Factors Determined In A Visible Emissions Training

By Mia Kent


In support of the Clean Air Act, the Visible Emissions Training is conducted by environmental centers and departments. This is to measure the quality of the air in the surroundings as shown by the lower percentage of emission opacity. There are certain limits that each area provide for automobiles and factories to meet before operations.

Visible emissions are particles of mater that can be observed directly by a person without the aid of probing instruments. These particles are compared to the size of a seventy micrometer diameter of a human hair. There sizes are anywhere between zero point one micrometer to approximately two hundred micrometers. Smoke, fumes and minute droplets ca be considered as plumes. If they mix in the air people take in, there are a number of respiratory and skin diseases that can occur.

Back in the years prior to the eighteen hundreds, it is impossible to measure the opaqueness of a plume. However, the discovery of the chart of Ringelmann solved this very problem. Now, density and the level of opaqueness of particulate matters can already be determined using the instrument. The bigger number of particles in an emission, the larger the percentage of opacity is.

Under the EPA Reference Method Nine, the government adopted a standard inspection method to establish uniformity in the readings of measurements. This is the basis for training of the observers. There are various requirements that an observer should exhibit to pass the evaluation done after the training.

There is a required distance from the observed gas emission to the point the observer should stand. Establishing a clearer view without the danger of being caught by the fume is advisable. An average distance of a quarter mile is suggested with the trainee in perpendicular to the direction of the observed matter. The trainee should only look at one plume in a given time in cases where there are multiple layers of plumes.

The information that the observer should be aware of are the type, location and source of plume. It will also be necessary to jot down the external factors affecting the test such as gust direction and the condition of the weather. Information pertaining the name and affiliation of the observer are needed as well. These help in the administration of proper recommendation to the people concerned.

A desired number of thirty readings should be done at a fifteen second interval. A more accurate reading can be garnered if it is done against a clear and contrasting background. The measurements should be rounded to the nearest five point interval measured in percent.

Human mistakes like inaccurate calculation due to the difficult weather can make the readings invalid. The uniqueness of the calculation method per area may also render the information acquired questionable. The standard opacity level should not be greater than the percentage of twenty.

Everybody who has no problems in their vision is eligible to undergo a Visible Emissions Training. This procedure is important in regulating violators of the standard air protocol. There are corresponding penalties and sanctions given to those who are still emitting harmful visible gases even after advised to regulate their plumes.




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