Hazardous air pollutants are regulated primarily by which standards?

Hazardous air pollutants are regulated primarily by which standards?

• A. MACT/NESHAP standards
• B. NAAQS ambient standards
• C. OSHA PEL standards
• D. Clean Water Act standards

Answer: (B)

Hazardous air pollutants are controlled through technology-based emission standards called MACT (Maximum Achievable Control Technology) and the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). These rules, part of the Clean Air Act, require sources to achieve the lowest feasible emissions for specific HAPs or for particular source categories, with ongoing testing and reporting to ensure compliance. In contrast, ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) set allowable outdoor concentrations for a set of “criteria pollutants” to protect public health, but they are not tailored to the emission limits of individual hazardous pollutants. Workplace limits are governed by OSHA PELs, and the Clean Water Act addresses pollutants in water, not air.

Hazardous air pollutants are controlled through technology-based emission standards called MACT (Maximum Achievable Control Technology) and the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). These rules, part of the Clean Air Act, require sources to achieve the lowest feasible emissions for specific HAPs or for particular source categories, with ongoing testing and reporting to ensure compliance. In contrast, ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) set allowable outdoor concentrations for a set of “criteria pollutants” to protect public health, but they are not tailored to the emission limits of individual hazardous pollutants. Workplace limits are governed by OSHA PELs, and the Clean Water Act addresses pollutants in water, not air.