPA regulations.
Opacity Observations
Opacity observations are taken visually and recorded for a period of fifteen minutes to an hour. Opacity readings are used as a tool to determine if an air emission source is causing a problem or is not meeting the terms and conditions specified in the permit to operate. Opacity is the degree, expressed in a percentage, to which emissions reduce the transmission of light and obscure the view of the background.
Asbestos NESHAP and Ohio’s Asbestos Emission Control Rules
The division serves as a depository for federal and state regulated asbestos renovations and demolition projects in Mahoning and Trumbull counties. Mandatory notification of the intention to remove more than 260 linear feet, 160 square feet, or 35 cubic feet of regulated asbestos containing materials or of the intention to demolish a facility must be submitted to the division. The notifications are included into a database for inspection planning purposes and ultimately for inclusion into a national database, the Asbestos Contractors Tracking System or ACTS.
Vehicle Anti-Tampering Inspection
This work element is designed to respond promptly to citizen complaints alleging that tampering has occurred. In the absence of complaints, the division performs these inspections on its own initiative. Inspections are conducted at new/used vehicle dealerships, repair facilities and muffler shops. A federal authorized inspector using procedures established by Ohio EPA to insure that the statewide motor vehicle anti-tampering program adopted in 1994 is adequately enforced does inspections.
Open Burning Permits
In Ohio, open burning for waste disposal is not permitted in populated areas and is restricted in the rest of the state. When open burning is permitted, individuals must submit a written application to this division for evaluation and prior approval.
Written permission may be obtained only for:
fire training exercises and research in the control of fires
disposal of ignitable or explosive materials
certain emergency condition
horticultural, silvicultural, range and wildlife management practices
disposal of land clearing wastes in unrestricted areas, if certain conditions are met.
Enforcement
Although legal action is a last resort, the agency must always be prepared to commence enforcement proceedings under its own initiative. Local court proceedings can be initiated, but usually certified warning letters to violators are sufficient to bring about compliance. In instances where non-compliance continues after receipt of the warning letter or if the violation results in a public health threat, an enforcement action request is sent to Ohio EPA. This procedure allows Ohio EPA to develop written findings and orders and assess civil penalties if deemed appropriate or refer the apparent violation to the Ohio Attorney General for resolution.
Air Monitoring
The division currently monitors for three pollutants: particulate matter, sulfur dioxide and ozone.
Particulate Matter or PM is a general term used for a mixture of solid and liquid droplets found in the air. Some particles are large and dark enough to be seen as soot or smoke. Others are so small they can be detected only with an electron microscope. Particulates less than 10 micrometers (about .0004 inches) in diameter tend to pose the greatest health concern because they can be inhaled into and accumulate in the respiratory system. Particulates come in a wide range of sizes. "Fine" particles are less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter and "coarser" size particles are larger than 2.5 micrometers and originate from many different stationary and mobile sources and from natural sources. Sources of fine particles or PM 2.5 include all types of combustion (motor vehicles, power plants, wood burning, etc) and some industrial processes. Coarse particles or PM 10 are generally emitted from vehicles traveling on unpaved roads, material handling, crushing and grinding operations, and windblown dust.
Particles accumulate in the respiratory system and are associated with numerous health effects. Exposure to coarse particles is primarily associated with the aggravation of respiratory conditions, such as asthma. Exposure to fine particles is associated with several serious health effects, including premature death. Sensitive groups, at the greatest risk, include the elderly, persons with cardiopulmonary disease, and children. High volume air samplers located in Youngstown and Warren are used to measure PM 10 and operate every six days. PM 2.5 is measured hourly at two sites in Youngstown and at one site in Warren and continuously at a site in Youngstown. The amount of particulate matter captured during sampling is expressed in micrograms per cubic meter of air. The primary and secondary air quality standard for PM 10 is an annual arithmetic mean of 50 micrograms per cubic meter and a 24 hour average of 150 micrograms per cubic meter. The primary and secondary standard for PM 2.5 is an annual arithmetic mean of 15 micrograms per cubic meter and a 24 hour average of 65 micrograms per cubic meter.
Sulfur Dioxide is a colorless, reactive gas that is odorless at low concentrations but pungent at very high concentrations. Both manmade and natural sources emit this pollutant. Commercial combustion of coal and oil by power plants is the largest single source of sulfur dioxide.
The presence of particulate matter appears to increase the impact of sulfur dioxide pollution. This pollutant leads to the formation of acid rain and in high concentrations can cause or aggravate various lung disorders. Sulfur dioxide is monitored continuously at one site in Youngstown. The analyzer used to measure it operates on a fluorescent light principle.
High concentrations can affect health, cause smog, impair visibility, and acidify lakes and streams. The concentration of the pollutant is expressed in parts per million or ppm. The primary standard for sulfur dioxide is an annual arithmetic mean of .03 ppm and a 24 hour average of .14 ppm not to be exceeded more than once per year. The secondary standard is a maximum three hour average concentration of .50 ppm not to be exceeded more than once per year.
Ozone or smog is formed when a mixture, mainly composed of non-methane hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, collect in the atmosphere and are exposed to sunlight. The sunlight sets off a series of chemical changes resulting in the formation of photochemical oxidants. Ozone constitutes about 90% of these oxidants. Ozone can irritate eyes, skin, and lungs. It can impair breathing, cause crop and plant damage, and deteriorate organic products like rubber. The division operates three ozone monitors continuously from April 1 thru October 31 each year.
The monitors are located in Youngstown, Vienna, and Kinsman.
Ultra-violet photometry is the technique used to monitor ozone. The amount of ozone in the ambient air is expressed in parts per million or ppm. The primary and secondary ambient air quality standard for ozone is a one hour average of .12 ppm and an eight hour average of
.08 ppm.
