Massachusetts Air Fact Sheet

1. What air regulations does the state of Massachusetts follow?

• The state of Massachusetts adheres to all federal emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). National emission standards for HAPs, compliance dates and their rules and implementation are found in the following U.S. Environmental Protection Agency link: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/eparules.html. Massachusetts uses the federal HAPs list for emission inventory.

2. Which state organization manages air pollution regulations?

• Division of Air and Climate: The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection http://www.mass.gov/dep/air/index.htm houses the Division of Air and Climate. http://www.mass.gov/dep/air/index.htm. This division is responsible for working continuously to reduce the risks posed by air pollution and climate change.

3. What are the specific responsibilities of the Division of Air and Climate?

• Reports, Plans and Data: To issue yearly summaries of data obtained from statewide air monitoring network; http://www.mass.gov/dep/air/index.htm
• Air Quality and Monitoring : To continually monitor quality and its impact on residents of Massachusetts; http://www.mass.gov/dep/air/airquali.htm
• Laws, Regulation and Policy: To implement rules derived from state and federal environmental legislation; http://www.mass.gov/dep/air/lawsrule.htm
• Permits, Reporting and Forms: To issue permit applications, reporting forms and instructions for facilities and activities generating emissions that contribute to air pollution and climate change. http://www.mass.gov/dep/air/permitsa.htm
• Grants and Assistance: To issue grants, tax incentives, loans and reimbursement opportunities available to Massachusetts communities, businesses, and residents interested in making environment-related investments; http://www.mass.gov/dep/air/grantsfi.htm
• Programs and Initiatives: To develop programs that are environmentally friendly; http://www.mass.gov/dep/air/programs.htm

4. Where are the rules found?

• Massachusetts Current Ambient Air Quality Standards: http://www.mass.gov/dep/service/regulations/310cmr06.pdf
• Massachusetts Allowable Ambient Limits: The MassachusettsDepartment of Environmental Protection has developed 115 health-based air toxics guidelines (Allowable Ambient Limits or AALs), which have been used in permitting certain stationary sources. These AALs are based on potential known or suspected carcinogenic and toxic health properties of individual compounds. Safety factors are incorporated into the AALs to account for exposures from pathways other than air. AALs are reviewed and updated periodically to reflect current toxicity information. See: Massachusetts AALs.
• Addressing Air Toxics In Massachusetts: http://www.mass.gov/dep/air/community/airtox.htm
• Rules for Air Pollution Control: The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection provides guidelines for Air Pollution Control (310 CMR 7.00) http://www.mass.gov/dep/service/regulations/310cmr07.pdf

5. Contact information?

• Eileen Hiney
  Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
  eileen.hiney@state.ma.us
  One Winter Street
  Boston, MA 02108
  617-292-5520

Disclaimer: All information contained in this fact sheet is accurate as of the date specified in the header of this document. ERA accepts no liability for the content of this fact sheet, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. To ensure the accuracy of the information provided, please contact the Environmental Protection Agency. For a more recent revision of this document, please contact ERA at (514) 684-6408.

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