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Air Quality
The administration of responsibilities to enhance and improve the quality of the air for Marion County, Indiana encompasses a variety of functions. These include developing air management policies for the City, implementing and coordinating City-wide air quality management initiatives, securing and assisting others in securing the resources for the implementation of air quality management initiatives, facilitating public education, providing assistance to business, coordinating requests for information on air quality management issues, and providing air quality management planning which emphasizes risk-based analyses, good science and sound data, open communication, and informed participation.
Planning
Air Quality Planning addresses major air issues involving short and long range activities to improve the air quality of Indianapolis. Activities of the Planning Section include: Air Pollution Control Ordinance and regulation development, Knozone Program, Central Indiana Air Quality Group, Central Indiana Clean Cities Alliance, liason to the Indianapolis Air Pollution Control Board, re-designation requests, and transportation improvements to reduce air pollution.
Office of Environmental Services is convening a periodic air quality forum focused on the issues surrounding ozone and fine particle non-attainment. This is called the PM 2.5 Advisory Group.
Air Quality Monitoring
Air Quality Monitoring measures the ambient air in and around Marion County at over 20 sites for pollutants that have National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). These pollutants are referred to as the criteria pollutants and include ozone (O3), nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, lead, carbon monoxide and particulate matter. The air quality standards are set at levels to protect the public health. Monitoring is conducted to assure compliance with these standards. Each year OES collects over 100,000 total air measurements.
Air Permitting
Air Permitting is a delegated program from the U.S. EPA and the State of Indiana to the City of Indianapolis. This delegation allows the OES to issue air construction and operating permits to industrial sources in Marion County. The delegation includes the newly established Title V Operating Permit Program. Operating Permits are issued to approximately 300 industrial sources in Marion County. An industry's operating permit outlines the requirements under the Clean Air Act applicable to that facility and is typically valid for five years. Prior to commencing construction of new processes or equipment, that may have an impact on air emissions, companies are required to obtain approval by the OES through a Construction Permit. The Construction Permits Program works to ensure timely permits are issued and citizen concerns are addressed.
Stationary Source Compliance
Stationary Source Compliance ensures industrial compliance with air laws and regulations. Compliance is responsible for conducting inspections, overseeing stack tests, and managing compliance data submitted by 85 stationary sources (industries) located within Marion County.
Environmental Code Enforcement
The enforcement section is responsible for the enforcement of the City's environmental codes, which include the Industrial Pretreatment Ordinance and the Air Pollution Control Ordinance.
Mobile Source Compliance
This program inspects gasoline stations, automobile parts stores, used car dealers, and muffler shops to minimize emissions to the environment. By conducting over 4,500 inspections per year, the program focuses upon reducing the amount of mobile source emissions which contribute to the formation of ozone and fine particles. Freon repair and replacement facilities are also inspected to ensure that freon, an ozone precursor, is properly reclaimed.
Asbestos Compliance
The asbestos program focuses on the proper abatement and management of asbestos from the renovation of a building or the demolition of a building. By inspecting over 300 asbestos projects per year for compliance, the OES protects the public health. Additionally, the program's educational outreach efforts provide information about proper asbestos management and prevent future problems from occurring.
Environmental Complaints
Additionally, OES responds to citizen environmental complaints concerning open burning, odor, dust, smoke, asbestos, illegal freon discharges, automobile tampering, spills that impact City streets or sewers, illegal chemical or waste dumping, and abandoned drums.
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