Managing the nation's air quality is a complex undertaking, involving tens of thousands of people in regulating thousands of pollution sources. The authors identify what has worked and what has not, and they offer wide-ranging recommendations for setting future priorities, making difficult choices, and increasing innovation. This new book explores how to better integrate scientific advances and new technologies into the air quality management system. The volume reviews the three-decade history of governmental efforts toward cleaner air, discussing how air quality standards are set and results measured, the design and implementation of control strategies, regulatory processes and procedures, special issues with mobile pollution sources, and more. The book looks at efforts to spur social and behavioral changes that affect air quality, the effectiveness of market-based instruments for air quality regulation, and many other aspects of the issue. Rich in technical detail, this book will be of interest to all those engaged in air quality management: scientists, engineers, industrial managers, law makers, regulators, health officials, clean-air advocates, and concerned citizens.

Despite more than 20 years of regulatory efforts, concern is widespread that ozone pollution in the lower atmosphere, or troposphere, threatens the health of humans, animals, and vegetation. This book discusses how scientific information can be used to develop more effective regulations to control ozone. Rethinking the Ozone Problem in Urban and Regional Air Pollution discusses: The latest data and analysis on how tropospheric ozone is formed. How well our measurement techniques are functioning. Deficiencies in efforts to date to control the problem. Approaches to reducing ozone precursor emissions that hold the most promise. What additional research is needed. With a wealth of technical information, the book discusses atmospheric chemistry, the role of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ozone formation, monitoring and modeling the formation and transport processes, and the potential contribution of alternative fuels to solving the tropospheric ozone problem. The committee discusses criteria for designing more effective ozone control efforts. Because of its direct bearing on decisions to be made under the Clean Air Act, this book should be of great interest to environmental advocates, industry, and the regulatory community as well as scientists, faculty, and students.

Examines the successes and failures of the Clean Air Act in order to lay a foundation for future energy policy.

The complete guide to the control of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. With increased regulatory pressures on air pollution emissions, there is a growing need for innovative control technologies in a wide range of industries. This timely and authoritative book explores the science, technology, economics, and applications specific to the control of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. Engineer Paige Hunter joins forces with S. Ted Oyama, an expert in VOC control and a renowned ozone chemist, to present a thorough review of both conventional and emerging techniques for the treatment of VOC-containing streams. They provide detailed technical descriptions, up-to-date cost data on processes, and practical information for industry professionals on how to apply the techniques in diverse fields. Coverage includes: * Comparisons of the major conventional control methods for the treatment of VOC-containing streams * The new technologies of membrane filtration, ultraviolet oxidation, and corona destruction * The cutting-edge technology of catalytic ozonation, suitable for retrofitting existing processes or control systems * International aspects of air pollution and VOC control * A comprehensive listing of hazardous air pollutants (HAPSs) and VOCs * Dozens of illustrations and photographs as well as references to Internet resources