EPA Publishes Final Rule Amending Methods for Measuring Filterable and Condensable Particulate Matter Emissions from Stationary Sources

On Dec. 21, 2010, EPA published the final rule amending the methods for measuring filterable PM10 and PM2.5 and condensable PM emissions from certain stationary sources including fossil fuel steam generators, electricity generating units, petroleum refineries, municipal waste combustors, and coal preparation plants, and others. The final rule is effective Jan. 1, 2011 and applies to stationary sources that are required to control or measure total particulate matter (PM), PM10 or PM2.5. The measurement methods are included in 40 C.F.R. Part 51, Appendix M.

In 1990, Congress amended the Clean Air Act (CAA) to require the EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) (40 C.F.R. Part 50) for pollutants considered harmful to public health and the environment. The EPA set standards for PM10 and PM2.5 and developed methods 201A and 202 in the early 1990's to measure particulate matter emissions.