Air Quality FAQs
- Who should I contact if I have questions regarding air quality issues associated with my activities?
- What are the sources of air pollution at Harvard?
- What are the main types of air emissions resulting from Harvard activities that are considered pollutants?
- At Harvard, what are some of the sources of the air pollutants listed above?
- What happens to air pollutants after they are emitted to the atmosphere?
- What are the effects of these emissions on human health and the environment?
- Who regulates air pollution at Harvard University?
- What can be done to limit the amount of air pollution that enters the atmosphere from activities at Harvard?
- When is an air quality permit required and what are the types of permits that may apply to activities at Harvard?
- If an air quality permit is not required, are there still actions that must be taken in order to maintain and demonstrate compliance with environmental regulations?
- If activities or operations change, including modifications, additions, or removals of equipment, will the applicable requirements and/or need for a permit change?
- Harvard University is not a big industrial source of air pollution. Why are there so many requirements that affect the University's activities and operations?
- What do I need to know if a regulatory agency comes to inspect my facility?
- What are the standards that govern refrigeration and air conditioning appliances?
- Are emergency generators, which are used at Harvard to provide electrical generation in the event of an electrical power outage, subject to air pollution regulations?
Who should I contact if I have questions regarding air quality issues associated with my activities?
Contact your facility manager or supervisor; he or she can assist you and will work with the EH&S staff to help clarify air quality issues associated with your activities. Note that indoor air quality services are provided by EH&S Industrial Hygiene Services, Occupational and Environmental Health.
What are the sources of air pollution at Harvard?
- Air pollution may arise from various sources at Harvard including the following:
- Use of volatile and radioactive materials in laboratory research
- The combustion of fuel (e.g., natural gas or oil) in boilers, heating equipment, emergency generators, etc.
- Use of parts degreasing and cleaning solvents in maintenance activities
- The demolition, repair, or construction of University buildings or property
- Solvents and inks employed in printing operations
- Architectural coatings
- The operation of bulk storage tanks
- The operation of University vehicles
- Operation and maintenance of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment
- Accidental releases of chemicals.
What are the main types of air emissions resulting from Harvard activities that are considered pollutants?
- Criteria Pollutants:
- Particulate matter (PM)
- Volatile organic compounds (VOC)
- Carbon monoxide (CO)
- Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
- Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
- Ozone (O3)
- Lead (Pb)
Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP) - a list of over 180 chemicals considered to be toxic by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) including some VOC, radionuclides, and metals.
At Harvard, what are some of the sources of the air pollutants listed above?
PM, VOC, CO, NOx, and SO2 emissions typically result from the combustion of fuel from the operation of equipment such as boilers, furnaces, space heaters, hot water heaters, and emergency generators (emergency stand-by engines). VOC emissions result from the use of volatile organic chemicals in the laboratory and in maintenance operations. Some of these emissions may also be considered HAP. O3 is formed in the atmosphere from chemical reactions which involve VOC and NOx. HAP emissions result from the use of certain types of volatile organic chemicals in the laboratory and in maintenance operations of certain combustion equipment as well as the use of radioactive materials in the laboratory.
What happens to air pollutants after they are emitted to the atmosphere?
The pollutants are transported, diluted, and modified chemically or physically in the atmosphere. Some major pollutants, called secondary pollutants, are actually formed in the atmosphere from precursors (primary pollutants). Eventually, the contaminants reach a receptor, where they impact health, property, visibility, climate, or some other part of the environment. However, some of the pollutants are removed from the atmosphere by natural processes and never reach a receptor.
What are the effects of these emissions on human health and the environment?
- Particulate matter can:
- Be chemically active or chemically inert but absorb chemically active substances and can, therefore, cause direct chemical damage to human health, the environment, and to property;
- Cause human health problems due to the toxicity of the particle itself, the toxicity of a substance absorbed on the particle, or interfere with mechanisms which normally clear the respiratory tract;
- Cause a deterioration in animal health if the animal feeds on plants covered by toxic particulate;
- Reduce visibility;
- VOC and HAP
- Some types of VOC and HAP may be carcinogenic and others contribute to the formation of ozone which can cause human health effects and reduce visibility;
- Carbon Monoxide:
- Carbon monoxide is a poisonous inhalant that deprives the body tissues of necessary oxygen;
- Nitrogen Oxides:
- Nitrogen oxides contribute to the formation of acid rain and can affect natural water sources, fish, and vegetation. In addition, nitrogen dioxide, a brown gas, contributes to the formation of ozone and reduces visibility.
