GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SOURCES: AIR POLLUTION

COUNTY AIR POLLUTION CONTROL PROGRAMS:

Some counties have air pollution ordinances of their own which are compatible with state regulations. These counties contain more information than most on their air quality:

Buncome and Haywood Counties: Western N.C. Regional Air Pollution Control Agency (Buncome County Courthouse, Asheville 28801-3569; 704/255-5655)

Mecklenburg County: Department of Environmental Protection (1200 Blythe Blvd., Charlotte 28023; 704/376-4603)

Forsyth County: Environmental Affairs Department (537 N. Spruce St., Winston-Salem 27101; 910/727-8060)

STATE:

N.C. Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources (DEHNR):

Note: No data is compiled on indoor air quality in N.C. The Environmental Epidemiology Section, Epidemiology Division, DEHNR is the N.C. government agency which deals with indoor air quality identification and abatement.

Environmental Management Division - Air Quality Section (P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh 27626-0535; 919/733-7015): Establishes ambient air quality standards and monitors air quality at sites in 96 counties. Composes rules and regulations. Conducts plan ning and modeling to determine appropriate controls. Issues indus trial permits. Maintains a database of information on point source facilities which emit into the air 100 tons or more per year of at least one of the following pollutants: particulates, s ulfur dioxide, nitrous oxides, volatile organic compounds, or carbon monoxide. Establishes inspection/maintenance programs for vehicular sources (the logistics of these programs are handled by the Division of Motor Vehicles as a part of Safety Inspection System tests). Publishes Air Quality Trends 1972-1989; Air Quality Trends Summary 1972-1989; Ambient Air Quality Report 1989; and air quality computer printouts called Quick Look Reports.

Office of Waste Reduction - Pollution Prevention Program (3825 Barrett Dr., Ste. 300, Raleigh 27619; 919/571-4100): Provides industry with non-regulatory technical assistance on reducing air emissions, waterborne pollutants, toxics, hazardous was te, and industrial solid waste. Helps industries to comply with the waste reduction planning requirements of Senate Bill 324. Houses Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data for N.C. and the Multi-Media Waste Reduction Management System database. The latter contains information on permitted waste generation and pollution releases to the air, water, and land by N.C. industries. (For further information on the TRI and where and in which formats you can access it, click here. Publication list available.

Environmental Management Commission (P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh 27626-0535; 919/733-7015): Forms policies and rules for the Divisions of Environmental Management, Water Resources, and Land Resources. Adopts rules for air quality standards, emission control standards, and classifications for air contaminant sources; for water quality standards and classifications; for the implementation of water and air quality reporting; and for governing underground tanks used for storing hazardous substances or oi l. Grants and revokes permits in regard to dam construction and air and water pollution control; provides technical assistance; and declares pollution emergencies. Comprised of 17 members.

N.C. Office of State Planning - State Data Center (116 W. Jones St., Raleigh 27603-8003; 919/733-4131): Published Statistical Abstract of North Carolina Counties (1991), a collection of tables and figures, many of which are broken down by county. The book has a small section on environment, including air. Available in many libraries. The data (current and historical) is now available on LINC (Log Into North Carolina), an online database operated by the State Data Center.

Pollution Prevention Advisory Council (512 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh 27604-1148; 919/733-4984): Evaluates laws, rules, regulations, and needs pertaining to pollution prevention for water, air, and solid and hazardous waste. Scheduled to make pol icy recommendations to the General Assembly in April 1994 and to dissolve one year later. Comprised of 14 members.

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYSTEM:

N.C. State University (NCSU) Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences - Climate Program Office/State Climatologist (Box 8208, Raleigh 27695-8208; 919/515-3056): Provides information on the climatology of N.C. and its localities. The program is a joint venture between NCSU and UNC-Chapel Hill and works in cooperation with the National Climatic Data Center, the Southeast Regional Climate Center, and the National Weather Service. Publishes a booklet called Weather and Climate in No rth Carolina as well as information on how climate information can benefit North Carolinians.

FEDERAL:

National Climatic Data Center (Federal Bldg., 37 Battery Park Ave., Asheville 28801-2733; 704/259-0682): The national respository for state, national, and international climate information. Information is available in hard copy, disk, magnetic t ape, microprints, microfiche, and microfilm rolls. Fees are assessed for services, and data delivery generally takes four to six weeks. The Center is supported by the U.S. Department of Commerce; the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service. A list of selected publications is available.

Southeast Regional Climate Center (1201 Main St., Ste. 1100, Columbia, SC 29201; 803/737-0800): A agency which under federal contract provides information on the climate of N.C., other southeastern states, and Puerto Rico. Fees are assessed for services. Operates Cirrus, a dial-in, online database of current and historical climate information (you must set up a computer account before accessing Cirrus).

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):

Atmospheric Sciences Modeling Division Library (AREAL Library), Research Triangle Park (MD-80, RTP 27711; 919/541-4536): The collection focuses on the meterological aspects of air pollution. Materials are not loaned out to the public; referen ce services are available. Included in both the EPA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) library networks.
Library Services Office, Research Triangle Park (MD-35, RTP 27711; 919/541-2777): The collection focuses on all aspects of air pollution as well as the basic sciences, chemical toxicity, and business and economics. Materials are not loaned o ut to the public; reference services by phone and mail are available. Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS): Annually publishes National Air Quality and Emissions Trends Report. The report presents national and regional air quality trends (going back ten years) for particulate matter, sulfur d ioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and lead. Also reports on air quality trends in metropolitan areas, air quality levels for numerous Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), and National Air Monitoring Sites (NAMS). Available from the Nat ional Technical Information Service (NTIS) (U.S. Department of Commerce, Springfield, VA 22161; 800/553-6847).
OAQPS Library, Research Triangle Park (MD-16, 523 Mutual Plaza, RTP 27711; 919/541-5514): Subject emphases are air pollution and control technology, including material on costs, chemical technology, and minerals. Reference collection focuses on chemistry and engineering. Materials are not loaned out to the public; on-site ready reference services are available.
National Air Toxics Information Clearinghouse (NATICH) (MD-13, Research Triangle Park 27711; 919/541-0850): Provides regulatory information on air toxics from state/local air pollution control agencies and the EPA. Publication list available .
Stratospheric Ozone Information Hotline (c/o The Bruce Co., 501 3rd St. NW, Washington, DC 20001; 800/296-1996): Provides information on ozone protection regulations and requirements under Title VI of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. Ma intains a library of relevant publications and contact lists. Makes referrals on general aspects of stratospheric ozone depletion and protection. Distributes publications.

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