Air Quality Program

The Monitoring section is comprised of air quality technicians, analysts, and engineers and is primarily responsible for the upkeep of ACHD’s network of air quality monitoring stations. This includes the daily maintenance of equipment, installation of new equipment, verification of monitored data, initial data analysis, and oversight of specialized monitoring studies.

Planning & Data Analysis is comprised primarily of air quality control engineers, scientists, and atmospheric modelers. The daily duties of the planning staff include reviewing and validating monitored air quality data, analyzing data for trends and sources, modeling air quality, and developing control strategies. In addition, Planning and Data Analysis staff prepare State Implementation Plans (SIPs). SIPs are detailed plans that are designed to help our county reach and maintain all new air quality standards.

Emissions Inventory is a small section within the Planning and Data Analysis section. The engineering staff verifies emissions from permitted sources in the county to determine whether or not a facility is in compliance with regulations.

The Permitting Team consists of air pollution control engineers responsible for the issuance of installation and operating permits to major, minor, and synthetic minor sources of air pollution within Allegheny County.

Industrial facilities that emit pollutants above established regulatory thresholds are required to obtain an operating permit. Any proposed modifications to existing facilities or the installation of new emissions-generating equipment require an installation permit.

Permits are legally enforceable documents which impose necessary limits on pollution generation and related operational activities to ensure compliance with air quality standards. Issued permits specify restrictions each facility must follow to meet all air quality requirements. Any related testing, monitoring, recordkeeping, reporting, and work practice standards to demonstrate compliance with those requirements.

The Enforcement section is made up of field inspectors as well as air pollution control engineers. The main goal of the enforcement staff is to ensure that facilities are complying with regulations. Using information collected by inspectors and data provided by other sections, enforcement can levy fines against polluters and can require specific actions by the polluter in order to fix problems.

The Asbestos & Abrasive Blasting section has inspectors dedicated to overseeing asbestos abatement and abrasive blasting projects. The goal of our asbestos section is to reduce public exposure during removal and demolition activities. Our abrasive blasting program aims to reduce dust and contaminants through a permitting and inspection program.