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DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

 
DIVISION 206
AIR POLLUTION EMERGENCIES

NOTE: These rules are included in the
State of Oregon Clean Air Act Implementation Plan as adopted by the EQC under OAR
340-200-0040.
340-206-0010
Introduction
OAR 340-206-0030, 340-206-0050 and 340-206-0060
are effective within priority I and II air quality control regions (AQCR) as defined
in 40 CFR part 51, subpart H (1995), when the AQCR contains a nonattainment area
listed in 40 CFR part 81. All other rules in this division are equally applicable
to all areas of the state. Notwithstanding any other regulation or standard, this
division is designed to prevent the excessive accumulation of air contaminants during
periods of atmospheric stagnation or at any other time, which if allowed to continue
to accumulate unchecked could result in concentrations of these contaminants reaching
levels which could cause significant harm to the health of persons. This division
establishes criteria for identifying and declaring air pollution episodes at levels
below the level of significant harm and are adopted pursuant to the requirements
of the FCAA as amended and 40 CFR part 51.151. Levels of significant harm for various
regulated pollutants listed in 40 CFR part 51.151 are:
(1) For sulfur dioxide (SO2)
— 1.0 ppm, 24-hour average.
(2) For particulate matter:
(a) PM10 — 600 micrograms
per cubic meter, 24-hour average.
(b) PM2.5 — 350.5 micrograms
per cubic meter, 24-hour average.
(3) For carbon monoxide (CO):
(a) 50 ppm, 8-hour average.
(b) 75 ppm, 4-hour average.
(c) 125 ppm, 1-hour average.
(4) For ozone (O3) —
0.6 ppm, 2-hour average.
(5) For nitrogen dioxide
(NO2):
(a) 2.0 ppm, 1-hour average.
(b) 0.5 ppm, 24-hour average.
NOTE: This rule is included in the
State of Oregon Clean Air Act Implementation Plan that EQC adopted under OAR 340-200-0040.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 468.020 & 468A
Stats. Implemented: ORS 468A.025&
468A.035
Hist.: DEQ 37, f. 2-15-72,
ef. 9-1-72; DEQ 18-1983, f. & ef. 10-24-83; DEQ 8-1988, f. & cert. ef. 5-19-88
(and corrected 5-31-88); DEQ 4-1993, f. & cert. ef. 3-10-93; DEQ 19-1996, f.
& cert. ef. 9-24-96; DEQ 14-1999, f. & cert. ef. 10-14-99, Renumbered from
340-027-0005; DEQ 5-2010, f. & cert. ef. 5-21-10; DEQ 7-2015, f. & cert.
ef. 4-16-15
340-206-0020
Definitions
The definitions in OAR 340-200-0020,
340-204-0010 and this rule apply to this division. If the same term is defined in
this rule and 340-200-0020 or 340-204-0010, the definition in this rule applies
to this division.
NOTE: This rule is included in the
State of Oregon Clean Air Act Implementation Plan that EQC adopted under OAR 340-200-0040.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 468.020 & 468A
Stats. Implemented: ORS 468A.025&
468A.035
Hist.: DEQ 14-1999, f. &
cert. ef. 10-14-99; DEQ 7-2015, f. & cert. ef. 4-16-15
340-206-0030
Episode Stage Criteria for Air Pollution
Emergencies
Three stages of air pollution episode
conditions and a pre-episode standby condition are established to inform the public
of the general air pollution status and provide a management structure to require
preplanned actions designed to prevent continued accumulation of regulated pollutants
to the level of significant harm. The three episode stages are: Alert, Warning,
and Emergency. DEQ is responsible to enforce the provisions of this division which
requires actions to reduce and control emissions during air pollution episode conditions.
An air pollution alert or air pollution warning must be declared by the Director
or appointed representative when the appropriate air pollution conditions are deemed
to exist. When conditions exist which are appropriate to an air pollution emergency,
DEQ must notify the Governor and declare an air pollution emergency pursuant to
ORS 468.115. The statement declaring an air pollution Alert, Warning or Emergency
must define the area affected by the air pollution episode where corrective actions
are required. Conditions justifying the proclamation of an air pollution alert,
air pollution warning, or air pollution emergency must be deemed to exist whenever
DEQ determines that the accumulation of air contaminants in any place is increasing
or has increased to levels which could, if such increases are sustained or exceeded,
lead to a threat to the health of the public. In making this determination, DEQ
will be guided by the following criteria for each regulated pollutant and episode
stage:
(1) "Pre-episode standby"
condition, indicates that ambient levels of regulated pollutants are within standards
or only moderately exceed standards. In this condition, there is no imminent danger
of any ambient regulated pollutant concentrations reaching levels of significant
harm. DEQ must maintain at least a normal monitoring schedule but may conduct additional
monitoring. An air stagnation advisory issued by the National Weather Service, an
equivalent local forecast of air stagnation or observed ambient air levels in excess
of ambient air standards may be used to indicate the need for increased sampling
frequency. The pre-episode standby condition is the lowest possible air pollution
episode condition and may not be terminated.
