Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Criteria Evaluated In A Visible Emissions Training

By Mia Kent


In support of the Clean Air Act, the Visible Emissions Training is conducted by environmental centers and departments. This is to measure the quality of the air in the surroundings as shown by the lower percentage of emission opacity. There are certain limits that each area provide for automobiles and factories to meet before operations.

A visible emission is an air pollutant that range in sizes from less than a micrometer to two hundred micrometers in diameter as compared to a hair strand which measures an average of seventy micrometers in diameter. These particles may include smoke, soot, dust, fly ash, fumes and liquid droplets. These particles, when inhaled, can be hazardous to health as manifested commonly by respiratory problems.

Before the eighteen hundreds, it is hard to say whether the emission has violated any environmental acts because the Ringelmann Smoke chart was not yet invented. After its introduction to the public, laws on air management have been improved and standards have been set. The darker and the larger the population of the particles present in plumes, the bigger the threat to health and environment is.

Under the EPA Reference Method Nine, the government adopted a standard inspection method to establish uniformity in the readings of measurements. This is the basis for training of the observers. There are various requirements that an observer should exhibit to pass the evaluation done after the training.

There is a required distance from the observed gas emission to the point the observer should stand. Establishing a clearer view without the danger of being caught by the fume is advisable. An average distance of a quarter mile is suggested with the trainee in perpendicular to the direction of the observed matter. The trainee should only look at one plume in a given time in cases where there are multiple layers of plumes.

The information that the observer should be aware of are the type, location and source of plume. It will also be necessary to jot down the external factors affecting the test such as gust direction and the condition of the weather. Information pertaining the name and affiliation of the observer are needed as well. These help in the administration of proper recommendation to the people concerned.

A desired number of thirty readings should be done at a fifteen second interval. A more accurate reading can be garnered if it is done against a clear and contrasting background. The measurements should be rounded to the nearest five point interval measured in percent.

Procedural errors or omissions on evaluation papers can invalidate data or can cause further investigation. Difference in the methods of calculation may also make the data questionable but otherwise applicable. Generally, an opacity level of not more than twenty percent is the acceptable rating.

Anyone with a clear eyesight and sound judgment can participate in a Visible Emissions Training. The endeavor will help in the giving of proper penalty and sanction to whoever found to be violating the laws on air protection. Observations must be made accurately documented by the observer so that the presented data can suffice rigorous examinations.




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