Air quality is regulated by the federal government under the Clean Air Act of 1970 and the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. Did you know that there are several activities that occur at the grounds/vehicle maintenance facilities that affect air quality and that are regulated by local, state and federal regulations? Regulations are designed to protect air quality from emissions of volatile organics compounds (VOCs) or other air pollutants originating from fuels, paints, organic solvents, and other compounds used in grounds/vehicle maintenance facilities operations. Summaries of relevant air quality regulations are presented below.

General Plan Approval: Grounds/vehicle maintenance facilities may be required to submit a plan and obtain approval for any construction, reconstruction or alteration of the facility where new or increased air emissions are expected. An example of this would be if the facility was expanding and increasing the number of solvent degreasers or other potential sources of certain air emissions. This approval plan is designed to prevent any unregulated changes at facilities that could impact air quality.

Cold Solvent Degreasing: Cold solvent degreasing is often used to clean parts at grounds/vehicle maintenance facilities. The degreasing systems may contain VOCs or organic solvents that can impact air quality. Regulations have been established for proper operation and maintenance requirements for these systems to prevent air quality impacts.

Auto Refinishing: Auto refinishing activities are regulated to reduce and/or prevent the amount of air pollutants (VOCs) that are released to the air from automotive coatings use or production. The regulations generally apply to any person who owns, leases, operates or controls an automotive refinishing facility.

Gasoline Storage: Specific gasoline storage regulations are designed to protect air quality by limiting the release of VOCs from storage tanks into the air. These regulations generally address storage system and maintenance requirements to limit the release of VOCs.

Vapor Recovery for Gasoline Pumping Facilities: This program requires the use of vapor collection and control systems designed for the purpose of controlling vapors during the direct dispensing of motor vehicles fuel to a motor vehicle. These vapor control systems are designed to limit the release of VOCs to the air.

Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) Demolition: This program covers the management and monitoring requirements during the demolition of asbestos containing materials. ACM may be associated with insulation, construction materials, siding, roofing or caulking.

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