(2) "Air pollution alert"
condition indicates that air pollution levels are significantly above standards
but there is no immediate danger of reaching the level of significant harm. Monitoring
must be intensified and readiness to implement abatement actions must be reviewed.
At the air pollution alert level the public is to be kept informed of the air pollution
conditions and of potential activities to be curtailed should it be necessary to
declare a warning or higher condition. An air pollution alert condition is a state
of readiness. When the conditions in both subsections (a) and (b) are met, an air
pollution alert will be declared and all appropriate actions described in OAR 340-206-8010
and 340-206-8040 must be implemented:
(a) Meteorological dispersion
conditions are not expected to improve during the next 24 or more hours;
(b) Monitored regulated pollutant
levels at any monitoring site exceed any of the following:
(A) Sulfur dioxide —
0.3 ppm — 24-hour average;
(B) Particulate matter:
(i) PM10 — 350 micrograms
per cubic meter (ug/m3) — 24-hour average;
(ii) PM2.5 — 140.5
micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3) — 24-hour average;
(C) Carbon monoxide —
15 ppm — 8-hour average;
(D) Ozone — 0.2 ppm
— 1-hour average;
(E) Nitrogen dioxide:
(i) 0.6 ppm — 1-hour
average; or
(ii) 0.15 ppm — 24-hour
average.
(3) "Air pollution warning"
condition indicates that pollution levels are very high and that abatement actions
are necessary to prevent these levels from approaching the level of significant
harm. At the air pollution warning level substantial restrictions may be required
limiting motor vehicle use and industrial and commercial activities. When the conditions
in both subsections (a) and (b) are met, an air pollution warning will be declared
by DEQ and all appropriate actions described in OAR 340-206-8020 and 340-206-8040
must be implemented:
(a) Meteorological dispersion
conditions are not expected to improve during the next 24 or more hours;
(b) Monitored regulated pollutant
levels at any monitoring site exceed any of the following:
(A) Sulfur dioxide —
0.6 ppm — 24-hour average;
(B) Particulate matter:
(i) PM10 — 420 ug/m3
— 24-hour average;
(ii) PM2.5 — 210.5
ug/m3 — 24-hour average;
(C) Carbon monoxide —
30 ppm — 8-hour average;
(D) Ozone — 0.4 ppm
— 1-hour average;
(E) Nitrogen dioxide:
(i) 1.2 ppm — 1-hour
average; or
(ii) 0.3 ppm — 24-hour
average.
(4) "Air pollution emergency"
condition indicates that regulated pollutants have reached an alarming level requiring
the most stringent actions to prevent these levels from reaching the level of significant
harm to the health of persons. At the air pollution emergency level extreme measures
may be necessary involving the closure of all manufacturing, business operations
and vehicle traffic not directly related to emergency services. Pursuant to ORS
468.115, when the conditions in both subsections (a) and (b) are met, an air pollution
emergency will be declared by DEQ and all appropriate actions described in OAR 340-206-8030
and 340-206-8040 must be implemented:
(a) Meteorological dispersion
conditions are not expected to improve during the next 24 or more hours;
(b) Monitored regulated pollutant
levels at any monitoring site exceed any of the following:
(A) Sulfur dioxide 0.8 ppm
— 24-hour average;
(B) Particulate matter:
(i) PM10 — 500 ug/m3
— 2-hour average;
(ii) PM2.5 — 280.5
ug/m3 — 2-hour average;
(C) Carbon monoxide 40 ppm
— 8-hour average;
(D) Ozone 0.5 ppm —
1-hour average;
(E) Nitrogen dioxide:
(i) 1.6 ppm — 1-hour
average; or
(ii) 0.4 ppm — 24-hour
average.
(5) "Termination": Any air
pollution episode condition (alert, warning or emergency) established by these criteria
may be reduced to a lower condition when the elements required for establishing
the higher conditions are no longer observed.
