Stationary Source Permits
Air quality operating permits issued by PDEQ include a listing of all air pollution regulatory requirements that apply to the source. The program clarifies the air pollution control obligations of facilities by compiling in one document all of a source's air compliance requirements. The intent is that by including all applicable requirements in one permit it will be easier for the source owner, the regulatory agency, and the public to determine if the source is in compliance.
Asbestos NESHAP
PDEQ administers their asbestos program having adopted by reference in Pima County Code the
Asbestos NESHAP (National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants). The program's intent is to minimize the release of asbestos-containing material. The regulations require the owner of the building and/or the operator to notify PDEQ before any demolition, or before renovations of buildings that contain a certain threshold amount of asbestos or asbestos containing materials. Additionally, specific work practices are to be followed during demolitions and renovations.
Fugitive Dust
Fugitive dust is particulate matter which becomes airborne, is not emitted from a stack or vent, and has the potential to adversely affect human health or the environment. High levels of dust particles often originate from agricultural, mining, construction and manufacturing activities. PDEQ protects air quality by regulating fugitive dust emissions and inspecting dust-producing activities and sites.
Open Burning
Open burning is the burning of materials such as trees, brush, leaves, grass and other debris where smoke and other emissions are released directly into the air without passing through a chimney or stack. Air pollution from open burning can cause serious health problems, obscure visibility, or damage the environment. PDEQ regulates open burning to address these concerns. PDEQ rules require a permit for open burning, with the exception of campfires, barbecues, and small fires for warmth.
Air Compliance
PDEQ air compliance staff ensure industry, businesses, and county residents comply with local, state, and federal air quality rules and regulations by conducting inspections at permitted sites, complaint inspections, and verifying compliance with various regulated actions (i.e. testing, monitoring, prevention of fugitive dust, etc.). PDEQ's regulatory authority for administering the compliance program is established pursuant to applicable provisions of the Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.), Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.), Pima County Code (PCC), Federal Environmental Statutes, delegation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (via the Clean Air Act), and by delegation from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
Compliance Guidance for Stationary Sources
Stationary sources with air quality operating permits typically have monitoring, reporting, and testing requirements written into their permits, or have these requirements as a result of an applicable industry-based standard contained in 40 CFR Part 60 (New Source Performance Standards - NSPS) or Part 63 (National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants - NESHAP).
More information on
Compliance Guidance for Stationary Sources includes:
- Monitoring Reports
- Excess Emissions/Permit Deviations
- Compliance Certifications
- Stack Testing
Orders of Abatement
Pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute (ARS) §49-511(D), PDEQ posts an annual summary of
orders of abatement issued in accordance with ARS §49-511.
Current Air Quality Information
PDEQ monitors ambient outdoor air pollutants throughout eastern Pima County, including the Tucson metropolitan area and Green Valley. More information is available on the
Air Monitoring program page. The
Pima County's Air Quality Summary Report provides more information on air pollutants, health effects and historic and current air monitoring data.
Pima County is currently in attainment of all U.S. EPA National Ambient Air Quality Standards with the exception of the Rillito area which is nonattainment for PM10. The Ajo area was recently redesignated as attainment of the PM10 standard by EPA on September 3, 2020. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality oversees nonattainment areas. The Tucson Air Planning Area is currently in the second 10-year carbon monoxide (CO) Limited Maintenance Plan (LMP).
Clean Air Program
The PDEQ
Clean Air Program is funded by a grant from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality For more information, visit the Clean Air Program webpage under Information, Education and Public Outreach.
Air Pollution Advisories
PDEQ issues advisories when the Tucson/eastern Pima County area is experiencing poor air quality. More information on Air Quality Advisories is available.
Particulate Matter (PM) and Ground Level Ozone (O3) are significant health and air quality concerns in Pima County.
Air Quality Forecasts
The Tucson area has 5-day air quality forecasts from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) thanks to a collaborative effort between ADEQ and Pima County Department of Environmental Quality. This is the first time that ADEQ has initiated air quality forecasts for a region that is attaining the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Both ADEQ and PDEQ hope this program will help the region stay in attainment of those EPA health standards. Anyone interested in receiving the ADEQ air quality forecasts can sign up for texts and/or emails.
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reporting Program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) data and other relevant information from large GHG emission sources, fuel and industrial gas suppliers, and CO2 injection sites in the United States.
Emissions Inventory
In anticipation of possible future nonattainment with the 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for 8-hour ozone (i.e., 0.070 parts per million), the Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ) requires a comprehensive annual and ozone season day (OSD)
emissions inventory for the portion of Pima County likely to be classified as a nonattainment area (NAA). PDEQ contracted with Eastern Research Group, Inc. (ERG) to develop the emissions inventory under Pima County Contract No. PO-PO-17-032.
It should be noted that this is a ‘first time’ inventory for Pima County. As such, some data were not available (e.g., daily or monthly operational data for point sources) which contribute to inventory uncertainty. These types of uncertainty are discussed in this report, along with recommendations for improvement when revising the inventory in the future.
The overall summary of the Pima County Emissions Inventory shows on-road motor vehicles are the largest source of NOx emissions (46.5 percent of total emissions) and biogenic sources are the largest source of VOC emissions (80.9 percent of total emissions).
When reviewing the summarized results of the Pima County Emissions Inventory it should be noted that there is also uncertainty associated with this inventory. Any emissions inventory that is not based on directly measured will have associated uncertainty. Emissions inventory development is an iterative process; multiple iterations will reduce the associated uncertainty and improve the overall inventory quality.