Code of Massachusetts Regulations
310 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Title 310 CMR 8.00 - The Prevention And/or Abatement Of Air Pollution Episode And Air Pollution Incident Emergencies
Section 8.02 - Definitions

When used in 310 CMR 8.00 and in communications, notices, or orders relative thereto, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed below:

Air Contaminant means any substance or man-made physical phenomenoninthe ambientair space and includes, but is not limited to dust, flyash, gas, fume, mist, odor, smoke, vapor, pollen, microorganism, radioactive material, ionizing radiation, heat, sound, any combination thereof, or any decay or reaction product thereof.

Air Contaminant Source means any place at or from which any air contaminant is emitted to the ambient air space.

Air Pollution means the presence in the ambient air space of one or more air contaminants or combinations thereof in such concentrations and of such duration as to:

(a) cause a nuisance;

(b) be injurious to human or animal life, to vegetation, or to property; or

(c) unreasonably interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life and property or the conduct of business.

Air Pollution Episode means a state of the ambient air environment in which the concentrations of air contaminants are elevated to or are in excess of certain defined levels and that certain meteorological conditions are expected to continue.

Air Pollution Episode Alert (APEA) means that degree of Air Pollution Episode which meets the criteria for determination of an Air Pollution Episode Alert as set forth in 310 CMR 8.03.

Air Pollution Episode Emergency (APEE) means that degree of Air Pollution Episode which meets the criteria for determination of an Air Pollution Episode Emergency as set forth in 310 CMR 8.03.

Air Pollution Episode Warning (APEW) means that degree of Air Pollution Episode which meets the criteria for determination of an Air Pollution Episode Warning as set forth in 310 CMR 8.03.

Air Pollution Incident Emergency (APIE) means a condition in the atmosphere in the Commonwealth or any part thereof, which constitutes a present or reasonably imminent danger to health.

Ambient Air Space means unconfined space occupied by the atmosphere above the geographical area of the District.

Atmospheric Stagnation Advisory means an advisory, issued by the National Weather Service, relative to meteorological conditions that are predicted to be manifest for 36 hours or more and to be characterized by poor ventilation and potential increase of ambient air contaminant concentration levels. (The advisories may be prepared for regions of substantial area, or as the need maydictate, for local, relatively small areas.)

COH - Coefficient of Haze means the unit which quantifies the increase in photometric density of a filter tape due to deposition of particles per 1000 linear feet of air through a one inch diameter filter when sampled at the rate of approximately 0.25 cfm.

Commissioner means the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection or his official designees.

Department means the Department of Environmental Protection.

Emission means any discharge or release of an air contaminant to the ambient air space.

Emission Reduction Plan(s) means the plans for reducing emissions during Air Pollution Episode Alerts, Warning, and/or Emergencies.

ug/m3 means micrograms per cubic meter.

News Media means certain channels of communication by which information is conveyed between persons; it includes, but is not limited to, radio, television, and newspapers.

p.p.m. means parts per million.

Person means any individual, partnership, association, firm, syndicate, company, trust, corporation, department, authority, bureau, agency, political subdivision of the Commonwealth, law enforcement agency, fire fighting agency, or any other entity recognized by law as the subject of rights and duties.

PM10 or Particulate Matter 10 means particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 10 micrometers as measured by a reference method based on Appendix J of Part 50 of CFR and designated in accordance with Part 53 or by an equivalent method designated in part 53.