NOTE: This rule is included in the
State of Oregon Clean Air Act Implementation Plan that EQC adopted under OAR 340-200-0040.
[ED. NOTE: Tables referenced are available
from the agency.]
Stat. Auth.: ORS 468.020
& 468A
Stats. Implemented: ORS 468A.025&
468A.035
Hist.: DEQ 37, f. 2-15-72,
ef. 9-1-72; DEQ 18-1983, f. & ef. 10-24-83; DEQ 8-1988, f. & cert. ef. 5-19-88
(and corrected 5-31-88); DEQ 4-1993, f. & cert. ef. 3-10-93; DEQ 14-1999, f.
& cert. ef. 10-14-99, Renumbered from 340-027-0010; DEQ 5-2010, f. & cert.
ef. 5-21-10; DEQ 7-2015, f. & cert. ef. 4-16-15
340-206-0040
Special Conditions
(1) DEQ must issue an "ozone advisory"
to the public when monitored ozone values at any site exceed the ambient air quality
standard of 0.12 ppm but are less than 0.2 ppm for a one hour average. The ozone
advisory must clearly identify the area where the ozone values have exceeded the
ambient air standard and must state that significant health effects are not expected
at these levels, however, sensitive individuals may be affected by some symptoms.
(2) Where particulate is
primarily soil from windblown dust or fallout from volcanic activity, episodes dealing
with such conditions must be treated differently than particulate episodes caused
by other controllable sources. In making a declaration of air pollution alert, warning,
or emergency for such particulate, DEQ must be guided by the following criteria:
(a) "Air pollution alert
for particulate from volcanic fallout or windblown dust" means particulate values
are significantly above a standard but the source is a volcanic eruption or dust
storm. In this condition there is no significant danger to public health but there
may be a public nuisance created from the dusty conditions. It may be advisable
under these circumstances to voluntarily restrict traffic volume and/or speed limits
on major thoroughfares and institute cleanup procedures. DEQ will declare an air
pollution alert for particulate from volcanic fallout or wind-blown dust when particulate
values at any monitoring site exceed or are projected to exceed 800 ug/m3 —
24-hour average and the particulate is primarily from volcanic activity or dust
storms, meteorological conditions not withstanding;
(b) "Air pollution warning
for particulate from volcanic fallout or windblown dust" means particulate values
are very high but the source is volcanic eruption or dust storm. Prolonged exposure
over several days at or above these levels may produce respiratory distress in sensitive
individuals. Under these conditions staggered work hours in metropolitan areas,
mandated traffic reduction, speed limits and cleanup procedures may be required.
DEQ will declare an air pollution warning for particulate from volcanic fallout
or wind-blown dust when particulate values at any monitoring site exceed or are
expected to exceed 2,000 ug/m3 — 24-hour average and the particulate is primarily
from volcanic activity or dust storms, meteorological conditions not withstanding;
(c) "Air pollution emergency
for particulate from volcanic fallout or windblown dust" means particulate values
are extremely high but the source is volcanic eruption or dust storm. Prolonged
exposure over several days at or above these levels may produce respiratory distress
in a significant number of people. Under these conditions cleaning procedures must
be accomplished before normal traffic can be permitted. An air pollution emergency
for particulate from volcanic fallout or wind-blown dust will be declared by the
Director, who must keep the Governor advised of the situation, when particulate
values at any monitoring site exceed or are expected to exceed 5,000 ug/m3 —
24-hour average and the particulate is primarily from volcanic activity or dust
storms, meteorological conditions notwithstanding.
(3) Termination: Any air
pollution condition for particulate established by these criteria may be reduced
to a lower condition when the criteria for establishing the higher condition are
no longer observed.
(4) Action: Municipal and
county governments or other governmental agency having jurisdiction in areas affected
by an air pollution alert, warning or emergency for particulate from volcanic fallout
or windblown dust must place into effect the actions pertaining to such episodes
which are described in OAR 340-206-8040.