- Sulfur dioxide contributes to:
- Acidification of natural water sources which in turn affects fish and vegetation;
- Leaching of nutrients in soil which can lead to a loss in productivity of crops and forests, or a change in the natural vegetation;
- Reduced visibility and property damage.
Who regulates air pollution at Harvard University?
- The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Division of Air Quality Control
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
What can be done to limit the amount of air pollution that enters the atmosphere from activities at Harvard?
- Ensure that covers and lids are kept closed on all containers holding volatile chemicals and wastes when not removing from, or adding to, containers in use in the laboratory and for maintenance activities;
- Operate and maintain equipment per maunfacturer's recommendations
- Precautionary measures can be taken during demolition, construction, or repair of property or equipment to minimize the amount of airborne particulate matter or other air pollutants from being generated;
- Effective non-toxic or low-VOC substitutes may be available to replace toxic or high VOC-content materials (i.e., paints, solvents, and inks);
- Combustion equipment can be converted from the use of oils to the use of less polluting fuel, e.g. natural gas.
- Use of public transportation such as the MBTA subway, trains, or buses and Harvard University Shuttle Services.
When is an air quality permit required and what are the types of permits that may apply to activities at Harvard?
- Permits are required by the DEP for many activities which could result in discharges of air pollution to the atmosphere. Activities requiring a permit generally involve the construction, reconstruction, or modification of a piece of equipment or facility, or a change in its use or operation. There are typically thresholds above which a permit may be required (i.e., the type and magnitude of air pollutant emissions expected, size of particular equipment, e.g. boiler). In general, two types of permits can be required:
- A Pre-construction permit, which is issued prior to construction, reconstruction, or modification of equipment, activities, or a facility based on the review and approval of the permit application submitted by the project proponent; and
- An Operating Permit, which identifies the specific requirements that a facility operator must adhere to as a condition of continued operation of the facility. For more information on air quality permits, please refer to the Construction Permitting Guidance Matrix [PDF].
If an air quality permit is not required, are there still actions that must be taken in order to maintain and demonstrate compliance with environmental regulations?
Depending upon the type of activity or piece of equipment in question, there may be applicable standards. For example, records may be required to be kept to demonstrate that a permit is not required. Also, training and certification may be required to operate or maintain a particular piece of equipment although no permit is needed.
- Regulations may require:
- Air pollution control measures to be taken;
- Air emissions control plans to be developed;
- Permits and certifications to be obtained;
- Testing, sampling, and monitoring to be performed;
- Training to be conducted;
- Records to be kept;
- Reports to be submitted.
If activities or operations change, including modifications, additions, or removals of equipment, will the applicable requirements and/or need for a permit change?
Depending upon the type of change in activity, additional requirements may apply, existing requirements may no longer apply, and a permit may or may not be needed. Note that some permits apply to the campus as a whole and a change in operations or activities within one area of the campus may affect the entire campus in terms of environmental regulation and permitting.
Harvard University is not a big industrial source of air pollution. Why are there so many requirements that affect the University's activities and operations?
Historically, the regulatory agencies have, in fact, focused on large industrial sources of pollution. As a result, many industrial facilities have implemented air pollution control measures and reduced their emissions. The regulatory agencies are now addressing the cumulative effects of air pollutant emissions from many small emitters. In particular, recent unannounced inspections of other institutions by regulatory authorities have resulted in substantial fines for non-compliance with environmental regulation.
What do I need to know if a regulatory agency comes to inspect my facility?
Immediately contact your local EH&S representative. For more information on regulatory agency inspections, please refer to the Regulatory Agency Inspection Fact Sheet.
What are the standards that govern refrigeration and air conditioning appliances?
Ozone depleting substances used in refrigeration and air conditioning appliances include chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons, collectively referred to here as CFCs. This group of chemicals has been demonstrated to be harmful to the stratospheric ozone layer and is subject to EPA regulations. As a result of the Clean Air Act requirements, the EPA has established a national recycling program for these substances when recovered during the servicing and disposal of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. For more information regarding key requirements, please refer to Ozone Depleting Substances Management Program.
Are emergency generators, which are used at Harvard to provide electrical generation in the event of an electrical power outage, subject to air pollution regulations?
Emergency generators (emergency standby engines) can be a source of air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate, as well as minor amounts of other pollutants. The Clean Air Act Amendments passed by Congress in 1990 required Massachusetts to take steps necessary to reduce the generation of these pollutants. For more information regarding air pollution control requirements for emergency generators, please refer to Emergency Standby Engines Fact Sheet.
