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 8.03 - Air Pollution Episode Criteria

Universal Citation: 310 MA Code of Regs 310.8

Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024

(1) Episode Criteria. Conditions justifying the proclamation of air pollution alert, air pollution warning, or air pollution emergency shall be deemed to exist whenever the Department determines that the accumulation of air pollutants in any place is attaining or has attained levels which could, if such levels are sustained or exceeded, lead to a substantial threat to the health of persons. In making this determination, the Department will be guided by the following criteria:

(a) Air Pollution Forecast. An internal watch by the Department shall be actuated by a National Weather Service advisory that Atmospheric Stagnation Advisory is in effect.

(b) Alert. The Alert level is that concentration of pollutants at which first stage control actions is to begin. An Alert will be declared when any one of the levels listed in 310 CMR 8.03(2)(a) is reached at any monitoring site and meterological conditions are such that the Department is of the opinion that, unless appropriate control actions to reduce emissions are taken, ambient air contaminant concentration levels will remain at or in excess of the above levels for 12 or more hours.

(c) Warning. The warning level indicates that air quality is continuing to deteriorate and that additional control actions are necessary. A warning will be declared when any one of the levels listed in 310 CMR 8.03(2)(b) is reached at any monitoring site and meteorological conditions are such that the Department is of the opinion that, unless appropriate control actions to reduce emissions are taken, ambient air contaminant concentration levels will remain at or in excess of the above levels for 12 or more hours.

(d) Emergency. The emergency level indicates that air quality is continuing to deteriorate toward a level of significant harm to the health of persons and that the most stringent control actions are necessary. An emergency will be declared when any one of the levels listed in 310 CMR 8.03(2)(c) is reached at any monitoring site and meterological conditions are such that the Department is of the opinion that, unless appropriate control actions to reduce emissions are taken, ambient air contaminant concentration levels will remain at or in excess of the above levels for 12 or more hours.

(e) Termination. Once declared, any status reached by application of these criteria will remain in effect until the criteria for that level are no longer met. At such time, the next lower status will be assumed, or the episode will be declared over.

(2) Criteria to be used to determine an Air Pollution Episode.

8.03(2)(a) Criteria for Determination of Air Pollution Episode Alert (APEA)

Ambient Air Contaminant Concentration Levels

CONTAMINANT

Ave. ug/m3

ppm

COHs

Duration

Product

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

800

0.3

24-hr.

Particulate Matter

PM10

350

24-hr.

Tape Stain (COHs)

3

24-hr. .

Product of:

(SO2) X (COHs)

(SO2)

(COHs)

24-hr.

0.2

Carbon Monoxide

17,000

15

8-hr.

Ozone (O3)

400

0.2

1-hr.

Nitrogen Dioxide

1,130

0.6

1-hr.

Nitrogen Dioxide

282

0.15

24-hr.

Meteorological Conditions are such that the Department is of the opinion that, unless appropriate control actions to reduce emissions are taken, ambient air contaminant levels will remain at or in excess of the above levels for 12 or more hours.

8.03(2)(b) Criteria for Determination of Air Pollution Episode Warning (APEW)

Ambient Air Contaminant Concentration Levels Ave.

CONTAMINANT

ug/m3

ppm

COHs

Duration

Product

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

1,600

0.6

24-hr.

Particulate Matter

PM10

420

24-hr.

Particulate Matter PM10 Tape Stain (COHs)

5

24-hr.

Product of:

(SO2) X (COHs)

(SO2)

(COHs)

24-hr.

 0.8

Carbon Monoxide

34,000

30

8-hr.

Ozone (O3)

800

0.4

1-hr.

Nitrogen Dioxide

2,260

1.2

1-hr.

Nitrogen Dioxide

565

0.3

24-hr.

Meteorological Conditions are such that the Department is of the opinion that, unless appropriate control actions to reduce emissions are taken, ambient air contaminant levels will remain at or in excess of the above levels for 12 or more hours.

8.03(2)(c) Criteria for Determination of Air Pollution Episode Emergency (APEE)

Ambient Air Contaminant Concentration Levels

CONTAMINANT

Ave. ug/m3

ppm

COHs

Duration

Product

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

2,100

0.8

24-hr.

Particulate Matter

PM10

500

24-hr.

Tape Stain (COHs)

8

24-hr.

Product of:

(SO2) X (COHs)

(SO2)

(COHs)

24-hr.

1.2

Carbon Monoxide

46,000

40

8-hr.

Ozone (O3)

1,000

0.5

1-hr.

Nitrogen Dioxide

3,000

1.6

1-hr.

Nitrogen Dioxide

750

0.4

24-hr.

Meteorological Conditions are such that the Department is of the opinion that ambient air contaminant levels will remain at or in excess of the above levels for 12 or more hours.

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