NOTE: This rule is included in the
State of Oregon Clean Air Act Implementation Plan that EQC adopted under OAR 340-200-0040.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 468.020 & 468A
Stats. Implemented: ORS 468A.025
& 468A.035
Hist.: DEQ 18-1983, f. &
ef. 10-24-83; DEQ 8-1988, f. & cert. ef. 5-19-88 (and corrected 5-31-88); DEQ
4-1993, f. & cert. ef. 3-10-93; DEQ 14-1999, f. & cert. ef. 10-14-99, Renumbered
from 340-027-0012; DEQ 7-2015, f. & cert. ef. 4-16-15
340-206-0050
Source Emission Reduction Plans
(1) OAR 340-206-8010 through 340-206-8030
set forth specific emission reduction measures which must be taken upon the declaration
of an air pollution alert, air pollution warning, or air pollution emergency. Any
person responsible for a source of air contamination within a Priority I AQCR must,
upon declaration of any air pollution episode condition affecting the locality of
the air contamination source, take all appropriate actions specified in the applicable
rule and must take appropriate actions specified in an approved source emission
reduction plan which has been submitted and is on file with DEQ.
(2) Any person responsible
for the operation of any point source of air pollution which is located in a Priority
I AQCR, located within an AQMA or located within a nonattainment area listed in
40 CFR, Part 81, and emits 100 tons or more of any regulated pollutant specified
by subsection (a) or (b) must file a Source Emission Reduction Plan (SERP) with
DEQ in accordance with the schedule described in section (4). Persons responsible
for other point sources of air pollution located in a Priority I AQCR may optionally
file a SERP with DEQ for approval. Such plans must specify procedures to implement
the actions required by OAR 340-206-8010 through 340-206-8030 and must be consistent
with good engineering practice and safe operating procedures. Source emission reduction
plans specified by this section are mandatory only for those sources which:
(a) Emit 100 tons per year
or more of any regulated pollutant for which the nonattainment area, AQMA, or any
portion of the AQMA is designated nonattainment; or
(b) Emit 100 tons per year
or more of volatile organic compounds when the nonattainment area, AQMA or any portion
of the AQMA is designated nonattainment for ozone.
(3) Municipal and county
governments or other governmental body having jurisdiction in nonattainment areas
where ambient levels of carbon monoxide, ozone or nitrogen dioxide qualify for Priority
I ACQR classification, must cooperate with DEQ in developing a traffic control plan
to be implemented during air pollution episodes of motor vehicle related emissions.
Such plans must implement the actions required by OAR 340-206-8010 through 340-206-8030
and must be consistent with good traffic management practice and public safety.
(4) DEQ must periodically
review the source emission reduction plans to assure that they meet the requirements
of this division. If deficiencies are found, DEQ must notify the persons responsible
for the source. Within 60 days of such notice the person responsible for the source
must prepare a corrected plan for approval by DEQ. Source emission reduction plans
must not be effective until approved by DEQ.
(5) During an air pollution
alert, warning or emergency episode, source emission reduction plans required by
this rule must be available on the source premises for inspection by any person
authorized to enforce the provisions of this division.
NOTE: This rule is included in the
State of Oregon Clean Air Act Implementation Plan that EQC adopted under OAR 340-200-0040.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 468.020 & 468A
Stats. Implemented: ORS 468A.025
& 468A.035
Hist.: DEQ 37, f. 2-15-72,
ef. 9-1-72; DEQ 18-1983, f. & ef. 10-24-83; DEQ 4-1993, f. & cert. ef. 3-10-93;
DEQ 14-1999, f. & cert. ef. 10-14-99, Renumbered from 340-027-0015; DEQ 7-2015,
f. & cert. ef. 4-16-15
340-206-0060
Regional Air Pollution Authorities
(1) DEQ and LRAPA must cooperate to
the fullest extent possible to insure uniformity of enforcement and administrative
action necessary to implement this division. With the exception of sources of air
contamination where jurisdiction has been retained by DEQ, all persons within the
territorial jurisdiction of LRAPA must submit the source emission reduction plans
prescribed in OAR 340-206-0050 to the regional air pollution authority. LRAPA must
submit copies of approved source emission reduction plans to DEQ.
(2) Declarations of air pollution
alert, air pollution warning, and air pollution emergency must be made by LRAPA.
In the event such a declaration is not made by LRAPA, DEQ must issue the declaration
and LRAPA must take appropriate remedial actions as set forth in this division.
(3) Additional responsibilities
of LRAPA include, but are not limited to:
(a) Securing acceptable source
emission reduction plans;
(b) Measurement and reporting
of air quality data to DEQ;
(c) Informing the public,
news media, and persons responsible for air contaminant sources of the various levels
set forth in this division and required actions to be taken to maintain air quality
and the public health;
(d) Surveillance and enforcement
of source emission reduction plans.
NOTE: This rule is included in the
State of Oregon Clean Air Act Implementation Plan that EQC adopted under OAR 340-200-0040.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 468.020 & 468A
Stats. Implemented: ORS 468A.025
& 468A.035
Hist.: DEQ 37, f. 2-15-72,
ef. 9-1-72; DEQ 18-1983, f. & ef. 10-24-83; DEQ 4-1993, f. & cert. ef. 3-10-93;
DEQ 14-1999, f. & cert. ef. 10-14-99, Renumbered from 340-027-0025; DEQ 7-2015,
f. & cert. ef. 4-16-15
340-206-0070
Operations Manual
The DEQ must maintain an operations
manual to administer the provisions of this division. This manual must be available
to the Department Emergency Action office at all times. At a minimum the operations
manual must contain the following elements:
(1) A copy of this division.
(2) A chapter on communications
which must include:
(a) Telephone lists naming
public officials, public health and safety agencies, local government agencies,
emission sources, news media agencies and individuals who need to be informed about
the episode status and information updates. These telephone lists must be specific
to episode conditions and will be used when declaring and cancelling episode conditions;
(b) Example and sample messages
to be released to the news media for declaring or modifying an episode status.
(3) A chapter on data gathering
and evaluation which must include:
(a) A description of ambient
air monitoring activities to be conducted at each episode stage including "standby";
(b) Assignment of responsibilities
and duties for ascertaining ambient air levels of specified regulated pollutants
and notification when levels reach the predetermined episode levels;
(c) Assignment of responsibilities
and duties for monitoring meteorological developments from teletype reports and
National Weather Service contacts. Part of this responsibility must be to evaluate
the meteorological conditions for their potential to affect ambient regulated pollutant
levels.
(4) A chapter defining responsibilities
and duties for conducting appropriate source compliance inspections during episode
stages requiring curtailment of regulated pollutant emissions.
(5) A chapter establishing
the duties and responsibilities of the emergency action center personnel to assure
coordinated operation during an air pollution episode established in accordance
with this division.
(6) An appendix containing
individual source emission reduction plans required by this division plus any approved
voluntary plans.
NOTE: This rule is included in the
State of Oregon Clean Air Act Implementation Plan that EQC adopted under OAR 340-200-0040.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 468.020 & 468A
Stats. Implemented: ORS 468A.025
& 468A.035
Hist.: DEQ 18-1983, f. &
ef. 10-24-83; DEQ 4-1993, f. & cert. ef. 3-10-93; DEQ 14-1999, f. & cert.
ef. 10-14-99, Renumbered from 340-027-0035; DEQ 7-2015, f. & cert. ef. 4-16-15
340-206-8010
Air Pollution Episode ALERT Conditions
Source Emission Reduction Plan Emission Control Actions to be Taken as Appropriate
in Alert Episode Area
[Table not included. See ED. NOTE.]
[ED. NOTE:
Tables referenced are not included in rule text. Click here for PDF copy of table(s).]
Stat. Auth.: ORS 468.020
& 468A
Stats. Implemented: ORS 468A.025
& 468A.035
Hist.: DEQ 7-2015, f. &
cert. ef. 4-16-15
340-206-8020
Air Pollution Episode WARNING Conditions
Emission Reduction Plan
[Table not included. See ED. NOTE.]
[ED. NOTE:
Tables referenced are not included in rule text. Click here for PDF copy of table(s).]
Stat. Auth.: ORS 468.020
& 468A
Stats. Implemented: ORS 468A.025
& 468A.035
Hist.: DEQ 7-2015, f. &
cert. ef. 4-16-15
340-206-8030
Air Pollution Episode EMERGENCY
Conditions Emission Reduction Plan
Pollution Episode
Conditions for all Pollutants (Except Particulate from Volcanic Activity or Windblown
Dust.)
[Table not included. See ED. NOTE.]
[ED. NOTE:
Tables referenced are not included in rule text. Click here for PDF copy of table(s).]
Stat. Auth.: ORS 468.020
& 468A
Stats. Implemented: ORS 468A.025
& 468A.035
Hist.: DEQ 7-2015, f. &
cert. ef. 4-16-15
340-206-8040
Air pollution episode conditions
due to Particulate which is primarily fallout from volcanic activity or windblown
dust. Ambient Particulate control measures to be taken as appropriate in episode
area.
[Table not included. See ED. NOTE.]
[ED. NOTE:
Tables referenced are not included in rule text. Click here for PDF copy of table(s).]
Stat. Auth.: ORS 468.020
& 468A
Stats. Implemented: ORS 468A.025
& 468A.035
Hist.: DEQ 7-2015, f. &
cert. ef. 4-16-15

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